Lia06- It's been a long time since I saw 'You've Got Mail'. Glad you caught up on the last two chapters. The next few should come soon. (Knock on wood)

Meadow567- Yeah and I'm not even much of an Aerosmith fan, (GASP), LOL.

Flowersc781- Buzz never played for the Pens. A few other people involved with the Miracle team have been involved in the Pens organization, but never Buzz. And you seem so anxious to see what happens in the story! LOL

Emador- Hope you LOVE this chapter too. Also tissue warning.

February 21, 1980, Lake Placid, NY

Press Conference

"Are you nervous?" I asked Craig.

"A little, but it's just because so much is happening so fast." Craig smiled. "You okay?"

"I'm loving every minute of this. Ready? You'll be seated next to Walter." I said.

Craig and I walked out and took our seats at the table. Media was everywhere and cameras flashed from all angles.

"The pairings for the medal rounds are as follows: The United States will play the Soviet Union in the first game tomorrow. Sweden and Finland in the second game. The face off for the US, Soviet game is 1700 hours." Walter stated. "Now if you have any questions, we have the US assistant coach Craig Patrick."

A buzz went out over the media and they immediately began yelling out.

"Where's Coach Brooks, how's come he's not here today?"

"Herb is out preparing for tomorrow's game." Craig answered.

Everyone was yelling questions faster than we could field them. Everyone was asking about OC, and wanting to know if the game at MSG was on our minds. Craig seemed a bit uncomfortable but did great considering the zoo we were in.

"Craig, you okay?" I asked him as the media began dispersing.

"I'm glad that is over." Craig sighed.

"You did great. I'm very proud of you." I said.

"I knew it would be hectic but this was nuts." Craig said.

"Well you better get used to it Mr., head of operations." I giggled.

"Kylah, Craig…Great job." Walter said.

"Thanks. Everything seems to be under control. Now I know everyone is asking about O'Callahan, so the minute I know something a formal statement will be made. Other than that, I think we're good to go." I said.

"I'll call you should anything come up. My assistant just told me we're getting an influx of telegrams." Walter said.

"I'll check in again later just to be sure." I said.

"In the meantime, I am taking her out to lunch." Craig said.

"Have a good afternoon." Walter said and took off with Lou Nann.

"Where we eating lunch at?" I asked.

"There's a decent diner down the street." Craig said.

"Sounds good to me. Want to walk there?" I asked.

"Yeah it's close enough. Besides, I wouldn't want to try driving in this mess, even in a cab." Craig said.

Craig and I left the building and began walking towards the diner he had mentioned. The streets were full of people.

"Kylah, you're kind of quiet." Craig said.

"I'm fine. It's just all dawning on me that we're playing the Soviets again. I knew it was coming, but it's now starting to sink in." I said.

"It's going to be a big game." Craig said.

"These boys have put so much into this. I just want them to do their best and be proud of themselves." I said.

"You don't sound very confident." Craig said.

"I'm just trying to stay realistic. I remember all too well what happened at Madison Square Garden. And I've seen how the Soviets have played here in Lake Placid. To say this will be a tough challenge is an understatement." I said.

"You're right. But the boys have a lot more confidence than they did at the beginning of the Olympics. And they play hard every game and never say die." Craig said.

"But you can't deny what we're up against. The Soviet Union is the greatest team in the world, no one can deny that. They're seasoned veterans, many being on the team for 15 years. Our boys are college kids. Some of the Soviets were playing hockey while some of our boys were only playing in playpens." I sighed.

"You're right. The odds are against us. But those boys have surprised me so many times before in these games." Craig said.

I nodded and followed Craig into the diner.

Olympic Ice Arena

Craig and I walked through the arena, making sure everything was in order for tomorrow's game. Herb and I had been sharing office space while here so I decided to stop in there before heading back to the hotel.

I walked into the office and stopped short. There were telegrams and letters piled high on the desk.

"I can't believe we got so many letters." I said to Craig. I walked over and started looking through them.

"Everybody is excited about us, just like you wanted." Craig smiled looking through a few letters himself.

"I've covered a lot of sport stories, but I have never seen such an outpouring of support from fans like this." I smiled.

"They're from all over the United States. Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Kansas, Tennessee…here is one from the Virgin Islands." Craig said.

I picked up a telegram. It was from a man in Maine. 'Kill the Commies. Go USA.' I shook my head and picked up another from a family in Georgia. 'Communists Can Never Beat Americans!'

"Kylah, are you okay? You're making a horrible face." Craig said.

I nodded. "Seems this has turned into a political situation."

"I've noticed that too." Craig said.

"Why did this have to turn political? It's a hockey game, nothing else." I sighed.

"Kylah, you wanted this country to have something good happening again." Craig said.

