A/N: You'll see below why I am not a sports journalist haha!

It was a star studded evening for the gymnasts of Team USA last night in Rio de Janeiro. Competing in the individual all-around final in the Rio Olympic Arena, Jennifer Jareau and Simone Biles left a mark on the sport like no other.

It wasn't the finish the world was expecting. But it was mesmerizing nonetheless.

Heavily favored to win gold, three time World all-around champion Simone Biles was touted to be able to waltz through the competition. And she seemed to do so, putting up four excellent routines to showcase the high caliber of her abilities as a gymnast. She put forward such a dazzling performance that, even right to the end, everyone believe she would be the Olympic Champion.

But her teammate, Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau, had other ideas.

After three solid sets on the first three apparatus, JJ approached the floor. But as her music began, she froze, before stepping off the carpet and looking to her coach.

What he said to her had to be one of the best pep talks any athlete has ever received, because the routine that followed it was nothing short of stunning. And Jareau knew it, because once it was over, she broke down in tears.

What some people may not know is that those tears weren't really fuelled by incredible gymnastics. Just a month earlier, JJ's father passed away after a ferocious battle with Stage IV colon cancer. JJ herself said losing her father has been the hardest obstacle in her life so far. But one of her goals, that the two of them had discussed, was to win an all-around title. And last night, after one of the closest finishes we've ever seen, she achieved that.

At the Olympic Games nonetheless.

|jareaumanar|

I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JENNIFER JAREAU IS THE OLYMPIC AA CHAMPION

|catalinaponors|

So I was all for Simone winning the AA, until JJ won, I LITERALLY DIDN'T REALISE HOW MUCH I WANTED HER TO WIN UNTIL SHE DID

|cakeandgymnastics|

someone snuck into my house and started cutting onions after JJ's floor routine, how goddamn rude

|catalinaponors|

Ok but seriously… JJ's tears after floor broke my heart. That girl has been through hell and back with her dad passing away, and it was almost foreign to see her crying like that… I'm so glad she had a great performance, she knows she made her dad really proud.

|fluffy-onodi|

if you didn't cry when JJ lifted her gold medal up for her dad, then you officially don't have a heart

After the excitement, triumph, and unhindered emotion of the previous evening, the girls had a busy day ahead of them.

An early start brought them to the headquarters of NBC in Rio. All of them were clad in black leggings and runners, with a dark blue USA sweatshirt giving them yet again, a cohesive look. Their medals hung proudly around their necks, JJ's and Simone's gently clinking together as they moved.

Yawning and stretching, they were taken straight into the live-link studio upon arriving, and shown to the comfy black sofa where they were to sit for the interview.

"We'll go live in about five minutes, and you'll be interviewed by Hoda Kotb. Just stay nice and relaxed, and she'll be interviewing you through the live-link set up on that TV straight ahead," one of the studio techs said with a smile.

With Madison on the end beside Laurie, JJ in the middle, and Aly sandwiched between her and Simone, they were all fidgeting with excitement. Team interviews were always the most fun, and after the emotional high of last night, this one was bound to be interesting.

Before too much longer, Hoda's face appeared on the screen.

"Next we're coming to you live from Rio de Janeiro, where the US gymnastics team is having a banner year. With us today we have Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez, Jennifer Jareau, Aly Raisman, and Simone Biles, good morning girls, thanks for getting up early!"

"Hi!" the girls all chimed together, breaking into warm smiles.

"You girls are doing absolutely amazing out there, you know? We couldn't help but smile watching you all in the team final on Tuesday night! Aly, you were the captain of the 2012 gymnastics team as well, what was it like for you to lead your team to victory once again?"

"It was absolutely incredible, but I really feel as though this team kind of leads itself, you know. Between the five of us, we have a lot of experience, obviously JJ was on the 2012 team as well, so I don't feel as though the leadership came solely from me. We all cheered and supported each other through each rotation, and I think our team cohesion is a large part of why we were able to perform so well"

"Madison, you performed so beautifully on the bars for the team, and you're still preparing for the event final. Even on just one event, has this Olympics been everything you've dreamed of so far?"

Madison smiled. "Definitely, it's been the most wonderful experience. My best chance to make it to the Olympics was always going to be my bars, so I'm extremely grateful to be here, to have helped my team win gold, it's just amazing. I'm so excited for the bars final, to just go out one more time and perform to my best"

"Spoken like a true specialist," Hoda chuckled. "And Laurie, you unfortunately didn't make it into any of the event finals, but you captivated the crowd out there on Tuesday night, and you're going home an Olympic Champion, so no harm done?"

