Scream Me a Dream

Friday December 17, 2010
2:15pm

“See! I can write lyrics too!! Tell me you wrote it down.”

Soya rolled her eyes as she wrote down the last thing Josef had said on a scrap of paper she’d found near the phone. “Stick to dancing Josef.” Soya laughed, as she folded the piece of paper, smiling lightly at Ville’s name on the back of the paper. Grabbing one of the sharpies that was scattered on the counter, as Aida had used them for one of her school projects; she drew a little heart around his name feeling like she was in high school for doing it.

“So when are you coming home? It’s utterly boring here without you.”

Soya rolled her eyes as she colored in the edges of the heart she’d drawn. “Once I get the dance schedule I should be able to tell you when I’m coming back to New York. Did you give it to Rebecca?”

“I did, she said she would be sending it out to all the dancers a couple days after Christmas so that everyone can be back after New Years.”

“Then I’ll be back in New York after New Years.” Soya said with a shrug as she capped the pen and tucked the piece of paper under the phone before grabbing a bottle of water and walking over to the living room, sitting on the couch with her back to the armrest.

“I have a feeling you do not want to come back Soya.”

Soya shrugged again. “I’m excited to get back to dancing, though I’m not looking forward to the hours. I just don’t like the idea of leaving Aida here with just Niina, Nathan and my mother, since Ville is coming to New York with me.”

“How is Elizabeth dearest?”

“No idea, I haven’t actually seen her.” Soya admitted, uncapping her water and taking a sip. “I talked to her a couple of days after Ville’s birthday party to see if it would be all right if Ville and I could take Aida on Fridays and keep her with us on the weekends, she didn’t even put up a fight. She just said that Aida needed to be back home Sunday night. After that I found no need to call again.”

“Odd.”

“Convenient for me, it means I don’t have to talk to her more then I have to.”

“So I’m guessing your mother doesn’t know about your impending marriage.”

Soya laughed. “Which is another reason Ville and I are waiting for the dance schedule, by the way, we need to see when we can set the date. And no, she doesn’t know and if she finds out, it won’t be from me.”

“Someone has grown a backbone since her stay in Helsinki, I think the Arctic Circle is good for you, though sex with a rock star will do that too.”

Soya rolled her eyes. “I think it’s just the Finnish air Josef.”

“Or really good sex.”

Soya laughed. “And possibly that.”

“God, I can’t believe you’re getting married Soya, please tell me you’ve gone shopping for your dress.”

“I…”

“Soya!”

“I’ve looked at them online!” Soya argued. “I just haven’t found one that I absolutely love, but the girls are taking me to go look at some on Sunday.”

“And why not today or tomorrow?! Soya you have nearly five in a half months to pick a dress! Do you know how long alterations on a wedding dress takes?! I refuse to let you buy off the rack! You hear me?!”

“I hear you.” Soya muttered. “How do you know how long alterations take?”

“I have two sisters who have gotten married and I have sister in laws! Who do you think went with them to pick the dress?”

Soya sighed. “Like I said, I’ll go actually look tomorrow, worst case scenario, you drag me to every wedding shop in New York next month and make me try on every dress.”

“Are we looking at a white dress?” Josef asked absently.

Soya frowned. “Why wouldn’t we?”

“Well, you’re not a virgin anymore; do you really think you should wear white?”

Soya shook her head as she gave a soft laugh. “You’re an idiot.”

“You adore me.”

“Hmm, I have yet to remember why.”

“Come back to New York and you’ll remember.” Josef teased. “So why couldn’t you go wedding dress shopping today or any day before Sunday?”

“I’ve been busy since Ville’s birthday; I told you Aida’s in her Christmas play right?”

“You did.” Josef laughed. “She’s my little Scrooge, please tell me your recording it for me.”

“We are,” Soya laughed “Anyway, apparently Aida told her teacher that I make costumes for my dance company, so I got roped into making the costumes for the entire cast of the play.”

“Soya, you can’t sew to save your life.”

“No, no, I can’t.” Soya laughed. “So I hired a seamstress here that makes and designs dresses.”

