“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
—FLAVIA WEEDN
I STOOD THERE STARING DOWN at the flawlessly chiseled headstone. I hadn’t been to the grave since the day we put the coffin in the ground. I hadn’t been brave enough and the guilt only made it worse. Guilt for loving the man who’d altered my life so completely in so many ways.
I’d like to think my parents would have forgiven Sebastian, too. He was so young the night they were murdered—only seventeen. And although he’d broken into our house, he never expected for anyone to get killed. Vick was the killer, and now she was dead, too.
Kneeling down, I placed a white rose on the grave and ran my fingers over the rough engraving.
“Roz?” Kyle whispered, coming to stand beside me. He gave me a small smile and then wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
I wiped at the single tear that slid down my cheek. “Hey, kiddo,”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Just sad.”
I hadn’t told Kyle about Sebastian’s role in our parent’s murder. I didn’t know if he’d understand why I’d forgiven so easily. All he knew was the person responsible for our parent’s death was finally found and closure was ours.
“I think it’s okay to be sad, as long as you know it’s okay to be happy, too.”
I smiled up at him. “When did you become so smart, kid?”
“I had some help from my big sister.”
“Hey, what about me?”
Kyle pretended to be annoyed as a big hand ruffled his hair, before pulling him into a playful head lock.
“Sebastian,” he groaned. “You messed up my hair.”
Sebastian’s deep laugh was like a soft caress as it wrapped around me. Moving my arm under his, I wrapped it around his waist and pulled him close. He gave me a gentle squeeze and we moved back to give Kyle a little privacy with our parents.
I watched as he put a white rose down next to mine and then whispered something, before getting up and putting his hands in his pockets. There were no tears as he looked up at me, but his eyes glistened.
“I’m going to go wait with Mr. Martin,” Kyle said and then ran toward the car.
“Are you okay?” Sebastian asked into my hair, planting a soft kiss in the strands.
“It’s always hard visiting them, but I needed to do this for Kyle.”
“You both needed this.”
“Thank you for coming,” I said, looking up at him.
“I owe you this, Rosslyn.” He was silent for a second. “I’ve been here before.”
I pulled back. “You have? When?”
“About a year after it happened. I needed to apologize for taking them away from you and Kyle. I visited them once a week, until Vick found out and freaked.”
I didn’t want to talk about Vick, or anything to do with her, so I didn’t respond. We were together. We were both alive. That’s all that mattered.
Sebastian pulled away and took a step forward, kneeling so he could place his rose next to Kyle’s and mine.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Harris. I plan to take care of Rosslyn and Kyle for the rest of my life.”
His declaration brought tears to my eyes. I took his hand as he stood and held it out to me. Pulling me into his arms, I laid my head against his chest, feeling soothed by the sound of his heartbeat.
I moved my fingers along the buttons of his shirt, until I found bare skin, and then the scar of his bullet wound. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to forget what it felt like to almost lose him, focusing on the fact he was still here with me.
“We’re going to be late,” he whispered.
I nodded, letting him pull me toward Mr. Martin and Kyle.
“JONATHON HALE,” THE DEAN CALLED over the microphone.
The closer he got to the name Harris, the more nervous I became.
Looking up into the stands, I smiled at Sebastian, Kyle and Trish—flashing our secret wave. I’d done it. I’d gone to school and I’d finished the first two years at tech. After that, I’d be moving onto Cornell University for my master’s degree.
“Rosslyn Harris.”
I moved toward the stage. When I took my diploma and shook hands with the dean, I could hear Sebastian’s cheer above the applause.
After the ceremony, the crowd was clearing out and we made our way to the car.
“I’m so proud of you, Roz.” Kyle threw his arm around my shoulder.
He was taller than me now, had been for the last year. He was turning out to be such a good kid, and did well in school. Not to mention his art, which was already being sold in a few select galleries New York City. Kyle was amazing—strong for such a young age, and I couldn’t help but feel pride over playing a major part in raising him.
“Yes. We need to celebrate,” Sebastian said.
“I don’t know. I kind of just want to go home, pop some popcorn, and watch a movie,” I replied.
We all walked to the car in conversation, and when I started to get in, Sebastian pulled me to the side.
I tugged at my black dress and smiled up at him. His eyes devoured me and memories of all the times he’d loved me came rushing back.
“You look beautiful,” he said, running a single finger down my bare arm.
“Thank you.”
“I’m so proud of you, Rosslyn,” he grinned.
“Well, thank you, sir. It makes me happy to please you,” I said, as I playfully flirted.
“Is that so?” he flirted back.
“Yes.”
“So you’d do anything to make me happy then?”
I loved how frisky he was being. It was never boring with Sebastian. He kept me on my toes and made each day an adventure.
“Absolutely.”
“Then in that case, I have a new proposal for you.” His smile was so big, his adorable dimples were making an appearance.
I couldn’t help myself, I giggled. “Oh really? What kind of proposal?
He moved in, his unique scent swarming all around me. Pulling me closer, he cupped my face with his hands and stared into my eyes. “My name’s Sebastian Black, and I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you…”
THE FUCKING END…
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