Chapter Thirty Three
Time Jump – Olympics
Jace POV:
The Olympics were here and we had made it to Russia in one piece. Jack and Tucker had both qualified for Great Britain and Sammi was representing Ireland, and I couldn't be prouder of all three of them. Patrick was freaking out, and I understood why. He was incredibly nervous for Sammi, and he had every right to be. She was competing against Jack and as much as he wanted both of them to win, he knew that only one of them could.
We got everything settled in our hotel room and I told Patrick to go take a walk alone because he needed to calm down. He left immediately and Clary and I got everything organized. Karina was watching PJ, and I was going to go check on Jack and see if she settled into Olympic Village okay. When I got over there I went straight to her room and knocked on the door. A few seconds later the door opened and there stood Jack.
"Hi dad." She said and I smiled and pulled her into a hug.
"Hey Jack. How are you feeling?" I asked and she smiled.
"I feel good. I've been training hard, and I'm more experienced this time around." She said and I smiled.
"That you are. Just remember, don't bail. If you feel like a trick isn't going to work, just put a simpler one in its place. Don't hurt yourself." I said and she nodded.
"I know the drill dad. You've trained me well." She said and I smiled.
"Wanna grab some dinner with the rest of the family?" I asked and she nodded.
"Can we go grab Tucker?" She asked and I laughed and nodded. She led me to his room and we knocked. After a few seconds the door opened and there stood Tucker.
"Jace, Jack what a surprise." He said and I laughed.
"Knock it off Tuck." Jack said and I laughed even more.
"We're going to grab some dinner, you wanna join?" I asked and he nodded. He closed his door and we all headed back to our hotel room. When we walked in Patrick was back and looked a lot calmer but that also could be because of PJ. "Pat, call Sammi and tell her to meet us outside of the place she is staying, we're going to dinner." I said and he nodded. Once we were all ready we started making our way over to meet Sammi. She was standing outside talking to a couple other girls when she saw us approaching. She smiled and waved and we walked over to her.
"Your call came at the perfect time. I was starving." She said and Patrick walked over and gave her a kiss. "Everyone, these are some of my teammates. Teammates, this is my family." She said and they all were just staring at us.
"Uh, are they broken Sammi?" Patrick asked and she laughed.
"No, they didn't believe me when I said that you were my boyfriend. They thought I was making it up for some reason."
"Why would they think that?" I asked.
"Apparently they are huge fans of yours." Sammi said and I nodded. "Anyway, I am starving, and I don't know how much longer I can go before I begin to nibble on PJ." She said as he pressed her lips to his cheek.
"Mommy, you can't eat me!" He said and we all laughed.
"Of course I wouldn't eat you baby." Sammi said and she took PJ's hand while Patrick took the other.
"Well, I guess it's safe to say Russian food is on the menu tonight." I said and they all laughed. I was enjoying this time we were sending as a family because I knew once the Olympics started we were going to be competing against each other, and that was going to suck.
Time Jump – Tucker's First Run
Jacqueline POV:
I was at the half pipe waiting for Tucker to start his first run and I was a nervous wreck. I mean, I knew he was amazing, but the Olympics were a big deal, and I wanted him to do his absolute best. I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard a familiar voice.
"Brings me back to old times." I looked to my left and there stood Ian.
"Why do you keep popping back up in my life?" I asked and he laughed.
"My brother is the reigning gold medalist, you should have known he would be here." He said and I rolled my eyes.
"Why did you come up to talk to me?" I asked.
"I don't think you're over me Jacqueline." He said and my jaw dropped. Was he really serious? "We had a good time together, and we were going places, we can't just give that up."
"Correction, you did give that up. You broke up with me." I said.
"But we can try again." He said and I scoffed.
"What part of me being in a relationship do you not understand?" I asked.
"You two can't be serious." He said and that just made me even angrier.
"We've been together for almost 4 years Ian, it doesn't get much more serious than that." I said and Ian scoffed. "Seriously, I thought you understood when you showed up at my house to deliver my pizza."