“Uh…Maija, that’s her name right?”

“That’s right, so I’ve been designing these blasted costumes and running around all of Helsinki trying to get everything for the play tomorrow night, and today we’re going to take Aida Christmas shopping, which in of itself has been a pain.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know what in the world to get Ville.”

“You screwed yourself with that guitar.” Josef tsked.

Soya sighed. “He loves it though, and I want to get him something he’ll love just as much.”

“Hmmm.”

“What?” Soya asked, knowing that Josef was thinking, about what is what had her curious.

“Nothing, it’s just, what about Bauman’s?”

Soya blinked at the name of the rare book store that was in New York, one she frequented when she was in the area. While she adored books and even had the money to full her library with rare and first editions, she preferred paperbacks that didn’t exceed fifteen dollars. “What about it?”

“Well Ville’s a Poe fan right?”

“He is.”

“Bauman’s has a few of Poe’s books, first editions that Ville may like. If you pick something out and buy it, I’ll pick it up for you and ship it out to Helsinki in time for Christmas.”

Soya looked up when she heard the door open, smiling at Ville as he stomped the snow off his shoes on the mat outside, instructing Aida to do the same before entering the tower. “Yeah, I’ll definitely take a look and see what they have.”

“Who are you talking to?” Aida asked stripping off her coat, letting it drop to the floor as she ran over to Soya.

“Josef.” Soya answered absently, only to wince and drop her phone as Aida squealed and made a grab for it.

“Josef!” She squealed.

“Hey! I was talking to him!” Soya called as Aida ran upstairs.

“Well I’m jealous.” Ville said, as Soya looked up at him, smiling and leaning up to kiss him.

“Don’t be, she loves him because he gives her five dollars every time she sees him.”

“Are you ready to get going? Aida’s already has a list of shops we have to visit to get her friend’s presents.”

Soya laughed. “I just have to put on my shoes, want to grab them for me; I left them by the door.”

Ville nodded, looking over at the door where a pair of grey heels sat. “The heels?”

“Yes please.”

“You sure you don’t want anything more weather friendly, it’s been snowing on and off all day.”

“I know, I’ve been watching, I’ll be fine. See, I even put thick tights underneath my jeans.” She said pulling the edge of her pant leg up to show him the black thick tights. “I am now prepared for winter in Finland.”

Ville shook his head amused as he handed Soya her shoes. “How’s Josef doing?”

“He’s bored. The show he choreographed has one more show this weekend and then he’s done until we start back up next month. He told me that Rebecca should be sending the schedules a bit after Christmas.”

“That’s good, we’ll be able to pick and send invitations once we figure out the date.” Ville said as he sat down next to her, watching as she pulled on her grey heels with a fake fur lining on the outside, he watched as she unfolded the fur lining, quickly transforming the heels into ankle boots.

“See, instant warmness.”

“Women still baffle me.” Ville said with a grin, both turning when Aida came back downstairs the phone closed in her hand.

“Josef said he’d call you back later to talk more about dresses.” Aida said handing Soya her phone back.

“You didn’t even let me say ‘bye’.” Soya said staring at the phone.

Aida shrugged. “He said he had to get to rehearsals because his dancers are useless incompetents.”

“Of course he did.” Soya sighed, “Go change out of your uniform, I set your clothes on your bed for you, so we can get going.”

“All right.” Aida said running off again.

“You and Josef were talking about dresses?” Ville asked.

Soya laughed. “He’s starting to get stressed that I haven’t picked out my dress yet, he refuses to let me buy off the rack.”

“Are you going to start looking?”Ville asked.

“Yes, the girls are taking me on Sunday. It’s not as if I haven’t been looking.”

“I’m sure looking at dresses online and looking at them in person is very different.”

“I just haven’t seen anything I really love.” Soya bit her lip as she looked at Ville. “I’m sure if I had more time, I could design my dress.”

Ville laughed “We are not pushing the wedding date so you can design your dress and have it made.” He leaned towards her and kissed her temple. “If you were really insistent about it, we’d talk about it, but since I know you’re just putting off finding a dress, I’m standing firm on this.”

