Chapter 22

I was sitting down on one of the couches in the living room with my laptop sitting on my thighs. I continued typing out some papers I needed for work this week. I had brought it home because someone was way too distracting and keeping me from actually doing work.  Speak of the devil, Seb appeared from the hallway and came straight over to me, plopping down onto the couch. "What are you doing?" He asked, not bothering to look at the screen. Instead he looked over my face, spending a little extra times gazing at my lips and eyes. His arm stretched back and I felt his hand pick up a piece of my hair and he began twirling it around his fingers gently.  "Work," I said, looking back at the screen. Suddenly the laptop was shut closed and I turned to look at him furrowed brows. "Hey—"  "You don't need to bring work home, Christy ." He said with a frown. His hair made me want to smile. It started to wave slightly as the length had grown out so much. I liked it this way. It made him look so carefree and youthful.  I rolled my eyes and tried to lift it back up, but his hand remained on top. "It's really not a big deal." I told him. I really didn't mind working. It was something that gave me a purpose and a way to busy myself. I couldn't imagine just staying at home all day long. That sounded awful.  He nodded, slightly leaning in closer. "It is when it distracts you."  I arched a brow. "Distract me? From what?"  He smirked. "Me," his leaned in and barely was able to kiss me before I moved away.  "Nope, you're not distracting me." I swiftly stood up, taking my laptop with me and walking over to the kitchen. I placed my laptop down on the island and sat up on the barstool next to the counter.  I heard him trudge all the way in here and I already knew he was sulking. "You're no fun," he muttered, making me laugh.  "Oh stop pouting. Don't you have work to do?" I was surprised to see him out of his office. Usually when we got back home he would go in there for a couple hours before coming out.  He placed his hands on the counter and leaned forward, shaking his head. "I'm all yours, baby." He said with a grin.  I chuckled, shaking my head. I looked down at my laptop to hide the blush on my cheeks from his nickname he called me. "Well I do, get out of here." I bit my bottom lip to keep from smiling.  Seb groaned. "Fine," he walked over, bending down to kiss my cheek. "I'll be back in a little bit." I nodded, continuing to look down at the words I was typing.  Around forty five minutes later I decided to call Nora. I hadn't really talked to her that much since we came back from seeing them. I was starting to miss her, especially with the wedding coming up so soon. I hadn't even had a chance to tell her about that yet either. I was nervous about what she'd say, but I'd have to tell her sooner or later.  I dialed her number and lifted the phone to my ear, the dial ringing in the background.  "Hello?" Debbie answered.  "Hey," I said kind of awkwardly.  "Hi, sweetheart, what are you up to?" She asked. I could hear some clattering in the back and assumed she was doing the dishes.  I smiled at the thought. I even miss random and unimportant moments like walking into the kitchen and just seeing her do dishes while the phone was tucked between her ear and shoulder. Usually she was always talking to her own mom or sister. I swear they never went a day without calling each other at least once.  "Not a whole lot. But I kind of have something to tell you." Kind of? I sound like I was in high school again telling her about the latest teenage drama.  "What?"  I took a deep breath, holding it in for a second before letting it out softly. "Well... Santiago , Olivia’s husband, has been making some threats—"  "Threats?!" Debbie panicked. I assumed she would and that's why I'd been avoiding tell her after all this time.  "Debbie , listen, it's fine, we're fine." I said softly, somewhat amused to be honest. She apologized and told me to carry on. "Well Santiago proposed something and I had no choice but to oblige." I continued telling her everything about Santiago and what would happen if we hadn't accepted his offer.  Debbie let out a deep sigh. "That's horrible," She said in a way that sounded like it was meant to herself.  "I know," sometimes I couldn't even believe it and I was living it.  "I-I don't think we'll be able to make it to the wedding with everything that's happening over here." She said, her voice cracking slightly.  "Don't worry, I know. Trust me I'd be at home with you guys in an instant if I could. Maybe with getting married sooner I'll be home sooner." I said, but I felt a tinge of sadness saying that. I missed my family and sometimes even the whole state of Arizona, but I wouldn't see Seb anymore.  "You're right, Christy ." She said and I heard her sniffle. "Well I was actually going to call you today too because I have some good news."  "What?" I asked.  "Your father restarted the treatment today. They finally got rid of the pneumonia."  "Really?" I asked excitedly. "That's amazing! Oh my gosh," I couldn't stop the smile on my face. That was the best news I'd heard in a while.  We continued talking and she told me all about his care plan. They'd start the treatment on Sunday after all his fluids were clean from any of the germs the pneumonia might have left. I didn't understand some one what the fluids were because I pretty much have no idea about anything medical.  