February 18, 1980 USA Vs. Romania

It was late in the third period. We were up 7-2 over Romania! I was so excited I couldn't sit down. I saw Christian on the ice chasing a Romanian player. Jimmy Craig made yet another terrific save. I had never seen Jimmy Craig play as well as he was in these Olympic Games.

"Way to stay with them, Christian." I said patting his shoulder when he took his seat.

Herb called for the team to change it up. I made my way down to where OC was sitting watching the game. "How is it going?"

"I am proud of the team; I just wish I could do more." OC said.

I squeezed his shoulder. "You are great for moral support. The team would be upset if you weren't here."

"Mac, any pain in the thigh?" I asked and he shook his head no.

I saw Mr. and Mrs. Eruzione in the stands and waved to them. The other night we had all gone to dinner together. I really liked them. I felt a pang of guilt that Rizzo's parents loved me so much and my dad didn't even know I had a boyfriend.

"Stay in it boys!" Herb yelled pulling me from my thoughts.

Craig made another awesome save.

"Yeah, alright Jimmy!" I cheered for him.

When the final buzzer sounded we all began celebrating. I hugged my dad and then was carried out onto the ice by Janny and Strobel. As we all hugged and celebrated, it dawned on me: one more game and we would qualify for the medal round! I couldn't believe it!

I watched as the boys skated off to the dressing room. Herb had decided to avoid the media and go with them tonight. I walked over to where my dad was standing.

"Herb said there is going to be another press conference tomorrow. Each one becomes a bigger media circus." Dad said.

"Well we weren't expected to be good. Not only have we dominated the past three games, but we are undefeated in these games." I said. "Besides, I think the public is thrilled to have good news for a change."

"Just don't let all this media attention go to your head." Dad said.

"I won't. Trust me, I hate those reporters." I said.

"Well stick by me and we'll face them together this time." Dad said putting an arm around my shoulders as we started off the ice.

"Coach Patrick, your thoughts on tonight's game."

"It was a great team effort and I am proud of team USA." Dad said guiding us both towards the locker room.

"Craig, what is it like to have your daughter with you for the Olympics?"

"I am very glad to have Chevon here with me. She is very dedicated to the team. I enjoy not having to be away from her." Dad said.

"Miss Patrick, how do you feel about your dad's involvement in the Olympics?"

"I am very proud of his work with this team. I know how long he has wanted to be a part of the Olympics and now we are here together. I couldn't imagine anything better." I told them.

"Your thoughts on possibly making it to the medal round?"

"It has been our goal all along and we will keep working to get there." Dad said and guided me through the door to the locker room.

"I'll wait here in case anyone is not descent." I said. Dad nodded and walked off.

I stood alone trying to catch my breath. The events of the past week had been so exciting. I found myself smiling a lot. And I also found myself pushing fears about after the Olympics out of my mind. I knew Rizzo loved me, and it was obvious that he wasn't dating a coach's daughter to get on the team. He had made the team without dad or Herb finding out about us, and he had been made captain all on his own too. I just didn't know what was going to happen after the Olympics. Dad and I would be heading back to Detroit and Rizzo would be going back to Winthrop.

"Chev, are you okay?" dad asked walking back to where I was.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? We just won." I said.

"You looked like you were going to cry. Is something wrong?" he asked looking genuinely concerned.

"I am okay; I was just deep in thought." I said.

"We'll be loading the bus in about twenty minutes." Dad told me.

"Chev, are you okay? You didn't say much all the way back here." Rizzo said when we walked in his hotel room. "Usually after we play a game, you are excited and bouncing off the walls."

"I just have a few things on my mind." I said and sat down on the edge of his bed.

"Something wrong?" Rizzo asked and I couldn't answer. He sat down next to me and took my hand. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."

I wanted to tell him what was wrong, but I was afraid to know the answer. I started to cry. I couldn't help it; you can only think about something for so long before it breaks you down.

"Chevon, did someone hurt you?" Rizzo asked wrapping both arms around me. I shook my head but kept crying. "Did you have a fight with your dad? Did Herb snap at you for something?"

"No, its nothing like that." I managed to get out.

"Then what is it? I want to help you." Rizzo said.

"What is going to happen to us when the Olympics are over?" I blurted out and started sobbing harder.

Rizzo started gently rocking me and stroking my hair. "Are you afraid that when the Olympics are over, I am going to go back home and just forget all about you?"

"Sort of. I am just so afraid of losing you." I cried.

"Listen to me," Rizzo said making my eyes meet his. "I love you more than I could have ever imagined loving another person. And when these Olympics are over, we'll be able to tell your dad about us."

"But I'll be in Detroit and you'll be in Winthrop." I said and kept crying.

"Chevon, I have thought about this before…and depending on where my hockey career goes from here…either I will move to Michigan or I'll bring you to Massachusetts, but we won't be separated. I promise, I would never want to be separated from you."

I could see in his beautiful brown eyes that he was serious. And I knew Rizzo would never lie to me. If he said we wouldn't be separated, I believed him. I collapsed into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"I love you so much, Mike. I couldn't bear to be without you." I said and meant it. Despite that we had only been together seven months, I loved him and couldn't imagine my life without him.

"I love you too." Rizzo said. "And I meant it; I'll make sure we're always together."

There are going to be a few short chapters but they are all important to the story as a whole. Hope you enjoy them!

Klinoa- As much as I would love nothing more in the world than to spend 'quality time' with Patrick O'Brien Demsey. I think kidnapping wouldn't be the way to see him because they would lock me in a federal prison (an all women's prison). LOL, if there was a way to kidnap him and not get into trouble, I would be all for it! Although I wouldn't know which 'Miracle' guy to kidnap first! LOL

Meadow567- The letter sounds like it could be interesting. She could make out with him and let things progress naturally. Or as my older brother says (God Rest his Brain) 'You can never go wrong walking around topless.' (What women see in my bro I will never understand! LOL)