Is it worth it
Nov. 7th, 2005 04:08 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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nickngregTitle: Is it worth it, Traditions, chapter 25
Pairing: Nick and Greg
Rating: R
Warning/Spoiler: Set after Grave Danger
Summary: Greg and Nick are in Norway to celebrate Christmas
Disclaimer: They belong to the CBS and not me.
A/N: This is the end my friend. As promised a long time ago, they have to go to a wedding and celebrate Christmas in Norway with Greg’s family.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dagdrommer has been so kind to help me with the Norwegian traditions. The traditions that I have gone with are those in common use around Oslo, Norway is big country and traditions varies with distance.
Budnad = traditional outfit, mostly made out of wool. Each area has their own style and it could be compared to the patterns on Scots kilts.
When I began this story I had no idea it would be this long. Grand total is 125 pages including my notes. The many reviews along the way has meant the world to me and helped me to sit down and write, even when the whole world seemed to conspire against me. I’ve signed up with a temp agency and have already started working. The business with the young girl in our family is still unresolved, her mother is still as drunk as ever.
He lowered his head onto Nick’s chest, resting his ear just above where the strong heart pumped steadily away. Nick sighed contently and placed an arm around him.
“And I thought I’d a big family.” Nick’s voice was soft and floated like honey into his ear.
“You do, remember that this includes my grandparents siblings and offspring.” His hand ghosted over Nick’s stomach and up towards the oversensitive nipples. Nick caught it and laid it flat on his lower ribs.
“Yeah I guess you’re right. Don’t touch my belly! I think I ate too much after all.”
“You and Louise both!” He sighed and planted a kiss on the skin beneath his lips.
“Yeah, is your mum gonna be okay listening after her and Morten?”
“Nick…She has managed before.” He sighed and stretched nuzzling closer to the warm body next to him.
“I know, it’s just… I like to have them close.” It had taken him a while to learn when Nick wanted him to argue and when it was just said as an afterthought.
“Greg?”
“Hmm”
“Can you just run this whole wedding thing with me again?” Nick was obviously as unable as he was to fall asleep.
“Charlotte, my mother’s cousin’s daughter is the bride to be. She lived with us from she was 8 to 14. We’re the same age and she came to live with us after her dad died.” He paused and waited for Nick to catch up. They had gone over family albums and traditions in the last couple of weeks before leaving, but it was still a lot for his gorgeous Texan to take in.
“And you’re giving her away.” Nick continued for him.
“That’s right, they started to plan the wedding almost 3 years ago and my dad was sick back then, so she didn’t want to burden him. Besides this way my parents gets to sit together and her mother at the grooms side. I’ll be sitting between Charlotte and her mother in law.” He lifted his head and found Nick’s lips with his own.
“Who again besides the kids was I gonna sit with?”
“My parents for sure and probably some of the others with babies.” He kissed Nick again.
Nick deepened the kiss and he could never get enough of the sweetness in the gentle dance of tongues. Kissing with Nick had long since become his favorite pass-time, but usually the children would intervene at some point. So it was a rare opportunity for them to just be together alone enjoying each other to the fullest. He loved that Nick enjoyed making out as much as he did. Sex was indeed very satisfactory for him, but the affection and the intimacy gained from intense kissing could elevate his spirits far more.
Sated and satisfied Nick whispered sweet nothingness to him in his almost sleep. He cuddled closer and reveled in the warmth radiating of Nick. Sleep pulled him gently closer and the last thing he felt was a kiss to his neck.
A cry from Louise woke him and before any coherent thought had formed in his mind, Nick was out of the room headed for Louise. He heard some muffled voices and shortly after Nick returned blushing red.
“Just perfect!”
“What?” His mind was still clouded with sleep, but Nick’s flustered state demanded him to fully wake up.
“I’d forgotten that your mum was listening after her. So there I was rushing down the hall in slippers and boxers when your mum came out of her room.”
“Haha, payback.”
“What?” Nick looked like one big question mark.
“The first night after you got discharged I had to face the full Jillian Stokes interrogation in jeans only. At least you don’t have scars on your back to defend.” He said it with half a laugh to let Nick know that he would never blame him for it.
“That’s right. I’d forgotten. Anyways she just gave me a huge smile and said nice.” Nick crawled under the eiderdown and leaned over to kiss him. The hammer dangled against his chin and he couldn’t help but bite after it.
“You do look nice.” He flashed Nick a huge smiled and slipped under the Texan’s body.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah!”
