This is the last chapter of this story. But due to popular demand and sneaky plot-bunnies there will eventually be a sequel. For now I am taking a week off, and then next week will begin posting a whole new story that I have started. It is also about 'Miracle'. Chevon and Rizzo will be back one day never fear. I hope all of you that have read this story will read my next one. I cannot thank all of you enough for the reviews and fun that I have had with this story. So everyone keep an eye out for my new story that will be called 'When Miracles Happen' and I will write Chev/Rizzo sequel soon after. Thanks again.

Emador- Chev still wants to thank Suter! Maybe in the sequel!

Klinoa- I always hated math myself, so I feel your pain. Good Luck, I am sure you'll do fine. Also, as much as I would love to have Patrick all to myself; definitely not in Alaska. What is the point of kidnapping someone that hott if we have to take him somewhere that he has to wear all his clothes all the time?! LOL How about a tropic island instead, so he can walk around shirtless…at least! LOL

Mrs. Rizzo- I wish we really could be in the room with these guys! I wouldn't know whose lap to sit on first! LOL

meadow567- Jack is very upset that it was just ALMOST!!! LOL Study hard and good luck.

Nikkd03- I am sure that Rizzo will propose eventually, unless OC steals her away! I wonder how he will propose?

February 24, 1980USA Vs. Finland

The gold medal game- I stood behind the bench watching my boys play. It had been a long journey, but here we were and the world was watching.

The Finland team was dominating us through the first and second periods. I tried hard to keep the boys spirits up. We were down 2-0. Herb was unusually quiet. At the end of the second period I went into the locker room with the boys. We were all kind of quiet. Dad walked in with Doc.

Herb walked in and looked around at all of us. He strode around the room a few times. We all waited for what he was going to say. Herb just stalked around the room a few more times then stopped in the center of everyone.

"IF YOU BOYS LOSE THIS GAME, IT WILL HAUNT YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE GRAVE!!!"Herb yelled and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I looked around at the boys, none of us knew exactly what to say or think. Even dad had raised his eyebrows. We heard the door open again and Herb stuck just his head in.

"TO YOUR FUCKING GRAVES!!!" Herb yelled then left again slamming the door.

I looked around and the boys seemed to understand what Herb meant. Rizzo jumped up and grabbed his stick and looked at his team mates. The others one by one grabbed their equipment and stood up. We had come from behind in every game we had played in the Olympics and I knew they could do it again.

"Let's get out there boys." Dad said.

I walked out with dad, the team following us. As the boys took to the ice, dad and I joined Herb behind the bench.

The third period the boys had a new intensity. I cheered, I coached, I cried, I hugged; I did whatever it took to support those boys. Herb yelled orders. Dad coached too. Jimmy again was playing at his peak.

In the third period we scored 4 goals. I cheered when McClanahan, Verchota and Johnson scored! I hugged them when they came back on the bench. Just as the crowd had done during our game against the Soviets, they counted down to the final buzzer.

4-2, we had just defeated Finland! Emotion overtook me. I started crying and immediately hugged my dad.

"We won the gold medal, Chev!" He said.

"I know, I just can't believe it!" I said through tears.

"You've believed in us all along and now you have doubt?" dad joked. I laughed and cried at the same time. I hugged him again.

I looked at Herb. I had never seen him so happy; he almost glowed. Dad and I headed out to the ice where the boys were all celebrating. OC came skating over to us.

I jumped up into his arms. "You did it OC! You played in the Olympics and now you've won the gold medal!" I said.

"I'm… I just don't know what to say!" OC said, setting me down.

"I do. Congratulations, Jack! You've worked very hard and earned this!" I told him through tears.

"I love you, Chevon. You're a great friend, and I am so proud that you're my best friend's girl. This wouldn't be the same without you." OC said and pulled me into a hug.

"I love you too, OC! I don't know where I'd be without you sometimes!" I said.

I walked on over to Jimmy Craig, he was in tears and had an American flag wrapped around him. I jumped into his arms.

"You're mother is smiling down on you right now! And she is so proud!" I told him.

"So is yours." He said. "Where is my dad sitting?"

I pointed up in the crowd and we spotted Donald Craig. Donald was waving and crying. Mark Johnson came up to us.

I hugged Mark, "You were so wonderful in these games. I couldn't be happier for you!"

"Well, you have been a great source of support and strength through training and the games. You're a big part of this." Mark said.

"Where is Rizzo?" I asked.

"In a pile of us. As team captain, everyone wants to hug him." Mark said.

"Girlfriend gets special privileges." I said and took off towards the group of hugging players.