"No, I was just processing it. I thought you'd be single and ready to pick up where we left off." He said and my jaw nearly hit the snow.
"You honestly can't be serious?" I asked and he just smiled. "Oh my god you totally are. Look, I'm here to watch Tucker, and I'd prefer to do that alone." I said and he nodded.
"I'll see you around Jack." He said before he walked away. I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. I mean, it's been years, he can't still be into me can he? I was pulled out of my thoughts when Tucker's name was called. I smiled to myself and looked up and saw him drop in.
When his run was over I ran over to the bottom of the half pipe and threw myself at him. He stumbled back a little but caught me and I could hear him laugh. When we pulled apart I pressed my lips to his and he happily kissed me back. When I finally detached myself from him he smiled at me and I smiled back.
"How did I do?" He asked.
"Amazing. I truly think you could take gold this year Tuck." I said and he smiled. I wanted to get the conversation I had with Ian out of my head, but it was just floating around begging for me to decipher it. I guess Tucker could tell I was thinking something cause he looked at me with a wondrous look.
"What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" He said and I laughed. I grabbed his hand and led him towards a bench nearby.
"Ian is here." I said and his eyes widened. "He came over to talk to me right before your run."
"What does he want?" Tucker asked.
"He wants to get back together, but I told him that I was in a relationship, a serious one, and that it was going to last but he was insistent that I still had feelings for him."
"And do you?" Tucker asked with uncertainty and fear in his voice.
"Absolutely not." I said and I saw him relax. "I love you Tucker. I want to be with you. I wouldn't have spent the last 4 years with you if this weren't what I wanted. He's just trying to start drama, and he's trying to push your buttons."
"Well it's working. I don't like him being around you." Tucker said and I smiled.
"I can take care of myself. Trust me, I don't want him around me as much as you don't, but his brother is competing against you, so I'm going to have to see him." I said and Tucker sighed.
"I know, but it still sucks. I mean, he's literally trying to steal my girlfriend." Tucker said and I laughed.
"Yes, but I'm not capable of being stolen. I'm in this relationship for the long haul." I said and he smiled and than pressed his lips to mine.
"I love you Jack." He said when he pulled away and I smiled.
"I love you too Tuck. Now let's go see how you did." I said and he grabbed my hand. We made our way over to the scoreboard to see where he stood, and if he made it to the next round.
The last boarder just made their way off the half pipe and the scores would be posted shortly. Tucker did absolutely amazing today so I couldn't imagine him not making it. Finally after what felt like forever the scores were posted. Tucker came in second today, only behind none other than James. I was still proud of him though, clearly he had room to improve and if I knew anything about this man it was that he was always determined to get better.
"Second place, not too bad." Tucker said as he packed his stuff up and I smiled.
"I'm really proud of you." I said and he leaned forward and kissed me.
"We're all proud of you." We heard and when we turned around there stood James and Ian.
"Congrats Tuck. You killed it out there." James said and Tucker went over and gave him a friendly hug.
"You did as well man. Looking forward to competing against you in the future." Tucker said, and I couldn't help but smile. He was such a good sport about everything.
"And I can't wait to see Jack in the future." Ian said and Tucker put his arm around me protectively. "We will be spending a lot of time together at these meets after all."
"Unfortunately this was the only run I will be able to come to if I make it to the final." I said and Ian smirked.
"Don't want to choke like last time." He said and I felt Tucker tense behind me.
"What's the matter with you Ian? Why are you doing this?" I asked after a minute.
"Because I want you back." He said and I rolled my eyes.
"You let her go years ago, she's mine now, and you can bet your ass that I'm never letting her go." Tucker stepped in and Ian laughed. He didn't say anything and just turned and walked away. James gave us a sad smile and followed his brother. Tucker and I stood there for a moment just taking in what just happened. I could tell that Tucker was upset, and I couldn't blame him honestly. Ian was being a dick, and he wouldn't stop.