During our phone call we also agreed not to tell Kayla about the wedding happening so soon. Not because we wanted to keep it a secret from her, but because of how she'll act. I knew she'd want to be here, but it just wouldn't be a good idea with everything going on.  ~>~  The next week went by incredibly fast. A little too fast. I was nervous to get married and didn't know why.  I guess I was because it was obviously something I'd never done before. It was the fear of the unknown. Would being married even help the situation? What would happen when all of this was over? Just so many scenarios and questions going around my head, paralyzing me with anxiety.  I was sitting at home alone— well kind of. Drake was downstairs waiting for me. Seb had gone to work and insisted I stayed home to relax. He could tell I was getting nervous and stressed from everything goin on. I tried to convince him to let me leave, but it was no use. So Diego and Drake came over to keep watch and basically be my babysitter. Diego had run out to get us lunch while Drake and I remained at the apartment.  When I walked down the stairs from my room, I saw Drake just standing there by the elevator looking like a statue.  "Don't you get bored?" I asked, approaching him.  He arched an eyebrow and let a silent chuckle lift his chest. "Never a dull moment." He said with a serious tone, but looked over at me with a smirk a moment later.  I laughed. "Clearly, you look exhausted from all the craziness and danger happening right now in this room."  "Oh yeah, I know. I don't even know if I can handle all of this by myself." He played along, gesturing around the quiet room.  "So do you work seven days a week or what? I feel like I never see you have a day off." I said.  "I get Sunday's and Tuesday's off... most of the time." He answered.  "But don't you work over 40 hours a week? Even with the two days off?" I bombarded him with questions. I was genuinely curious. Him, Diego, or Bobby— they were constantly around. If not in Seb’s home, then downstairs waiting for him to call.  Drake nodded. "Yes, but we get time and half so I'm okay with it." He assured. I mean I guess if I got paid time and a half I really wouldn't mind either. "Mr. Knight cares about his safety, but especially yours."  A small smile crept on my face at his words. I suddenly missed Seb and his annoying self. He had been working so much this past week with less than seven days until we would be married.  The elevator doors opened and in walked Diego with a scowl on his face and two bags of Chinese food. "That damn lady would not give me the freakin' egg rolls." He spat, making me laugh.  "Why?" I asked, amused. I walked over to him and took the bags out of his hands.  "She said, we don't sell egg rolls to orders less than $20, so I was like, yeah okay, my order is $56, give me the freakin' rolls." He huffed, shaking his head. I laughed a little harder at his impression of the Chinese woman.  "So... no egg rolls?" Drake asked.  Diego narrowed his eyes at his coworker. "Did you not hear my story, moron? No egg rolls!"  "It's fine, Diego . Thank you for going," I smiled still, still entertained from his story.  "Last time I go to Chinatown, lemme tell you." He muttered behind me as we walked into the kitchen.  I set the bags on top of the counter and began pulling out each white carton. "Sweet and sour chicken?" I asked.  He nodded and tapped on the second bag. "Got that," Drake chuckled and patted Diego’s shoulder. "Hey, not for nothin'. At least we got fried rice."  Diego his hand palm to his forehead. "I forgot the damn rice!"  And this was how I was spending my day off...  A few hours later the elevator doors opened and in walked Seb looked very tired. Drake, Diego, and I were sat in the living room watching the ID channel.  As soon as Drake noticed Seb was here here basically jumped off the couch. "Thank God, I can't watch anymore of Joe Kenda." He said dramatically before walking to the elevator. Diego got up and gave a curt nod to Seb before leaving with his coworker.  "How was work?" I called back, but still looked at the TV. I'm sorry I just could not look away now. I'm about to find out who the murder was. He walked over and sat next to me. His arm wrapped around my shoulders as he pulled my closer to him. I adjusted my position as I leaned against his chest. "That bad?" I spoke since he stayed silent to my question.  He groaned. "Just another day," I looked up at him and he looked down, his other hand reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "But I'm glad I can come home to you."  His words made my heart hammer in my chest and I couldn't help the goofy smile that took over my face. "So cheesy," I teased.  He rolled his eyes, but chuckled. "You make me this way, woman."  I laughed and reached up to peck his cheek. "Don't worry, I don't mind."  Seb wasn't satisfied by the small kiss. He leaned back down to place his lips on mine. "I missed you at the office." He mumbled against my lips.  I pulled away and smirked. "Told you to let me come with."  He shook his head and caressed my cheek. "You work too much," that couldn't be farther from the truth.  "You're delusional if you think that's face."  He laughed. "Is it a crime I don't want you working? What's the point? I can provide for you, baby."  I leaned in to kiss him, quickly pulling away before he had to the chance to deepen it. "You're sweet, but I'm coming back to work."  He sighed and nodded, giving in. "Okay, but if you get stressed—"  "Seb,"  "What?"  "Shut up,"  He didn't say anything more about it and the rest of the night we just hung out on the couch watching TV. It felt normal in the oddest way.