THE MEETING

Wednesday morning found Sebastian at a dining table in a restaurant; the Central London B&B. He was meeting his brother and soon-to-be sister in law for some good food and a little bit of a chat. After last evening?Sebastian simply couldn?t keep it to himself. Besides, Erin had told Lydia their secret; it was only fair that he?d get to share it with someone other than his boss. He knew that he could trust Jonathan and Lane to keep quiet about it.

?Sebastian!?

He turned around in his seat to see a blonde haired beauty bouncing his way. A broad grin spread over his face and he stood, arms opening to scoop the thin girl into his arms. ?Why, Lane McLeod! It?s so good to see you.?

She jumped into his embrace, hugging him ?round the neck fiercely. ?I?ve missed you so.? One more squeeze was given before she pulled back a bit. ?Let me look at you.? Sebastian chuckled and took a step back, interlocking his fingers together at her lower back. Lane slid her hands over his broad shoulders, and then across his collar, brushing a bit of dust away. ?Handsome as ever!? She beamed up at him.

?Hey,? Jonathan cleared his throat. ?What about me?? He feigned a hurt expression.

Lane giggled and wriggled out of Sebastian?s grasp and into her fianc??s. ?It was a compliment, my love. You two look like you could be twins.?

Sebastian rolled his eyes as the couple kissed. ?Are you guys ready to eat?? He slid his hands into the pockets of his khaki pants, rocking forward onto the toes of his shiny black dress shoes.

The Irish blood giggled again and slid over to a chair, waiting patiently as Jonathan held it out for her. Once the three were seated, Sebastian let his attention fall on his brother?s woman. The girl was practically bouncing from excitement.

?I know it?s a bit belated, but congratulations.? He grinned. ?Lemme see that ring.?

Lane showed him the huge diamond on her right hand. ?He picked it himself! Doesn?t he have good taste, Sebastian??

Bastian?s gaze drifted over to his brother who was smirking. If Bastian knew any better, their mother picked it out for him. He returned the smirk. ?It?s beautiful, dear. I?m very happy for you both. Have you set a date yet??

?June 2nd,? Jonathan interjected.

?I?ve always wanted to be a June bride.? Lane looked over at Jonathan and smiled.

Sebastian looked between the two lovebirds wondering if he and Erin were like this. Probably. His brother was a lucky man, that?s for sure. Lane was everything that a woman of high stature needed to be; at least?here in this culture. Obviously every man is going to be partial to his own wife.

Lane was a tiny little thing, reminding Sebastian a little bit of Erin. Other than their size, the two women had nothing in common. They?d get along, though, Sebastian knew. Lane could get along with anyone. She was so sweet and kind. In the four years that he?s known her, Sebastian can?t think of even one time where he?s heard Lane speak against someone. She always sought the best in people and was adored by all.

The waiter brought them drinks and took their orders. When he departed, Jon folded his hands on top of the table, leaning forward slightly. ?So tell me, brother. What was so important that you asked me to skip class to come here?? Lane leaned towards Sebastian too, eager to hear the news.

?I wanted to know what you both were doing for Christmas.?

Jonathan looked surprised, surely that couldn?t be all he had to say. He looked to Lane and shrugged. ?Spend time with the family, I suppose.? Lane nodded, so Jonathan turned back to Sebastian. ?Why??

?Well, I was wondering if you?d like to come to RhyDin. A little vacation??

Jonathan paled. Lane looked positively enraptured with the idea. ?I could meet Erin!?

Bastian nodded. ?Yup. She?s the one who wants you guys to come. When I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she asked if you two would come visit her.?

?I?d love to!?

?How is she doing, Sebastian??

?Better,? he replied with a smile. ?A lot better, Jon. Thanks for asking.?

Lane nodded sadly and placed her hand on Sebastian?s forearm consolingly. ?Jonathan told me what happened. I?m very sorry, Sebastian.?

?Thank you, Lane. But really, she?s getting better.?

Lane withdrew her hand, accidentally brushing over the gold ring Sebastian was wearing on his left hand. ?What?s this,? she inquired softly.

Sebastian flushed and pulled his hand away, his own fingers reaching to touch the ring. ?It?s a long story??

THE PLOT



Two weeks after their meeting at the Central London B&B, Sebastian found himself back in town. He didn?t know how he got there. He didn?t know, actually, where ?there? was. As the deepness of his slumber wore off and his senses gained control, Sebastian realized he had fallen asleep on a couch; a rather uncomfortable couch. He groaned softly and shifted his weight to the side.

?Shhhh?? it was a female voice.

?Erin?? He whispered.

?No,? she replied softly.

Sebastian groaned again as he opened his eyes. Light flooded his sight, it was almost blinding. Then he felt his head begin to throb. ?Oh God??

The female removed the cloth that had been on his forehead and replaced it with a fresh, cool one. ?Your head hurt??

?Yeah,? he croaked. ?Where am I?? More blinking as he struggled to sit up. Lane?s face swam into view. ?Lane??

?Lay down, Sebastian. You?ll only hurt yourself again if you try to get up.?

