the fire between us

chapter 42

The holiday cheer has slowly settled into a cozy post-Christmas routine. The decorations are still up, but they've lost a bit of their sparkle as we slip into that quiet lull between Christmas and the New Year. Snow falls lightly outside, covering the world in a blanket of white, while inside, the warmth of the fireplace and the rich scent of hot chocolate keep us comfortable.

We're all lounging in the living room, tucked into soft blankets, the glow of the twinkling Christmas lights still casting a soft glow across the room. I'm curled up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate, savoring the warmth as the steam rises gently. Marcus sits across from me, his legs stretched out lazily, while Nora sits on the floor, scrolling through her phone with a look of quiet contemplation. Martinus is sitting close to me, his arm resting casually on the back of the couch, the atmosphere peaceful but tinged with the excitement of what's to come.

The conversation drifts from topic to topic, until, as if a spark lights inside her, Nora suddenly looks up with an excited gleam in her eyes. "I've been thinking," she begins, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Why don't we do something big for New Year's Eve? Like, really go all out."

Marcus raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

Nora grins, pulling her phone closer. "I think we should go to Oslo. Hit up a club, get some fancy food, dance, and party till the new year."

The room perks up instantly at the suggestion, the atmosphere shifting from relaxed to energized. Marcus sits up straighter, exchanging a glance with Martinus, who's already grinning at the idea.

"Oslo sounds like a plan," Marcus says, a note of excitement creeping into his voice. "We haven't been to the city in a while. I'm down for a proper celebration."

Martinus leans closer, his hand brushing mine, his grin widening. "A night out in the city sounds epic. I'm all for it. Maybe we could find a rooftop bar with a view of the fireworks for the countdown."

I nod, the idea of ringing in the new year in a bustling city like Oslo making my heart race. "That sounds perfect! We could get dressed up, have a fancy dinner, and dance until midnight. It'll be a night to remember."

Nora, already engrossed in her phone, is scanning options. "I'm thinking we could start with dinner at this amazing restaurant I found," she says, scrolling through a list. "Then, after that, we could head to a club, or—oh! Look at this rooftop bar! They have a DJ, fireworks, and a five-course dinner. It's perfect."

She holds up the screen, and we all lean in to take a look. The rooftop bar looks stunning, with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of Oslo. You can almost imagine the city lights twinkling below as fireworks explode in the sky, the perfect backdrop for a New Year's Eve party.

Marcus nods approvingly. "This place is perfect. The view will be amazing for the countdown."

Martinus nudges me playfully, his excitement mirroring mine. 

I laugh softly, my excitement bubbling up inside. "I've never done anything like this for New Year's before. It sounds amazing."

The excitement only grows as we start talking logistics—what time we should leave, where we'll stay, and, of course, what we'll wear. Nora starts pulling up outfit ideas, showing us sleek dresses and sharp suits that would fit perfectly with the glamorous night we have planned.

"I'm thinking something classic and elegant," she says, showing me a gorgeous black dress with subtle sequins that catch the light just right. "What about you, Y/N? Any ideas?"

I smile, already imagining what I could wear. "Maybe something bold, like a deep red dress. Something that stands out."

"Perfect," Nora says, nodding approvingly. "We'll all look amazing."