Once Upon A Blizzard...Aksel and Ember...Part Two

The sun is just about to set as Ember finally makes her way to the cabin. Where she will spend Christmas with her girlfriends as they celebrate their last time together before they will graduate. This is the first time she has ever spent the holiday away from her family and she misses them dearly but she is also excited for this fun and exciting 
trip, thanks to Cambria's older brother Aksel. The girls will have 
one fabulous holiday before they go off on their separate 
ways as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Ember drags her much too heavy suitcase up and over the slippery icy steps...The snow is really coming down now, thankfully she made it to the cabin just in time. She can't wait to get into her pjs with a 

cup of hot cocoa and chat with the girls....Ember huffs out a breath of relief as she pulls her suitcase along the weather worn porch. 

*Ember* "Ugh...why did I pack this thing so tight?!...."

She stops and gets a grip on the door handle checking the
 number on the door making sure she has the right cabin. 
Cabin number 3 that's what Cambria told her....

She jiggles the handle but the door is locked.  She stops and looks again, this has to be the right cabin! She made 

sure she heard Cambria correctly she said Cabin number 3. 

Ember knocks on the door to get their attention.

Meanwhile back inside the Cabin, it is Aksel who is relaxing and enjoying the absolute peace and quiet. No screaming fans, no phone calls, no emails to answer, no band business just absolutely 

nothing to bother him. Only the sound of him crunching 

on potato chips and the soft christmas music coming 

from the small stereo by the bed.

Ember knocks loud on the door  hoping to get their attention

 the first time. The girls might have music playing and

 they won't hear her if she knocks too softly...

 

And then just like that the peace and quiet Aksel 
thought he was enjoying was interrupted by two
 hard knocks on his cabin door.

*a faint voice* "Hello?!...Cam! Open the door! It's cold out here..."
*Aksel* "What the fu...."
When he swings the door open he realizes it's one of Cambria's girlfriends. She looks cold and very confused to see him on the other side of the door. Aksel ushers her inside, reaches out and grabs her heavy suitcase yanking it inside. Shutting out the cold behind them, his hand still on the doorknob Aksel meets her eyes and she shies away as soon as he takes her in. Then she looks back up at him and questions.

*Ember* "Wh...where's Cam?..."
*Aksel* "What do you mean? She's at the other cabin.
What are you doing at this one?"
*Ember* "Cam told me I'm supposed to go to cabin number 3...."
*Aksel* "That's my cabin, yours is number 23..."
*Ember* "Are you serious?! oh no I must have heard Cam wrong! I'm so
sorry, this is so embarrassing!..."

*Aksel* "It's okay...nothing we can't fix...why don't you call Cam and
see what's up and I'll see if I can call for you to get a ride to the correct cabin..."
*Ember with some relief* "Okay!....Yes...thank you..."

Ember crosses the room so she can set down her small luggage case. She then removes her gloves and digs out her cell phone so she can call Cambria. Aksel's deep voice then breaks the silence between them.

*Aksel* "You're Ember, right?..."
*Ember nods and smiles* "Uh huh...Yes...Cam and I,
were room mates, remember?"
*Aksel smiles back* "Yes, I remember....Cam always speaks
very fondly of you. I think she sees you as a sister."
Ember smiles and Aksel can see she feels the same way about 
Cambria. He is glad his little sister has made such good friends 
while away at school. He was worried there for awhile 
she would not want to finish college.

*Aksel* "Okay if want to use the bathroom to call Cam in private it's fine..."
*Ember* "Ok, sure..."
So Ember does just that and ducks into the bathroom 
so she can call Cambria.
To see Ember and Cambria's conversation pop on over to
Click Here>>>>Mandee's Blog<<<<Click Here
To find the rest of the story then come back here to finish....
Aksel hangs up with office for the hotel resort where he booked the cabins. With the storm blowing in no one is driving out here tonight to come get Ember. She will have to spend the night here.

*Aksel* "Hey, Ember! I...uh...there's no transportation available until the morning.
So you'll have to stay here for the night..."
*Ember* "Um...Okay!....."
A few moments later Ember comes out of the bathroom, Aksel is rummaging around in the small mini fridge. She is so embarrassed about having to spend the night here with Cambria's older, 
smoldering hot, rock star brother. Yikes!

