12 Days of Christmas - Day 12 - Twelve Drummers Drumming

Orlando woke from sleep abruptly. It was the final day: Day 12. Viggo had gifted him every day of the last 11 days with wonderful gifts. Special, intimate treasures meant only for him, with hidden meanings only they would know.

He eagerly anticipated each morning once he'd realized what was going on. This being the last day, he knew Viggo would have a grand finale. It was the artist in him… plain and simple.

He got out of bed, heading straight for the shower. Viggo appeared to be absent from the house, he noted by the silence, but that was okay. He could shower and relax in the blissful steam.

His mind was working overtime, trying to imagine what Viggo had in store for the day. He turned off the shower and reached for the towel. As he pulled it off the rack, red rose petals fell from inside, scattering over the floor.

Orlando bent down and picked up a petal. It was soft between his fingers and it smelled sweet when he brought it to his nose and inhaled the soft scent. Viggo was definitely a romantic. No doubt about it. All the more reason to love him, he thought, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

He dressed quickly in jeans and a sweatshirt and went into the kitchen. The light coming through the windows was made exceedingly bright by the recent snowfall blanketing the ground like a down coverlet. What on earth had Viggo been thinking to come up here to Wyoming, Orlando thought to himself bemusedly.

Noticing that the coffee pot was still on, Orlando poured himself a cup and, slipping on his snowboots and shades, went out onto the back patio. The snow swooshed quietly under his feet as he made his way across the patio. It was stark white for miles around. There wasn't another house in sight. It was their perfect retreat. A hideaway to beat all hideaways.

He stood by the wooden railing, absently wiping the powdery snow off it so he could set down his cup. He had to admit he loved the serenity up here. He leaned against the rail, grasping it with both hands and not minding the coldness of the snow that was caught beneath his palms. It was exhilarating and intoxicating all at once. A slight breeze brushed through his hair, tickling his face.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard the kitchen door slam shut, but he was too distracted by the view in front of him to register it fully. The mountains jutted up all around him, some at a great distance, others seeming so close you could reach out and touch them.

A pair of familiar arms wrapped around his torso and drew him up against a hard chest. The woodsy scent of Viggo filled his nostrils like a fragrant drug and he sighed contentedly.

"Miss me?" Viggo asked softly into Orlando's ear, his chin resting on his shoulder. The sensual vibrato in his voice sent shivers down Orlando's spine.

"Much," Orlando purred, snuggling back as close as possible into Viggo's warmth. "Where have you been?"

"Chopping firewood. Extolling Mother Nature." he said, burying his face into Orlando's curls and inhaling deeply of the spicy shampoo scent.

"I doubt seriously that She would consider you chopping up her trees to be praising her virtues." Orlando chuckled, wiggling his bottom into his lover's groin.

Viggo removed his arms from around Orlando and slapped him playfully on the bottom as he turned to go back into the house. "Your coffee is getting cold, Prince."

Orlando laughed heartily at his lover's departing figure, saying stoically, "Take a shower, why don't you, smelly Ranger!" as he reached for his now cool coffee. Viggo's musky scent lingered around him, enveloping him in a shroud of tranquility.

Viggo smiled as he went into the bathroom, his heart light as he thought of his plans for this evening and the surprise that awaited his true love.



~VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV~

They had spent most of the day outside. Orlando had insisted that they build a snow-fort, which had ended up in a snowball fight. Neither would admit defeat, causing a chase around the house and resulting in a draw simply because Orlando had climbed into the Jeep and locked Viggo out.

"You have to come in the house sometime Mr. Bloom… and when you do…" he made a throwing motion with the snowball in his hand for dramatic effect. Orlando had responded by sticking out his tongue and scrunching down into the seat in a pout.

That had been 15 minutes ago according to the clock on the kitchen wall, and still Orlando had not come inside. "Pouty, prissy Elf," Viggo mumbled as he slipped on his shoes and grabbed his keys. He headed back out to the Jeep.

He could see the top of Orlando's head in the passenger seat where he had left him. Glancing in the window, he grinned when he realized Orlando had fallen asleep. 'Poor guy,' he thought, 'I've tuckered him out before tonight even gets here.' He picked the correct key and unlocked the door.