“Greg Sanders have I ever told you that I love you?” The dark brown eyes were the pure essence of love and his heart melted completely taking the rest of his body with.
“I seem to recall words of the like, yes.” Even though he had melted he was still perfectly able to banter back. A light chuckle was Nick’s only response before he launched a tickle attack.
Squirming under Nick he only managed a few halfhearted pleas for mercy. He knew that the attack sooner or later would change character until Nick would be deeply buried inside him. As foreseen they made love, slow and gentle love for as long as they could hold back their orgasms.
He woke to an empty bed and knowing Nick he padded down to Louise’s room, where he to no surprise found them both playing with a wooden train set.
“Good morning kjære.”
“Morning doll.”
“We better get ready for breakfast. Louise do you want daddy to give you your bath?” Louise nodded eagerly and Nick picked her up and trotted after him down the hall to their room.
His mother just gave them a big warm smile when they entered the dining room. Nick turned crimson red and his father just gave him a questioning glance.
“What a nice necklace you have Nick.” At his mothers words Nick managed to turn even redder and only the smallest sounding thank you crossed his lips. He did what he could to contain his own mirth but his mother had an uncanny ability to make him laugh. The older generation showed up and breakfast was eaten to a discussion about the menu for the wedding.
During the morning they got a detailed summary of the bachelor parties and the humiliations that the bride and groom had been through. He had been sad to miss it but Nick couldn’t take so much vacation from work and his leave was beginning to wear out as well. They had gone with his father and some of the other men in the family to try out their outfits for the wedding. Charlotte had desired them to wear full evening dress complete with tails and since she insisted, she would also pay for renting them.
When they returned for lunch he remembered that since he was doubling as the bride’s father he would have to give the evening’s first speech. Nick took the consequence of his less than pleasant temper while writing and went shopping with his grandmother and the children. His mother was in no way intimidated by his foul temper and just pestered him into helping her with a song. However he managed not to kill his mother and get both speech and song written before dinner.
Saturday came and they all dressed up for the wedding. Louise wore the sweetest burgundy dress that Nick had just found on sale somewhere, but he was never allowed to see the receipt for said dress. He only hoped that she wouldn’t repeat the eating frenzy from the other night ruining the dress before the evening had begun. They had found a navy blue outfit for Morten and bought two just so he could look nice for more than one hour at a time.
He and Charlotte arrived on time at the church. With a few last minute calming breaths to quell the nerves they psyched each other for the walk up the aisle. The church was filled with people and he barely had time to recognize any but Nick and his parents. The organ sang out the psalm loud and clear, he was pretty sure it was a Mendelssohn one, but he would have to ask he mother which one it was. The walk seemed endless and yet suddenly they were at the alter greeting the groom and his best man.
The bride sat down and so did everybody else as customary. The groom blinked away a tear and Greg could feel his own eyes moisten. Charlotte had chosen a white dress over the traditional bunad and she looked beyond stunning, the dress only had a small train and she didn’t wear any veil. But she looked like a million dollars in that dress anyway. The priest spoke up and he tuned into the sacred words. The ceremony was the traditional one where the couple answers yes twice and then exchange the rings handed to them by the best man.
Everything was just perfect and he felt so mushy when the ceremony was over and the now married couple headed down the aisle. He followed after joined by Charlotte’s mother and the groom’s parents. Even though he had known all along that he wouldn’t get much time with Nick that day he still felt a sting in his heart passing the pew with Nick and the children on his way out of the church. Nick gave him a big reassuring smile and as always the smile worked wonders for him.
The weather was mild for December and the sun still an hour from setting so the photographer decided on doing the pictures outside the church.
“That was beautiful.” Nick had found him in the crowd outside and he felt an overwhelming need to be held.
“Seeing you walking her down the aisle was quite a sight.” Nick continued and he just hugged him in response.
“Oh Greg honey, Charlotte wants you on some photos.” His mother called through the crowd and it had to be a special mother-feature because no matter how much noise there was, her voice always carried straight through to him. He planted a swift kiss on Nick’s lips and headed over to the newly weds. After what seemed like a thousand photos everybody started to walk towards the restaurant, it was less than a mile from the church and the mild weather only encouraged people to walk.
He had found Nick and the children again and hand in hand, with Louise holding Nick’s free one and him pushing the pram they followed suit.