Soya sighed. “What if I don’t find one?”

“You’ll find a dress Soya; you just haven’t gone out to look for one.”

“Easy for you to say, all you have to know is the colors for the wedding and stick a stupid flower to your suit jacket.”

Ville laughed. “I did not make the rules, I’m sorry it’s so easy to find a tux, if it makes you feel better, its hell to get them tailored because my legs are so long.”

“You suck.” Soya said standing up. “That doesn’t make me feel better at all.”

“You’ll find a dress.” Ville laughed, standing from the couch as well as he watched Soya grab her black plaid wool coat and pull it on over her taupe cable knit turtleneck sweater, just as Aida came down dressed.

It never ceased to amaze Ville, just how much Aida took after her sister, it didn’t help that Soya chose a lot of Aida’s clothes. Aida was dressed in dark blue jeans, a grey long sleeved shirt with a pink glittery heart on the center along with a pair of black riding boots that her jeans were tucked into.

“See your sister is dressed for winter, she’d wearing boots.”

Soya rolled her eyes as she handed Aida her ivory hooded winter coat and a little black purse that Aida strapped over her shoulder. “You have the money I gave you?” Soya asked.

“I do.” Aida said opening the little purse and pulling out a pink wallet with a frog clasp. She looked inside and confirmed that she had the money to Soya.

“Perfect, then I think we’re ready to go.” Soya said opening the door, as Ville buttoned up his coat and followed the girls outside. Soya turned to lock the door, her heels crunching on the snow that covered the steps.

“All right.” Soya said turned and dropping her keys into her grey purse that hung from her shoulder as she looked at her sister. “Where do you want to go to get your friends presents?”

“Itäkeskus.” Aida said instantly causing Ville to groan.

“Did you orchestrate this?” Ville asked, looking at Soya as she laughed.

“No, I did not. Aida made the decision to do to the mall all by herself.”

“Are you sure that’s where you want to go?”

“It is. Do you not like the mall?” Aida asked innocently.

“What man in their right mind likes going to the mall a week before Christmas?”

“A sweet one.” Soya laughed, skipping over to him, only for her heel to catch a piece of ice, causing her to trip. She grabbed Ville’s arm, but failed to keep her balance, only succeeding in bringing Ville down with her to the snow covered ground.

“I told you those weren’t winter appropriate shoes.” Ville laughed with a groan, hearing Aida’s laughter in the background as he sat up.

Soya groaned as she sat up next to him, “I just stepped wrong, it wasn’t the shoes.” She pouted.

“Definitely the shoes.” Ville teased standing up, dusting himself off and holding his hand out to Soya. Soya took it, only to wince when she put weight on her ankle.

“You fucked your ankle up again, didn’t you?” Ville asked, starting to crouch down to examine her leg.

“It’s fine, just a bit sore.” Soya said trying to move away from his hands, only to wince. “Okay, a bit worse than sore.”

“Aida, do you mind if we take you to get your friends presents tomorrow?” Ville said, looking over at Aida. “I think Soya hurt her ankle.”

“No, no.” Soya said quickly. “Aida has her last rehearsals all day tomorrow and her play and Sunday I have to go pick Rosalind and Impi up from the airport, so we can meet up with the rest of the girls to look for my dress as well as Aida and Impi’s flower girl dresses.”

“I’m a flower girl?!” Aida squealed.

“Fine.” Ville nodded looking at Aida in amusement before standing back to his full height and digging his keys out of his pocket along with his cell phone. “Aida call a cab, you and I will go to the mall and get the presents you need. Soya, you’re going back inside, laying on either the bed or the couch and icing that ankle.”

“But…” Soya started only to cut herself off with a yelp when Ville picked her up bridal style and expertly unlocked the door.

“You keep walking on the damn thing today and Josef will kill me. I rather like being alive.” He said standing in the middle of the entrance. “So which is it? Bed or couch.”

Soya sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Couch.”

“Good choice.” Ville said moving over and dumping her carefully onto the couch. “Don’t you dare move from that spot Soya, and I will know.”

“Fine.”

“Great.” Ville said, removing her heels carefully and throwing them by the door.