Opening it wide he reached in to pick his lover up, ready to carry him inside when a cold flash of icy fire smacked him in the face. Orlando gave a hard shove sending Viggo sprawling onto the snowy ground. Viggo had barely registered what had happened when he heard Orlando cackling exuberantly above him.

"THAT will teach you, MR. Mortensen." He laughed triumphantly, bent over with his hands clasping his knees. "That will teach you not to --" his words were cut off sharply as the object of his torment pulled him quickly to the ground and pinned him below.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bloom," Viggo teased mockingly, "WHAT were you just saying?"

Orlando tried to thrash around and writhe out from underneath him, but Viggo had him pinned securely. "Of all the dirty tricks, Vig!" he grumbled, still trying to shake his assailant off.

"MY dirty tricks? Isn't that the proverbial pot calling the kettle black!" Viggo roared with laughter.

Orlando reached beside him, grabbed a handful of snow and shoved it under Viggo's shirt, down into his pants. Instead of making Viggo jump up however, it had the opposite effect as Viggo's pelvis ground downward into Orlando.

Orlando gasped at the sensation as their eyes locked. Lust and passion flared between them instantly. Viggo leaned down hesitantly to brush his lips against Orlando's, almost as if he didn't trust himself.

Orlando moaned at the soft caress, his eyes never leaving Viggo's. Though his hands were still cold from the snow, he grasped Viggo's sides, running his hands over the hot flesh. Viggo shivered as Orlando's hands touched him. Carnal thoughts plagued his mind as Orlando continued to assault his senses. Orlando had raised a leg up between his and was rocking his pelvis against Viggo. It was almost his undoing.

Viggo groaned and placed a bruising kiss to Orlando's lips, delving into his sweet mouth with fierce determination. As quickly as it had happened, it stopped, and Viggo was rising up from the ground and brushing himself off. Orlando looked up, dazed and confused. Viggo reached down, offering him help up. Still not sure exactly what 'hadn't' happened here, Orlando took the proffered hand and rose, Viggo brushing the snow off him as well.

Knowing the question that was about to spring forth, Viggo cut Orlando off. "I'm sorry, love. I want to save that for tonight."

"Tonight?" Orlando repeated, shaking his head in puzzlement as they went into the house. "Vig, you know we can do this more than once a day, right?"

~VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV~

Orlando stoked the fire as Viggo finished up dinner. They had both re-showered and put on more appropriate dinner attire. Orlando wore a cream cable-knit sweater, charcoal slacks, and black loafers. Viggo was wearing a long-sleeve rusty suede shirt, khakis, and brown cowboy boots. The aromas from the kitchen had awakened Orlando's taste buds. He only hoped it wouldn't be much longer; his stomach was already protesting the wait.

He had set the table, lit the candles, and poured the wine just as Viggo had asked of him. He'd been very tempted to indulge in some of the wine, but recalling the warning look from Viggo, had thought better of it. He heard a buzzer go off in the kitchen and said a silent prayer that dinner would be ready in a few minutes.

Orlando could see his lover fussing about in the unenclosed kitchen. He marveled at how at ease Viggo was there. It seemed that whatever Viggo did, wherever he was, that was where he belonged. Things just naturally came easy to him. He was envious for a brief moment, until he realized that loving Viggo was something that came easy to him. Something he was good at, and somewhere he belonged. He smiled affectionately at his lover as he brushed a few stray curls from in front of his eyes. As he sat on the couch he watched Viggo arrange things on a tray, then rearrange them, putting a few more items on it and hefting it in his hands as he walked to the dining area.

Taking this as his cue to assist, he rose from the couch and went to help. Viggo was setting the tray down on the table and removing the plates filled with steaming food.

His mouth gaped when he saw the feast before him. Viggo smiled at the look. "I realize it isn't a traditional Christmas dinner," he began, his hands on the back of his chair, "but since you don't eat meat, I kinda had to shift the menu some. I hope that's okay?"

Orlando's face beamed sunshine in the darkened room. "Vig, you know I love eggplant parmesan! This is the best Christmas dinner ever!" They sat down at the table as Viggo served the main dish. Salad and breadsticks completed the entrée.

