hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay

Aria walked up behind me and wrapped her arms around my body before kissing my cheek, my eyes narrowed on his dad as I tried to understand what game he was playing if any. "I love you," She whispered in my ear, an almost sickeningly sweet tone. My gaze didn't shift and her own eyes started narrowing, but on me instead. "Seb," He said loud enough for me not to miss.
I broke out of my daze and looked at her, an innocent expression on my face, "What did you say?"
She sighed but smiled at me. So far, she had nothing to complain about, the day was going pretty good and that was all because of my family, but in particular to the women of my family. The backyard was hardly recognizable and there was enough food for a small town. I couldn't complain either, Aria's family had taken a quick liking to the mine too. "What's on your mind baby?" She asked, like she did a lot lately and I knew what that was about. I was constantly nervous about my future, I went from avoiding the subject completely to get annoyed to the point I didn't even want to talk. Ar had nothing to do with that, because she was my only certainty in my life at the moment, but my mood influenced our relationship too no matter how much I tried to ignore it. I felt lost, but I didn't want to admit it.

"Your dad hasn't said anything to me all day," I replied and looked at her, an unreadable expression on my face. Her dad has said that he was happy for us and he seemed to genuinely mean it, but I had my doubts because the man hated me and it was no mystery. Her mom was much easier. She cried a lot and kept asking if we were planning on having kids soon. I had stopped answering and Ar had taken care of that.
"Lies. He said hello instead," She said and wrinkled her nose. "He's happy for us."
"Oh he said hello! I should be honored." I said sarcastically and when she narrowed her eyes on me again, I groaned, "That's called being polite."
"Sebastian." She said seriously.
I sighed and turned her in my arms so that now she was facing me, once again trying to forget all the thoughts that kept me busy all day and all night too. There would be Copenhagen after this reception, then what? "I need a drink." I said eventually, my face serious.
She looked at me with a face that was a mix of concern and annoyance, her hands setting on my chest. "If you're planning to get drunk I suggest you to go talking to my father first."
I broke into a smirk, "So that he can give me advice on what to drink?" I asked like a smarta.ss, but seriously, I didn't know how to deal with my state of mind, I didn't know how to deal with his dad either. That was what made me nervous, I always had everything planned out while now I was confused, it was almost how it had been when Ar and I broke up...and only god knew how long and how much alcohol had taken me to get back on track. She sighed again as her shoulder slumped, her tead tilting down and her forehead resting on my chest. I was pushing it too far. I lifted her chin with my finger gently, until she was looking at me again. "Let's start over." I suggested, forcing myself to act decently since it was no time or place to act like an a.ss since we were surrounded by our families. My eyes took her in, my lips curving in the process until I met her gaze again. "Did I tell you how beautiful you are?"
"No, you didn't." She said quietly.
"You're gorgeous." I smiled more genuinely and kissed her chastely before pulling back and grabbing her hand, "Do you want a glass of wine? Food? Can I do something for my gorgeous wife?" I asked, basically kissing her a.ss, but it was the only way for me to survive the night without throwing a tantrum. Also, she deserved to be spoiled since she was so good and patient to me.
Aria's lips quirked into a smile and she squeezed my hand, "A glass of wine would be nice."
I brought our entwined hands up to my mouth and pressed a kiss against the back of her hand, making her smile even wider. "If I'm not back in five minutes come looking for me. Your father might've murdered me," I joked with a grin while she shook hery head.
"I'll count the minutes you're away. Your five minutes is starting now," She winked at me and let go of my hand as I walked away.
I glanced at his dad again, he catching me once again and I wasn't surprised since he hadn't stopped staring at me from the moment he had joined the party. While our families were mixing together just fine, he seemed to be obsessed with me. And his wife, who sometimes looked as pained by him as I was even if for completely differnt reasons. As I approached the table with all the bottles I felt at unease, and I knew why. "Carl." I said quietly as I poured a glass of wine for myself, side glancing at Aria's father who had followed me and now he was finally able to say or do whatever he had plotted for all this time.
"Sebastian." He said back to me, still looking at me as I drank my wine, "Nervous?" He asked, glancing at my half empty glass.
I turned to him, squaring my shoulders and staring at him to let him know that I wasn't nervous, I wasn't scared, and if he wanted to fight me? He'd have to for the rest of his life, I was ready for that. "No, just thirsty." I answered politely, moving my eyes from him and looking for Aria who was talking to her mother. She looked...guilty.
