Chapter 57

Evelyn

It’s rainy the day we leave for the airport. Of course, the weather reflects our moods as we go, and I even take an extra few minutes looking out the window before we depart.

“Harder to say goodbye than I anticipated,” I admit to Sebastian, who kisses the top of my head.

I don’t want this time to end with the two of us. For the first time since we’ve met, there has been an actual courtship, romance, love. I’ve grown used to our song and dance. But now that I’ve had a taste of our freedom?

How am I supposed to walk away from it?

“Hawaii isn’t going anywhere, Princess,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’ll bring you back, okay?”

It’s a gentle reminder that we have to catch our flight, but I’m just not strong enough to go. The first time Mom and I left together for New York, it didn’t feel like losing anything.

Now I feel I’m leaving something behind.

“Promise?” I feel silly for asking, but Sebastian doesn’t treat me any differently.

“Of course, I promise. It’s your home, Princess.”

I still feel that jolt of electricity each time he calls me that. I touch his cheek softly as he looks at me before I lean in and kiss him.

He tastes like his coffee from breakfast, and I hold him in my arms for a few seconds before I’m ready to leave.

Our time here has ended. Reality waits back home, and as much as I wish I could suggest the whole “running away together” idea he’d brought up at our fancy dinner, I know that’s not fair.

“Okay,” I finally manage to say as a tear slides down my face quickly. “I’m ready.”

We move slowly through the motions of getting to the airport, and it’s almost numbing to realize we’re returning to that life in New York.

I can’t help but bounce my legs while sitting and waiting for the gate to open. Simultaneously, Sebastian wraps his hand around my left, perched atop my fast-moving legs.

“Breathe, Princess,” he murmurs, squeezing tight.

“I wish it was that simple.”

“Because you’re leaving Hawaii?”

I look up at his handsome face, seeing the etched worry he’s been holding. His eyes dart back and forth as he tries to read all that I feel.

“Because we’re going back to New York, and this love we’ve been able to show one another for days will cease to exist.”

His right brow raises. “That’s not true. I’ve already made that clear.”

I sigh. “I mean being able to be out in the open like this. No care in the world as to who might see us, who might reveal the truth.”

Sebastian bumps his arm with mine, still smiling his signature grin. “God, so worrisome,” he shakes his head, his dark hair moving with him. Then, his fingers come up toward my face, tucking a curl behind my ear with such tenderness that I can feel how rapidly my cheeks turn pink.

“We’re going to make it work,” he nods at me. “Do you believe me?”

Now it’s my turn to look into his eyes, feeling them take in the man next to me. He has made all these promises and declarations, not to mention our day in bed and night out at the restaurant. Am I the problem?

Or are the two of us the solution?

I finally nod, as I’ve believed in him this entire time. “Of course I do.”

He kisses my cheek. “Then we’ll figure it out.”

While his kiss is light and the whisper in my ear gives me the shivers, I still feel the anxiety that has plagued me since the day we first slept together.

“It might take some adjustments, but I think we can find time to be alone and together.”

“I know that much is possible.”

“Well, just a few weeks tiptoeing around the house. Then back to school, and us.”

“Tiptoeing in the sense of our relationship? Or with your dad?” The question is out before I really have a second to think. I expect Sebastian’s demeanor to change in a second. But instead, he sort of just looks away, off into the distance.

Still, as he does this, he doesn’t speak. I still remember how loud that slap had been. How loud Gregory had berated his son inside of his bedroom Christmas Eve. It still haunts me. And I want to protect the man next to me.

“I’m in your corner. Madelyn, too. We won’t let him continue his attitude.”

“This is how it’s been, Princess.”

“He’s been hitting you since you were little?”

He shakes his head. “No. Only more recently. A few times before eighteen.”

“And you never charge back?”

He snorts at that question. “Gregory Cain? How can anyone hurt that titan?”

Now, I stay silent.

“There is no winning here, Princess. Until I never walk back into that house, I’m stuck with him.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” I complain.

“Flight to LAX, please get ready to board with us,” a voice calls over the speaker.

Sebastian stands, but I don’t drop his hand, looking up at his face of determination.

“I think you and I have learned that life isn’t fair,” he replies.

After the plane is full, it takes about twenty minutes to get into the air, and instead of talking happily together, we only hold hands and lean against one another.

It’s as if we’re holding our breath. There’s no need to continue speculating what could happen. Whatever happens is what we’ll have to work with.

We land in New York later in the evening, now after nine. We get ourselves together and make our way back to the house. I text Madelyn so she can see us in before she goes to bed.

“Hey, Mom, we’ll be home soon. Finally left the airport.”

“Wonderful! Can’t wait to see you both. I even have a surprise!”

“What could she possibly be surprising us with?” I ask aloud, showing Sebastian her reply.

“Idle hands are the devil’s playthings,” Sebastian responds. “Maybe she found a new hobby, or she’s planning another extravagant party.”

“I hope not,” I groan, my head hitting the car seat. “I’ve had enough parties lately.”

“Wouldn’t put it past your mom,” he jokes.

“Maybe she wants to open a hotel, or an inn like in Hawaii?”

“Or she’s the president of a new company, and she wants us to attend fancy dinners.”

We both chuckle at the thoughts, teasing with new ideas every minute.

“Are we gonna bet on it, now?” He asks once we’re turning the final corner.

“Maybe so.”

Once we’re in the garage and our bags are removed from the car, Sebastian turns to me.

“This is it,” he states. “Are you ready?”

I nod slowly. “I think so.”

He kisses my forehead, and we open the door to get inside.

“Mom?” I call out. “We’re back!”

“In here!” She calls back.

Leaving our bags in the kitchen, we approach her voice. It’s the moment we get to the dining room that we realize we’ve walked into something.

Balloons, banners, and guests litter the room, holding drinks and smiling as Sebastian and I stop outside the room.

We stare ahead, and I even rub my eyes to ensure I’m not dreaming. “What the fuck?” I say aloud.

“Surprise!” The whole room cheers. “Welcome home!”

“You didn’t plan a party for us coming home…did you?” I question.

Sebastian bumps my arm. “It’s not for us,” he murmurs.

He points to the words on the banner for me to read.

“A baby is coming!” It reads.

“I’m pregnant!” She cheers out, holding up a drink that I assume isn’t alcohol. “The baby is due in September!”

My jaw drops open, and I swear a fly could go down my throat.

“What?” Sebastian asks, deadpan.

The room bursts into cheers and applause, but I can’t find a single word.

Oh lord.

This is…not good.

This is going to put a shift in…everything.