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...