Authors Note:
Hope you all are doing well! Let me know what you think, because I actually really like this chapter! :)
Chapter Nineteen
Time Jump – Olympic Finals
Clary POV:
Today was the day of Patrick's final and I was freaking out. He was already at the rink with Jace because I was a nervous wreck and he told me to stay at the hotel and get Karina ready for the finals, and Jacqueline was talking on the phone with Ian. I was running around like a crazy person trying to control my nerves. I was in the middle of packing a bag of snacks for Karina when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and Jacqueline was standing there.
"Calm down mom." She said and I took a breath.
"I'm just so nervous for him." I said and she smiled.
"I know you are. I can't even imagine if this was my final how crazy dad would be, but Patrick as worked so hard for this, and whatever he gets, he'll be proud of. You know Pat, he has never been one to need to win." Jacqueline said.
"Which is surprising considering your father has the ego the size of Texas." I said and she looked confused. "I'm really going to educate you and your siblings on America. Living in England is killing my patriotism." I said and Jacqueline laughed.
I finally got everything together and we made our way to the rink. Jace was already sitting in the stand and when I sat down he pulled me into a kiss and I couldn't help but smile. Even after all these years he still gives me the butterflies.
"Is Ian coming today? I made sure there were enough seats because I wasn't sure." Jace said and Jacqueline smiled.
"No, his brother has a run today so him and his parents are there." Jacqueline said. Karina hasn't been able to sit still and she was already getting cranky and she was driving me up a wall.
"Karina, please sit down and stop moving. We're going to be here for a while and I don't need you complaining the whole time." I said and she started pouting. I hated scolding her but she needed it every once in a while.
"Come here baby." Jace said and Karina walked over to him and he picked her up and she buried her head into his chest and calmed down. Jace always had a way with her, just like he did when Jacqueline was a little girl. He leaned over and pressed his lips to my temple. "Calm down Clare."
"I'm sorry." I whispered and he smiled at me and looked down at Karina. "I'm really sorry baby. I'm just on edge." I said and she sniffled but leaned forward and I gave her a kiss before she snuggled back up to Jace.
When the lights dimed Jace reached over and took my hand and I gratefully took it. Patrick hasn't even gone yet and I'm already freaking out. When Patrick's name was called I almost crushed Jace's hand. He stood in the middle of the ice and waited for his music to start and I held my breath.
Once he was finished I finally took a breath and Jace looked at me and smiled. Patrick came off the ice and sat down and waited for his score to be posted on the board. As much as I wanted him to win that gold medal, I also wanted him to be super proud of himself and everything he accomplished. His score was posted and he did an amazing job and everyone was clapping. He looked up and waved to us before going back into the locker room to get changed.
I knew Patrick would stay in the locker room for the rest of the program. I knew that he didn't want to watch his opponents skate, and I understand that. I quickly pulled out my phone and texted him about how proud I was and he replied with a simply 'I love you' and I couldn't have smiled more. The final skater was called and I was still a nervous wreck. I grabbed Jace's hand again and he just smiled at me. When the skater was done everyone was on their feet. He did absolutely amazing and was a good contender for the gold. I held a huge breath for the results to be up. I looked down and saw Patrick standing there looking at the score board. When the scores were in Patrick came in second and I honestly couldn't be prouder of him. The medal ceremony happened soon after and looking at Patrick up on that podium made me cry. We headed down towards where the skaters were and once I saw Patrick I immediately pulled him into a hug.
"I am so proud of you Patrick." I said and everyone hugged him once I was finished.
"Thanks mom." Patrick said.
"That silver medal looks good around your neck." Jacqueline said as Patrick pulled her into his chest and kissed her head.
"Thanks Jack." Patrick said and Karina flung herself at Patrick.
"You did great Patty." She said and Patrick groaned.
"You're lucky you're so incredibly cute because no one else in this world is allowed to call me Patty." Patrick said and we all laughed.
We went back to Olympic Village and started packing out things up. We were leaving tomorrow and I personally couldn't wait to get back to the facility and start working again.
"Mom!" I heard from the door and I turned around and Jacqueline was standing there.
"What's up hun?" I said and she walked in.
"I was wondering if I could go out and see Ian for a little while." She said and I smiled.
"Jacqueline. I want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into." I said and we took a seat on the bed. "Long distance is hard. Your father and I did it for 4 years and it was hard."
