I have decided that....because this story has gotten so long and because I have wayched the movie more times than I could count....maybeI do own "Miracles"....just kidding :)

Thank you to all that are still reading and reviewing this story. Please keep it up.

Chapter 26: Proposal

When we finally arrive at the bar the celebration is in full swing. I have never seen so many happy faces in my entire life….and it is not just from the guys on the team….the whole bar is celebrating.

"Hey OC guess Coach didn't kill you. Either that or you're one happy looking ghost."

"No, Mac….I'm no ghost."

Mac and the rest of the team head over to where we are standing.

"So your parents were cool with this?"

"They didn't like that I lied….but yeah they are ok with this….us."

"So I guess "operation: don't tell Herb" is official over?"

"With great success, I might add."

"Not so fast Buzzy….we failed miserably."

That is followed by a chorus….

"What?"

"No way."

"We were like 007."

"If you would all shut up a second we would tell you."

Leave it to Jack to silence a crowd.

"It wasn't just you guys….we failed too."

"What Jack is trying to say is that we left too many clues."

I went on to tell them everything that my parents had figured out. No one was too shocked….in hind sight we left some pretty big clues…..and so the party went on….and on….and on….and on….

"Hey you ok?….You look tired."

"A little….I think I am finally crashing….You know what….I am going to head back to the dorms….you stay and I will see you in the morning."

"Over my dead body! I am going with you."

"Don't be silly. Stay….celebrate with the guys….I will be fine."

"I am sure you would be….but I don't want to celebrate if you are not here."

We smile at each other and begin to gather our things.

"Hey you guys heading out?"

"Yeah….it has been a long day."

"Yeah….I know what you are talking about….I think most of us are going to head back soon."

There is a brief silence as Rizzo looks between Jack and myself.

"Don't worry I am sleeping in Mark's room tonight."

"No. Rizzo that's stupid….my parents know about us now….we will just go back to my room."

"You guys sure?"

"Yeah….you deserve a bed tonight."

"Thanks."

"Night Rizzo….tell the guys we said good night."

"Sure thing….good night guys….and congratulations."

I lean over to hug Rizzo and whisper in his ear.

"Thank you. I owe you one."

I turn to Jack, grab his hand and we head out the door.

As we head back to the dorms I can't help but notice that Jack is really quiet. Not quite like the night Tim came and not quite like how he was after the injury….this is different….it almost feels like he wants to say something but doesn't know how.

"Hey, you ok….you seem really quite."

"Yeah…it's just….I wanted to….I am not sure how…."

I start to laugh.

"What is so funny?"

"You….Jack O'Callahan at a lose for words….it must be a first."

He starts to laugh too.

"Probably."

"So what is up?"

"I was hoping….I know next week we are all going home….and I need to pack up my apartment for the move to Wisconsin….I was thinking that maybe you could come with me?"

"Of course I will come with you. You need help packing….and I am an excellent packer…."

"Well actually, I thought it would be a great time for you to meet my parents. They are dying to meet you."

"Your parents know about me?"

"Kind of….I told them all about you….I just left out who your father was….thought it was best….I knew your dad sporadically spoke to all of our parents."

"So they don't know that I am….that Herb is my dad?"

"For a while they didn't….but….it sort of slipped out after I go hurt….I didn't know that you signed some of the paperwork."

"Yeah….they needed a signature for the ambulance….I signed it….your parents had to be called to authorize treatment and they were sent the paperwork…."

"Yeah….they saw your full name and figured it out. I made them swear not to say anything."

"And they did?"

"They love me and they want me to be happy….they know you make me happy."

My face is now fully flushed.

"It is nothing to be embarrassed about."

"They must think I am horrible for lying to my parents….and making you lie too."

"They understand….they do….I explained everything to them….they didn't like the lies….but they understood….you will see that when you meet them."

I look up into Jack's eyes. He seems to be searching for my answer….so I make it easy.

"Of course, I will go to Boston with you."

"Really?"

The smile.

"Yeah….I would love to meet your parents."

He grabs both sides of my face and whispers….

"I love you."

"I love you too."

We continued to the dorm as Jack tells me a little about his parents. It is funny, Jack knows so much about my family, and I know so little about his. It just never really came up. Honestly, the only reason Jack knows anything about my family is because he has been in Minnesota. We have both been so wrapped up in each other, in keeping us secret, in the Olympics….we barely talked about that kind of stuff. But I have to admit I like hearing Jack talk about them. His face changes when he does….it gets more….innocent?....no….it gets less cocky. I have a feeling that Jack's mom has never seen Jack's ego in its full glory….I think he is scared of what she might do to him if she ever did. I'm going to have to ask her how she manages that.

By the time we reach my room….and I have to say it is weird calling it my room considering I have never spent more than 20 minutes inside of it….Jack and are wiped. I head in the bathroom to wash my face and as I come out I notice that Jack is locking the door adjoining my room to my dad's.

"Good idea."

"Yeah. I know they took us well….but….I don't know how good it would be if they saw us in bed together."

We both laugh and get into said bed. As tired as we both are neither one of us seems to anxious to actually sleep. We just seem to content to be in each other's arms.

"Do you really think your parents are going like me?"

"What's not to like?"

I playfully slap Jack on his chest.

"Come on….I want them to like me."

"They are going to love you….because I love you and because I have already told them that you are the women I am going to be with for….in Wisconsin….My mom is already ready planning a party to celebrate our en….arrangements…."

What the hell is he talking about? Our arrangement? He is starting to babble. It sounds like he is trying to cover his tracks.

"A party? Why is she planning a party?"

"My mom loves parties."

"Then maybe I should call her and tell her I can help…."

"NO!"

I lift my head to look at him….he looks panicked.

"Why can't I call your mom? Helping her with the party could be a way for her to get to know me….like me."

"You are not supposed to know about the party….she wanted it to be a surprise."

"Oh….ok….so I guess I just act surprised."

I put my head back down on his chest….feeling a little dejected.

"I'm sorry I yelled….things just slip out of my mouth sometimes….plus my mom would kill me if I messed this up….I mean if I messed up her party."

I looked back up at him….he honestly looks upset. I smile and he swipes his hand through my hair.

"I know….it's ok….I think we are both just really tired….it is going to be a very long week….we should try and get some sleep while we can.

"Yeah….you are probably right. I am sorry."

I push myself up and kiss him. As I pull my head away I whisper….

"You better be." We both smile and resume our previous position. I am just about to drift off to sleep when I hear Jack whisper….

"I will not mess this up….It will be perfect."

What will be perfect….what is he scared to mess up….right now I am too tired to even open my mouth so I will just have to remember to ask him tomorrow.

Author's note: So who thought that this was "the chapter"? I thought I would leave you guys hanging a little while longer. Don't worry it's coming ;)