Life Comes Full Circle

3. Birthday Dinner Revelations

It was 6 pm which meant it was dinner time for the family. Their birthday parties would last long as they would talk, play games and perhaps watch a movie together. It was a time where all would be together for once, making up for the time they would be apart and busy with their daily lives. For Björn, it meant so much to him, maybe more than for the rest. It meant spending time with the first family he built and despite loving all of his family, this one had a special place on his heart. And for Agnetha, well... she was used to having everyone around her but she always looked forward to seeing Björn since she would only see him on these occasions or ABBA matters. Agnetha would never confess how much she was looking forward to spending a few hours with him. Sometimes she felt guilty and silly about it as he was taken. But this time around was indeed different thanks to the news she received earlier in the morning.

"Dinner is ready!", Agnetha called the family to come to the table. Everyone sat in their corresponding seats, Björn was sitting right in front of Agnetha and when he noticed that table arrangement, he couldn't hold his laugh.

"What's so funny, grandpa? You don't like the name tags?", asked Ester.

"Oh no! I love the tags darling. I just found funny the arrangements.", replied Björn.

"Mum told me to put you there."

"Did she?"

"Yes, grandpa."

"Ok.", Björn looked at Linda who winked at him and both shared a tender smile.

Once everyone was in their place, they started with the appetisers. There were toasts, jam, olives, pâté, cheese, ham and other unhealthy things that would only be served at parties.

"I love looking at this table with so many people. It makes me feel complete.", said Björn.

"Right! I love our family celebrations.", said Linda.

"Me too. But this all started with you Linda, me and your mum. See what we did, Agnetha?", Björn asked Agnetha, who was taking a bite of bread with cheese.

"Uh?", she muttered with food in her mouth.

"We built all of this. We made this family. And Jens and Isabelle joined it. Isn't it beautiful? It was just the two of us and now we are so many."

"Yes.", she replied, not elaborating her answer.

"I don't regret this. Do you?", Björn asked her.

"No. I don't. I am thankful for the family I've built. It means the world to me."

"WE built.", Björn emphasised. "You would not be able to build it without me."

"I could have done with someone else.", she replied sharply. Everyone at the table faded their crossing chats, just to listen to their discussion.

"So, are you saying that I am easily replaceable?"

"I didn't say that, Björn."

"Well, you sounded like you meant that.", he got bitter.

"I decided to build this family with you, didn't I?", she fired back.

"Yes, you did. And I'm glad you chose me."

"Good.", she said and took another bite of her bread.

"I believe it was a pleasant activity because it was to me.", he teased. Linda and Christian looked at their parents to see their reactions. Agnetha started blushing, she was feeling uncomfortable with the confrontation.

"Enough to make all of this happen.", answered Agnetha, trying to conclude the discussion.

"Why are minimising it? It didn't seem like a small thing when we h... built the family.", corrected Björn before saying something that would make Agnetha even more uncomfortable.