"He is a determined prick, I'll tell you that. Man, he can truly be obsessive. I'm glad we broke up before I noticed that character flaw." I finally said and Tucker laughed. He looked at me and smiled and he grabbed his board, and I took his bag and we started walking back to Olympic village.
"You would think that he would get the hint by now." Tucker said and I laughed.
"Wanna put your stuff away and grab some lunch?" I asked and he smiled.
"Don't you have a session with Jace today?" He asked and I shook my head.
"Since I don't have my first run for another 2 days, he told me to take today and relax before putting my body through the hard work that's coming." I said and he nodded.
"Than lunch sounds perfect." He said and I smiled and we put everything in his room and went out to lunch. The conversation that happened with Ian was long forgotten when Tucker and I were at lunch. We laughed and joked and had an amazing time just like we always do, but that didn't mean I wasn't worried about Ian. Him being here was causing some problems and I was secure in my relationship with Tucker, but I didn't want Ian coming in and planting a seed of doubt.
Time Jump – Couple Days Before the Final
Tucker POV:
Jack and I both made it to the finals for the half pipe and I honestly couldn't be more proud of her. I know what a devastating blow it was last Olympics for her, and I was happy that she at achieved the goal of being a finalist this time around. I had made it to the final as well. It was a tight race between James and I, and as much as I still considered James a friend, I wanted to win. I wanted to be standing on top of that podium more than I ever wanted anything before and I've been trying my best to get there.
I had been thinking about proposing to Jack after the Olympics were over, but specifically when she's up on that podium. I just hadn't gotten the courage to ask her father for his permission yet. Don't get me wrong, I consider Jace a father figure already, but asking for his permission to ask for his daughters hand in marriage is terrifying. I needed some back up so I had enlisted Sammi for her help. I was pacing outside of the hotel that Sammi was staying at waiting for her to come and talk to me.
"If you don't stop pacing, you'll break your shoes." I heard and I turned around and there stood Sammi. I walked over and gave her a hug. "Seriously, what's got you so nervous?"
"I want to ask Jack to marry me before the Olympics are over." I said and her eyes widened.
"Oh my god! Are you serious?" She asked and I nodded. She started squealing before she pulled me back into another hug. "This is so exciting!"
"I still have to ask Jace, Clary, Pat and Karina for their permission so I need you to distract Jack for two hours." I said and she smiled and nodded.
"I'll ask her to come exploring with me and PJ. She can't say no to spending time with her nephew." She said and I smiled.
"That would be perfect. I was hoping to do it today. I'm so incredibly nervous and I just want a yes or a no already." I said and she laughed.
"You can't honestly think that Jace and Clary would say no." She said and I laughed.
"Patrick might." I said and she laughed.
"Patrick is a big softy. Ever since PJ was born he will literally agree to anything. Plus, if you propose, than maybe it'll give him a kick in the ass to ask me."
"You two already have a kid together. Marriage is just a technicality for you two. I have Ian looming over our relationship like a vulture. It's like he's waiting for me to die so that he can scoop Jack up." I said and she put her hand on my forearm.
"Jack is so over Ian. Trust me. After you first kissed her she ran into me in the kitchen and she couldn't stop beaming. You have nothing to worry about. Ian was her first boyfriend, and her first crush. But you're her first love. Her only love. Ian has nothing on you." She said and I smiled.
"Thanks. I needed that." I said and she smiled.
"Anytime. Now, let's go over to their hotel room so I can pick PJ up and take Jack out." She said and we made our way over to the hotel where Jace and Clary were staying.
When we walked into the room Karina and PJ were watching something on TV, Clary was making lunch and Jack, Jace and Pat were all sitting at the table talking. I walked over to Jack and kissed her temple. She looked up at me with those gorgeous green eyes that I simply got lost in every single time, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Jack, how would you like to go out exploring for the afternoon with PJ and I?" Sammi said and Jack looked behind her.
