HEJ, MY LOVE

HER CONFESSION

Lars shook Sierra's hand, "nice to meet you."

"Trevligt att träffas."

"Oh my, she speaks Swedish. Jonas, keep this one her hard drive does translations," Lars said with his trademark dodgy humor.

Even Jonas was amazed. He wondered when Sierra learned and figured she probably studied a few things for the voyage.

Sierra's eyes darted, "eh, I have no credit. I studied German and English at school. It makes it easier for me."

It was time to eat. The dishes were summer classics: pasta salad, shrimp salad, Cesar salad. Grilled fish replaced the grilled steaks, but there were chicken and sausages.

As for the drinks, Aquavit and Snaps were there to accompany the fish. There was apple juice and water for the children and no fizzy drinks insight.

Leone ate little; all that interested him were the dogs that Millie was glad to show and play with Leone.

The kids had their seats at the same table, but they came to eat what they wanted and left to play.

It surprised Sierra, who grew up with her father's old school education where none left the table when they felt like it or before finishing what was on their plate.

Jonas's mom, who told Sierra to call her Sigrid, explained she was a holistic doctor while her husband was a philosophy teacher. They both joined the 70s hippie movement. Ulrich was schooled at home, but surprisingly he was the strictest of all the siblings. Sierra understood that Potsmann encouraged their children's creativity and pushed them to follow their gut feeling regarding their life's ambition.

Sierra had a hard time comprehending how kids granted so much freedom, which included deciding whether they wished to go to school or not, turned out so well.

Of course, the environment, culture, and other factors played a part, but it remained an exploit to see how the Potsmann siblings were successful.

Elsa worked in the police force.

Joshua and his wife owned a vegan restaurant franchise.

Ulrich had a real estate agency while Lars worked with Jonas. It seemed the youngest didn't have a particular life plan. Sierra and Lars were the same age, yet they were years apart concerning their responsibilities.

Jonas and Ulrich were the only ones to have gone all the way in their studies, but it wasn't an essential element for the Potsmann. No one cared or brought it up. None asked about Sierra's job or income. They talked about food, and Sierra loved it. Food and hobbies were a safe zone. The funniest subjects were the clichés and myths surrounding both French and Swedish culture: Berets, baguettes, and frog legs, for the French. ABBA, Volvos, herring for the Swedish. The conversation was a good ice breaker that put Sierra at ease.

Finally, the cinnamon apple pies filled the table and had all the children run back for slices.

Leone tapped on Sierra's leg, making Sierra look down, "mama, caca."

"Okay, Leone," Sierra got up, "sorry, I need to change him."

"Can I change him?" Millie asked before Sierra left the table.

"Millie, I'm sorry-."

"Let her do, Sierra; she knows how," Sigrid said.

"But she's little."

Millie took her know-it-all stance, "I'm very responsible. I know it stinks, but I can do it. You can watch me do if you wish."

Sierra felt cornered; she tried to decline once more, "I'm sure you can, but I don't know if Leone will let you."

"Viens Leone," Millie said in french.

The woman was about to protest before questioning herself. Was she really going to argue with an eight-year-old over a diaper change in front of Jonas's whole family?

She quickly revised her position and watched Leone waddle to the girl's stretched hand. They went back inside the house. Sierra wasn't far behind with Leone's changing bag.

Sierra observed Millie, who fetched a big and small towel. The girl laid the bigger towel on the couch and repeated, "Leone, viens," while patting the space she prepared.

The little boy did as instructed. He even laid down, understanding she would change him.

Though Sierra didn't use wipes at home, she brought some just in case it was complicated. Millie used the damp towel she had bought to wipe Leone during this time; she made smiling faces at Leone, she put on a little cream that Sierra handed her. The heat gave him a little rash.

Sierra was impressed.

Leone got up, and Millie went off with the dirty diaper to wash and clean up.

"Nini, mama," Leone said as he attempted to say fini, which meant the end of the action.

"So, how did it go?" Klara asked as Sierra came back.

"She's an expert."

"Millie is good with kids," her father said proudly.

Jonas gave Sierra an apologetic stare. He hoped his family behavior didn't bother her. They were very familiar and carefree, which destabilized many, including Jonas himself at times. Still, it was a good sign for Jonas as it portrayed the first signs of affection for Sierra and Leone.

Elsa waited for everyone to finish before asking, "who won?"

Their father lifted his hand, and all the men got up and began to clear. Sierra frowned at the odd ritual.

"Don't worry, Sierra, it's tradition. Mom and dad play connect four or Battleship before we arrive. If dad wins, we clear and do the dishes. If it's mom, the men do it."

"I see."

Jonas approached his father as they walked back to the kitchen, "you let her win, didn't you?"

His father winked.

Lars sighed, "seriously, dad, you've been losing for over a decade now. Stop it; I'd love to laze about to while talking chiffon."

They began to clean while Sierra lived another please-tell-us moment.

"Sierra, they're gone. You can spill the tea. Did Jonas really kiss you on your wedding day?"

"Elsa," Sigrid exclaimed while leaning forward in anticipation to hear the confidence.

Sierra's gaze swept the table, "you know?"

"Well, I'm the one who told Jonas to go after you. He told me when he came back," Sigrid admitted.

Sierra's cheeks reached their highest peak and throbbed with heat as she blushed, "oh eh, well if he told you. Yes, Jonas did kiss me on my wedding day."

"Wow, that's modern-day romance for you. It's so swoon-worthy," Chloe said.

"And that's when you knew right; that you loved him?" Elsa asked once again.

Sierra turned to look back at the house before saying, "I already loved him. I just wasn't ready to admit it."