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~ Tales of Romance ~
Whispered Promises
Chapter 5
Traffic was backed up for miles as the sell-out crowd followed the flash-light wielding parking attendant's hand signals and were directed toward the parking area which surrounded the huge arena. Thankfully, the weather this November night had decided to be kind and was unseasonably warm, requiring only medium weight jackets to keep the cool night air at bay.
Matthew Tanner patiently waited in line, with the hundreds of other cars, asking himself for the thousandth time what the hell he had been thinking when he made the decision to come tonight. Now, as he sat stuck in the long line of cars waiting for a parking space, surrounded by figure skating fanatics, and knowing what his teammates would say if they knew he was here, the images of a petite, auburn-haired, green-eyed beauty kept flashing in his mind. Every nuance of her beauty and vitality had been imprinted on his memory, and he smiled as he remembered each word, and each expression she had shared with him, the fiery spark of awareness that had surprised them both as their fingers brushed still made him frown in confusion.
The sound of the car honking behind him pulled him from his reverie, and with a quick glance toward the parking attendant, he shifted his car into gear, smiling at the deep rumbled purr of the engine and followed the attendant's waving arms. A few minutes later, he was directed into a parking spot, shut off the engine and his lights and crawled out of his car, reaching into the small compartment behind the drivers seat for his jacket.
"Nice car!" the parking lot attendant called, the teenage boy casting a wistful glance toward the shiny black, two-seater sports car, his expression widening as he watched Matt straighten to his full height and shrug into a leather jacket.
"Thanks, I like it," Matt called back, recognizing the look of desire in the young man's eyes, remembering he'd had the same look in his own when he'd first seen the vehicle two years before. He'd fallen in love with the car the moment he had seen it, and had done his best to walk away and forget the shining, powerful machine that seemed to call out to him. He still wondered if he would have been successful at leaving it behind if he hadn't heard the purr of that engine as the car salesman had turned it over and revved it up. The sound had sent chills up his spine. It spoke of power and control and evoked images of James Bond that had been irresistible. Two hours later, he'd left the dealership with the car, a payment book that told him he'd be forking out huge payments for sixty months and a smile on his face that stretched from one end of the country to the other.
The smile was still there!
"I bet it's a girl magnet!" the teenager called as Matt began the trek toward the arena.
"I'd tell you stories, but you're not old enough to be hearing about such exploits!" Matt called back with a laugh. The poor boy was practically drooling as he looked at the vehicle.
"Oh, man, I gotta get myself one of those," he murmured wishfully, images of women draping themselves over him, promising him anything, just to get a ride in the car. Casting a last look at Matt, several yards away, his huge physique a dark shadow in black, his movements filled with confidence and a bit of arrogance, he added, "I need a leather jacket too."
* * * * *
"We've got a full house - standing room only!" Whittaker announced happily to the group of skaters, which included the Rocmanov's, some of the other skaters bound for the up-coming Olympics, several skaters from the local skating rinks. A group of children, all HIV-positive, who were going to be stepping onto the ice for the first time in their lives, finished out the group of performers. Each child was sporting a brand new pair of skates, a warm-up suit, and matching helmet, and a look of terror in their eyes.
"Whaz that mean, Miss Dani?" a small voice asked, as a minuscule hand tentatively tugged on Dani's chiffon skirt.
Dani looked down into the round, pale face of Emily. Almost five years old, and only recently having recovered from her eleventh case of pneumonia, Emily was finally going to feel the ice beneath her feet. Emily's mother had sent a letter to Jordan, through Jordan's AIDS charity foundation, pleading her daughter's case. She had asked Emily be given the opportunity to feel the ice under her feet and experience the magic skating could bring, once before she died.
Jordan had passed the letter on to Dani, which she read in stunned silence. Afterwards, with tears pouring from her eyes, she declared she was going to be personally responsible for granting Emily her wish and had proceeded to contact Emily's mother, who in turn had contacted her daughter's doctors, and run the idea past them.
Initially, Emily's doctors were against the idea of putting Emily on the ice. They had been amazed that Emily's weary body had survived the latest attack of pneumonia; they didn't expect her to survive the next one. To voluntarily put her in an environment that might precipitate another attack was unthinkable. When faced with the question from Emily's mother as to whether or not there was any guarantee Emily would not get sick again if she remained off the ice, they couldn't grant it. It was only a matter of time, and circumstance, before Emily got sick again. Everything was being done for the child, but, as with everything, there were no guarantees. Emily's time was limited.
It was at that point Emily's mother took up Dani's offer and selflessly granted Emily's wish. For the past five weeks, Dani had been giving Emily private lessons three times a week. Tonight, Emily was going to show the world all she'd learned.
"It means, Princess Emily, that you're going to have to smile your biggest smile if you want the people sitting way up in the high seats to see it. Every single seat is going to have someone sitting in it, and seeing you skate is one of the biggest reasons everyone came to watch tonight!" Dani answered softly. Brushing the wispy blonde bangs out of Emily's eyes, her heart skipped a beat as the thought there would be a day when Emily didn't come for her lessons and what it meant flashed through her mind.
"Really?" Emily asked in awe.
Dani nodded her head up and down, giving her a gentle kiss on the lips that added color to Emily's pale face.
"Did you leave lip prints?" Emily asked excitedly, her blue eyes flashing brightly.
"I'm afraid so. Now we look like twins," Dani stated, shrugging her shoulders and smiling at Emily's giggle of delight.
"Cept you're taller," Emily corrected, frowning slightly.
"Only a little. You'll be taller when you're older," Dani offered with a nod of certainty.
"Mama says I shouldn't worry about being tiny because all the angels in heaven are little," Emily stated matter-of-factly. "Do you think I'll make a good angel?" she asked innocently.
Dani's heart broke at Emily's question, and she found herself struggling to control her emotions when every fiber of her wanted to rage against the fate that was slowly destroying this innocent child a little more each minute. Dani gazed into Emily's clear blue eyes; eyes that held more knowledge and understanding than they should have, eyes resigned to the fact that she would never grow old. "I think you'll make a wonderful angel," Dani whispered, pulling Emily's slight form into her arms and holding her tightly.
Aleksei had watched the last few minutes of the interchange from a few feet away, near enough to hear the conversation, but far enough away to not seem a part of it. His heart filled with pride as he watched Dani handle the situation with strength and aplomb, wondering where she found the fortitude to deal with the harsh reality of what lay ahead for this little sprite who had become important to her over the last few weeks. He worried over the stress Emily's illness was putting on Dani. With only a few weeks until the Olympics, he was concerned with her ability to remain focused; not that she had ever given him cause to be. Dani was more focused than her mother, and that was an almost impossible fete. Still, if Dani lost Emily, he feared what it might mean to Dani's dreams of Olympic Gold.
