Ch 2

Billie was sitting in the lounge as the front door opened, Russ and Henrik were quite loud and a little tipsy.

"After you." Henrik directed his hand towards the door.

"No, no, after you."

"Come on birthday boy."

"Shhhhh, you are gonna wake the baby. He's only just gone off." Billie said in a loud hush.

They came in laughing. "Sorry, sorry Bilbo." Russ held his hands up in apology. He quietly went to the kitchen and came back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Henrik had removed his jacket and sat down. Russ handed him a glass and sat down next to him.

Billie was sat cradling Denver. "So, good night then?" She said this with a tone as she knew that Henrik would have given her dad his surprise.

"Yes. Wonderful. Henny has spoilt me. I cannot believe you two kept this secret from me for so long. Thick as thieves the pair of you." Russ pulled out the envelope and showed Billie the details. "We are stopping at Henrik's place when we are over there."

Billie laughed, "Yeah I know. It looks really nice."

Henrik gave Billie a glare in jest. He had wanted to surprise Russ, but he would want to see pictures now.

"What you've seen pictures? Henny..."

Just then Denver started to cry.

"Pass Denver to me. Why don't you go and get your other present for your dad."

Billie stood and passed over the baby to Henrik. Russ just looked perplexed as Billie had already given him her gifts. Billie went upstairs and Henrik soothed Denver. He stopped crying before Billie had come back downstairs.

"I told you dad, Henrik Hanssen has magic powers when it comes to stopping Denv crying." She laughed and passed him the gift.

Henrik looked on as Russ opened his present. It was a travel book about Sweden. "Ah brilliant. I understand why you didn't give me this earlier. Thank you Bilbo." He smiled as he thumbed through the book.

Henrik looked happy and natural with Denver. He stood and rocked the baby as he was falling asleep. "Do you want me to take him up to his cot?" he nods down at Denver.

Billie stood and offered to take him, then she changed her mind. "If that's OK with you. He will probably wake up and start crying if you hand him over." Henrik nodded and went upstairs. Russ still had his head in the book. He was on the basic language page. He was mouthing words to himself. Billie was smiling. Her dad and Henrik both seemed so happy.

"So do you like your present?" Billie asked.

"I love it. I means I can do my revision about Sweden before we go. I don't want to make a fool of myself when it comes to Swedish customs and etiquette."

"To be fair Henrik was the one who suggested this book. He really has played a blinder. He must really love you."

"Well he has never actually said the words, but I know from his actions."

"Exactly. Anyone can say the words right? Henrik doesn't seem like the type to go banding the word love around."

They both laugh. "Anyway dad I need to warn you about a Swedish delicacy, because I guarantee that Henrik probably loves it and he will want you to try it."

"Warn me?" Russ sounded perplexed.

"Yeah. Big time."

"O-Kayyy." Russ said slowly.

Billie got out her phone and went to You Tube. "It's easier if I show you." She typed furiously and then handed her phone to Russ. "They have this 'delicacy' called Surstromming." Billie makes air quotations with her fingers. Now you can read about it in your book, but I think this will tell you everything you need to know."

Russ presses play on the video and watches with wide eyes. "I know right!" Billie comments. "This is not a one off. You can fall into a bit of a rabbit hole watching Surstromming videos."

Russ covers his mouth in shock as he is watching the video. "I'm in trouble I think."

Billie slowly nods. "Big time." They have a Surstromming day. But that isn't until August... I think."

Russ wipes his brow. "Phew."

Billie pulls a face. "However... The Swedish do not need an excuse to eat it and they are known to eat it at celebrations. So, what you have to consider is... will there be anyone who will want to celebrate Henrik being back home."

Russ pulls a face. "Hmmmm, I definitely think I'm in trouble." He then remembered Denver was going to be in bed. He switched on the baby monitor as he knew Henrik would have probably settled Denver quite quickly.

As soon as the monitor came on they could hear sounds from the baby monitor. Russ put his finger to his lips as it was a two way speaker. Henrik was talking to Denver. They had obviously come in part way through Henrik's monologue. "... and so young man you need to remember that although Uncle Henny cannot be here as much as he would like..." He paused, "I will be around as much as I can. Plus you and your mum can come down with your Grandad whenever you want." They hear little sniffles from Denver. "Dream beautiful dreams little man."

Russ was a little choked up. He knew Henrik had a kind soul, but he didn't always make it obvious. It would ruin his stoic Scandinavian image. But this proved that it was there. "Dad, see, he does show emotion. Just not in an obvious way. Now pull yourself together as he will be down in a min."

Russ ran his hand down his face and drained his glass of wine. He was pouring himself another glass of wine as Henrik was coming down the stairs. Billie quickly switched the baby monitor off. She didn't want Henrik to know that they had heard anything he had said to Denver.

Henrik came into the room. He had removed his bow tie and turned up his shirt sleeves. Russ thought he looked very handsome. Very much like he did the day he had delivered Denver. Henrik didn't do casual too naturally, but it did suit him.

"Come sit down Henny. Thanks for settling little man. You have a magic touch."

"Call me Mary Poppins." Henrik laughed.

Billie and Russ both laughed, surprised that Henrik had made a cultural reference funny.

"You are like the baby whisperer." Billie said. "We should hire you out to tired mums."

Henrik laughed as he took a sip of wine. "Unfortunately I do not think my skills are transferable. I delivered Denver, he probably has a bond with me that cannot be replicated. As a rule, children do not really take to me." As he finished his sentence his heart hurt as he realised he had never had that bond with his own son.

He held an incredible amount of responsibility and guilt in respect of Fredrik and how he turned out. Maybe now it was his time to redeem himself. He could help to support Billie and Russ to bring Denver up in a home full of love and support. This was his second chance. He reflected that he did not go looking for a second chance. He felt this was serendipitous. Russ coming back on the scene, meeting Billie, the whole pregnancy drama. Not in a million years could he have predicted this, and had this situation played out again who knows whether they would be where they all are now.

He just felt very lucky that things had turned out how they had. Not everything plain sailing... but is it ever? He just decided to value what he had right in this moment.