"Mom – I'm scared! I've never done anything like this before. What if I mess up?" It was three weeks after Paige had won the World Junior Ladies' Figure Skating Championship and she and Laurel were in Houston to attend the yearly volunteers' luncheon for the Houston Ladies Helping Hands League.
"I know, Honey." Laurel fussed with her daughter's hair, which was tied up in a dancers' knot. "But just think of this like you're giving an oral report to your class. You've done enough of them over the years."
"But, this is about me!" Paige protested. "And, during the past few weeks all I've done is talk about me."
"People are interested in you," Laurel reminded her. "Remember what JJ said - Most of these people are really nice and wish you well, and they just want you to know that."
"Okay," Paige took a deep breath. "Let's do this."
Allison had arranged for the luncheon to be held in a small meeting room at one of the Galleria area hotels and, when Paige and Laurel walked into the room, she immediately greeted them with hugs and kisses, before seating them at the head table. As the luncheon proceeded, many of the volunteers gave Laurel and Paige puzzled looks, and there was speculation as to who they were and why they were there. After desert had been served, Allison stood up and tapped on her water glass to get everyone's attention.
"Good afternoon," she began. "I would like to start by thanking all of you for taking the time to join us today. As those of you who have been with us in the past know, this is the point in the program where I usually thank everyone for their help over the past year, review the progress that has been made, and then hand out the awards. However, this year I am going to be doing something different."
"As you all know, the collecting of stuffed animals and blankets for children in distress began with a young girl whose stuffed bunny had been taken from her. That stuffed animal represented her only security in this chaotic world, and having it taken away destroyed that sense of security. As I am sure you would all agree, every child deserves to have some security in their lives. Over the years, we have collected and distributed thousands of stuffed animals and blankets and, hopefully, have helped to give that feeling of security to a multitude of children. This afternoon I would like to introduce you to the one who started it all. She has grown to be an incredible young lady, who I am happy to call my friend. I would like you to meet Miss Paige Hotchner – U.S. Junior Ladies' Figure Skating Champion and the recently crowned World Junior Ladies' Figure Skating Champion."
"Let's give her a welcoming round of applause."
Paige glanced worriedly over at her mother before standing up. Laurel smiled at her, squeezed her hand, and then handed her a very well-loved, stuffed rabbit.
"Thank you everyone," Paige began once the applause had died down. She then held up the rabbit.
"I would like you all to meet Buddy Bunny," she said. "He was given to me by a friend shortly after my original rabbit had been taken from me and he has been with me ever since. He has traveled with me to school, to the ice rink, to competitions, and to skating camps. And, he is here with me today. We have been together through thick and thin, and he has traveled all over the world with me. Every child deserves to have a companion like him."
Loud spontaneous applause interrupted her speech as she turned to smile at Laurel.
The rest of her talk went smoothly, and then she helped Allison hand out the yearly awards to the various volunteers. Afterwards, everyone surged forward to bombard her with questions.
"Are you really the World Champion?" one woman asked.
"That's what they tell me," Paige replied. "And, they put my picture on the cover of a magazine, so it must be true."
"Do you have your medals with you?" another volunteer asked.
"Since you asked - " Laurel smiled as she reached into her tote bag, took out two presentation boxes, and handed them to Paige.
Paige opened the smaller of the two to display the medal. "This is from the U.S. Championships," she explained, holding it up.
She then opened the larger box and held it up so everyone could see the medal. "And this is the World's medal," she said.
"WOW!" Echoed through the group as everyone stretched to see.
"What are you going to do next?" was the next question.
"I am scheduled to participate in the Skate Canada competition in several weeks," Paige explained.
"What about the Olympics?" The question came from one of the police officers in attendance.
Paige froze and looked over at Laurel for help.
"At this point, we are just taking things one competition at a time," Laurel replied. "And, when the time comes, we'll see how things work out."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"I studied your case when I was in the academy," one of the officers told Paige and Laurel later as he helped escort them down to their car. "As I recall, the FBI was involved in rescuing you."
"That's right," Laurel told him. "It was one of the FBI agents who gave Paige Buddy Bunny, and another is the man I eventually married."
"I must tell my grandmother that," the officer replied with a smile. "She has just about given up hope of my ever finding a 'nice girl' and settling down. She keeps saying that with my job the only women I meet are heading to jail."
"Just remind her that love shows up when you least expect it," Laurel smiled as she told him.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"Mom, they were talking about the Olympics!" Paige exclaimed as they rode back to the Sleepaway Inn and Suits where they were staying. "The Olympics!"
"I know, Sweetie," Laurel replied. "But, it's a little soon to be thinking about them. We'll just take it one competition at a time and see what happens."