But now wasn't the time to think of such things. Tonight was a time to celebrate and as he stepped toward his daughter, and the little girl she still held tightly, he ran a loving hand over Dani's head and stated quietly, "It's almost show-time. Do I get a kiss and a hug from our reigning princess?"
Emily looked up into Aleksei's dark eyes, smiling as she slipped from Dani's arms into Aleksei's muscular grip and found herself hoisted into the air. "Of course, Grampa King," Emily sang out, kissing him smackingly on the cheek, and laughing as he pretended to chew on her neck, growling all the while.
"Grampa King?" Aleksei asked, with a feigned scowl. "That's not how you're supposed to address me, is it, Princess Emily?"
Emily's eyes glowed with delight, and Aleksei's gentle tickling had her laughing merrily. "I'm sorry&ldots;I'm sorry&ldots; Your Highness, Grampa King!" Emily corrected, her laughter reaching new heights as Aleksei tossed her cautiously in the air and caught her as if she weighed no more than a feather.
"That's better. Now, are you ready to go skate, Princess Emily?" Aleksei asked, making sure her skate guards were in place before setting her down gently.
"Oh yes!" she whispered breathlessly, her eyes glowing brightly with anticipation, her hands clapping together in excitement as she bounced up in down, her feet barely leaving the floor.
"Then go tell Miss Jordan you're ready," Aleksei encouraged her. Emily cast an apprehensive glance up at Dani, a look of uncertainty crossing her pale little face. " It's okay, Emily. Dani and I will be there shortly. Go on now," Aleksei stated, giving her a gentle nudge toward Jordan and sending her a thumbs-up gesture.
Aleksei's dark gaze took in Dani's glazed expression, the battle she continued to fight as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, and he dared do no more than squeeze her hand reassuringly. "The show starts in fifteen minutes," he stated unnecessarily. "I'm giving you twelve minutes to yourself. Don't waste the time," he suggested, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before he left her to regain her composure.
In the melee of pre-show jitters, Dani was able to slip from the room, unnoticed by all except her parents, who seemed able to silently communicate.
Twelve minutes to make the world believe Danielle Rocmanov didn't have a care in the world and that achieving Olympic Gold was merely a formality.
As she walked through the empty halls, into the bowels of the arena, her mind swirled with questions. For the first time in her life she wondered what the hell she was doing and why the picture of her future, that had always been so clear in her head, suddenly seemed hazy and unimportant.
* * * * *
The lights had already dimmed and the opening music was playing as Hunter was ushered into the VIP box by the head of security and found himself facing a stony faced Whittaker.
"Glad you could make it," Whittaker growled testily, casting Hunter a final look of disgust before he returned his attention to the ice, quietly talking to Dee through the small two-way radio that rested in his palm.
Hunter looked down onto the ice, scanning the shining surface that reflected a myriad of colors as the spot lights traced bright designs across the two dozen skaters that moved in a several directions at once, but never seemed to run into one another. Broad smiles and laughter filled with joy surrounded him. He found his heart constrict, as he finally saw Dani, dressed in sapphire blue, scoop a small child into her arms, and whisper something into her ear that had a smile spreading across her face. A small frown creased his brow, as he watched Dani offer the child a final comforting hug, set the child back on her feet, her skates once again secure beneath her, and holding hands, skated to their designated spot on the ice for their introduction.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Emily DuBois," a deep voice announced out of the dark, and with a final hesitant glance at Dani, Emily tentatively skated forward, slid to a stop with a perfect t-stop and gracefully curtsied to the crowd, the applause nearly deafening in its intensity.
Tears filled Whittaker's eyes as he beheld the small sprite of a girl, a huge smile on her face, her eyes glowing brightly, despite the illness that should have by all means already stolen her, bathed in the bright pink glow of the spot light. The rhinestones on her costume shone like stars in the night sky. "Oh, Miss Emily, you're the most beautiful star in the heavens tonight," Whittaker sighed wistfully, his voice deep and filled with emotion.
Hunter cast a questioning look at Whittaker, surprised at the unexpected show of emotion from a man who spent most of his time ranting and raving about everything, and nothing. Hunter was used to Whittaker's outrageous behavior, this subdued, caring behavior scared the hell out of him. "Who's Emily?"
Whittaker's eyes left the ice and swung to Hunter, his expression filled with surprise. "Dani hasn't told you about Emily?" he asked quietly.
Hunter shook his head back and forth. "We haven't had many opportunities to talk lately," he began.
"Yeah, and last night was a bust too, from what I've heard," Whittaker growled lowly, casting a disgusted glance at the bandage that covered the edge of Hunter's forehead.
Hunter wasn't in the mood to argue with the man, but the single disgusted look Whittaker had sent him had him ready to explode.
Dani's name suddenly echoing through the packed arena had both men returning their attention to the ice, as she was introduced and stepped into the bright spotlight. Her sapphire blue, velvet costume was simple, yet elegant. The neckline was gently scooped and, trimmed in shimmering rhinestones that continued over her shoulders and along the deep scooped cut out of the costume that left her back bare to nearly her waist. Long, fitted sleeves ended at her slim wrists. Her skirt was a conservative square cut design, with a sexy slit up one side, designed to show hints of the high-cut legs of her leotard beneath her skirt. Her movements were elegant as she took her bow, a dazzling smile showed straight white teeth, yet didn't reach her eyes.
Whittaker immediately recognized the signals in her demeanor. "Damn, she's on auto-pilot," he mumbled with a frown, his hands sifting through his thin hair and setting the wisps on end, as he sighed deeply.
"What are you talking about? She looks amazing!" Hunter argued, watching as she skated back to her position, and out of the spotlight, as another skater was introduced.
Whittaker turned a gaze, filled with fury, on Hunter. "You don't know jack-shit about that girl! You don't know how hard it's been for Dani, because you've been too busy saving everybody else to know that she's so close to sinking it isn't funny!" His voice was low, deadly.
Hunter was stunned into silence by Whittaker's words. "I don't understand what's going on here, Whittaker. Apparently I'm supposed to know something I don't and you're blaming me for not knowing. If Dani doesn't tell me what's going on with her, how am I supposed to know?"
Whittaker actually sputtered. "Did you ever think to ask her?"
"Every time we speak, I ask her how things are. It's not my fault if she doesn't talk to me." Hunter argued.
"Bull shit! If you care about someone, you take the time to see if their words match their actions. But then, that would mean you'd actually have to be here to do that."
"I've been busy," Hunter countered, hating the fact he suddenly felt guilty because he knew Whittaker was right. Lip service was easy, and using the fact that Dani always said everything was hunky-dory, didn't make it so.
"We've all been busy, Bucko! Sergei and Chloe are getting married soon. Just in case you forgot, the Olympics are two months away and Dani's hoping Emily will live long enough to watch her win a Gold Medal. Aleksei and Jordan are trying to hold things together until you finish doing your job and put Andrew Manning away for good, which seems to be taking a whole helluva lot longer than it should be. All the while, Dani is pining away for you, and you don't seem to give a shit one way or another. You blow into town for a night, get her expectations up and then get ripped, split your head open and everything is Dani's fault. Tell me, Mr. Attorney, what's wrong with this picture?" Whittaker asked, his tone dead-calm. Turning away from Hunter, Whittaker growled a command into the two-way radio he held and awaited a response.
