It is late afternoon, definitely past 3pm, by the time Sebastian and I are finally out of bed and showered.  He quickly pulls on some jeans and a cute red and grey rugby shirt but I am still just standing around in a towel.  At some point he went downstairs and collected all of my clothes for me.

Finally he looks away from the mirror where he was adjusting his collar to see me.  His forehead wrinkles with concern as he crosses the room.  "Princess what's wrong??"  I gesture to my yellow prom dress sitting on his bed, "Seb, I'm going to look so foolish going for coffee still in my dress, you're wearing normal clothes.  Talk about morning after, walk of shame attire."

He laughs softly as he reaches out and gently cups my cheek, thumb rubbing small circles on it.  I can feel it heating up underneath his palm.  "Well Love, I could give you a shirt and some old shorts or something to wear but that may look even more like...  Well you know...  since you're just so tiny. But there is nothing to be ashamed of though, I love you and you love me.  Everyone else be damned.  And if someone starts something, well then I'll just take care of it."

I'm biting my lip as I contemplate his words.  I sigh, beginning to slip back into my dress from the night before.  "Bas, just no repeats of Michael Week, okay." I can honestly hear his breathing get progressively shallower as he comes behind me to help lace my dress up my back. His gentle touch ghosts up my spine as his fingers work. Voice soft, worried, "Princess... you knew about that?? I swear, I can explain." I glance over my shoulder at him, he is biting his lip, brow furrowed as he focuses on the task at hand.

"Bastian, of course I knew about that.  There isn't much Blaine hides from me. But he never gave me a name so I didn't automatically associate that it was you when we first met.  You're sweet, nothing like that boy I heard about."

He finishes lacing up my dress and takes a small step back. I turn around as he is still just glancing down at his feet. "Shann, I'm so sorry. I've been a horrible person..." I shake my head and close the distance between us, pulling his face down to mine and kissing him soundly. "Sebby, concentrate on the fact that you used past tense there. You've said before that you aren't that same boy, you're a man now. Responsible, loving. My beautiful fiancé. Sebastian Axle, I'm proud to call you mine. I'm the bad person. Especially after putting you through this whole Hunter situation."

His smile, that smile that is so bright it can light up the damn room, is back on his face.  "Love, you are the sweetest, most understanding person ever.  My beautiful, talented fiancée.  My future Mrs Shannon Lynn Smythe. Nothing, absolutely nothing you could ever do would make me love you any less. Always remember that."

I'm blushing again as Sebastian releases his grip on my waist.  Instead he grasps my hand gently in his, kissing it and then interlacing our fingers together.  "Shann, how about that coffee?  I mean it's getting late and I really should get you home."  I sigh, "I suppose Bas.  And you know, college and stuff.  Well why don't you road trip with me after graduation.  I'm going to need to get my car to the West Coast.  Plus we can have some alone time, break in the little bungalow they're putting me up in.  Perhaps stop in Vegas along the way."

I can see Sebastian's eyes light up at that.  "Vegas huh?  What happened to that big white wedding you discussed this morning?"

Do I need the big wedding?? Family and friends surrounding us.

Or is it okay if it is just me and Sebastian??

I sigh...

"Well maybe not Vegas. But how about barefoot on the beach?  Waves crashing on the shore.   Sun streaming down.  Me, you and an officiant."

Sebastian hums, pressing a kiss to my hair.  He begins ushering me out of the room when he finally voices his answer, "Princess, I would absolutely love that.  But perhaps we should reevaluate your idea closer to the end of summer.  Spend some time together in LA before I have to leave you again. Is that okay with you, Love?"

Words escape me so all I can do is nod.

My mind is spinning, Sebastian wants to come with me to California, if only for a few months before he relocates to New York.

It could be amazing.

Really it could.

Until that little voice creeps up in my mind again.

Hunter.

What about Hunter?

Weren't you just talking with him last night about moving into the bungalow?  Sharing a living space.

I sigh, running my free hand through my hair as Sebastian opens the door to his car for me.  My life is just far too complicated right now.

