Chapter 146
He sets me down on my feet and we step back to admire our work, beaming at each other at how pretty the tree looks. Paloma crouches and switches on the lights making it all the more festive. I clap my hands in delight, a wide grin on my lips as I stare at our Christmas tree, now all it needs are presents under it which I'm sure everyone, including me, will be sneaking down in the night to place them under the tree.
I feel Gabriel's lips press firmly against my temple making me hum in content and cuddle into his side as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. We walk back to the couches and decide to watch a movie before the weather settles down so we can go out and explore. And so, I press play on a classic Christmas movie and top my warm mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows, sighing blissfully as I snuggle up to my mate.
***
Valeria and Paloma are currently arguing by the doorway of whether we should go into town first to look around famous sights or visit the places Valeria has been begging to go to all morning. On the other hand, Isabella walks around with Nero watching her like a hawk as he chats with Gabriel by the archway leading to one of the gardens.
I lazily observe everyone from the couch. Although the family tries to hide it, I can see that coming back to their parent's lodge after many years is affecting them greatly. Gabriel had become quiet when we first arrived and I would catch him gazing around with a longing look in his sad, green eyes.
It's easy to tell that he misses his parents terribly, mate bond or not. Isabella had teared up slightly when she first walked in and is now taking her time to look around the place, running her fingertips over the numerous family photos placed on the mantel piece of the fireplace and on the walls of the house.
Valeria tries to hide how she feels but I notice her discreetly looking around the place and know she is trying to mask the pain with excitement as she talks to her little brother about the plans for today. Paloma was too young to remember the lodge and much of his parents. He did, however, walk around for a bit with Isabella and ask about the pictures in which he was just a chubby baby.
Nero and I are the only ones who don't know their parents and thus spend our time comforting the family. I try to distract Gabriel the best I can but he remains quieter than how he would be back at the pack. There is an air of sadness yet slight joy of the family finally visiting the lodge again to resume the tradition of spending Christmas in Alaska.
Suddenly, I'm snapped out of my reverie when Gabriel grasps my elbow and tucks me into his side. I wrap my arm around his waist and grin at Nero who is just as excited and hopeful to see the Northern Lights tonight. We will be driving down to Anchorage for it specially, so I really hope with everything in me that my wish comes true.
"Ready to leave?" Nero asks as we all gather by the front door where the Range Rover stands on the long driveway, waiting to take us anywhere we desire.
When we have wrapped up in warm clothing and double-checked that we have our essentials, we close the door and pile into the spacious vehicle that easily fits all of us. I sit in the front whilst Gabriel drives, the rest chattering away in the back. His warm hand grasping mine and intertwining it has me glancing away from the window to smile at him.
First, we are going to be visiting the National Park followed by Tracy Arm Fjord, courtesy of Valeria's incessant pleading all morning. Next, we will be grabbing some lunch and then setting off to wander around the other famous sights of Alaska the family would often visit. Lastly, we will be heading to Anchorage where, hopefully, we might see the Northern Lights!
Soon, we arrive at the Denali National Park and Preserve, spending about three hours on the massive six million acres of wilderness. I take many pictures of terrains, forests, glaciers, and the wildlife we come across such as grizzly bears, wolves and moose, along with pictures of Mount McKinley. I enjoyed snowmobiling the most while skiing was a complete disaster as I had never done it before.
Afterwards, we set off for Tracy Arm Fjord where we are given the opportunity to board a cruise which completed a 360 degree turn so we were able to see it no matter where we stood on the ship. The landscapes and seascapes were absolutely breath-taking and we found ourselves clicking pictures every minute. The fjord walls were more dramatic than I thought they would be and the views of the glacier had us all stunned into silence. Spending about two hours there, we head into town for a late lunch in the evening at a local diner before walking around to look at the famous sights and places the Romanov family visited whenever they used to come to Alaska.
Eventually, we find ourselves arriving in Anchorage. Since it's night time, we drive straight to where the guide has advised us on where we can view the Northern Lights from. Icy cold wind dances around me as soon as I hop out of the Range Rover, making me hug myself for warmth. The others follow behind as we walk towards the terrain, where I can see faint outlines of the mountains and the snow covering everything in a thick blanket.
Luckily, we only have to wait around for an hour and half before we see them. My jaw drops in amazement and we are speechless as we stare at the beautiful wonder. My gaze remains fixated on the Northern Lights and my surroundings seem to fade away. It really is the most amazing experience; to be out here in the cold with only warm winter clothing to keep me warm as I marvel at the wonders of the world. I almost forget to take some pictures of the scene!
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