Hunter ran his hands through his hair in frustration, his gaze taking in the movement on the ice so far below him, music and lights blending with the thunderous applause as the introductions were completed and the skaters, except for one, swathed in sapphire blue velvet, left the ice. "I'm doing the best I can," Hunter stated cautiously.
"Well, Bucko, from my side of the fence, it ain't good enough!" Whittaker countered, watching the ice, and waiting.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Danielle Rocmanov," the deep voice intoned, spotlights from the four corners of the arena all landing on Dani at the same time, bathing her in a bright white light.
From deep within herself, she managed to find and paste a dazzling smile on her face, when all she really wanted to do was slide to the ice and give in to her swirling, confused emotions. The fact she wanted to be anywhere but here, on the ice, had her heart skipping a beat in disbelief and her breath catching in her throat. Shaking her head slightly to banish the very thought, she waited for her music to begin, focusing on the program to come.
As the opening notes of music echoed through the chill air, Dani's gaze jerked toward the VIP box she knew Whittaker would be watching from. Her eyes filling with questions, she realized Chloe must have gotten to Whittaker and convinced him to change the music, despite her demand she leave things alone. Suddenly she was faced with skating to music that didn't really have a program set to it, but sang to her soul in a way she couldn't explain. The song made her believe there was a chance fate did have a plan in mind and things would turn out as they should.
And even as Dani's emotions raged against Chloe's well-meaning behavior, she felt the music creep into her soul and take over. Here, on the ice, she could be anything she wanted; her pain could be put aside and she could dissolve into that 'zone' where there was only joy and happiness; a freedom that let her fly weightless and made every dream and hope and wish come to be. Without even thinking about it, she slid into the music, and simply let the words and rhythm take over.
Everything that you are, everything that you'll be, touches the current of love, so deep within me. Every sigh in the night, every tear that you cry, seduces me&ldots; Dani flowed like cool water over the ice, her blades a mere whisper across the frozen surface as she mesmerized the crowd before her, and had them holding their breath in awareness of the magic that surrounded them.
All that I am, all that I'll be, means nothing at all, if you can't be with me. Your most innocent kiss, or your sweetest caress, seduces me&ldots; The audience watched as Dani flew silently over the ice, her soul given over to the music, her body swaying and seductive, as her movements acted out the words of the song. I don't care about tomorrow, I've given up on yesterday, here and now is all that matter. Right here with you is where I'll stay&ldots; Dani never slowed, her fluid movements flowing from one move into another, never tiring, every heartfelt emotion worn on her sleeve for the audience to see. Her feet moved with a surety and confidence that had been missing for the last few weeks and Whittaker found himself holding his breath, his heart pounding in his chest, as he watched her silently fly across the ice, lost in the music and the moment. Everything in this world, every voice in the night, every little thing of beauty comes shining through in your eyes. And all that you do, becomes a part of me too, 'cause all you do, seduces me&ldots; The audience held their breath as they watched Dani's lay-back spin defy gravity and speed. Silently they watched as she changed her position several times before she ended her spin and slid into a beautiful spiral position that covered the span of the ice, her arms reaching for the man that promised her heaven. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as they watched Dani's amazing performance, and would have never believed she was lost within herself and surrounded by silence, as she concluded her performance, safely tucked away in the quiet corner of her mind that kept all things sad and scary at bay. Every sigh in the night, every tear that you cry, all that you do, seduces me&ldots;
It wasn't until the crowd was on their feet, cheering and clapping and stomping, as Dani slid to her closing position, that the noise pulled her back into the chaos that surrounded her. Blinking in sudden awareness, she fell back to earth after her flight through the silent peacefulness of her mind. Mechanically, she took her bows, a serene smile on her face, her mind swirling dizzily in confusion as she suddenly realized Hunter's image had never flashed before her mind's eye as she had skated to the seductive music. Instead, all she remembered were a pair of laughing blue-gray eyes, a slightly crooked smile that was entirely too sexy, and a deep, slow voice calling her darlin'.
With a final bow, she headed toward the exit off the ice, turning to bestow a final wave to crowd, and found herself inexplicably looking to her left, and facing the very image that had filled her mind while she had skated.
Dressed all in black, a soft leather jacket covered his broad shoulders, only the waist of his black jeans were visible above the half wall that separated the ice from the crowd, and made her realize just how tall he really was. Silently he stood, holding one pink rose toward her, his eyes the color of a storm-tossed sea, and swirling with an unspoken emotion that both called to her and warned her away, a small smile, daring her to accept his token, curved his full lips.
As the lights dimmed for the next skater to enter the ice, Dani skated slowly forward, sliding to a stop when she reached the wall where he stood patiently waiting for her. "Take too many checks into the boards, Mr. Tanner? Hockey was bumped for the night so the real skaters could take the ice," Dani mocked quietly, slightly miffed that she had to tilt her head so far back to look into his shadowed eyes. She didn't remember him being quite so tall. But then, their meeting had lasted only a few short moments, and she hadn't been at her best so early in the morning. Of course, the sleepless night before hadn't helped either.
He held up the single rose and waved it slowly in front of her face, it's soft fragrance filling the air. "Generally speaking, hockey players don't give each other roses; we prefer kicking their asses; that's our way of showing we care," he drawled, his deep voice sending tingles throughout Dani's body and making her suddenly breathless.
"I suppose I should be glad I don't play hockey," she countered lightly.
Matt stroked the rose along her cheek; it's pale pink petals a silken whisper against her alabaster skin. His eyes glowed with a sensual heat that was visible even in the shadows. "I can think of a lot of things I wouldn't mind doing with you; but rest assured, kicking your ass isn't one of them," he stated deeply, his eyes holding a darkly sensual glow. Bending over, he rested his elbows on the wall, and brought his face to a more equal level with her own. A slow, seductive smile curved his sensual lips, as he watched Dani's cheeks flush pink beneath his steady gaze.
A wave of warmth sent Dani's blood suddenly racing through her veins, and every nerve went tingly at Matt's words and heated look. As she gazed at his handsome face, she found herself wondering if his mouth tasted as delicious as it looked; his full upper lip clearly begged to be nibbled on. And surely his wide, muscular shoulders were made of steel. She felt her fingers flex of their own accord; could almost feel the heat and strength of those corded muscles beneath them, and she silently demanded herself to relax. "It's good to know you have no interest in my ass," Dani whispered breathlessly.
"I never said that. In fact, I've always been fascinated by that particular portion of the female anatomy, and I must confess, in my opinion, you've got one of the best asses I've ever seen!" he spoke slowly, his voice deep and husky.
