Despite a momentary touchdown in her short program, Paige won the National Junior Ladies title.
"I honestly didn't think I was going to make it through her long program without hyperventilating all over the place," Blake admitted to Laurel afterwards. "How in heaven's name do you do it?"
"I just take a deep breath and remind myself that I have no control over what happens on the ice," Laurel told her. "Although, to be honest with you, some days that doesn't help much."
"I try to compartmentalize and disassociate myself from what is happening on the rink," Hotch contributed. "But, like Laurel said, there are days when that doesn't help much. After all, that is my daughter out there!"
The awards ceremony had concluded and the team was standing in the lobby of the arena talking while the top skaters posed for photos.
"After this there is going to be a quick question and answer session and then you can take your skaters home," Joyce Takata assured the waiting parents. "We understand that it has been a long day for everyone and we appreciate your patience."
"Let's find a place to sit down," JJ suggested. "It looks like Jack has Sophia under control for the time being."
"Why don't you join me?" a sophisticated looking woman who had been standing next to them turned to suggest. "Michelle Decker," she introduced herself. "My daughter Hannah came in second."
"Laurel Hotchner," Laurel replied. "And, as you have probably guessed, Paige is my daughter."
"I thought I recognized you earlier," Michelle commented as she led the way to a seating group near the windows. "But I can't remember from where. You skate out of a rink in Fairfax, Virginia, right?"
"Yes," Laurel replied. "Although Paige did start skating at the Year Round Ice Arena in Schaumburg, Illinois. That's near Chicago. And, she still goes back there from time to time to skate with one of their coaches. Maybe that's where you've seen us."
"I don't think so," the woman replied. "However, we did live in Houston for several years. Have you ever been there?"
"That was a long time ago," Laurel replied carefully. "We were north of town, up near the airport."
"I don't know," Michelle said thoughtfully. "Let me think about it."
As the conversation turned to general topics ('How do you like this weather?' and 'You're from California, aren't you?' predominated) Laurel began nervously twisting her hands.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"What are we going to do?" Laurel demanded later that evening as the team sat eating dinner in the hotel restaurant. "What happened in Houston is nothing to be ashamed of, but Paige does not need to be reminded of it and no one needs to know about the money. Also, if someone really starts digging, they are going to find out about Bradley Mercer and his parents, and we don't need that either."
"If it comes out that there was big money involved with the Houston situation, someone might get ideas," Rossi agreed. "And we have all seen enough examples of what can happen then."
"We will just have to figure a way to put a positive spin on things," JJ replied thoughtfully. "Distract everyone from the money issue."
"Let's not get unnecessarily upset about something that may or may not happen," Hotch pointed out.
"You can make sure you have some answers ready in case anyone opens that can of worms," Blake suggested. "And, then, you can hope you never have to use them."
"You do know that the term 'can of worms' is an American idiom that refers to the problems that may result if – " Reid began.
"That's okay Reid," Garcia interrupted him. "You don't have to go into detail. Just thinking about all those worms squirming around in a can gives me the creeps." She shivered dramatically.
"Well, Rossi!" Morgan smiled over at the retired agent. "It looks like your personal skating consultant is headed our way!" He nodded towards the doorway to the restaurant where Joyce Takata was standing, along with an older gentleman who was wearing a sports coat and tie.
Rossi waved at her and, as soon as she saw the group, Joyce began leading the way across the room.
"Good evening everyone!" she greeted them when she got close enough. "I thought I could probably catch you down here. Where is our newest skating champion?"
"Paige and her brother decided they wanted to eat in our room," Laurel told her. "And, they volunteered to make sure that their little sister got dinner, too, so the adults could eat in peace."
"That doesn't happen very often," Hotch added.
"Would you like to sit down?" Rossi had stood up and was offering Joyce his chair. "I am sure we can get some more chairs over here."
"Not now, maybe later," Joyce promised him. "I just wanted to introduce Phil Hughes, here. He will need to get with Mr. and Mrs. Hotchner in the next day or so in order to decide which picture of Paige we will be using for publications and press releases. He will also need their help in compiling the official background/biography which we will be releasing."
"Mr. Hughes," Laurel smiled at him. "How nice to meet you."
"Likewise – And, please, call me Phil," the man replied. "I was hoping we could get together sometime tomorrow morning."
"That sounds fine," Laurel shot a glance at JJ. "Just let me know when and where and I'll make sure that we are available. And, if you don't mind, JJ here will be joining us. She's kind of our family's expert on public relations."
"How about 9:00 a.m.?" Phil suggested. "I have a small room reserved in the hotel's business center, if that is okay."
"That's just fine," Laurel assured him. "We'll see you then."