“Hey!” Soya said, sitting up only for Ville to push her back down.

“No shoes either.” Ville said, “I’m going to go grab you some ice, a water and the ice cream you have stashed in the freezer all right?”

“Fine.” She pouted.

“Hey, don’t look at me that way; this is your own fault.” Ville teased, kissing her forehead as he got up and gathered her supplies before setting them near her on the table and handing her the remote.

“Are you sure you’re going to be fine with taking Aida to the mall?” Soya asked as Ville set the bag of ice on her ankle.

“I’ve been with Aida by myself before, Soya. Aida has a list of things she needs to get and I’ll make sure she gets it all.”

“She has a limit Ville, she can’t exceed it.”

“I know.” Ville said, having been there when Aida and Soya set the limit for Aida’s Christmas presents to her friends. “She’s only to spend 100 dollars total on all six of her friends.”

“She can only exceed if…”

“She finds something for my parents, Niina and Nathan, I know, I was part of the conversation too Soya.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “We’ll be fine, stay here.”

“I will.” Soya sighed as Ville started for the door. “This sucks.”

“What you get for wearing heels in the snow!” Ville teased as he closed the door, hearing one of the pillows thump against the door. He turned to Aida who was grinning. “Ready?”

“Cab’s already here.” Aida said, as they started down the walkway. “Do you think Soya will stay on the couch?”

“She will if she knows what’s good for her.” Ville said, winking at Aida as he opened the door for her and let her climb into the cab. He climbed in himself, telling the driver their destination before looking at Aida. “Do you think she’ll stay on the couch?”

“Not a chance.” Aida giggled.

“All right, plan of attack for the mall; I want to be in and out. I know you and Soya made of list of things you need to make those gift baskets for your friends. You have it?”

“I do, it’s in my purse.”

“Great and I need to stop at the frame shop.”

“Are you going to finish up Soya’s present?”

Ville smiled and gave a nod. “I am, Niina’s going to bring me some of the pictures I’m missing tomorrow when she and Nathan come to your play, and Josef sent some other ones out to me a couple days ago.”

“I think she’s going to like it. Soya likes sentimental crap like that.”

Ville laughed at Aida’s use of the word ‘crap’ “Okay, as much as I enjoy hearing you curse, I think you can’t say ‘crap’ anymore.”

“But it’s not that bad of a word, it’s not like…’shit’”

“That one you definitely can’t say, I know that much.” Ville laughed.

“But it’s in English, what if I said….vit-”

“Now that one I’m putting a stop too.” Ville laughed, looking over at Aida. “Where in the world are you hearing all these bad words?”

Aida blinked. “You.”

Ville winced. “All right, bad words are not to be repeated until you’re at least thirteen, deal?”

Aida sighed. “Really?”

“All right,” Ville hedged. “Bad words are not to be uttered in front of Soya until you’re thirteen but nothing worse than ‘crap’ Aida.”

“Thank you.” Aida grinned. Ville shook his head at himself; the girl definitely had him wrapped around her finger. When the cab stopped, Ville looked up, before taking out his wallet, paying the cab driver and getting out of the cab, grabbing Aida’s hand once she had made it out as well.

“All right, we stick together the entire time Aida, it’s way too easy to get lost in here this close to Christmas all right?”

“All right.” Aida nodded, clinging to his hand a bit tighter as they walked to the entrance of the mall.

An hour later Ville was in a store called Glitter, watching as Aida held two bracelets in her hands trying to figure out which one was best for her friend Maaria.

“Blue or green?” Aida asked.

“They’re your friends.” Ville laughed, sticking his hand in his pocket as he felt his phone start to buzz. “Which do you think she’ll like?”

“Both of them.” Aida pouted.

“You only have enough money to get one for each friend, so you have to pick one.” Ville reminded as he answered his phone. “Hei?”

“Ville!”

“Hey Kat.” Ville grinned. “Haven’t heard from you since my birthday.”

“How was that by the way?”

“It was memorable.” Ville laughed. “You still coming up to Helsinki?”

“I’m on my way to the airport now; I should be in early morning tomorrow.”

