Gym Rats - Jackson Olson x OC

38

Cecelia's POV

The rest of my time in Paris is spent meeting celebrities, watching gymnastics, watching the men's basketball team win gold (while sitting next to Micheal Phelps, which we talked a lot about the Orioles), getting to know other athletes, meeting Elmo and Cookie Monster, and being involved in plenty of interviews. But today's interview is special, because I get to be on the Today show. It's the day before the closing ceremony, so I can't help to think about the fact that I'll see Jackson soon.

I made sure to put my bananas earrings in my ears, making sure my medals are hung around my neck carefully, wearing my grey Team USA tracksuit again. I get to take it home with me, and I don't know if I'll ever take it off.

I'm introduced to everyone who will be interviewing me, before we sit down and get ready to roll. Savannah and Hoda are the ones interviewing me.

"Cecelia, you shocked us all breaking the World Record last week," Hoda says to me, "Now that the dust has settled, does it feel real?"

I tuck my hair behind my ears, "No. It still doesn't feel real. Even with the extra weight on my neck."

"Beating the Australians in the total medal count and the gold medal count, what does that feel like?" Savannah asks.

"We knew it was going to be a tough battle all the way through, and I'm happy I could help contribute to the teams' success. But, if you were to ask my competitive flame, I'm pretty happy I can go home with that bragging right too."

"Show us those nails, I just think they're so cute! Tell us more about this team you coach," Savannah says. I show my nails to the girls before showing off my frogs to the camera.

"Well, I joined the frogs when I was eight. I swam year round for them until I turned 18. I started coaching at 15. So, in total... I've been there for 14 years. So I did little frogs on my thumbs for my swimmers."

"That's so sweet of you," Savannah says, "We have this picture of you and your coach from your first year on the frogs." I look over at the teleprompter to see Sean giving me a piggyback ride at a summer swim meet, something he frequently did when I was younger. "What is you and your coach's bond like?"

"Sean is the best. When I moved to Savannah he helped me a lot through the loss of my brother. He became my brother, and he's always there for me. I couldn't have asked for anyone better to be my coach. He sacrificed everything for me."

"Your brother passed away when you were seven, right?" Savannah asks as I nod, "You told us he was the one who introduced you to swimming. What does this mean, to have this experience after a loss like that?"

"I think it's an ode to my perseverance. When he passed away, I kept swimming, and I swam through my tears. My brother would not have wanted me to quit swimming, he loved it so much, so I absorbed his love and combined it with my own. I just love my sport so much and I'm happy to give back to it."

"You are truly an inspiration. What is next for Cecelia Brown?" Hoda asks.

"I have my eyes set on LA, but when I go back home I'll be spending time with my loved ones, seeing the Savannah Bananas and coaching my team with Sean."

"Is that what those bananas earrings are for? Those are adorable!" Hoda exclaims.

I put my hand up to my earlobe to show them off with a big smile, "Yes! My boyfriend Jackson gave them to me before I left," I say, not even realizing I just hard launched my relationship.

"That is so sweet! I bet you're just on top of the world right now," Savannah says.

"I am. I truly am."

Hoda closes out, "Well, thank you so much for joining us, enjoy the rest of your time in Paris."

"Thank you guys."

————

I flew home from Paris with my parents, Lola and Sean, and we arrive back at the airport, nothing short of exhausted. Sean's wife graciously agreed to take him and my parents home, since they live in the same neighborhood, and Lola and I are getting picked up by Jackson to head back downtown. After my parents and Sean say goodbye to me, Lola and I head over to where Jackson's location is. My heart pounds, it's been over two weeks. I left him as an Olympian and returned an Olympic gold and silver medalist.

When I see him, his eyes are scanning the crowds for me. When our eyes lock, I'm immediately in tears. Lola takes my suitcases and swim bag from me as I run over and jump into his arms. This sparks a ton of laughter from Jackson, who holds me up with ease, before we connect our lips again and now it feels like I never left.

"I had this whole thing planned out to say to you... and I just... I don't know what to say anymore Cecelia. You... I mean... you're a star."

I rest my head on his shoulder as he continues, taking in his scent over and over again.

"Not just your races, but all of your interviews and everything else... God I just... I love you."

I sit upright in his arms as he gently puts me down. I'm paralyzed, but I quickly respond with, "I love you too."

Jackson and I lean in for another kiss, this time it feels a lot stronger, a lot more passionate than all the ones before it. I don't want to let go of him. I'm here for him now. An entire month where I can focus on him and helping him with his passion.

"Loving you is so easy, Cece. I don't get why any man couldn't do it before."