I do not own nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer.
Hello! Firstly, I don't know if all of your heard the news as I know I have quite a few International readers, but Michelle Trachtenberg an American actress passed on February 26th. One of the main reasons I made Mare a promising figure skater is because I've always had a fascination with the sport and it started years ago when I watched a movie called Ice Princess. It stared a young Michelle Trachtenberg who while trying to come up with a project to enter for a Harvard scholarship realizes that when it comes to ice skating there may just be an exact aerodynamic formula to certain moves. This was one of my favorite movies and I can't count the amount of times I watched it during my winter breaks in 6th grade. I wouldn't say I modeled Mare after Michelle Trachtenberg, but I did take a lot of inspiration from her, and was heart broken at the news. I always planned to write a chapter about Mare stepping back on the ice again and now feels right in recent news. I hope you like this chapter, it is quite quick since I wrong it quick, but if you don't I understand. There's only one more filler chapter before we begin Mare's start to her Sophomore year (aka the year Bella come to Forks) This one's for you, Michelle, fly high.
P.S-Yes Meg is basically Kim Cattrall, I loved her in that roll!
P.S.S- Yes, I like Tonya Harding, I stand on the fact that she was better than Nancy Kerrigan, although I don't approve of what Tonya's husband did, I still don't think she was the better skater and I'll die on that hill!
Reviews-
KEZZ 1- thank you my friend!
Guest- Just a few haha, Thank you for reviewing friend!
agabriellafigueiredo- Aww thank you, I know it was a bit macabre, but I'm glad you enjoyed!
Laenara- Thank you my sweet friend! I'm soo happy to hear from you again! I'm always worried about disappointing everyone, so I tend to apologize more, I'm working on it! I promise were getting to Bella, it's just taking me a little longer, things are so...hectic here lol, but we're getting there I PROMISE! I'm so glad you liked this chapter, it makes my heart very happy that you can enjoy this story and appreciate all the warm fuzzies I like to include with the family. Thank you for reading a reviewing and have a Great DAY!
AveryCameron- Oh MY GOD! It's doing the exact same thing for me and honestly I am beyond frustrated with this site and send my biggest apologies that it's doing this to you! I have yo constantly reload my app to get the chapters and it's giving me so much frustration! I really hope they fix this site soon, and I very much hope you get to read the new upcoming chapter! Please have a good day and if you see this enjoy!
UndercookedCookie-Oh my goodness, cookies I was wondering where you are! I completely understand being busy and I hope things start to slow down for you a bit. You always make my day, the minute I see you screen name, I have a smile on my face! I'm doing my best to be safe and hope you are too, although I very close to just running away into the mountains never to be seen again, but I'll stick around a little while longer ;) I'm so happy you liked these chapters, and all we'll be revealed in due time, although some people have already guessed who "he" is. I can't hide anything these days lol. I loved writing Mare being babied, because the way I wrote her is so she wasn't use to it, and is kinda off put by it, but eventually learns to love it! I hope you Like this story, there only one more filler chapter and then we officially start a new school year (aka Bella) Thank you so much for the love and well wishes I'M sending it right back along with good vibes for your month of March!
Gretchenia- OMG I have not only been blessed with one review BUT TWO! You spoil me my sweet friend! I know you stop yourself from reading certain chapters to save them BUT OHHHH girl I wish you wouldn't lol! You deserve to read the chapters as they come out so please do! I have to be honest writing the Thanksgiving special was definitely fun for me. It was an easy write and still one of my favorites. I think becasue I got to write Mare in an angsty way, and I was pumped, I also liked writing angry Carlisle and having Mare kinda be a little smart Alec with him lol. I'm not going to lie alot happens with New Moon that really changes the mood of the book. we go from being happy and grateful to angry and resentful real quick and I can't wait to put it out there for you. Sorry this is a bit of a shorter one, but as always I procrastinate and now it's late! I really hope you like this one, I know we talked about Michelle Trachtenberg so I'm excited for you to read this one! Have an amazing day my luv and be safe!
Ice Princess
"Are you going to skate today?" I jump at the voice before turning behind me to face it. I've been here every week since January and still haven't stepped on the ice, my shiny new skates sit next to me, most likely confused as to why they haven't been used,
"There are a lot of people today." I've gotten to know Meg really well over the last couple of weeks. She's even joked a time or two that she's going to name the bench I sit on after me since that's where she always knows where to find me.
"And last week?" She lifts a brow scooting in next to me,
"There weren't enough." She smiles,
"You know, I've heard from your uncle that you're pretty talented on the ice." I roll my eyes,
"I haven't been on it in two years." Meg scoffs,
"It's like riding a bike; you never forget." Meg herself used to be pretty talented on the ice. She almost made it to the Olympics until a knee injury sent her plans in a different direction. After that, she moved from her native New York to Washington, finding love and opening this rink. In more ways than one, Meg is like me.
