"This is a beautiful facility!" Laurel exclaimed as she looked around the chaotic lobby of the Civic Arena in Hamilton, Ontario. "I still can't believe we are really here!"
"We're here all right," Hotch smiled. "What do you think?" he looked at Paige.
"Are you sure we are in another country?" she asked. "This doesn't seem all that different. Also, the plane ride wasn't that long and the car ride went by really fast, too."
"Take my word for it - We are in another country," Garcia laughed happily. "Just wait until you see their money – They have Loonies and Toonies and the bills are all sorts of pretty colors. There is even a bill with a picture of a snow owl on it!"
"Sounds like you need some shopping therapy, Mama," Morgan joked.
"Ice rinks and arenas are pretty much the same no matter where you go," Ian explained as he looked around. "Now, why don't you and your mother come with me and we'll see where we need to sign in. And, I think someone from the USFSA is supposed to meet us here."
"Paige Hotchner?" a petite woman with shinny black hair and almond shaped eyes was making her way between the numerous skaters and their coaches and parents who were milling about in the lobby.
"Yes," Paige replied. "That's me."
"I'm Joyce Takata from the USFSA," the woman replied, holding out her hand to shake. "And, I assume this is your family?"
"Nice to meet you," Paige replied politely, shaking hands. "And, yes, this is my mother and my father, and my brother and sister, and my Uncle Dave and my Uncle Spencer and my Coach Ian and – "
"You certainly travel with an entourage," the woman interrupted her with a laugh. "But, right now, I only need you, your coach, and one of your parents. We need to get you signed in and pick up your credentials, as well as get you a copy of your practice ice schedule."
"You handle it," Hotch told Laurel, taking Sophia from her. "You know this routine better than I."
"We'll be right back," Laurel assured him as she, Paige, and Ian followed Joyce across the lobby.
"Okay – Now?" Rossi questioned once they were out of hearing.
"Yes - Now!" Hotch carefully put Sophia down to stand next to him before pulling out his cell phone and pushing some numbers.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"Okay, that was relatively painless," Laurel remarked as she led the way back across the lobby a short time later.
"Your schedule looks pretty straightforward," Ian told Paige as he studied one of the sheets of paper he was holding. "Besides practice ice you will also need to show up for the Team USA meeting and group picture. It doesn't say here what you are supposed to wear for the picture. I will have to ask about that."
"Oh – My – Gosh!" Laurel was almost shouting. "I don't believe it!"
"Uncle Joel – Aunt Lois," Paige shouted. "You're here!" She ran across the crowded lobby to tackle her uncle.
"It was a nice day so we decided to go for a drive," Laurel's brother beamed at his niece.
"Across the state – Across the river at Port Huron – Over to London, Ontario - And then straight on 'til morning," Lois laughed. "And, before we knew it, here we were!"
"I was not about to miss your first international competition," Joel told his niece. "Particularly since it was so close to home."
"And, besides, we haven't seen this little munchkin in a while," Lois added as she reached behind Hotch to retrieve Sophia, who was hiding there.
"Hi, Sis!" Joel added with a grin. "Surprised to see us?"
"Surprised – Shocked – Stunned – All of the above!" Laurel stuttered. "Who told – " She looked over to where her husband and Rossi were grinning at her.
"You two?" she questioned. "I don't know whether to hug you or hit you!"
"Try hugging," Blake suggested. "It's safer in the long run."
"Besides, hitting would be a bad influence on the baby," Tovah was juggling Max in his baby carrier.
"Actually, babies aren't significantly influenced by events happening around them until approximately eight months of age," Reid replied as he reached over to take his son. "And Max is only 14 weeks old."
"Okay, hug it is," Laurel smiled as she put her arms around first Rossi and then her husband. "Thank you both," she told them.
"And, now, I believe we need to check out the hotel," Rossi suggested with a smile.
"Excuse me!" Joyce Takata came hurrying across the lobby and skidded to a stop in front of Rossi.
"I just recognized you," she panted. "You're David Rossi."
"That I am," Rossi smiled at her.
"The sections of your books dealing with pedophiles and stalkers are required reading for the USFSA staff," the woman told him. "Dealing with large groups of children and young adults the way we do, that is a constant concern."
"I can believe that," Rossi replied. "I know that all the competitions I have attended have been target rich environments. I am surprised there haven't been more incidents."
"Constant vigilance," was the explanation. "By parents, coaches, volunteers, everyone."
"You know, if you have some time over the next couple of days, I would like to get together with you to see if you can give me some ideas of what we should be looking out for," she continued.
"I would be delighted," Rossi assured her.
"What do you think?" Garcia whispered to Morgan. "Another Rossi conquest?"
"I don't see a wedding ring," Blake contributed in a whisper. "So, it is a possibility."
"I know I wouldn't mind giving her some hints," Morgan told the two women.
"Cool it, Hot Stuff," Garcia told him. "You already have more on your plate than you can handle."
"You are so right, Mama," Morgan smiled as he put his arms around her. "You are definitely more than enough woman for me!"