Of Dreams and Miracles
By Misha

Disclaimer and Notes in Prologue.

Part Forty-Four: Conversations

The XII Winter Olympics, Day Seven

"So how's it going, sweetheart?" Patti asked Elizabeth a couple days over breakfast.

Herb was spending some time with Kelly and Danny, so Elizabeth had taken advantage of it for some one-on-one time with her mother.

She smiled. "It's hectic, you? But fun."

"That's good." Patti told her with a warm smile. "I'm glad you're having a good time."

"I really am." Elizabeth told her. She picked at her breakfast. "Mom, Jack wants me to go to Boston with him." She confided.

Elizabeth had decided to talk to Patti about it, maybe get some advice, but mainly to just let her know what was going on. She still felt bad for keeping her relationship from Jack a secret for so long, even though she'd had her reasons.

Patti stopped eating and stared at her. "Are you going to go?"

"I think so." Elizabeth answered quietly. "I love him and I want to be with him. I just... Am I really ready to leave my friends and family?"

She'd spent the last couple days really thinking about that. She was serious about Jack, she knew that, and she hated the idea of being away from him. Yet, she was still unsure about leaving everything. It was a lot to think about.

"That's a decision that you're going to have make on your own, honey." Patti told her. "No one else can make it for you, not even me."

"I'm sure Dad would if he could." Elizabeth pointed out with a grin.

Patti laughed. 'Yes, but that's your father. Have you told him?"

"No, and I don't intend to, not until I make up my mind." Elizabeth answered. "I think he's still mad that I'm even dating Jack."

Patti nodded. "Well, do whatever you feel is best for you and I'll help you deal with your father when the time comes."

"Thanks Mom." Elizabeth said, patting Patti's hand. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
---

"Got a minute for me?" Elizabeth asked, having knocked on Kathleen's door. She hadn't had a chacne yet to tell her friend how everything had worked out.

"Of course." Kathleen told her. "Come on in."

"You were right." Elizabeth told her as soon as she was inside. "I did have some stuff to clear up before I could really be happy."

"Oh?" Kathleen asked, raising an eyebrow. "I had to take out my memories of Rob and really evaluate them. I needed to know once and for all I really felt."

"And did you find out?" Kathleen asked eagerly.

"I did." Elizabeth told her. "I realized that I've changed and so has Rob. We're not the people we were a year ago. He'll always be important to me, but we had is gone now. My future's with Jack."

"That makes sense." Kathleen agreed. "I mean, I'll admit, I was rooting for Robbie, but I think that was because I didn't want things to change. I guess I thought that if you chose Rob, it would be just like it used to be, but I understand that you're supposed to be with Jack now. Does this mean you're moving on me?"

"I don't know." Elizabeth confessed. "Maybe. Probably. But it's such a huge step."

"It is." Kathleen agreed. "Are you ready for it?"

"I don't know." Elizabeth said again. "I really don't. One think I do know it that my father will hate the idea."

"Probably." Kathleen agreed. "How are things between the two of you?"

"Not good." Elizabeth answered. "We've barely talked since he found out about me and Jack. Well, we've talked about team stuff, but very little else."

"You probably should talk to him." Kathleen told her. "After all, you and your dad have always been so close."

"I know." Elizabeth said with a sigh. "You're right, I do need to talk to him. I just hope he'll be willing to talk to me."
---

Elizabeth knocked on the door that adjoined her hotel room and her father's.

"Yes?" Herb said when he opened the door.

"Can we talk?" She asked him.

He nodded and stepped aside to let her enter. "Sure."

"Daddy, I'm sorry I lied to you." Elizabeth said immediately. "I should have told you right away about my relationship with Jack and made you understand why this is right."

Herb didn't say anything.

"I know you didn't want me dating any of your players, but this is right, Dad." Elizabeth told him. "You have to know that I wouldn't have done all this, if some part of me hadn't believe that it was special and it is."

"You're only twenty-one." Herb told her.

"So? How old were you when you married my mother?" Elizabeth challenged. "What does age have to do with it, Dad? It's about what feels right and this does. Being with Jack feels right for me. But, that's not why I'm here, I'm here because I hate it when you're mad at me."

"I just can't believe that you lied to me for so long, Elizabeth." Herb told her. "You never lie to me."

"I know." She told him quietly. "It was wrong. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth knew her father was right to feel a little disappointed in her. She might have done what she thought was right, but she knew he wouldn't see it that way. He'd just see that she'd lied to him and she hated that.

"But perhaps I shouldn't have come down so hard on you." Herb allowed. "I might be your father and O.C's coach, but I had no right to try and tell you how to run your life. For that I'm truly sorry, Liz."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said, then she crossed the hotel room to give her father a hug. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too." Herb told her with a smile. "No matter what you do, that's never going to change."
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