But I can't tell Sebastian these things.  He seems so content, confident in our future together.  I talked a big game this morning.  That's for sure.

Truth time...

I can see a future with Sebastian.  Just like I described.

But part of me can see one with Hunter too.  One where he ditches the law and engineering plans.  He surfs for fun.  We spend evenings watching the sunset.   I'm still in show business but he isn't in my shadow, he's my equal.   Both of us in the spotlight.  Dueting with me, dancing together still.  Definitely modeling.  I mean, have you seen his body??  All those muscles are just begging to be shown.  Face of Versace or something else.  Fun.  Free.  My dark hair splashed with blond, red and lavender.  Giggling and playful.

But no I can never say that out loud.  Not to Sebastian.   Maybe not to anyone.

God, I'm such a hypocrite.

By this time we've reached the Lima Bean.  Sebastian holds the door open for me and I swear I get a few weird looks as we walk in, especially since I am still wearing this silly yellow dress.  Sebastian pays it no mind as he kisses my forehead gently.  "Love, I'll get our coffees.  Some little treat too, can't have your cousin think that I am starving you.  Why don't you find a table for us and I'll be back soon."  I nod back at him.  He places one more kiss to my forehead before walking towards the counter.

My eyes scour the coffee shop, seeing people who look familiar, classmates.  Gosh I'm embarrassed now.  Quickly I settle in at a small table near the back.  The line is long at the counter, Sebastian turns to blow me a kiss before focusing back on the menu board again.  I'm nervously twisting my engagement ring around when an unrecognizable voice hits me.

"Well aren't you a pretty little thing..."

My eyes rise from my hands to see who addressed me.

"Um....  Sorry.  Do I know you??"

He chuckles, easing into the seat across from me.  "Oh honey, you should know me.  I know you...   I'm Rick, Captain of the McKinley Ice Hockey team.  And you're the infamous Shannon Anderson, intelligent, talented and beautiful.  Who I hear is completely okay with dating more than one guy at a time.  So I figured I'd take a shot, see if you really are that easy.  Interested??"

I'm floored and totally offended by this.  I can see Sebastian over his shoulder, collecting our things at the counter.  Our eyes lock at the exact moment this dude decides to reach for my hand.  I yank it back so fast but I can still see the anger flicker across Sebastian's face as he draws nearer.

I point over his shoulder at Sebastian. "Well, hockey guy, if I were you I'd leave in a hurry.  Because my fiancé is rapidly approaching.  He plays lacrosse and would just love to kick your ass. Especially when I tell him that you basically called me a whore."

This guy just shoots me a wry smile as he rises from his seat turning to face Sebastian.  I can see his bravado slipping some when he realizes that Sebastian has at least 6" on him in terms of height.  Sebastian places our things on the table, passing my coffee to me.  His eyes narrow at the guy, then he turns to me.  "Sorry that took so long Princess.  Friend of yours?"

I shake my head at him, raising an eyebrow and tilting my head slightly.  "Not at all."  Sebastian nods, small smirk on his face as he turns to face Rick, extending his hand.  "Sebastian Smythe, Captain of the Dalton Academy Lacrosse team, Captain of the Dalton Academy Warblers.  Dashingly handsome, devastatingly wealthy and engaged to this beautiful woman in front of you."

The other guy winces in pain from the force Sebastian puts behind his handshake.  Seb releases his grip and he shakes his hand as if trying to get the blood flow back.  "I'm Rick..."

Sebastian holds a hand up, cutting off his response as he slips into the seat across from me.  He looks up at the other guy, evil grin on his face.  "I don't care who you are.  But if you EVER mess with my girl again, remember one thing.  I have enough connections, money, power and means to make you disappear forever without having it come back on me. Just food for thought."

With that Sebastian picks up his own coffee, sliding some cookies across the table to me.  Sweet smile on his face, "Pretty Girl, I hope you like these.  They're those triple chocolate ones you got months ago, you know the weekend I stayed at your house?"