The Improbable Clause of Missing You

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Three

23: A marriage without an altar

The boy was cutting off circulation to my leg.

"I was gone a moment, and now you've replaced me? Man," cut a voice. My head swiveled to see Sebastian strolling towards us, shopping basket in tow.

We were at the supermarket, shopping for groceries. Well, and sanitary pads, because Stephanie had asked for them and Sebastian hadn't wanted to get them alone.

Cow.

"Oh, stuff it," I muttered, patting the crying boy's head. "He got separated from his parents, I'm just helping."

"I figured," Sebastian said lightly, contemplating said boy. He looked like he was going to say more, but instead closed his mouth and waved. "Hi...?"

"Tommy," I finished. I bent down now, tugging the boy from my legs and pushing him forward gently, "Tommy, this is Sebastian."

"Hello," Tommy said shyly, through tears. He'd calmed down considerably, but I guess the crowds were kind of intimidating from the ground up.

"We'll help you find your parents, okay?" I reassured. Tommy's eyes darted around the place.

My eyes locked with Sebastian. "Give him a boost."

He gave me a pained look that read 'really?' "Fine. Tommy, come here. You can sit on my shoulders, yeah?"

I grinned victoriously at him as Tommy followed obediently. Aw, this sight was cute. My smirk melted into an affectionate smile, which Sebastian returned. He rolled his eyes jokingly, but I knew he was at ease.

"No offense, Hayley, but you sure do have an affinity for hopeless souls."

"Like you?" I quipped sweetly, knowing full well he was talking about Cordelia and Owen. We were going in rounds now, searching for Tommy's parents.

Just as Sebastian was about to reply, Tommy's excited voice cut clear across the sea of shoppers. "There!" He yelled, pointing.

Sebastian and I turned in that general direction and made our way over. The couple smiled at us, but there was something like trepidation in the man's eyes as we drew closer. It was then I realised there was a girl beside the couple, around our age.

As the mum cooed over Tommy, who had been bundled from Sebastian's shoulders, the father offered a tight smile.

"Thank you, kids. And good to see you again, boy." It was clear by the tone that he thought Sebastian was the scum of the earth, whether saving his son or not. I turned questioningly to look up at Sebastian, who offered a tight smile in return.

"No problem, sir. Hi, Catherine."

Ah, so that was her name.

"Hi Sebastian!" She smiled warmly, though she made no move to hug him. "How've you been?"

"I've been good," he said sheepishly, "You look fantastic, by the way."

She did. There was a twinge of jealousy as she laughed, a pretty, twinkly sound. She was pretty, nice and had a pretty laugh. Great.

"Thanks," she laughed. "And who's your lady friend?"

Finally.

"Oh, this," Sebastian said dramatically, "Is the missus. Mrs. Sebastian Williams."

I couldn't help the surprised gasp that flew from my lips, and immediately my face began to flush. The way he'd said it had sent chills down my spine. I'm becoming so soft now. Did he really just...?

"Why, how lovely," Catherine grinned, giving me a subtle once over. There was nothing short of genuine pleasantry laced in her voice, and I couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Or you could just call me Hayley," I cut in, after finally regaining my spinning mind. "Hi, Catherine."

She smiled warmly, turning to look at her parents fussing over her younger brother. "I have to go now, but it was great seeing you. Bye Hayley, Sebastian!"

With that, she turned away, which left Sebastian and I smiling goofily at each other.

"You didn't correct me," he smirked, leaning closer. "Mrs. Sebastian Williams."

"Why would I?" I teased, taking a step closer.

But the moment was lost when Tommy came running back to say thank you, and then he was gone. The two of us stood, waving, until the family was out of sight.

"Let's go," Sebastian prompted. Impulsively, he took my hand. I couldn't help the small smirk as he faced away from me, clearly a little flustered.

He was good at hiding his feelings away, so it was nice to know that maybe I could bring out this nervousness in him.

All I really knew was that my heart wouldn't stop fluttering until he'd walked me to the station, finally let go of my hand – not that I really cared – and that something had clearly changed, today.

I couldn't help but hear his voice introducing me as the Missus. Something about it was fiercely protective, which was, honestly, really darn attractive.

Crap, I have got to call Frankie.