Christine was still with the phone on her hand still trying to fix on her mind the fact that indeed Apolo said she love her. I know this sounds weird, I’m with the phone saying ‘wow!, he said that’, is it true that Santa exists?. I know, I know I have work to do, don’t worry I’m leaving. Wait a minute, you! Yes you the one that is reading this, did he just said that he loves me?. She got in her car and got to her work, but in her mind she was back a few minutes ago when Apolo mentioned those words, she so wished to hear. ‘What if he meant it like a best friend way?, like the way I tell him I love him’ her mind kept running with that same thought. On the moment Christine was having a battle with herself, Jena one of the workers interrupted her. “Miss. Reese”, snapping out of it, “Yeah Jena?”, “You’ve got a call in line number 2". “Oh, thank you.” Once Jena headed out the door, she went back to herself and answer the phone. “Hello?”, “Hi” a shy male voice appeared “can you talk?”, “Yeah, hi”, “I’m sorry if I scared you with what I said... I just” “You let it out”. “Yeah” Apolo said. Before he could continue she broke the silence, “Did you meant what you said?”, “Do you want me to?” he asked her that just to make sure if this was going to work out. “Listen... I’m getting off in a few hours maybe I can call you and we’ll talk about this, ok?” “Ok.” this time Christine said “Apolo?”, “Yeah?” “I love you.” they both hang up the phone.

   What was I thinking, what did I say that. Now Christine knows how Apolo felt, but at the same time she didn’t. So inside of her a great sense of fear grew in her, she didn’t wanted to be heartbroken, without even having something with this guy, who not only is her best friend, but someone she can rely on with everything. It was 5:00 p.m., she could finally go home, after a hard day, both physically and mentally. She had now three full weeks of vacations, it seem like everything was perfect except that she didn’t knew how to handle what was happening. At this time she wish she had a mom to talk a bout this, but unfortunately, her mom had passed away 4 years ago, and her father also passed away though, it happen when she was just 3 years old. When she met Apolo, which was thanks to Mike, Meg’s boyfriend & cousin of Christine, everything changed; his dad accepted her like if she was a daughter he didn’t had. She found in his family the family warmth she needed. Then phone interrupted her thoughts. “Hello?”, “Hi girl, how are you?”. “Hi Megan, what’s up?” “Nothing much I was just asking how were you?” “Well...a little thoughtful” “What happen?”, Megan asked as Christine took a deep breath “Well Apolo said in the phone he loves me” “So? he has tell you that before.” “Yeah, but no in the way he just said it, it was like he meant it. Like when you say to Mike ‘I love you’ ” “And did you answer back?” Megan asked curiously. “No, he hanged up the phone fast, he’s dad was calling him.” After Megan heard all the story, she took a deep breath and told her: “listen Christy, this has been the best thing that has happen to you since a long time; you obviously have a crush on him, I mean, I’ve seen lately how you look at him. Go, grant him the wish he has of having you there, something tells me he is good for you.” “You really think so?” “Christine I am your cousin I wouldn’t put you in no harm and you know it. He’s the one, go to Seattle, let yourself be loved for Good-times sakes. Be the Christine I know.” “ Alright let me think about it.”.

Chapter 17

   It was only 9:00 pm and Christine had on her mind all the things that had happened the last 12 hours. She wanted to go, but at the same time she didn’t wanted to make a fool of herself, she had to play it safe, she didn’t wanted to loose her best friend. She logged in to find she had a few e-mails, the one that caught her attention was one from the profile guy she met on internet.

Hi Profile!

   I know it has been long, but I’ve had a lot of things. I wrote to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’m actually going to take this opportunity to take a few things of my chest if you don’t mind. I actually write this ‘love finder’ form to be able to talk to someone, you see my girlfriend broke up with me and it has been really hard on me. Now I haven’t wrote to you for a long time now, because I have a best-friend that has helped me thru, she’s amazing... I wish he knew that I realized that I truly love her. Am I doing something wrong? I mean she’s my best friend... Sorry to bore you with my problems, but thank you for listening. Well I think I won’t be writing to you for some time now, since I am in the US Speed skating team and I’ll be doing some practices, but it was nice to meet you.

Well Until Next Time,

Your compatible....nah! What the heck,

      See ya; Apolo Ohno (Your profile).

   Oh heavens! Did she just read it right?, Apolo was her compatible profile?, He is the one?. Just to think about this coincidence, made her realize that destiny was on her favor and deep in her heart she knew she can’t let it go, because he is her one and only, the one she’s been wishing for.

Chapter 18

   It was Christmas Eve, Christine had to take the decision to go to Seattle or let it go. Suddenly when she was going to make her decision the phone rang. “Hello?”, “Hello?” Apolo’s voice filled the silence of the other side, “how are you?”. “I’m ok”, she said. Scare to hear a negative answer, Apolo asked: “So have you thought about what you are going to do?”, “I’m thinking about it.”. “Listen Christine, no matter what you decide I hope our good relationship won’t change, I know that you are sort of scare, because so am I.” “I know”. “Listen, I’m going to help my dad, whatever you decide to do, call me or you know whatever... ok?”. “Yeah I know...” “Well Merry Christmas.” he said as he hanged up.

   She was a bit relieve that he said he was scare, because now the pressure was off of her, she had to do something and now...