Silence fell between us and I had no intention to break it since I had literally nothing to say to the man. We could talk about how he could be a better father, a better manager, how he hurt her daughter sometimes, but I was wise enough to bite my tongue. "I'm surprised you married Aria." He said eventually.
I looked at him again, surprised that he was bringing up a topic that was so hard to handle. "I'm not." I said back, the tone of my voice hard because I was always on the defensive side whenever I walked to the man. I didn't trust him and I had good reasons.
He seemed to ingore my words, and offered a smile, almost giving me a stroke because that was so unlike him. I guessed that he was trying. "I know we never got along much during all these years..." He trailed off and I had the feeling that he had rehardes that speech in his head.
"Understatement of the century." I said under my breath and took another sip of wine, giving him a hard time but hey, that was the truth.
He let out a long sigh and for a moment he looked older than he was. I almost pitied him. "I never liked you much because you hurt Aria in the past, you were always too self centered in my opinion to give her what he wanted and deserved...that's why I never thought you'd marry her, instead I would have bet my money on how you'd leave her again and broke her into pieces." He said seriously.
I listened to him carefully, knowing where he came from after all. I had fucked up so many times in the past it was normal that the man had no trust in me. On the other hand, I suspected he just didn't like me as a person anyway and no matter how good I'd try to treat his daughter, that wouldn't change. "People make mistakes, then they change. The moment I realized that I couldn't imagine my future without Aria I decided to marry her, she's an amazing girl and I would have been a fool if I had let her go away again. She is now where she belongs, next to me for the rest of her life." I said back, making it clear that our marriage was forever and I was really serious about it. I had nothing to prove to the man but I was doing this for Ar.
"That's what I was hoping to hear from you." He nodded and I took that as his white flag. It was enough for me. "You better keep her as happy as she is now." He added, not able to bite his tongue and that sounded more him than all the rest, but I apreciated it all anyway.
"I will." I said nonchalantly as I refilled my glass and poured some wine into another one for Aria who was approaching us.
Leaning into my side, she let her smile widen. "Are one of those for me or are you extra thirsty?"
"Both." I grinned at her as I handed her a glass before I glanced at her dad, "Do you want some too Carl?" I asked, being polite because it was the least I could do.
He nodded, "Yes, red please." He offered a smile while I poured another glass, then gave it to him while I ignored how Aria was staring at me. "Thank you. I think I'll get something to eat too now."
"We'll join you soon dad." Aria smiled to her dad as he walked away, then her expression changed as soon as he was far enough. "What did you say to him?" She asked, looking both curious and worried.
I smirked at her, wrapping my arm around her waist as I pulled her closer to me, "Nothing." I said and looked down at her, not hiding my amusement.
"Lies. Tell me everything." She said and even narrowed her eyes on me a little for effect, too bad it would never work. Even if I'd never admit it, I felt a little relieved now, I had dodged the more dangeous bullet and now I could relax a little. That, and the reception was close to its end anyway.
"Drink, you'll need it before hearing what he said to me." I said, making her roll her eyes but she drank anyway. I faked a serious face, getting ready to finally answer her. "He told me he'll do anything he can to convince you to divorce me."
This time she didn't look that amused anymore and she hit my chest, "That's not funny Sebastian."
I grinned at her again, pulling her closer to me and pressing my lips on hers, "Sorry babe. He gave us his blessing in his own way." I muttered against her mouth before kissing her and pulling my head back, not wanting to give a show in front of our families.
Aria slowly processed my words, while I gave her time, wondering if she'd start asking questions now or later, I knew it would happen at some point anyway. I understood her curiosity, my so called relationship with his father had been rocky from day one and while I couldn't blame him for not liking me back to the days when I was an a.sshole with a bad reputation now I knew I deserved his daughter. Marrying her had been my way to make clear to everyone that for me there was Aria only and that wouldn't ever change, it was a decision that I had made in my mind long before asking her to be my wife, the wedding had been the final step before starting the chapter of my life where she'd be Mrs Pitt. "Did he hug you?" She asked eventually while I grinned back, amused by her question. "Well? Did he?"
"No Ar," I kept grinning as I shook my head. "Men don't hug. We pat each others backs awkwardly and shake hands."
She rolled her eyes but playfully this time, nuzzling my neck. "You have no idea how much that means to me," She said quietly, meaning it.
"I do instead." I said back and wrapped my arm around her shoulders as I let her lean against my side. "I did it for you." I added.
She pulled her head back, looking up at me as her brows furrowed, "Didn't you care?"
