You're woken up by the shuffling of wood against each other, thumps, and soft, gentle humming. You open your eyes and watch Jonathan put more wood on the fire. You sit up smiling, realizing you two had slept together, but not in the sense lovers do. But it was close enough. In fact, to you, it felt more special.

He hears you moving and turns his head, his hand still on the fire poker. "Good morning, Beautiful." His smile warms up the morning more than any fire ever could.

He puts the fire poker away and ensures the fire is banked correctly before sitting beside you.

"So, we spent our first night together." He sheepishly looks at you, hoping you aren't upset. He wasn't. He hasn't slept so well in a long time. He glances up out the window.

"Look at the sun and snow. It's stunning this morning."

You turn to look. It's beautiful outside; everything is covered in glistening pure white.

"It's so beautiful." In awe, you walk to the window, admiring the beauty of it all.

You feel him standing behind you, wrapping his arms around you. "Yes, it's beautiful, but not as beautiful as you in the morning."

"You haven't seen me after a night in my bed." You know you toss and turn during the night from dreams of things you rather forget.

"Maybe one day I will." He hopes for so much more with you. He can't believe he has found love on the way to a mountaineer's convention. He starts to chuckle, and you feel his chest rumbling.

You giggle. "Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving. What's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes with hot syrup and crisp bacon." You take his hand, "Let's get ready for the day and meet in the dining room for breakfast." You smile up at him, and his gaze locks with yours. You can't look away.

Lindy and Alex have come down together, holding hands and smiling.

"Good morning, Chili and Jonathan. Isn't it gorgeous outside?" Lindy beams with cheerfulness.

The two men exchange quick questioning glances. Alex slightly nods and Jonathan gives a brief shake of the head. 

Alex pats Jonathan on the back. "Good morning, old man. How did you sleep?" He knew where Jonathan slept last night, and he glances at you and back at Jonathan.

Jonathan whispers, "I slept great. How about you?"

"I got very little sleep last night. But it was worth it." He grins, and Jonathan grins back in understanding. It seems they both found love on this trip.

"I'm heading up to shower and change. I will be down in time for breakfast." You tell them as you start for the elevator.

"I'm right behind you. A hot shower would be great," says Jonathan, catching up to you.

Lindy and Alex stand by the window, his arm over her shoulder as she leans her head on him.

"Do you wanna build a snowman after breakfast?" Alex asks with a boyish grin.

"That would be so much fun." She snuggles closer to him, and they stand there silently, observing the scenery.

Max comes bounding downstairs stairs whistling. Ever health conscious, he prefers the stairs over an elevator.

He spots Lindy and Alex. "Good morning, you two. Looks like a great day for a snowball fight." He laughs and sits in front of the fireplace, rubbing his hands together.

Lindy tells him, "We're going to build snow people after breakfast."

"Sounds fun, but first we eat!" His hand goes to his stomach as it rumbles loudly. They laugh, agreeing it would be best to have breakfast first.

Suddenly, there is a loud "Oomph" followed by a few thuds. Pete has stumbled down the stairs. He is sitting on his arse when they turn to him. He pulls himself up, holding onto the balustrade. 

"I'm fine. I'm good. No broken bones." He waves off their coming to help him.

"Are you alright, Mr. Bard?" Lindy asks, hoping he isn't hurt.

"I'm fine, truly. I just don't do mornings too well." He runs his hand through his tussled hair and smiles at her. She can't help but notice his bloodshot eyes.

She looks up at Alex, glad she distanced herself from Pete. She wonders where their other friend, Eddie, is when the front door opens, and he comes in holding a snow shovel and covered in snow. He stomps his feet.

"Hellava mess out there. I moved enough snow so we could get out the door at least and found the snow shovel out on the deck. So, I figured I would clear the deck and the steps. The sun is out but not much good it will do us. I think it will be a while before we can leave. There is no way we're getting the car out of that snow drift. I think it's the car. I hadn't made it that far, so I don't know yet." 

He pauses for breath as he takes off his scarf and coat.

Before Eddie can pick up where he left off, Max speaks. "You ready for breakfast? I heard there will be pancakes and bacon."

Eddie's smile lights up his face. "There is nothing better than hot pancakes and bacon on a morning like today. I'll be down after I take a hot shower and warm back up. See you at breakfast." Eddie waves to them as he goes to wait on the elevator.

Later that day, after everyone had enjoyed a hardy breakfast, you, Lindy, and the mountaineers shared a table to discuss plans for the day. The men offered to help some of the staff with snow removal. Eddie and Max seemed pleased with helping. Pete passed and said he had a monster of a headache. He hadn't touched much of his breakfast but did have several glasses of orange juice. He asked to be excused from the day as he felt he needed to lay down.

Lindy and Alex were going to build snow people. You and Jonathan let the others know you two were going for a walk. 

You are dressed for heavy snow, and so is Jonathan, and you head out front. You're grateful that Eddie cleared off the deck and steps down to the yard.  The snow was at least four steps high. You step off into the snow, and it comes to your knees. You laugh and turn to look back at the lodge.

"It looks like we got several feet of snow last night. That will be great for business." You smile at Jonathan. You are happy because this means reservations will be filling up on your computer when you check later.

"That is great for a snow lodge and us snow mountaineers. Too bad we can't get to the convention. I was to give my talk this morning."

"You would rather be there. I understand, and I'm sorry you got stuck here." Maybe he didn't really want to be here  . . . with you.

He notices the sadness that comes into your eyes. He takes your hand. "Chili, I'd rather be here with you. It was fate that brought the blizzard to us, fate that your lodge was on our way, and fate that you had room for us. I believe in fate bringing people together that are meant to be." His eyes look with tenderness as he speaks.

Is this man for real, and if so, can you keep him? The blizzard must have been fate. But you are in love, and every step just reinforced it was real.

"Let's make snow angels." You smile up at Jonathan. You're hoping he is as excited as you about snow angels. Does he think I'm being too childish? Should I have said it?

"Where do you want to make them?" He is looking around for a nice place where the snow has not been disturbed by pinecones falling from trees or the tracks of critters foraging in the snow.

You pull his hand, "Over here!" You see the perfect spot. The snow is smooth, and you could make angles right where everyone could see them from the lodge.

You both drop back in the snow, laughing and making snow angels. When you bring your arm down, his hand reaches over and holds on to it.

You turn your heads and look at each other as you lie in your angel forms.

"Chillas?" His voice sounds deeper than normal and almost wistful.

"Yes, Jonathan?" You ask, almost afraid.

"I, I think I've fallen in love with you."

Feeling very sheepish, you admit you love him too. "I fell for you the moment you walked in."

"Do you feel that?" he asks, astonished, "It feels like the earth is trembling, or it is our love." He laughs, trying not to scare you. He thinks he knows what it is.

Sound asleep, Pete is unaware of anything happening around him.

Max and Eddie are with the other staff clearing away snow when they all stop and look at each other. Max asks, "Do you feel that?"

Lindy and Alex are putting the eyes on a snowman when they stop, and the head of one of the snowmen rolls off.

"Do you feel that Alex?"

All eyes are focused on where the sound of thunder seems to be coming from as the earth trembles beneath their feet.

Eyes widen in fear for those on the side of the lodge facing the mountain as they see a large snow cloud swiftly coming down the mountain side.

AVALANCHE!