"But you said&ldots;" Dani began, only to be interrupted.
"I said I had no interest in kicking it." Matt qualified.
Dani's eyes widened in astonishment at his blatantly sexual comment, and she felt her heart pounding heavily beneath her ribs and could only manage to draw in shallow breaths. Her full breasts rose and fell quickly as she struggled to remain calm beneath his powerful gaze. "You're very arrogant, Mr. Tanner. I don't even know you, and yet you talk to me as if we've been intimate for years," Dani stated in her best ice princess tone; the tone that had scared more males away than she could remember.
A slow, sexily arrogant smile curved his lips as he heard her challenging words, and a dangerous light flamed in his gray eyes. Despite her tone and words, her body language said she was anything but disinterested. "I'd be more than happy to get to know you; intimately or otherwise, although the former sounds like much more fun," he stated softly, one eyebrow lifting in challenge. He might as well have said 'double dare you'!
"I don't do hockey players," Dani countered, trying to put a hint of scorn behind her statement, but failing miserably and sounding more wistful than disgusted.
An amused smile lit Matt's face. "Darlin', I've never done a figure skater, but I'd be more than happy to give it a go."
"How very chivalrous of you," Dani stated flatly, casting a final look at the smugly, smiling hunk of a man clothed in black and looking too delicious for words. "Alas, I wouldn't want you to have to put yourself out on account of a lowly figure skater. Why, the boys on your team would never forgive you if they found out you'd lowered your standards to my level. Why, it might even ruin you standing on the team and we couldn't have that, now could we?"
"My teammates don't have anything to say about my life off the ice." Matt countered.
Dani sighed deeply. "That's where our worlds differ, Mr. Tanner. The ice dictates my life, whether I'm on or off it."
"Sounds like a lonely place to be, stuck on a huge ice cube, all by yourself. No down-time, no chance to just have a little fun or be wild makes for a boring, depressing life."
"It was my choice, and my life is hardly boring or depressing." Dani stated quietly.
"Yeah, you're a real ball of fire. I can see how ready you are to go out and take on the world, or at least a lowly hockey player. I've got news for you, Danielle Rocmanov, choices can change; goals can change, and that's not necessarily a bad thing!"
Dani frowned. Had he been able to see within her soul to the myriad of questions that were growing stronger every day? " We're mere weeks away from the Olympics. Are you suggesting that I simply walk away from everything I've spent my entire life working toward? You really have taken too many pucks to the head, haven't you?" She growled in disbelief.
"Oh, I don't know. I suppose it depends on your answer to the next question. Are you happy on the ice?" Matt asked.
Dani's eyes widened in surprise at his words. "What kind of a question is that?"
"A simple one."
Dani snorted in disagreement. "The question may be simple, but the answer isn't that cut and dry."
"I disagree; you're either happy on the ice or you're not. Don't qualify it by saying under certain circumstances you are, and under others, you aren't," Matt pressed.
Dani looked into Matt's deep gray eyes, and felt angry that he was able to read her so easily. "Tell me, Mr. Tanner. Are you happy on the ice all the time?"
"Only when I'm surrounded by my teammates and friends," Matt answered truthfully.
"And when you're there alone?" Dani asked curiously.
"I make it a rule never to be on the ice alone," Matt answered quietly.
Dani's head tilted slightly to the side; astonishment widened her eyes. Here was this huge, muscular hunk who wouldn't skate alone? "Why not?" she answered softly.
"Because I hate feeling like I'm the only one in the world and that no one cares enough to be out there with me. Call it stupid, or weird, or whatever, but it's actually comforting to have some guy smack me on the ass after a great play because I know someone cares enough to acknowledge me. Even if I fuck up, and they're screaming at me, at least I'm not out there alone. I'm part of a team, and whether we win or lose, we're still going to be a team. Not necessarily a happy team, but a team nonetheless. Who do you turn to, when you're out there on the ice all alone?"
Dani's shoulders lifted in a small shrug. "No one; it's just me and no one else. No one to screw up the program but me. No one to blame for any mistakes but myself."
"No one to share the triumphs, or commiserate with the losses, either. You've got balls lady, I'll say that much for you," Matt offered flatly.
"If I had balls, Mr. Tanner, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now and I'd probably have kicked your ass on the hockey ice already." Dani countered.
Matt's eyebrows raised in consideration. "Interesting thought, but highly unlikely, and somehow I don't think your family would welcome your suggestion to take on the Olympic Hockey Team only weeks before the Olympics. I'd hate to take the heat for you having to withdraw from the Olympics because you got flattened against the boards by some hockey slug."
"That's taking into consideration some hockey slug actually got close enough to flatten me," Dani challenged.
Matt's eyes lit with amusement. "Darlin', I'll grant you have style, speed and finesse on the ice, and you can fly with the best of us, but for sheer power, sneakiness, and the desire to see blood spilled, you're out of your league!" he drawled, shaking his head condescendingly.
"Oh, I don't know about that. There have been times, particularly lately, she thought, when spilling blood would have made me very happy," Dani countered with a wide smile, her sweet tone vastly different from the furious light that flared in her eyes.
"I find that hard to believe. You look like the type whose idea of blowing off steam consists of roasting two marshmallows instead of one," Matt teased her; his smile widening as he watched her eyes flare a little hotter. He could practically feel the building anger that vibrated through her, and that she struggled to contain, rolling off her in shimmering waves of raw power.
"Care to place a wager on that particular notion?" Dani asked in a voice tinged with heat.
"I'm not a bettin' man, darlin'," Matt offered with a casual shrug and an amused expression.
Dani fumed, she couldn't believe this just-met stranger had the ability to make her want to scream and take a swing at him. The desire to just the wipe the smug expression off his face was nearly overwhelming. "Make an exception, just this once, for me," she fairly growled.
Matt watched her; a calm expression on his face, enjoying the fury that continued to build within her and turned her eyes a deep forest green. "Darlin', you need to calm down a notch, you look like you're about to blow a gasket. And with all the photographers around here," he cast a considering look from side to side, "wouldn't that make fine fodder for the morning newspaper?"
This time she couldn't stop the low growl of anger and frustration that escaped from deep in her throat. "Tanner, quit fucking with me, and either make the bet, or leave me the hell alone," she hissed, streaks of lightening flashing in her eyes.
God, she's gorgeous in a rage! Tanner thought to himself, and found his body responding to her show of high emotion. He couldn't remember the last time his body had heated so quickly, to a woman he barely knew, and he returned to a standing position, shifting his hips in an effort to alleviate the sudden snugness at the front of his jeans. For several seconds, he looked at her with a considering look in his gray eyes.
"Well?" Dani finally hissed, casting an apprehensive glance from side to side to make sure they hadn't drawn any unwanted attention. Although, truth be told, she could have given a flying fig if anyone was watching, her fury was so great.
"Against my better judgment, I'll take you up on your ridiculous bet, just because my mama taught me to be nice to girls," he drawled.
