Chapter 1284 - Sarah's Birthday - Switzerland (2)

After the tasty breakfast with amazing views, Sarah and Aiden returned to their room to change for the hike.

Sarah was impressed that Aiden arranged for all the equipment. And not just that, he prepared the clothes as well.

"You think of everything!", Sarah exclaimed in amazement.

Aiden snaked his arms around Sarah's waist from the back and spoke in a low voice: "I call it: a full service for my birthday girl."

Sarah smiled and leaned in his embrace. He is perfect.

"You got my favorite blue underwear?", Sarah asked as she examined things laid out neatly on the bed for her.

Aiden grinned. "What a coincidence. They are my favorites as well."

Sarah laughed and went ahead with changing her clothes.

On the way out, she lifted her backpack and realized that it's unusually light. Aiden's also. She checked inside hers and was surprised that there was not much food in the backpack other than one small bottle of water and two granola bars.

"A short hike?", Sarah asked.

Even if they plan to return by lunch, they always pack extra water and food, just in case something happens during the hike. When two people are alone in the wilderness, you can never be overprepared.

"I will feed you wild berries on the way.", Aiden responded with a smirk.

"I would ask you to roast me a rabbit, but there are no thermal blankets.", Sarah teased.

Aiden was happy that she remembered when they were with Master Hollow how he used thermal blankets to prepare meat. And she helped him out. Those are some good memories for him. Aiden thought how the two of them have a lot of great memories together, and there are definitely many more to come.

…

Sarah and Aiden walked down the street full of tourists and Sarah enjoyed stopping by the shops which sold variety of souvenirs. She was drawn to the cuckoo clocks, cowbells, and wooden cows (with cowbells). They had on them painted flowers and words 'Interlaken'.

"We should get these for our kids, and our siblings, and Lia.", Sarah said enthusiastically.

Aiden paused, unsure how to say 'no' and not to spoil the mood. "Uhm… later. The clocks are big to carry, and the bells will be noisy if we carry them during our hike."

After a second of thinking, Sarah nodded in understanding. "Later. Tell me when is our last day here, so I have the time to buy."

"Sure." Aiden smiled. He dodged this one. He kept his poker face on while wondering: what will they do with so many cuckoo clocks? He will go cuckoo when they start making noise through the house on every half an hour. And cowbells, really? How come her attention was not drawn to the Swiss chocolates and cheeses? Everyone will be happy with that. They can eat them and who wants souvenirs, can keep the wrappers. Perfect. Practical. Just in case, Aiden took a mental note not to take Sarah through this street again.

They took the Jungfrau Region cable car to go up the mountain, and then a gondola.

Gondola stopped close to the entrance of the St. Beatus caves.

Sarah's eyes were lit up while reading the story in the brochure how in the 6th century, a dragon took refuge in this cave and a monk with a name Beat hunted him.

Sarah enjoyed the one kilometer long walk through St. Beatus caves. She was going from one pond to another, not seeing the end of them.

"Are you OK with this?", Sarah asked Aiden when she noticed that he is hunched. The ceiling is low, and even Sarah had to keep her head low, but Aiden is taller. He didn't look comfortable.

"Don't worry about me.", he smiled. No matter how uncomfortable he is, all that fades away when he sees her excited. The high level of her enthusiasm is telling him that he picked the right activity.

After exiting the caves, they took another gondola to go higher up the mountain.

Sarah pulled Aiden's hand excitedly to the observation deck and leaned into his embrace while enjoying the view below: two lakes surrounding the Interlaken, dark blue Thun Lake on the right and turquoise Brienz Lake on the left. The green hills and snowy mountains in the back make the whole sight breathtaking.

Next, they went to the restaurant which is close to the observation deck. Other than fresh food made with local products, the restaurant offers amazing views as well.

Sarah and Aiden shared a fondue. A pyramid-shaped loaf of bread was steaming when the server cut off the top, revealing melted cheese in the middle. On the side were roasted potatoes wrapped in bacon, mushrooms, broccoli, and bell peppers (to be dipped in the cheese). Yummy!

"What's next?", Sarah asked while picking what to dip in the cheese first. 

Aiden looked at Sarah through the steam of the freshly cut-bread with cheese. "We didn't start our hike yet and you are asking 'what's next'."

He refused answering any other question, saying that he is busy with food. "If the cheese cools off, it will not be a fondue. Focus on finishing it up while it's hot."

Sarah forgot that they got ready for a hike that morning. Now that she looks at the food in front of them, she understood why there is no more than two granola bars in her backpack.

When the cheese was not-so-melty anymore (because it cooled off), Aiden cut the bread into slices and they ate it with all the gooey cheesy goodness. It was delicious.

Sarah took photos for their travel journal (the one she gave to Aiden for their first Christmas together, and he asked her help with filling it up). This trip definitely counts as a valid entry, because it's a pleasure-only trip.

"I must admit that I didn't think we will come to Switzerland.", Sarah shared her thoughts. "I thought we will go to Paris for my birthday or maybe some vineyard in France, or maybe to the Adriatic Sea. But Switzerland? I am surprised."

"Do you like it?"

"Absolutely! It's amazing. Thank you."

Aiden smiled. He can see that Sarah's smile is reaching her eyes and she is genuinely happy. That is more than enough for him. All the secret planning, it was worth it. But... it has just begun.

When they finished their food, Sarah and Aiden headed on foot down a small path.

Five minutes later, they saw Ibexes. Lots of them.

Sarah was surprised that they are not afraid of humans. She wanted to go and touch them, but Aiden held her back.

"Those are wild animals. What will you do if they attack?" He gestured a head-bump, because technically they are goats.

"If they attack? I will avoid them.", Sarah responded like it's a normal thing.

Aiden sighed helplessly. Somehow, he forgot that Sarah likes to touch animals. "How about we don't go too close. Let's not disturb them."

Sarah frowned, but agreed. Reluctantly.

Aiden led the way and it didn't take long for them to start walking through bushes and trees which were getting denser as they progressed.

At certain point, Sarah admired Aiden: how come he knows where he is going? There are no paths and he didn't look at the map or any tool to determine their direction. She remembered that Aiden has that skill, he never gets lost. Jeff said that Aiden has an in-built compass or something like that. Well, that is her Aiden.

Aiden turned toward Sarah and faced her smile. "What?"

"Nothing… I'm just thinking how you are amazing, and I am lucky to have you."

He lifted his eyebrows questionably and a second later, a devilish smile appeared on his face. "I'm glad you know it."

Aiden was happy with this. Sarah is in a good mood, she told him that he is amazing… so far, things are progressing well.

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