CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Jackie was very impressed with the way Hannah was handling herself. It was obvious to her that things hadn't gone the way her cousin planned, but anyone who hadn't known Hannah her whole life would have no idea. Instead of being her typical drama queen self, Hannah appeared to have pushed whatever happened out of her mind in order to focus on the task at hand.

Perhaps it was the irritation kicking up her adrenaline, but Hannah had never felt more confident in her life. Now that she knew Alexandra's reasoning for missing this, she really wanted to win for her and James. And she wanted to make Alex and Jackie proud. And a small part of her just wanted to prove to Zach what he'd missed out on.

James wasn't sure why he still got nauseous after the number of times he'd done this, but it still happened. This win would be a great story for his unborn child in the stands, and he couldn't wait to tell it. He just needed to focus and get in the moment. They could do this routine in their sleep.

Everyone's pacing and thinking was brought to a stop with the warning they were up next. They all just nodded and headed toward the rink entrance. They then waited for what felt like an eternity to Hannah and not long enough for James. When it was their turn, both took a huge breath and took center ice.

The minute Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck without You" came over the speakers, James and Hannah blocked everything out and became poetry in motion. Jackie caught herself praying the two times Hannah did her once famous triples. She was still amazed that Hannah was still able to land them. So far everything had gone off spotless, but Jackie knew she wouldn't breathe until after they had done the triple axel throw jump. Hannah had decided to throw an around the world jump to it which was either brilliant or disastrous. The minute it went off brilliant, Jackie found herself crying and jumping into her Alex's arms. She caught Hannah's eye as the couple came to a finish and noticed she, too, had tears in her eyes. When Alex put Jackie down she was jumped by both Alexandra and Zach who had rushed down to congratulate the team that was sure to win the gold.

Everyone was so caught up in the moment and then celebrating scores that Hannah hadn't noticed Zach was holding flowers. She figured they were for her or Jackie from the firm, so she wasn't surprised when Zach came to give them to her.

"I know it's not much considering they're congratulations, apology, and request for a second chance all in one, but I didn't have a lot to choose from."

"Wow, well, thanks and I accept the apology. Don't think so on the second chance, though."

"Hannah, I know I said it was bad idea, but I really think it's great. And maybe you're not ready for anything yet, but I'm willing to keep it casual until you are."

"It's not me, it's you. I came to your room last night and Celeste answered the door. I was even willing to hear you out on that one, but when I came to find you and saw you two together, I knew it didn't matter."

"It does matter. Yes, she stayed in my room last night, but I didn't. And yes, I did see her this morning and spend some time with her. But there's nothing there. She's going through a tough time in her marriage right now and I was just an old friend helping out. I even told her about you and she wished us the best."

"Wow, Jackie was right, nothing in this group is ever what it seems," she said, before grabbing him and kissing him just in time for the cameras to turn.

The next day, right below the picture of James and Hannah accepting their gold was various pictures of all of the couples, old, new and reunited. They were all the feel good story of Nationals on so many levels. And they all had about two weeks to enjoy it before the training for the Olympics began.