Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Charlotte jumped at the knock on the door.

She shut the book she had been reading and tossed back the blanket from her legs, hopping up to answer it. She was steeling herself for more arguments - that her friends would be right there with her, that she could handle the heights, that she shouldn’t spend even a part of their holiday trip alone….

“Esther, I told you it’s fi---”

Charlotte stopped in surprise.

“Oh! Sidney. What are you doing here? I thought the group for Royal Gorge left 20 minutes ago.” Her brows drew together in question, even as she stepped back to let him in from the frigid December air.

Sidney took a few steps into the girls’ rental house, pulling the beanie off his head. “They did.”

Charlotte turned to look at him over her shoulder as she padded back to the sofa, smiling at the curls that were damp and unruly from snow and sweat and his signature move of running his hand over his hair.

Stop it, Charlotte.

She forced herself to look away, picking up her blanket and plopping back down into the plush sectional. “Then, what are you doing here?”

Sidney shrugged out of the down coat that was swallowing him up and shook off the snow, hanging it by the door to dry. He untied and toed off his boots as he explained, “I opted out. I’ve been to the gorge before. It’s awesome and all, but…,” he walked over and sank down into the seat at the far end from her, “...if you’ve been across the bridge once, well… while I’m not scared of heights, per se, once was enough for me.”

Charlotte shivered just at the thought. “I know Esther and Alison were disappointed in me not going, but I just knew I wouldn’t be able to do it. And why pass up a couple days enjoying this all to myself?” She smiled taking in the chalet, warm and cozy, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, stone fireplace roaring.

Sidney’s head dipped and his lips turned up slightly. ‘Ahhh… then I suppose I put a wrench in your plans.”

“No… no, of course not. This is fine.” She smiled warmly. “We haven’t seen each other since your going away party at Babington’s in April. It will be nice to catch up.”

Sidney smiled in return. “Yeah. I thought so, too.” He paused and looked around before running his hand down his pant leg. “So, what were you going to be doing today, or… this evening, specifically?”

Charlotte picked up her book. “You’re looking at it. Hot chocolate, fire, socks, blanket, book. Probably leftover pizza for dinner.”

Sidney nodded, thoughtfully. “That sounds great, but… what if I knew of something that I think you would really enjoy? What would it take to persuade you to join me for dinner and a short trip?”

Charlotte bit the inside corner of her lip. Ask?

Instead, she hedged, “What are we talking about, here? I was pretty at one with my plans.”

Sidney smirked. “Well, it’s a surprise, but… trust me?”

Charlotte regarded him for a moment. His eyes were warm and… hopeful?

“OK.”

Sidney made his way back to the chalet he, Babington, and Crowe were staying in for the holiday in Vail. It was just a short walk down the path between the houses, but in the snow, it took a good bit of time and effort. But that gave him time to think.

He had hung around for a couple hours, enjoying Charlotte’s company, catching up on what she had been doing since he had left their Northwest oceanfront town of Sanditon. She told him about her cafe, her specialty coffees and pastries. It was thriving, especially with the cold season settling in, and she was very content with remaining in the damp, chilly town.

Sidney, on the other hand, had always wanted to get away. Or so he thought. His parents had granted him the opportunity to travel, leading the expansion of additional properties for Parker Place International, and he had set out in the spring for Florida. Of course, that had felt like the other side of the world, and he had quickly discovered how much of his heart was back in Sanditon. His family. His friends.

Charlotte.

They had always had an easy relationship. But she was a few years younger than him and, again, happy to stay in Sanditon. So, he had always maintained a… safe... distance. But recent developments had brought her to the forefront of his mind, and this trip had been perfect timing.

Sidney finally reached the house and walked up the front porch, kicking the snow off his boots and letting himself in. He shed the many outer layers the snowy mountains required and headed for the shower, eager to get ready for the evening ahead. And back to Charlotte.

Charlotte bundled up, figuring she could get some fresh air and enjoy the sunset while she waited for Sidney to pick her up.

Her insides were a flurry of nerves.

The afternoon had been perfect. She didn't remember ever having spent so much time with Sidney, just the two of them. And he had been so open. She reminded herself that they had always gotten on well, that he had always been friendly. But there was a definite shift, and she was super curious as to what it might mean. If anything, she silently cautioned herself.

She tried to tamp down the excitement at the prospect of something more with Sidney, but it was proving damn difficult. She had always found him to be the most attractive man she had ever seen. And he was funny, charming… good. She had wondered a few times over the years if perhaps he could possibly see her as more than a friend when she would catch him watching her. But it would happen once, then nothing ever changed about their relationship. And then months would go by without another compelling glance.

Charlotte breathed out, the exhalation billowing out into the frigid air, then inhaled suddenly when she saw Sidney pull up. She took the stairs carefully and was reaching for the door handle just as he came to a stop.

She climbed in, the heat in the cab enveloping her.

"Hey!"

"Hi."

Sidney smiled softly, and she watched his gaze flit over her face.