"No, I'm not upset about not making the finals, because I actually got bumped out due to the two-per-country rule, so I'm up there in the top eight either way and I'm really pleased to have made it that far. Besides, I'm on a team with the greatest gymnasts in the world, and I'm so excited to just go and cheer the girls on in their finals, and coming home with a gold medal from the team is just the cherry on top"

"And now, JJ, Simone… let's talk about last night. Simone, you were expected to win, you gave the performances of a lifetime, and you came away with silver. Were you disappointed at all?"

"Quite honestly, I was," Simone said truthfully. "But not in myself, or my performance, or the silver medal… I just was a little sad that I hadn't reached what everyone expected of me. But, as JJ said to me, I came so close that it hardly even counts as a loss. I'm just really proud of JJ for winning, because if I was in her situation right now, I'd be curled up in a ball at the bottom of my bed"

"Yes, JJ, I think everyone in the world right now is commending you on being here at the Games. You showed so much bravery and courage in that arena last night, we all definitely shed some tears at the end of your floor routine. Has this been a really emotional experience for you?"

"It really has," JJ said with a small smile. "It's been hard, it's probably the hardest thing I've ever done, but I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family, my coaches, and these amazing girls. The tears might tell a different story, but I am enjoying the experience. Last night was… there are no words to describe it. It meant the world to me because after the London Olympics, I actually said to my dad that winning a national, World, or Olympic all-around title was my next goal I wanted to accomplish, and I finally did it. It's sad that my dad didn't get to see it, but I know he's really proud of me"

"I bet he is. Your family were thrilled up in the stands last night, your mom was in tears, and your partner was as well, so it was an emotional night all around for everyone who loves you"

"Aww look!" Simone exclaimed as video of JJ's family from the previous evening came up on another screen beside the live-link. Sandy was beside herself with tears, Jason holding her with one arm as he pumped the other one up into the air. In the row in front of them, Will had sunk into his chair, his face buried in his arms and his body shaking with sobs as Aly hugged him, tears running down his face.

Swallowing thickly, JJ smiled, her hand going to her heart as she watched the open, unhindered reactions of her family to her win.

"It's a beautiful thing to watch. Now, JJ, is there a, uh, a pedestal over to your right?"

Looking around, JJ pointed hesitantly at a stand just over to their right with a black drape over it.

"I'd like you to go over and take the cover off for me"

Pushing herself up, JJ stepped over Laurie and Madison's legs, walking over to the stand. Reaching out, she carefully lifted up the drape. Underneath was a Kellogg's Special K cereal packet. On the front was a picture of the girls in their team leotards, showing off their gold medals.

"Oh wow!" JJ exclaimed, picking it up and turning so the girls could see it. As she did, she realized what was on the back.

A picture of her with her gold medal from the previous evening.

"That is so cool!"

"I'll leave you to enjoy that girls, thank you for coming to join us and good luck for the remainder of your competitions!"

One hand clenched tightly over her gold medals, she followed her teammates as they filed into the large open room where they were to meet their families for the first time since the end of the training camp. Sofas and beanbags were placed all around the room, some of them already occupied by other athletes and their families.

Simone spotted her family almost straightaway, running over to them with a smile on her face that could've lit up the world. JJ watched as she was wrapped into a tight bear hug by her sister, Adria. Wrapped together, the two of them almost looked like twins.

Feeling as though she was more than on the verge of tears, JJ glanced around the room as Laurie peeled off, having spotted her parents not far from the Biles family.

And then she saw them, just seconds after Aly started walking over to her family. They were sitting with the Raismans, beaming and waving at her from across the room.

The tears rose up in the back of her throat as she made her way over to them as quickly as she could. Moments later, she was wrapped tightly in her mother's embrace, the dam breaking as she started to cry.

"I'm so proud of you," Sandy gushed, holding JJ tight as she pressed a kiss to her temple. "So, so proud of you"

She didn't want to let go. There was so much comfort in her mother's embrace that she didn't know she'd been longing for. Right there, she felt as though she was ten years old again; wanting nothing more than for her mom to take all the pain away.

Managing a watery smile, JJ pulled away slightly so she could see her mother's face. Sandy looked as though she was holding back tears of her own, but even so, she was smiling as she gently wiped away JJ's tears with her thumbs.

"Your dad would've cried out of joy last night," she whispered, leaning in and kissing JJ's forehead. "I know he's so proud of you"

All she could do was nod as she pulled away. Seconds later, she was wrapped in a tight squeeze from her brother, who could hardly even speak. Katie approached both of them, wrapping her arms around them without a word.