"Last time I was on the ice, I was getting yelled at, it won't feel the same."
"I could yell at you." Meg smirks,
"Maybe next time." I glimpse at my watch, 4:45, Edward's is supposed to pick me up at 5, no point in going on the ice now. Meg holds out her hand,
"Next time." I reach forward and shake it,
"Next time."
…
"What happened to next time?" Meg shouts from the top of the stands. I was hoping to avoid her today,
"Heel spur," I lie. She shakes her head and takes large calculating steps down the stairs,
"Oh, I bet," She answers plopping down next to me with a large sigh,
"You're never getting on are you?" She lifts her brows with a frown,
"I am."
"Then you would have by now." I wrinkle my nose,
"It's just-"
"Just what?" In addition to owning and teaching children's classes, Meg coaches some of the older girls using her favorite method: tough love.
"I don't know." I shrug,
"Waste of money." Meg sighs, planting her hands on the bench so she can lean back,
"What?"
"Waste of money." She repeats, "Dr. Cullen spent all this money on a skating pass that doesn't get used, I know he's well off, but still I hate to see money fly out the door." She's right, not only did Carlisle spend a large amount of money on a skating pass, but he dropped about 1000 bucks on these skates too. I've skated before, I know how much these can run for and Carlisle got Jackson Ultima, coach Katerina told me I'd have to earn these kinds of skates and Carlisle just gave them to me...this is a waste...and I hate waste.
I grab the skates, I haven't even laced them yet and with practiced hands, I thread them quickly one by one, and then tug them on my feet. This first skate is going to be painful, both physically and mentally. Physically because they're new, they're not broken in or conformed to my feet, mentally because...well..because. I turn to Meg after lacing the last skate and frown,
"Don't expect a triple axel." Meg laughs,
"I don't expect anyone to do that." As she should, only a few women in the world can do that, it was always my goal to be part of that small group. I get to my feet and wobble one second and then find myself transported to two years ago, on the last day I wore my skates. I had snuck into the rink after school aware that I shouldn't be there. It was free skate and anyone could, but I didn't have the money to pay the fee and I knew I couldn't just walk in anymore. I knew the rink like the back of my hand and just carefully tiptoed in through the back door. It had been 6 months since my ankle break and two since PT ended and I wanted to get back on the ice. I remember lacing my skates, standing, walking to the ice, and then standing there. It wasn't too busy, maybe five or six kids. I lifted my leg to step on the ice and then slowly one, two, I backed up. Walked to the stands, took my skates off, left them, and went home.
Here in this moment, everything's the same. The feel of the skates, although these are new, they hug like my old ones, the smells, a mixture of cold and hot pretzels from the food court, and the ice...it's smoother than my rink back home, but then again, people aren't practicing triple salchows on it either. I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with as much cold air as possible. Then I step back,
"I'm sorry Meg." I feel a warm hand on my shoulder,
"What are you afraid of?" I feel hot tears in my eyes,
"All of it." I quickly turn away, stumble back to the bench, and begin unlacing my skates, however it's then I notice my fingers aren't working. Meg places a hand on my wrist and gently pushes them away before lacing my skates, she's silent as she takes off one skate then the other, and then before I can say anything she starts grabbing my boots and tugs them on.
"You're uncle told me about-" The minute she has my boots on, I grab my bag and head for the exit, hot tears pooling down my cheeks. It's early so I know Edwards most likely not waiting for me and I'm 100% prepared to walk home when the Volvo pulls up. Edward's out of the car with arms wide open just in time for me to walk into them,
"I couldn't do it," I mumble into his shirt,
"I know," his hand comes down on the top of my head, "It's okay,"
"You're early," I sniffle,
"Alice sent me," Of course she did,
"Of course, she did," Edward's hands come down on my shoulders and pull me back,
"Are you wiping your snot on my shirt?"
"Is it expensive?"
"Very,"
"Then yes," Edward smirks, before grabbing my bag and opening the passenger side door,
"Get in, you're shivering." I reach up to wipe my eyes before sliding in. Edward has the heat blaring and I lean back and close my eyes. I open them when Edward gets in and begins driving. We're silent for a moment, the only noise coming from the whirling of the car and the tires on uneven road. I feel hot tears in my eyes again and quickly look out the window, but I know Edward can tell, so I swallow before whispering,
"I tried,"
"And that's enough."
