Cousins
Chapter 31 - 40
Chapter 31
In the mailbox the other day!
Sunset Beach September 6th 1999
Dear Tina,
I hope both you and Ola are fine. We are, but things are getting busy here now. We are renovating the Waffle Shop and then planning for the wedding. Luckily there's a caterer in the famliy. We found a good help in Martie to do the renovating. She and I have the same taste so the "new" Waffle Shop will be great and ready by the end of November.
The thing why I write is that I wanted to hear if you'd like to sing at our wedding or at the reception. Maybe even both. If you like to do it, I have a few songs for you to choose among. I'll include them in this letter. Maybe they're not really lovesongs all of them, but we like them, and maybe you got some other idea.
Don't feel that you have to do it, but of course, I(and Sam) would think it would be nice. Please call, write or e-mail(there are so many ways these days) with your answer as soon as possible.
I'll also include an offical invation to our wedding.
I hope that you and Ola get a lovely autum and we're looking forward to see you both when you get here.
Sam send his love to the both of you.
With love, Paula
This was the songs included:
Total Eclipse Of The Heart(Bonnie Tyler)
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love(Glen Mederios)
Power Of Love(Celine Dion)
Up Where We Belong(if you like to do a duett with Ben)
Heaven(Bryan Adams)
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Hej Tina,
We are not supposed to write to you now. We are dong our homework, but mommy is downstairs making dinner, so she doesn't know.
How are you? And Ola? and Teddy? We are all fine! Me, Trevor, Dallas, mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa and aunt Sara, uncle Casey and uncle Sam and aunt Paula. And Bette and uncle Ashe and Dee and Emily and all others too.
Do you know that we had a party this weekend. Mommy and Daddy have been married for 10 years. It was fun and we did get to stay up late, just as when you were here.
We miss you Tina, and hope you come visit us soon again. Daddy said that we maybe would come visit you in Sverige next summer. I hope so, I like travelling and so does Trevor and Dallas.
We hope you will write us back soon.
Kramar(is that right for hugs, like you used to say)
Trevor, Dallas and Ashley
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Chapter 32
September 13th 1999
Dear diary,
It's not Friday the 13th but it could just as easy have been. I had the worst day since forever it seemed. It started with me not being able to get back to sleep after Ola's alarm at 4.30AM. Then everything went wrong at work and when I came inside the door at Ola's.
Ola: Don't call me anymore! (silence)
No, don't call! It's over and it's been over for months, and I never really loved you anyway!
He was on the phone. He looked angry, but smiled at me when he saw me. The smile never reached his eyes though.
Me: What's wrong? I asked after he hanged up.
Ola: It was Marie again.
Me: Again? Has she been calling often then, and why hasn't you told me?
Ola: I didn't want to bother you and she's mostly been calling when I've been out driving. This time I thought I answer just to get rid of her.
Me: But can't you just change your number?
Ola: No!!! I can't!!!
Me: Don't yell at me!!! I know you got your businesscontacts on that number, but companies changes telephonenumbers all the time.
Ola: Sorry! I know, but I just want to wait and see.
Me: Wait and see? It's been months you said!
Ola: I actually believed she would stop calling.
Me: Ok, can we put this behind us for now? It's been an awful day at work. Let's order pizza for dinner and just don't do anything for the rest of the evening.
Ola: Sounds good to me. Sorry again for yelling at you, it's not your fault.
Me: I guess we both had a bad day.
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At the other side of the world.
The phone rings.
Ben: Ben Evans
Caller: Hello brother, it's me Derek!
Ben: Oh, Hello! How are you?
Derek: Great! I know we hasn't been very close, but I came to think that I didn't have anyone else to call about this news I have.
Ben: Well, you can always call me, so what's up?
Derek: How shall I put this? Congrats uncle Ben!
Ben: Congrats uncle Ben? Now you've lost....., OH! you had a baby?! Congratulation!
Derek: Thank you! But really, BABIES! Twins, they're just born a few hours ago and Caroline is asleep, so I thought I had to tell someone!
Ben: I'm so happy for the both of you! What kind?
Derek: Girls, two beautiful daughters. I can't really believe it.
