Epilogue
Author's Note: The song is called "True Companion" by Marc Cohn (if you can, download it, it's BEAUTIFUL). Victor�s POV: Two years has passed since that night in February during the 2002 Olympic games. In that time, it is safe to say that I have experienced pure joy and happiness every moment that I spent with Shae-Lynn. We spent the night we confessed our feelings talking and just holding each other. It felt more comfortable than I could have ever imagined and by that, I knew that what we had done was right. Saying that the looks on our friend�s and teammate�s faces the next morning was shock, is a bit of an understatement. After a bit of joking and some congratulations and hugs, we were left with the future�our future. Although we believed that she would be a bit concerned with our decision, Tatiana was thrilled with the news. She did give us the basic �be careful of the partnership you have� and �don�t let off ice problems become on ice problems� speeches but, she confessed she had been waiting to see how long it would take for us to finally cave and admit our feelings. Nikolai took the news hard and, for awhile working with him was basically impossible. However, he decided to split from Tatiana. He agreed to choreograph our programs but preferred to coach on his own. We lucked out. We were able to have his brilliant choreography and still work with our support team, mainly consisting of Tatiana. While I can�t say that our whole romantic relationship has been perfect, to me, it�s been pretty close to that. We did have our problems. We had to adjust to spending so much time together and we did have the occasional fight. We always worked through these fights and in the end, our relationship grew. I knew from the first kiss we shared that I definitely wanted to spend my life with Shae-Lynn and this feeling that I have had has grown with every second I spent with her. This leads me to this point�.May 2004. �Shae? Honey, come on�.we�ve got reservations,� I called up the stairs of the condo we recently rented together. This was our first place together and after about a year and a half of dating, we decided we were ready for this step. We were lucky to find this place. It was beautiful and so spacious and roomy. Plus, it was five minutes away from the rink. That made early morning practices much more bearable! �Hold your horses! I�m coming!�. She descended down the stairway looking as radiant as ever, wearing a simple but sexy black dress. It was an angled cut and the longest part of the dress came right to her calf. She wore her shorter blond hair down and the new diamond studs I gave her for our two-year anniversary. �How do you do it?� I asked with wonder in my voice. She smiled softly and wrapped her arms around my neck. �Do what?� she whispered, kissing my cheek gently. �Never cease to take my breath away?� I asked with a wink. She laughed, throwing her head back. �You�re such a romantic, Kraatz!� She said, walking by me, grabbing my hand in the process. I pretended to look hurt. �You want me to stop?� She turned around quickly and kissed my lips fiercely. �Never,� she answered. �Now come on. You said it yourself. We�ll be late,� I helped her with her coat and grabbed mine. I checked to make sure I had everything and followed her out the door. Shae-Lynn�s POV: I looked around at my surroundings as we drove down the road. This wasn�t the way to the fancy restaurant Victor told me we were going. Was he lost? Now had to decide if whether to take the chance and point out to Vic his mistake and ask for directions or to keep my mouth shut. If I did the first, he would do the usual. He�d shout �Shae, I don�t need to stop and ask for directions. I know where I�m going! I took the scenic route! Sit back and let me do the driving!�. I rolled my eyes. That didn�t seem like a good idea. But, if I didn�t say anything, We�d miss our reservation and he�d be even more upset. I glanced over at him as he looked tensely at the road. Did he already know we were going the wrong way? �Sweetie?� I began as nicely as possible, reaching over to touch his arm. �Hmm?� he answered, not taking his eyes off the road. �Um, I couldn�t help noticing that this wasn�t the usual way we got to Morton�s and I just wanted to make sure you remembered how to get there,� d**n! I cursed to myself. I shouldn�t have said that last part! He smiled tensely as me. �I know. I decided to take us somewhere else,� �After I spent days trying to get those reservations?� I thought to myself. That was weird that he would change plans without even consulting me. He looked like he was trying hard and if he didn�t look so cute today, I probably would have argued back. �I think you�ll like it,� he said taking my hand. After all these years, still, the slightest touch of his hand was enough to melt any anger that I was feeling for him. �Whatever you say,� I said settling back into my seat. Within a few minutes, he was pulling up to a beautiful building I had never seen before. I looked at him, bewildered. �What is this?� Victor never ceased to amaze me ever. He never took me for granted and was always doing little romantic things here or there. This however, was pretty intriguing. �Come on,� he grinned. He ran to my side of the car and helped me out. Something about the way he was acting slightly reminded me of that night during the Olympics where we finally confessed our feelings for each other. He pulled me quickly inside the building and I was shocked to see a gorgeous, empty room filled with candles and flowers everywhere. �What is this?