Chapter 67

Viper

Today is the day of the winter recital. Where all the kids from Sabine’s different classes get to show off what they have learned. I’m going to watch all the classes but I’m excited to see what Jax has learned. But that isn’t the only thing I’m excited for. After the show I have a surprise for Sabine with the help of the elite team. I just hope she likes it. I’m pretty sure she will but that doesn’t stop me from being a little nervous. I was walking around the back watching Sabine and Anna running around like crazy making sure the kids have what they need and any last minute costume adjustments. “ Alright, first group lets get lined up.” Sabine says. A group of ten little kids, from three to five, dressed as different fairies line up. They are all cute as hell but the one at the back has my attention. The little cute girl, four maybe five with blonde curls looks like she is about to cry. I walk towards her at the same time as Sabine. I watch Sabine sit on the floor in front of the girl. “ Rachel, what’s wrong?” Sabine asked.

I see tears coming down the girl's face. “ I’m scared. I don’t know if I can do this.” the little girl said. Sabine takes the girl's hands in hers. “ Rachel, it is okay to be scared. And you don’t have to go out there if you don’t want to. It is your choice. No one is going to make you. But can you tell me why you are scared? Maybe I can help.” Sabine said. Rachel wipes her eyes and sniffs “ What if I fall down? Or don’t jump high enough?” “ What do you do in practice if you fall down?” Sabine asked. Rachel lifts her head “ I get back up.” Sabine smiles “ That’s right. And if you don’t jump high enough?” “ I try harder on the next one.” Rachel said. “ That’s right. And what did I tell you about this show?” Sabine asks.

“ It is just showing my sister what I have learned. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just that I tried. And to have fun.” Rachel said. “ And is that something you still want to do? Even if you fall.” Sabine asked. “ Yes, but I’m still scared.” Rachel said. “ That is normal. Can I tell you a secret?” Sabine asks. Rachel bobs her head up and down quickly. Sabine leans in, “ I still get scared every time I compete.” Rachel gasps “ You do?” “ I do. So scared I have to have my friend Rocket hug me before I go on the ice. But I don’t let being scared win. I just try my best and remember everything I have learned. That is all any of us can do.” Sabine said. “ If I go try can I have a hug too?” Rachel asked. I put my fist in my mouth to keep from laughing at this girl's cuteness.

“ Rachel, you can have a hug whether you skate or not.” Sabine says. “ I want to try with my class. But I want a hug too.” Rachel said. Sabine holds out her arms for Rachel to dive in. Rachel pulls back after a minute “ Okay, I’m ready now.” Sabine gets up and gets Rachel in line just in time to head on the ice. I notice two of the elite team are following. Watching Sabine not only helped Rachel with her fears but assured her made me add one more thing to the list of the reasons I love this woman. Sabine sees me and comes over. She points to the elites and says “ They will be at the wall on both sides just in case. It gives the little ones an extra sense of security seeing them there.” I lean down and kiss her cheek. “ I’m going to get my seat with Merigold and the guys. See you soon.” I said. “ I hope you guys enjoy the show.” she said.

I was already walking away and looked over my shoulder “ I have no doubt we will.” I make my way out to the area to find my club. Yes, the whole club came out to support not only Jax but Sabine. To show her we support her. The lights dim just as I find my seat. I can feel my surprise for Sabine digging into my leg. A spotlight hits the middle of the rink where Sabine is standing. “ I want to thank all of you for coming out to support these incredible kids. Each group has worked hard to master their skills. Each child came to every practice they could and worked hard on their routines. When they fell they got back up and tried again and again until they got it. Tonight you get to see the result of their efforts.” Sabine said. The arena erupts in applause. “ Please give a warm welcome to our first group. They are our beginners group with an age range three to five year olds.” Sabine said. She skates to the side of the rink and opens the door. Out fly ten blue fairies complete with wings. Eight girls and two boys. Sabine steps out the door and closes it but doesn’t move from her spot.

Children's music plays and the kids take off around the rink. They do their sit spins and leaps. I tried to watch out for Rachel but the kids were going so fast it was hard. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. The little girl was so worried before. But I watched all the kids go through their routine just fine so I figured she got over it. That group gets done, stands in the middle and bows to everyone. The place claps and cheers including my club. Why not? The kids did great. As soon as the fairies got off the ice they jumped at Sabine and she hugged each one of them.

The next group on the ice was six thru ten year olds. They were all dressed like superheroes. Who comes up with these ideas: the kids or Anna or Sabine? Or does Anna take the ideas of the kids and work her magic? I’ll have to ask. We all clap and cheer for them. The next group is ten through fifteen. After this is the elite team. So close to my surprise. When they finish they excite the rink and Sabine enters. “ I hope you are enjoying what you have seen so far. I know I am. I have coached these kids from the moment they walked in the door for lessons. To see how much they have grown is amazing. Some had never stepped foot on the ice before they came here. I’m proud to be their coach and be part of their journey through skating.” Sabine says.

“ We have three short performances to end the show. These kids are the top of class. Each one has a little something extra that sets them apart. I want you to give a warm welcome to my elite team.” Sabine skates back to the door and the girls come out first. The boys were next. The club and I erupted in cheers and whistles for Jax. The last performance is Jax and a girl his age and a teenage boy and girl. They were doing a pairs skating routine. Just as they got started I got up from my seat to get ready. When they are done I know most people are expecting them to get off the ice. I know better. The kids skate to the middle of the rink. All four kids have a mic in their ear so everyone can hear them.

“ Thank you everyone for coming out tonight. This performance is supposed to be the last one of the night. But we have a little surprise.” the boy said. The teens turned to Sabine who was looking confused. I jump over the wall carefully while the attention is on Sabine. “ Coach, could you come out here?” the girl asks. Sabine does as she is asked and meets the kids. The little girl that was skating with Jax says “ Coach, none of us would be where we are if it weren’t for you. You encourage us to push ourselves. Have us try new things and listen to us when we are nervous. So now we want to do something for you.”

The kids take off doing a quick lap. They grab something off the wall. The teen boy does a flip and lands with a sign that has the word “ Will.” I move close to the middle. The girl does a spin and lands with a sign “ You.” I grab what is in my pocket when the little girl does a spin and shows hers that says “ Marry.” When Jax does his flip with his sign “ Me” I am just behind him. Sabine reads the words and gasps. Jax moves so I can get on one knee. Fuck it is cold. But for Sabine it is worth it. I open the box I’m holding. “ I should have done it this way the first time. Sabine, you are the love of my life. The person I want to wake up with every morning. You are my ol’e lady, my queen and one day the mother of my kids. I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you make me the most privileged man in the universe and marry me again? With all our family and friends to celebrate with us.” I asked.

Sabine has tears and her eyes but she is smiling and nodding. “ I need to hear the words, baby.” I told her. I wanted my club to hear her. Hell the whole arena. I want everyone to know this incredible, sxey lady is mine. “ Ethan, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told you the first time you asked. I would be honored to be your wife.” she yelled. I carefully got up. Jax helped me walk to Sabine. I grabbed her hand and slid on the ring. Sabine looks down at the ring “ Oh Ethan it is beautiful. I love it.” I place my hands on the side of her face and lean down. “ Not as beautiful as you. Thank you for being my wife.” I said then I kissed her. I kept it quick but sweet since we had kids standing around us. The first thing cheering I hear is from all the kids that Sabine has coached. While I kissed her they all snuck out of the ice. Then the arena. The Red Devils, Renegades, and Nixon are the loudest. Since she said ‘Yes’ I’m guessing she likes my surprise.