Page 75 of Cinnamon Strudel
“What about your behaviour upsets you?”
“I snapped at you and didn’t verbalise my actions and then got frustrated that you didn’t understand what I needed from you.”
“Would you like to hear my thoughts now or do you need to clear your mind more beforehand?”
“It would help me to hear your thoughts.”
“I can see where you’re coming from. Yes, the past twelve hours were frustrating from check in to boarding the plane and especially the layover and customs. It all was a shitshow. You, on the other hand, were my beacon all the way through it. From navigating the airport and keeping track of our passports and luggage. When someone talked down to me, you stood up for me without thinking twice. You made sure our needs were met, and that we were safe. Yes, you didn’t always verbalise what was happening, and even got frustrated, but I didn’t take it personally. The whole situation was stressful and that would leave a mark on anyone. You did a fantastic job, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better by my side.”
Tears poured down her cheeks, melting into the fabric of Morgan’s hoodie. “Can you say that again?” she hesitantly sobbed.
“You, my sweet Ruby, made me feelsafe. You did wonderfully looking out for me and Blue. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone but you by my side through that whole experience.”
“That feels good.”
“I love you to pieces, Ruby. I was so proud of how you handled yourself. My heart swells with joy, knowing you will always be by my side through the good and bad.”
“I love you too, so very much.”
He held her and let her get all of her feelings out before he dabbed her tears away and helped her change into something comfortable. They had dinner before retreating to their room and catching up on some much-needed sleep.
The next morning, Anika walked her to the local bakery, where Ruby was very much overwhelmed by the choices. Germanslovedtheir bread—and bread rolls. Of course, she had to try a pretzel and a small bread that looked like a man with a pipe called a Stutenkerl. Germans were so quirky, but Ruby was already in love.
“I’m sorry we didn’t talk much yesterday,” she apologised as they walked home.
“That’s alright. You two had a hard and long journey. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I just hope we can make up for the bad part of the journey.”
“I’m sure we can think of something.”
“We have a few things we thought you might like and if you are lucky, it might even snow while you are here. It has been a warm winter, so we haven’t had many white days yet.”
“Oh, that would be a dream come true.”
“I thought we could go to the Paderborn Christmas market either today or tomorrow. It’s most magical in the evenings but don’t get your hopes up too high. It’s not that big. We’ll head to Köln for the huge one.”
“That’s two hours by car, right?”
“Yes, Roy has offered to stay sober for us.”
“My hero.”
That evening, they headed into town by bus, which was actually a pleasant experience. German public transportation was phenomenal—compared to Houston at least. They even had tactile guiding lines on the pavement where the bus lined up to provide a seamless step for Morgan. It was barely seven o’clock, but it was already dark, with Christmas lights illuminating the night sky. They walked through the centre of town with bright stars hanging above them and the intoxicating smell of roasted almonds filling the air. They walked onto a plaza, past an old building and found themselves in awe for her first real Christmas market. It was packed with little wooden huts side by side, selling everything imaginable from self-made wooden crafts to real sheep’s wool and more candy than she could imagine.
Not accustomed to the cold, Ruby and Morgan practically shivered in place.
“Let’s get us warmed up,” Roy suggested, leading them into a larger hut where they sold drinks. Leaning against the counter, Roy ordered in German, “Vier Glühwein, bitte.”
Ruby accepted the steaming cup, letting her frozen fingers thaw before she took a sip. The hot wine steamed as she blew on it with the smell of cinnamon creeping up her nose.
“This is good,” Morgan announced.
“And you called us weirdos for warming up wine,” Anika teased.
Ruby turned and leaned her back against the bar, letting it all sink in. The lights, the Christmas carols, the sound of the rough words the people around them exchanged. This had been her dream for so long that she didn’t even know how to process it all.
“Is it all you ever dreamed of?” Roy asked.
“More than that.” She leaned into Morgan, telling him about all the things that surrounded him, and Anika brought it all to life for him with her phone. “We made it, Morgan. We’re here.”
