The flying object was getting closer. I could finally make out the shape it was indeed that of reindeer pulling the sleigh. I knew I had to keep shouting. "NICK!" I shouted. I hoped he'd hear me. I prayed that this wasn't going to be like one of those stranded people movies where they see the helicopter or boat and they cannot get its attention no matter how hard they scream or shout. "NICK!" I wanted to jump up and down, but this was a roof not a flat surface. I couldn't do that safely and falling off of the roof would not help my case any. I settled for waving my arms like a crazy person. This was a time I was glad that no adult could really see me.
The adults would think I'm crazy. Then I'd be sent to a mental institution and I wouldn't need that. I wouldn't want to be sent to an institution unless it was one where I could get away with everything. That would be awesome.
"Ellie!" I heard Nick's voice shout. It was music to my ears. I felt like I'd just won the lottery. I waved my arms faster if that was possible. I really wanted to jump, but I really didn't want to fall off this roof with North watching. That would be embarrassing.
"NICK!" I shouted again. Before I knew it the sleigh was right in front of me. There was no more beautiful sight in the world. Nick looked at me in disbelief. "I know I'm different, but…" I was picked up and hugged tightly. I hugged back though my arms could barely move. "I missed you."
"Not as much as I've missed you." Nick said. "Vhere have you been?" His tone was serious. I couldn't give him a serious answer because half the time I didn't know where I had been.
"Let's see there was a beach, a few cities, I got lost in the woods for awhile, I met a little boy found an airport flew to Germany, and here I am." I told him. I was set down and I looked at him. "What happened to you?" I asked my voice not able to hide my shock. North was thinner and looked like he hadn't slept in forever. His blue eyes looked like they hadn't sparkled in forever. His clothing was wrinkled and dirty. Nick just looked so different. I couldn't describe it well. It made my heart ach to see him like that. "I love you." I blurted out.
North hugged Ellie he never wanted to let go again. Her hair was no longer the brown he'd fallen in love with, it was a snowy white and he'd learn to love it. It was a part of her. Ellie was perfect no matter what was on the outside.
"Vhere have you been?" He asked.
"Let's see there was a beach, a few cities, I got lost in the woods for awhile, I met a little boy found an airport flew to Germany, and here I am." Ellie told him. North didn't expect anything less. "What happened to you?" She asked. North remembered he probably didn't look the best. It'd been a long time since he changed clothes, slept, and been happy. "I love you." She told him suddenly. North didn't know what to say. She'd never said those words to him before.
"I love you too." North said.
I was overjoyed at Nick saying the words back to me. I couldn't help but kiss him. "Can we go home?" I asked after I broke the kiss. "To the Pole?" He got a globe out of his pocket and threw it in front of the sleigh. "Can I drive?" I asked quickly maybe he'd let me. Nick shook his head and directed the reindeer into the portal. He never lets me drive.
I don't remember much of our welcoming home. I was exhausted. I felt at peace for the first time in what felt like years. I was home I was happy and nothing could ruin this feeling for me. I was able to crawl into bed after being hugged by every elf and yeti. I think I was hugged twice by a few but I wasn't sure. A few, like Karl, wouldn't let go. I had to have a yeti pry Karl off just to have him replaced by Joel. My goodness I never thought I'd be missed that much.
My bed felt like a cloud. A beautiful cloud filled with the softest cotton, feathers, and whatever else feels so soft. For once my head was clear my heart had nothing but love and happiness in it. There was nothing that could possibly go wrong. I couldn't help but fall asleep immediately. I didn't have any nightmares; I didn't have any dreams either. I had a peaceful sleep filled with nothing but blackness.
Ellie was home back at the Pole to stay. Nick went to sleep not long after Ellie did, but the yetis and elves stayed awake. They had to plan. There had to be a welcoming party for the newest member of the Pole. Then there was the whole issue of the engagement that was supposed to happen. Now how was North going to propose to Ellie and what were they going to do for the wedding?
Of course they could just changed the congratulation banners to ones that said welcome back. That was going to be easy. What was going to be hard would be figuring out a new proposal plan. North had it all planned out last time and the yetis knew that he'd need a new plan. Ellie deserved better then just a plain old asking.
A/N: I didn't think you'd do it. I have to say I did not have that much faith in you all. Some of you reading this at work or at school. I salute you. I love all your comments I love writing this story for you all. I have to say if I would have known challenges would motivate you all to review I might have done this a long time ago.
Congratulations to all of you that reviewed. For all the 1st timers, I loved to hear your thoughts. To all my veteran reviews its great to know you still love Ellie and North.