"I know that mom, but I really like him. He makes me happy. He really helped me after I totally bombed my trials." Jacqueline said and I smiled.
"I know how that feels. That's exactly what your dad did for me. He helped me through it in more ways than one, but it's incredibly hard to be apart from someone for that long. I mean, are you going to try and get back to the Olympics in four years?" I asked and she nodded. "And is his brother?" She shrugged. "Exactly Jacqueline, you have no idea if you will see him again."
"But mom, I think he really likes me too." Jacqueline said.
"I don't doubt that. You are impossible to not like, but Michigan is pretty far. We live in England. Our lives are here."
"You packed up and moved for dad." She said and I nodded.
"Yes I did, but I was hanging up my skates. I had accomplished my dreams and your father happened to be my next dream. I wanted the facility as much as he did. I took a risk leaving my life in New York move to England for him, and I wouldn't change a thing, but you're only 17 Jacqueline. I was 20. I was done school, and done figure skating."
"He's almost 20." Jacqueline says and I glare at her. "Mom, I like him. Can't I just see what happens when he goes home?" She asked.
"Of course you can. I can't stop you from seeing him, I just want you to know how hard it will be." I said and she nodded.
"I have to go. I won't be gone long." She said and she gave me a kiss on the cheek and left. I was worried about her and Ian. She did seem so incredibly happy, and I didn't want to ruin that but long distance sucks, and I don't want to see her go through that.
Jacqueline POV:
After having that conversation with my mom I was scared. I mean, he's in college back in the US, and he has a life back home. We may never see each other again and I like him too much to have that happen. I know we've only known each other for a couple weeks, but I've never felt like this about a guy before and I didn't want to let that go.
I was meeting his whole family outside of the half pipe, to see the end results of Jame's run. Ian had barely texted me all day, but I knew that he was just really into the competition and I couldn't blame him. When I got to the half pipe there were boarders wandering all around. I knew a lot of them, and it was good to see how much they've accomplished, especially the ones that trained at my parents place. When I finally spotted Ian I couldn't whip the smile off my face. I walked over and stood next to him. He smiled, leaned down and kissed me, and pulled me into his side.
"You're right on time." He said. "They are about to show the final results." He said and all their eyes were glued to the scoreboard.
"What place is he currently sitting in?" I asked.
"He went last, so I don't know." Ian said.
"Well that's unfortunate." I said and I felt Ian laugh. After an excruciating 10 minutes the scores were finally up and James was at the top of the leader board winning a gold medal. His whole family erupted with so much happiness and I could see how truly touched James was. He stood up on that podium with that gold medal and it just made me that much hungrier to get back to training to be there on the female side. James came over and his whole family gave him a hug, and I even got to give him one as well.
"We are so proud of you James." His mom said and James smiles.
"How's it feel little bro? You finally have something that I don't." Ian said and James punched him playfully in the arm.
"It feels pretty damn good." James said and honestly I was really proud of him. After a few more minutes of talking Ian gave his parents a hug.
"Jack and I are going for a walk. I'll see you guys back at the hotel." Ian said and his parents nodded. Ian took my hand and we started walking. He led us back to the bench where we met and I smiled. We sat in silence for a while before I broke it.
"I'm scared." I said and he looked at me.
"Of what?" He asked.
"Of what happens with us when we leave." I said and he took a deep breath.
"It's going to suck." He said.
"My parents went through it. They spent four years apart because of where they lived and my mom said it was the hardest four years of her life. We talked about it earlier, and it really got me thinking. We're at two different places in our lives."
"Are you breaking up with me?" He asked in a sarcastic voice, but I could tell there was truth behind the words.
"No. I just want to make sure you're ready for the distance." I said.
"I'm not going to lie. It's going to suck not being able to see you. Plus we will both be crazy busy. I'll be in school, you'll be training, and sometimes we might go days without talking, but I like you Jack, I like being around you, I like getting to know you, and I really like kissing you." He said than pressed his lips to mine. "It will be hard, but I think we need to give it a try. I think we owe ourselves that."
"Man this is really going to suck." I said and he laughed.
"Yes it is, but look at your parents. They made it work, and I think we could make it work too." He said and I looked into his eyes.
"You're sure about this?" I asked again making sure.
"I'm positive." He said and he kissed me again. When we broke apart I snuggled into his arms and we watched the snow fall. We both knew this was going to be hard, and challenging but we clearly both wanted it and I was excited to see where we end up.