The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself

Winter Cold

The next morning, Frida was the first one to wake up. She stretched her arms, slowly opening her eyes but there was barely any light entering the bedroom. She looked or rather felt around the bed for Benny and here he was still sleeping deeply. Last night's driving through the snow must have really exhausted him. She tried to sleep some more she could already feel the cold even from beneath the warm covers. By the time the clock struck 7.00 AM she couldn't stay just lying there any longer, she made her way to the kitchen, starting the fire and began to prepare breakfast for them all. It was certainly a full house. Hans and Peter shared one bedroom while Heléne and Lotta bunked together with little Linda in the nursery that was already prepared for the newest edition to the family that were indeed coming very soon.

Agnetha began to stir feeling ready to get up. She saw Björn beside her and smiled, she still wandered sometimes how it was possible for two people who obviously loved each other so much to spend more than three decades apart. She left him to rest some more, he must have been tired from the drive and what the rest of the night brought. She smiled remembering their night. They certainly knew how to keep each other warm. She went down to the kitchen and joined Frida, helping her prepare breakfast for the whole family but not before checking on Linda, somehow, she still doubted her abilities even though she has obviously done a good job the first time around.

Soon all the children joined them, and Agnetha also brought Linda down so she could be there with them. The children watched some cartoons on TV until their papas woke up and it was time for family breakfast. They ate together, simply enjoying one another's company. After breakfast the guys did the dishes while the girls helped the kids getting dressed and keeping them occupied. Even though they won't be able to go to school or anywhere really, they didn't want them just staying in their pyjamas all day. It reminded them too much of Covid period. Uh, it really took a tool on everyone.

They spent the day doing some things they'd do in school, helping their children. In the afternoon they tried to stay warm by the fire and due to the cold, everyone was ready to go to bed soon after dinner. Even Linda slept through the whole night and Agnetha was grateful for it, she really needed her sleep. The following days were spent similarly, and the snowstorm only seemed to be getting worse, there was no sign of improving any time soon and they were forced to stay inside.

By mid-September their supplies began to shrink, and they had to do something, otherwise they would be left with nothing. It was probably the worst day during the storm but Benny and Björn were sure they could manage it. They went out to the forest near the cottage and made quite a lot of firewood that would last them for at least two months and then they tried to make their way down to the only shop on the island. They needed some food that would last them as well as water. It was freezing and water was also beginning to freeze as the storm intensified.

It was almost 5.00 PM when they reached the shop. Usually, it was only opened from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM but due to the severity of the snowstorm the owners decided to have the shop opened 24/7, no one deserved to wait out there in the cold for them to decide to show up. The boys stocked up on what they needed and got some things for their loves as well, it won't hurt to make them know just how special they are for them. The owner recognised the popstars immediately and out right refused for them to pay. They didn't fight her but left the full amount of cash as well as an autographed picture of the four on one of the shelves further in the back. There was no way they'd use their fame as an excuse to be treated differently. They needed to show they cared and weren't obnoxious like some believed them to be solely because of their profession.

By the time they got home the children finished dinner and were ready to be tucked it for the night. Björn took Linda in his arms and rocked her until she fell asleep, gently putting her in her crib next to her parent's bed. At the same time Benny tucked Hans and Peter in while Frida did the same for Lotta. Heléne fell asleep before when they were watching TV but now it was time to go upstairs. Agnetha gently woke her up and helped her climb the stairs, tucking her in wishing her goodnight. When all the kids were asleep, ABBA returned to the kitchen for their dinner and some alone time. Only now did they get to spend so much time with their children and they all loved it.

As the week progressed the weather was becoming apocalyptic. It was impossible to even go outdoors. The amount of snow that has fallen was enormous, never had they seen anything similar. The blanket of snow covering the landscape now covered the whole hight of the ground, reaching the middle of the first-floor windows. No one could leave the house no matter what they tried. It was early in the morning of 19th of September when it all started. Frida felt sudden familiar pain in her lower abdomen. It was time.