Disclaimer: All views are my own and SOME characters and Characterizations. No likey no ready
Me and Chris were still sitting rink side at the Dancing On Ice studios as the clock struck 10pm. We were both shattered; it had been a long day. I had coaching first thing tomorrow morning but had been told by the medics that I need to not work myself too hard (hence why I sat out of the rehearsal today.) I must have fallen asleep in Chris’s arms as next thing I knew everybody was off the ice and Chris was gently whispering my name.
“Karen darling, it’s time to go now.”
“Okay.” I said sitting up. “Are we staying in my office ready for tomorrow?”
“Yeah if you want.” Chris said picking up both of our skate bags and helping me up.
Luckily the rink where we train for Dancing On Ice is the same rink where I coach meaning we can just stay in my office overnight so we are there ready for tomorrows early start.
The next morning we were both up bright and early as Chris had offered to help me with my lessons.
“Who even wants a lesson at this time in the morning?” Chris said yawning as he got changed.
“Tell me about it.” I said standing on my tiptoes to kiss his lips.
At 6:30am we left the warmth of my office for the first lesson of the day. I’ll be honest, I struggled (again) with the pain in my stomach however I know that I have to put up with it for another 3-6 weeks so I better get used to it. After I had finished all of my lessons we went back to my office as the Dancing On Ice rehearsals were starting in under 10 minutes.
Our 10 minute break flew by and before we knew it we were back on the ice (me for only half of the session.) We had just begun with the first pair- Beth and Dan- when the studio door opened. None of us bothered to check who it was as security always dealt with callers.
“Miss Barber.” It was a member of the security team. I skated over to the barrier as Chris looked on.
“Yes.” I said.
“Miss Barber we have somebody wanting to speak to you.”
“Oh right, who is it?” I questioned stepping off the ice.
“Nicky Slater.”
I couldn’t believe what I just heard! To be honest I felt a little faint. Last time I saw Nicky it was years back when we were competing together. That was pretty short lived. He decided it wasn’t for him and the last I heard he was married and living happily ever after. He broke my heart, and there seemed to have been a lot of that in my life. I was young and stupid and it was some of the worst years of my life to be completely truthful.
“Jayne, I’m taking a quick break I shouted.”
“Ok Kaz.” She replied
I walked over to the door and as I was informed Nicky was stood on the other side.
“Hi Karen.” He said smiling.
“Hi, come in.” I said shutting the door behind him
We both sat down on the benches.
"I’m sorry about the past Karen, I never meant to leave you and there hasn’t been a single day that’s gone by that I haven’t regretted my decision.” He said.
“It’s all in the past.” I said with a smile.
We continued talking for a further 15 minutes before Jayne and Chris joined us. Nicky began talking to Jayne and Chris sat with his arms around me. I tuned out of the conversation and just concentrated on Chris. Then I heard something in the conversation that brought me back down to earth with a bump.
“How would you feel about Nicky joining the panel this year?” Jayne asked smiling
Oh god, I thought. This was going to be awkward. I just nodded my head in agreement; not even realising what I was doing.
“Great!” Jayne said. “So that’ll be you Robin, Jason and Nicky.”
Nicky stayed to watch the preparations for the show and myself and Chris sat out for a while.
“I’ll go and get you an ice pack darling.” Chris said kissing my forehead.
He came back a couple of minutes later with an ice pack for my stomach.
“Thanks.” I said as he placed the ice pack on the cut.
“No problem princess.”
A week later it was the day of the first live show of Dancing On Ice. I could feel the nerves setting in and I wasn’t even skating! Well, that’s what I thought... Everything was running smoothly and I and Chris were about to leave when a message came through on my phone.
“Who’s that darling?” Chris said kissing my forehead.
“Jayne.” I said opening the message. It read:Hi Kaz and Chris, I’m so sorry but won’t be able to attend tonight’s DOI show, feel rotten + kids also don’t seem to well. Perhaps you could skate with Chris tonight? Good luck, will be watching you xoxo
I showed Chris my phone.
“I’m up for it if you are.” He said taking hold of my hand.
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.” I said kissing his passionately.
We got in the car and drove to the studios. We now had the challenge of choreographing a whole new routine, finding costume and also the problem of my injury. When we arrived at the studios myself and Chris went straight to the costume department. As luck would have it there was a beautiful spare dress; just my size. It was a gorgeous pale pink colour and had crystals all over the floaty fabric. I tried it on and it was perfect, it reached a hand above my knee. We found Chris a matching tie and then we just had the choreography and music to deal with. Chris already had the music in mind and when he told me I agreed; we were skating to Breaking The Law by Emeli Sandè.
