A/N: Hope you enjoy!
JENNIFER JAREAU WOWS GYMNASTICS FANS AT SECRET US CLASSIC
Last weekend, the Secret US Classic was held in Chicago, Illinois, marking the start of the competitive season for the elite gymnasts in the USA.
The two biggest names on the roster were of course, reigning World all-around champion Simone Biles, and five time Olympic medallist, Jennifer "JJ" Jareau. While everyone was excitedly following Simone's every move, I personally was really excited to see Jennifer Jareau back in action. After scaling back her skills following the London Olympics, it became clear that her coach, Nick Romero, has a plan for the potential this girl has. She got through last year with a solid and consistent program, only to get injured just weeks after the conclusion of the world championships. Many wondered if JJ would even come back this season, if she would take the year off to recover and rest, but she stunned everyone by coming out in full force on Saturday night.
She started the night on vault alongside Simone Biles, where she kicked things off with a fantastic double twisting Yurchenko. But the real surprise came when after walking from the mat, she didn't leave the podium – she walked back to the end of the runway and chalked up for a second vault! While everyone picked their jaws up off the floor, JJ completed a relatively clean Lopez, or Yurchenko half-on, half-off. It was a little low compared to her DTY, and a little off to the side, but for a first competitive second vault, no-one could really fault it!
From there, she moved to bars, where she completed a clean set. So far, she had no upgrades in place there, but both JJ and her coach have hinted that they're coming, so her bars is a bit of a watch this space. Then came what JJ is known for – her killer beam. However, this time around was not so smooth sailing. On her layout, she landed with one foot off the beam and ended up slipping into a deep one footed squat... which she IMMEDIATELY pulled back up. The applause she got for that save was extremely well deserved, and yet again, she left people picking their jaws up off the floor. Lastly, she went to floor, where she debuted a new routine with a new tumbling pass – a piked double Arabian, and finished off her night cleanly.
The future is very bright for Jennifer Jareau if Saturday night was any glimpse of what is to come. A potential extra medal she can earn by making vault finals, and increased difficulty – all while making it look easy. The gymnastics she displayed in London was clearly not at her upper limit, and I'm excited to see what she can bring to the floor in years to come.
|jareaumanar|
Jennifer Jareau appreciation thread. She SLAYYYYYED at Classics, and that beam save? She can kindly layout straight onto my neck, please and thank you.
|tkatchevmeifyoucan|
When she walked back for a second vault I swear my soul ascended. I never would have pegged her for a vaulter but goddamnit did she prove me wrong!
|layoutfull|
*GIF of JJ smiling and hugging Nick when her score went up in the Olympic beam final*
She's so precious, she always looked so serious in London and this was when we got to see a bit more sunshine! She was all smiles at Classic, especially when she slipped on beam. That made me laugh, I'm happy she's able to laugh off mistakes and not be too serious about it.
|komovas-arabian|
*photo from JJ's Instagram of her and Will cheesing together for a selfie*
Also if these two aren't couple goals, idk what is. LOOK AT THEM!
|jareaumanar|
She seems to have such a sweet, loving personality, I'd literally die to be her friend.
|golden-butterflies|
You guys are way too cute!
|jareaumanar|
NO WAY IS THAT JJ
|golden-butterflies|
It might be ;)
|tkatchevmeifyoucan|
Someone check on jareaumanar, I think she might have ascended
"You know, when I saw you in that leotard on Saturday, I had to fight real hard to contain myself," Will whispered in her ear as they snuggled together in the booth of a late night diner, one of his hands coming to rest on her knee.
"Stop it," JJ giggled, playfully pushing his hand away before turning and pressing a kiss to his lips. "You're not going to be able to stop yourself"
"Hey, I'm not a sex freak," Will chuckled. JJ raised an eyebrow at him, making him laugh and pull her a little closer. "Maybe a little when it comes to you"
She was exhausted from training, but when Will had suggested a date night, she couldn't say no. But rather than getting all dressed up, they had decided to have a relaxed night at the late night diner a couple of blocks from his house. They had eaten there hundreds of times since they were just kids and it had never failed to produce good food and a cosy atmosphere.
"Hey Will?" JJ piped up softly as she leaned back against him, his fingers trailing gently up and down her forearm where it rested on the table.
"Mm?"
"Ever since we had that scare... have you thought about, you know... us having kids?"
Will let out a long breath, making her tip her head up to look at him. "I'd probably scare you if I honestly told you how many times I've thought about it"
JJ giggled. "I know you don't want them right now, it's ok," she said, rubbing his knee with her other hand.
"Honestly, Jayje, I've... thought about it for a long time," Will admitted softly. Then a smile slowly crossed his face. "I want to have at least five or six"
JJ, who had been in the middle of taking a sip from her lemonade, choked on her drink, accidentally spraying some of it across the table. Will burst out laughing, reaching for some napkins to help her mop it up.
