Chapter Text
Nathan and Paige are sitting on the rocky beach, watching James’ attempt to get near the bonfire. He makes it to 15 feet, this time, before the heat is too much and he runs away giggling. Paige stands up and goes to him and takes him to cool down by the ocean. The ocean is still too cold, even though June is ending, but Nathan is planning on teaching James to swim later that summer. He takes a moment to look at his family and then closes his eyes in order to concentrate on enjoying the warmth of the bonfire. The Troubles have been gone for a year and a half now, but still Nathan sometimes takes moments to just enjoy *feeling*. He doesn’t remember when physical feeling became normal for him again when he was a child, but he suspects that it will take longer this time.
They have travelled to South Thomaston to see a juhannus (a Finnish midsummer fest) bonfire. It’s midcoast Maine, south of Haven. It has a Finnish Heritage House. Nathan has decided to get reacquainted with Finnish Americanness again, and introduce it to James, too. Juhannus bonfire is a good starting point for that. He’s going to wait a few years before he takes him and Paige to West Paris. St. Urho is something James can get to know properly once he’s a teenager, even though he already loves him father’s bubblehead!Urho toy quite a bit.
“Daddy!” James runs into Nathan’s lap. Luckily James is a loud boy, so he didn’t manage to scare Nathan who was still concentrating on his thoughts.
“Hi, buddy. What do you have here?”
”Some grilled sausages and crepes,” Paige replies while sitting back down next to Nathan.
“Sounds good.”
They sit around for a moment in silence, looking at the ocean view, the bonfire, people coming and going. Nathan thinks he can hear a few words of Finnish and it makes him smile.
”This is really nice. I remember you telling me about this once. Well, about Finnishness.” Paige looks thoughtful, like she always does when she remembers things that happened Before Her. That’s how she wants to think about it. Paige’s memories of Audrey are easier then remembering was on Audrey. No bleeding or passing out. Only memories that are not Paige’s, but they are Hers. “Is there a real reason for this, or do Finns just like burning stuff?” she asks with a smile on her face. Nathan let’s out a short laugh. James just stares at the bonfire, looking tired.
”It’s pagan/heathen stuff. For protection from evil spirits. They also have some magic spells related to this time of the year.”
“Really? That’s interesting. What kind?”
”Mostly stuff about trying to find a groom. And surprising amount of nakedness.”
“Is that so? Maybe I should try my luck at that.
”Do you mean the nakedness or finding a groom? I have nothing against the nakedness but haven’t you already found your groom?”
”There’s nothing wrong with making sure.” They share a laugh, which rouses the almost sleeping James and he starts to squirm in Nathan’s lap.
”We should probably take this boy to sleep. “ Paige says as she gets up from the ground.
”Yeah. Should we both go?”
”No, I’ll go alone. You enjoy the bonfire’s warmth for a bit more. Remember, that you promised me some dancing. I’ll be back soon and then you can so me your dance moves and tell me more about the magic of your people. “ Paige bends down to briefly kiss Nathan. Nathan gives James a good night kiss before passing him along to his mother.
“Alright. Be a good boy, James. Good night.”
Nathan looks at James and Paige when they make their way back to their nearby hotel. He can’t help but smile widely. He feels so lucky. For a brief moment he closes his eyes again and concentrates on the heat of the bonfire. There is something hypnotic about the flames of the bonfire and he doesn’t hear it when Paige returns to take him dancing. Nathan is a slightly better dancer now that he can feel his feet again but their dancing is more about fun than skills.
Later, when they are walking back to their hotel Nathan notices a meadow.
“Paige. One midsummer magic spell says that if you collect seven different plants or flowers, usually from different meadows, and sleep with them under your pillow, you will dream of your future groom that night.”
”Is that so? So help me look for them!”
They run hand in hand, laughing, to the meadow and spend about half an hour looking for different flowers. After they arrive at the hotel, Paige gathers her bouquet and puts it under her pillow. They emit a nice scent that helps them both fall asleep.
In the middle of the night, James wakes them up by crawling between them on the bed. Before the whole family falls back asleep in a big pile, Paige whispers in Nathan’s ear
”I just saw a dream about you.” Nathan smiles sleepily.
“Does that make me officially your groom?”
”Yep. Maybe your people really know something.”
They share a brief, tentative kiss in order to not wake up James.
“We’ll go buy our rings next week then.”
”You betcha.”
Soon, the whole family is fast asleep again.