A Nordic NYC Christmas

Part IV

-Tino's POV-

The very sight of the word Christmas brightened my heart. Sure, it was a seemingly unreasonable request, but then again, who listens to reason anymore. I shook my head. I sound like Berwald. Always thinking about the past. But he has a point. I feel so distant with the other Nordics. If it weren't for Facebook, I wouldn't be able to recognize any of them. Unfortunately, Lukas and Emil haven't even posted on Facebook for quite a while. They've moved on to trendier apps like Instant Gram and Snappy Chatting, or whatever they're called. Although, I doubt Lukas Snappy Chats often. He's too mature for that. Then again, how would I know? I haven't seen him in ten years. Wow, it really has been a long time. I began to realize how much I actually missed them. I remember when Emil was just a baby, and when Berwald and Matthias saved me from Russia. And of course I can't forget those deep blue eyes watching my every move in the forest. Finally, one day I decided to tell the young man that I knew he was watching. I still laugh to this day when I remember his reply: "I know you knew I was watching you. I just didn't feel like talking to you. You looked so uninteresting, but I had nothing better to do." Lukas was so funny sometimes, especially because 99 percent of the time he's not trying to be. Although, that one percent when he does crack an intentional joke is a time not to be missed. He tells good jokes, believe it or not. The thoughts came rising through my head like a flood. I miss these guys so much...

I can't take it any longer. I need to begin again with my family, no matter how long it's been.

The next day, Berwald and I boarded the plane, holding hands. We were ready to start a new chapter in our lives, one that involved all of the Nordics, this time.