Ben: I know the feeling, but I can asure you that you gonna get your hands full, but it's at the same time such a joy! I love my twins, and Dallas too for that matter.
Derek: I have to go now, maybe I can call you tomorrow, and get a tip or two from you!
Ben: Of course you can. Give my best to Caroline and go take care of your family. I can say that we all look forward to meet you!
Derek: Will do, Bye!
Ben: Bye!
They hang up.
Ben: Meg? Darling?!
Meg: What's up? You sound happy, was it good news on the phone?
Ben: You bet, I've just become an uncle.
Meg: Uncle?
Ben: Yes, that was Derek on the phone, he and Caroline just had twins!
Meg: Twins?!(laughing) How great! What kind?
Ben: Girls, and before you ask, no, I didn't ask about names.
Meg: How was Caroline? I can't wait to meet her, and Derek too of course.
Ben: She was asleep. As I reacall, you slept quite good too after giving birth to our children.
Meg: Yes, I did. I was beaten. But they are the best thing I can say: Look, I did that!
Ben: I can't agree more, and we had fun making them. It's getting late, let's get to bed.
Meg: Hi, hi, hi!
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Chapter 33Sunset Beach September 15th 1999
Dear Tina and Ola,
First I hope that you both are great and the rest of the family(sorry families, there's Ola's too now) and that the autum is great. Here the weather is great, it getting a bit colder than in the summer, but after this hot one we all need it.
We are all fine and missing you. The children almost doesn't speak about anything else than when you'll get back here.
After you left Tina, I got inspired and wrote Derek a long letter. He called me almost at once( I was both surprised and happy about it). Then we've had good contact and earlier this week he called me with the greatest news. He and his wife, Caroline, got twins this Monday. Two beautiful(according to their father of course) girls. When he called me back again Tuesday the've named them; Sheila Mary and Eva Kerrigan. To be called Sheila and Kerrigan.
I really do look forward to meet him, I think it's been over 10 years. But we have to catch up over Christmas and New Years, when they get here. Derek has already rented a smorl house for them, although I said that we got a lot of space, of course the garage apartment isn't free, it's reserved for the both of you. By the way, did you ask your sister Anna if she'd like to come too? Or maybe you can't have vacation at the same time?!
To the weddings! A lot happening in two weeks! Paula told me that she'd written you a letter asking if you like to sing, and then maybe we'll do it together? I can do it if you like to, but as Sam don't know so many people here he's asked me to be his bestman. And I accepted, but I still sing if you like. We can talk about it when you've decided.
Then I have to tell you this, I haven't seen Annie so excited about anything in a long time. And she's always been excited about almost everything she'd ever done, but this is... I can't describe it in words, but I guess you'll get to see when you finally arrives.
Business is good, Meg is starting to get too much to do for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. But she's arrange a few menues that people can choose from, I'm really proud of her.
The children are doing fine in school, I heard that they've sent you a letter. They are so excited about getting one back, but if I know you right, it's on it's way.
So, what more is there to write about, I'm usally not the one that gossip(that's Bette's department) so I only say like this that everyone in Sunset Beach is doing fine. Oh, this I must say Mark and Sue(the girl that replaced you) have ended up together. Good for Mark, he's been alone for so long time.
I have to end this now, everyone send their love to you all in Sweden. We certianly hope to get there next summer, there are so much things and places and people to meet that I told both Meg and the children about.
Kramar din kusin(Hugs your cousin)
Ben
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Chapter 34September 25th 1999
Dear Diary,
Now it's offical! We did get engaged right after midnight today, now I just have to move in too. I have gotten positive news from the board of the "tenant-owners building society" that I can rent the apartment out, and don't have to sell it!
We shall plant a tree in the garden today, a Japanese Cherry-tree(It's just for show, there aren't growing any cherries on it. We decided together that there was a need for some new trees in Ola's(to be our's) garden. So one more when we get married and one for every child(if we decide to have any, right now it feels so far away since we both work so much).
Anyway some might think it was too fast it's only been about four months, but we feel it was the right time and also that we waisted so much time on others when we could have been together. I might have to clear this, we are not engaged to be married soon, but it's the goal, in two or three years. We bought plain golden rings, nothing fancy, but there were a lot of those too in the stores we looked in.
