After all these years, Mickey's Dining Car was still standing and still running.

Gordon Bombay was grateful for the dining car, as it was one of the few things that had stayed the same over the years. He was still working with the Junior Goodwill Games during hockey season, but his home was in Minneapolis and during off-season, he worked as a lawyer and spent time with his wife, high school principal Michele McKay. Their favorite spot to eat was the longstanding dining car.

They had gotten very close as a result of the games and had eventually married in a quiet ceremony with only the former Ducks and Jan in attendance. Jan owned the skate shop and had sold part of it to him over the years because he was getting older and wanted it to stay 'in the family' even after he was gone.

The only difference about the diner was that Casey Conway, who had become Casey Rogers after remarrying, now owned it and hired locals to work. Most locals felt sorry for her and did whatever they could to help because her husband, Blake Rogers, had been caught molesting his daughter and other local girls and had been busted when Charlie had spoken up. Casey had eventually forgiven Charlie for talking, but Blake's daughter hadn't gotten along with Casey for the rest of her teen years and had eventually moved out to UCLA to get as far away from Casey and the memories as she could get.

Bombay sighed softly, smiling as Casey came over to the table with a fresh pot of coffee, "Hey there, Gordon," Casey spoke in a kind voice. "Do you want some coffee while you wait?"

"Only if you don't tell Michele," Bombay replied, offering his cup. "She wants me to cut down…"

Casey smiled flirtatiously, as her divorce was final and she had always had eyes for Gordon Bombay, but Bombay simply offered a tiny smile. He had never forgiven her for trying to make Michele feel worthless over her inability to have children and he was perfectly content with Michele because of her personality.

Once the coffee had been poured, Casey moved back behind the counter and put the pot back just as the door opened. Charlie Conway, a co-owner and business manager for Hans's Sport Shop, came into the rickety old diner wearing a trenchcoat over jeans and a sweater with a pair of sneakers that his kids had pooled their money together for and had bought him last Christmas. Gordon smiled at the young man.

"Coach," Charlie said in a warm voice as he approached Bombay's table. "How are you?"

Bombay smiled, "I can't complain," he replied calmly. "I'm supposed to fly out to Los Angeles in a few weeks to chair the Goodwill Coaching Awards. Don't spread it around, but Adam Banks is nominated."

"Sara told me when I last talked to her on the phone," Charlie replied calmly. "Adam coaches his sons, Ryan and Kevin, in the teams he oversees. Andrew's too young and Gabby can't skate well yet."

Bombay smiled, "The last game of the season is being played in a couple days and Linda and I are going to fly there tonight and hang out with our family a couple days before the game," Charlie explained, unaware that Casey was listening from the counter and scowling at Charlie because he got to talk to Sara and she didn't. "Did you want to come with us?"

"I'll wait to see Adam when Michele and I go out in a couple weeks," Bombay replied softly.

Charlie nodded, "I haven't been able to travel without Michele since I married her because I miss her too much," Bombay commented, a smile on his face. "Maybe I can organize a party at Goldberg's for the game and we can watch it on the big screen. Goldberg did quite the remodel after his dad died…"

Suddenly, beeping filled the air and Charlie looked out the window to see a black van at the curb, "Oh, Linda's already here with the kids," he spoke apologetically. "I'm sorry, Coach, but I have to run because Emily's got a recital beforehand and James is also in the car. The airport's right after the recital."

"Charlie, take this to your sister," Casey spoke up as she came around the counter with a bag in her hand. "These are some things I thought she might like to have that I don't need anymore."

Charlie nodded, took the bag, and hugged Casey before leaving, "Can I get you anything else?" Casey asked, her eyes still on the van at the curb. "Oh, I wish those kids would forgive me already."


The Amarama Youth Rink had only been in Los Angeles for a few years, but it was one of the top rinks in the entire county. Coach Adam Banks was not only the main coach of the PeeWee team for his area, he was also manager of the rink and youth programs. His dual degree in Business Management and Recreational Management had allowed him to build quite the name for himself over the years.

Despite the fame and accolades that had come from his hard work, Adam kept himself very grounded and made sure that his sons and daughter all stayed level-headed. The fact that his wife, Sara Rogers, was a teacher for at-risk youths in the city helped him and her keep the kids humble and grounded.

