Sibella came to Highhurst in a sour mood, and Monty immediately knew that something was wrong. She wasn't her usual teasing self. She was quipping rather harsh remarks, not responding to his touch as she usually did, and she was irritable beyond belief.
After the third time she had snapped at him for something that she usually loved, Monty pulled away and gave her some space. She laid there tense on the bed, her mind obviously on something that was bothering her.
Monty sat up slowly.
"Did and you Lionel have a fight?"
"Why do you care what I do with Lionel?" she snapped back, "It doesn't matter if we had a fight or not…"
She sighed heavily as she sat up and crossed her arms, her facial features turning into a pout.
Monty's fingers reached out and lightly touched her shoulder. She didn't shrug him off.
"You know I will always love you, right?" he said softly.
She nodded after a moment. Her teeth clamped down on her bottom lip hard.
Monty's hand grasped hers. She squeezed his hand back, and let out some sort of half strangled cry and laugh.
"I hate this," she whispered.
"I know."
She then curled into his chest, embracing him tightly. Monty held her close, and pulled her on top of him. He ran his fingers through her hair.
"I love you more than anyone else in this world…" He kissed her head.
"But how can you love me? Lionel says I'm cruel, and self centered, and-"
"It doesn't matter what he says," he told her sharply.
She looked up at him. "I know. I know it doesn't… but it's just… hard to hear it."
"You're none of those things," he kissed her lips.
"I am a little bit. You said so yourself," she murmured sadly.
"Everyone can be cruel and self centered sometimes, that's just human nature. We can't all be Phoebe," he said, enticing a laugh out of her and himself.
"I wish I could be more like her… kinder… more generous…"
"I think you're perfect just the way you are," He kissed her lips again.
A brief smile filled her face.
"Do you really think so?"
"Of course. I love you for being you, Sibella. And that means all of you. Every little facet of your personality, I love, and so does Phoebe."
The smile grew wider.
She embraced him tightly, burying her head into his shoulder. He rubbed gentle circles on her back.
"I love you so much. I'd die for you," he swore to her.
She smiled.
"I love you too, Monty."