*Ember* " I am so sorry...this is...this is so embarrassing. I just...."
Aksel gets up and turns to face her. If he is upset, 
he hides it very well. Smiling and holding a
 small frozen pizza in his hand he replies.

*Aksel* "It's okay Ember don't worry about it. It's just one night...tomorrow
 we'll get you out on your way to the other Cabin. In the meantime
I hope you like microwave pizza for dinner..."
Ember smiles and relaxes his attitude toward the situation helps her to feel at ease. She has always secretly had a small crush on Aksel. Cambria would talk often about how wonderful her brother is, so Ember feels as if she knows him quite well but to be here in his presence and to be alone with him is a whole other factor.

*Ember smiles* "Sure, sounds great! I practically lived off
frozen pizza at school...."
Later after a quite dinner that was filled with awkward silence in between small talk, Aksel and Ember get ready for bed. 
Ember comes out of the bathroom in her pajamas 
and sees that Aksel has prepared a make shift bed 
with the small bench and chair that are in the cabin.

*Aksel* "I figured I'd sleep here for the night....you can have the bed."
*Ember* "You don't have to do that. I can sleep there, and you take
the bed...I've already imposed on you enough..."
*Aksel* "Ember you could never impose, it's fine I don't mind at all."

*Ember* "Yeah but I'm much smaller than you...you take the bed it will be more comfortable..."
As she speaks those words Aksel takes in her small dainty frame. She is a lovely young girl, and is right she may be more comfortable sleeping there than him but he would never let her. When he pauses too long to reply she reiterates her case in point.

*Ember* "Really, Aksel I don't mind at all. It's the least I can do for barging
 in on your privacy...It's better this way!"
She's so cute when her brow furrows together in frustration 
at her attempt to persuade him to agree. Aksel 
almost decides to give in...

*Aksel* "No, Ember...you take the bed. Get your rest. Believe me I can
manage sleeping here for one night..."
*Ember* "Aksel, I..."
*Aksel* "Discussion is over sweetheart...you take the bed."

They both begin to get comfortable in the sleeping 
arrangement that Aksel has worked out for them...

*Ember* "Here at least take one more pillow...I only need one."
*Aksel* "I will gladly accept that..."
*Ember smiles* "Good cause I wasn't about to let you talk me out of that one."
*Aksel* "Yeah well, I can be very persuasive when I need to be..."
Aksel chuckles low in his throat and the deep sound is smooth and almost sensual as he replied back to her. Ember decides to 
steer the conversation into a more neutral territory.

*Ember* "So, Cam told me this whole trip was all your idea. Is that true?"
Aksel gets the pillow Ember just handed him adjusted 
behind his head as he tries to get as 
comfortable as possible.

*Aksel* "Um...for the most part yeah I guess so, I just wanted to give her something she could remember and reflect on as a very happy moment in her life."
*Ember* "She has been very excited about this trip..."
*Aksel* "Yeah she's never really had a traditional Christmas...
At least not since she was 9..."
Ember knows exactly what he means, there are 
not too many secrets between her and Cambria.

*Ember* "This is the first Christmas I have ever spent away from home...It definitely feels quite strange but I'm excited to spend it with Cam and the girls..."
*Aksel* "Thank you for putting up with Cam and doing this....I know you could
have easily just decided to spend Christmas with your family..."
*Ember* "Thank you for giving us this. Cam is like a sister to me,
I'll always be here for her."

Aksel nods and agrees he knows, Cambria always talks about Ember with such love. How sweet she is and loving, he knows some of her likes and dislikes because Cambria always goes on and on about the life of Ember Collins and how different it was from her up bringing...
The two eventually drift off to sleep and get some rest.

It's now sometime in the early morning hours and Ember turns again in 
her sleep to get comfortable. Her eyes fly open when she 
feels the presence of another body in the bed next to her.

