Sebastian and I stay cuddled up for a while before he gets up to use the bathroom.  I slide out of bed as well because I'm just cold there without him.  I pull back on my long shirt from yesterday even though I probably could just borrow something of Seb's.  It's times like these that I regret not packing pajamas.  I grab my phone off the bed side table and see that it is already lit up with 'Merry Christmas' wishes from my friends.  I quickly shoot off replies to Gabe, Jeffrey, Nicky, Quinn, Tana and Brittney.  Also a Happy Hanukkah to Rachel.  That is when I realize that I didn't hear from the one person I thought I would have.  Maybe I was a little too harsh with my back off warning.  I quickly compose a message.

To HC🔥:  Merry Christmas Hunt!! 🎄 I hope you're enjoying the sunshine in Florida more than this despicable snow in Ohio.  I got a small gift for you when you return, to show my appreciation of you, our friendship and for being my dance partner.  I hope we're okay and maybe we can reconsider our dance choices if you'd want?  The rumba honestly has better choreo than that foxtrot if you really think about it.  Anyway Clarington, see you in the new year!  💕your 😇

I smile to myself as I put the phone down and start to tidy up Sebastian's bed. When I look up he is leaning against his desk just watching me, "Thanks for making the bed up Love. Although I could have helped you." I shrug as I sweep past him towards the bathroom to brush my teeth.  "No worries Bas.  I'm technically a guest here so I should help out." He laughs and I can hear his phone ringing as I turn on the water. When I return to the bedroom he is laying on his back on the bed, phone to his ear. He glances up to me and uses his hand to signal that the person on the other end is talking too much. I go and sit beside him on the bed and he scoots up some to place his head on my lap.

"Dude. Dude. I get it. No. No. Thad stop being a little girl. I swear I will hang up on you.... I know it's Christmas but that doesn't mean I have to be nice to you! How do you know I wasn't busy?"

Maybe Hunter wasn't joking before, from Sebastian's side of the conversation it DOES sound like he and Thad are dating. I can't help myself and just start giggling as I run my fingers through his hair.  Thad must hear me through the phone.

"Harwood, shut up!  Are you high?! No!  NO!! It's Shannon.  I'm wounded that you think so little of me.... You want to what?!  Ugh.... Fine."

He raises his head from my lap with a sigh.  "Love, he wants to talk to you." My eyes are wide as he hands me his phone.  "Seb??"  He just shrugs as I put the phone to my ear.

Me:  Hello?  Thaddeus??
Thad:  Hey Shann!! Merry Christmas!
Me: Um....  Merry Christmas to you too Thad.  But why did you want to talk to me so desperately?
Thad:  *chuckles* Honestly?  I was trying to piss Sebastian off by hogging you for myself.  Is it working??

I glance down at Sebastian, he is still laying with his head on my lap.  He raises an eyebrow at me, "Shann?"  I shake my head and wink at him.

Me:  What was that??  Of course Thad.  I'd love to have coffee with you sometime.
Thad:  What??
Me:  No. No.  I don't think he'd mind...
Thad: Shann?? What's going......

Sebastian grabs his phone out of my hand and swipes to put it on speakerphone, green eyes blazing.  I'm trying to keep a straight face.

Seb:  Harwood?!  Stop hitting on my fiancée!!  I have enough of that with Sterling, Duval and Clarington.  I didn't think I had to worry about you too!!
Thad:  But I wasn't...
Me:  Thaddeus, don't deny our connection.
Thad:  Bas, man, I swear.....

Sebastian is in full 'Scary Sebastian' mode.  I'm dying now, laughing so hard as Sebastian sits back up.  "Sebastian it's okay.  Thad wasn't hitting on me.  But it is interesting to see you being jealous."  He picks up a pillow and hits me with it, tackling me on the bed as he starts to tickle me.  His phone sits abandoned on the bed and I giggle and try to squirm away from him.  "You're going to regret that Pretty Girl."

He hovers over me, fingers digging into my skin as I struggle to breathe through my laughter.  I do the only thing I can to get him to stop, reaching up with both hands to cup his head and pulling his face towards mine.  His fingers stop assaulting my sides as he begins to kiss me back.  Neither of us remember Thad on the other end of the phone until we hear his voice floating up to us from somewhere on the bed.

"Bas??  Shann??  Are you guys still there??  I heard laughter.  And now it sounds like you're kissing again.  Oh god....  What are you doing??"

Sebastian pulls back slightly to look at me with deep emerald eyes. I move my hands from his face to his back, dragging my nails down it with the smallest bit of pressure. He bites back a small moan as he reaches for his phone.

Seb: Dude, we gotta go....
Thad: But I wanted to tell you about the party I was planning for when everyone returns to campus.

I move my hand from Sebastian's back to grab the phone. Sebastian attaches his lips to my neck as I turn my head. I gasp as he bites down, calling towards the phone before I disconnect the call, "Thad just text us. Please.... Sebby stop that.... Goodbye Thad."

I toss the phone off to the side as I turn back towards Sebastian, using as much strength as I can muster to push Sebastian off me, rolling him onto his back. "Oh no Sebastian, I think you're going to regret that..." He grabs the hem of my shirt and yanks it over my head, "No Princess. I'm going to enjoy this thoroughly."

By the time we actually get showered and dressed we have to leave soon. But since the tickets my parents bought for us have us flying out tomorrow Sebastian is just going to pack his luggage for the trip to take with him to my aunt's house. I'm sitting on his bed as he starts putting things in his suitcase, dressed in black tights, my charcoal skirt, the new sweater he gave me and my cute snow boots. He looks up at me with a small smile, "Love, you don't need to watch me. Why don't you go pack up those cookies to bring with us. I'll bring your bag when I come down." I nod up at him and rise from the bed, glancing back from the doorway to see him turn towards his dresser. I call over my shoulder before I leave the room, "Make sure to grab your passport Bastian."

Once I get downstairs I head towards the kitchen to find a tin to place the sugar cookies in.  I spy the cutest one in a cupboard, it has little snowmen all over it.  I hope his mother won't mind if we borrow it.  I'll make sure to get it back to her after the new year.  I'm layering the cookies in the tin with some wax paper when I hear Sebastian in the other room.  "Are you ready Princess?  We really should get on the road before the weather turns on us." I nod as I gather up the cookie tin and my purse, following Sebastian out to our cars.

We decide to take his, I can pick mine up when we get back from England. After that party Thad was rambling about. "Bas, I'll message Blainey to tell him we're on our way." He nods and leans over to kiss my temple before he starts the car up. I pull my phone out of my purse to text my cousin when I see the response to the message I sent off earlier.

HC🔥: Merry Christmas Angel! Florida is amazing, but the beach would be better if you were here beside me. If you think it would be okay to switch the dance back then we can. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. And I have a small gift for you as well, much to my mother's insistence. Since you are my first dance partner that I'm not related to, I know it's sad. Be good Anderson and I'll see you in January. 💞 Hunter