"I care about you only." I said, my hand lifting to push her hair off her face as my grin got wider, "And myself too of course."
She laughed and in that moment a camera clicked, the sound followed by my groan. We looked in front of us where her mother was taking a picture of us. "Sorry I couldn't help myself." She said, pushing her lips together.
Aria smiled at her, "It's okay mom, but we weren't posing." She looked up at me before squeezing my side, a hint to what she wanted me to do.
I turned my head just so slightly as I stared at the camera, "You're pushing your luck babe." I whispered against her ear, it probably looking like I was telling her sweet words.
"I'll make it up to you. Don't I always?" Aria whispered back with her smile still in place, tilting her head enough to shoot me a quick wink.
"No. Not always," Came my response and she laughed, looking happy and relaxed like I hadn't expected her to be. I had known from the start today would have been a big test for us, but I had never thought it would have gone so smoothly.
She looked up at me and lifted an eyebrow, "You aren't allowed to lie to your wife."
My lips quirked upwards, "Says who?"
"Me," She said before faking a serious look. "I'm the rule maker."
It was my turn to laugh as I shook my head, "Keep dreaming babe." I said smugly.
She narrowed her eyes on me even though I knew she was just being silly, we both were, and it was usually a good sign. The last few days had been a roller coaster, so I was enjoying the relaxed mood a lot. "Says who?" She asked back, using my own words against me.
"Your king." I whispered since I didn't want anyone to listen to us, but mostly to me, even we were with our families. It was odd how I felt more comfortable and at ease with her than with everyone else. She rolled her eyes but didn't argue, leaning into me and tilting her head back as she silently asked for a kiss that I gave to her a second later, it being quick but soft. "We should stop isolating ourselves from the party. Or your father will think I'm a bad influence on you and I want to keep you away from your family."
"God, you're paranoid." She sighed, her lips curving into a smirk because she loved making fun of my flaws or supposed ones. I wasn't paranoid.
"I can't let my guard down." I grinned back at her as I set my hand on the small of her back, leading her towards where everyone was. Where the food was too.
"I want to sit by Uncle Sebby!!" Jules said and patted the seat beside her, "Sit here!"
"Yes mam," I repliedd and sat down next to my niece as Ar took the seat by me.
"Seby," Haylie mocked her sister, her mom smiling down at her in amusement. Both of the girls had decided to wear their Mickey ears from our trip to Disneyland. They looked adorable and Ar's mom was looking at them as if they were some kind of miracle.
She leaned into the table and looked intently at Natalie, "Your girls are adorable and love their uncle, don't they?" She asked, being obvious about where she wanted to go with that.
"Seby!" Haylie told her with a huge smile.
"Aunt Aria was in movies," Jules informed Ar's mom who let out a soft laugh.
"She was," She gave her a nod and smile back.
Ar grinned at them and looked up at me. "Are you hungry baby?" She asked me.
Jules face lit up and she put a hand over her mouth, "Uncle Sebby isn't a baby!"
"Thank you for telling her." I said to my niece, a grin on my face since really, it was impossible not to be in a good mood around her. Unless her sister was about to s.hit her pants. "Aunt Ar gets confused sometimes." I sighed, not liking being called a baby in front of other people.
"Me baby!" Haylie cut in, of course wanting our attention and I swear it was like a challenge between the two girls.
Aria wrinked her nose at her, making a silly face, "You're the cutest baby."
Haylie seemed happy with the compliment and almost threw herself off the chair, making me hold my breath because I seriously thought she would hit her head on the grass. Instead she ran to Ar to hug her, making everyone at the table melt. Apparently both of our nieces had their preference. "I love you." She said, her tone unsure since she still didn't talk perfectly.
"Aw baby, I love you too." Ar said back to the tiny girl, picking her to let her sit on her lap and looking on the verge of tears while all the eyes were on us. Which I hated, of course.
"Can I have another slice of cake?" I asked to my wife, not really hungry since we had already eaten like pigs but still.
Julie nodded her head as if she was agreeing with me, "I want it too!" She said, looking at her mom who was already shaking her head.
"You're going to sleep soon, you know the rules." Natalie answered seriously and stared at her daughter in the way that made clear that she wouldn't change her mind. But my niece was a stubborn little thing, so she set her hands on her hips, "But I want it." She retorted, challenging her.