Across from her is Aksel, sound asleep and peacefully dreaming. When he's awake Ember always feels so swallowed up by his presence, he can be a bit intimidating. Watching him now she sees a softer, more vulnerable side. And she can't help but take in his features and the strong lines of his face as he sleeps. 

Aksel may be quite older than her by a decade but he is still the most handsome thing she has ever laid
 eyes on. He's not a boy like the ones she has dated in college he 
is a man and the thought of his strong arms encompassing 
her makes her insides heat up.
Ember attempts to quietly get up and excuse herself to the bathroom to cool down a bit. When suddenly Aksel's sleepy blue eyes
 fly open and stare right at her.

*Aksel half asleep* "I'm not trying to be creepy, it just got too fucking cold by the door..."
Then Ember realizes he must think that she's trying
 to sneak away to go sleep in the chair.
*Ember* "Oh...Oh no it's...it's fine...I just..."
*Aksel still a bit groggy* "It's okay sweetheart. I'm not easily offended..."
*Ember* "I was just gonna use the restroom. Excuse me."
Aksel nods and smiles as his eyes close again. Ember gets up to go into the bathroom and comes out a few minutes later crawling back into the bed she is now sharing with her best friends brother. Aksel's blue eyes open again as he feels the shift of the bed and Ember's presence.

*Ember* "Oh my gawd, you're so right...it's really cold

 out from under these blankets!..."

Aksel must have been dreaming cause his reply completely catches her off guard. Plus his very groggy, sleepy, eyes half shut tone makes her assume he must very well be. Maybe he just talks in his sleep....

*Aksel in a groggy tone* "If it gets any colder you and I will be spooning, sweetheart..."
Then his eyes close again as he falls back asleep...Ember lays down and gets comfortable. Trying to fall back asleep for her is another thing! Why did he have to say that?! Now all she can think about is his warm strong body pressed up against hers...
To Be continued!...

Thanks so much for tuning in and reading my blog and Mandee's blog as well...I hope you have enjoyed the story so far as we have one more series of episodes to wrap up this fun little Christmas crossover series.

See y'all in 2 weeks!
😃😃😃

Once Upon a Blizzard...Aksel and Ember

This year I'm teaming up with my good friend
 barbiefan4life2016
to bring our readers a fun Crossover Christmas Story
 that will be split into 3 episodes every 2 weeks 
having stories on each of our blogs....
So grab a cup of coffee, a snack and enjoy! And after you're 
done here head over to her blog for the rest of today's episode!

Once Upon a Blizzard....Aksel and Ember
Part 1: Aksel Madsen

It's the Friday before Christmas and Bull Tavern is alive with Christmas Cheer, last minute shoppers, and some of their usual crowd as well.

Aric is busy behind the bar while, his wife Roxie makes sure 

everyone is happy. Summer grabs an order for one of her tables. 

The tips will no doubt be good tonight!

*Summer* "Is this my order for table 7?..."

*Aric* " Yep! Just came out...How's it going out there?"

*Summer* "Good! Gonna make my rounds and then take a break?..."

*Aric* "Check with Roxie before you take your break."

*Summer* "Okay..."

After making her rounds to make sure customers are 

satisfied and the girls are being good waitresses, 

Roxie stops to chat with Luke. It has been a good while since Luke has been to Bull Tavern. Life has changed at lot over the past year. 

*Roxie* "So how's Laura and the boys?..."

*Luke* "They're good..."

*Roxie* "Those two keeping y'all busy, huh?.."

*Luke* "Oh you know it, Laura was hoping she could come tonight

 but no babysitter available."

*Roxie* "Awe, yeah...Well it's good to see you...Tell Laura I said hello."

*Luke smiles* "Sure thing..."

*Roxie* "Are you waiting on Peter?...."

*Luke* "Uh...No, no, no...Shaun actually. He's in town for Christmas."

Then Roxie finally remembers hearing that Luke and Peter are

 no longer on speaking terms. Peter pretty much

 never shows up at the bar either. Back when he was banging Hannah he was here almost daily....not anymore

*Roxie* "Oh, okay...."

As Luke and Roxie finish catching up, Shaun shows 

up with another friend in tow.