“Really?” Ville asked, keeping a close eye on Aida as she still looked at plastic bracelets.

“So what are you up to tomorrow? I’d love to meet Soya.”

“Ah,” Ville laughed. “We can’t tomorrow, Soya’s little sister, Aida is in a school play tomorrow night, she has rehearsals all day and she roped Soya into helping with costume designs, then dinner afterwards with Aida.” Ville looked down when Aida tugged on his jacket.

“The butterflies or the ladybugs?” She asked holding up two pairs of earrings.

“Do your friends even have their ears pierced?” Ville asked.

Aida shrugged. “Does it matter? They’re cute”

“You’re definitely like your sister, if you’re getting them earrings it does, how about some…makeup?” Ville frowned turning back to the conversation with Kat. “Should I be suggesting makeup to a nine year old?”

“Might be a little soon for it, who are you talking to?”

“Aida, she’s building little gift baskets for her friends for Christmas.”

“Colorful hair ties, bracelets, colorful shampoos and body wash things and if you’re going to suggest makeup to an eight year old, stick with the play make up and lip balm.” Kat suggested.

“Aida, go look at the hair ties and see what you find.”

“Okay.”

“She has a list but she’s been indecisive since we got to the store.” Ville admitted.

“Where’s Soya?”

“Ah,” Ville chuckled. “She tripped on our way out the door earlier and hurt her ankle; I made her stay home and rest it and offered to take Aida for her Christmas gifts.”

“Last minute shopping Ville, tsk tsk.” Kat teased, causing Ville to laugh.

“I got most of my Christmas gifts already; Soya actually did it for me.” He laughed, keeping close to Aida as she wondered towards the hair accessories. “I just have to get a few more things to finish up Soya’s gift and I was planning on picking them up after Aida was done.”

“What are you getting for her?”

“Technically it’s her birthday gift, she’s a Christmas baby.” Ville laughed. “And I’m not telling, I only told Aida because she overheard me talking with one of Soya’s friends.”

“I’m guessing it’s good?”

Ville laughed. “As Aida pointed out to me earlier, Soya loves the sentimental, so I’m thinking she’ll love it.”

“Well, seeing as your busy tomorrow, what about Sunday?”

“I’m not busy, but I think Soya’s going out with some friends to go look at wedding dresses.” Ville admitted, looking down when Aida tugged on his jacket. “Hang on a second Kat, need help?”

Aida shook her head. “Who are you talking to?”

“A friend of mine.” Ville told her. “You’re not stealing my phone like you did Soya though.”

Aida rolled her eyes. “Are they coming to visit?”

“She is.” Ville nodded.

Aida bit her lip. “She can come to my play tomorrow if she wants, I know Soya and you keep talking about meeting some cat…is this the cat?”

Ville chuckled, “Kat is her name, kultaseni, and yes, Soya and her do want to meet, would it be okay if Kat came to your play tomorrow, maybe have dinner with us?”

“That’s fine.” Aida shrugged. “I think I’m done here though, can we go to the other store, I saw some scarves that I think Olivia would like in her basket.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, let’s go get in line so you can pay.” Ville said following her to the register. “Would you want to do that Kat? I’ve heard the Aida is an extraordinary talent.”

“I am.” Aida said, grinning up at him.

“What play is it?” Kat laughed.

“A Christmas Carol but Aida’s playing Scrooge.”

“A female Scrooge, very modern!” Kat laughed. “Well you have me convinced, I’ll definitely be there.”

“Great,” Ville laughed. “Text me your hotel and I’ll go pick you up to get to the school.”

“You’ve learned to drive Ville?”

Ville laughed. “Fine, a cab and I will pick you up.”

“Sounds about right.” Kat laughed. “Well I’m excited for tomorrow! I’ll see you then!”

“Bye Kat.” Ville said, before hanging up his phone and stuffing it in his pocket as Aida reached the register. He watched as Aida handed the cashier the right amount of money, before accepting her change, putting it in her wallet and stuffing her wallet back in her purse, and just like her sister, she handed him the bags with a grin, expecting him to carry it.

