Disclaimer: I do not own Wildfire or any of the characters from the show - no copywrite infringement is intended.
I hear what sounds like sniffling and feel water fall on my skin. I look around, but no one is crying and there are no clouds in the sky. I wonder where the water is coming from. Probably some over ambitious stable boy preparing for the end of the race and the cool down for the horse. I wish he wouldn't aim that in our direction though, Wildfire doesn't need the distraction right now.
"Kris, are you and Wildfire ready to go?" Standing right next to me, preparing me for the race is two of the closest people in my life – Pablo and Matt. They are prepping us for the race ahead.
"Matt, I'm good. Wildfire was a little tight this morning, but I think he just needed to be here, to know that he is finally getting to race again." Even as I say this I know that is not entirely true. I know something is off – in my mind I keep hearing voices telling me to wake up, to remember that I am needed at home, that I have friends and family that love me… What a strange thing to hear before a race! I really need to ease the tension, at least a little bit, or Wildfire will toss me off for a new jockey…wait, why did that thought pop into my mind?
Wildfire in trouble… Rearing up and tossing me on the ground… Voices, begging me to wake up… Tears falling on my hand… Junior kissing my fingers, never leaving my side, asking me to come back to him…None of this seems right and yet it feels more real than the race before me…
"Alright Kris, here is what I need you to do," Matt interrupts my thought, and reaches up to stroke Wildfire's mane. "Keep him back for the first half, let him see the other horses and get a feel for the track – then on the back stretch let him go. I know this seems similar to other races we've run, but I've been watching Wildfire and he really likes the intense competition when the others are in the lead."
"We don't need to tell you this is an important race Kris, you already know that. It is not every day that a horse like Wildfire gets to run in the Kentucky Derby." I know Pablo is only trying to prepare me for the race, but these words seem strange. The Kentucky Derby, the first stretch of the Triple Crown, the Run for the Roses, everything we have been working for… why does it seem like we shouldn't be here? Why does it seem like we missed this shot to run for the crown?
"Pablo, something doesn't seem right? Wildfire is ready to run, but I feel that something isn't right." As I search for the best way to describe it, the trumpet songs and Wildfire and I are being led to the gates.
Pablo glances up at me, questioning my anxiousness. But I can't put into words my uneasiness. Wildfire feels fine, more than that he feels ready to win. Everything appears to be aboveboard, but I can't shake the sense that something is out of place – and before I know it I am at the gates with Wildfire waiting for the start of the race.
As the trumpet sounds and the gates I open I relish in the feel of the wind on my face and the strong horse beneath me. I cannot think of a more perfect feeling than riding towards the finish line with my favorite man. Wildfire is so strong and sure of himself. As I yell encouragement to him I realize that this is all I ever wanted – to be with my man racing towards the finish line. It sounds dramatic and a little melancholy to think of it like that, but I know any jockey in the business would agree. There is nothing that beats the feel of racing, especially when you have found the perfect horse.
As we near the finish line I hear from the stands the sound of my family, cheering us to victory. Jean and Pablo, Dani and Matt, even Ken David Sr. But most of all I hear Junior – not only is he cheering us on, but he is sending me his love. And that feeling, on top of the feeling of riding Wildfire, drives me to finish the race strong, with a determined, happy smile on my face.
As Wildfire begins to slow down, and I see the stable boy reach for his harness to guide us in for the award ceremony all I can think of is maybe dreams are meant to come true. My husband is on his way down to congratulate us, Wildfire just won one of the biggest races in the world and I know nothing can beat the fact that all of us - Junior, Matt, Jean, Dani, Pablo and Wildfire - are all together. If this is all a dream, who would want to wake up? Definitely not me, and yet I can't help thinking that I am missing something, something real…
A/N: I hope everyone is liking it so far - and thank you to those of you that have reviewed my story. I hope to have a few longer chapter later, right now I am just trying to set the scene for what is to come. Keep reading and reviewing - I love to hear your thoughts on what's happening!