A/N: Trying to write more often, so hopefully we can get into the juicy stuff soon!
Breakfast was a quiet affair. Gabby had been whisked away for more interviews about her all-around success, while Kyla, who was eager to continue into the following season, had gone to the training gym with Jenny for a workout. With Aly still fast asleep, that left JJ and McKayla to head down to a late breakfast together.
McKayla had gone ahead of her in the buffet line, leaving her to peruse the hot food options herself. JJ found herself overwhelmed; for years she had always been careful about what she ate, always having the end goal of the Olympics in mind. But now, she was done competing. And she was free to eat whatever she liked.
With a smile on her face, she grabbed two of the maple infused waffles, before ladling them with another spoonful of maple syrup.
"Good choice"
Turning her head, JJ was surprised to see Elsabeth Black standing to her left*. She was the young Canadian who had gotten injured in the vault final, as her crutches and moon boot attested to.
"Elsabeth, right?" she asked with a smile.
"Just Ellie. Why my parents gave me such a messed up version of Elizabeth, I'll never know," Ellie chuckled. "And you're Jennifer… no, sorry, I heard your teammates calling you JJ"
JJ grinned. "I never go by my first name, I renounced it when I was four"
Ellie laughed. "So we have something in common then"
JJ watched as Ellie reached out for a plate while trying to balance her crutches. With a smile, she set her plate down, before grabbing a second for her new Canadian friend.
"Here, I got it. Don't need you injuring something else trying to get breakfast," she said warmly.
Ellie smiled weakly. "Thanks. I hate these things so much, it makes it impossible to do anything for yourself"
"What are you having?"
"I'll have the same as you. With some bacon. And maybe some eggs"
JJ laughed. "Bacon with maple syrup?"
"It's so good. You have to try it"
A few minutes later, JJ was carrying both of their plates over to the table McKayla had claimed. Ellie gratefully took a seat opposite McKayla, JJ sitting down beside her.
"McKayla?"
"Correct," McKayla said with a grin as she spooned some scrambled eggs onto her fork. "How's the foot?"
"Not great. I think I'll be having surgery when I get back home"
"Bummer… guess neither of us had a great final," McKayla mused.
"You still got a medal," JJ pointed out.
"Yeah, but I fell on my ass. Not my favourite memory," McKayla replied. "Unlike you, Miss Star of the Show"
Ellie and JJ both laughed.
"I love how you had a complete panic attack and convinced yourself you weren't good enough to make the team, and then that you weren't good enough to stay on the team, and you are now coming home as the most decorated gymnast of the whole Games," McKayla said with a grin.
"What can I say? It's how I roll," JJ said flippantly, earning more laughs from the two girls.
"So, you guys are in for a crazy whirlwind when you get home, hey?" Ellie said conversationally.
"I'm dreading it," JJ replied. McKayla snorted into her plate.
"JJ doesn't do cameras or attention," she teased. "Maybe you should have thought about that before winning your body weight in Olympic medals"
JJ stuck her tongue out at McKayla as Ellie laughed. Picking up her fork, she speared a piece of bacon, before looking over at Ellie. "You swear it tastes good with maple syrup?"
"Just try it," Ellie insisted. "It won't kill you"
Hesitantly, JJ lifted her fork to her lips. She put the mouthful of bacon in her mouth, waiting for the unique flavour combination to hit. Ellie and McKayla were already giggling as they watched her expressions.
"Oh you Canadians are a weird bunch," she said finally as the flavour fully hit her. The girls laughed, both turning back to their own breakfasts. It was nice to have a fully relaxed morning. No training, no competition pressure… just a little bit of fun, food, and laughter.
"So… how was it to sleep in this morning?"
JJ laughed as she settled into her chair and pulled her latte a little closer. She was out for the day with her mom, and as much as she wished her dad and grandmother were staying on, she was excited to have her mom to herself for the first day in forever.
"It was… weird. I woke up on cue at like five thirty," JJ giggled. "I had to lay super still for about an hour with my eyes shut to basically force myself to go back to sleep"
Sandy laughed, sipping her coffee. "Give it a couple of weeks after the tour and I'm sure I'll be poking you awake at lunchtime"
"Has everyone had a good time over here?"
Sandy chuckled. "Good time? JJ, it's been amazing. Getting to watch you compete at the peak of your career… all actually being together in the one place at the one time… it's been a dream come true on all fronts"
"Are Jason and Katie going straight home from here? I haven't seen them at all… I miss them," JJ said softly.
"They're going straight home the morning after the opening ceremony, but when you get home from New York, they're coming up for a few days to see you"
"That'll be good," JJ said with a smile.
"How are you feeling though? A lot has happened… a lot has changed! You're going to be a superstar when you get home!" Sandy exclaimed. JJ gave her a weak smile.
"I don't want to be a superstar… I just want to be me. Nothing's changed except I won some Olympic medals, which is amazing, and I'm super proud of what I've achieved… but I'm still just me"
Sandy let out a little sigh, smiling as she reached across the table and squeezed JJ's hand. "I know, JJ… I know. Things are going to be a little crazy for a while, but I promise that at home, nothing will change. Your dad and I are so proud of you, but you're still just our wonderful JJ"
JJ smiled, pulling her hand free and reaching for her latte. She took a sip, savouring the warmth and the taste. As she did, a question popped into her mind, one that was clearly fuelled by the thoughts and feelings that had been swarming around in her head for weeks.
"Hey Mom?"
"Yeah?"
JJ took a deep breath, drumming her fingertips against the side of her cup. "When you and Dad first started getting to know each other… how did you know that you liked him? As more than a friend?"
Sandy stayed silent for a moment as she pondered JJ's question. For a moment, the corners of her lips quirked upwards, and JJ wondered if she knew something. But moments later, she chuckled, toying with the handle of her cup as she looked over at her daughter.
"I'm not too sure to be honest… there was no clear divide. I guess it came on very gradually. I just… as I got to know him better, I realised I couldn't go a day without thinking about him. He always made me laugh and smile… he made my stomach do flip flops every time we spoke, and every time he smiled at me, I felt like someone had poured warm water over me. He just made me feel so good… so happy… and I think when I noticed those feelings was when I realised that I liked him as more than just a friend," she said softly. She paused, looking curiously over at JJ. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh… no reason," JJ stammered out, but she couldn't help the flame that crept up her cheeks. "Just… I don't know, I guess it just popped into my head"
"Sure you haven't seen a nice male gymnast that's sparked your curiosity?"
JJ blushed again, making her mother laugh. "No… no. Really, I just… it was just a thought"
Sandy smirked, but stayed silent. Whatever was going on in JJ's head… she knew her daughter would tell her when she was good and ready.