Again came that low growl that sent Matt's body into overdrive. "Don't do me any favors, just because I'm a girl," Dani countered softly, yet furiously.
"Fine, we won't bother with that consideration."
"Good!" Dani fired back.
"So the exact rules of this bet are&ldots;" Matt began.
"First one to draw blood on hockey ice wins," Dani finished.
"Does the public know about this little flaw in your personality, Miss Rocmanov? This desire, you have, to draw blood?" Matt teased, in a sexy, slow drawling voice, shaking his head in mock dismay as his gray eyes caressed her flushed face.
"Only a handful of people have pushed me to the point where I have seriously contemplated blood-letting," Dani responded casually, casting a glance up at him, her expression unreadable.
"Should I consider myself part of an elite group, then?" Matt asked quietly, pondering her confusing change of demeanor. In the span of a few seconds she'd gone from raging silently to calm and almost coy.
Dani's shoulders lifted in an elegant shrug, a flirtatious smile curved her full lips, her eyes sparkled a bright green. "If it floats your boat to consider yourself part of my elite group, then by all means knock yourself out," she stated in a smooth, silky voice.
Warning bells rang in Matt's head, and yet he found himself mesmerized by the vision before him. There was something definitely off with this picture, and despite his mind warning him to keep on his toes and pay attention, he couldn't - or didn't - want to fight the powerful need to keep Dani near him that suddenly washed over him. "Thanks - I think," he finally mumbled, his expression becoming wary as he watched her take a step closer to him.
"Is that rose still for me, or have you decided to keep it for yourself?" Dani asked softly, her voice a seductive purr as she sent a quick glance at the pink rose Matt still held.
Matt's expression was befuddled, and his mind swirled in confusion as he watched Dani take yet another step closer and send him as seductive a look as he had ever seen from a woman. As if hypnotized, he mechanically handed the rose to Dani, felt the flare of electricity pass between them as their fingers brushed, and quietly murmured. "Be care of the thorns."
Dani sent him a bewitching smile. "I will. Thank you," she whispered, and drew the rose to her face, inhaling the soft scent. Her eyes drifted closed as the subtle scent tantalized her senses. Her gentle sigh of delight sent fire rushing through Matt as his imagination took flight and the image of her, naked in his arms, and flushed with passion, flashed through his mind.
A small shake of his head dispelled the unbidden image and his voice was a deep, sexy growl when he finally murmured, "You're welcome."
In silence, Matt watched as Dani raised the rose toward his face, and then felt the petals trace a silken path across his jaw. Their eyes met, and held, as she trailed the rose down the side of his neck, along the left side his shoulder, down his arm and finally across the top of his hand. More out of surprise, than pain, he flinched when he felt one of the thorns catch in his skin and then pull free.
Dani pulled her gaze from Matt's and cast a glance toward his hand. One eyebrow lifted sardonically, as she watched the small bead of blood form where the thorn had punctured his skin. With a heavy, wistful sigh, she shook her head back and forth.
Her dramatic sigh had him looking down at his hand, and a small frown creased his brow as he spotted the drop of blood on the top of his hand. His gaze jumped to the rose she still held in her hand. "What the&ldots;" he growled, lifting his head to meet Dani's deep green gaze, mischief, and victory, lighting her eyes.
"You know, Mr. Tanner, for hockey ice, this isn't too terrible a surface," Dani stated with a wicked laugh.
Matt's expression turned stormy, and a muscle ticked in his cheek as he took in Dani's gloating, look and smile filled with glee. "What are you implying?"
Dani shrugged casually. "Have you, or have you not, played hockey on this ice?"
Matt's expression grew darker.
Dani's smile grew wider.
"So what if I have?"
Dani's shoulders lifted in a small shrug, but her flashing green eyes demanded to hear the answer she already knew was coming.
Matt's dark look and low growl of frustration answered her question without his saying a word.
It was general knowledge; the Olympic Hockey team had played games and practiced under this roof, on this ice. What had he been thinking when he'd made the ridiculous bet with the vixen before him? Obviously, he hadn't been thinking, at least not with his brain.
A bright, wicked laugh escaped Dani and she leaned forward, lifted her face up toward his and whispered, "I win!"
Matt looked down into Dani's flushed, excited face, and felt his breath catch at the beautiful picture she made. Without even thinking, his hands reached up and slid into her hair, holding her head captive, as he leaned down and pressed a searching kiss against her lips, sighing as his lips rubbed against the satin smoothness of her own.
Light and energy exploded within Dani as their lips met. A sigh, that sounded more like a purr, rumbled deep in her throat as she felt the tip of his tongue whisper a caress across her lower lip, and shivered at the sensation that sent jolts of electricity surging through her blood. The rose fell to the ice as her hands lifted of their own volition, and clutched the steely strength of his wrists. Confusion swirled through her brain and she was unsure if she was trying to pull his hands from her head, or keep him from ending the kiss. A few seconds later, the choice was not hers to make, as Matt lifted his mouth from hers, and swallowed the little sigh of disappointment that slipped from her mouth into his. In the dark shadows of the arena, deep green and midnight gray eyes blended, full of questions and confusion and passion and astonishment, and neither were sure of how to explain what had just happened.
Dani's hands released their hold on Matt's wrists, and she took a small step backward, her body tingling as she felt his hands slide from her hair. In silence, the two looked at each other, the thousands of people in the crowd seemingly invisible to the two who saw only each other. It could have been moments, or hours, time seemed to stand still as Dani and Matt stood mesmerized by each other, neither moving, both afraid to break the magical spell that held them connected.
The flash of a camera going off suddenly drew Dani's attention and she flinched at the bright light, blinking to dispel the white spots that danced before her eyes. Casting her gaze downward, she waited for her eyesight to return to normal; she knew it was useless to try to skate until she regained her equilibrium. Skating with spots dancing before your eyes was almost as bad as skating with your eyes closed. As she impatiently waited, she spied the rose lying forgotten on the ice, and scooped up the beautiful bloom, once again breathing in it's subtle fragrance.
"You owe me a re-match," Matt's demanded, his voice a deep, sexy drawl that had her lifting her eyes to his and gasping at the sheer animal magnetism she saw in his.
Dani shook her head back and forth. "I won, fair and square, Mr. Tanner," she answered softly, breathlessly, wanting nothing more than to once again feel that glorious mouth against her own.
"That was hardly fair, and I can assure you, we aren't square. I'll have my re-match, Miss Rocmanov, and we'll play by my rules next time," he vowed, the dark heat of his eyes making her blood boil and her knees more than a little weak.
Dani would wonder what had possessed her to respond the way she had for months to come, but suddenly she heard her voice quietly asking Matt, "Promise?", her soft voice full of hope, her eyes full of need.
Matt nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, and his deep voice whispered back, "I promise, and you can believe me, because whispered promises are as good as God's word."