And how and when we did it? We just changed rings. We were at a friend's party and had decided to do it right after midnight, since we did put an add in the morningpaper announcing it. And we knew that we wouldn't get up early, so we did it like this instead. The funny thing was that we disappered outside for almost half an hour(the weather was really great to be in the end of September) and noone noticed that we weren't there, and noone noticed the rings afterwards either. So, I guess the phone will ring all day long after everyone has read the paper. My mother has called with congratulations from the whole family, my sister too and of course Ola's parents. Early morning people all of them.
We are having our families for dinner the next weekend here at Ola's. I still think of this place as Ola's. I guess I will until I move in here. It feels so strange. I've only lived at two other places before, ok three, me and my parents lived for 2,5 years in Ystad before they bought and renovated the house where I and my sisters and brother grew up. And then the apartment I bought the summer after I turned 20. That's been almost 6,5 years I lived there.
I guess I don't have much more to say this morning. Maybe later today, we do have the day off both of us, so we might go out for dinner to celebrate.
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Chapter 35Ystad September 28th 1999
Hej Ashley, Trevor and Dallas,
I hope that you are fine all three of you. I'm sorry that it's taken almost a month for me to write you back, but I've had a lot to do at work.
I heard from your father that you did get 2 little cousins the other week. I guess you look forward to meet them, I do! And to meet you and all others too.
It's soon Thanksgiving, and I think that you mommy is busy at work too. So is grandma cooking dinner? As I remeber she is a great cook.
Maybe I shall tell you that I'm moving. I'm going to live with Ola in his house. And then I get a new adress, but I'll give it to you when we meet after Christmas when me and Ola comes to Sunset Beach.
I'll even send a letter to your mommy and daddy in this envelope. I want you to give it to them at once. I know you are nice kids and will do so, but I'm checking with them anyway! Ha, ha!
Take Care of eachother
Kramar
Tina
Ola says Hello too!
**************
Ystad September 28th 1999
Hej Ben och Meg,
Jag hoppas att ni mår bra(I hope you are fine). Here we all are fine. I don't know if I told you before but my parents, sisters and brother was really surprised of your gifts and very greatful too.
They, Ola's family and all my friends(they do remeber you Ben!) are all looking forward to meet all of you.
Well, where shall I go from here?
Ok, Congratulations, first on you 10th weddinganniversery, and then on becoming an uncle and aunt. I think it's great how you Ben has gotten in thouch with Derek again. I look forward to meet him again, although I don't have all nice memories from him. He really was a wild youngster. But we have all grown up now.
Then- since you wrote that you are Sam's bestman, I think(laughing) that I can handle the singing myself. I called Paula the other day and we discussed it. But of course, we can do it as a surprise or something at the reception. We can talk about it when I get to Sunset Beach. Or really we get there. Ola is coming too. I hope we can stay at your place.
Talking about staying somewhere. I'm moving in with Ola. One more good thing is that I got permission to rent the apartment out, so if/when you get here next summer, you can stay in it.
One more thing; we did get engaged Saturday! As I told you couples sometimes do just that and don't get married. We will get married though, but not for 2 or 3 years I think. I really want to plan it well, and that I won't have time to before the summer, so I guess you have to come to Sweden one more time(and many more after that too).
So, I think this is it!
Have a great time until we meet again!
Everyone here send's their love
Kramar
Tina
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 36
The Sunday before Thanksgiving in Sunset Beach
Ben and Meg are on the deck watching the children play in the garden. Suddenly the doorbell rings.
Meg: Are you expecting anyone today?
Ben: No. Shall you or I go?
Meg: I can go, I need to move around a bit, we've been laying here almost all day.
She walks through the livingroom to the frontdoor and opens it. She just stares at the visitors.
Visitor: Is this the Evan's residence?
Meg:(stumbles) Y....es.
Visitro: Then you must be Meg?
Meg: Well, I am. And you, you must be Derek?
Derek: Yes, I am.
Meg: Sorry I stared at you, come on in. I knew that you and Ben were twins, but that identical.
She lets them all inside and call:
-Ben! Take the children with you and come inside! We've got visitors.
