#mateo ward

The first movie was a general family favorite by now; Armageddon. They all knew it, even Libby and Izzy, so there was mostly talking and eating. 

Liam: Do you ever talk? They looked at Izzy who looked back at the older dragon and nodded. Like most times they visited it was Libby that did all the talking while Izzy mostly kept to themselves and quiet. Libby: He does, just not that often, besides, I talk enough for both of us! Rylan: That’s the truth! There was a chuckle, Liam looking over at Izzy, who for once seemed to have a small smile on his face. He wondered though, what had made Izzy so quiet but decided not to push it. Liam: Maybe one day huh?

Again a nod from the younger dragon, as Liam went back to focusing more on the other ones and what they were all talking about, letting Izzy sit and listen to them as they would usually do. After a couple of hours of chatting, laughing, and random quiet moments where someone asked Izzy something until Libby answered for them as usual, Fannar and Arlo came to take their two home with them. The rest of the evening and night vanished in movies and well, way too much candy.

Ibuki had started learning how to make nectar and wine in his free time with the hope of being able to sell his own when he was done with school. Following his dad's advice he had taken courses in accounting so he could manage himself. But also had some help from his dad to begin with.

Kaylin on the other hand, had finally decided that she wanted to be a journalist and took summer classes to get into the courses she wanted for the final year of college.

Watching the six teens, soon young adults sitting in the living room, Emil just smiled as he brought them their snacks for the evening. If he was honest, Ye-Min had been with them so much now, that she felt a little like one of his kids, even though he knew she wasn’t.

She did call both of them uncles by now, so they were family at least. Kaylin and Ibuki often came over as well so he had the thing he once only dreamed of having, a family, one that felt just right. Feeling a familiar hand in his, he looked over at Flynn who smiled back at him. 

Flynn: I think we did okay with them don’t you? Emil. Yeah, I wonder what their life has in store for them. Flynn: Ups and downs is my guess. But they are lucky, they have their family and friends to fall back on when they need to. 

Emil nodded, they knew their kids would come back to them if something bothered them, and that was something he was happy about. Rylan often talked with Chris as well as them, while Tyvan often talked with his grandpa River if his parents weren’t home and he needed an answer.

River: And we are never far away, so if we need to come, all you do is call.

He was a little worried, but mostly he felt pride. Liam had managed all he had set his mind to over the last year. His grades had gone up, and this place had become his dream cafe. Looking over at Flynn he smiled. Somehow he had been so lucky with both his kids, both had been able to follow their dream, although one had perhaps had a rougher trip to it. Flynn: What? River: Nah, just an old man being happy and nostalgic at the same time.

Flynn chuckled, he had a good idea what his dad was thinking about, they had talked about it enough times after all. But he could in all honesty say that all he was, was happy for his brother, and that he had his dream already in his hands, and was ready to step into it. 

The day after everyone was there for the opening. Silver stood in his new paddock alongside Shade, Lucy and Rosa, whom he had taken from the shelter to stay with him. A few of the more calm and comfortable pets had already claimed some spots they felt were now theirs. The place itself smelled of newly baked goods and of course coffee.

They talked for a while longer, until there were more yawns than words, and sleep finally managed to grasp all three of them. The day after it was up early, Rylan left them at breakfast along with Ye-Min and their coach to prepare for the free program. The rest met up with family outside the arena, taking some time to just walk around before they went in to watch. They had been placed almost in the middle of the field, so even after they were done, there would be an awfully long wait for everyone. 

Flynn: I think that's the best free run I have ever seen them do. Emil: Agreed.. Now, to wait. Liam: I hate waiting.

There was a chuckle from everyone, as they all agreed that they really had outdone themselves. And had a firm grip on the first position for now. The question was, would it be enough? The answer to that question was only in their possession 2 hours later, when the final list glowed over the ice. 

Tyvan: They did it!

Their performance in the free program had snagged them third place, and with that, a ticket to the Olympics. And although they all knew these two loved winning, they had a feeling that this ticket was as big a thing as the win would have been. Watching the ceremony, they knew that they would stay one more day for the Gala show that would be the next day, where the contestants would just show off a routine made more for fun.

Chris took Arlo, Fannar and the two kids to their home, so Arlo could rest up. Fannar made sure to hug everyone before they left, and of course mentioned just how proud he was of his nephew and his ice skating partner.

An hour later, they were all snuggled inside the cozy living room, with a takeout from Carl’s son’s new idea for his restaurant. To not only have people come in, but to cater to special occasions when they needed a bigger or perhaps a more quiet place.

Flynn: So what is next? Odette: Well, we’ll be taken along with the national team, and we’ll get to go all over the world and skate against their best. I should get all the info during the two next weeks, and then we’ll plan around that. Rylan: It feels almost unreal, and big. Ye-Min: It really does. Emil: Well it is big, but also very real.  Odette: And so well deserved. You two, have put so much effort into this, so much of your hearts, and right now I feel like the sky is almost not even your limit.

A smile was shared between Rylan and Ye-Min, they had put their heart and soul into this, and they still loved it as much as the first time they had started to skate together. After some toasts and rounds of praise, the rest of the evening went to them all just chatting, about what was coming, school, and just everyday things. 

Rylan: He’ll get there, I think they're noticing more and more his heart is not in school. 

The two of them kept talking for a while, until Tyvan noticed his twin was no longer answering, which meant he had fallen asleep. He had always been the one of the two that stayed up longer, so he took up a book to read until he too fell asleep. The day after felt like it came much too soon, and before anyone felt ready, they were back at the venue, and if they thought they had been nervous the day before, it was nothing compared to how it felt now. It all came down to their free program, all their practice and hard work was for this.

Emil: I think I will need a reminder on how to breathe today. Libby: I’ll remind you.-they smiled sitting next to Emil.- after I remind myself.

Emil smiled and nodded, the nerve of this was really getting to all of them, they all knew how important this was for the two of them so naturally it became important to all of them as well. The worst part was that they were the last couple out, so it would be a long wait for all of them.

Hayden: Okay.. here we go.

He held Vy’s hand, realizing he had not been this nervous in about as long as he could remember, and from the look on his beloved’s face as well as his parent's he was not alone. It was the longest four minutes anyone could remember, with nerves jolting up with every lift, jump and movement.

He pointed at the vip boxes, the other one next to where Ye-Min’s parents were. Flynn nodded, he had been in on the planning for all this, it simply meant, apart from Chris who was working, everyone in the family was here to witness what might be their first win.

Flynn: I see someone waving for you, good luck now, both of you.

A round of hugs later, they watched as the two made their way to their coach, to start preparing for the short program, which was as always, the first real indicator of how things would go. While they were preparing, the family found their seats, chatting and talking between them.

Liam: Isn’t that…

He stopped, as the person they had seen for just a few seconds vanished. For just a minute they had thought it was Amuary, but they had walked out too soon for him to see properly, but he had noted what he thought was a police uniform.

Liam: Never mind, it was nothing after all. 

Rylan: Uncle Fan!

Everyone noticed the white haired man smiling at them. Flynn had told him about this day, but to see him here put a huge smile on his face. He simply had not expected it.

Fannar: Now I missed last year, I am not missing this year. Libby: Us too! -they smiled and pointed at Izzy who was also standing there.- We are all here to see you win!

Emil lifted an eyebrow, they had been told about the change in Libby, but this was the first time they saw the much more masculine frame they now had.

Rylan: Hopefully, yes. Tyvan: Meh, he is just being modest - they wink- do you guys have a seat close to us? Fannar: We do, while Lucas and your uncle is up there with Arlo, as this would be too much for him to sit close to, but he wanted to come.