*Shaun* "Luke is gonna fucking shit his pants when he sees you..."
*Aksel smiles* "That's if he doesn't take a fucking swing at me first."
*Shaun* "Luke is mellow man, trust me..."
*Aksel with sarcasm* "Right...."

*Shaun* "Nah, man I'm serious...He's married now, 2 kids, a house, 

all that shit. I told you this, his wife is Mari's cousin...."

*Aksel* "Yeah I know...Just hard to believe the fucker actually settled down."

*Shaun* "Fuck man, we were all shit heads back then."

As Roxie is about to make her way back to the kitchen, 

Shaun and Aksel step inside. Luke's eyes 

get wide with surprise when he sees that Shaun

 has brought company to their little get together.

*Roxie* "Hi Shaun.."

*Shaun* "Hey Roxie, can we get a pitcher of beer 

and couple more mugs...put it all on my tab."

*Roxie* "Sure, no problem..."

*Luke* "Aksel?!..."

*Aksel* "In the flesh..."

Luke gets up to greet him while Shaun

 takes a seat in the booth.

*Luke* "Shit man....What the fuck you doing down here?!"

*Aksel* "Shaun and I had Rock Candy business to take 

care of before the holiday..."

Luke freaks out worried that if Aksel is here then maybe 

the whole crew is. Damn! Last thing he wants is to see Rufus...

*Luke* "Oh...So uh the whole band is here?...."

*Aksel laughs* "Fucking relax Coop, it's just me. Rufus and Kai are back in Cali..."

*Luke * "Ok, cool...Sit down man..."

The guys settle in and Roxie comes with more beer.

*Shaun* "Damn! Been a while since we been here...."

*Luke* "It has, last time we were all here was when Peter laid into

 you about breaking up the band."

*Shaun* "Yeah that was almost a year ago, damn the time fucking flies by...."

*Luke* "We had a good run..."

*Aksel* "I heard some of your songs...How come you never pursued 

music harder Coop? You're good at it...."

*Luke* "You fucking know why...I had to distance myself from all of it, from Rufus...."

*Aksel* Yeah and you fucking broke her heart so many gawd damn times, 

she's a different woman now."

*Luke* "So I've heard..."

*Aksel* "I know you and I have had our differences but...."

*Luke* "It's in the past Madsen, fucking forget about it.

 I've moved on and so has Rufus, right?"

*Aksel* "Uh...yeah..yeah she has."

*Luke* "Good..."

Aksel can see talking about Rufus still stirs up anger in him...

Luke and him were never too close, Aksel always
 tended to side with Rufus when it came down to it. 

He has always been very overprotective of her. 
Best they change the subject and move on.

*Aksel* "So Shaun tells me you're married with children now..."

*Luke* "Yep...what about you?"

*Aksel* "Nah...I haven't had the time. Between the band

 and a taking care of Cambria it's been a hectic 12 years."

*Luke* "That's right...Your sister Cambria, shit she's got to be all grown up by now."

*Aksel* "Yeah, she's fucking 22 now and about to graduate college..."

At 20 years of age Aksel had no choice but to take full custody of his little 10 year old sister Cambria after the tragic loss of their parents. Being a young, rising musician and lead guitarist for Rock Candy

 was hard enough but not nearly as hard as having to raise his

 little sister around his crazy lifestyle and rock and roll family. 

He made it work and she turned out just fine...

*Aksel continues* "I rented out some cabins for her and a few of her girlfriends as a 

Christmas Graduation present, so I'm heading out for Aspen tonight...."

*Luke* "Wait a minute...You're spending Christmas with a bunch of college girls?..."

*Aksel smiles* "Why, you jealous, Coop?..."

*Luke* "Fuck no!..."

Back in the day Luke, Peter, Shaun and a few of the other guys would have jumped at the offer to party with college girls....But that's all changed now life has new meaning and responsibility that goes with it.

*Shaun* "I tried to tell him you're a changed man..."

*Aksel smirks* "Had to see it to believe it..."

*Luke* "Yeah well meeting Laura was the best thing that has ever happened to me...It did change me, made me grow up and realize that I can't fuck shit up anymore..."

