‘I’d love to be your travel buddy. I’ll head home to Connecticut so I can pack what I need for our road trip and the Camino…’
‘I’ll go back to the village and do the same. Spend some time with Freya and the baby, who will arrive earthside any day… and then meet you in Paris?’
‘Under the Eiffel Tower.’
‘At night, when it’s sparkling.’
‘I can’t wait for all the adventures we’re going to have together, Aubrey.’
He kisses me deep and full on the mouth. The view of the mountain blurs, and all I can see is him and our exciting future of travels together.
32
24 DECEMBER, LAPLAND, FINLAND
Christmas Eve
I’m dressing for dinner in a hurry because I have become one half of those kissy-wissy pairs who spend all their time canoodling and whispering sweet nothings. Jasper’s gone back to his igloo to get changed and it’s like he’s taken the air in the room with him.
My phone buzzes as I clip on a plastic snowflake earring that will no doubt catch Princess’s eye.
When I see the name on the display, my heart rate speeds up. It’s got to be go time!
‘Freya! Is it?—’
It’s not Freya’s face I see; it’s James, her husband. ‘Hi, Aubrey. There’s someone we want you to meet.’ He pans the camera to a little baby swaddled and peacefully asleep.
‘Awww! He’s so beautiful! Look at those chubby cheeks and all that hair!’
‘Yeah, he’s a big boy, bigger than expected, and he didn’t want to bother with a long delivery. He arrived about an hour after we got to the hospital so there was no time to call and tell you Freya was in labour.’
‘Well, I’m not a childbirth expert by any means, but fast is… good, I hope?’
‘Yeah, Freya thinks so too.’
‘How is she?’
‘She’s doing really well. Hang on, here she is.’
My beautiful friend’s face is flushed but satisfied. As if all the hard work has been done and now she can rest with her new baby swaddled up beside her. ‘Hello, you! Baby’s got a right mop of hair, hasn’t he?’
She lets out a quiet laugh. ‘Hasn’t he just? He looks just like his dad.’
‘What’s his name then? I can’t wait to cuddle him.’
Freya sends a loving smile his way. ‘Well, that’s the thing, Aubrey, we need your vote. I love the name Bear and James likes the name Noah, and we simply can’t agree. Which do you prefer?’
‘Ooh, that’s easy. Bear!’
‘Ha!’ She grins and turns the camera on James, who is cupping his face.
‘Really, Aubrey? Bear?’
‘It’s strong yet soft and utterly perfect.’
‘Bear it is.’
We spend the next hour chatting before Freya’s slow blinks make it obvious that the mumma bear needs rest. I’m woefully late by the time I make it to dinner but have the perfect excuse when I show them pictures that James sent of the cutest little baby bear who ever did live.