Dani nodded in acknowledgment, and turned to leave.
"Dani," Matt called quietly.
Dani stopped and looked over her shoulder at him.
"You're amazing," Matt whispered, and sent her a secretive smile that had her heart pumping madly and left her suddenly feeling giddy.
With a saucy smile, and a bright light twinkling in her green eyes, she countered, "You're pretty amazing too - for a hockey slug!"
Only a few seconds later she disappeared, like a shadowy wisp, into the dark tunnel that led off the ice.
Far above the ice, Hunter had seen Dani veer away from the tunnel which exited the ice and become a mere shadow in the darkened corner of the rink. In the inky blackness of the arena, concern drew a frown as he saw her stop and talk to someone. Unable to tell whom she was speaking with in the shifting light of the arena, a dark growl of frustration escaped his throat, and he stood, leaning over the rail, to try to get a clearer view. The spotlight skimmed over the ice, and quickly passed over the two figures in the dark, briefly illuminating the pair as they separated, but still remained touching. "What the hell?" Hunter growled deeply, his words causing Whittaker's gaze to follow his own.
Whittaker's eyebrows lifted in surprise as he watched Dani step away from the tall stranger, and his eyes narrowed as he tried to recognize the figure in black, but failed to in the dark shadows. Casting a self-satisfied look at Hunter, Whittaker shrugged his shoulders and stated sarcastically, "Looks like Dani's tired to playing your games, Mr. Attorney. It would appear she's found herself a new friend."
Hunter spared only a second to send Whittaker a look filled with fury and a dark, "Fuck you!" before he returned his gaze to the ice and watched Dani disappear into the shadows of the tunnel, and off the ice.
A sudden cold fear gripped his heart and he wondered if he had finally succeeded in driving Dani away from him, something he told himself over and over was the best thing for her. He had neither the time nor the energy to explain to himself, yet again, why he didn't feel worthy of loving her. And yet, as the thought of her being touched by the stranger in the dark played in his mind, he called himself seven times a fool and fought the battle within himself that would have allowed him to accept her unconditional love.
With a heavy heart, he cast a final glance at the dark ice, and left the private box, and Whittaker, without a word.
* * * * *
Emily cast an apprehensive glance toward the huge crowd from the edge of the tunnel, and her eyes widened in surprise as a spotlight swept past the ice only a few feet in front of her. Her duet with Dani was coming up in two numbers, and the butterflies dancing in her tummy seemed to have put on army boots.
"What do you think, Miss Em?" Dani asked softly, from behind her, running a gentle hand over her hair, and sharing an encouraging smile, as she looked out at the same view Emily was looking at nervously.
Dressed alike, in white costumes, with flowing chiffon skirts, Emily sent a worried look, over her shoulder, at Dani and plucked at the opalescent sequin material that made up the bodice of the costume. "It looks like more people are out there than before. I don't know if I can skate with all these people looking at me. And, besides, my costume is really itchy tonight," she stated quietly, scratching her tummy to make her point.
Dani smiled and nodded in understanding. She was a firm believer in being nervous before a performance. In fact, she'd had her share of itchy tummies in her career and commiserated with the small angel before her. "You know, Miss Emily, that's a sure sign you are going to perform magnificently!"
Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?
"Believe me, I feel the same way almost every time I compete," Dani nodded affirmatively.
"Wow," Emily sighed in amazement, her eyes filled with adoration as she looked up into Dani's face. "You don't ever seem nervous."
"I'll tell you my secret, if you promise not to tell anyone else," Dani offered, looking first to the right, then the left, as if making sure no one else was within hearing distance.
Emily's eyes danced with excitement and her little head bobbed up and down in agreement. "Tell me, Dani, tell me!" She pleaded excitedly, scratching her tummy yet again.
"Well&ldots;" Dani stalled.
"Oh, please tell me, Dani."
"I pretend I'm out there all alone; except, of course, for Prince Charming who's going to come and take me away to his castle in the clouds," she said quietly, crossing her hands over her heart and sighing dramatically.
Emily's eyes widened in disbelief. "You know about Prince Charming?"
"Well, of course, I do. I'm a girl, silly, and all girls know about Prince Charming!" Dani countered with a little laugh.
"Yeah, but you're older than me and I thought older girls didn't believe in him."
"Oh, we older girls still believe in him, he just looks a little different look than who you're thinking of," Dani tried to explain, assuming she was probably imagining one of Walt Disney's Princes.
Emily shook her head back and forth, and sent her pale blonde hair dancing. "Oh, no, I see Grampa Aleksei, when I think of Prince Charming!"
Dani's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Do you? Well, I wonder what Miss Jordan thinks of that!"
"We talked about wishes one day. She asked me if I could have one wish, what would it be? I told her I wished Price Charming was just like Grampa Aleksei."
"What did Miss Jordan say to that?" Dani asked quietly, her throat tight with emotion.
She said that Grampa Aleksei was her Prince Charming and that it was okay for me to feel that way. She said she didn't mind sharing him with me because he has so much love in his heart, that I could have some of the extra that poured over the top. Miss Jordan said you should never waste love, but share it with everybody, " Emily answered softly.
Tears pooled in Dani's green eyes, and she breathed deeply in an effort to keep them from falling. "She's very right. Grampa Aleksei's heart is so full of love, if he didn't share it with all of us, he'd probably get so big he couldn't fit in his skates anymore."
"And then he couldn't skate and that would be terrible!" Emily stated decisively.
"That would be very terrible," Dani agreed in a trembling voice, swiping away the single tear that escaped to slide down her cheek.
Emily's gaze was drawn away from Dani as she watched Sergei and Chloe come to a stop beside her, casting a quick look toward the entrance to the ice, and the applauding crowd beyond the black.
"Princess Emily," Sergei stated softly, bowing gallantly to the petite sprite before him, before kissing her pale cheek gently. "Are you ready to skate?"
"I have butterflies in my tummy," Emily stated nervously, touching her stomach lightly.
Sergei's dark brows drew together as if he was pondering a great dilemma. "Hmmm," he mumbled, and got down on his hands and knees to place his ear against her belly, listening intently.
Chloe and Dani watched in amusement.
"Yup, you're right; it definitely sounds like butterflies!" Sergei voiced matter-of-factly, bringing his face level with her own. "So what should we do about them? How do you think we should go about getting them out of your tummy?"
Emily covered her tummy protectively with both of her little hands. "Oh, nothing. Dani says it's good to have butterflies in your tummy when you skate. She said they make you skate better!" Emily cast a glance up at Dani for confirmation, and smiled at Dani's reassuring nod.
"Well, she's right," Sergei agreed, sending his sister a smile. His eyes darkening in concern as he noted her tear-filled gaze and strained smile.
"I know," Emily whispered, her little voice filled with adoration.