I cut the tiniest slice of cake and reached for two teaspoons, handing one to Jules, "We can share it. I'm sure mom wouldn't mind." I offered with a smile, glancing at my sister who was sighing. Jules seemed happy with that and clapped her hands together before taking a bite.
"When are you leaving you guys again?" My other sister asked, finally taking her eyes off her phone like she was a teenager and looking at Ar.
"Tomorrow morning." Ar answered for the both of us, still cuddling Haylie who looked in heaven and on the verge of falling asleep at the same time.
Aria's father woke up suddently, glancing at her daughter. "Are you going to London already?" He asked and from the look on Aria's face? I knew she wasn't liking the question.
"We're going to Copenhagen instead." I answered for her, staring at the man and daring him to go on with that. I knew he didn't mean any bad, only he was having a bad timing, it was our wedding reception, in theory, we couldn't talk about work.
Jules' mouth dropped open as she looked at me wide eyed. "I don't want you and aunt Aria to go!" She cut into the conversation, looking genuinely upset about that and I'd lie if I said it didn't affect me. During the last month we had been spending a lot of time with the girls and they got used to see us a lot more, just like we did too. I wondered if that was enough to make everyone forget about the mention of London, but Aria's mom still looked confused.
"We'll be back cutie," Aria said to her and smiled, making me wonder when she think we'd be back. The bad side of never talking about where we'd live in the future was that I had no idea of what she wanted. I could only guess that she'd still love her LA while would still dislike my SF.
She pouted and looked up at me, "Why do you have to go? Don't you like it here instead?"
All eyes were on me, making me feel uncomfortable for so many reasons. I didn't like having all the attentions always, plus I was always very clear about how much I hated my own hometown, but at the same time I couldn't say that to my little adorable nieve. "I have to take Aunt Aria to Copenhagen for our honeymoon," I told her finally and she wrinkled her nose in confusion.
"Can't I come too?"
Everyone laughed while her mom shook her head, "It's going to be a romantic adult trip and you'd have no fun."
Jules looked back and forth between us then at her mom again, "But I had fun with Uncle Sebby and Aunt Aria at Disneyland!"
"You can't miss school," Her mom said in a more firm tone and the little girl sighed back at her. "Don't you love school? All of your friends are there."
"Except for Uncle Sebby and Aunt Aria," She said in a sad voice, still pouting a little.
"I'll still be here," Kathleen told her.
"No wonder she's so sad," I joked and my sister shot me a glare.
Kat rolled her eyes and looked at me with an eyebrow lifted, "So have you two decided where you'll live once you get back from vacation?"
"Why? Do you want to move in with us?" I asked back at her, trying to make a joke out of it but I didn't know if it was working or it was only showing my annoyance instead.
She didn't even bother to answer and rolled her eyes again instead, giving time to Aria's mom to talk. "Are you going to keep your LA house, right?" She asked to her daughter.
"You better, here is where the industry is." Her dad added, as if I needed to hear that.
I slumped in my chair, thinking that maybe it was better if I kept my mouth shut and let the others talk. Mostly Aria. "We can't take a decision until we don't know what our projects are exactly." My wife answered with a smile that I could tell was forced, using the words I had given to her so many times. She was being patient a lot with me, I wondered how much longer it could last. I knew I needed to talk to her, only it worried me a little.
"When am I going to see you on the big screen again?" My older sister asked her, always a big fan of Aria not only as a person but as an actress too. The movies my wife did were always the kind that my sister loved, except for the one I had made with her of course.
"Soon...but I can't tell yet." Ar said back as she faked a serious face that was mostly silly before winking at Natalie.
I took advantage of the moment, since everyone was now focusing on my wife, I focused on my niece since I didn't know when I'd see her again. She looked sleepy, and I felt her, I couldn't wait to go to bed. Stretching my arm out, I grabbed her tiny hand and smiled, "Come here, let's nap together." I smirked and watched her light up as she jumed down her seat and climbed onto mine, adjusting herself on my lap as she leaned her back against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist and set my chin on the top of her head, cuddling my niece while I kept listening to the conversation.
"No matter what you'll do, I hope you're keeping the Seattle home." Kathleed said, sipping her glass of wine, "And give me a pair of spare keys if you're not going to really live there." She added with a grin, making no mistery of how much she had loved that place since the time she had come visit us. I, on the other hand, wasn't sure of what would happen to that huge luxurious apartment but if I knew my Aria a little? We'd went from renting it to buying it, because she loved there and had worked so much to make of that place our first to call home. There had been the one in LA too, but it had been forever ago, we were kids, and we were only playing being adults, while now we were on a whole new level.
