“I know you care about Sebastian Bev, I will be there for him.”
It was easier for me to say that than to launch into a long explanation of everything that had been going on with us. And besides, I really was going to be there for him, he was hurting and I hated seeing that.
She smiled at me and patted my hands before standing up. “Good, well I better get back to work. If you need me I will be at my desk.”
I threw myself into work to try and get everything that had happened off of my mind, and it almost worked. A few hours later Sebastian stopped by my office to say goodbye. He had stopped crying and he almost looked like himself again except I could see the sadness in his eyes.
“I am going to pick up my mother and then we are going to take the jet to Paris. Jaden is staying with Sophia’s parents so at least he has family there.” He reached out and caressed my cheek. “I will call you as soon as I have a chance.”
“Okay, I’m here if you need to talk. Have a safe flight.”
Chapter Seventeen – Making Up
Over the next few days I jumped for the phone every time it rang hoping it was Sebastian. Finally, on Friday afternoon, he called me and it was such a relief to hear his voice, he sounded much better than he did the day he got the news.
“How is Jaden?”
"Kids are really resilient, thank goodness, so he's doing okay. The funeral was yesterday and he cried the whole time but then he crashed for the rest of the afternoon. He misses his mom and I don’t think he quite understands what’s going on, but he knows that his mommy is in heaven now.”
“And you? How are you doing Sebastian?”
“I’m okay, it’s been tough but we’re going to be okay. My mom has been incredible. When we get home I would really like for you to meet her, Elena.”
“I would love to. Do you know when you will be coming home?”
“We will be back in about a month. I have a lot of loose ends to tie up here and I have to get some things in order. Can I see you Wednesday the 23rd for dinner?”
“Yes, of course.”
No more turning him down, no more needing more time. I loved Sebastian and I wanted to be with him. The fact that he had a son would just have to be something that I accepted if I wanted to be with him. He and Jaden were a package deal, one that I was now positive I wanted to accept. I hated to see him hurting and when Bev insinuated that I was the reason that he was hurting so much before the tragedy happened, I couldn’t stand to think of it. I didn’t ever want to be the one who hurt him so deeply.
"I can't wait to see you, Elena." I heard the happiness in his voice and it made me feel good. "Are you doing okay? Are you ready for your court date next month?”
With everything that he had been through that week I was shocked that he remembered my court date.
"Yes, I'm ready. I just want it to be over Sebastian. I want that chapter of my life to close and I'm ready to make a fresh, new start.”
“I know sweetheart. You know I would be there if I could, I hate that I can’t be there for you.”
“It’s okay. We weren’t even really on speaking terms when I found out about it so why would you be there?”
"Just because we weren't speaking regularly would not stop me from being there to support you Elena. I love you and I want to be sure that you will be okay. I’ll be on a plane when you’re in court, and then you’ll probably be sleeping when I land so you’ll have to fill me in on everything that happens when I see you on the 23rd.”
“Okay, I will. Thanks for calling Sebastian, and I just want you to know that I’ve been thinking about you and Jaden and you’re both in my prayers.”
“Thank you, Elena, that means a lot to me. I have missed you so much and I cannot wait to see you next month.”
“Same here.”
When we finished our call I felt like I was on cloud nine. I had not felt so happy in such a long time and even though it was under a really sad circumstances, I was happy that things were getting back to the way they used to be between us.
That night I called Chloe to tell her what had happened.
“Oh my gosh Laney that is so awful! How sad for that little boy!”
“I know Chlo. My heart broke for Sebastian when he found out, I had never seen him like that. It was weird because it was like a light switch was flipped and I suddenly knew that I had to be with him. I didn’t care about any other stuff that had happened between us, I just wanted to be able to make the hurt go away for him.”
“I’m happy you finally came to your senses.”
“Chloe!”
"It's true Laney, I don't know why you were pushing that awesome guy away in the first place. I know that his situation isn't ideal for you but sometimes the right guy is someone unexpected. I really hope you guys are able to work things out because I swear I have never seen you so happy. You seem to be perfect for each other.”
"I don't know about that but I do know that I care about him and I don't want to lose him. I'm going to see him when he gets back next month so I will keep you posted on what’s going on with us. I’ve been talking about me the whole time, how are you and Mike? Did things get any better, is he taking you out more often?”
“Things actually have gotten better and I have to say I’m shocked. He listens to me and he’s really making an effort to make plans. Maybe once you and Sebastian work things out, the four of us can all go out together. What do you think?”
“I think that is an awesome idea. Well, I better go, I still have a little bit of work to do tonight. Do you want to grab dinner Sunday night?”
“Sure, sounds good. I’ll talk to you later.”
After we hung up I worked for a while and then went to bed. As I lay there in the dark I thought about Sebastian and wondered when I would meet Jaden and what that would be like. A bit of fear washed over me as a huge question stuck out in my mind. What if he doesn’t like me? Kids were so unpredictable and I had no idea how I would deal with that if he didn’t like me. I didn’t have a ton of experience with kids so I just had to hope that there wouldn’t be any issues. I tried to focus on Sebastian but meeting Jaden was fast becoming my biggest fear.
***
The month passed quickly, Monday came before I knew it and I could barely concentrate at work that day thinking about seeing Brian in court the next day. The only thing that helped calm me down was Sebastian’s call that afternoon.