"I think that sounds amazing." Jack said and I smiled. She left the room but was back in minutes after she got changed. Sammi rushed her out of the room as fast as she could which I was grateful for. I turned around and Jace was staring at me.
"Alright, you set that up. What's on your mind Tuck?" He asked as he patted the chair next to him. I took a seat and a deep breath.
"Can I actually get you all in one room?" I asked and Jace nodded. He gathered their whole family into the living room. They were seated on the couch and I was standing in front of them quivering with fear.
"Seriously, spit it out Tuck." Patrick said after a minute and I looked at them.
"IwanttoaskJacktomarryme." I said and they all looked at me with confusion. I realized that I had said it way too fast, and that they probably didn't know what I was saying. I took a deep breath.
"Come again Tucker." Clary said.
"I want to ask Jack to marry me." I said and their eyes widened. I didn't say anything after that. I wanted them all to be able to process what I just said. After a few moments of silence Jace was the first one to speak.
"How long has this been on your mind?" He asked.
"The past year." I said and he nodded. "Look, I get that we're young, but I love Jack. More than I have every loved anyone in my life. She means everything to me, and I feel like we're ready to take that next step." I said.
"So, this is your way of asking permission?" Patrick said and I nodded. It was silent again, which I didn't like but than Patrick smiled. "I already consider you part of the family bro." He said and I instantly felt lighter.
"So you want our permission?" Jace asked and I nodded. He looked at me for a minute with an unreadable face and than smiled. "Welcome to the family." He said and I sighed in relief. Clary got up and gave me a hug followed by Karina. I was so incredibly happy that they agreed to this, and that I was going to ask the girl of my dreams for her hand in marriage.
"Do you have a ring?" Clary asked and I nodded. "Is it with you?"
"No. It's in my room. It was my grandmothers. She gave it to me before she died and told me to give it to the woman that I was going to marry one day." I said and I smiled. "It's an antique, I think Jack will really love it."
"She's always been on old soul." Clary said and I nodded. "Ah, this is so exciting. When are you going to ask?"
"I was thinking on asking after her final run. Since mine is the day before I can actually go to it." I said and they all nodded. "Thank you guys, this literally means the world to me."
"You make my baby happy Tucker. That's all a father could ever ask of in the person she chooses to spend her life with." Jace said and I smiled. I couldn't wait until the Olympics were over and to ask Jack to marry me.
Time Jump – Tucker's Final Run
Jacqueline POV:
Today was the finals for Tucker and I was so incredibly nervous. He had been kicking ass this whole Olympics, and this was just the icing on top of the cake. I knew he had it in him to win, but there were a lot of great boarders here, and that made me nervous. My whole entire family was here supporting Tuck. Sammi and I were both in the finals, and we didn't have our run until tomorrow, so it was great that I got to watch him.
James was also in the final, and he was Tucker's biggest competition. I knew James was an amazing boarder, and he was a great guy too, but I wanted Tucker to wipe the floor with him on the half pipe today. Tucker has put so much effort into this the past 4 years, and he truly deserves that medal. I was standing on the side with my family waiting for the competition to begin when my dad weaseled himself through the people and handed me a piece of paper.
"What's this?" I asked and he smiled.
"I used to board with one of the judges. I got him to give me the order." Dad said and I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I looked over the paper and noticed that Tucker was dead last.
"He's last. That's going to drive him insane." I said and dad laughed.
"As long as he doesn't let the other boarders get in his head, he will do just fine." He said and I nodded. I looked back at the paper and looked for James. He was second to go today and than the announcer started talking. My heart began to race. The majority of me wanted him to win because he deserves too, but the rest of me wants him to win so that it will shut Ian up and leave us alone.
