Gifts (4 page)

Chapter Seven

Famke walked into her apartment and went right to the kitchen.

"Are you making some tea?"
Stephen sat at the table.

"Yeah. I need to unwind a little before going to bed."

"Make some for all of us. Chris will be here shortly."

She remained silent and began to heat the water.

Stephen pointed to the door. "I'm going to change."

Famke went about her chore. Since they were going to exchange clogs tonight,
Chris was going to sleep on their couch.

What was she going to do about him? They'd been skating together for close to a week now and their programs were starting to take shape. They'd even started on their lifts, but there was this nasty little complication of chemistry. They not only had professional chemistry, but also personal chemistry. Dare they mix the two on the ice?

The pot whistled and she poured the hot water into three mugs. Ingrid always told her it was never wise to become involved with another skater. Emotional attachment often interfered with focus and concentration.

Famke placed the tea bags into the water and pulled out the honey from a cabinet.
Ingrid had done so much for Famke, and she took everything Ingrid said to heart. She tried to live it and apply it to her skating. But hadn't there been pairs skaters who found the balance between skating and pursing a relationship?

Famke sat at the table and steeped her tea. She couldn't deny where her emotions were driving her – to accept her attraction to
Chris and work on building a relationship to him.
Lord, the man had it all
– he was kind, caring, drop dead gorgeous, plus a great friend. And who could forget – he loved chocolate. Would a personal relationship with him help or hinder their performance on the ice? If it hindered them, she might have to walk away, because she definitely wanted to explore a more intimate relationship with him.

There was a knock on the door and Famke heard
Stephen open it. Chris' voice filled the air and the men joined her in the kitchen.

"How are you doing?"
Chris took the seat across from her.

"I'm fine now."

He smiled and began steeping his tea.

Stephen
took a long sip from his mug. "I need to retire soon. Tomorrow promises to be a long day."

"For us, too. Maks has a grueling practice schedule set between now and the twentieth," said
Chris.

Famke poured some honey into her drink. "Where's the performance for the Federation going to be held?"

"At our rink. They'll announce the two teams to go to the Olympics on the twenty-third," replied Chris.

"Just in time for Christmas," said
Stephen. "What a gift."

Chris
chuckled. Famke laughed at her brother's astute observation. The Federation's timing was impeccable.

Stephen
went to the sink and cleaned his cup. "Good night."

"Good night." Famke and
Chris said in unison as Stephen departed.

Chris
extended his hand and laced his fingers with Famke's. "How are you holding up?"

"Okay."

"Good."

They sat there in silence for a minute, sipping their tea and holding hands. Famke grew warm all over, thrilled by
Chris' quiet support.

"Well, I should change into my PJ's," said
Chris, softly.

Famke nodded. "So should I."

Chris placed his cup in the sink and headed toward the bathroom.

Famke went to her bedroom, her heart beating a rapid tattoo in her chest.

* * * * *

Chris
sank into the pillows and smiled. The soft, thick blanket warmed him to his bones. Despite his comfort, sleep came and went. As soon as Famke and Stephen closed their doors, he filled their clogs and went back to the couch. About an hour later, he heard Stephen tip-toeing about, filling clogs.

He must have fallen asleep because the next thing he remembered was catching a whiff of Famke's strawberry shampoo. Opening his eyes, he spied her figure in the shadows, stuffing his shoes.

"Famke," he whispered.

She stilled and placed her hand over her chest. "You surprised me."

"I didn't mean to."

"Was I that loud?"

"No, I'm a bit restless."

"Why? Is the couch uncomfortable?"

"That's not why." He sat up. "Join me."

She stood and slowly approached.
Chris made room for her. "We should talk."

"About what?" she asked.

"Us." His voice was low and husky.

She swallowed. "Now?"

He opened his arms. "Let me hold you."

"Is that wise?"

"Probably not."

Famke hesitated, her gaze finding the window. She appeared lost in her thoughts, but after a moment, she slid into his arms, her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I’m attracted to you and I think you feel the same way." His voice grew low and husky.

"I do," she admitted.

"In all honesty, this is unexpected for me. I've always been focused on my skating. I dated a little, but I never felt anything so intense, until I met you."

"Not even with your old partner?"

He sighed. "We were always professional. Maks paired us. We were good on the ice, but we didn't do anything together away from the rink. She went her way and I went mine."

"Why are you sad when you see her?"

He paused. A muscle in his jaw tensed. "I expected her to stay with me as a partner. We'd had falls before, but nothing like that. It hurt when she left and I discovered she didn't trust me."

Famke turned in his arms and placed her hand over his heart. "I’m so sorry."

"You've given me a gift – a second chance. I can't tell you how much that means to me."

She slowly nodded her head, her emerald eyes sparkling in the starlight that filtered in from the window. "You've given me another chance, too."

"I have?"