"Yes and the boys winning is something good. But no matter what they do on the ice it's not politics….and they don't need any extra pressure." I said.

"This is turning into more than a hockey game." Craig sighed.

"You know….I know this country hates Russia. I know we're in the middle of a Cold War. I know we've had trouble with Russia since before I was born. But a hockey game isn't going to change any of that." I said.

"You're right. But people are looking at this as us against the bad guys. Good Vs. Evil." Craig said.

"But it's still a hockey game." Herb said. We turned and saw him in the doorway.

"Have you seen these?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I looked at a few earlier. I'm on my way out for the evening." Herb said.

"Have a good evening Herb." Craig said.

We watched Herb walk away and then turned back to the pile of messages.

"What do you want to do with these?" Craig asked.

"Have the arena staff hang them up by our locker room for the game tomorrow. I want the boys to see that their country is behind them and supporting them. It'll do them good to see how well loved they are." I said.

"Are you sure you're okay? You seem….I don't know I've never seen you like this." Craig said.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need some time to myself and some fresh air. Can you finish up here? I am going for a walk." I said.

"You need me to do anything for you?" Craig asked.

"No, I'll meet you back at the hotel later." I said.

"Okay, do you want me to order us dinner?" Craig asked.

"Just wait till I get there and see how hungry we are." I said and kissed him. "Love you."

"Love you too." Craig said as I walked out.

I walked out of the arena and headed down the street. A thousand things were flying through my mind at once. I breathed in the fresh air, hoping it would calm my mind.

I walked through the town, looking at the tourists, the crowded city, the vendors on the streets. I kept walking until I ended up in front of a church. I wondered if it was open for people to come and go. I tried the door and it opened.

I stepped into the church. I didn't even know what denomination it was. It was beautifully furnished with statues, stained glass and wooden pews. I walked towards the front of the church, looking at the large cross at the front.

I sat down in the front pew; looking around…wondering what exactly had brought me here.

"Kylah Caroline Jenkins, I don't want to hear you talk that way anymore. There is a God, and my death had a purpose." Jake insisted.

"I don't know what purpose killing you could've been." I said.

"You're not meant to know or understand. But it was part of a plan. Let go of your hurt and anger." Jake said.

I started crying. "I can't. I missed you for too long. I've been hurting for too long. I've been through so much, wanting you back, wishing you were with me."

"You have to." Jake said.

"It's been a long time since I've been in a church. And even longer since I wanted to talk to you." I started semi-praying. "I'll never understand why you took Jake from me but the past few months have helped me come to terms with that. I see now why you sent these boys to me. In just a few months they've healed the hurt of many years. I love them so much."

I wiped the tears from my eyes. "I don't know how you feel about me anymore. But I'm not here for me; I'm here for those boys. I don't know if anybody prays about hockey games. Tomorrow is going to be one of the biggest games of those boys' lives. The whole world is watching them……and their chances aren't good. And the United States is looking to them as heroes and making this so much more than a hockey game. I just want them to do their best and have a good game. They've all done so much for you just help them out. For them to win it's going to take a miracle. I want them to win, they've worked so hard and earned it, and no one deserves it more. Please help them…they need a miracle. I…I need a miracle."

I looked up. "I felt empty since Jake died until these boys came into my life. They've made me a better person….and now they've got the chance to share with the whole Unites States what they've shared with me. And I want to believe in something good again."

I dug through my coat until I found a few more tissues. "I know you don't owe me anything after the way I've been the past several years. But those boys deserve the best……they are the greatest people anywhere. And I know no matter where I go or what I do….I'll never find anyone else like them."

I stood up, and then sat back down. "And please look out for Herb, and Craig and even Doc. They're great men and they care about those boys. Herb has worked so hard for this and waited so long. And Doc keeps those boys patched up and on the ice and they go to him for so much. And Craig…..he's worked so hard for this team, and he cares about those boys….and I love him so much."

I wiped my eyes again and stood up. I walked to the back of the church, then stopped and looked to the front of the church. I took a deep breath and walked out of the church and back into the streets.

Hotel

I walked into Craig's room to find him watching TV.

"Hey you're back." Craig said.

"Yeah, getting out for a bit helped clear my head. Tomorrow is going to be a long day so I just want to relax tonight." I said.

"What do you have in mind?' Craig asked as I sat down with him.

"Why don't we order dinner in and the just see where the evening goes?" I said with a smile.

"That sounds great." Craig kissed me. "While I am thinking about it, Silky is making noise about if we win tomorrow he wants to take a bath in champagne."

"As in filling an actual bathtub with champagne?" I asked. "Oh as long as there is no naked groupie in there with him, I don't care."

"No but OC says he'll jump in with him." Craig laughed.

"I gotta quit leaving. I miss all the good stories." I laughed. "Where is the hotel menu? I'll call room service."