As the boarders went on James was holding a steady lead. Nobody in their right mind would deny his talent. He is truly a gifted man when it comes to snowboarding but I wanted my man to win even more. Ian was standing on the other side smirking at me the whole time. He has truly turned into a person that I'm glad I don't associate with anymore. We were together for months, but we rarely spent time together because he lived in America, but seeing this possessive side to him was really unattractive, and I lucked out when he broke up with me. I truly did.
"Last but not least on the half pipe today is Tucker Lawson!" The announcer said and I screamed my lips off. I saw Tucker appear on the top of the half pipe and I couldn't stop the smile on my face. I had an amazing feeling about this run. He dropped in and I took a deep breath.
He did absolutely amazing. He got enough height on all his tricks. He maxed out his difficulty and his execution was flawless. It might sound crazy to everyone else but by the end of his run I was in tears. He had just had the run of his life and I knew in my bones that the gold was his.
I made my way to the end of the half pipe and waited for Tucker to get off. I couldn't contain my own excitement and I was jumping up and down. He saw me and started laughing as he made his way over to me. When he got to me he dropped his board and scooped me up into his arms. He pressed his lips to mine and I couldn't help but smile. When we pulled apart the whole crowd was cheering, and Tucker and I both looked at the scoreboard and he had beat out James by 1 point. Everything stopped. Time froze, the crowd was completely silent and I was just staring at Tucker who was staring at the score. He had just won a gold medal, and accomplished his childhood dreams. When he finally turned back to me I had the biggest smile on my face.
"You did it Tuck! You won!" I said and he looked completely dumbfounded. I wrapped my arms around his neck and his arms went around my waist. We stayed like that for what seemed like forever until someone came over and told him he had to accept his medal. He smiled and started to walk away when I called out. "I love you Tucker!" I said and he turned around and winker.
"I love you too Jacqueline!" He said and I blushed. He rarely ever called me by my full name, but when he did I always knew he meant to whole-heartedly.
I went back to my family and they were all beaming as well. We watched as Tucker stood on the top of the podium and accepted his gold medal. When the hung that medal around his neck I couldn't stop cheering or clapping for him. I could see the pure joy on his face and I knew that this meant the world to him. They planned the national anthem for England and than we could go back over and congratulate him. I was still filled with excitement that when I saw him again I wrapped my arms around his neck again. He laughed and hugged me back before putting me back down on the ground.
"Well done Tuck." My dad said and Tucker smiled.
"Wouldn't have been able to do it without you coach." Tucker said and my dad smiled. There really was no better feeling than when your father accepts the guy you're dating. Tucker gave his hugs to everyone and I went with him to pack up his stuff as my family waited for us. We were almost all packed when we heard someone start to talk.
"Way to get it done Tuck." We turned around and there stood James.
"You are a worthy competitor James." Tucker said and James laughed.
"Look, I want to apologize for Ian Jack." James started and I smiled. "He honestly was really heart broken after the break up, and I asked him why he did it and even he didn't know. He thought it would be for the best and he's regretted it since the day it happened." He said and I nodded. "But he's being a complete dick to you, and I can see how incredibly happy you two are together, and I just want you to know that I've been trying to get Ian to leave you alone but he won't listen."
"I appreciate that James." Tucker said. "After this is over we won't have to see him ever again though, so that's nice."
"I know, but I wanted you to know that I don't support what he's doing." James said and I walked over and gave him a hug.
"Thank you James." I said when I pulled away.
"Hey, and don't be a stranger." Tucker said. "Give a guy a call every now and again."
"I will. I've been working my ass off for this Olympics that I haven't really had a social life, but I will definitely keep in touch this time around." James said and Tucker laughed. "Hopefully I see you two around in the future."
"It was good seeing you James." Tucker said and he nodded and walked away. Tucker turned towards me and gave me a kiss. "You ready?"
"I am so ready. Lets go Olympic gold medalist." I said and he smiled.
"I could get used to that." He said and I laughed and grabbed his hand. We made our way back to our families and we decided to go out and celebrate. This day was all about Tucker, and I couldn't be happier celebrating the huge accomplishment he just achieved.