Life's A Beach
Chapter 20
A/N – Thanks for all the nice responses to Edward's proposal! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now…onto the Olympics. I wasn't sure I could write another race and do it justice, so I hope you'll like this.
All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer – I'm just putting her characters on skates.
In the end, it was all a blur. The Opening Ceremonies, the training, the physical therapy, more training, watching the other long and short track races. Sneaking away from the Olympic Village to find time to be with Bella, taking the opportunity to watch the world's best athletes with his family and friends. They managed to watch snowboarding, curling, and even some of the early ice skating. Edward and Bella promised themselves to take in as much as possible since it was likely the only time they would have this opportunity. They didn't dwell on his event, or his chances, and tried to ignore most of the TV coverage. Their only regret was that they had to be separated at night, Bella in her hotel and Edward in the athlete's dormitory, each wishing they were holding the other.
Now Edward stood, skates positioned carefully on the starting line, for what would be the last race of his Olympic career. Only a few minutes before, he and Coach talked strategy, positioning, and tactics. He'd made it to the final round, but his times had just been enough to keep him in the top five or six skaters. It wasn't until this moment that he admitted to himself how much he wanted a medal. He didn't care what color it was – gold, silver or bronze – but he really wanted to bring home a medal. He wanted it so much it hurt.
"You've got about 3 minutes to get your head together" said Coach, as they watched two skaters complete their race. Neither posted times that would put them anywhere near the top. Edward's opponent hovered nearby, a well-known speed skater whose times so far hinted of his potential but put him in the middle of the pack. The skaters with the best times in the preliminary races would skate three or four pairs after them. The odds of being in medal position weren't in his favor, thought Edward, but he knew that competitions didn't always turn out the way everyone predicted.
The man who'd trained him for so many years took Edward's face in his hands and looked him straight in the eyes.
"You can do this, Edward. You have the power, the strength, and most of all the heart to do this."
Edward nodded, and took a quick glance up into the stands. He could see Bella, wearing one of his team jackets, with a huge red, white and blue bow wrapped around her ponytail. His parents stood on either side of her, and he silently thanked them for their unwavering support. Then there was Emmett, waving a flag in his good hand while holding his cast – now done up to look like a flag. He allowed himself a quick smile, then pulled the hood up over his hair and blocked out everything but the feel of his blades on the ice and his muscles, tensed and ready to explode.
In the stands, Bella kissed her engagement ring for luck and then grabbed Alice's hand and held on with all her might. Rosalie stood in back of her, hands on Bella's shoulders, trying to keep her friend from tumbling down the bleachers as she jumped up and down.
The electronic signal beeped and they were off, the sound of their blades scraping the ice as they fought to gain momentum.
"That was a good start, wasn't it?" Bella shouted into Carlisle's ear.
"It was a damn good start" he shouted back. He wondered, for one brief second, what had ever possessed him to think this wasn't a good idea. This moment, watching his son compete for the United States in a sport that both father and son loved, was one of the most precious moments of his life.
By the time they hit the first crossover, Edward knew that he had never skated faster in his life. His opponent went out fast – incredibly fast - and Edward kept pace with him. For one thousandth of a second, he wondered if he could keep up or whether he would just run out of steam. He was hyperaware of his own body – arms, legs, heart – but somehow he didn't feel as though he was straining. Maybe they weren't going as fast as he thought? Then he saw the board Coach was holding up to show him the lap time. Holy crap, was this fast!
"Oh, Carlisle, look at the time" Esme grabbed his sleeve and tugged. "He's never…"
Carlisle didn't answer, silently sending all his strength to his boy. Bella bit her lip but kept her eyes fixed on Edward.
Lap after lap, the other skater kept up the blistering pace and Edward stayed with him. He threw everything he had into the final lap but knew he couldn't close the few inches that separated them. As they slid across the line, Edward knew he had skated the best race of his life. There would be no regrets.
All eyes turned to the timer, and there was a huge cheer through the crowd as the letters WR appeared next to the first skater's time.
"World record?" Emmett screamed. "That guy just set a world record? Does that mean…"
Carlisle slapped Emmett on the shoulder "It means Edward was an inch off World record pace and that he…" A second roar went up as the board showed that E. Cullen had set a new American record. Number 1 and number 2 appeared next to their names.
Jasper listened to the United States broadcasters on his iPhone. "Edward Cullen of the United States is in silver medal position" they said "but there are still three pairs of skaters to go, including the leaders going into this race."
Bella watched as Edward took a quick cool-down lap. His eyes met hers and they both grinned. She blew him a kiss and waved the little flag. Emmett made sure to pass them out to everyone in their section.
Edward checked the board, and almost fell off his skates when he saw the new records. He offered a quick hug to his competitor, and they both moved off the ice to wait for the other three pairs to compete.
Bella kept her eyes glued to the timer as the first of the three pairs made their way around the track. "They're slow" she hissed to Alice. "They're way behind Edward's time." As the first pair finished, Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper shared a quick fist pump. No change in the leaders.
"Oh no" said Alice "this is Jacob's race, isn't it." Sure enough, as they watched, Jacob stepped into the inside lane, his cocky smile settling into a determined expression. As the race started, he pulled out and took a quick lead over his competitor. As they watched, Jacob increased his lead with every lap. He won with surprising ease. Everyone watched the time and Bella screamed when a number 3 went up next to Jacob's name. Edward was the first one to greet him when he came off the ice. One pair to go. A pair that included the former world record holder and defending gold medalist.
The crowd went silent and Edward leaned over to whisper in Jacob's ear. "I don't think I can watch this" he said. But watch it he did. It was the longest any race had ever felt. When the skaters hit the final corner, Edward let his eyes go to the clock. The next thing he knew, Jacob had literally picked him up and swung him around.
"We did it!" he screamed. "Silver and bronze!" They both turned to Coach, who hugged them and tried to pretend he wasn't crying.
Edward's entourage in the stands screamed, cheered, and hugged each other. Emmett and Jasper started a chant of "USA! USA!" Bella screamed right along with them, happy in a way that you can only be when the one you love accomplishes something so incredible.
Later that night, at the Olympic Plaza, Bella watched with pride as the three medalists were called to the podium. They cheered and whistled for Jacob as he stepped onto the bronze medal position. She held her breath as the announcer said in French and in English "From the United States of America, Edward Cullen." His messy hair reflected the lights as he bent to receive his silver medal. He waved and clutched the medal tightly in his hand. After the gold medal was awarded, the three men posed for pictures then greeted their family and friends.
"Edward and Jacob" said one of the American officials "we need you over here for some quick interviews."
"I'll wait for you here" said Bella, stepping back to stand with their friends.
"Oh no" he answered. "You're coming with me. I don't intend to spend another second apart from you for the rest of our time here."
As it turns out, they did have to spend part of one evening apart, although there were in the same general location. It was announced that Edward had been selected as the flag bearer for the Olympic closing ceremonies. When he entered the stadium, carrying the American flag and followed by dozens of cheering and dancing team members, there wasn't a dry eye in Bella and Edward's entire circle.
"Group hug!" yelled Emmett over the noise of the crowd. And that's just what they did.