We sat in the same booth we had the first day we met, eating breakfast and gazing at each other, words going unspoken, just merely enjoying being together. We’d been like shy teenagers on a first date. Looking over, catching glimpses of the other, blushing like crazy people, then giggling. All because we couldn’t believe how insane our lives had turned out, that somehow through the sheer madness, we’d managed to find one another and for once given in to love, instead of shunning it away like our instincts told us to.

This time I caught him staring at me a little longer than usual, a puzzled expression on his face.

“What?”

“Mmm? Oh, nothing,” Sebastian replied in between bites of crispy strips of bacon he kept popping into his mouth.

“No, come on. We said we wouldn’t have any more secrets. Ninety percent, remember. So what is it? Why do you keep looking at me like I’m one of those magic-eye illusions?”

“I dunno, there’s something different about you. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

My cheeks rounded as I smiled. “That’s cause I’m in love, silly.”

He waggled his finger at me, amused. “No… that’s not it. Something is missing.”

I frowned now, trying to figure out what on earth his subconscious was trying to tell him. “My shirt is new,” I suggested. Sebastian shook his head. “My engagement ring is right where it needs to be. See?” I held my hand up. “Not missing.”

Then just as I tried to search for something else, my hand went to my throat. “Oh,” I said, almost a whisper.

“What?”

“My necklace. Maybe that’s what you think is missing?”

“Is it missing?” he replied, his eyebrow twitching.

“No… not quite. Remember in the care home, when we argued—”

“How could I forget?”

“Well, I sold my necklace to help pay for my gran’s room. I was going to pawn the ring you gave me, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“I see.”

Suddenly I got to my feet. “I have to get it back. It was my mom’s. My dad gave it to her. But I don’t get paid for another week or so,” I said, now all panicky that perhaps time was running out to get the necklace back. In our blissful state, I’d forgotten all about the necklace. In the weeks since Gerard and Rochelle’s wedding, I’d moved in properly with Sebastian, found a job at a small travel office and was planning our upcoming trip back to Russia. Sebastian was adamant that we explore the country together as well as thank Darya for her generosity. Baz had also had my gran transferred to a more upscale room at Sunset Hill. Everything had been going so well… But how could I have forgotten the locket? The one thing that had brought my mom and dad together?

“Anna, calm down. Breathe.”

“I can’t calm down. It was a stupid thing to do and…” I quickly told him the story of how my mum and dad met in Marrakesh and what the locket meant to me. But then I was on the brink of tears. Sebastian hugged me, keeping me from dissolving in a pool of anxiety.

“Babe, your mom and dad will always be with you, with or without a necklace around your neck. And you have me now. I’ll never leave you.”

“I know but…”

“Turn around.”

I frowned at him.

“Turn around, just do it,” he said again, this time firmer but with a sympathetic smile. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I did what I was told and turned away from him. I was facing the back of the diner. There was a window through to the kitchen that had been carved out. A few customers glanced our way wondering what we were doing, but their food called their attention back. I felt Sebastian’s mouth on my neck, a swift kiss, then his hands were before me.

A shimmering gold thread crossed the space between his fingers. I recognized the chain at once, as well as the locket that swung like a trapeze artist at the center.

“It was supposed to be a surprise.”

Sebastian fastened the clasp and I turned back to him, my mouth open, eyes swimming.

“Don’t cry, my darling.”

“How? How did you find it?” I asked, one hand clutching the locket, the other taking Sebastian’s hand.

“I noticed it was gone the same day you had your panic attack. Took some time trawling the pawnshops in the area, but I’m stubborn. And you know, just because some men don’t always pay attention, doesn’t mean we’re all oblivious. “

“Really?”

“Honey, I would notice if even one of the cute freckles on your nose suddenly disappeared.” He bent down and I lifted my chin to meet his kiss, but at the last second, he planted his lips on the tip of my nose.

“That one is my favorite,” he said.

I took his chin and on tiptoes gave him the kiss he deserved.

The End

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