Orlando began to take a bite of his dinner and hesitated, a look of uncertainty shadowing his face. Viggo glanced at him curiously as Orlando sat his fork down on the plate and rested his hands on the table. Shyly he looked at Viggo and spoke softly, "You know I'm not much of one for dinner prayer, Vig, but…" Viggo arched an eyebrow, his own empty fork suspended in his hand. "Well, I guess what I want to say is that if I were to offer a prayer tonight it would be a 'thank you' to God for bringing you into my life."

Viggo's throat tightened up; his heart felt as if it had sprung out of his chest. Mist filled his steely blue eyes. His fork clattered to his plate when he tried to calmly set it down. Orlando was gazing at him with a mixture of adoration and wonder. "Orlando…" he began throatily, but his voice refused to work properly. Instead he reached his hand over and took hold of Orlando's.

Finally he felt like he could speak. "If I ever doubt that you love me, all I have to do is remember how you look at this very moment, with the candlelight spraying golddust around your beautiful face and the firelight glinting in your eyes." His throat tightened again and he cleared it. "And if you ever doubt my love for you -"

"That is something I've never even considered." he interrupted, squeezing Viggo's hand.

Viggo looked down at his plate. "This will get cold and won't be any good." He smiled at Orlando, a torrent of love evident in his eyes.

"Well then, I guess we better hurry and eat it, eh love?" Orlando winked at him, a smile crooking the corners of his mouth and making his eyes sparkle. Viggo released his hand and they resumed eating.

The meal was mostly silent; a few appreciative mmm's and ohhh's were mumbled as succulent bites were placed into hungry mouths. When they were finished, Viggo quickly went about cleaning up the table. His plan was about to be set in motion.

Orlando walked to the sliding glass doors to the patio and stared out at the white expanse before him. The moon was high overhead, causing the blanket of snow to appear as if it cradled diamonds and giving an ethereal blue hue to the snow and surrounding mountains. He pressed his forehead to the glass, enjoying in the coldness against his flushed face. Thoughts of their words at dinner warmed his heart.

The wine was having wonderful effects on him. His body felt languid. His emotions, normally turbulent, were now resting easy and he felt as carefree as he could possibly hope to, considering his life.

The long coffee curls were being brushed aside and a soft caressing kiss was placed on his neck. He let the full effect of that simple gesture flow through his body, the current of love and desire running rampant through his core. Viggo's hands grasped Orlando's waist and his fingers easily slipped under the sweater as he nuzzled deeper into the silky curls. "You undo me," Orlando sighed heavily, causing the glass in front of his mouth to fog over.

"My intentions are thus," Viggo smiled into his neck, nuzzling higher behind his ear and flicking the lobe with the tip of his tongue. Lustful sensations absorbed Orlando and he moaned lightly. "I have something to show you," Viggo said enticingly, drawing a heart shape in the fog on the glass.

Orlando grinned. "Something I'm sure I'll want to see," he growled provocatively.

Viggo slid open the glass doors and, taking Orlando's hand, led him onto the patio. Snow that had partially melted over the course of the day now crunched beneath their shoes as Viggo stepped behind Orlando, covering his eyes with his free hand. "No peeking now," he whispered into Orlando's ear. Orlando made a puppy-dog whimpering sound that made Viggo chuckle.

Viggo led him around to the portion of the patio that could not be seen from the back glass doors. "Are you ready for your surprise, love?" he asked, knowing in advance the answer.

"Yes, I most certainly am," Orlando almost squealed. Viggo could feel the excitement humming through his body as his lover was almost bouncing with giddiness. He was practically shivering with anticipation.

They came to a stop and Viggo removed his hand from Orlando's eyes slowly, making sure he wasn't peeking. Orlando had his eyes shut tight. "Stay right there for one moment." Viggo said, and Orlando could hear shuffling and clicking noises in front of him.

"C'mon Vig, you're killing me…" Orlando pleaded.

"Just one more thing, love." he drawled.

Orlando felt his hands being taken as Viggo pulled him a couple feet further forward. He felt Viggo move to his side as he said, "Ok, open."

Orlando wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't the sight which greeted him. A thick, royal blue quilt was laid over the snow. Beside the quilt was a small picnic basket and an ice bucket with champagne. Red rose petals, the same as were in the bathroom earlier, covered the entire scene. At the far edge of the quilt, forming a semi-circle around it, was a row of 12-inch toy soldiers bearing drums.

