NOTE: This is a unique chapter as it is told in both Rosaura and Xavier's POVs. Additionally, there are many time jumps so Xavier's pov will be normal while Rosaura's will be italicized.

Xavier | Rosaura

3 Days after the Nationals

He called her once again, she didn't pick up. Ten missed calls. He looked through the window outside. The snow fell softly into white powdery blankets, he knew deep within his heart he had lost her. There was nothing left for him here anymore, he needed to return back to his team, his people. The only thing was, Rosaura was one of his people too. He laughed bitterly before purchasing his ticket back. This entire trip had been a fucking waste.

2 Days after the Nationals

Rosaura stood at the cemetery and watched as the casket was lowered into the ground. Haya's fingers encapsulated hers tightly. Who knew that it would be there mother's death the brought them closer. Rosaura wished to see her mothers smile once more but she knew it wasn't possible. She felt her phone buzzing again and knew it was probably Xavier calling her. She didn't answer. One heartbreak was enough at a time.

After the funeral Rosaura explained to Haya that she was leaving.

"Where will you go?" her sister asked.

Rosaura gave her a sad smile. "I don't know, but I can't stay here."

Haya nodded before giving her a tight hug that felt like their mother's. Rosaura almost burst into tears right then and there.

10 Days after the Nationals

Xavier felt an emptiness inside of him that he hadn't expected. He was with the boys again, they were winning games, but he missed Rosaura. He could not longer visit the history museum without being assaulted with the memories of their date. She had destroyed his love for the museum. He was pathetic, foolish. He turned to the drink in his hands and swallowed once more. His throat burnt but at least it would take away the pain temporarily. Anything was better than a heartbreak.

5 Days after the Nationals

It was not easy explaining to Val that she needed a break.

"This is ridiculous Rosaura, it's supposed to be us together until the Olympics."

She fixed him a sad smile and continued packing her suitcase. "But there is no Olympics is there?"

"But there could be," Val pleaded. "We have a chance to make it for the 2022 Olympics."

Rosaura shook her head. "I need a break from skating. It's become a chore now, and as much as I love you, I need a break from you as well. The two of us have always been together but I need to do some exploring on my own."

Val paused, as if realizing how serious she truly was. He closed the distance between them and pulled her in a hug. "Email me on occasion, even if its just to say hi."

74 Days after the Nationals

Xavier hoisted the Memorial Cup above his shoulders. A sense of euphoria filled his body as he looked towards the stands and saw his parents and Brea cheering him on. It was his last year in the league and he had captured the cup and the MVP title as well.

When Rosaura left him, it impacted him a lot. He felt alone at times and wanted to wash his sorrows with a few beers. However, he focused his efforts hockey and they seemed to pay off. The hole was slowly starting to mend itself.

As Xavier passed the cup to the next player and he thought that the next time he would hoist a cup, it would be the Stanley Cup.

85 Days after the Nationals

Rosaura was nervous as she looked at the university in front of her. It had been a spur of the moment decision but somehow, she vowed to take a couple of kinesiology courses during the summer.

It was nice to get her mind off of skating. In fact, she hadn't touched the ice in weeks. Instead, she absorbed herself in the culture of Germany and all that it had to offer. Looking at the university once more, Rosaura stepped forward. She could do this.

111 Days after the Nationals

Xavier nervously fixed his tie. His Mama and Papa were seated on either side of him. Brea was next to his Mama.

"The San Jose Sharks are proud to select Xavier Hommes from the London Knights for their third overall pick."

Xavier stood up and hugged both his parents. California was quite a distance away from London, but he would be going to a good team. Smiling broadly, Xavier made his way on stage a happy man.

112 Days after the Nationals

"He was selected third overall, I'm so proud of him." Val said over the phone.

Rosaura nodded absentminded as her finger traced over the rose necklace. She couldn't convince herself to part ways from it so it still hung around her neck. Val continued talking about Xavier and Rosaura couldn't tell him to shut up and drop the subject. A part of her wanted to know what he was doing, how he was living. She didn't tell Val that she had stayed up to watch the draft. She was proud of him for going after his dreams to play in the NHL. He deserved every part of it.

What she didn't know, was why she still missed him so much. She tried submerging herself into her classes, but occasionally her thoughts would swivel towards him. It was toxic for her, and she knew it.

289 Days after the Nationals

Xavier had never felt more alone on Christmas then he did today. His apartment was empty, the tree half done. There was no snow in California, something he dearly missed. It just didn't seem like Christmas.

It was just last year that him and Rosaura sat to decorate the Christmas tree. If felt like an eternity away. The last few months were tough on him. In between being the rookie, living alone, and trying to improve himself, Xavier hadn't given Rosaura a thought. But sitting alone, he missed her warmth. He only wished that she was happy wherever she was.