OK.

He seemed to realize what he was doing quickly, though, and blinked a couple times.

"You're ready? We'll be outside after dinner."

"Yep. Hat, gloves, scarf… Hand warmers..." She held up two packs of Hot Hands. "...for both of us."

He smiled and her insides warmed right up.

Putting the Jeep in gear, he turned his eyes back to the drive ahead of them. "Alright, let's go."

Sidney drove toward the village, pulling into the Vail Transportation Center where they caught one of the buses shuttling visitors into town. They sat beside one another and watched the town roll by until they reached their stop.

Sidney took her hand as she disembarked from the bus, and a thrill flooded her body. He had never held her hand before. Not that that's what this was, really, but still. She snuck a glance at him, but he was paying studious attention to her feet.

Charlotte smiled to herself, anyway, and looked around at the shops and restaurants lit up, sparkling against the snow. It was so beautiful, and the perfect time of year. She turned, stopping only when she had made a complete circle and saw Sidney watching her. She laughed at herself, knowing she looked like the quintessential tourist, in awe of the sights.

She cleared her throat lightly and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "So. Where to?"

Sidney looked at her for a moment and then tilted his head down the road. "This way."

They walked and talked until they reached Alpenrose.

Dinner was lovely, and Sidney could tell Charlotte was aptly impressed with the food. But it was their display of housemade pastries that had her enthralled, even more to Sidney's delight. He had known she would love it. He watched her exclaim over their presentations, and could see her making mental notes for her shop back at home.

He eventually had to remind her that they had somewhere else to be to help her make her final selection. She settled on macarons for the ride back to the Jeep and an entire apfelkuchen to take back to the chalet to share with everyone later.

Back on the road, the snow covered night flew by, Vail in the rear view mirror. And it wasn't very long before they were getting off I70 and pulling into a lot filled with vehicles, people - couples, families, groups of friends - coming and going.

Charlotte looked around as they got out and zipped up. "Where are we?"

Sidney held out a hand and she looked at it before taking it with a shy smile.

"You ever seen an ice castle?" Sidney asked, the connection sending his insides swooping as he steadied her.

Her brows furrowed in that way that he had always thought was so cute, and he pointed behind her to the distance. She turned and looked.

"Oh. That's it, there?"

Sidney paused. Hmm. That was underwhelming. He looked off toward the castles and realized with a chuckle that, with the exception of the colors, it did look pretty nondescript from their vantage point.

"Well, wait til you see it up close. Come." And he guided them through to the ticket booth.

"Two, please," Sidney requested.

The lady in the booth slid their tickets through the window and Sidney and Charlotte set off down the walk toward the entrance.

"You know you didn't have to pay for my ticket. Or my dinner. I told you th---"

"I wanted to," Sidney interrupted.

He watched her duck her head, then glance back up at him with a grin.

"Thank you." She bumped him with her shoulder. "I'm having a great time."

Their hands brushed and Sidney had to clench and unclench his fingers to keep from catching hers on the next pass. He nudged back, instead.

"Me, too."

And at that moment they rounded a curve in the path that opened up to the ice castles towering in front of them.

Charlotte stood frozen to her spot and breathed out in awe, "Sidney! This is…. Wow. This is amazing."

Ice formations, stories tall, stood lit up from within by different colored lights. People disappeared into pathways carved through the ice and children ran in the snow, crawling into caves hollowed out low to the ground.

"I told you." He watched the wonder play over her face. "Come on." And this time he did grab her hand.

They approached the castle and stepped into one of the passages. Charlotte reached out to run her gloved hand along the ice as they walked through. And Sidney just watched, reveling in her fascination and joy.

They walked out the other side into an interior courtyard, of sorts. In the middle was a fountain, the base made of ice, but with flowing water shooting up into the night sky. They wandered over to it and walked around.

Charlotte stopped at a small sign.

"Oh, it's a wishing well. And all the money goes to charity. I love that!"

"Well…" Sidney pulled off a glove and reached into his pocket, pulling out a few coins. "We should donate. And if we get a wish in the process, that's just a bonus."

He held out his hand for her to take some. She looked from his outstretched hand, up to his eyes and back before pulling her glove off and giving him a cheeky grin. She took a coin.

"OK."

He watched her clutch the coin for a moment, her eyes closed, a small smile playing on her lips before she opened her eyes slowly, looked down at her hand, then tossed the money in. She stood, lost in thought before, seemingly, shaking herself from her reverie and turning to look at him.

God, she was beautiful - her face so serene, eyes bright, lips full and red and…

"Sidney?"

He blinked. "Hmm?" Shit, he was staring.

"Did you want to make a wish?" She was studying him.

He felt himself flush, feeling good and caught in his perusal this time.

"Uhhh, yeah. Definitely." He smiled, sheepishly.

Sidney turned toward the fountain. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and saw her still watching him.

Just do it, man.

So, he let his eyes slip closed and wished. Wished with all his might.

....for her.