Yep....I still own very little.

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Chapter 8: Christmas

Christmas. There really are no words that describe how much I love Christmas. Ever since I was little it has been my favorite holiday, and believe it or not it has very little to do with the presents. To me Christmas has always represented love and family and this year I have more of both!

There was not enough time for any of the guys to go home for the holidays so Doc and his wife were kind enough to invite the whole team over for Christmas Eve. The team had decided not to get each other presents, however, when we arrived at the house Jim was dressed like Santa Claus and had a bag filled with what looked like gifts. I think the boys were up to something.

It turns out the presents were really gag gifts. So basically everyone got something that was a joke. For example, Doc got a big bow tie because he always wears a small one; Coach Patrick got a whistle alluding to the night of Herbies; and I got a set of jacks. When my dad asked what was so funny about jacks I froze. What am I supposed to tell him? "Daddy, the other night I was alone in Jack's room and I told him I love him and the guys were listening outside the door." That would have gone over real well. Rizzo must have anticipated the question because he gave some lame answer about them giving me something to do when I sit at practice. Thankfully my dad bought it.

My dad left shortly after he received his whip. I feel bad for him. He seems lonely. In bonding the team he isolated himself. He really isn't "in" on many of the jokes or the nicknames. I think he is also starting to feel the pressure more. It is starting to come at him from all sides. He has always put pressure on himself, but now it's coming from the USOC, US Hockey and even from "regular people". He has been getting all of this mail most of it is of the good luck variety, but some of it....some of it is just strange. "Beat those Commy bastards."; "Kill the Red Machine.". It's like people see the Olympics as an extension of the Cold War. They are forgetting that it is just a game. I just hope my dad can remember.

The rest of us hung around for a while. The guys played football, Coach Patrick and Doc talked about hockey and I helped clean up. I was in the kitchen washing the last of the dishes when I felt two hands around my waist and Jacks lips on my neck. I gently pull away and turn around.

"What are you doing? Doc or Craig may see us."

"Doc just walked Coach Patrick to his car."

"All the same, we could still get caught."

Then Jack got serious.

"Would that really be a bad thing?"

"Come on Jack we spoke about this and we agreed that the best thing to do was to not tell any of the coaches."

He gets even closer to me.

"And why again is that the best thing?"

"Because, my dad is very overprotective and the last time I dated one of his players he worked him so hard the guy transferred to another school. I will not be the reason that you miss the opportunity to play at the Olympics."

"You would be worth it."

My heart stopped and I started to cry.

"Hey, no tears. I didn't mean to make you cry."

"It's just that....what you said....no one has ever....that was the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me."

"I mean it. I would give the team up for you."

"Then it is a good thing I would never allow that."

I give him a kiss.

"What happened to us getting caught?"

"What would you say to continuing this back at my apartment? Besides, your gift is there."

"Well then, what's the hold up? Let's get out of here."

Jack and I decided to exchange presents as soon as we got back to my apartment. I am so excited to give him his. I racked my brain trying to figure out what to get him, but nothing seemed right. In fact, I wasn't even sure about the gift until tonight. However, I was going to have to wait, Jack was insistent that he give me mine first. He hands me a rather clumsily wrapped box.

"I couldn't figure out what to get you and then I saw this and knew it was perfect."

I open the box and find Jack's championship ring from High School. I am speechless. I know how much this ring means to him. Jack loves to win, he plays to win. This ring is a symbol of the last major championship that he won.

"I can't accept this. You love...."

"I love you and I want you to have it. Tara....meeting you has changed me. My life has always been about winning....but now....I have dreamt about the Olympics for as long as I can remember....it is all I have ever wanted....and now....winning the Olympics would mean nothing to me if I couldn't share it with you. That is why I want you to have the ring....I need for you to be part of that championship and giving you this will sort of do that.

For the second time tonight I am crying.

"I take back what I said before. That....what you just said....is by far the most romantic thing I have ever heard. I'll keep the ring and I will cherish it."

We kiss....allot. Jack is on top of me on the coach when he pulls away a little and looks down at me with his trademark grin.

"So what about my gift?"

"This is it."

The grin disappears and is replaced by a look of utter confusion.

"I am giving you me."

He still looks confused.

"Make love to me Jack."

"Are you sure? We don't have too. I can wait."

"Honestly....before tonight I wasn't sure....but after everything you have said to me tonight....and the way I know we both feel....it is hard for me to believe that there was ever a time when I wasn't positive that I wanted this to happen. I love you and I want to be with you."

With that Jack swoops me off the coach and we head straight for my bedroom. As he lay me on the bed I look up at him....I can not believe how much I love this man. I whisper to him.

"Merry Christmas Jack."

"Merry Christmas Tara."