The Sibirian Express - COMPLETE

Chapter 27

A few weeks have passed since we returned from Russia. Our fears have unfortunately been confirmed, the fight has taken too much out of Rocky so that he has no other option but to retire.

Despite all his fears, he seems to have taken the news pretty well. Secretly, I think he's happy to finally have more time for his family.

Ivan and I have since moved in together and I couldn't be happier. When Ivan told me that he was coming back to the United States with me, I was afraid that he would soon regret it, but his boxing career is going from strength to strength and with no politicians breathing down his neck, he can finally focus on training.

And me... Well I've finally given up my horrible job and I'm concentrating fully on writing and I'm about to publish my very first book. The book is about my life and how Ivan and I found our way.

"Adrian, the food was delicious! Let me help you do the dishes." But just as I'm about to get up to follow her into the kitchen, there's a knock at the door. When Rocky invited us in, he didn't mention that he was expecting anyone else.

"So really Stallion, I see you still have no taste in good furnishings."

My heart skips a few beats. Within a second, I turn towards the hallway and can hardly believe my eyes. Apollo!

"Yeah, well, you know me?"

"Don't just stand there like a statue, Lex."

It's only at this moment that I regain consciousness and walk towards Apollo. I hug him and tears shoot out of my eyes. "I've missed you so much!" I whisper in his ear.

"Yes, hey, take it easy. I can't feel my legs anymore, but my upper body is still working perfectly, which you just crushed." He laughs and returns the hug.

"Apollo, I'm so sorry! All this..."

"Hey, that's enough now. I'm not mad... okay, I am. But at myself. I was too cocky and that was the biggest mistake I could have made. But I can clearly see how happy the Chump ... Ivan makes you. How happy Ivan makes you."

That was the nicest thing I've ever heard him say. The whole time I was so scared of losing my family that I didn't even think about getting their support and that means more to me than anything.



"And I think Casanova here has another surprise for you." Confused, I turn around to see Ivan on one knee with a red box in his hand containing a beautiful ring with an oval-cut diamond.

"Aleksa, ty vyydesh'za menya zamuzh?" (Alexa, will you marry me?)

With unsuppressible tears in my eyes and the warmest smile ever, I answer "DA!"
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2 months later

Rocky and Apollo have taught me so much over the years. The biggest lesson was even though Mickey is gone his legacy will always be there and the best thing we can all do is try to live up to that legacy.

Yes it's true, Rocky vs Ivan was the fight of the century and certainly changed boxing forever. A new era was ushered in that night and I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of it.

I can only hope that Mickey is proud of us and to honor him Rocky, Apollo, Ivan and I have come together and brought Mickey's Gym back to life for future boxers. So that they don't end up in the same situations as their predecessors.

In the end, we were all right. You can't change who you are, but you can choose who you want to be and I am infinitely grateful for how my story has unfolded so far.

The End.

I put the slips of paper to one side. Done. My first book is finished. No politics, no pre-written stuff, just my words and my thoughts. I sit down more comfortably on the bench and watch Rocky train. We've had a few new hungry people join us in the last month who can't wait to learn from the best.

I grab my neck and let my fingers caress the boxing glove hanging on the chain. "I love you, Mickey." I whisper and can really feel his presence in the gym.

The door opens and when I look up, a tall young blond man is standing in front of me, holding out his hand. "Hey, I'm Tommy. Tommy Gunn."