“Let the training commence.” Chris said as we got on the ice.
After 3 hours of gruelling nonstop work we had a perfect routine. It had been some of the most fun I had ever had on the ice! We just had time to inform everybody about what was going on before we had to head to makeup. I got into costume once my makeup was done and from then onwards the time flew by and before I knew it it was 5 minutes before our routine.
“You nervous?” Chris asked as we stood waiting to be welcomed to the ice.
Disclaimer: All views are my own and SOME characters and Characterizations. No likey no ready!
My heart was pounding as I was informed we had 2 minutes until our routine. Chris took hold of my hand and we waited in silence as the show started. Once Phil had welcomed the celebrities and their partners to the ice it was our turn.
“A little surprise for you all tonight,” I heard Phil announce. “As Jayne is off unwell, Chris is skating with the one and only Karen Barber. We hope Jayne is feeling better soon, but for now please welcome to the ice Karen Barber and Christopher Dean!”
We skated on hand in hand and my legs were trembling as the audience roared. It just felt like there was so much expected of me and I didn’t want to let Chris or the Dancing On Ice team down. This was it. We took our starting positions and the music began. As the song started I relaxed and began to enjoy the routine, after all, it’s not every day you skate with the one you love the most on national television! When the routine finished Chris threw his arms around me and kissed me passionately.
“I love you.” He whispered into my ear.
“Not as much as I love you.” I replied with a smile.
My stomach was beginning to hurt again but it was all worth it. You could barely hear Philip speak over the crowd. It was a totally magical moment. It wiped the smile off Jason’s smug face I can tell you that. Nicky and Robin were also on their feet and after a stern look from Christine, Jason stood up too. We skated off the ice and spoke to Christine and Phil before filming stopped as it was the first add break. Myself and Chris literally ran through the corridors before he picked me up and carried me the rest of the way. We only had 5 minutes so we quickly got changed before returning to the rink, myself to the judging panel and Chris to his normal seat.
The routines were amazing and the evening went extremely quickly. Before we knew it, the first half of the show was over and we were onto the 45 minute break before the results. I went back with Chris to his dressing room to relax.
“I’m so proud of you.” Chris said as we lay on the bed.
“Thank you handsome.” I said placing my head on his chest
We relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of our free time before finally getting up to smarten ourselves up.
“God these look like they could do with an iron!” I said with a laugh.
“Perhaps lying down wasn’t such a good idea.” Chris said looking in the wardrobe for something else to wear.
He pulled out a black suit and his favourite of all of my dresses. It was red strappy and above the knee, he had always said it really suited me. I put on my black stilettos and we were ready.
We walked down to the rink and took our seats for the results show. We found out that the first celebrity out was Pamela Anderson which was a surprise to us all and by the end of the night I was ready for bed.
The rest of the week I spent at the rink with Chris practicing for the next show. Everything was going to plan and it was the second half of the celebrities performing this week. The week seemed to fly by and before we knew it, it was already Saturday, meaning it was one day until the live show. We spent all of Saturday at Chris’s house and he took me out for a romantic meal in the evening. When we got back in we got everything ready for the morning and went straight to bed. I fell asleep in Chris’s arms and when I woke up the next day it was 5 hours until Dancing On Ice.
“Morning darling.” Chris said sitting up next to me.
“Don’t you mean afternoon.” I said with a laugh.
He laughed and kissed me on the cheek.
“We better get ready, I don’t think even Jayne has ever been this late to a rehearsal.
We arrived at the rink at 3:30pm to be greeted by a very unhappy Jayne.
“CHRISTOPHER DEAN AND KAREN BARBER, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!”
“Sorry boss.” I said looking down trying to hide my smile.
“Well! Explain yourselves!” Jayne said
“Sorry, we were in bed.” Chris said not realising how it sounded.
I burst out laughing and so did the rest of the crew and Jayne.
“We overslept.” I said to clear up the situation.
“Just don’t do it again.” Jayne said sternly before cracking up into fits of laughter
We were still laughing halfway through the training session. The pros would never let Chris forget this.
“I can’t believe you said that.” I said balancing on my toe picks to kiss him.
“Neither can I!” He said with a laugh.
Before I knew it was time for the show to start and we had all took our places ready for the first skater to perform their routine. I could tell Jason was in a foul mood as his scores were extremely low and he had been making little digs about me throughout the show. By the third pair Jason’s score was totally unacceptable.
“The only good thing about that performance was the end.” Jason quipped to a very upset looking celebrity.
“I disagree with Jason, I think-“ I didn’t even get to finish my sentence before I was rudely interrupted.
“Your opinion only matters Karen as your sleeping with the boss.” Jason retorted.