She turns around;
-You must be Caroline, welcome in. Do you need any help? Twins can be more than a handful, I know. Oh, here they are; my twins and thier sister.
-Where's your daddy? she asks them.
Ashley: He's in the door, he just stands there.
Trevor: No, silly, he's here infront of us. How did you get here before us and who's the baby you are holding?
Meg, Derek and Caroline all laughs.
Meg: Children, this is your uncle Derek, you father's twinbrother.
Ben comes walking slowly: I can't believe this, it's been so many years and it's still like looking in the mirror. Welcome to our place Derek. He gives him a hug.
Derek: Well, I can say the same, and thank you. This is Caroline.
Ben: Nice to meet you!
Caroline: And you too, all of you.
Derek: And this is our twins(he proudly holds one up), this is Sheila and it's Kerrigan with Caroline.
Ben: I have to do this properly too then; this is our twins Ashley and Trevor and this is Dallas.(she's been hiding behind Meg all the time a bit confused about there being two "daddys")
Children this is your uncle Derek, his wife Caroline and your cousins.
Meg: Let's go sit down, we can't stand here all afternoon, can we? I'll put some coffee on, or maybe you want something cold to drink instead. I've got some icetea in the fridge.
Caroline: Coffee would be nice. We've been unpacking all morning. There are a few stuff to bring when you go away for almost three months with this little ones.
Meg: If you need anything, just give me a call, I got all the kids clothes and stuff in the attic.
Ben: So, this house you're renting, where is it?
Derek: Oh, it's right on the beach. It's not very big, but it's enough for us. Ocean Avenue 1305.
Ben and Meg starts to laugh.
Derek: What's so funny?
Ben: And the landlady's name is Elisabeth Hollister?!
Derek: Well, how did you know, I didn't think you had such an insight in this town.
Ben: Well, the big house next to it is our old one.
Caroline: 1303, the Torres' place? That's why they stared at you, darling.
Ben: Have you already meet Ricardo and Gabi? I'm surprised Gabi hasn't called you?(he said to Meg) Or Bette? She's supposed to be the town's greatest gossipcolumnist.
Derek: For mrs Hollister I can say that I told her to keep quite until
we've at least settled in. She did figure out who I was when I told her my name, and with this accent, it wasn't hard to do I think.
Meg: And I can explain why Gabi hasn't called. This was off the hook, she held the phone up. I guess someone have been rushing past it at some time and knocked it off. But it's been a nice and quite, just the family.
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They all sat down on the deck. The little twins sat in their carseats and in front of them sat Ashley, Trevor and Dallas all amazed of how alike the little girls were.
Ashley: They aren't twins like us Trevor. I guess uncle D is going to have it tougher than daddy when we were smorl.
Trevor: Yes, at least we are a boy and a girl.
Dallas: And aunite C(imitated her sister) too.
Ashley:(in a adult explaing way) No, Dallas, mother's don't have that problem, they just know.
The children were so occupied with their conversation that they didn't notice the smiling faces of their parents and new aunt and uncle.
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Chapter 37December 15th 1999
Dear Diary,
Well it's been a while, but between working, packing and moving, there hasn't been much time over. Well, I've almost settled in at Ola's. We both work a lot and some weeks it feels like when I get home from work a bit after midnight and gets to bed, he's about to get up. And then it's been a few times when he has had to spend the night in the truck, because he hasn't been able to get it loaded before they closed.
I've been in touch with both Paula and Annie a few times because of the weddings we are attending. Paula and Sam are getting married on New Years Eve, and then Annie and Harm have their wedding the week after. That will leave us one more week to just rest when we are in Sunset Beach. I almost feared that Annie was to have the wedding two weeks into the new millenium, and that would have been the day before we had to get back home, but fortunelly she decided on the first Saturday.
Talking about weddings and stuff reminded me of what happened today. As usal Ola got up before dawn. But I had been working late so I went back to sleep. When I finally woke up around 9.30AM, I got up and as usal went to the kitchen to put the coffee on before I went to the bathroom. Something was wrong in the kitchen, but I was too tired to notice what it was. It wasn't until I got back I saw them! In my favorite green vase was 6 red roses. I can't say that my brain was working very well this the morning, it wasn't until I read the note I understood why.
