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“And Danish, unfortunately,” Lillian teased, playfully punching Mari in the shoulder. “I’m sure Dad wishes you’d marry a Norwegian.”
“I’m sure Dad wishes Elin would just get married toanyone,” Mari replied.
“Hey, how did this turn around onme? I’m just sitting here,” Elin said.
“She’s coming,” Christian said quickly. “Be nice.” He stood up from his chair and smiled wide.
Elin recognized that look on her brother – he was happy. Christian was very happy. He kissed his girlfriend on the cheek and placed his hand on the small of her back.
“Elin, Lil, and Mari, this is Amalie.”
“Your Majesty,” Amalie spoke, giving a polite curtsy.
“She’s just his sister; you don’t have to be extra formal with her,” Lillian said. “Hi, I’m Lillian.” She held out her hand for Amalie to shake.
“Your Highness,” Amalie said, shaking it.
“Christian…” Lillian looked at him.
“Babe, you can just call them by their names.”
“You told me to be formal tonight,” she replied, looking at him.
“You did,didyou?” Elin asked.
“Well, you never know with us. I thought it would be good for her to greet Mom and Dad formally, but I don’t care about you three.”
Mari laughed and said, “Hi, I’m Mari.”
“Amalie,” the woman replied.
Amalie had reddish blonde hair, brown eyes, a smattering of freckles over her nose, and a wide smile. She looked happy, too. Elin smiled, thinking about it. Then, she thought of Ingrid and how much she missed the woman. Ingrid still hadn’t gotten back to her, and Elin was beginning to think she might never do. Of course, it hadn’t beenallthat long. Ingrid could be working things out at her new job, or she could just be thinking it over still. She might also be talking it over with her boyfriend and asking him his opinion on her career.
“Elin?”
“What?” she asked.
“You’re squeezing your wineglass so hard; it looks like you’re going to break it,” Mari told her.
“What? Oh,” Elin said, relaxing her grip. “So, where did you two meet?”
“A little restaurant off-base,” Christian spoke. “Amalie was working, and I went in for a burger.”
“You eat burgers now?” Lillian asked.
“I’ve always eaten burgers,” he replied.
“It was a veggie burger,” Amalie said.
“No, it–”
“What?! You’re a vegetarian now?”
“I amnota vegetarian now,” Christian said. “I just like the taste.”
“He put bacon on top of it,” Amalie noted.
“Bacon on top of a veggie burger?” Elin asked her brother.