Sergei rose to his feet, tall and handsome in black, and Emily sent him a dazzling smile as he looked down on her. Holding out his hand, he felt her cold fingers graze across his palm and he wrapped his fingers around her small hand, sharing his warmth as he pulled her carefully forward. "Let's go find you a better view to watch Chloe and I skate. Since you're going to be my partner when Chloe's too old, we might as well start your training right now, and it's amazing how much you can learn just by watching," Sergei's voice faded as they walked a few yards closer to the ice.
Chloe looked at her lifelong friend, recognized the sorrow in her green eyes and could feel the pain emanating from her soul. "Talk to me, Dani. What can I do?" Chloe asked quietly.
Dani closed her eyes and took a deep, shaky breath, willing herself to calmness when all she wanted to do was scream. "I don't know if I can do this," she whispered shakily.
"Do what?"
Dani cast a glance at Emily, now held comfortably in Sergei's arms, the top of her head tucked under his chin. "Skate this program&ldots; Watch Emily die&ldots;" Dani turned to look at Chloe, her shoulders lifted in a defeated shrug, "Compete in the Olympics." Her last statement was a mere whisper.
"Dani&ldots;"
"I feel as if I'm trapped in a room and the walls are closing in on me."
"Dani, your entire life has been leading up to the Olympics. You told me, yourself, you wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than a gold medal." Chloe reminded her.
"That was before."
"Before what?"
"Before Emily." Dani whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
"She told me you were going to give her your gold medal when you won it," Chloe stated softly.
"I told her that when we first met. She was so excited to be meeting a skater bound for the Olympics, and I was arrogant enough to believe that it was my due." Dani shook her head, disgusted with herself. "That little girl has more determination and courage than I can ever hope to have. She's shown me what's important in life and made me see myself for the arrogant, indulged, brat I am."
"I think she would disagree with your assessment of yourself. Emily worships you, Dani," Chloe countered.
"Emily's dazzled by the skating and the costumes; it's Daddy and Sergei that she worships. Look at her," Dani stated, nodding toward the pair silhouetted in the light of the tunnel.
Chloe smiled softly, her smile hinting at secrecy and she ran a gentle touch low across her stomach. "Sergei will make a wonderful father," she said quietly.
"I know. He's had a perfect example to learn from," Dani offered, turning at the booming, deep laugh from her father a few yards away, and smiling in spite of the pain that clenched her heart in its fist.
"Dani, I wish there was something I could do, or say, that would take away your hurt. All I can say is I'm here, for you, when ever you need me, or want me, and we'll see this thing through as a family. Emily's mother told me she hasn't seen her daughter sparkle like this in months. She says you're a gift from God and she'll never be able to repay you for your kindness or your generosity."
"No mother should have to watch their child die alone."
"She's not alone; not anymore. She has you."
"I don't know if I have the strength to see this through to the end," Dani whispered fearfully.
Chloe pulled Dani into her arms and hugged her tightly. "You're the strongest, most courageous person I've ever know. You've a core of steel deep inside you and an integrity and loyalty that you don't find in people very often. You could have walked away from this a long time ago, but you chose to stay and stand toe-to-toe with Emily against her disease. You've never stepped back from a fight, Dani. What makes you think this one will be any different?"
Emily's light laughter floated back to Dani and she watched Emily kiss Sergei's cheek before he set her on her feet, nudged her toward Dani, and softly call Chloe's name.
"We can't win this fight, Chloe." Dani murmured miserably.
"You're right. But you lose no honor when you fight as hard as you can, and refuse to simply lay down and give up. The unfortunate thing about a battle; whether it be against a disease or a country, is that no one wins. Everyone loses something; it's just one side loses more than the other." Chloe stated simply before giving Dani a final hug, an encouraging smile, and walking to Sergei's side to await their up-coming introduction.
Emily returned to Dani, grabbed her hand and squeezed it as if she never intended to let it go. "Come on, Dani. We can see them better from here," Emily stated, giving a gentle tug that had Dani moving forward to stand where Emily and Sergei had been only moments before; a perfect place to watch the pair now on the ice.
"Can you see okay?" Dani asked quietly, lifting the small child and settling her comfortably on her hip, astounded at how light she suddenly felt in her arms.
Emily's answer was a simple nod.
In awed silence, the two watched Sergei and Chloe perform their Olympic long program to the theme from East of Eden. A hauntingly romantic piece of music, it built in power and then dropped away to a mere whisper that hinted of sweetness and peace and brought to mind images of what heaven might be like.
"They're very pretty skaters," Emily whispered reverently, her eyes wide and filled with wonder.
"Yes they are," Dani agreed, a soft smile curving her lips as she watched her brother lift Chloe carefully into the air, in a dangerous move, and then return her to the ice as if she were a fine piece of crystal.
"Oh, look, Sergei kissed Chloe - right there in front of everyone!" Emily smiled excitedly.
Emily's excitement was contagious and she couldn't help but smile. "He sure did. But, you know, they love each other very much and they're going to be married soon."
"And then they'll have babies. Right?"
"I'm sure they plan to have babies someday." Dani responded.
"Will it be soon?" Emily persisted.
Dani's shoulders lifted in a small shrug. "I don't know. That's something you would have to ask them."
"Okay. Help me remember to ask them later. Okay?" Emily persisted.
"Okay. But why the hurry?"
Emily chewed gently on her lower lip for a moment, and with a look that bespoke of a maturity that spanned time, stated softly, "I won't need my name for much longer; I thought Sergei and Chloe might want it for their little girl."
Flashes of light, and the sound of thunder rolled over Dani, and later, she would wonder how she managed to hold it together and not dissolve into tears at Emily's soft words. But, from somewhere deep within her soul, she somehow found the courage to calmly say, "That's a beautiful thought; we'll have to remember to ask them."
Time seemed to move in slow motion after that moment, changing a frame at a time, as if in a slide show, and the next thing Dani knew, Sergei and Chloe were coming off the ice and Emily was pulling her forward for their duet.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, Miss Emily Mason, and Miss Danielle Rocmanov," the announcer's voice boomed out of the darkness at the same time the spotlights landed on the two skaters preparing to take the ice.
"Try not to make my sister look too bad out there," Sergei teased, holding out his hand for a lucky-five hand-slap, as he and Chloe left the ice.
Emily's angelic laugh had Sergei's smile widening and then vanishing as he looked into Dani's shocked, tear-filled eyes. "Dani?"
Dani shook her head back and forth and could only whisper, "I can't do it."
"Go get Mom and Dad, Chloe," Sergei spoke urgently, returning his attention to his sister. Chloe had quickly explained Dani's emotional upset during their time on the ice, and now he had only seconds to think of a way to bring his sister back from the edge of hysterics.
The intro music was already beginning and Emily was waiting patiently for Dani's nod to begin her program.
"Dani, this is Emily's moment, don't you dare fuck it up for her! Do you hear me?" he hissed harshly in her ear, pushing her forward. A brief flicker of anger flared in her eyes, and quickly died, but at least he knew she'd heard him.
