BUBBLE

12 - surfacing towards reality

"How were the lights yesterday?" asked Isabelle, carefully coming from behind Agnetha who was sneaking a bite of fruit in the lobby, the only breakfast she had time to consume.

"Oh. Magical," Agnetha beamed. "The most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Her eyes glistened in glee so quickly with the immediate change of expression. "I think nothing beats seeing it from the glass window ceiling."

Most beautiful thing? Björn questioned her words to himself, working on the zipper of his jacket as he overheard her words. That was perhaps because she hadn't seen herself that evening. The thought of her still gave him shivers every time he remembered her losing herself beneath him and the green glow the sky provided that night, or each time he recalled the feeling of a leg curl around him, or her small hands gripping him to signal what she needed from him. He licked his lip, looking down, trying not to laugh because he was not a part of the conversation. Yet.

"I think it beats seeing the lights over Stockholm," their daughter in-law said. "The stars were clear and bright. Christian kept pointing out the constellations before the lights happened," she laughed. "Lucky me to have him," she started playfully and sarcastically. "Because now, I'll never have the chance to forget what the Ursa Major looks like." Agnetha's high pitched chuckle emerged right after as her words came to mind immediately.

"I was sure stars were all that I saw last night," she replied lightly and positively. Björn lifted his head and laughed at her comment. He couldn't hold it back now because he knew exactly what she was meaning. His eyes had sparkled along with his smile and he felt he fell even more in love with her then.

"And we had no idea when it would end, did we?" he added. "How long did it last?" he asked her, and watched her cheeks blush in an instant because she knew he was not talking about the lights or the stars.

"Did you stay up until it stopped?" they were asked with surprise. "I couldn't tell you when it stopped. I fell asleep somewhere near the end of it," she told them both, and raised her cup of coffee to drink as the family waited to be transported to the ski lodge.

"We couldn't tell you either," Björn told her, "We–"

"Were also exhausted and asleep too," Agnetha cut his words off, making him laugh to himself as he looked at her. She didn't look at him for longer than a few moments, but he had no reason to take his eyes away from her.

If it weren't for everyone being around them, she'd have turned to him and told him to not tease. It was hard enough having to hide her feelings. She felt like a teenager around him, and not only could she physically feel her cheeks redden from being so warm, but she was sweating from nerves. Her eyes avoided him for as long as she could, just until their circle was broken with a blonde receptionist politely interrupting. Agnetha's guard was up in a second and she listened to what the woman had to say.

"Mr. Ulvaeus?"

"Yes."

"Good morning!" she greeted, and with one glance to her name tag, Agnetha caught her name was Alissa. "I hope that your stay has been well spent. I just wanted you to be aware that we now can accommodate you to book in a separate igloo as you wanted. I know you were asking for one when you came in. If you have time for just a few moments at the front desk, I can help you with checking into a room. It should only take a few minutes." His eyes struck with Agnetha's briefly, each one waiting for the next move he'd make. It was so obvious both thought the very same thing. Her mouth opened, thinking she should be the one to say something. He started to, but her words beat him.

"Björn, if you prefer to not make changes, I am fine with it. It might be more of a hassle to pack your things again and unpack them. For only two more days..."