----
God Morgon Älskling!
6 månader, underbara månader har gått sen jag kom till dig i Sunset Beach. Tack för en underbar tid, jag hoppas att alla våra följande månader blir lika bra, och växer till många år.
Jag älskar dig O.
Ps, jag är hemma vid 4 idag, inget kan stoppa mig.
Good Morning Darling!
6 months, wonderful months has passed since I came to you in Sunset Beach. Thanks for a wonderful time, I hope that all our months that follows will be as good and grow into many years.
I love you O.
Ps, I'll be home at 4 today, nothing is stopping me.
------
Do I need to say that my eyes was filled with tears. I had forgotten what day it was. I think I need to cut down on my workinghours, I keep loosing my touch on things like this.
Anyway, I got dressed and went out shopping for groceries.
I'm planning on having dinner almost ready when he got home at 4. And then we can spend the evening all to ourself. It's lucky that I have the day off.
When I was out I went to the jeweller's and bought a goldnecklace for Ola! I had to have something to give him. After all, roses aren't very cheap in the middle of the winter, and I know him; he's got something more for me, I just can't guess what. It's not that I need anything, I haven't been more satisfied with my life ever.
Anyway, the time is running I need to get started with dinner. I'm making a roast for dinner and it needs to get in the owen. It's nothing fancy, but a homecooked meal is always great, and since we are working so much both of us, we seldom sit down for a quite meal, one of us is almost always on the run. Usally I cook and set the table before he comes home, we eat together and then I have to leave for work and he has to do the dishes(which he actually does even when we both are home, I hate to do the dishes, although we got a dishwasher, but still there are pots and pans that don't fit in).
Well, every second week is like this, the other week I work dayshifts and then we get home almost on the same time, unless Ola hasn't been delayed.
I hear him coming now! I better finish up here. He needs to shower before dinner and in that time I'll finish the meal and set the table.
------
Ola comes inside.
Ola: Mmmm, it smells good he says when he puts his arms around me from behind and kisses my neck.
Me: Well, it's only a roast, but I made an applepie as dessert. It's a special day I learned when I got up this morning. Happy Anniversary, darling.
Ola: And to you too. He kissed me again.
Me: I tried to call you earlier today, but your cellphone didn't seem to work. Thank you so much for the roses and the note.
Ola: You're welcome. There's been a bad connection all day. I've talked to others who has the same subscribtion, and they've had the same problem. Anything you need help with?
Me: No, I just have to make the sauce. Everything else is ready.
Ola: Then I'll just shower and we can sit down and have ourself a nice evening.
----
I had set the table in the "dining-room" instead of the kitchen. I just put the last thing on the table when Ola came from the shower. He smelled so nice.
Ola: Can't we put this on the table too, he said holding up a pair of candlesticks.
Me: Of course we can. (So romantic of him I thought)
I had put my present on his plate.
Ola: Oh, is this for me? You didn't have too.
Me: But I wanted to. We haven't exactly spent so much time together since we both came home from USA. And I wanted to give you something.
He opened it and inside there was the necklace and a breakable heart. Such a one you break and share with the one you love.
He looks at me and says thanks and then he starts to laugh.
Me: What's so funny?
Ola: Oh, how shall I put this, I've got something for you too.
He gives me a smorl package. When I open it I laugh too. He's also bought a necklace and a breakable heart.
Me: Well, as a friend of mine once said; great minds think alike. I was really choosing between this one and the one I bought. Now we can half of each. Luckily they are a bit different.
Ola: Yes, but I see that it's "cut" so that it will be a whole heart when we break and exchange.
So we did, and then we ate the dinner and the applepie we had with the coffee when we watched a movie on the TV. The did show one of my alltime favorites; Top Gun! I learned that Ola liked it too.
It was a great evening and now we'll soon be off to Sunset Beach. We are leaving the 26th in the morning, so that we got a few days to settle in and get rid of the jetlag before New Years.
