Sebastian stood beneath the white tent, watching the tables being set for the reception, the chairs being set out for the ceremony and women running here and there, fussing over anything that Lane wanted or needed.
He liked it here; Scotland. The family had made the 10 hour trip from London so that Lane and Jon could be married in the exact spot Mr. and Mrs. Mcleod were married 22 years earlier. It was a beautiful setting, nestled up against the woods with a sparkling stream and lush green grass. Seats were arranged just so, in four quarters so that the aisles formed a cross with a place in the middle where Jon and Lane would be standing.
The family was aware of Bastian's separation from Erin and they were most respectful by giving him his space, leaving the option of approach up to him. Sebastian liked it better this way, he could grieve quietly, especially at a time like this, though, it was quite comical when Jennifer found out. Mrs. de Vernon actually wanted to go to this Rhydin place and give that 'snobbish palace brat' a piece of her mind. Sebastian couldn't help but laugh, even though his heart was still in pieces. His family loved and cared for him - that was one thing he knew he'd never lose...unlike other people.
"Excuse me, Sir."
The voice startled him, but he moved out from under the tent so that the wait staff could finish setting up. It was almost time. Sebastian wandered out into the seating area, reaching a hand out to touch the chairs he passed on his way to the middle of the cross. Bittersweet emotions rose in his chest, memories of 'talking wedding' with Erin. Visions of Erin in a wedding gown, walkign towards him down the aisle, waiting in anticipation for the first kiss as husband and wife...it broke him down. Emotions burned deep inside him, searing his heart...almost worse than when he received that letter.
Ahh, yes, the letter. He carried it everywhere with him. Not once since he'd gotten it has it left his pocket. A startlingly comforting reminder of something he once had...eventually to be looked on as a good thing. Right now, though, it only brought tears to his eyes, thinking of what could have been.
Now standing in the middle of the cross, Sebastian looked down to find that his hand had subconciously been pressed over the place the letter was hidden in his pants pocket. A soft curse escaped his mouth. He felt a touch of fingers at the small of his back, causing him to look over his shoulder. It was his mother and he put his arm around her, her own slipping around her sons waist.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Mom."
That was all they said. Mother and Son just held each other, knowing exactly what was on the other's mind. It was just what the longshoresman needed in that moment. They stood there for a few minutes before Jennifer slipped away and Sebastian was called over by one of his sisters for something or other.
***
As per traditional Scottish wedding, the bagpipes played in the background and everyone watched as Jon and Lane joined each other in the middle of the cross. It was like something out of a movie, Sebastian mused. There was a slight breeze and flower petals drifted lazily through the air. Lane and Jon were oblivious to anyone but each other and the look in their eyes told anyone who was looking that there was no doubt they were in love.
Sebastian's thoughts drifted once again to Erin, very much against his wishes. Thinking of his wife merely brought him pain. Vision blurred by tears, Sebastian envisioned the burry images of man and woman in the cross to be himself and Erin. A pained gasp escaped his lips.
A few moments later, he felt a small, delicate hand slip into his and give a squeeze. Furiously blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, Sebastian looked down to find Truly sitting beside him. Her sad smile was so understanding and friendly, Sebastian didn't worry at all about whether or not she was trying to flirt. She'd grown up since they last spoke and Sebastian was grateful for her presence in this moment.
It came time fo the vows and Sebastian listened, trying his best to keep his emotions in check. A few months earlier, Sebastian had begun writing his vows for Erin...they were still in a box down in his music room. Closing his eyes so as not to cry openly, tears streamed down his cheeks silently and he clung ever so tightly to Truly's hand.
The sudden cheer and applause forced Sebastian to open his eyes to find Lane and Jon kissing passionately....man and wife. In that moment, all painful thoughts fled his mind as joy flooded his senses. Sebastian leapt to his feet and clapped, laughing through his tears.
He was going to be alright.
He liked it here; Scotland. The family had made the 10 hour trip from London so that Lane and Jon could be married in the exact spot Mr. and Mrs. Mcleod were married 22 years earlier. It was a beautiful setting, nestled up against the woods with a sparkling stream and lush green grass. Seats were arranged just so, in four quarters so that the aisles formed a cross with a place in the middle where Jon and Lane would be standing.
The family was aware of Bastian's separation from Erin and they were most respectful by giving him his space, leaving the option of approach up to him. Sebastian liked it better this way, he could grieve quietly, especially at a time like this, though, it was quite comical when Jennifer found out. Mrs. de Vernon actually wanted to go to this Rhydin place and give that 'snobbish palace brat' a piece of her mind. Sebastian couldn't help but laugh, even though his heart was still in pieces. His family loved and cared for him - that was one thing he knew he'd never lose...unlike other people.
"Excuse me, Sir."
The voice startled him, but he moved out from under the tent so that the wait staff could finish setting up. It was almost time. Sebastian wandered out into the seating area, reaching a hand out to touch the chairs he passed on his way to the middle of the cross. Bittersweet emotions rose in his chest, memories of 'talking wedding' with Erin. Visions of Erin in a wedding gown, walkign towards him down the aisle, waiting in anticipation for the first kiss as husband and wife...it broke him down. Emotions burned deep inside him, searing his heart...almost worse than when he received that letter.
Ahh, yes, the letter. He carried it everywhere with him. Not once since he'd gotten it has it left his pocket. A startlingly comforting reminder of something he once had...eventually to be looked on as a good thing. Right now, though, it only brought tears to his eyes, thinking of what could have been.
Now standing in the middle of the cross, Sebastian looked down to find that his hand had subconciously been pressed over the place the letter was hidden in his pants pocket. A soft curse escaped his mouth. He felt a touch of fingers at the small of his back, causing him to look over his shoulder. It was his mother and he put his arm around her, her own slipping around her sons waist.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Mom."
That was all they said. Mother and Son just held each other, knowing exactly what was on the other's mind. It was just what the longshoresman needed in that moment. They stood there for a few minutes before Jennifer slipped away and Sebastian was called over by one of his sisters for something or other.
***
As per traditional Scottish wedding, the bagpipes played in the background and everyone watched as Jon and Lane joined each other in the middle of the cross. It was like something out of a movie, Sebastian mused. There was a slight breeze and flower petals drifted lazily through the air. Lane and Jon were oblivious to anyone but each other and the look in their eyes told anyone who was looking that there was no doubt they were in love.
Sebastian's thoughts drifted once again to Erin, very much against his wishes. Thinking of his wife merely brought him pain. Vision blurred by tears, Sebastian envisioned the burry images of man and woman in the cross to be himself and Erin. A pained gasp escaped his lips.
A few moments later, he felt a small, delicate hand slip into his and give a squeeze. Furiously blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, Sebastian looked down to find Truly sitting beside him. Her sad smile was so understanding and friendly, Sebastian didn't worry at all about whether or not she was trying to flirt. She'd grown up since they last spoke and Sebastian was grateful for her presence in this moment.
It came time fo the vows and Sebastian listened, trying his best to keep his emotions in check. A few months earlier, Sebastian had begun writing his vows for Erin...they were still in a box down in his music room. Closing his eyes so as not to cry openly, tears streamed down his cheeks silently and he clung ever so tightly to Truly's hand.
The sudden cheer and applause forced Sebastian to open his eyes to find Lane and Jon kissing passionately....man and wife. In that moment, all painful thoughts fled his mind as joy flooded his senses. Sebastian leapt to his feet and clapped, laughing through his tears.
He was going to be alright.