…
"I didn't think you'd be here this week," Meg smiles sitting down next to me. I honestly didn't think I was coming either,
"I had nothing to do today," actually Esme insisted...more like made me.
"Well I'm glad you're here," She nudges my shoulder, and I frown,
"I don't think I'm ready," I whisper looking away,
"Then we just here," Meg says in such a way that elevates that she's completely okay with sitting on these cold bleachers with me for an hour and watching everyone else skate,
"Yeah?" I keep my eyes forward waiting for Meg to get up, instead, she just reaches into her pocket and pulls out two granola bars, she opens both and hands one to me,
"Yeah."
…
"Got a Valentine?" Meg asks coming to sit next to me, I frown,
"I'm 14." She smirks,
"You can have a Valentine at any age."
"Do you have a Valentine?" Her smirk turns into a smile,
"I've been married for eighteen years, so no. We don't exchange valentines or say I love you, or do anything special, but sometimes he makes me breakfast in bed for no reason or buys my favorite flowers and leaves it on the table in a crystal vase my grandmother gave me, or he'll clean the house when I'm working late," her eyes look a million miles away,
"So you do have a Valentine," I state and Meg nods,
"What are you thinking today?" She gestures to the ice with a nod of her head I sigh looking down at my skates, I pull them out of my bag this time,
"Not ready," I mumble,
"Alright," Meg pulls a bottle of water out of her pocket and hands it to me, "Then we sit."
…
"How about today?" Meg asks holding out a styrofoam cup,
"What's that?" I lift a brow,
"How chocolate." I hold my hand out and she passes it over,
"Thanks."
"Think today might be the day?" I shake my head, although I've put the skates on my feet,
"No."
"Alright."
…
"Should we be sending you here with more layers?" Carlisle asks running his hand along the cold bench. I prefer to come here alone, but I guess Carlisle called Meg and she told him I was sitting around so today he insisted on sitting with me,
"It's not that cold," I give him a reassuring smile. Carlisle smiles back and looks around,
"There's not a lot of people," I match his movements. He's not wrong, theres two people on the ice and two more over by the food court. It probably has something to do with the snowstorm we got two days ago. Why go skate in the cold when you can just walk outside,
"It's one of the slower days," Carlisle reaches down into the bag he's brought,
"Would you mind if I skate?" I furrow my brows and watch him pull out a nice pair of men's ice skates... they look used,
"You skate?" Carlisle begins taking off his shoes,
"Once upon a time, I spent a winter in Russia," he starts, taking off his shoes and putting out his skates. "St. Petersburg, to be exact." He smiles, lacing the skates. When the canals freeze, they act as board avenues. Many people, myself included, would traverse there and attend parties. It took me three straight weeks, three hours a day, but I learned to skate that winter and have found it to be great fun."
"You...never mentioned any of that." I watch as Carlisle stands on confident feet,
"It's such a small detail." He steps towards the entrance looking back to give me a wink before stepping on the ice, "I find the first step the worst." He states taking that first step and then the second. He finds his bearings before pushing off and starting down the ice. I watch him take a few laps before his spot is once again occupied,
"I didn't know the doc could skate," Meg comments her eyes watching Carlisle travel up and down,
"Me either,"
"He's not bad," I shrug.
"Who would have thought." We sit in silence for a second longer before Meg finally speaks,
"What do you think about today?" I take a breath before turning towards her and sighing, "Well?"
"Okay,"
…
Once again I find myself standing at the gate between floor and ice, my heart pounding a mile a minute, I can do this...I can do this...I can do this...I can't do this. I step back when Carlisle suddenly stops in front of me his blades scraping sending a fine flurry of powder my way,
"The first steps the hardest," He smiles holding out his hand, my breath shutters,
"I don't know if I can." I breathe out, gripping the gate even harder,
"If you're not ready, sweetheart, you don't have too." I stare at his hand a second longer and then against ever muscle screaming in my brain, I reach forward grab his hand and step onto the ice. Carlisle pulls me into his chest holding me tightly,
"I'm so proud of you." He laughs. I hold onto him tightly feeling him push off with one foot to send us gliding down the rink. I feel transported for a second, the feeling on ice on my blades, the familiar cold only being on the ice can bring and itch in my body to go faster, but I also feel the tears. Carlisle moves us around the ice effortlessly, and I bury my face deeper into his coat wiping my tears off.
The last time I was on the ice, everything felt possible to me. Figure skating was going to take me places, it was going to be my saving grace, money, travel, fame, control, and then overnight it was taken away and I never stepped on it again. The familiar glide under my feet transports me to being 12 years old again and despite the tears I smile. Carlisle takes us around the ice a few more times before stopping and pushing me back, his gloved hands coming to rest under my jaw,
"Do you want to try?" I look down to my skates and then back to his eyes before shaking my head. "That's okay," He wraps me back into his arms, "Skate with me a while longer."
