BUBBLE

2 - not the first time

Now for a man who had quite the open mind and imaginations that ran endless, Björn had come up with scenarios of all kinds about what to expect about this trip. It began when he was asked by the eldest granddaughter to join on this exciting journey, and knowing where he was in his life and what things had recently come down to for him, he found he could not resist the opportunity. What better way to start the new year than with quality time with family? Even in the irony that his wife chose to skip on this sudden trip. She made it clear that she wouldn't go, but it didn't mean that he couldn't. Her encouraging him to go without her was no longer to test his devotion to their marriage like it was in the past. For them to have space from each other was a relief to both so she had no longer the interest to keep him back. Therefore it all took light persuading for him to say yes for this adventure and that resulted in it all leading here.

He had imagined a lot about the possibilities, chances, or positive memories awaiting to be made, however there was just the one thing that hadn't come to cross his mind: the strange fate of him having to share the room with his ex-wife.

In the honesty of it all, he hadn't thought of any complaint, because even as a divorced couple, they got on well. They, in fact, got on too well. What might have appeared as his inconvenience felt much more of a chance that perhaps one thing in his life would work out for the better.

As he unpacked his small bag, he looked out of the window of the bubble igloo and smiled. The petals on the bed were still untouched. There was much thought which obviously had gone into arranging this trip, and specifically the arrangement of this room to have it be a mistake. And somehow, he had to admit, he was proud and intrigued as to why someone would go to this length. He only needed to think just who that someone would be.

But his mysterious question was easily solved by his daughter. It did not take so long to work out this was intentionally planned.

"Did you seriously think that was the wisest idea, Tilda?" The mother of three strong and energetic daughters halted halfway in the outdoors upon her way to the suite.

"Okay, I get it, you're upset with me. You don't have to scold me at each step."

"Do you think?" she asked sarcastically. "Tilda, it's not about me being upset with you. It's that what you did was seriously wrong and complicates matters."

"I just think they deserve to have this together."

"So you think it's what they want? To have to spend four days together? Your grandparents have separate lives. It's hard enough for them to discover they're on the same trip together and now you're telling them they're staying in the same room. Brilliant. Really."

"Mom, there's nothing wrong with it. And how beautiful is it that they will feel the magic that's here? This is what they want. It's the most magical place you can picture; you don't know what that can do. What miracles–"

"Tilda, listen to me, this is not a movie. It's their lives and you're putting your nose where it doesn't belong. You've seriously overdone it this time." Her daughter's expression at that moment showed how upset she'd become. Silence had surrounded them in the snowy landscape, where it stood to be just them, the breezes, and distant footsteps trudging into the snow.

"Okay, fine. I get it. I'm sorry."

"Are you?"

"Yes! I just thought I would give them the thing they wished for the most. They deserve that at least. They are special. They're special together and it's the perfect chance." She sighed.

"Do you forget he is married, or that detail doesn't matter?"

"How much does it matter if she's taken a step back? Don't look at me like she wasn't asked. Grandpa said when I asked him, he would ask her, and later he said she told him to join us, but she won't go this time. And we wonder why..." The young lady had widened her eyes playfully and sarcastically.