Night Light romance

A week away, that is all Rose Talbot ever wanted. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the craziness of work. Somewhere isolated and quiet, like far up North in the wilderness.

Six months ago, Rowen invited her and four of their other friends to go on a trip to Tromso, Norway. For a lovely time that included hiking, snowshoeing, reindeer sledding, and not to mention seeing the Northern Lights. Seeing the Northern Lights in person had been on Rose’s bucket list for years. As soon as she received the invite, Rose picked up extra shifts to help put money aside for the trip.

She did not know how much more overtime she could handle.

“Rose!” a male voice barked. “Will you get your head out of the clouds and back to your job?”

Rose blinked as the commotion of the customers and the coffee shop filled her ears once again. How long was she spaced out? Glancing up out of her reverie, she saw a line of twenty people ready to be served and an additional ten waiting on their orders.

“Sorry, sir. It will not happen again,” Rose apologized, inwardly rolling her eyes as she continued with the orders, refusing to look at George. For five years, she has worked with the man, and in those five years, she has questioned why she stayed with the job.

Letting out a sigh, Rose got back to work while letting Georges’ words slip away while focusing on the task at hand. She was working for the money; that’s all.

“So, where did your mind take you this time?” Rowan chuckled. The young woman grinned at her knowingly.

Her shoulder-length red hair was half pulled back with braids along the sides in certain areas with assorted colours attached to the braids. Her blue eyes lighting up as she watched her girl work. She wore a black turtleneck and plaid skirt.

“To Norway and the Northern Lights. Not to mention all the exciting activities we get to do,” Rose explained as she placed the coffee on the counter for her.

“What time are you off?” Rowan asked regarding a very disgruntled George in the back.

“In another half an hour,” Rose responded as she started on the next drink.

“Perfect, meet me outside after work,” Rowan replied as she sipped the hot coffee and feeling it warm her insides.

The last half hour dragged like it always did. Rose had to fight off daydreaming to keep her focused on the drinks. Rose finally got to escape after changing into her blue jeans and a long-sleeved black sweatshirt. Outside on the patio sipping on her coffee, Rowan was waiting patiently. Sneaking up behind her, Rose wrapped her arms around Rowan. Rowan jumped while forcing herself not to spit out her coffee. Grinning up at her, Rowan stood up and linked her arm with Rose, and gently pulled her to the parking lot.

"Now; that we have you free from work, I say we head home so we can pack properly and plan the trip. Miss-I-Will-Just-Shove-Everything-Into-A-Bag."

Rose stuck out her tongue, not denying the accusation. Be it camping for the weekend, sleepovers, or going away in general, her patience wore thin, and so she crammed things into a backpack or duffle bag. If the bag closed, she was a happy camper.

"Do you have a problem with my organizational skills?" Rose questioned Rowan while pouting at her.

“Oh, yeah! They scare me. Hopefully, we can figure out a proper packing plan for you," Rowan responded Playfully.

Rose chuckled while shaking her head as Rowan led her to her black hatchback. Rose slipped into the passenger seat and placed her bag in the back. Rowan got into the driver's seat, starting the engine before putting on her seat belt.

“All right, pizza, drinks, and lists of what to pack. There will be no shoving things in,” Rowan told her.

Rose shook her head while staring out the window. What would she do without her friend? The conversation of their evening plan and what pizza they wanted; had barely reached her ears as she stared at the passing vehicles and buildings. Her hand absently clasped around her dragon pendant with an emerald stone wrapped around its tail.

Rose could not keep her thoughts on the conversation; she was so excited about this trip and what it meant seeing the Northern Lights. To her, it meant comfort, inner peace, and wonder.

“Rose, have you heard a single word I said?” Rowan asked when Rose didn’t respond for a few minutes.

Rose blinked as she lifted her head. “Huh? What were you talking about?”

“Wow, work really must have kicked your ass today. As I was saying, what kind of pizza would you like? And what movie do you want to watch?”

“I thought we were dealing with the packing list?” Rose asked, a little confused, and rubbed her eyes.

“It’s called multitasking. Now, what shall we get?”

“I say the usual. I am not overly picky tonight," shrugging Rose shifted in her seat.

“Hawaiian and Meat Lovers it is. What movie do you want?" Rowan asked, trying to prompt Rose to talk a little bit more.

“Horror. You choose the film."

Rose leaned against the window just as the apartment came into view. The night was going to be a long one, for sure. Her only grateful thought was she was off work for the weekend.

Rose sat on the couch sipping on her Smirnoff Ice as Rowan ordered the pizza and put in their favourite horror movie. She flopped on the couch next to Rose and opened a can of beer.

“All right, the pizza ordered, and the movie is on. Now, let us get started on the packing. We are going for a week, so there is no need to pack for a month,” Rowan insisted on giving Rose a look.