“I love this Greg. I love that everybody is fine with us.” Nick had been anxious prior to Louise’s birthday and even after that he was still uncertain about how much their families actually had accepted them as a couple.
“Well in this family it only takes for a people to accept before everybody does. I’m not saying that Norway is perfect, there’re still bigots here. But at least you can get married or well not quite, but you can have your partnership registered so you can inherit each other.”
They had talked about the difference between USA and Norway before, but he couldn’t remember if they had talked about gay marriages.
“What about adoption?” Nick knew that he would end up with the short straw in case something would happen to him. He had made a will to express his desire for Nick to have his children in case of death, but he also knew that the authorities weren’t obligated by law to follow his wishes.
“It’s a hot topic here…” He was about to launch a big explanation when Morten started crying and demanded his undivided attention. Their private moment was over and he knew that they would be scarce for the next many hours. Once at the restaurant he got caught up in coordinating the songs and speeches with the toastmaster and all of a sudden they were seated and the groom welcomed all the guests. The first course was served and he was to deliver his speech.
Dear Bride and Groom.
It is an honor for me to be part of your special day.
When you asked me to give you away Charlotte I was certain that you were joking, but you have never been the prankster, that was always me. I got us into to trouble and you got us out of it again, with your big innocent blue eyes. This is not meant as warning Michael, because I’m sure that you’ve already learned that.
I still remember the day when mamma came home with you and said, like it was the most natural thing, that you would be staying with us for now. We were nowhere near friends for the first week, but then we discovered that two stood a much better change against the world than one.
We soon became known as the Norwegian twins in school and many a teacher complained over our joint behavior. But we were bright enough to still be loved.
Now this is also a speech for you Michael and well Charlotte started to talk about you 1½ year before she actually got around to introduce you. Which told us all, that she really meant it with you. Our family can be quite a mouthful to meet for the first time, but I’d say that you managed to walk right in and capture everybody’s hearts in one go.
And knowing this family I won’t carry on much longer. So if everybody would please stand and make a toast with me to the Bride and Groom.
Everybody stood and they toasted. Then he was applauded and thanked for his speech. He liked to give long speeches but preferred to talk about stuff like DNA, something where he knew the entire playing field. It hadn’t been easy to write a speech for somebody that he didn’t know all that well. Despite having shared a great deal of his childhood with Charlotte they hadn’t seen that much of each other the last 10 years and he had only met Michael 6 times before.
More speeches were held and plenty of food served in between and as tradition has it in Norway there had also been made many songs for the occasion. The evening wore on and he only managed to slip by Nick a few times during dinner. Nick ensured him that he was indeed enjoying the wedding and that the children were alright. Louise was all over the place afraid to miss anything and most people had a brief visit on their lap by his little girl. It was almost 11pm when they finished the meal and the room was transformed to hold a dance floor in the middle.
It took him no time at all to find Nick and Morten after they finished.
“Where’s the fire?” Nick threw him a slightly goofy smile and he realized that since he had moved in Nick hadn’t really drunk alcohol enough to get influenced. Not that Nick was drunk in any way, he just had that quirky smile on.
“Nowhere, now that I’m here by your side.” Normally he would have scolded himself for being so mushy, but it was a wedding after all.
“Always the wooer.” Nick’s smile just got bigger.
“Always for you baby.” He cooed.
“Enough, you’re worse than sappy you two.” His mother covered her ears for emphasis and he couldn’t help but blink innocently, using every trick to have her roll her eyes. She dramatically threw her arms in the air and declared them hopeless before she went over to some distant relative.
“I love you.” Nick pulled him into the bear hug of the year.
The bride and groom danced the bridal waltz in time before midnight and after that he danced the night away, mostly with Nick but also with several others. Morten seemed content with sleeping most of the evening in the pram parked in the hall and Louise kept on circling from one family member to the next. They didn’t get to bed until 4am and for once they had both children sleeping between them.
The following days were spent preparing for Christmas Eve and for the first time in his life Nick went out into the forest and helped pick out and bring home the Christmas tree. On that day out in the forest snow started falling completing the picture for a perfect white Christmas. Louise refused of course to wear mittens and by the time they came home her hands were cold as ice, she screamed when he tried to warm them under lukewarm water and he ended up sitting with her on his lap for two hours, with her icy hands on his stomach.
On Christmas Eve they all went to church in the afternoon and after that home to eat the Christmas meal. Despite his lack of belief in God he still felt a certain calm settle in his soul under the priest’s sermon. Morten began to cry in the middle of the sermon and Nick took him outside and joined other parents with crying children.