"Six?" she asked incredulously as she wiped away the lemonade dripping from her lips. "What do you think I am, some kind of baby machine?"
Will laughed, quickly mopping up the remains of the spill from the edge of the table. "I was kidding, Jayje. I want at least two, maybe three" He paused for a moment, before breaking into a smile and kissing the top of her head. "But I'm gonna marry you first. Gonna marry you up real nice"
JJ laughed. "Such a Southerner"
"Do you think you'd want a big weddin'? Or are you gonna surprise me by bein' a 'throw on some jeans and go down to the courthouse' type of girl?" Will asked.
"I definitely do not want a wedding like my brother's," JJ said, letting out a long breath as the memories came rushing back to her. "Katie's family is Italian, it was insane. I was twelve when they got married and she had like... ten bridesmaids, there was a good two hundred guests, I mean... two hundred guests? My extended family barely fills two tables!"
Will laughed.
"And it wasn't an Orthodox wedding or anything, I mean, you've met Katie, she's about as far from Orthodox as you can get, but her parents still wanted it in a church and the priest had this sermon that went for a good forty five minutes. In a church in Florida, in summer. And then her cousin got up and sang this ridiculously long Italian aria, and I could see Jason trying not to laugh, which made me have to try not to laugh. Oh, and I was part of the bridal party so I was standing up there with them, and trying to hold in my laughter at Jason meant I didn't breathe for a solid three minutes and nearly fainted"
Still laughing, Will shuffled around a little so he could see her face. "Sounds like an experience"
"So yeah... I haven't really given it that much thought, but I don't want a spectacle like that," JJ giggled.
"Noted," Will chuckled. "No churches, no sermons, no long Italian love songs"
"Whatever we have, I'm guessing Bailey-Rose will have to be flower girl, or she'll never forgive you"
Will grinned. "Hmm... definitely. But that's not because she loves me, it's because you're her absolute favourite person in the world"
"She's pretty cute," JJ mused. "She idolises you though... it's really sweet. It's how I know you're gonna be such a great dad one day"
Will gave her a squeeze, his heart swelling at the compliment as the bell over the door chimed to indicate someone was coming in.
"Evening Rosie! Hope you're ready for a slow night," called one of the cooks through the vendor window to the kitchen.
"Wouldn't be the first one I've had Jeff," Rosie chuckled. She made her way along the counter, looking up just in time to lay eyes on JJ and Will cuddled up in the last booth. "Well if it isn't the two troublemakers!"
"Hey Rosie," JJ said with a grin. Rosie had worked in the diner for years, and over that time, she too had watched JJ and Will grow up through their regular visits with their families.
"I haven't seen you two in such a long time! I heard a rumour you finally asked JJ out though. Took you long enough," Rosie teased, smirking at Will. He blushed, running a hand through his hair as the two girls laughed. "What have you been up to, other than dominating the gymnastics world and winning medals left right and centre?"
JJ scoffed. "I'd hardly say that"
"I've been kept busy with college," Will chimed in. "Studyin' criminology and justice, and then I'm gonna apply to the police academy"
Rosie nodded, clearly impressed. "Following in your father's footsteps. You'll make a fine officer." She glanced at her watch, heaving a sigh. "Well, my shift's about to start, so I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. How about I get you some sundaes? My treat"
"Oh I love your sundaes, Rosie," JJ gushed, her eyes lighting up; she had always been a bit of a fiend when it came to ice-cream. "Yes please"
"Alright, coming right up"
They settled back as Rosie walked off, Will absently flipping a sugar packet between his fingers.
"Would you want to stay in Pittsburgh once we're settled? Or move elsewhere?" he asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence. JJ shrugged.
"I've never really thought about it. I like Pittsburgh. It's a cool city. But I also wouldn't say no to living somewhere like San Diego, where I can lay on the beach," she said with a sigh, leaning back dramatically against Will's chest as he laughed. "But really, as long as it's not humid like Florida, I'll be happy anywhere"
Will chuckled, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple. "So basically you've just told me that your ideal vacation is somewhere with a beach that's warm but not humid"
"And not alligator infested"
"And not alligator infested," Will chuckled. "You're so cute"
JJ tipped her head back, smiling happily. "I try my hardest," she said softly, her smile remaining as Will leaned down and kissed her gently.
They were broken apart moments later by Rosie clearing her throat.
"Sorry to interrupt, but the ice-cream will melt if you don't eat it now," she teased, placing two large sundaes down on the table in front of them. "You kids have a good night, ok? And come back and see me more often"
"Thanks Rosie," Will said with a smile. JJ eagerly sat up straighter, grabbing a spoon and pulling one of the sundaes towards her. He watched, grinning as she took a spoonful of the ice-cream and started dancing from side to side in her seat. "Is that your happy food dance?"
"Yes," JJ replied shortly. "I'm gonna destroy this ice-cream"
"I don't doubt that for a second, but Jayje, I have no idea where you're gonna put it"