� I exclaimed turning back to face him with a smile growing on my face. He took my other hand in his and led me into the room. It looked like the grand ballroom of an old mansion. Gold was everywhere and intricately immense chandeliers hung from the tall ceilings. Music wafted gently around us. There was something mysterious about the room and what baffled me more was the fact that there was no one else there. Just a simple table set up for us. �I think I remember asking you to imagine something like this a few years ago,� He began once we finally came to the middle of the room. �Two years ago, to be exact,� I smiled in realization. �In the cave, that night,� I whispered. H e nodded. �Even though I brought you someplace that I still think is special to us, I didn�t think that it was good enough for you,� �Vic, of course it was,� He held up his hand to stop me. �It is incredibly special to me and I still love it but, that night, I really wanted to take you to a place that, in my opinion, was good enough for you.� �Well, this is beautiful,� I answered looking around. He let go of my hands and walked over to the cd player. �I also asked you to imagine us dancing to your favorite song.� �Yeah��I smiled. �Well, I don�t know if this is your favorite song but listen to the lyrics, ok? I picked it out especially for you,� He pressed play and walked back over to me. �May I have this dance?� Smiling so hard I felt like my face would crack, I nodded and fell into his arms. Resting my head comfortably on his shoulder, I felt that overwhelmingly warm and safe feeling that I�ve felt for years when I was in his arms. It never failed. Many would think that as we grew used to each other and our relationship, we would begin to loose those warm, tingly feelings one usually gets when they are around the other person. That wasn�t the case for Vic and I. In fact, our feelings grew with every moment we spent together. Baby I've been searching like everybody else Can't say nothing different about myself Sometimes I'm an angel And sometimes I'm cruel And when it comes to love I'm just another fool Listening to the lyrics, I smiled. I had never heard this song but it was beautiful. I pulled him closer to me and felt his heart beating rapidly against my chest. Yes, I'll climb a mountain I'm gonna swim the sea There ain't no act of God girl Could keep you safe from me My arms are reaching out Out across this canyon I'm asking you to be my true companion True companion True companion I felt his strong hands gently begin to stroke my cheek lovingly. I sighed and settled deeper into his embrace. �I love you,� he whispered and kissed the top of my head. �Why is he being so romantic?� I asked myself, not really minding all the attention. Victor was a very romantic man and never allowed me to question his feelings for me. But he very rarely acted like this�.so incredibly open with his feelings and vulnerable. So don't you dare and try to walk away I've got my heart set on our wedding day I've got this vision of a girl in white Made my decision that it's you all right I opened my eyes wide in awe. He told me to pay close attention to the lyrics. Could he be asking me what I think�what I hope he�s asking me? And when I take your hand I'll watch my heart set sail I'll take my trembling fingers And I'll lift up your veil Then I'll take you home And with wild abandon Make love to you just like a true companion My eyes filled with tears. I lifted my head to look at him. He smiled sweetly at me and although he smiled, I could still see nerves and fear in his eyes. It was obvious how nervous he was. �Vic,� I began He lifted his finger and put it on my mouth. �Shhhh,� He hushed. �Just listen�� I had no idea how he could be so calm but I obliged, pulling him as close as possible and hugging his chest to mine. My heart raced in my chest and my head swam of the happiest moments in my life�.ones that included him. I began to think of our first tryout together and how right it felt when he took my hand. It felt so perfect even back then. I knew that we were a perfect match. I remember looking at our reflection in the dirty glass at the rink and watching with awe at how our extensions matched perfectly, how even our hair and looks matched. It was amazing but even then, we were the perfect pair. You are my true companion I got a true companion True companion I felt his hand shakily rise up and stroke my hair gently. I thought back to our first major win in the senior division�finally capturing that gold. That had been one of my dreams, one of our dreams together. Who would have dreamed we would have won that so many times? It was amazing to even think about. That moment still, to this day, gives me shivers. When the years have done irreparable harm I can see us walking slowly arm in arm Just like the couple on the corner of Duke 'Cause girl I will always be in love with you He pulled away slightly to look at me. Still holding me close, he pulled my left hand up to his lips and planted a small kiss on my palm. My thoughts flashed through the tiny crushes I had harbored on him as a young girl and to the moment I first realized what I was feeling for him was no longer just a innocent crush. The day I knew I was in love with him was one of the best days of my life�and scariest. That step was a difficult one to make but one that thrilled me, nonetheless. And when I look in your eyes I'll still see that spark Until the shadows fall Until the room grows dark Sighing happily, I leaned in and rested my forehead against his and closed my eyes. We stood there, swaying gently to the music, just content to be in each