I knew nothing about kids other than that they talked a lot. Christian hadn’t stopped talking or asking questions since we picked him up from the airport. Sebastian had rented an SUV and I sat in the backseat to let them catch up. He had high energy and everything he spoke about was as exciting as the last thing that came out of his mouth. He already had another question before Sebastian answered the previous one. He wanted to know everything about his new life and Sebastian happily obliged.
“Ysabelle has this really cool bar that she owns. We get to meet lots of new people all the time.”
“That’s awesome, Dad. I can’t wait to come visit. I’m sure Mom would love to visit, too. You remember when we used to take the boat out every Sunday and Mom didn’t like to go in the water so you would carry her in?”
There was a certain tone in his voice that I couldn’t quite pick up on and it made me hesitant.
Sebastian nodded.
“That was really funny. I bet Mom would love the island. Do you remember that time that she pushed you in the water and you lost your new sunglasses?”
I could feel Sebastian’s eyes on me through the rearview mirror, but I ignored him.
“Hey, bud, check out the house!” he said, changing the subject.
“Wow! Is this where we’re staying! It’s huge,” he said, getting out of the car.
“Yep, this is home for the next ten days. Ysa, why don’t you take Christian inside and show him the place while I get our bags.”
I was about to say yes when Christian said that he wanted to help with the bags, too. Sebastian told him he had it under control and he reluctantly came with me. The fireplace was on and there was food in warming trays on the kitchen island. The cabin was breathtakingly beautiful with a big open area that had stairs leading to a kid’s playroom and another few bedrooms. We took off our coats and scarves and I hung them up on the rack by the door.
“Want to see your room?”
“Yeah!”
“Well, there are a few of them that you can choose from so you can pick wherever you’d like to sleep.”
We walked into the second room and it was decked out with toys and a flat screen.
“I’ll take this one,” he stated, sitting on the bed.
I smiled. “I think this room is perfect.”
He nodded. “What room are you taking?”
“Oh,” I replied, taken aback. “Ummm…the downstairs one.”
“But that’s my dad’s room.”
“Right…it’s…my room…too.”
His eyebrows lowered. “But you aren’t married. My mom says that only married people sleep in the same room.”
Oh my God! Someone shoot me…where the hell is Sebastian?
“Yeah…she’s…she’s ummm…” I stuttered.
Sebastian pushed open the bedroom door, holding all of Christian’s luggage. “This is…” He looked around, placing the bags by his bed. “…a good choice.” He looked back at me and mouthed, “What’s wrong?”
“Yeah, Dad! This is my room. Ysabelle said she’s sleeping downstairs in your room,” he reiterated. “I think she’s confused…you aren’t married and only married people sleep in the same room. Right, Dad?”
His eyes widened and I jauntily smiled at him.
“Yeah…bud…that’s true.”
“See, Ysabelle, there're three other rooms. The one with all the pink might be a good one for you. Mom loves pink.”
“Yeah…I can sleep in that—”
“Ysabelle,” Sebastian interrupted, taking a seat next to him on the bed.
Is there a hole in this room? Maybe I could hide in the closet?
“Why don’t I leave—”
“Ysabelle and I are sleeping in the same room, buddy,” Sebastian chimed in, knowing that I was about to flee. “Remember, I told you that we live on the island together and we have a place above the bar. You know this.”
“I know. But I thought you guys had your own rooms. Mom never lets Anthony stay the night because she said only married people sleep together.”
And if the earth wanted to open up at any point in time, do so…right now!
“I can understand why your mom would say that; however, things are different for us. We live together.”
He nodded, looking back between us. “Oh, does that mean you’re getting married?”
Of course…that would be the next question…God hates me. I’m his personal comedic relief for the afternoon.
“Hello!” Someone shouted downstairs.
Oh, thank you, random stranger that’s in our cabin!
“I’ll go handle that. You guys…you do this…” I pointed to them and got my happy ass out of there as fast as I could.