If I owned them would I seriously be writing this?
Thank you for all the kind reviews....please keep it up:)
Author's note: I am so excited....I had an epiphany. This story will not be ending any time soon. Let's just say a plot bunny landed in my lap and there should be about six more chapters. I am as shocked as you!
Chapter 27: DC
Never in my life has one week gone by so fast. In the days since we won the gold there have been countless interviews and celebrations. Honestly, they are all starting to blend. Not that any of us are tired of talking about what has become known as "the miracle on ice"….but at this point I think we are all running on fumes.
As I look around the plane I can see that most of the guys are sleeping. I would be doing the same thing if not for two things….one Jack is playing with the fingers on my left hand. He has been doing that a lot during the last week, but only when he thinks that I am asleep….and two….I really excited about where we are going. Right now we are headed to Washington DC to meet with the President of the United States of America! There is going to be some kind of ceremony and then there is going to be a ball….don't laugh….the invitations actually say ball.
The guys had mixed feelings about the whole thing. Don't get me wrong they are all excited to meet the President….but lets just say they were less than thrilled to learn they had to wear a tux. I, on the other hand, was thrilled. I am going to a ball! How cool is that? My mom was excited too. We even went shopping for dresses together. It was so much fun. It only got weird when my mom started to cry. At first she tried to brush it off….saying something got caught in her eye. When I didn't buy it she finally admitted that she was thinking about the day we would go shopping for my wedding dress and how soon she thought that day was going to be. I just laughed and re-entered my dressing room. I had been thinking the same thing….but I was too scared to say it out loud.
"This is your captain speaking. We are about to begin our decent into Dulles, please take your seats and fasten your seatbelts."
Jack abruptly stops playing with my fingers as I lift my head off his chest.
"Hey there sleepy head."
Jack obviously thinks that I was sleeping and I see no reason to tell him otherwise.
"Hey. We are landing?"
He nods.
"I can't believe we are going to meet the President."
"I know and we get to go to a ball."
"Yeah….that too."
"Don't be a party pooper. It is going to be fun….how many times in your life are you going to get to go to a ball? It is something we can remember forever."
"That is for sure."
I look at Jack. He said that last part with a little too much excitement.
"What?"
"Don't make fun of me."
"I'm not. Contrary to popular belief a guy can look forward to a ball."
"Ok."
After we land we are ushered to baggage claim and then the secret service….yes the secret service….black suits and all….escort us to a line of black Cadillacs. The guys are noticeably impressed.
"Wow!"
"This is certainly a step up!"
"Can I take one home with me?"
It is about a twenty minute drive from the airport to the White House. As we start to pull out I notice there are people lined up on the sidewalks. Some of them are holding signs. We aren't driving too fast so I can make out some of them.
"Congratulations!"
"We love you."
"Thank you."
"I (heart) Buzzy"
One sign really catches my eye.
"OC will you marry me?"
"Who does she think she is?"
"She is really pretty."
I give my best death stare to Pav. He puts his hands up in a "I surrender" position.
"Sorry."
"She's got nothing on you baby."
Jack leans over and kisses me.
"Hey anyone proposing to me?"
"Sorry Rizzo that seems to be the only one."
"Figures."
"Can you guys believe how many people are here. It has got to be 25 degrees outside. I wonder how long they have been standing outside?"
"I hope that blond gets hypothermia."
Jack puts his arm around me.
"Are you jealous?"
"NO!"
"You are jealous!"
"Stop laughing….it is not funny. That girl doesn't even know you, and she wants to marry you. She must be crazy!"
"Hey….she is crazy because she wants to marry me? What does that say about you?"
"Who said I was going to marry you?"
For a second Jack looks hurt and then he smiles.
"We will just see about that."
The guys in the car start to look at each other and I suddenly feel like I am out of the loop. I just don't know what loop.
The rest of the ride is spent reading a lot of the signs people are holding and some of the guys are checking out the girls.
As we pull through the White House gates my stomach starts to do back flips. What am I going to say to the President? How am I supposed to act? Do I curtsy?....No you do that for Royalty. Do I shake his hand?....That feels too masculine. Do I kiss his cheek or hug him?....That kind of feels to personal. I know….I will just wait and see what my mom does. That makes my stomach settle….a little.
Turns out kissing is the protocol as far as women are concerned. The President is waiting for us as we exit our cars and my mom and dad are the first people he greets. My dad shakes his hand and my mom kisses him on the cheek.
Once we have all exited the cars and greeted President Carter we are led to the room where the ceremony is about to take place. The President talks about the team's accomplishments and about how proud everyone is. Rizzo then presents him with a jersey. The team then posses for pictures and answers a few more questions. It all takes about 15 minutes and then the media leaves. The President once again congratulates the team and tells them he is looking forward to tonight's event. Once he leaves, we head back to the cars and go to the hotel.
So here I am staring at myself in the mirror and I must say I look damn good. After trying on about a zillion dresses I finally settled on a black dress that was very similar to the dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". I figured it was a classic look. I knew there was going to be a lot of pictures being taken and I didn't want to look at them ten years from now and realize my dress was hideous. I went the same way with my hair. I just left it down and straight. That is the way Jack likes it best anyway.