Sebastian groaned. ?What happened??

?You showed up last night, ranting about being an idiot.? He didn?t seem to remember, so she continued. ?And then, while I tried to calm your poor mother down, you and Jonathan left.?

Sebastian?s eyes were squeezed shut again, trying in vain to remember the night?s happenings. How had he gotten there? He remembered going to bed with Erin?but after that, it was fuzzy. ?More??

Lane frowned at him but continued her doting affections and care, taking the cloth from his forehead and gently wiped off his face. He smelled of beer and it sickened her, but this was someone she thought of as family. She wouldn?t judge. She would, however, chastise him later for getting her fianc? drunk. ?You got drunk and caused some trouble at the pub?and the bouncer had to knock you out.?

Ahh, so that?s what the knot on the back of his head was from. He poured all of his concentration into remembering. It physically hurt to use that much energy, but in the end, it paid off. Memories came flooding back; bits and pieces of pictures and sounds?.yelling, anger, and cursing. Sebastian sank back into the cushions of the couch and whimpered like a child, ashamed of himself beyond words. ?How?s Jon??

?Sleeping off his hangover,? Lane replied, irritated.

?I?m sorry?? it was barely a whisper. Sebastian wasn?t even sure he had said it.

?As you should be. Jonathan hasn?t ever had more than a few drinks ? and those weren?t strong!? She seemed to be on the verge of tears.

?I?m sorry, Lane.? It was louder this time. ?Please?I?I don?t have anything but excuses. You?ll have to forgive me.? He paused, opening his eyes again, reaching for the hand that was still wiping off his face. ?Please??

She frowned but managed to keep from crying. He seemed genuinely remorseful, so it would be mean to hold it against him. ?I forgive you, Sebastian? She let him hold her hand a moment longer before pulling it away and dropping the rag into the bowl of icewater she had on the floor beside them. ?But I want you to tell me what?s wrong.?

He flinched, hoping he would have been able to get away without telling anyone but Jon. ?Help me sit up, yeah??

She did so, scooting over a bit to allow him room. ?What happened with Erin??

Sebastian, now upright and facing Lane, sighed. ?I screwed up.?

?Everyone does that sometimes, Sebastian. You apologize and move on. She?s?? Lane trailed off, glancing around the room before finishing in a lower voice. ?She?s your wife. She?ll understand.? Of course, Lane had no idea what he?d done, but she was trying to help.

?I was an ass. Excuse my language, but I was.? He looked away as she frowned, obviously displeased with his choice of words. ?I let my jealousy get the best of me, Lane. And I was mean??

Good grief. Lane rolled her eyes, praying to God that she wouldn?t have all this drama when she got married. ?Go on??

?I blew up while we were at the local tavern and told her that we were leaving. She didn?t want to and so I threatened her. When she still didn?t listen, I grabbed her arm. Others got involved; there was screaming, she launched a chair at me?I literally picked her up as she screamed and tried taking her out of the tavern. I told her that she was my?my wife and it was time she learned her place.?

Next thing Sebastian knew, his cheek was stinging and his head whipped to the side. Shock registered across his face as he brought a hand up to the irritated, warm flesh of his face. She?d slapped him! Lane dropped her hand into her lap, very upset with him. She didn?t speak. She didn?t even breathe; seeming to be holding her breath.

?I?.deserved that.? Sebastian said finally. ?Cassandra sucker-punched me.?

?Good!? Lane fumed. Good God, this was the first time he?s ever seen her this cross. ?I hope it hurt!?

Sebastian was going to say that it didn?t hurt as much as he?d expected. However, the stinging sensation that pricked over the skin of his cheek reminded him that that probably wasn?t the best thing to say. ?We sorta fixed things,? he continued miserably. ?But I?m so ashamed.? His head throbbed incessantly; her slap having intensified the pain.

?I can?t believe you could be so stupid?but,? her voice grew soft. ?Everyone makes mistakes. You just?.can?t do that anymore. Ever.?

?I know?I know. Believe me, Lane?I know.? He hung his head, covering his face with his hands. He wasn?t crying, but this was a sign of defeat.

?You guys are having a lot of problems, aren?t you.? It was a statement; not a question.

?Nothing seems to go rightly.? Sebastian looked back up at her. ?There?s always something that seems to get in the way ? something that hinders the forward motion of our marriage. It?s usually Gideon.?

?Who?s he??

?A vampire.?

Lane smirked. She knew she shouldn?t but?it was so strange. ?You?re serious??

?Yeah. I?m positive he is?but Erin doesn?t believe me. They used to be romantically involved?and he can?t seem to let her go. I?ve witnessed the man kiss her?and she?s admitted to having kissed him on another occasion. I nearly left her, Lane. I?m so jealous. I want her for myself. Can?t she love me enough to at least give me all of her and not just part??

Lane was silent for a moment, obviously struggling with finding the words to say. ?I don?t know what I?d do in that situation, Sebastian?but you?re married. You can?t just?call it quits. You?ve made a vow to God to love her always and forever. Divorce is a last resort. You have to work this out. Perhaps you guys should take a vacation??