My gaze met the two other girls—my new teammates. We all had the same pink rimmed eyes and puffy cheeks from happy tears. Once the final girl was called after I was, and then the two alternates, we stood in a straight line next to each other.
It wasn't real. It had to be a dream.
"Give another round of applause for your 2020 women’s gymnastics team!" the announcer said enthusiastically, and the crowd erupted.
Flashes from multiple cameras flickered in front of my face. We raised our wrapped bouquets of flowers in the air as red, white, and blue paper confetti exploded from the ceiling. The national anthem played in the distance. Streamers crisscrossed the air above us. I glanced up and smiled as the colors fell around us like snow. It was the coolest thing ever that I giggled to myself. I couldn't believe I'd made it. I was still in shock.
The men's team, who'd been selected earlier, were welcomed to the stage. We all exchanged hugs under the blowing confetti and congratulated each other. Group pictures were taken, then we were finally disbursed to find our loved ones and coaches.
I walked over to Madeline and gave her a massive bear hug. She was like a proud parent and that made me feel so good to know I made her happy. There were tears in her throat as she sang her praise. Happiness burst through me. She worked with me just as hard as Kova did. She earned this too.
One of the people from the committee came over to speak to Madeline. Just before she left, she looked up and spotted someone behind me. Brows creased between her eyes, she pointed at me, nodded her head, then quickly turned away. It was chaos on the floor and she was gone in the blink of an eye.
I turned around, and through the people crisscrossing in front of me, I realized she was talking to Kova.
Our eyes locked, and something clicked into place. I weaved through the crowd, my feet carting me to him automatically.
Without a care in the world, Kova got down on one knee and I walked straight into his arms. I cried again. His strength I'd needed to get to this point embraced me immediately. Kova gave me a real hug. His hand cupped the back of my neck and his fingers gently pressed into my skin. I drew in a breath, and softly let go, crying into his neck. I'd—we'd—been through so much for this moment, and I wanted to live in it with him for as long as I could. My heart felt full as he held me to his chest.
"Malysh, pozdravlyayu," he said over and over only for me to hear. When I'd finally caught my breath, he said, "Let us find your father." I nodded.
Releasing me, Kova looked at my face. We were eye level. He used his thumbs to wipe away my tears, then without thinking, he took my hand and guided me to where Dad and Sophia were standing. The moment I spotted my parents, I blindly handed Kova my bouquet and then ran to the tall wall that separated the athletes and coaches from the fans.
My father’s eyes were glossy, which caused my lips to tremble again. He was beaming from ear to ear like he was going to burst. Saying he was ecstatic was an understatement. I'd never seen a smile like that on his face, one that screamed how proud he was of me and that he loved me. He held his arms open, waiting. I jumped on the white folding chair against the wall with one foot to reach him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. My eyes closed. He hugged me like he never wanted to let go. His back shook as he squeezed me, and his head was in the curve of my neck. I could hear the clicking from the cameras next to us and my name being called. I felt his hot breath as he released his emotions. Dad gave me a long hug. Despite all the despair we'd both endured lately, none of that was a thought in our minds. It was all forgotten as we celebrated this uphill battle together.
Dad pulled back and that was when I realized he'd shed a few tears himself. My eyes watered. I softened even more.
"Adrianna, I can't believe it!" He laughed somewhere between being happy and filled with so much emotion that he clearly wasn't used to. "I was on the edge of my seat waiting. Congratulations, sweetie! I can't believe it!"
I grinned. Dad was in shock.
"Thanks, Dad."
"How do you feel?"
I shrugged, the massive smile still decorating my face. "I think I'm in shock. I don't really know what to feel yet."
"I'm so proud of you. This is by far the best day of my life. Well, the best day since you and your brother were born."
Giggling, I glanced to my right and caught sight of Sophia. She wore a bittersweet expression that made my heart hurt a little. I stepped onto the next chair and reached for her. She embraced me immediately and I felt the same thing with her as I did when I hugged my dad. Her back was vibrating with feelings.
"Congratulations, Adrianna," she said ever so softly. "I'm sorry for crying," she said, and I laughed lightly.
"It's okay. Thank you," I said in return, smiling sweetly.
I used the back of my hand to wipe under my eyes. I was sure my mascara was leaking everywhere but I didn't really care. Sophia straightened her back while Dad stepped closer to her side. He wrapped an arm around her petite shoulders, pulling her to him. She went willingly. I watched with a gentle smile as they looked at each other like honored parents. Their eyes glistened and my heart felt the longing between them. Sophia closed her eyes as Dad leaned in to kiss her temple. It was so sweet that I stared at them, unable to look away.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Madeline walk over to us and speak to Kova. Behind her, the confetti still floated like something out of a fairy tale. Kova stepped back and gave Madeline a deep nod, then turned to me. She strode away with a clipboard secured to her side.
"We have to go. You are required to take team photos and do an interview with the news station."
I glanced at Dad and Sophia. "I have to go—"
"Go," he said with a nod of his chin. "We'll see you guys for dinner tonight."
I was momentarily caught off guard. Dad answered my questioning gaze.
His eyes glistened with love despite everything. "Dinner with you and your coaches. Both of them."
My nostrils flared as I fought to keep the tears at bay. Flattening my lips, my jaw trembled as my vision blurred. I was overcome with heartfelt gratitude. He didn't have to do that. Dad was extending an olive branch and I respected the hell out of him for that. My heart was pounding so hard. I was relieved this wasn't as tense as I thought it might be. I gave Dad one last goodbye hug, then I climbed down from the chair and turned around and met Kova's emotive gaze.
"Adrianna will be back later," Kova said to Dad.
My eyes widened. That caught me by surprise. I hadn't seen them exchange more than two words since we flew here.
"She has obligations for the team that must be met before she leaves tomorrow," Kova added.
Dad's expression gave nothing away. I knew it wasn't easy for him to speak to Kova, let alone look at him, but he was, and he was doing it for me.
Agreeing, Dad smiled and applauded me one last time.
"Let us go."
Kova opened his palm up to me and I took it without another thought. We walked through the flurry of confetti together toward the double doors with smiles etched on our faces.
There was no turmoil, no heartache, no secrets.
It was just us, together, living my dream.
Twenty-Two