The meal was a feast of sausages and pork roast with crackling. The restaurant had been transformed from wedding to Christmas with a myriad of little elfins and angels. There was candle decorations adorned with spruce and holly. Oranges with clove gave an aroma so uniquely Christmas together with the cinnamon sticks hung on the tree. Beneath the tree there were Christmas presents from everyone to everyone.
After dinner they danced around the tree singing both Norwegian and English Christmas carols. The children present had all been granted one gift after church, but they soon lost the patience with the older generation and started begging for the presents to be opened. The floor around the tree quickly transformed to little groups of families sitting on the floor. Morten had fallen asleep just after dinner and had been parked in the pram out in the yard with the baby-alarm.
It took them hours to get through all the presents and he silently wondered how they would get back to the States with all the toys that Louise had been given. She had gotten a fire engine complete with batteries and the constant wail of the siren was slowly but surely giving him a headache. Nick beat his mother to notice and took the fire engine from a tired and upset Louise. His father took her and worked his grandfather magic making her fall asleep.
Finally they got to his present for Nick and he had been so excited to see how it would be received. Nick unwrapped with great care and slowly revealed the leather bound book. He motioned for Nick to open it.
This is a collection of my thoughts and feelings since the day you walked into my life. Nick looked up and the dark brown eyes flowed over without a sound.
“You made me a book?!” Nick’s voice quivered a bit and he nodded.
“I’d thought you deserved to know. I mean we’ve been through a great deal and it was very important for me to let you know just how much I love you.” His own tears found the surface too and his mother made her oh-how-romantic sound.
Nick gave him a golden chain with an Odin inspired pendant. As he sat there holding the chain and seeing all the candles reflect in the pendant he thought back to that dreadful day where Nick had been kidnapped and buried. A smile spread across his face as he recalled the questions he had asked himself back then.
It had definitely been worth it!
Pairing: Nick and Greg
Rating: R
Warning/Spoiler: Set after Grave Danger
Summary: Greg and Nick are in Norway to celebrate Christmas
Disclaimer: They belong to the CBS and not me.
A/N: This is the end my friend. As promised a long time ago, they have to go to a wedding and celebrate Christmas in Norway with Greg’s family.
dagdrommer has been so kind to help me with the Norwegian traditions. The traditions that I have gone with are those in common use around Oslo, Norway is big country and traditions varies with distance.Budnad = traditional outfit, mostly made out of wool. Each area has their own style and it could be compared to the patterns on Scots kilts.
When I began this story I had no idea it would be this long. Grand total is 125 pages including my notes. The many reviews along the way has meant the world to me and helped me to sit down and write, even when the whole world seemed to conspire against me. I’ve signed up with a temp agency and have already started working. The business with the young girl in our family is still unresolved, her mother is still as drunk as ever.
He lowered his head onto Nick’s chest, resting his ear just above where the strong heart pumped steadily away. Nick sighed contently and placed an arm around him.
“And I thought I’d a big family.” Nick’s voice was soft and floated like honey into his ear.
“You do, remember that this includes my grandparents siblings and offspring.” His hand ghosted over Nick’s stomach and up towards the oversensitive nipples. Nick caught it and laid it flat on his lower ribs.
“Yeah I guess you’re right. Don’t touch my belly! I think I ate too much after all.”
“You and Louise both!” He sighed and planted a kiss on the skin beneath his lips.
“Yeah, is your mum gonna be okay listening after her and Morten?”
“Nick…She has managed before.” He sighed and stretched nuzzling closer to the warm body next to him.
“I know, it’s just… I like to have them close.” It had taken him a while to learn when Nick wanted him to argue and when it was just said as an afterthought.
“Greg?”
“Hmm”
“Can you just run this whole wedding thing with me again?” Nick was obviously as unable as he was to fall asleep.
“Charlotte, my mother’s cousin’s daughter is the bride to be. She lived with us from she was 8 to 14. We’re the same age and she came to live with us after her dad died.” He paused and waited for Nick to catch up. They had gone over family albums and traditions in the last couple of weeks before leaving, but it was still a lot for his gorgeous Texan to take in.
“And you’re giving her away.” Nick continued for him.
“That’s right, they started to plan the wedding almost 3 years ago and my dad was sick back then, so she didn’t want to burden him. Besides this way my parents gets to sit together and her mother at the grooms side. I’ll be sitting between Charlotte and her mother in law.” He lifted his head and found Nick’s lips with his own.