"I agree with your sister," Aria looked at me with a grin on her face, but I was close to falling asleep and my niece already had her eyes closed. Ar looked back at Kathleen, "I love the Seattle house and I put a lot of work into it."
"But why would you want to live in Seattle? There's no family there!" Her mom replied and her dad shot her a look, since the woman lived in New York and didn't see her own family much.
"Let's give the kids a break. They've barely been married for a few months now and still have some discussing to do, but honestly? The choice is theirs to make," Aria's dad said from out of nowhere and even my eyes flicked up to look at me. This was the man who had just thrown our careers at us and said that the right place to live was LA.
"We have our vacation to think of first," I said quietly and yawned, moving Jules ever so slightly and causing her to stir in my arms.
"Are you awake little cutie?" Nat asked her daughter who didn't move this time, still cuddling me. "I should get going. The girls need to sleep."
"No," Jules said finally and wrapped her arms around my waist.
I kissed the top of her head, having a flashback of when I did the same thing but she was still a tiny baby who didn't even speak. Time was really passing so fast, and with it so many things were changing. "I need to sleep and Aria too." I told her quietly.
"But I want you to read me a story." She protested in a small voice, it being muffled since she was pressing her face against my chest.
I sighed, because I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to upset her, but there was no way to make her happy. I glanced at Ar, who shrugged lightly, showing me that this time she didn't have an idea either. "It's too late for that, but I promise you that I'll read you one tomorrow." I said eventually.
"Ha!" My sister let out a laugh, "You're digging your grave Seb."
"But you're leaving tomorrow!" Jules protested, pulling her head back to look at me with her intense eyes that showed how smart she was.
"I'll call you." I grinned at her and poked her nose, ignoring the eyes on me as I stood up, still holding her. Moving my attention to Ar, I motioned her to get up too before I walked to my sister to give her daughter back.
"Promise!" Jules said seriously, still not letting go of my neck.
"I promise." I said back and kissed her cheek, then straightened myself, noticing Aria on my side.
She smiled at Jules, "Don't worry I'll remember him." She said before saying goodbye to her and a moment later we were saying our goodbyes to our families, thanking them for what they had done for us. Mostly my family, but I wasn't going to point that out, we had been lucky enough to get through the night without any fight.
Walking towards my car with Aria's hand in mine, I couldn't help feeling a little like I was leaving them behind again. The thought of not knowing what to do with my job, with my life, with my future, made me feel restless and negative towards everything, I could only hope that this second honeymoon would help. When Aria squeezed my hand, I realized that I wasn't saying a word and I wasn't even looking at her. I was there, but I wasn't really. "We survived babe." I said, offering a smile that was little, but was genuine.
"We always do," Aria smiled back at me since that much was true. We'd been through so much already, I wouldn't have gone through that much for anyone else. "Now that dinners over, you can breathe again," She added with a smirk.
"Hilarious," I said back but a small smile appeared on my lips, stopping to get the keys from my pocket and unlock the doors.
She climbed in and waited for me to get in the drivers seat, watching me start the car and ease it away from the curb. "What time's our flight?" She asked eventually, to break the silence.
"Five."
"At night?" She asked hopeful, already knowing the answer. I shot her an amused look then shook my head. "So early," She said with a frown.
I set my hand on her leg and gave it a squeeze, "You'll have 12 hours on the flight to sleep."
"Will you cuddle me on the plane?" She grinned again and set her hand on top of mine.
"A little." I answered quietly, keeping my eyes on the road as I drive towards Aria's house and grinning a little because by now I knew how flights with Aria went. She fell asleep in less then an hour only to wake up briefly in the middle of the flight, just the time to eat and for some sexy time if I was lucky, then she was back in her dreams.
"Just a little?" She said back and I caught her frowning from the corner of my eye.
"I will as much as you'll be awake." I explained, though I was well aware of how I'd keep cuddled her in my arms the whole time anyway. She was the only thing that kept me sane right now, the one that was able to make me relax a little, and that was a lot. She was able to give me the peace of mind that was so hard for me to find lately.
She squeezed my hand as I parked the car in front of her house, waiting for me to give her my attentiont. "If you'll be good and cuddle me, you'll get lucky." She said in a whisper, leaning her head closer to mine.
I closed the little distance between us, feeling exhausted from the long night, more mentally than physically, and being more than happy to be back home. Cracking a smile, I kissed her nose then her lips, "I'm lucky already, I have you."