“You and Soya are so much alike.” Ville said taking the plastic bags in one hand and Aida’s hand in the other.

“You say that a lot.” Aida giggled.

“Because it’s true.” Ville told her as they left the store. “Look, how about we got the frame store and get what I need to complete Soya’s present, then lunch, then we’ll go to the rest of your stores all right?”

“Sounds good.” Aida nodded following Ville to the frame and picture store where Ville would be able to find a photo album to complete Soya’s present.

XxxxxxX

“I did not move from the couch.” Soya called out when she heard Ville and Aida come into the couch.

“Good to know.” Ville laughed, handing the bags to Aida, gesturing for her to go put them upstairs. He went and moved Soya’s leg carefully off the cushion she had it resting on, resting it on his lap once he sat down. “How’s it feeling?”

“Better.” Soya grudgingly admitted. “It didn’t swell, but it was probably best that I didn’t walk on it today, especially if I’m going to run around all day tomorrow. How was shopping?”

“Successful. Aida got everything she needed for her gift baskets, as well as gifts for Niina and Nathan that we need to help her wrap tonight.”

“I’m glad she found them something.”

“I also heard from Kat, she’s coming into town tomorrow.”

Soya groaned. “I won’t be able to meet her! I’m going to be at Aida’s school all day.”

“Don’t worry, Aida solved it, she invited Kat to her play and to dinner.”

“Oh! That’s perfect! I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Soya I’ve been thinking.”

“About?”

“My tattoo.”

“Oh please don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind.” Soya teased.

“No, of course not.” Ville said quickly. “But I’d like for you to draw it.”

“For me to…” Soya looked at him wide eyed before shaking her head. “Ville I’m not half the artist Kat is, I only doodle when I need to get something out of my head.”

“I’ve seen your art books, you do more than doodle. I want you to draw her.”

Soya bit her lip. “I don’t think I’d be able to get all the details Ville.”

“At least the outline then; I want you to do this for me. I want it to be more than just you.”

Soya bit her lip before nodding. “Fine, go grab me one of my sketch books from the bedroom and you can tell me what you want.”

Ville nodded, moving her leg carefully and heading up the stairs to their bedroom, grabbing one of Soya’s sketchbooks that she had stashed under the bed along with her pencils. He was about to head back downstairs when he heard rustling in Aida’s room.

“Hey.” He said peeking his head in. “What are you doing to up here?”

“I was going to start on the gift baskets.”

“Aida, bring everything down stairs and we’ll help you with that.”

“Are you going to draw something?” Aida asked spotting the sketch book under Ville’s arm before gathering her bags and following Ville down the stairs.

“I’m not drawing anything; Soya’s going to draw something for me.”

“What are you drawing for Ville?” Aida asked as she settled on the floor next to Soya as Ville resumed his seat on the couch next to her, watching as she sat up, but still rested her ankle on his lap.

“A ballerina.” Soya answered, accepting the sketch book from Ville and flipping to a new page. “Ville’s friend Kat is coming tomorrow and they’re going to talk about Ville’s new tattoo.”

“And Soya’s.” Ville added as he turned on the TV.

“And mine.” Soya chuckled. “But Ville wants me to draw out the outline for his, so tell me what you want her to look like kultaseni.”

“You.” Ville answered simply.

Soya laughed, “How do you want her positioned Ville?”

“I don’t know, all I know is that I want one of her arms outstretched.”

Soya rolled her eyes. “Well that helps.”

“Do you think Olivia would want the pink scarf or the purple hat?” Aida asked frowning over the items on the table.

Ville smiled at both of them, while Aida wasn’t staying with them permanently anymore, it felt wonderful to have the sense of that family unit back even if it was only on the weekends. It was amazing how much he and Soya both missed having Aida around during the weekdays. How much he missed actually waking up early to get her ready for school.

Who knew he’d actually enjoy being such a family man? Ville thought as Soya got his attention again, wanting to know how he wanted the ballerina’s feet positioned while Aida asked Soya’s opinion on how the tissue paper should go in the little plastic baskets she got.

Yes, he definitely liked being a family man.