A few moments later, JJ pulled away, giving them both an appreciative smile, before turning to face Will, who'd been waiting patiently at the end of the sofa. Sensing that the young couple might like a moment of privacy, Sandy, Jason, and Katie turned away to converse with Lynn and Rick, who had finished fawning over their daughter and were now watching the four of their children goofing around with each other.

"There really aren't enough words for me to tell you how amazing you are right now," Will said softly, leaning back against the arm of the sofa as he took JJ's hands. A smile crept onto her face, accompanying the pink blush on her cheeks as she wiped away the remainder of her tears.

"Let me guess… you're proud of me?" she asked, a cheeky glint in her eye.

"Unbelievably," Will affirmed with a chuckle, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her towards him. "You know… you made me cry… when that final score came up"

"I saw," JJ said softly. Smiling, she leaned in to his embrace. When he wrapped his arms tighter around her and held her close, all the tension and stress seemed to immediately dissipate off her shoulders. The familiar, comforting scent of his cologne met her nose, seeming to make their hug that much deeper.

"You ok?" he asked quietly. JJ nodded into his chest.

"It's been a really emotional couple of days," she breathed, earning another lingering kiss to the top of her head.

"I know," Will replied. "I'm really proud of how you've handled everything so far. I know you'll be just as great in the rest of the finals"

"I don't wanna talk gymnastics today," JJ whispered, pulling back and tipping her face up towards Will with a loving smile.

"What do you wanna do then?" Will asked with a chuckle.

"I just want you to kiss me," was JJ's immediately reply.

Laughing softly, Will shook his head at JJ's request. But he obliged, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. It was a gentle kiss, but to JJ, it was almost like it was everything she'd been longing for since the end of camp.

There may have been some tears. But seeing her family had come at the absolute perfect time. And by the time they were leaving the complex to head back to the village, she was feeling refreshed, like nothing could sway her.

A hard training session in the afternoon had been followed with physical therapy and some downtime.

But tired of being cooped up in the apartments when they weren't competing or training, the girls had banded together to persuade Marta and the coaches to let them go and enjoy themselves in the recreational pools down in the courtyard.

It had taken a bit of effort, but eventually, the five girls had trooped down to the pool, all bikini clad and carrying their towel, Rhonda, Aimee, Maggie, Nick, and Laurent behind them.

"Please just be a little careful girls, Marta will kill me if one of you ends up concussed or drowning," Rhonda called out after fifteen minutes of Simone and Laurie's usual rambunctious antics. JJ had been sitting on the edge of the pool, dangling her legs in and watching with a grin as the younger three girls splashed and mucked around like children.

"Hey JJ!" came a familiar voice behind her. Turning to look over her shoulder, JJ broke into a smile when she spotted Ellie Black of the Canadian team walking towards her, one of her younger teammates behind her.

"Hey Ellie," JJ said happily as Ellie sat down beside her and stuck her legs in the water as well. The younger behind her followed suit, sitting down on Ellie's other side.

"I didn't get a chance last night to congratulate you, you were seriously awesome out there," Ellie said with a smile, putting her arm around JJ's shoulders and giving her a squeeze. "Has it sunk in yet?"

JJ laughed. "No. It still feels like it went to Simone"

"Almost did, I can't believe how close it was"

"I know, it's so crazy"

"Oh, by the way, this is my teammate Shallon," Ellie said, leaning back and gesturing to the younger girl. "She's a little bit of a fan, I felt it was my duty to prove you don't bite"

JJ laughed again. "Hey Shallon, it's really nice to meet you"

"Nice to meet you too," Shallon replied with a shy smile.

"Hey, you're in the vault final aren't you?"

Shallon nodded, her demeanour suddenly changing to one of pride.

"That's so good for your first Olympics!" JJ praised. Shallon beamed.

There was a giggle behind them, and seconds later, JJ was falling into the pool. Turning around and surfacing, she found Simone, Aly, and Laurie standing at the edge of the pool with Ellie and Shallon, all five of them howling with laughter.

"You're getting an ice bucket in your bed tonight!" JJ exclaimed through a grin, pointing straight at Simone, who feigned shock.

"What are you talking about, it was Maddie's idea!" Simone replied.

"Sure Simone!" Maddie chimed in from behind JJ.

"I'll get all of you, just you wait," JJ said as she started to laugh.

Just minutes later, Ellie and Shallon had joined the five American girls in the pool, all of them laughing and splashing each other in high spirits.

Even at the height of their careers, there was always time to embrace their inner child. And every single one of them couldn't be happier about it.