“Who again besides the kids was I gonna sit with?”
“My parents for sure and probably some of the others with babies.” He kissed Nick again.
Nick deepened the kiss and he could never get enough of the sweetness in the gentle dance of tongues. Kissing with Nick had long since become his favorite pass-time, but usually the children would intervene at some point. So it was a rare opportunity for them to just be together alone enjoying each other to the fullest. He loved that Nick enjoyed making out as much as he did. Sex was indeed very satisfactory for him, but the affection and the intimacy gained from intense kissing could elevate his spirits far more.
Sated and satisfied Nick whispered sweet nothingness to him in his almost sleep. He cuddled closer and reveled in the warmth radiating of Nick. Sleep pulled him gently closer and the last thing he felt was a kiss to his neck.
A cry from Louise woke him and before any coherent thought had formed in his mind, Nick was out of the room headed for Louise. He heard some muffled voices and shortly after Nick returned blushing red.
“Just perfect!”
“What?” His mind was still clouded with sleep, but Nick’s flustered state demanded him to fully wake up.
“I’d forgotten that your mum was listening after her. So there I was rushing down the hall in slippers and boxers when your mum came out of her room.”
“Haha, payback.”
“What?” Nick looked like one big question mark.
“The first night after you got discharged I had to face the full Jillian Stokes interrogation in jeans only. At least you don’t have scars on your back to defend.” He said it with half a laugh to let Nick know that he would never blame him for it.
“That’s right. I’d forgotten. Anyways she just gave me a huge smile and said nice.” Nick crawled under the eiderdown and leaned over to kiss him. The hammer dangled against his chin and he couldn’t help but bite after it.
“You do look nice.” He flashed Nick a huge smiled and slipped under the Texan’s body.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah!”
“Greg Sanders have I ever told you that I love you?” The dark brown eyes were the pure essence of love and his heart melted completely taking the rest of his body with.
“I seem to recall words of the like, yes.” Even though he had melted he was still perfectly able to banter back. A light chuckle was Nick’s only response before he launched a tickle attack.
Squirming under Nick he only managed a few halfhearted pleas for mercy. He knew that the attack sooner or later would change character until Nick would be deeply buried inside him. As foreseen they made love, slow and gentle love for as long as they could hold back their orgasms.
He woke to an empty bed and knowing Nick he padded down to Louise’s room, where he to no surprise found them both playing with a wooden train set.
“Good morning kjære.”
“Morning doll.”
“We better get ready for breakfast. Louise do you want daddy to give you your bath?” Louise nodded eagerly and Nick picked her up and trotted after him down the hall to their room.
His mother just gave them a big warm smile when they entered the dining room. Nick turned crimson red and his father just gave him a questioning glance.
“What a nice necklace you have Nick.” At his mothers words Nick managed to turn even redder and only the smallest sounding thank you crossed his lips. He did what he could to contain his own mirth but his mother had an uncanny ability to make him laugh. The older generation showed up and breakfast was eaten to a discussion about the menu for the wedding.
During the morning they got a detailed summary of the bachelor parties and the humiliations that the bride and groom had been through. He had been sad to miss it but Nick couldn’t take so much vacation from work and his leave was beginning to wear out as well. They had gone with his father and some of the other men in the family to try out their outfits for the wedding. Charlotte had desired them to wear full evening dress complete with tails and since she insisted, she would also pay for renting them.
When they returned for lunch he remembered that since he was doubling as the bride’s father he would have to give the evening’s first speech. Nick took the consequence of his less than pleasant temper while writing and went shopping with his grandmother and the children. His mother was in no way intimidated by his foul temper and just pestered him into helping her with a song. However he managed not to kill his mother and get both speech and song written before dinner.
Saturday came and they all dressed up for the wedding. Louise wore the sweetest burgundy dress that Nick had just found on sale somewhere, but he was never allowed to see the receipt for said dress. He only hoped that she wouldn’t repeat the eating frenzy from the other night ruining the dress before the evening had begun. They had found a navy blue outfit for Morten and bought two just so he could look nice for more than one hour at a time.
He and Charlotte arrived on time at the church. With a few last minute calming breaths to quell the nerves they psyched each other for the walk up the aisle. The church was filled with people and he barely had time to recognize any but Nick and his parents. The organ sang out the psalm loud and clear, he was pretty sure it was a Mendelssohn one, but he would have to ask he mother which one it was. The walk seemed endless and yet suddenly they were at the alter greeting the groom and his best man.