Orlando was speechless. He stepped forward slowly taking it all in, afraid it was a dream he would awake from too soon if he moved hastily. The full moon above made the whole setting surreal. He knew he should be cold out here, but the love flooding his heart was warming his soul.

He turned to Viggo then, tears filling his eyes. "It's beautiful," was all he could manage as he wiped the tears from his cheeks.

"Hey, baby," Viggo soothed, "Don't cry, love." He took his hand and led him over to the quilt. Kneeling down he motioned towards the drummers and Orlando took a better look at them. He gasped in awe as he read the letters on each drummer's chest. V-I-G-G-O. O-R-L-A-N-D-O. Twelve little drummers. A thirteenth drummer was added in between their names, and on his chest was painted a large red heart.

A squeaky sound escaped Orlando's lips. Viggo looked warmly at him and smiled, placing a gentle hand on his face and bringing Orlando closer for a tender kiss. "Care for a winter dessert picnic?" he asked softly. Orlando could only nod. His senses were still on overload from the outdoor spectacle. Viggo retrieved the basket, pulling out petit fours, cheesecake squares, and chocolate covered strawberries.

Viggo asked him to pour the champagne and Orlando complied, making himself more comfortable on the quilt by sitting Indian-style. Viggo sat beside him, his legs outstretched and he offered Orlando a bite of cheesecake. Orlando's eyes fluttered closed as the sweet, silky confection covered his tongue. A moan of approval escaped his lips.

The sound flowed through Viggo's veins like molten lava, igniting his passion. He leaned sideways, his lips finding the rapid pulse at the side of Orlando's neck and he sucked delicately on the warm skin.

Orlando drew a quick breath at the surprising touch. His luscious brown eyes opened revealing unrestrained desire. A guttural growl came from Viggo's chest. "Now who is undoing whom?" he panted, his eyes locking with Orlando's briefly before cascading down the length of his body. An internal shiver coursed through Orlando's body. 'God,' he thought, 'if he looks at me again like that I'll come in my pants!'

To distract himself, he reached into the basket and withdrew a few strawberries. He placed one halfway inside his mouth and bit into the juicy berry. His eyes closed involuntarily as the immense sweetness of the fruit mixed with the tart chocolate and his lips pursed around it to contain the liquid that threatened to spill.

Viggo watched his lover retrieve the fruit. He stared as he put it between his lips, a throbbing sensation flaring instantly in his groin. He licked his own lips unconsciously as Orlando's lips puckered around the berry. The simple act of eating a strawberry had given Viggo a raging hard-on.

Orlando paused to take a sip of champagne, casting a fleeting glance at Viggo. What he saw caused his heart to stop. The feral lust from earlier in the day had returned to Viggo's eyes and his breathing was coming in short, steady gasps. 'He's panting… for me…' was Orlando's last coherent thought. Viggo could tolerate the intensity no longer and snatched the flute from Orlando with one hand while his other hooked the back of his neck, drawing him in for a devouring kiss.

His tongue plunged into the moist heat of Orlando's mouth, finding escape and paradise in the small confines. The taste of berry, chocolate and champagne was enhanced by Orlando's own sweet nectar.

Orlando gave in to the onslaught, his senses deluged. He vaguely thought enough to throw the strawberries out of the way and then wrapped his arms around Viggo, drawing him tighter as if to absorb him into his own body as the kiss continued.

Viggo pulled him astride his lap, hearing Orlando gasp as he straddled the rigid bulge apparent in his khakis. Viggo could not drink him in fast enough. His desire was rampant, enflamed to white heat. Orlando's hands were all over his body, demanding access to his chest as he all but ripped the buttons off his shirt. They broke the kiss for air, Orlando now panting as hard as Viggo.

Orlando had succeeded in divesting Viggo of his shirt and he played his fingers nimbly over the fuzzy chest. Viggo's eyes closed and his head fell back as the sensations washed over him. A sly smile crossed Orlando's face as he bent forward to flick Viggo's nipple with his tongue. A sharp hiss told Orlando more than any words could. He sucked roughly on the nipple and Viggo's body lurched beneath him.

"Orlando…" Viggo howled in ecstasy. He relinquished the nipple and sat upright, gently grinding his ass in Viggo's lap. Viggo raised his head and looked at him then, the moonlight making his eyes look like liquid silver. Lightning shot through Orlando's heart at the sight before him. "You are wicked… so very wicked…" Viggo growled, nimbly removing Orlando's sweater.