"Emily&ldots;" Dani whispered, and turned to look down into the expectant blue eyes that awaited her nod. "Are you ready to skate, Princess?" she whispered, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm the heart that was threatening to explode in her chest.
"Oh, yes."
"Then, let's go," Dani nodded, and looked to the ice.
There is someone walking behind you, turn around look at me. Emily's small skates made tiny white lines in the icy surface as she skated forward, her arms held out from her sides, a dazzling smile on her face, and made a perfect little turn to face Dani and curtsy prettily. Dani stepped on to the ice and moved toward Emily with an identical move, even curtsying in return. There is someone watching your footsteps, turn around look at me. There is someone who really needs you, here's my heart, in my hand. Holding Emily's hand, Dani's slow, deep, powerful backstrokes had them moving steadily in a large circle, and Emily's smile brightened as she watched Dani's free leg lift into a beautiful backward spiral. Slowly, effortlessly, Dani slid into a front spiral, a little froth of ice foaming up from beneath her blade as she made the change of direction soundlessly, her hand moving from her heart out to Emily. Turn around, look at me, understand&ldots; understand. Emily dug her small toepick into the ice and spun in a speedy little circle, while Dani stepped into a flowing layback spin, both of them slowing to a stop to face each other.
That there's someone to stand beside you, turn around look at me. A cheer of surprise, then applause, rose from the audience as Sergei and Chloe suddenly emerged from the shadows and joined Dani and Emily on the ice, their movements matching those of the skaters already performing. Emily's look of surprise was priceless, while Dani's look of relief spoke volumes. And there's someone, to love and guide you, turn around look at me. The cheering suddenly thundered as Aleksei and Jordan stepped out of the darkness and skated to meet the others on the ice, Jordan's hand reached for Dani's, and her reassuring touch filled Dani with hope, a quick wink from her father gave her courage. Together, the seven moved as one, and the audience watched on in silent awe as the magical performance came to life. Emily was passed from one skater to another, an angelic gift that brought magic with her and for the moment made everything perfect. Oh I've waited, but I'll wait forever, for you to come to me. Suddenly Emily was lifted into the air by Sergei, and her little arms reached toward heaven, her shining blue eyes looking up into the darkness that twinkled with overhead lights. The breeze they created and they sped along the ice lifted her pale curls and made them dance. Her chiffon skirt billowed like drifting clouds in the cool air, and in that moment she knew what it would feel like to be an angel; free of pain and fear and filled with peace and joy. With a little toss, she was airborne and then landing safely in Aleksei's arms, laughing merrily as he lifted her onto his shoulder, and spun in an gentle spin, slowly coming to a stop. Look at someone, who really loves you, turn around look at me. Turn around, look at me&ldots; From her high perch atop Aleksei's shoulder, she look down and watched as first Chloe, then Sergei, then Jordan, then Dani, one by one, dropped to one knee and bowed to her, as if she were truly a princess.
From the tunnel, Emily's mother watched in stunned silence, tears coursing down her cheeks, her breath trapped in her chest, was unable to believe the honor this fine family was bestowing upon her child.. She had never seen her baby look so happy and peaceful, filled with life and contentment. It was as if her soul was a shimmering light and couldn't contain itself within her small body, so it simply surrounded her in a glimmering aura.
The audience exploded in applause, tears coursed down many of their cheeks, yet their cheers threatening to lift the roof off the arena as they watched the six skaters take their bows. The Rocmanov's stepped back, out of the spotlight, to allow Emily to take a solo bow, and then surrounded her with their strength and their unity and encouraged her when she shyly returned to Aleksei and lifted her arms, asking to be picked up.
A light toss had Emily flying into the air again and then safely caught in Aleksei's strong arms. With wide smiles, they took a final bow. "Wave to crowd, Princess. They're cheering for you," Aleksei encouraged her, smiling as she looked around in amazement at all the stomping and cheering and clapping people who were suddenly throwing roses to the ice. A timid wave from Emily had the cheers growing louder.
Aleksei skated toward the boards, scooped up a pale pink rose with a small stuffed animal attached to it, and, in a courtly gesture, handed it to Emily. With a shy smile, she held the rose to Aleksei's nose, and laughed when he sighed loudly and proclaimed it the sweetest scent he'd ever smelled, "Besides you, Princess," he murmured. Smiling broadly, he bent down, the tips of their noses touching, their eyes filled with joy. A camera flashed as the moment was captured for eternity, and with a final wave, the two made their way off the ice, the sound of thunderous applause never lessening.
From opposite sides of the arena, Hunter and Matt watched the performance; each lost in their thoughts as the skaters performed before them.
Hunter frowned as he watched Dani nearly fall on a jump that she normally could have done in her sleep, and it didn't take an expert to see that she seemed uncomfortable on the ice; her balance a bit off. At least until her family joined her on the ice. Then it seemed to be business as usual, except for the tears that glistened on her cheeks.
Matt, on the other hand, having only seen her earlier solo performance, wondered if her performance had been as perfect as it seemed. He knew it had been flawless, not a wobble, or slip of any kind, at least that he'd been able to see. In fact, the program had had a personal feel to it, almost as if watching someone describe their relationship with someone else, and it had seemed to come from her soul; filled with emotion.
Watching this program, he had clearly felt Dani's sorrow, as surely as he had watched the tears slip down her cheeks, and he'd seen the way her eyes had followed every move the small figure on the ice had made. The courage and strength and determination Dani had willed into the child, seemed to sap her own strength, but she never relented. She gave of herself unselfishly and struggled to keep her own feet under her. The urge to go to her had been nearly overwhelming, and he had breathed a sigh of relief when he watched the rest of her family join them in the program and she seemed to gather strength from them.
In the semi-darkness of the exit tunnel, both men watched the family leave the ice and released breaths they hadn't realized they had been holding; each concerned in their own way.
Hunter sent a glance toward the sky-box, and Whittaker, whose silhouette showed him once again on the two-way radio, gestured wildly as the final group of skaters stepped onto the ice, in preparation of the finale.
A sudden commotion within the tunnel had Hunter's attention swinging around, his cognac eyes narrowing as he tried to see within the shadowy depths of the tunnel and between the numerous skaters that now encircled a fallen skater.
Aleksei's tall figure stepped carefully through the crowd, having handed Emily to her mother as soon as they'd left the ice. Concern was written all over his face as he kneeled down and scooped the unconscious figure into his arms and effortlessly lifted her, the white chiffon of her skirt draping against his black pants, a slim, limp arm dangling in the cool air.
"Oh, no," Emily's mother whispered, leaning her cheek against Emily's, the two of them standing silently as they watched the confusion that surrounded them.
"Mama?" Emily's small voice trembled.
"It's Dani," Mrs. DuBois answered softly, and held her daughter a little closer as she said a prayer for another of God's angels.*
Copyright © 2001-2002 C.E. Moynihan
*All Rights Reserved