"I lost
Ingrid four months ago. She kept me focused. She was my best friend, my mentor…" her voice drifted off and she rested her head against his chest. "I felt like I lost a part of myself when she passed. By the time I realized I needed to come home, Stephen called. He said you were looking for a new partner, and a part of me knew this was the opportunity I needed."

Chris
heard the sadness resonate in Famke's voice and held her tighter. "Now that you're home, how do you feel?"

"I'm happy – and sad. It's wonderful to be with
Stephen and sad to realize just how much Papa's lost of himself. I need to be here now, for them."

"And I want to be here for you."

"Ingrid always told me it wasn't wise to get involved with someone with whom you have a professional relationship."

"I see."

She turned and cupped his cheek. "I've been struggling with this. I'm attracted to you. I want to be with you – I also want to skate with you. Every time I'm near you, I feel revitalized. My heart beats faster and I like it."

"I feel the same way."

She dropped her hand. "So I guess the question is: can we have a professional and a personal relationship?"

"There are a lot of couples who have that and are successful in both," said
Chris. "Do you remember the Russian couple – Gordeeva and Grinkov?"

"I do." She sighed and nipped at her lower lip with her teeth and found his eyes. "I want both."

He leaned close, his mouth skirting hers. Her lips hinted of lemons and honey. She shifted in his arms. His lips pressed against hers, then gently covered her mouth. Her mouth was warm, moist, and responsive. He trailed his lips over her jaw and ran his fingers through her curls.

She moaned and he glided his mouth over her neck, kissing the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat. Desire rocketed through his muscles. Then he remembered where he was – in his best friend's home
, kissing his sister senseless. The thought sobered him. He lifted his head, cupping Famke's cheeks. "I want both, too, but we should go slow." He gritted his teeth. "I think we should focus on the skating and preparing our routine for the Federation."

She grinned from ear-to-ear and placed a finger against his lips. "I agree." Framke slid out of his arms, standing before him, and adjusted the sash on her robe. "Good night."

"Good night."

Famke walked back to her room. Unable to resist the temptation,
Chris peeked in his clogs – a spoon and Mozart Kugel. His heart warmed at her thoughtfulness, glad he'd had this opportunity to define their relationship. Famke was an unexpected Christmas gift and he intended to treasure her for as long as he lived.

Chapter Eight

Famke sat down on the wooden bench in the back of the tunnel that led to the rink and laced her skates. She and Chris were the last couple out of six to skate for the Federation. They would perform their long program for the judges. She stood and ran her hand over her leotard in the mirror. They'd be skating to Moonlight Sonata. She flexed her fingers hoping to manage her anxiety.

"Good luck."

Famke looked over her shoulder. Chris' former partner, Katrien, stood at the entrance, to the tunnel, her arms crossed.

Famke pursed her lips. "Somehow I think you don't really mean it."

"Aren't you afraid he'll drop you?" Katrien asked coldly.

"No, I'm not."

"He will, you know. He's not strong enough to do a lift."

Famke turned around and put her hands on her hips. Her nostrils flared. "You're just trying to shake my confidence."

Katrien narrowed her eyes. "I'm looking out for you."

"
Chris may have dropped you, but it was him who was hurt."

Katrien shrugged her shoulders. "I did feel bad for him."

"But you didn't stick around."

"No, I'm very professional on the ice. It was time to move on, so I did."

Famke pursed her lips. On the ice, they were all business, but she enjoyed being with Chris off the ice. Famke liked simply holding his hand. They'd gone Christmas shopping together and Chris helped decorate her apartment with a nativity and candles, and then just last weekend they'd gone to Enschede to pick out a tree. The most they'd done was kiss, but a desire to expand their relationship brewed in her heart.

Famke couldn't let Katrien shake her. "
Chris and I are very professional on the ice. We have a challenging program and neither of us are intimidated by the lifts."

"Like I said, good luck." Katrien gestured toward the tunnel, her nose in the air.

Famke walked past her competition, her head held high. She needed to meet Chris and Maks in the waiting area, but her emotions were fueled with anger. Katrien had rattled Famke a bit, but she didn't want to admit that to anyone. They had three lifts and three throw jumps in the program. It was ambitious.

"Famke, over here."

She glanced at Chris who waved at her. She waved back and entered the box.

"You look serious," he said.

She ran a hand over her short curls. She cut her hair to shoulder length recently so they wouldn't have to worry about her hair catching on their costumes. "I saw Katrien just now."

"Ignore her. She is hot air," said Maks. "Focus on your routine."

Famke nodded and went to the side rail, watching couple number five skate. She needed to remember her steps right now, not Katrien's condescending voice.

Chris
put his hand on her shoulder and leaned close. "I don't know what she told you, but I won't let you fall."

"I know you won't."

He offered her a gentle smile and his heart-melting dimple peeked out.

The music came to an end and the couple on the ice finished. After a minute, Famke and
Chris skated onto the ice.

"Do me proud," said Maks.

