Present Day
Hotch suddenly realized that the latest skater had finished her routine and was standing in the middle of the rink bowing to the audience, which was throwing flowers and stuffed animals onto the ice. With a start, he realized that Paige was standing at the entrance to the ice, patiently waiting her turn to skate next. As he drew a deep breath, he thought back to her first major competition.
Four Years Ago
Hotch's six weeks paternity leave went by far too fast and, when he returned to work, Laurel resumed taking Paige, along with Sophia, to the rink each morning, frequently accompanied by Jack. Sophia soon became a favorite of the early morning skating contingent.
"I had forgotten how tiny they are," Brook Smithfield had cooed the first time she saw her and even Maddy had taken the time to walk over and admire the baby. Insulated baby blankets kept Sophia warm as she sat in her car seat while Paige and Tovah worked on the ice.
It was the first season Paige was competing at the Junior Level and when she came in second at Regionals and then third at the Division level competition, everyone was thrilled. And then, almost before anyone knew it, she was headed to Nationals.
"Cleveland, Ohio, in February?" Rossi groused. "Why couldn't they have it someplace warm, like Arizona?"
"You don't have to come, Dave," Laurel reminded him. "I can handle getting us there and then on to the hotel and the rink. Besides, Aaron and the rest of the team will be joining us before the competition actually starts. Tovah and I just want to get there a few days early so Paige can get used to the arena and the ice."
"You are going to handle a new baby, a pregnant Coach Tovah, and a 14 year old girl, along with all the skating gear?" Rossi questioned. "I think not. Besides, Reid is going to have a fit unless someone is there to keep an eye on his pregnant wife."
In the end, Rossi had flown to Cleveland along with Laurel, Paige, Sophia, and Tovah. The town car he had arranged to meet them at the airport took them directly to the luxury hotel where he had made their reservations, located directly across the street from the arena.
"Dave, this is far too expensive!" Laurel protested as they walked into the lobby of the hotel. "Besides, we want to go to the Rock and Roll Museum. How are we supposed to get there without a rental car?"
"Take a cab," he growled at her. "I will not have two women, one of them pregnant, with a baby and a young girl, running around a strange city all by themselves."
"Yes Sir, Uncle Dave, Sir!" Laurel mock saluted him, and then leaned over to gently kiss his cheek. "I love it when you get protective," she assured him.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"Joan! Jade!" Laurel squealed like a teenager. "What are you doing here?"
It was later that same day and the group had gone across the street to the ice arena to check it out prior to Paige's practice ice time.
"Surprise!" Joan enveloped her in a hug. "We wanted to surprise you!"
"Well, you certainly did that," Laurel was juggling the baby carrier on one arm while she hugged Joan with the other. "I had no idea – "
"The girl who was supposed to come from the Midwest Division got hurt," Jade explained as she jumped up and down while hugging Paige. "So, I got a last minute invitation and here I am!"
"I knew they were coming," Tovah admitted. "Joan called me a couple of days ago to make sure I would be available to coach Jade. She said she wanted to surprise you."
"Well, you certainly succeeded," Rossi told Joan.
"Where is Michael?" he continued. "Will he be joining us later?"
Joan suddenly looked distressed as she reached to take Sophia from Laurel. "Michael hasn't been doing too well lately," she confessed. "He's been able to handle his classes this semester, but when he's done with them for the day, he's often too tired to deal with anything else."
"I noticed that he was having problems when I was there to present my yearly fall lecture," Rossi admitted. "I didn't know it had gotten worse."
"This will most likely be his last semester teaching," Joan told him. "But, please, don't let him know I told you. He's having trouble dealing with it."
"Not to worry," Rossi assured her as he gave her a friendly hug. "However, I will call him tonight and let him know that we will miss him."
"What a beautiful young lady!" Joan changed the subject as she leaned over to admire Sophia. "And, I see you have her in the bunting I sent you."
"I can't thank you enough for that - It has worked out great!" Laurel enthused. "Several of the other mothers in the rink have asked where I got it and I just tell them I have 'connections'."