I started hugging everyone I saw. Verchota, Mac, Wells, Strobel, Broten, Suter, Buzz, Bah, Silk and finally I found Rizzo.

I jumped into his arms and he picked me off the ground. "You're a gold medalist, Mike!" I yelled.

He set me back down and kissed me. I can't describe that kiss. We had just won a gold medal after all we had been through in the past seven months, and the man I loved more than anything had led the way!

"I love you, Chevon Patrick!" Rizzo said.

"I love you too. Words can't say how much and how I am feeling right now! Just know that I love you and I am so thrilled and so proud." I said and kissed him again.

Dad came up to us. He hugged Rizzo. "Congratulations, son!" he said to Rizzo.

"You too, Coach Craig." Rizzo said.

I looked up in the crowd and saw Rizzo's parents! I waved to them and pointed them out to Rizzo and my dad. Mrs. Eruzione was in tears. The crowd was still going crazy. I looked around at us celebrating on the ice; my family had just won a gold medal.

Medal Ceremony

Herb, Doc, dad and I stood watching the boys as they were awarded their gold medals. Rizzo was perched on the podium as team captain to receive his medal. I cried as I looked at him. I was so proud of him.

Mike Eruzione, just a young kid from Winthrop, Massachusetts. He had come to try-outs in June and everyone thought he didn't have a shot in hell of making the team. He struggled and earned his spot on the team, and became the heart of the team as captain. Chasing his Olympic dreams he broke out of his slump and scored 'the goal heard around the world' by putting us ahead of the Soviets. And somewhere along the line he had become the greatest love of my life.

Herb was clapping and smiling for the boys. He had beat the Soviets and won a gold medal. He was unorthodox but his methods worked. Now his team had given a grieving nation something to believe in. Once again, Americans could believe in Miracles.

Our national anthem started playing. We all covered our hearts as we sang. I looked at the team, 20 young men that had made an incredible journey together. I considered myself very lucky to be apart of it. As I looked down the line of team USA wearing their medals, covering their hearts and singing, I was surprised at the memories that came to mind. Dragging a drunk Silk back to his hotel room, the first time I kissed Rizzo with Lynyrd Skynyrd playing on the dance floor, Verchota and Bah looking at blonde girls in Norway, Johnson telling Herb we were a family, Jimmy Craig dressed as Santa, and all of us standing by OC when he was hurt.

Herb later told me that this was his favorite moment- watching 20 young men all with different backgrounds coming together. Willing to sacrifice so much of themselves, all for an unknown. Herb then asked me how I felt about all that had happened. I told him that I only had one regret: That Jimmy Craig's mother and my mother couldn't be there with us.

Our National Anthem ended and Rizzo turned around to face us. Dad put his arm around me and we both smiled up at Rizzo. Rizzo then invited the rest of his team mates up on the podium with him. We all laughed and smiled as we watched the 19 other players squeeze on the podium with Rizzo. They all held up one finger, showing that we indeed were #1.

The team that no one thought could place better than 5th had won the gold medal. We had come from behind in every game to accomplish that. They had worked through injuries and obstacles. Twenty young men had carried the hopes and dreams of a nation on their shoulders and had given the country a chance to believe in miracles, and a chance to dream.

I wiped my eyes and hugged my dad. He kissed the top of my head. As the boys climbed off the podium, dad and I went to hug Rizzo. Dad hugged him first then I hugged him and gave him a quick kiss. I then took Rizzo's hand and my dad's hand; I looked around the Olympic Ice Arena. We had worked so hard to get here and had worked hard while we were here.

I then looked at the two men standing beside me. I loved them both so much. And I knew that they would both be with me in the future. I looked at them. Craig Patrick, my father, the man who had loved me and taken care of me my entire life. Mike Eruzione, my boyfriend, the man who would love me and take care of me for the rest of my life!

The End of the Story But Not of the Dream!

This story is dedicated to the 20 young men that one weekend in Lake Placid, NY gave this country the miracle it so desperately needed. Their "Miracle on Ice" has inspired me all my life, and it's an event that I will teach my students, share with my own children, and carry in my heart always! And because of those 20 exceptional young men, I will always have a reason to dream!

Jim Craig

Mike Eruzione

Jack O'Callahan

Rob McClanahan

Mark Johnson

Steve Janaszak

Dave Silk

Phil Verchota

John "Bah" Harrington

Buzz Schneider

Mark Pavelich

Dave Christian

Ken Marrow

Mark Wells

Neal Broten

Eric Strobel

Steve Christoff

Bill Baker

Bob Suter

Mike Ramsey

And the wonderful coaches and doctor that helped them all along the way.

George "Doc" Nagobads

Craig Patrick

Herb Brooks (1937-2003)