“His talent is obvious, that’s for sure,” I said while scanning the myriad of incredibly detailed sculptures. “And the nakedness? What’s up with that?”
Savannah must’ve heard me because she turned around, her face lit up with a big smile. “See!” She pointed at me. “I knew someone was going to ask the same question I did when we first visited.” She chuckled. “It’s weird they’re all naked, right?”
“Nekkid,” TJ spouted and giggled.
Jack grinned, the first of the day. His mind has been entirely on plans for Ellen’s funeral and not only her ashes but Troy’s as well.
“What if we put their ashes together, save a little for TJ, maybe in a necklace or a small sealed container and then spread them where they would want to be together as a couple?” I suggested.
Not only did Jack stop in the middle of the bridge, but so did Erik.
“That’s brilliant,” Jack whispered.
I looked from Jack to Erik, who was also smiling. “I love the idea,” Erik agreed. “And I know just where they’d want to have their final resting place,” he finished.
“Tromsø,” Jack whispered.
“What’s Tromsø?” I asked.
“It’s a city in the arctic. It’s where people go to see the best possible view of the Northern Lights.”
My mouth fell open as it dawned on me what they were referring to. “We’re going to see the Northern Lights? Like themagical green, purple, and pink lights in the sky?” I gushed excitedly.
Jack put his arm around my shoulders and nuzzled my neck. “You want to chase the lights,solskinn?”
“Heck yes!” I squealed.
Erik and Jack both smiled so beautifully I knew we’d solved a problem they had been stewing on for days.
“It’s where Troy asked Ellen to marry him ten years ago,” Jack shared.
“I’ll have the jet ready for takeoff tomorrow,” Erik offered. “I’ll have my parents look into booking suites for all of us.”
“Oh, so it’s far away?” I asked.
“Two or so hours by plane from Oslo,” Jack answered. “Really close to Finland.”
“This is so cool!” I squealed, wrapped my arms around my man and jumped up and down like a little girl who was just told she was going to Disney World. “We’re going to see the Northern Lights!”
“Well, we’re going to chase the lights,” he corrected. “Not everyone sees them when they go. It may take days if they show at all, but this time of year is prime for viewing them.”
I let out a loud raspberry. “It’s happening. There’s no way the Universe is going to cheat us out of seeing them when we’re trying to lay your friends to rest. Oh man, I’m so excited. Mom will lose it!” I blathered.
Jack chuckled. “You think they would be interested in going with us?”
My eyes practically bugged out of my head at the idea. Mom and Dad were as adventurous as I was. Autumn too. They’d be down to go and do anything, anywhere. Which gave me another idea that would be incredibly memorable and surprise Jack at the same time.
“Believe me. They will be so down!”
He chuckled and kissed my cheek. “Then we’ve got our plan.”
“Sum Sum!” TJ squealed from where Savannah was holding him on her hip. He was pointing at an angry looking baby statue that was primarily green in color, aside from a shiny gold hand. “Bayyyyy beeeee!” He spoke as he patted the hand.
“Oooh that’s cool!” I left the comfort of Jack’s embrace and went over to Savannah.
TJ immediately stretched his arms out for me and Savannah passed him off.
I rubbed the baby’s gold hand. “Baby is right, sweetheart! Like TJ.”