other�s arms and to be together. I thought back to our first kiss. It was so innocent and doubtful�like we were both so afraid of ruining what was already so perfect. While it was all those things, it was also exciting and amazing. It left both of us breathless and wanting more. To this day, his kiss still has that affect on me. Then when I leave this Earth I'll be with the angels standin' I'll be out there waiting for my true companion I thought back on the moment that we finally confessed how much we really loved each other. I thought I could never be more surprised or happy than that moment. I saw how hard he tried to impress me, how hard he tried to make me happy and it warmed my heart. I had never been more happy to hear three little words in my entire life. That was the beginning for us. We stayed in amateur skating for another year before winning the 2003 World Championships. We had finally accomplished our goals and, while it was not an Olympic medal, this still meant the world to us. Our relationship continued to grow and blossom and we found this house close enough to the rink where we continue to train. We then joined Smuckers Stars on Ice and have been touring happily ever since. We even throw in a few pro competitions now and then- - just to quench Victor�s thirst for competition. I never though my life could get any better�until now� Just for my true companion True companion True companion Victor�s POV: I took a deep breath as I heard the song begin to end. That was my cue. � Calm down, Vic,� I tried to tell myself. �Your old buddy Marc Cohn already basically told her all she needs to know. If you mess up, at least she can reference back to the song to understand what you�re trying to say,�. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at me nervously. �Come here,� I said softly, shakily taking her hand and leading her to a chair. I pulled it out and helped her sit down. I took a deep breath to calm the butterflies in my stomach and began to fumble in my pocket. Where was that paper I had put in there? On it, I had written everything I ever wanted to say to Shae. How was I going to this without it? �Vic,� I looked up and looked into her beautiful eyes. She smiled gently down at me. Suddenly, I knew what I was going to say. I didn�t need to write it down, just looking into her eyes, I knew what I was going to say. I looked back confidently and took her left hand in mine. I knelt down slowly. The smile on her face grew and her eyes began to mist over. �Shae-Lynn�all my life, I have searched for you. First, all I was looking for was someone to complete me on the ice. Someone to help me finally accomplish all my dreams. And that was all that was going to be. But, one day�that changed. No longer were you just my partner�you were my best friend. You were the only person that could make me laugh no matter what my mood was. You were the only person that I could spend all day and night with and never get sick of. You were the only person that saw me at my best and worst and loved me regardless. I fell so much in love with you, it hurt and the day I finally found out that you felt the same, was the best day of my life�.until now. I started out looking for the perfect partner and, in the end, I found the woman that completes me...that makes me happier than I've ever been...the one great love of my life. I love you�now and forever and I vow from this day forward to make you laugh, make you happy and to make you feel safe and loved until my dying day. I�.I�m babbling, aren�t I?� She laughed and sniffed back her tears. She leaned down and cupped my face with her free hand. �I think it�s wonderful,� I reached into my pocket and found the box. �I guess what I�m trying to say is�.Shae-Lynn Bourne, will you marry me?� I clumsily opened the box to reveal what I believed to be the perfect ring for Shae. It was a solitaire diamond in the center on a white gold band with diamons all over it. was the most beautiful ring I could find and I knew when I saw it that Shae would feel the same way. It took enough saving but I knew this was the ring for her. It had a simple elegance and sophistication that was the epitomy of Shae-Lynn, in my opinion. Her face lit up and she laughed. She nodded quickly. �Of course!� She exclaimed. �Yes?� I couldn�t believe it. I knew pretty well that she would say yes but hearing it just felt so perfect. �Yes!� She cried happily. I shakily slid the ring onto her left hand and looked up at her happily. I stood up quickly and pulled her to her feet, kissing her passionately on her lips. She responded just as urgently. I felt a few tears escape her eyes and gently spill onto her cheeks. She pulled away slowly and hugged me tightly, laughing softly. Unable to keep the smile off my face, I pulled slightly to look at her glowing face, so happy and beautiful. �What?� I asked, finally feeling so completely complete. �I just can�t believe it. I had been searching for so long to find a man that was so sweet and kind and would just love me just as much as I loved him. I thought I�d never find him. I can�t believe I didn�t see it all along,� I reached over and brushed the tearstains off her face. �See what?� I kidded. She grinned and leaned in so that her face was next to mine. �That he was standing right there in front of me,� �And now we have the rest of our lives,� I commented, still in awe that this was finally happening. She nodded and kissed me quickly on the lips before throwing herself back into my arms, squealing happily. This was only the beginning.
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