The bride sat down and so did everybody else as customary. The groom blinked away a tear and Greg could feel his own eyes moisten. Charlotte had chosen a white dress over the traditional bunad and she looked beyond stunning, the dress only had a small train and she didn’t wear any veil. But she looked like a million dollars in that dress anyway. The priest spoke up and he tuned into the sacred words. The ceremony was the traditional one where the couple answers yes twice and then exchange the rings handed to them by the best man.
Everything was just perfect and he felt so mushy when the ceremony was over and the now married couple headed down the aisle. He followed after joined by Charlotte’s mother and the groom’s parents. Even though he had known all along that he wouldn’t get much time with Nick that day he still felt a sting in his heart passing the pew with Nick and the children on his way out of the church. Nick gave him a big reassuring smile and as always the smile worked wonders for him.
The weather was mild for December and the sun still an hour from setting so the photographer decided on doing the pictures outside the church.
“That was beautiful.” Nick had found him in the crowd outside and he felt an overwhelming need to be held.
“Seeing you walking her down the aisle was quite a sight.” Nick continued and he just hugged him in response.
“Oh Greg honey, Charlotte wants you on some photos.” His mother called through the crowd and it had to be a special mother-feature because no matter how much noise there was, her voice always carried straight through to him. He planted a swift kiss on Nick’s lips and headed over to the newly weds. After what seemed like a thousand photos everybody started to walk towards the restaurant, it was less than a mile from the church and the mild weather only encouraged people to walk.
He had found Nick and the children again and hand in hand, with Louise holding Nick’s free one and him pushing the pram they followed suit.
“I love this Greg. I love that everybody is fine with us.” Nick had been anxious prior to Louise’s birthday and even after that he was still uncertain about how much their families actually had accepted them as a couple.
“Well in this family it only takes for a people to accept before everybody does. I’m not saying that Norway is perfect, there’re still bigots here. But at least you can get married or well not quite, but you can have your partnership registered so you can inherit each other.”
They had talked about the difference between USA and Norway before, but he couldn’t remember if they had talked about gay marriages.
“What about adoption?” Nick knew that he would end up with the short straw in case something would happen to him. He had made a will to express his desire for Nick to have his children in case of death, but he also knew that the authorities weren’t obligated by law to follow his wishes.
“It’s a hot topic here…” He was about to launch a big explanation when Morten started crying and demanded his undivided attention. Their private moment was over and he knew that they would be scarce for the next many hours. Once at the restaurant he got caught up in coordinating the songs and speeches with the toastmaster and all of a sudden they were seated and the groom welcomed all the guests. The first course was served and he was to deliver his speech.
Dear Bride and Groom.
It is an honor for me to be part of your special day.
When you asked me to give you away Charlotte I was certain that you were joking, but you have never been the prankster, that was always me. I got us into to trouble and you got us out of it again, with your big innocent blue eyes. This is not meant as warning Michael, because I’m sure that you’ve already learned that.
I still remember the day when mamma came home with you and said, like it was the most natural thing, that you would be staying with us for now. We were nowhere near friends for the first week, but then we discovered that two stood a much better change against the world than one.
We soon became known as the Norwegian twins in school and many a teacher complained over our joint behavior. But we were bright enough to still be loved.
Now this is also a speech for you Michael and well Charlotte started to talk about you 1½ year before she actually got around to introduce you. Which told us all, that she really meant it with you. Our family can be quite a mouthful to meet for the first time, but I’d say that you managed to walk right in and capture everybody’s hearts in one go.
And knowing this family I won’t carry on much longer. So if everybody would please stand and make a toast with me to the Bride and Groom.
Everybody stood and they toasted. Then he was applauded and thanked for his speech. He liked to give long speeches but preferred to talk about stuff like DNA, something where he knew the entire playing field. It hadn’t been easy to write a speech for somebody that he didn’t know all that well. Despite having shared a great deal of his childhood with Charlotte they hadn’t seen that much of each other the last 10 years and he had only met Michael 6 times before.
More speeches were held and plenty of food served in between and as tradition has it in Norway there had also been made many songs for the occasion. The evening wore on and he only managed to slip by Nick a few times during dinner. Nick ensured him that he was indeed enjoying the wedding and that the children were alright. Louise was all over the place afraid to miss anything and most people had a brief visit on their lap by his little girl. It was almost 11pm when they finished the meal and the room was transformed to hold a dance floor in the middle.