The flash of cold air perked Orlando's nipples and Viggo turned his undivided attention to them. Orlando writhed under the onslaught. Whimpers sprung forth from swollen lips stained red from the strawberry. The noises emitted from his lover drove Viggo closer to the brink. He adored the fact that Orlando was a noisy lover. That in itself had instigated more interludes than Viggo could recount.

Brief chaos ensued as the remaining garments were removed and complete intimacy was attained. Viggo lay atop Orlando now, their eyes locked yet again in ardor. "Take me, Viggo," Orlando breathed lightly against his lover's lips. Viggo needed no further encouragement.

He snaked down his lover's body, pausing to kiss the sun tattoo that he always found so fascinating. Orlando quivered at the sensation, so near to tickling. Viggo went lower still, laving his tongue along Orlando's stiff and weeping cock. Orlando moaned loudly as Viggo took his full length into his mouth. The wet heat delivered intense shivers and created goosebumps on his skin.

"Viggo…" he panted amorously as his hips bucked involuntarily. He plunged his fingers into the sandy blonde hair and pulled rather forcefully. "Vig, you've got to stop now or I'll -"

Viggo removed his lips immediately from Orlando's engorged cock, a deviant smile plastered on his handsome face. Orlando's exasperation was apparent. "Who's the wicked one now?" he asked with a snicker.

Viggo continued to grin devilishly, slinking back up his lover's body, trailing his tongue up it as he went. Orlando sought flesh to grind his erection upon and Viggo took notice of his lover's unwinding control. "All right, baby," he purred, "You want me, here I am."

He perched on his knees, pulling Orlando's hips up onto his lap and position himself at his hole. 'Ah, damn,' he groused to himself, 'no lube!' Saliva working well from past experiences, he slicked himself up with his own and pushed toward his lover's heat.

Orlando bit his lower lip in anticipation. The imminent pressure was incredible, to the point of being exotic. Soon he felt the head of Viggo's cock inside the tight ring and he gasped at the intrusion. It hadn't been long since their last coupling, but the sensations never failed to impress Orlando.

Viggo delved deeper, a shuddering groan escaping him as he completely sheathed himself in his lover. Orlando yelped in bliss as Viggo hit his target for the first of many times.

Explosions racked Viggo's nervous system. He knew this feeling. The white-hot, silken sheath that enclosed him. It was nothing new to him, yet it was so brilliantly incandescent, each time like the first. Orlando's cries of yearning for continued motion reached his ears from somewhere far away and he began to thrust inside him. Sweet rapture sought him.

Orlando was getting louder with each thrust. Viggo leaned down to capture his lover's lips, gently suckling the bottom one into his mouth, and then voraciously plundering his mouth as he pummeled Orlando's body. Orlando was heaven's ecstasy. Could a fire in heaven burn as hot and as bright as it did within his precious love?

Orlando surrendered to Viggo. Mind, body and soul given freely to the love of his life. He wrapped his arms around his lover then, Viggo raining kisses over his face and neck as he lifted them both from the quilt. Viggo sat on his heels, Orlando atop his lap, his legs wrapped tightly around Viggo's back. Viggo saw them in his mind's eye, the picture of perfect love immortalized in clay.

He continued to thrust, feeling his release forthcoming. Orlando was riding closer to the brink as well; he could feel the narrow passage tightening slightly as pre-orgasmic waves rushed in on Orlando. As if to emphasize the point, Orlando's tremulous voice broke through the gasps of pleasure. "Viggo… baby… yes…."

His head was thrown back in abandon. His eyes were glazed over but stared at the Milky Way as he found the vibrations that would release him from the sweet torture. "Quickly, Viggo!" Orlando all but shrieked into the night sky. Viggo took Orlando's cock in hand and stroked it swiftly, bringing his release.

The edge of the earth rushed to meet Orlando. His mind spun in tight swirls of heat and light as passion unfurled throughout his body. Orlando came back to reality enough to comprehend that Viggo's orgasm was right behind his and hearing Viggo shout his triumph into the night sky gave Orlando a sense of ephemeral power.