1 year after the Nationals

Rosaura stepped onto the ice for the first time in a year. It felt weird but also freeing. The memories of what happened the last time she was on the ice didn't disappear, but they didn't crowd her anymore either.

Her time on the ice was different from when she trained for competitions. She didn't have to be so strict with her movements, she could move her limbs however she pleased. She was learning to love skating once again.

1 1/2 year after the Nationals

There was a beautiful girl staring at him from across the bar. It wasn't unusual but the fact that she didn't approach him was.

"Are you going to talk to her?" His teammate Mike asked from beside him noticing the exchange.

"Nah," Xavier responded.

Mike pushed him of his chair. "Stop being a chicken and go get the girl. I never see you hanging around chicks, it's about time that you did."

With a nervous smile, Xavier did exactly that.

2 1/2 year after the Nationals

Rosaura waited nervously at the airport. It had been nearly two years since she last saw Val. They still spoke to one another on occasion, however, a meeting in person would be quite different. When she spoke to him three days ago, she expressed her interest in competing again. Val was surprised but happy and he had jumped on the next flight to Germany.

"Rosaura," a voice called from behind her.

She turned around to see Val with his luggage trailing behind. He pulled her in a tight hug and tears formed in the corner of her eyes. It seemed everything would be well again.

2 ¾ year after the Nationals

"I can't do this anymore." His girlfriend Rebecca said with tears in her eyes. "I love you, but you just can't love me the same way."

"That's not true," Xavier said quietly. "I love you, a lot."

Rebecca smiled bitterly. "But not in the way I do."

She slammed that door shut and Xavier watched as he got dumped for the second time. But it was weird. He wasn't heartbroken as he had once been. Rebecca was nice, but they were growing distant through the months. If he was truly honest, he expected something like this. Nevertheless, he went to the shelf and picked up the beer and settled down on his couch. Flipping the channel, he tuned into the hockey game. 

3 Years after the Nationals

Rosaura sat across from Val eating Breakfast.

"Are you okay to practice at a later time today?"

Rosaura finished chewing the pancake before she spoke, "why?"

"Well I have a date," Val mumbled.

Rosaura smirked. "Who's the lucky girl?"

"It's just someone I met..."

Rosaura badgered Val for more details, but he wouldn't budge. His date reminded her of the time that she would be pushing practice to spend more time with Xavier. She wondered how he was doing...

3 ½ years after the Nationals

Xavier hoisted the cup above his head with a smile on his face. It had taken three years, but the boys and him and done it.

They won the Stanley Cup.

All the blood, sweat, and tears over the last decade paid off. Xavier was ecstatic. His dreams finally came true. It was surreal but by the fans chanting his teams name and the family members gathered on the ice, he knew he had done it. He achieved what he had sought out to achieve. It seemed like centuries ago he sat with Rosaura and told her about him ambition, and now he reached the top. Briefly, he considered if she also achieved her dreams. But with the champagne flying from his teammates, he turned to face the metal cup and focused on them instead.

4 years after the Nationals

"Congratulations. I'm proud to announce on behalf of Skate Canada that you will be one of the three ice dancing couples that will be representing our country in Beijing."

Rosaura sighed in relief and tears started gathering in the corner of her eyes. Val pulled her in a tight hug.

"We did it," he whispered.

Rosaura laughed. "Not quiet yet, we still need to win the Olympics."

"We will do that as well." He replied with such certainty that even Rosaura believed him.

4 years and a couple of days after the Nationals

"I'm so proud of her." Brea said on the other line of the phone.

Xavier nodded absentmindedly as he scrolled the website refreshing it every few seconds. Today his captain and thrown a house party for everyone but Xavier left early. Most of his teammates hung around with their wives and kids and so it left Xavier feeling very lonely. Brea had called him just as he entered his house.

"She's going to Beijing." Brea said in an excited whisper.

Xavier nodded before realizing that she couldn't see the movement. Refreshing the page, he saw his name listed on the website and he leaped out of the chair with joy.

"Yes!"

"Wait, what's going on?" Brea asked on the other line.

"I made it on the team Canada roster for the Olympics! I'm going to Beijing!"

"You're going to Beijing!"

There was silence on the line for a while before Xavier asked a question he couldn't help himself from asking. "Is she single?"

He could imagine Brea's eyebrows raising in question, but she replied, "Yes."

They were both going to the Olympics and that's when Xavier knew fate was giving them another chance. And this time, Xavier was going to make sure he didn't screw up. He could get Rosaura back—or try until she flat out rejected him. Somehow, he had a good feeling about this. Giddily, Xavier booked his ticket. He was going to Beijing.

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So, what do you think is going to happen at the Olympics? Writing such short scenes was truly a different experience for me.