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Chapter 38December 20th, 1999
Dear Diary,
It's been a few hectic days. Christmas is coming up in just 4 days, and then in the morning the 26th we are flying to Sunset Beach. I've been out buying wedding gifts, which isn't easy to do when it's mostly Christmas stuff in the shops. But I've managed, and of course they are a bit related to Sweden, that was the whole piont with it, otherwise I'd could as easily go shopping when I get there.
It was lucky that we had that evening off together me and Ola, I haven't seen him since almost. He's been home to shower and eat , and some of the days I've been working and just noticed that he'd been home to do that. But I start my vacation on Christmas eve since we've got the kiosk where I work closed for two days. There's not many people out there that wants fastfood at Christmas. Ola on the other hand has to work a bit both those days. The sugar-beets has to get to the factory.
It will be so good to get this 3 weeks together as a vacation, it will be busy. We'll arrive late the 26th and then I've promised Meg that I'll help her at the Dream Catchers, there's a lot that shall be delivered before New Years, and then she's the caterer at Paula and Sam's wedding. And that is the 31st. Then the next Saturday the 8th of January 2000 it's time for Annie and Harm's wedding. And I guess there'll be a lot to do in between too.
December 23rd 1999
I've been putting in a few extra hours at work. I had to do that as I'm having vacation, and Ola's working all day anyway, so....
I haven't really decorated for Christmas, I don't fell like there's any point in doing it. Anyway when I got home tonight, I were dead tired, so I boiled myself some pasta and sat down in front of the TV to eat. Checked a few things that shall be packed down for the trip and then I fell asleep. Around 11PM I woke up again by the sound of someone singing. I haven't put a CD on, that I know, and not the radio either, and I did turn th TV off. Then I heard the shower too, it was Ola! Since I fell asleep on top of the bed still in my working clothes, I thought that I'd join him. He was still singing and didn't notice when I came into the bathroom(he'd left the door open). So when he came to the chorous I fell in and he turned around and smiled at me.
Me: May I join you?
Ola: Of course, I can need some help washing my back(he laughed).
Me: Only if you help me wash mine.
Ola: I can wash more than your back if you like.
What happened after that I won't tell, but I can say as much as we didn't fall asleep at once.
December 24th 1999
When I woke up I was as usal alone in bed, or so I thought. When I turned and reached for Ola's pillow(it smells like him) I felt something soft. I opened my eyes, it was Teddy holding a red ribbon(or it was tied around his paw). I got up and "asked" Teddy where it led? I didn't get an answer, apparently it was a secret.
Well I came to the kitchen. There was a stop at the coffee-machine. It was ready to turn on. Then I saw another ribbon and it led to the fridge. In it there were some sandwiches on a plate. A lot of them, I guess Ola hasn't noticed that I'm not much for big breakfasts. I took them out and as I waited for the coffee to get ready I went to the bathroom.
When I got back to the kitchen I noticed a ribbon under the rug. I took a tray and put the coffee thermos, a mug, milk and sugar and the plate with the sandwiches on it. I followed the ribbon to the livingroom and sat down in front of the TV. I sat down and poored my self some coffee.
Me: Oh, thank you Ola, if only you were here too.
As I picked the remote of the floor( it must have felt down by itself, I did leave it on the table last night). Ok, so there was a new ribbon.
Me: You've been busy this morning before you let, I have to call you when I've finished breakfast.
I picked the ribbon up and started to fold it as I followed it. It lead back to the kitchen and into the cupboard where it was tied to a mug. Ola's favorite!
Me: What is this?
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Chapter 39Ola: It's your Christmas present. God Jul min älskling(Merry Christmas my darling)
I just stared at him.
Me: God Jul själv(you too), not that I mind, but shouldn't you work today?
Ola: I was, but that's why I was so late yesterday I drove some extra rounds and will do tomorrow too, just so that we could spend today together before we go to your parents for dinner.
Me: This was the best present ever.
Ola: Well, I thought that we haven't spent very much time together this autum. So I wanted us to have Christmas Eve at least. Then I promised my mother that we pop in on our way to your parents.
Me: Sounds good, I just have to call my mother to tell her that the plans been changed. But now, I think we'll have breakfast, someone has been very busy here this morning making sandwiches and the coffee is ready too.