Viggo held them there momentarily, not wanting the serenity to end just yet. Their pulses and breathing were gradually returning to a normal rhythm. A true shiver covered Orlando's frame again with goosebumps. Viggo cradled his lover's face in his hands. "What say we go in by the fireplace and warm you up?" Orlando nodded, exhaustion keeping words at bay.

Viggo stood them up, handing Orlando their clothes and then picking him up to carry him into the house. "I can walk, Vig," he mildly protested.

"I know, but I'm always looking for an excuse to sweep you off your feet," he grinned impishly at his love.

The house was several degrees warmer than the outside air, but even as heated as they were, it was very comfortable still. Orlando tossed the clothes in the recliner and went to stoke the embers of their dieing fire. He put a couple more logs on, getting the blaze roaring to life quickly.

Viggo ran his hands through his hair and looked around as if he had misplaced something. Orlando caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned towards him. "Everything okay, Vig?"

Viggo distractedly grabbed his khakis out of the chair and put them on. "No…" he replied, his face deep in concentration. Then, as if inspiration had struck, "Yes!" he bellowed, bolting back out onto the patio.

Orlando just shook his head. He knew better than to even try to merge his mind with Viggo's. It was simply impossible to figure out the man at times!

By the time Viggo returned Orlando had put his slacks back on and was sitting on the floor with his back against the couch, his knees drawn up to his chest and his head resting lightly on his knees.

Viggo stopped at the sight before him. It was angelic. He wasn't sure how it was possible, but pure innocence radiated from his love. Viggo's heart once again lurched in his chest. Orlando was rocking lightly from side to side and it was then Viggo became aware of the soft music that was playing in the room.

Viggo sighed softly. Yanni. "Reflections of Passion" to be precise. This was the perfect song to give his final gift to Orlando. He kneeled before Orlando, the heat from the fire warming his body as Orlando warmed his heart. "Orli," Viggo whispered, afraid he might have fallen asleep. His eyes were closed and the serene look on his face drew Viggo's fingers to sweep away the dark curls from his eyes.

A gentle murmur escaped him as he raised his head from his knees. The look on Viggo's face caused his heart to skip a beat. It was genuine, unadulterated, all-consuming LOVE. He reached a hand up to softly stroke the sweet face, a tender smile curving his full lips.

"You are my dream within a dream, Viggo." Orlando whispered.

"And you are proof that dreams come true, my love." Viggo replied, reaching up to hold the hand that caressed his face. Seconds passed as they continued to drink each other in.

Viggo recovered from the moment first and he sat down next to Orlando on the floor. "Do you want your gift now?" he asked.

"You mean that out there," he motioned to the patio, "wasn't it?"

Viggo shook his head. "That was special, I agree, but not something that I would expect you to remember years from now." Viggo reached over to grab the item he had set down by the couch when he came in. He held it out for Orlando to see. It was the drummer boy. The one with the heart on his chest.

Orlando beamed an endearing smile. He would always remember the twelve drummers that spelled out their names, and the thirteenth one that linked them together. He didn't realize how prophetic his thoughts actually were.

He took the drummer from Viggo and noticed the baton in his left hand looked odd. Touching it, he saw that it was rolled up parchment-like paper. He withdrew the slip from the figure's hand and unrolled it. Tears of love and happiness streamed down his face as he read the words inscribed.

**
It knows no name but yours.
It clings to no fame but yours.
It hurts in separation,
It smiles when we meet.
It pounds when we make love,
It thrums with pent desire.
It sees what my mind would refuse.
It summons me to your warmth and kindness.
It is the drum that always beats for you.
My heart; your heart.
As one, yet two.
**

"Viggo, I don't know what to say…" Orlando began as he wiped the tears from his face. Viggo silenced him with a tender kiss. What words could not say, the kiss spoke volumes.

Viggo tried to pry the paper from his hands, but Orlando wouldn't relinquish it. So instead, he lay down with Orlando in front of the fireplace and cradled him close to his body, letting the soft caressing motion of his hands on Orlando's back soothe his lover into dreams.

"Viggo," Orlando muttered as sleep began its decent, "this just goes to prove what everyone always says about us."

"What is that, my angel?"

"We march to the beat of our own drummer," he sighed, sleep cradling his mind as Viggo cradled his heart and they both were lost to the world for the night as the snow began to fall outside….