It took him no time at all to find Nick and Morten after they finished.
“Where’s the fire?” Nick threw him a slightly goofy smile and he realized that since he had moved in Nick hadn’t really drunk alcohol enough to get influenced. Not that Nick was drunk in any way, he just had that quirky smile on.
“Nowhere, now that I’m here by your side.” Normally he would have scolded himself for being so mushy, but it was a wedding after all.
“Always the wooer.” Nick’s smile just got bigger.
“Always for you baby.” He cooed.
“Enough, you’re worse than sappy you two.” His mother covered her ears for emphasis and he couldn’t help but blink innocently, using every trick to have her roll her eyes. She dramatically threw her arms in the air and declared them hopeless before she went over to some distant relative.
“I love you.” Nick pulled him into the bear hug of the year.
The bride and groom danced the bridal waltz in time before midnight and after that he danced the night away, mostly with Nick but also with several others. Morten seemed content with sleeping most of the evening in the pram parked in the hall and Louise kept on circling from one family member to the next. They didn’t get to bed until 4am and for once they had both children sleeping between them.
The following days were spent preparing for Christmas Eve and for the first time in his life Nick went out into the forest and helped pick out and bring home the Christmas tree. On that day out in the forest snow started falling completing the picture for a perfect white Christmas. Louise refused of course to wear mittens and by the time they came home her hands were cold as ice, she screamed when he tried to warm them under lukewarm water and he ended up sitting with her on his lap for two hours, with her icy hands on his stomach.
On Christmas Eve they all went to church in the afternoon and after that home to eat the Christmas meal. Despite his lack of belief in God he still felt a certain calm settle in his soul under the priest’s sermon. Morten began to cry in the middle of the sermon and Nick took him outside and joined other parents with crying children.
The meal was a feast of sausages and pork roast with crackling. The restaurant had been transformed from wedding to Christmas with a myriad of little elfins and angels. There was candle decorations adorned with spruce and holly. Oranges with clove gave an aroma so uniquely Christmas together with the cinnamon sticks hung on the tree. Beneath the tree there were Christmas presents from everyone to everyone.
After dinner they danced around the tree singing both Norwegian and English Christmas carols. The children present had all been granted one gift after church, but they soon lost the patience with the older generation and started begging for the presents to be opened. The floor around the tree quickly transformed to little groups of families sitting on the floor. Morten had fallen asleep just after dinner and had been parked in the pram out in the yard with the baby-alarm.
It took them hours to get through all the presents and he silently wondered how they would get back to the States with all the toys that Louise had been given. She had gotten a fire engine complete with batteries and the constant wail of the siren was slowly but surely giving him a headache. Nick beat his mother to notice and took the fire engine from a tired and upset Louise. His father took her and worked his grandfather magic making her fall asleep.
Finally they got to his present for Nick and he had been so excited to see how it would be received. Nick unwrapped with great care and slowly revealed the leather bound book. He motioned for Nick to open it.
This is a collection of my thoughts and feelings since the day you walked into my life. Nick looked up and the dark brown eyes flowed over without a sound.
“You made me a book?!” Nick’s voice quivered a bit and he nodded.
“I’d thought you deserved to know. I mean we’ve been through a great deal and it was very important for me to let you know just how much I love you.” His own tears found the surface too and his mother made her oh-how-romantic sound.
Nick gave him a golden chain with an Odin inspired pendant. As he sat there holding the chain and seeing all the candles reflect in the pendant he thought back to that dreadful day where Nick had been kidnapped and buried. A smile spread across his face as he recalled the questions he had asked himself back then.
It had definitely been worth it!
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Date: 2005-11-07 03:53 pm (UTC)The long review will be posted in Desert - later on when I have time to write it!
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Date: 2005-11-07 04:01 pm (UTC)I'll be looking forward to the long review.
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Date: 2005-11-07 04:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-07 04:44 pm (UTC)It's very nice to hear that you loved this series. Personally chapter 22 nearly put an end to my writing. I know that I'll try not to get into something as long again, but you never know.
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Date: 2005-11-07 06:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-07 09:04 pm (UTC)Like I said, I know that they are not the same all over Norway, nor are they here in Denmark, but it is still a warm and giving time of year.
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Date: 2005-11-07 10:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-08 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-08 02:46 pm (UTC)/A