When the competition was over, Paige's scores placed her eighth while Hannah (who had been 'assisted' in getting on and off the ice by Joyce Takata) finished twenty-fourth.
"That is not bad at all," Laurel consoled Paige. "Remember, there were 42 skaters and, because eligibility for this competition is based on age, many of those skaters compete at the Senior Level. You won't be taking that test for several months yet."
"You have a lot of time before your next competition to work on adding to the difficulty level of your program," Ian pointed out. "And, now we have a much better idea of what you need to work on."
"Just wait until next time!" Hotch added as he gave his daughter a reassuring hug. "Just wait until next time!"
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
'Next time' fulfilled Paige's wish to return to Canada when the Canadian Figure Skating Association hosted their yearly International Juniors Competition in Calgary, Alberta.
"Just think!" Ian told her. "You'll be skating in the same arena where the Winter Olympics were held!"
"And, that's the home rink for the Calgary Flames," Laurel said excitedly. "All the greats of ice hockey have skated there at one time or another."
"Of course, they have undoubtedly changed the ice out since then," she added with a laugh.
"Cool!" was Jack's assessment. "Maybe we can take Sophia out to Drumheller to see the dinosaurs."
"This will probably be the last competition for a while where everyone from the team will be able to join us," Rossi observed. "So, we need to make it something really special."
"This is going to be cutting it pretty close for Penelope," Laurel agreed. "Her baby boy is due a little less than three months later."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Calgary provided an opportunity for Paige to show what she was truly capable of doing on the ice as she and Ian showcased two new programs.
"It won't take much to turn these into Senior Level programs when the time comes," Ian explained.
"And that is going to be really soon," Paige assured everyone.
Again, the call 'Go Paige!' echoed across the rink as, to no one's surprise, Paige won the Ladies' event and returned home to Fairfax, Virginia, proudly sporting the white cowboy hat she had been awarded.
"I sure hope that hat doesn't get dirty," Laurel worried. "I don't know how I would ever get it clean."
"Not to worry," Rossi smiled. "I know a hatter – "
"A Mad Hatter?" Garcia teased knowingly.