…
"What song did you use in your free skate program?" I turn to Meg, I've been sitting on the bench for about 20 minutes skates on, and tied, I'm getting on the ice today by myself. I've already decided on it,
"Free skate?" I lift a brow in her direction,
"I can see a professional a mile away, Mare." I roll my eyes,
"Because Carlisle told you along with my broken ankle." She chuffs,
"Because," She emphasizes, "I watched your skates on the ice, you may not have been skating alone, but still, a trained skater's footwork is completely different from someone who just "Skates," you know that and I know that." She has a smug smile on her face and in all honesty she should. Megs who 12-year-old me would want to be.
"So what song was your free skate?" I dip my chin into my jacket and frown,
"The Batman theme," I whisper.
"What?"
"The Batman theme," I say a bit louder but not much,
"Again, what?"
"The Batman theme!' I practically shout, and Meg immediately dives into crazy laughter,
"The Batman theme?" She questions wiping away some stray tears, "Why in the world would you choose the Batman theme?" I shrug, "No, now you have to tell me." I growl and straighten my back,
"Because it's Tonya Harding skated to in 1991 when she became the first woman in American history to nail a triple axel in competition."
"Ahh," Meg leans back and frowns, "So you're a Tonya Harding Fan?" I slowly turn towards her,
"You're not?" She shrugs,
"I'm more of a Nancy fan," I turn away,
"Get away from me."
"You took Tonya's side?"
"Of course, it wasn't her fault, also Nancy was a brat, did you even see that Disney video, she didn't want to be there,"
"In the end, Nancy was just the better skater," oh I could hit her.
"Yes, you can tell by the way she won Bronze." I spit, and Meg laughs,
"Is that what made you want to skate," No, it is the combination of another girl in my ballet class who skated and a Disney movie my Grand-mere showed me after attending my first class. We spent every day for two weeks watching it, in fact No One by Ali and Aj was my first free skate song.
"Yes," I lie easily and Meg nods,
"What about your short program"
"In Regards to Love- Eros," I roll my eyes, "My coach let me pick my free skate and she got to pick my short program.
"Coach?" Meg questions and now I have a smug smile,
"I had a Russian." Her brows lift in surprise,
"A Russian wow." Meg purses her lips, "Why didn't you go back when you're injury healed." It feels like she's glaring me down, I swallow and turn away,
"I think today's the day." I reach down to take off my blade covers and hand them to her. She takes them, her brows slightly lifted and lips pursed, I've learned this is Meg's way of showing her skepticism, but I promised myself this morning. I'm getting on this ice, alone. I get to the gate and stand on shaky legs, feeling the cold reverberating off the ice. It's so familiar yet so scary,
"It's okay if today isn't the day." Meg calls behind me, "I won't fault-"
I step on the ice and turn back with a smile, she lifts a brow. I turn forward and take a breath, the last time I was on the ice, Carlisle did all the work, pushing us around for around ten minutes my face pushed into Carlisle's coat the whole time, this time it's all me. I kick off and feel transported. Back to a time when being on the ice wasn't a hobby, it was a job. When I knew this feeling every day and took it for granted. I let myself start slow and go faster and faster, the cold whipping at my pale cheeks and that's when I feel it. I'm smiling. I slow down and used my toe pick to turn and let myself skate backward, this used to be my favorite thing, going as fast as I could. I'm not ready to try anything else, although my favorite move was usually my dead drop into a back sit spin, but so was any other 12-year-old who nails it after the first time.
I almost want to try my warm-ups, I usually would take two laps around the ice before taking a break with some swizzlers and slaloms with upper body twists and arms, then start the rolls, cross rolls, and inside and outside swing rolls. Warm-ups took me a minimum of 30 minutes before any routine training. I find my feet automatically falling into back cross rolls, and I keep it going all the way around before switching to forward's edge rolls. I stop when I've done a whole lap and just stand there, breathing in deeply. Once upon a time, this was all I ever wanted, now...now all I want is to get off. I skate to the gate stopping when Meg standing at the entrance, a smug smile on her face, skate guards in hand.
"What?" I breathe out, realizing how out of breath I am, two years ago this was nothing, but now my legs feel a bit shaky and my chest hurts with each pull of cold air,
"I told you I could spot a professional." She holds my guards out, I take them and step back onto the floor,
"That's the first time I've stepped on the ice in years," I say slowly, more for myself than for Meg...I never thought I'd step on it again. Meg's smug smile, softens,
"And didn't it feel great?" I shake my head,
"No, amazing."