His parents hadn't approved of Sara, as she was the daughter of someone in prison and a low-class diner owner, and they hadn't come to the wedding. Adam hadn't cared, though, as he loved Sara and had loved her since they had gone to high school prom together. She made his hard work worth doing.

The sound of skates on the ice brought Adam back to his senses and he turned to watch as the many players, including his two oldest sons, played scrimmage. From what Adam could see on the clock above the ice, practice was nearly over. Letting out a sigh, Adam lifted his whistle and blew it.

Almost immediately, the scrimmage stopped and several young men skated over to him, their practice jerseys soaked in sweat. Smiles adorned their faces even though most of them were sweaty.

"That was a good practice," Adam said encouragingly. "All of you are dismissed for the day."

Chatter filled the air as most of the team went to the bench except for Ryan and Kevin, "Guys, come on!" Adam called out, sighing. "We have to get home so I can get to the airport before the flight!"

"Adam!"

Adam turned and smiled at seeing his wife, Sara, standing there holding a pink box, "Guys, it's a pastry attack!" he called out to the bench before turning to his wife. "I thought you had tutoring?"

"My appointment begged off and so I decided to come a little early," Sara replied, laughing as the team hurried over to her, all of them eager for donuts. "How about some Krispy Kremes, kids?"

More cheers filled the ice and Sara left the box on one of the benches before going over to Ryan and Kevin, "Guys, get your donuts and get changed," she spoke in a firm voice. "You've got homework."

12 year-old Ryan and nine-year old Kevin groaned, but did as they were told, "Charlie, Linda, James, and Emily are going to fly out right after Emily's piano recital," Sara explained gently, sighing as she brushed her blonde hair out of her eyes. "I prepared the spare rooms. Do you think we have enough?"

Adam smiled and gave Sara a kiss just as Ryan came over to them holding a donut, "Can Kevin and I skate with you and Uncle Charlie after the game tomorrow, Dad?" Ryan asked eagerly.

"Maybe," Adam replied in a kind voice. "Team, take your donuts and hit the showers!"

As the team went off to the showers, Adam quickly gathered up the equipment he used for drills and bagged everything up. Once Ryan and Kevin were ready and the rest of the team had left, the Banks family went to the van. Adam and Sara loaded the equipment while Kevin and Ryan watched. Gabrielle and Andrew watched eagerly from the car.

"Can I come to the airport with you tonight, Dad?" Ryan asked eagerly. "I wanna see Uncle Charlie."

Adam sighed, "You can see them when they get to the house," he replied firmly. "Remember that deal we made about you keeping up on your schoolwork if I let you play hockey? It still stands."

Ryan scoffed, but nodded obediently because his parents had always let him and his siblings try whatever sports they wanted as long as they put school first, "Yes, Dad," he replied calmly.


By the time Adam was ready to drive to LAX, a rainstorm had erupted and all three boys ultimately decided that they would rather stay home and use their free time to play Nintendo. Gabrielle, however, had begged and pleaded to go to the airport and Adam had eventually given into her gentle pleas. Gabrielle was considered the miracle child to her parents, as they hadn't expected any more after Andrew was born because of his difficult birth and it was very hard to tell the five year-old no.

Now, as Adam drove through the storm, Gabrielle Banks sat buckled up in her carseat with a stuffed animal and book to keep her busy. She wasn't bothered by the storm at all; she was just happy to be with her dad. Adam, however, was bothered by the storm and knew it would be a rough ride to LAX.

Lightning flashed and Adam slowed down; the freeway was approaching and he needed to take his time if he wanted to make it to the airport in one piece. Most of his fellow coaches thought he was over-cautious in everything he did, but it was that approach to responsibility that made him successful.

"Daddy, I found another thing in the I SPY book!" Gabrielle spoke excitedly. "A blue turtle."

Adam smiled as he looked in his rear-view mirror, "You're really good with those books, sweetie," he replied, pleased that his daughter was so gifted in reading. "Should I buy you a new one?"

Gabrielle giggled and Adam frowned as a semi suddenly started to pass them at a very fast speed, "What the…?" he said in an anxious voice, his eyes widening as the semi suddenly swerved. "Oh, no…"

The truck swerved several times due to the slippery road before slamming into Adam's van, sending it towards a ditch not far from the exit to LAX. Gabrielle screamed as the van flipped and landed in the ditch while the semi hit the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

Noise, screaming, and loud claps of thunder filled the air as Adam passed out on the steering wheel.


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