*Aksel* "We were all fucking young and dumb. I'm just relieved Cambria

 turned out to be a responsible young woman. Someone my parents would be proud of..."

*Luke* "Yeah from what I remember she was quite the little spitfire...I remember that time she started drawing tats on her body so she would fit in with all the rest of us...

And you couldn't fucking win with her she was so stubborn."

Aksel chuckles deep as he recalls 10 year old Cambria

 taking Sharpie markers and doodling up her arms...

*Aksel smiles and laughs* "Haha! yeah...fuck she was a handful and still is!...

Damn, Coop I can't believe you remember that...."

*Luke* "What? I remember shit, I wasn't wasted all the time..."

The guys pause chug some beer and then Aksel 

breaks the silence between them.

*Aksel* "So you two are spending Christmas together?"

*Luke* "Yeah, my wife is a chef so she loves hosting holidays..."

*Shaun* "Yeah Laura is an amazing cook...That's one thing Mari ain't..."

Shaun and Luke laugh. Amari grew up eating at fancy restaurants and such, and homemade meals made by her nanny as a kid...

Aksel* "Oh that's right...Shaun mentioned that."

*Luke smiles* "Yeah, Mari is Laura's cousin. So Shaun and I are family now."

*Aksel* "That's cool...Family is important. No matter what, you never know
how long you have."

*Luke in a somber tone* "Yeah it is...."

Aksel is right. He knows the pain all too well. Luke's mind drifts off to Peter and wondering how he is. Laura thinks he should let it all go and forgive Peter and his Mother but Luke cannot bring himself to do it.

While Shaun talks to Aksel about his flight schedule.

*Shaun* "So how much more time you got till your flight takes off?..."

*Aksel* "A couple hours...it's a late flight."

*Shaun* "Okay cool..."

Luke decides to invite Aksel to Christmas 

the more the merrier.

*Luke* You know....you're welcome to stay for Christmas and hangout, 

unless you'd really rather spend it with a bunch of horny college girls..."

*Aksel serious tone* "They're not a bunch of horny college girls...besides I rented my

 own Cabin not too far from the girls. Looking forward to the down time."

*Luke smiles* "Relax, Madsen I'm fucking with you...But you're welcome to stay if you want."

*Aksel* "Nah...it's cool. I haven't seen Cam since August so it will be nice to spend Christmas with her....Aaaaaand her horny college friends...."

Aksel rolls his eyes joking around with so very a 

true statement, the guys all laugh and Luke holds up his mug...

*Luke* "To brothers in Rock n Roll...Merry Fucking Christmas!"
*All together* "Brothers in Rock and Roll!"

The guys hold up their mugs and take a swig. They drink, chat, and shoot the breeze a little longer then finally call it a night when it's time for Aksel to leave. It's always good to see old friends again. 

To Be Continued!
Head on over to Mandee's blog for the rest of today's episode.
 barbiefan4life2016
We'll be back in two weeks with a new one
Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

Aksel Madsen

Age: 32

Birthday: November 8th

Hair: A luscious brown 

Eyes: Blue

Height: 5' 11"
Occupation: Lead Guitar for Rock Candy Alternative Rock Band
Hometown: Born and raised in Los Angeles, California
Currently visiting: New Orleans, Louisiana
Marital Status: Never Married
Hobbies: Music of course, working out, healthy living and eating, and finding time to be in his own thoughts giving into to creativity, and of course he enjoys the company of a smart, good hearted woman...

Aksel had to grow up fast at a very early age taking on sole custody of his 10 year old sister when he was 20 years old. He could have easily fallen apart and let his life spiral down after the devastating tragedy of loosing his parents in a tragic, fatal car accident right on the heels of his band finally making the rock and roll scene. But he is not your typical rockstar, he is more quiet and reserved, taking that pain and turing it into positive energy. Writing songs with Rufus that turned their band into what it is today....He chose to be an anchor for his sister in their time of turmoil and healing, on stage he could be a different man, but off stage he was just Cambria's older brother and guardian. 

Of course Aksel wasn't alone he had his band family with him and they made sure Cambria was safe and cared for too. Things were never perfect but family makes life worth it...