We had a great morning. We had breakfast, laughed, started packing for the trip. We went to Ola's mother around 2PM just to get some coffee and leave a few gifts. Then we arrived at my parent's just in time to get the food on the table and go meet my grandparents(my mother's parents live nextdoor).
We had as usal, eggs, different kinds of pickled herring, a lot of cold buffet dishes, ham and then porridge(it's like ricepudding).
After dinner we exchange gifts and had coffee(it's been a lot of coffee today, I got to cut down on it). And as usal when one have fun the time just flies by. All of a sudden it was 11PM and we had to go home, Ola was to work tomorrow, and I had the last things to pack. We are leaving at 4 AM the 26th, that is if it doesn't start to snow, then we have to go earlier.
I think this will be the last entry before we leave. But before I go I guess you want to know what I more I got from Ola! Nothing, we decided to spend it on our vacation instead. And he didn't get anything from me either, or let me refrase that we didn't buy anything for eachother..........
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Chapter 40December 27th 1999
Dear Diary,
Finally we're here. The trip was long, but not as long as the one I made last(when I was going home to Ola). It went smooth though and when we arrived in Sunset Beach Ben was there to pick us up. There was quite a lot of traffic on the roads, people going home from Christmas get-togethers. Anyway when we arrived at the house there were some guests, Ben had told us about it, but he'd thought they would have left by now, but no such luck. We needed to come inside with him to get the key to the apartment, and what happend there didn't surprise me very much.
Bette: Hey Birdie! Merry Christmas and welcome back, and to you too Olá.
Me:(laughing) Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of you!
I turned to Ola, and he was just starring right ahead, then he turned around and there was Ben.
Ola: So, you are a twin?
Ben: Well, yes, I have to admit that(laughing). Hasn't Tina told you?
Ola: She might have, I have been working so much that some weeks I haven't been home for days except for a shower and some food, if I've passed the house.
Ben looked at me with a sad expression on his face.
Me: I've been working a lot too, so I've come through it fine, although I've missed him.
Ben: Come on in and I'll introduce you to Derek and his family.
-Derek, you remember Tina our cousin and this is her boyfriend..
Me: Hrm(I waved my left hand in front of him)
Ben:(continued) ...sorry, her fiancé Ola. - Tina, Ola this is Derek and his wife Caroline.
Me: Nice to meet you again Derek, it's been a long, long time. And nice to meet you too Caroline.
Derek: Nice to meet you too, we didn't exactly part as friends though.
Me: No, but let's not talk about that now. How are your twins?
Caroline: They're fine upstairs sleeping.
Not all the kids were sleeping. I turned around when I heard something that sounded familiar(my brother did it for years) it was the kids running downstairs.
Meg: Don't run in the stairs!!!!!!
But they didn't pay her any attention. Not their father either, they just ran past him, and that I never seen before.
All three at once: Tina! Ola! You're here! Finally!
Ola: Take it easy, you almost tip us over, he said when Dallas through herself in his arms.
Ashley: We've been up all evening waiting for you.
Me: Just as you tried to wait for Santa the other night?
Trevor:(pulled me down and whispered) Santa isn't real, but don't tell the girls that.
Meg came over to us.
Meg: Welcome back, she said as she gave us each a hug. As you see you've been missed, and I can say that it hasn't been many days when they haven't asked when you're coming back. (to the kids) Now, it's time for bed.
Me: Well, it's nice to feel missed, but it's time for bed for us too. Ben, could you get the key? We've been away since 4 AM Swedish time, and I'm really tired.
Meg: I was up in the apartment this morning dusting and vaccuming a bit. I also put sheets in the bed because I thought that you would be tired.
Me: Thank you!
Ben: Here's the key.
Ola: Thank you! I guess we'll see you all in the morning. Good night!
Me: Good night, and again nice to meet all of you!
The others: Good Night!!!!!!
When we came up to the apartment we went straight to bed and I fell asllep at once. I guess Ola did too.
This was what happend when we arrived yesterday. Today hasn't really begun yet. I've unpacked and now I'm about to wake Ola up so that we can have breakfast. What a life! Breakfast together for three weeks, that hasn't happend since we were here.
I'll write some more later.
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