A Sky Full of Stars

10. The Highlands

"Are you sure he won't freak out?" Emilia asked.

"I'm sure. You and Logan deserve a weekend together after Dad's outburst," Derrick said.

Emilia sat down on the couch and fiddled with her fingers. The offer from her brother seemed unreal, but Emilia wasn't that sure. She knew her dad would freak out if she went away with Logan by herself.

"Read the text again," Derrick said. "I want to hear what he proposed."

"Is it okay with yer pa if I take you through the Scottish highlands for the weekend? We'll drive through the mountains and stop at Loch Ness to see the castles and scenery," Emilia read. "I completely understand if you can't or if yer pa says no."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said yes, but also warned him that dad might say no," Emilia said.

"Call him and say that you're going," Derrick said. "I'll talk to Dad, but you'll need to have a conversation with him about you and Logan. Got it?"

"I do. Thank you so much," Emilia said.

She grabbed her phone, and went into the conservatory. She breathed in and phoned Logan's number. Excitement started to build as each ring increased.

"Hi luv," Logan said.

"Hi babe. I wanted to call about your invite to the Highlands. I can go. My brother's going to vouch for me," Emilia said.

"Perfect! I'll pick you up tomorrow. I'll bring some camping gear in case you want to spend a night outside," Logan excitedly said. "See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow!"

Emilia hung up the phone and did a small dance of joy. A weekend getaway with Logan in the mountains sounded wonderful. And it gave her a chance to geek out at the night sky if the light pollution didn't cover the sky.

This trip was slowly becoming her new favorite date.

~-~-~-~-~-

The weather was perfect for a weekend camping trip in the Highlands. Although spring had its grip on Scotland, a few days of wind and clouds made perfect camping weather. The air was crisp and felt more like a perfect fall day than a spring day.

Emilia and Derrick waited outside the military base for Logan. Both of them determined it was safer for Logan to pick her up outside the base, so that she can leave without any hesitation from her dad. It sounded like it was the best option.

Logan drove up to the base and parked the car. He got out of the car and hugged Emilia. Emilia hugged him back and kissed him on the cheek.

"Are yer ready to go?" Logan asked.

"I am!" Emilia said.

"Perfect! Let's go!"

Logan nodded his head to Derrick and got into the car. Emilia walked around to the other side, and got in. She buckled in and waved to Derrick as Logan drove away from the base.

"I am honestly surprised that you are allowed to go," Logan said. "I thought your dad would have forbade me to take you anywhere outside of Glasgow."

"Derrick is dealing with my dad," Emilia said. "My brother realized that I needed to have my own experiences and not be stuck inside a military base like Rapunzel."

"Alright. I booked us a hotel in the Highlands called the Kincraig Castle Hotel," Logan said, changing the subject. "It's tucked into the mountains, and looks really cool. Like a fantasy movie."

"I can't wait. I also can't wait to give you an astronomy lecture later," Emilia joked.

Logan laughed and placed his hand on the stick shift. Emilia took his hand and laced his fingers with hers, so they held hands. She started rubbing his thumb with her finger and watched in amazement as Logan drove the car with ease. Driving with a stick shift was already difficult for her to do, but doing it on the opposite side of the car was impressive.

The urban and suburbs of Glasgow transformed into rolling hills, flat landscapes, and scattered, tiny towns. As the pair continued their drive north, Emilia noticed the subtle change in scenery. Suddenly the flat landscapes and hills turned to rugged, green mountains. Fog dipped down from the sky and kissed the mountains. The sunlight played peek-a-boo through various stages of cloud cover. Emilia noticed hikers on the mountain trails, and brightly colored tents resting in secret yet known locations.

"Welcome to the Highlands," Logan said.

Emilia couldn't take her eyes off the scenery in front of her. "It's so beautiful."

"Just wait until we camp. It's a magical experience."

"Have you camped here before?"

"My family camped in the Highlands when I was ten. We hiked pretty far in the mountains and pitched our tent by a waterfall. We cooked tin-foil dinners, went swimming in the waterfall, and watched a meteor shower," Logan said.

"I would give anything to see a meteor shower. Seeing those balls of ice and rock shoot across the atmosphere so close that they burn yet not hurtle towards us. Wondering how long it took for the meteors to reach us," Emilia said. "I can go on for hours about meteors."

"I'm all ears."

Emilia smiled and turned her attention back to the mountains outside. During the rest of the drive, the two of them talked and dove deeper into their lives. Emilia told Logan the story about her parents and why her dad reacted. While telling it to him was frightening, it was also humbling and she felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. All she needed now was her dad to apologize and get to know Logan.

They arrived at the hotel around twilight. The hotel was surrounded by greenery, and was tucked behind a driveway of trees. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds and draped the sky in a pink-and-purple haze. Just like the name, the hotel was a small castle and regal. 

Logan got out of the car and walked into the hotel to check-in. Emilia texted her dad and Derrick to let them know that they arrived, and then got out of the car to help Logan unpack. She grabbed her duffel bag and two backpacks, and turned to place them on the floor. Instead, the luggage gently hit Logan in the stomach.

Emilia whispered sorry and continued getting the rest of the luggage out of the car. Logan laughed to himself and wrapped his arms around Emilia's waist. She felt her face turn hot and smiled. Logan kissed her cheek which made her face turn hotter.

"Let's head to the room and get settled," Logan said in her ear.

Emilia followed Logan into the hotel and tried to contain her beating heart. He led her to their room and opened the door. Emilia gasped as they walked in. The room was small and cozy. A queen-sized bed laid across from the TV. Next to the window were two chairs and a table. Outside, the view was perfect and showed the Scottish mountains.

"It's amazing!" Emilia said.

Logan turned so he faced her and kissed her. Emilia melted at his touch and kissed him back. Her arms rested on his shoulders and he placed his hands on her waist. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she stared into his eyes.

"Get dressed and then we can head down to dinner," Logan said. "Tomorrow we'll spend the entire day outside. You can lecture me about astronomy tomorrow night."

Emilia nodded her head and kissed him on the cheek. This date is going to be wonderful.