"Skating now is Famke deVries and Christian Jansen." The announcement went out over the PA system.

Chris
held out his hand and Famke clasped him tightly. They set themselves, Chris behind Famke, holding her waist. She leaned against him, resting her head next to his shoulder, her heart hammering in her chest, determined to channel her anger into a tight performance. She wouldn't have any doubts. Chris had lifted her over and over in practice. She had to believe in him and not let Katrien mess with her head.

The haunting chords of
Moonlight Sonata
began. In synch, Famke and Chris glided forward, now side-by-side. The first element was a salchow throw jump. Chris grabbed her waist, lifted her, and threw her. She nailed the landing and they went into a step sequence. Trust and focus took over. They exited the sequence and set up for the carry lift.

Chris
' hands were firm. She placed her hands on his shoulders and then extended her arms. Maks clapped, his praise warming her heart. Coming out of the lift, Chris' muscles felt like steel. They went into a series of side-by-side double axels. The routine continued flawlessly and with each element they completed, Famke's trust grew, pushing Katrien's voice aside. As their routine ended, Maks clapped again with rare enthusiasm.

The judges sitting next to the rink all nodded their heads to acknowledge the performance.

Famke and Chris glided off the ice. Maks met them, praising their routine. Famke spied Katrien standing at the entrance to the tunnel, her arms crossed, glowering at them. Famke ignored her. She turned and smiled at Chris and in that moment, she realized they nailed their program because the personal relationship they shared had built the trust they needed in their professional relationship.

* * * * *

Chris stood at the door holding a box of ornaments. Famke opened it and offered him a heart-stopping smile.

"Come in.
Stephen went to the store for some snacks and cider."

Chris
entered the apartment and placed the box on the nearby coffee table. "I can't stand waiting."

"Neither can I." She pointed to the box. "What's in there?"

"A couple more ornaments for the tree."

Famke poked through the box. "Let's hang them."

He reached in and withdrew a small wooden set of ornamental clogs. Famke plucked a red bow out of the box.

"Where did you get these?" she asked.

"My mom gave me the bows and I've been collecting the other wooden ornaments over the years."

"You have good taste." She hung her bow and grabbed another one.

"Thank you." He paused, his heart filled with happiness.

She walked over to him and put a hand on his waist. "What are you thinking?"

"Even if we aren't selected, the best gift I received this Christmas was you."

"
Me
?"

"Yes, you." He placed his hands on her hips and tugged her close. "You took a chance on me, offering to be my partner. You trusted me. That trust is a gift I plan to treasure."

"Chris—"

"I mean it. I honest
ly didn't think I could lift you, but you pushed and prodded and believed in me."

"Unlike Katrien?"

"Yes."

She cupped his cheek. "Truth be told, you're the best gift I received this Christmas, too."

He raised his eyebrow. "I am?"

"Yes." She stiffened her chin and courage grew in her eyes. "
Ingrid, my former coach, meant the world to me. Losing her was hard. I got to the point where I was just going through the motions, trying to figure out what to do with my life. When Stephen called and told me you needed a partner, it was the spark I needed. You did more than reinvigorate my love for skating. You showed me what a good friend you are – how loyal and kind you can be, and a woman likes that in a man."

He chuckled. "A man likes a woman who is loyal and kind and will trust him to lift her, even when he doesn't trust himself."

She leaned up on her tiptoes and they kissed. Famke's lips were warm and moist. She tasted sweeter than honey. He ran his tongue over her lower lip and she opened her mouth to him. Their tongues slid against one another and Chris' muscles heated. He tugged her closer, running his lips along her jaw and down her neck. She slid her fingers into his hair.

The phone rang. They both dived for it. Famke grabbed it first. "Hello?"

"This is Maks."

She looked at
Chris and mouthed. "It's Maks."

"Good."

"Is Chris there with you?"

"Yes." She held the phone between them so they could both hear.

"The Skating Federation selected you to represent the country at the Olympics."

"That's wonderful."

"Merry Christmas," said Maks.

"
Merry Christmas to you, too," they both exclaimed.

Famke hung up the phone.

Chris stood, his body stiff with shock and surprise. "I honestly didn't think…"

She grabbed his hands and squeezed. "We did it!"

"Next to you, this is the second best gift I could have received for Christmas."

The door opened and
Stephen walked in carrying a grocery bag. "Did I miss something?"

"We're going to the Olympics!" cried Famke.

Stephen put the bag down and embraced them. "Congratulations!"

"My mother will be thrilled," added
Chris.

"I can't think of two more deserving people," said
Stephen. "I'll pour us all a drink and we'll share a toast."

Chris
wrapped his arm around Famke, wanting to feel her close to him. The Lord had truly blessed him this Christmas, after such a rough year filled with hardship and challengers. The first opportunity he had, he would attend services with Famke and offer thanks to the Lord for His blessings.

Stephen
passed out the drinks and they toasted to friendship, another gift they all treasured.

The End