I felt the tears forming in my eyes. I couldn’t take any more of him. I stood up, apologised to the audience, before walking out.
I went into my dressing room, locked the door and decided not to come out for the rest of the evening. I broke down in tears almost instantly, it hurt, it really did hurt.
Disclaimer: All views are my own and SOME characters and Characterizations. No likey no ready!
I think I was more angry than upset and when I’m angry believe me you know about it. Realising someone from the team would be looking for me very soon I put on a coat over the top of my short black dress and walked out of the studios. I stood outside with my back against the wall and let the tears fall. It was raining and within minutes I was soaked, to be honest all I wanted was Chris. My wish came true as in a couple of minutes Chris came running out.
“Karen, we were all so worried.” He said holding me in his arms.
“Sorry.” I said, thankful he was here.
“You don’t need to be sorry Kaz, its Jason’s bloody fault after what he said.”
“I’d just had enough.” I said
“I don’t blame you! I’m going to say something after the show’s finished.” Chris said kissing my cheek.
“Chris no it’s fine.” I said drying my eyes with my coats sleeve.
“No Karen, it really isn’t.” Chris said taking hold of my hand.
“I love you.”
“I love you too; now let’s get you inside before you freeze to death.” He replied with a smile.
He led me back into the studio, but I was adamant I was not rejoining the panel for the rest of the night. Chris kissed me passionately before reluctantly leaving for the results show. I stayed in my dressing room and waited for him to return.
Short update but more tomorrow xx
-- Edited by Karens Angels on Saturday 11th of January 2014 06:32:46 PM
Disclaimer: All views are my own and SOME characters and Characterizations. No likey no ready!
A whole hour later Chris returned looking very bothered.
“You alright darling?” I asked.
“Jason’s driving me insane.” He replied sitting next to me on the bed.
“He drives everyone insane.” I said.
“I’ve spoke to him and he’s on his final warning, if he makes another remark like that, he’s out.” Chris said putting his arms around me.
“Thank you darling.” I replied. The next day we were up early and on the ice teaching everybody there new routines. For the first time Nicky also joined us on the ice.
“Morning Kaz.” He said with a smile.
“Morning.” I replied.
“I’ve got a couple of things to ask you during the break.” Nicky informed me.
“Ok.” I said smiling.
It was an intense morning of training and Jayne called a break at 12.30. Nicky came to find me as he said he would.
“I’ll be back soon.” I said kissing Chris on the cheek.
“Ok doll, I’ll see you later.” He replied.
I walked after Nicky. We stopped when we reached the corridors.
“So what is it?” I asked turning to face him.
“Look Kaz, it’s up to you but I was wondering if you’d consider skating with me again...”
I paused. I was actually lost for words (and believe me that doesn’t happen often!)
“I mean everything’s in the past now.” He explained. “Do you want to give it a try?” He questioned.
I looked into his eyes. “Fine.” I responded. “Let’s try this again.”
Uh oh! Nicky's here to cause trouble! (don't worry not between KnC.) All shall be revealed later on x
Disclaimer: All views are my own and SOME characters and Characterizations. No likey no ready!
I walked back to Chris and told him about my decision, he was really happy for me. To be honest I was a little nervous but what’s the worst that could happen?...
I took to the ice the next day and we began rehearsing for Dancing on Ice. There were some complicated routines this week, but I was sure the celebrities would be more than capable to pull them off. It was the first full run-through of the show, so me and Chris sat on the panel while Jayne supervised the celebrities. Chris put his arm around my back and I put my head on his shoulder. We both got on the ice once all of the celebrities had performed and helped to fine-tune the routines. Chris left to go to the toilet a few minutes into the rehearsal. As I looked straight at the back studio wall I saw what looked like turned off lights. I hadn’t seen them before, but after all knowing me they probably always had been there.
I continued back with the routines and thought nothing of it.
Suddenly the lights in the room faded out. I looked around shocked and confused. Music started playing, it took me a while to figure out what song it was but then I realised, it was Adele One and Only. A spotlight fell on me and I saw Chris stood in front of the now glowing lights, I looked up at them and in beautiful gold lights it said Karen Barber Will You Marry Me?
I turned to Jayne who looked equally as shocked as me. Chris got onto the ice and skated over to me before getting down on one knee and taking hold of my hands.
“Karen Barber would you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?” Chris asked with a smile, before opening a box that contained the most beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen.
“Yes!” I exclaimed as tears ran down my face.
Chris put the ring on my finger before hugging me tightly. I don’t know who was crying more; me Chris or Jayne! All of the Dancing on Ice crew, professionals and celebrities also seemed very emotional. I just couldn’t believe it.