Speaking of Jack….he has been acting strange all day. Right before we left each other to get changed he asked if we could meet earlier….something about wanting to show me something. I told him that was fine. I am just putting on my last earring when I hear a knock at my door.
"Come in….it's open."
"You know, you really should lock your door….there are all kinds….Oh my god!"
I turn around to see Jack staring at me with his mouth wide open.
"What? Do I have a stain or something?"
He is now walking towards me.
"You are beautiful."
And here comes the blushing!
"Thank you."
Jack is still silently staring at me so I continue to talk.
"So what is so important that we needed to be ready an hour before everyone else?"
"You'll see….you ready to go?"
"Yeah let me just get my purse."
Within a minute we are headed out the door and down the elevator. As we exit Jack takes my hand and leads me onto one of the hotels ballrooms. It is completely dark except for the lights coming through the giant picture window directly across from the door.
"Jack what are we doing in here? We are going to get in trouble."
"I want to show you something."
Jack tugs on my hand and leads me over to the window. Once in front of it Jack stands behind me. I have to admit it is beautiful. From this window you can see the Washington Memorial. It is snowing outside and the snow on the ground and the snow in the sky are mixing in with the lights that are set up around the monument.
"Jack it is beautiful…."
I suddenly feel Jack pull away from me. When I turn around to see where he went I have to look down….Jack is on one knee….
"What are you…."
He grabs my left hand and pulls a small square box out of his pocket. As he opens it I can see a ring. I bring my right hand to my mouth.
"Tara….meeting you has been the greatest miracle of my life. You have showed me what true love is. You once told me that you loved me more today than you did yesterday and that you would love me more tomorrow than you do today. That is how I feel about you too. You have seen me through what can only be described as the most emotionally draining experience of my life. I never thought my life could change so much in seven months. I wasn't looking for this….us….but somehow it found me and I thank God for that every day. Having you in my arms when I fall asleep and waking up with you still there makes me happier than I ever dreamed imaginable. I never want to lose that feeling. I want to have you in my arms forever….I want us to grow old together…. Tara Patricia Brooks, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
I can't feel my legs. In fact, I can't feel very much of my body right now. I am looking down at Jack….the man I love more than anything in this world….the man I want to spend my life with….he is looking up at me with such love….it is overwhelming. Suddenly I feel water on my right hand and realize that I am still covering my mouth and now I am crying. I am trying so hard to speak….but I can't….I can barely breath….all I can manage to do is shake my head.
"Is that a yes?"
I try again to talk but all I can manage is a whisper as I shake my head more violently.
"Yes."
"Yes….really? You'll marry me?"
My voice starts coming back….my vocabulary is still lacking.
"Yes….yes….yes."
Jack is still on his knee as he slips the ring onto my finger. As soon as it hits my knuckle Jack is on his feet and we are kissing and then the lights turn on….I wouldn't have noticed the lights had it not been for the cheering. As Jack and I pull apart I look over his shoulder and see all the guys, Doc, Coach Patrick and my mom and dad. The guys are clapping but my mom is crying. Jack and I pull apart and face our "fans". At this point I am fully in tears and Jack's eyes seem to be tearing up as well.
Within minutes we are engulfed in a sea of hugs and handshakes. My mom and dad stay back. After everyone has had their say Jack and I head towards my parents. I hug my dad first.
"Congratulations sweetheart."
"Thanks daddy."
I then walk over to my mom…whose face is now drenched by her own tears. We hug almost immediately.
"I am so happy for you….I can't believe you are going to get married!"
"I'm sorry."
"What is there to be sorry for?"
"I promised you that you would be the first to know….this doesn't exactly accomplish that."
"Don't be silly. I actually got to see the proposal. That is a hundred times better."
We hug again. I then turn my attention to the team.
"What are you guys….how did you know?...."
"OC wanted this to be 'special' for you….he thought that you would like having all of us here…."
"Was I wrong?"
I turn to face Jack….who looks a little scared. I cup his face with my hands.
"You were absolutely right."
We both smile and kiss some more. This of course is followed by a chorus of cheers and jeers. Then my dad starts to speak.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if we don't leave now, we are going to be late for the President of the United States."
"Herb just give Tara and I a few minutes to fix our faces and we will meet all of you by the cars."
My dad nods, kisses my mom and leads the guys….all except Jack….out of the room.
"Do you want me to wait for you?"
"No, mom and I won't take too long….I will see you in the car."
"Ok….We are going to get married!"
"I know."
We both smile. Jack follows my mom and I to the bathroom door and then leaves for the car. My mom and I can't help but laugh when we see ourselves in the mirror.
"I'm glad I spent so much time on my makeup tonight."
"At least you knew this was going to happen and came prepared…."
I point to the makeup bag my mom has brought in with her.
"I, on the other hand, was completely surprised and only have my lipstick and powder."
"Here you can use some of mine."
I look at my mom through the mirror.
"Thanks mom….for everything."
"Stop that right now….I am going to start crying again and then we really are going to be late for the President."
We both nod and continue to fix our makeup. Amazingly, we are both done pretty quickly and head out to the cars….where our husbands….well my mom's husband and my future husband….are waiting.