   So I closed my eyes and asked myself, when was the last time I made myself happy?, when did I let myself have fun, and be loved? it has been a long time. This decision was for me, because I know I want it and I need him in my life.

   She had now her horizon, it was 12:00 am, and she had decided to make herself happy, she was going to Seattle and look for that man that loves her. She picked the phone and called the Colorado International Airport. One of the airline assistant told her she might have to wait to see if she can gain a ticket since it was Christmas time, she told her it was impossible to find her a flight. She agreed to wait, at least that gave her a piece of hope. So she packed a few things and headed to the airport.

Chapter 19

   Christmas Day, 8:00 am. The phone in Christine’s apartment was ringing until the machine took the call. Hey this is Christine, if you are listening to this is because I’m out working or maybe because I’m tired and I don’t wanna pick the phone, So leave a message after the beep a I’ll get back to you...Bye-Bye. BEEEEEEEEP..., the phone beeped. “Hey Christine, this is Apolo, maybe you are sleeping...I hope you are ok. I... well I just called to wish you a Merry Christmas and well... I wanted to let you know that I do love you... I do. I wish you were here with me. I talked with my dad about it, and this one is for real. Please call me I want to talk to you, I want you to come here, I don’t want you to be alone on Christmas, not when you have people here that love you. Well bye, bye.”

   Christine was still in the airport it was 9:30 am when a flight to Seattle was open, she decide it to take it.

   “Did you called Christine?”, Yuki asked, “Yeah, dad”. “Did she said something.” “I got her machine.”. Yuki looked at his son’s eyes and very hoestly told him, “Son, you know I love you, and I would never lie to you, so please hear me. She will come to you, if she is the one, she will” “Dad, what if she doesn’t ?”. “Son, Do you believe in Christmas wishes?”, “I don’t know dad...” “You should.... trust me. Now how about if we go and have some Christmas fun, Heather and Pat and their families are coming for the Christmas party here tonight, so come one and help me out.” “Ok dad, Merry Christmas.” “You too son, by the way don’t go like I don’t know that you were checking your gift.” “How do you...” “Apolo I have been your father for 22 years, I know you still have your inner child”. “Yeah dad.”

   A heavy snow storm was coming to Seattle so the plane was going to be a little late, it was reschedule to land at 9:00 pm, but that didn’t changed anything, she was going.

   It was almost 9:00 pm everyone in the Ohno team was there having fun at Apolo’s and his dad’s house. They opened their gifts, were sharing laughs and many happy moments. Thou everything was great, Apolo still had on his mind Christine, and he wondered why she hasn’t called. He decided to pay attention to what his dad told him, and let destiny run is curse.

   It was 9:15 pm Christine was on a cap, getting to his house, she was hopping he was happy to see her, specially since she remembered she didn’t wished Apolo a Merry Christmas.

Chapter 20

   It was 9:30 pm, the kids were out side in the backyard playing with the falling snow, making snowmen and angels. Making the custom snow fights, all this while the grown ups were talking. Apolo decided to play with the kids, because it called his attention.

   Out of nowhere the door bell rings. “Apolo would you get that” Yuki said. Once Apolo headed to the door, he was thinking who can possibly be, everyone that needed to be there was there. Once he opened the door he just stood there looking at the person’d eyes. Christine had arrived.

   “Hi...um, I... was thinking. I forgot to wish you Merry Christmas, when you called... and well I love you... too” she said with light tears on her eyes. “I do love you, I’ve had for sometime now and well... here I am”. All he could do after such surprise was hold her hands and kisses her, a kiss that proved real love was there.

   It was more than just a kiss, I fell myself go with him, connecting in some sort of way I’ve never experienced. I felt his hands in my waist, pulling me into him, and that’s when I knew we were meant to be. Destiny did wanted us together, who knew?

   He gently broke the kiss, “I love you” he said with a smile that showed her his genuine desire to be with her. “Come in, you must be freezing.” “Thank you”. “Here, let me take that, dad has been asking for you.” “Great I can wait to see him.”

   After a few seconds, Yuki was surprised that his son didn’t arrived so he decided to check what was up, that’s when he noticed his son talking with a recognizable girl. “Christine?” “Yuki” she ran to him and hugged him “Merry Christmas, how are you?” “I’m pretty good, how about you?” “I’m good, right now I am.” “I’m glad you are here, well honey what are you waiting for go out there, Heather is out there and the team and well basically everyone.” he said very happy. “Well first I’m going to the bathroom, because the trip was non-stop” “Oh, ok. You know the way.”

   As Christine went to the bathroom, Apolo hugged his father “Thank you dad.” “For what?” “Didn’t you called her?” he said with a doubtful look in his eyes, “NO”. “Then ...” Yuki interrupted him, “Apolo, son, what did I told you earlier today?”, “To help you in with the party?” Apolo replied in a joking tone, “Besides that?”, “I know that, to trust in the magic of Christmas.”. Putting his hand on his shoulder; his dad replied, “There you go...Now I’ll wait for you guys out here, ok” “Ok dad”.

   As Yuki headed out to his guests, Christine came out more refreshed. “Come on” Apolo said taking her hand “lets see everyone”, “Ok”. Already outside, Apolo announces her arrival, “Hey guys, here is my girlfriend Christine, she finally arrived” Everyone said hi and they all started talking.

- THE END -