“Hey, I like to be prepared for anything.”

Rowan shook her head, pulling out a piece of paper. “You are impossible. The focus will be thermal underwear, warm socks, waterproof pants, sweaters, snow pants, snow boots, and anti-slip traction. Honestly, there is no need to overdo it. That sixty-litre bag we got will be able to fit a lot if you pack it perfectly.”

“You have thought far too long on this,” Rose replied looking, at the list and knowing how much Rowan suggested for each.

“Keeps me organized and forces you to pack smart.”

Rose rolled her eyes while setting the list down. Screw up a few times for packing, and you pay for it for the rest of your life.

The night became a blur; after the pizza was delivered. After eating, Rowan brought out a big pile of clothes for each of them; and she laid them out neatly along with their bags. Rose could not help but roll her eyes as Rowan forced her to pack the bag.

“Pack the bag like this, she says, got to do it right she says,” Rose thought to herself, finally getting the last of her items packed in.

The long wait was finally over as Rose, Rowan, and their friends arrived in Tromso, Norway. Rose stretched her arms once the women collected their bags. Her body still ached from being stuck on the flight for seven hours for the first flight, waiting for an additional two hours at another airport, then three and a half hours on the last flight. Sleep never came to her while on the flight, or the two-hour layover. She was far too excited.

“All right, today is more of a rest day. So, I suggest we get to our hotel, change, freshen up and then go for dinner. I don't know about any of you ladies, but I am starving,” Rowan suggested looking around at their tired faces.

“As long as sleep is in order right after, I am okay with whatever you suggest,” Naomi piped up. Rowan chuckled as she led them out of the airport into the busy streets of Tromso.

After the women got a ride to their hotel, they dropped their bags unceremoniously to the ground, following suit on the beds. Forcing themselves to get up, the six got situated in the rooms, got washed up, and changed.

One thing Rose noticed as she got dressed was how weird Rowan had been acting for a while. She would be jumpy when Rose got home from work and be secretive when Rose would ask her about her day.

Rose was used to Rowan being secretive, but this felt different and had been on her mind for weeks.

Over the first three days, the friends toured Tromso the first half, followed by dog sledding the remainder of the day, went whale watching and fjord cruise, followed by reindeer feeding and Sami cultural experience. None of the girls could contain their excitement, including a very excited Rose who became attached to the huskies after their sledding adventure.

By the fourth day, Rose could not help noticing the strangeness Rowan was exhibiting as the group spent their free day out on the town. Raising an eyebrow, Rose had enough and decided to get information from the others if it were the last thing she did.

Sending Rowan off to a shop, Rose pulled the four aside to talk to them privately.

“All right, I need to know Rowan has been acting weird lately, and I have a feeling the four of you know something. What is going on?”

“We know nothing; Rowan has not told us anything, we swear!” Naomi promised, giving the others a look.

Rose sighed, exasperated “Seriously? That is what Rowan told you to say?”

“Told me to say what?” Rowan asked upon returning to the group.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing,” Rose said.

Rowan looked confused as she searched for answers.

Later that afternoon, four hours before the Northern Lights tour, Rowan surprised Rose with a candlelit dinner. Rose was pleasantly shocked as Rowan ordered wine and surprised her with a few gifts and a bouquet of white roses. The two spent a romantic evening enjoying dinner and talking.

After dinner and changing into warmer clothes for the night, the women met up with their tour guide for a magical adventure. Rose couldn’t help herself as she went into detail about the romantic dinner and gifts she received. Looks of shock and excitement filled the group seeing the matching bracelet, necklace, and earrings.

“This night is only the beginning,” Rowan told her, kissing her cheek.

“What else do you have planned?” Rose asked crossing her arms.

“Oh, you just have to wait,” Rowan replied. She grabbed on to Rose’s hand, pulling her along with the group. The snow crunched beneath their boots the further their small group continued toward the valley.

Above them, stars twinkled against the dark sky. The night for once was clear enough to see the Northern Lights.

Sitting in the warmth, located in the middle of the valley, with the hours ticking by and the fire crackling away, the group was at ease. Staring up at the star-filled sky one by one, they could see a faint glimmer of green light fill the sky before getting stronger.

The woman watched mesmerized by the phenomenon, only ever watching the sight on videos. As the lights danced above their heads, Rowan took Rose’s hand and gently kissed the back of it.

“Rose, you have been my best friend for years. To express exactly, what I want to say has been the hardest,” Rowan admitted as she went down on one knee. Rose felt her breath catch as she looked down at her. “My universe will never be the same; I am glad you came. I want to be with you now and forever. Will you do me the honour and marry me?”

Rose fighting back the tears, knelt in front of her. “Yes, with all my heart. Yes!”