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I'm sorry for the delay, but better late than never, am I right? haha
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"Sebastian can you get the door please?" Mary yelled at Sebastian who was watching TV in the living room. Who could that be? Mary thought intriguingly. It was early in the morning and she was currently giving breakfast to Anne.
Sebastian checked through the peephole. There was a woman standing in the other side. She was lean and tall and looked like she was on her late forties. She had long, brown hair and brown eyes. Sebastian had never seen this woman and he was more confused about who she was.
He opened the door and the woman smiled at him.
"Hello, my name is Diane and I'm the social worker in charge of the sporadic visits." She offered her hand and Sebastian shook it lightly. That explained the folders she had in hand and the grey clothes.
"Hi, please come in." Sebastian moved to the right so the lady could come inside. He then took the lead to the kitchen so she could meet Mary and Anne.
"Mary, this is Diane, the social worker in charge of the visits," Sebastian told Mary raising one eyebrow as in asking her if she knew about this.
Mary's mouth formed a small "o" shape. She didn't expect the visitor to come today, but she guessed that's the point of these "surprise" visits.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Mary and this is Anne." Mary shook the woman's hand and then went to pick Anne up from her high chair. Diane grinned at the baby and shook her tiny hand lightly.
"She's too adorable!" Diane exclaimed and Mary smiled. The woman seemed nice and that made both Mary and Bash more comfortable.
"Okay, so first I have to take a look at the house to see if the environment is appropriate. Then I would like to talk to you two." Diane stated while opening her folder. Sebastian decided he would show her the house, even if it was a bit messy, which Mary was freaking out secretly.
"I'll show you around while Mary finishes giving breakfast to Anne." Mary mouthed a 'thank you' to Sebastian and he nodded smiling. He led the way for him and Diane.
"So, Mr. De Poitiers, how is it to raise a baby?" Diane casually addressed Sebastian while he was showing her the living room. After checking the room she wrote something on her folder.
"Well, it is very different from how I used to live, but I'm glad I chose this." Sebastian professed in the most genuine way he could. He meant every word.
Diane smiled at him. Most people would've said no if they would have been given the same situation as Mary and Sebastian. But they said yes, and Diane thought highly of them for this reason. She could sense how much they loved that baby.
"I'm pleased to hear that." She replied.
"The house seems good for the three of you, but I would recommend to make it a bit safer for the baby. Maybe cover the tables' edges with protectors and other things. But other than that, everything is great." Diane addressed to Mary and Sebastian in the living room. They both nodded in agreement. Anne was currently playing with a stuffed animal on Mary's lap.
"I wanted to talk to you both about something that concerned me while I was looking at your case," Diane crossed her legs and put her hands on her lap. Mary and Sebastian looked at each other nervously.
"I read that you two are not in a relationship, is that correct?"
"Yes, we were just friends of Anne's parents that were put together in this situation." Mary replied quickly. Sebastian sighed quietly. He was tired of people asking the same thing over and over again.
"Okay, so, what concerned me was that, uhm, what would happen if you two begin a relationship? I mean, you're both single, you are living together every day and you are raising a baby…" Mary and Sebastian glanced at each other awkwardly. Both silently decided weeks ago after the incident in the bathroom that it was best if things just stayed the way they were. They didn't want to complicate their arrangement and they had a more important subject to care about, Anne. But, this didn't mean they weren't talking. In fact, their situation was progressing. Mary didn't fight with Sebastian like she used to ─well, not as much as she used to, anyway─ and Sebastian was rather enjoying her presence more.
"That won't happen. Our main priority is Anne, and we wouldn't want to risk her stability." Sebastian stated. Mary nodded slowly. She didn't know why but what Sebastian said hurt. She knew they couldn't be together even if they tried. But, did she want to try? That thought scared her tremendously. What had happened in the bathroom few weeks ago troubled her. What would have happened in they had kissed? She shook her head. Sebastian and her could never work out. They're like oil and water, too divergent for each other.
"Mary," Sebastian touched her shoulder and Mary jolted. She was too focused on her own thoughts to realize that Diane kept talking. She blushed, embarrassed.
"Yes? Sorry," She replied trying to sound normal.
"Yes, Miss Stuart, what I was saying is that you two need to focus on Anne for now and make her life stable so it won't affect her, even though she's a baby. I know it can be difficult for you two but if it helps you are doing great so far,"
Both Mary and Sebastian nodded, smiling.
"Well, I guess that's it for today. I will be coming back soon for another check," Diane stood up and Sebastian and Mary led her to the door.
"Good luck, have a great day." Diane smiled and then Sebastian closed the door.
"Well Mary, I know I'm irresistible but try not to jump on me," Sebastian smirked. When he told Diane about how they will never get together, he was trying to convince himself of that fact. He couldn't stop thinking about how he and Mary almost kissed. He wanted to kiss her so badly, and he was ashamed. He wasn't supposed to like her like that. Didn't he remember how she fought with him for everything he did? But he also remember the sincere moments they shared those first days in the house. He confessed he was scared, and she understood. She even told him he was doing well, and he felt proud. He cared about what Mary thought of him. He cared about her deeply, more than he wanted to admit.
Mary laughed at his comment, but she decided not to reply. She went to the kitchen and grabbed some documents she had on the counter. She then went back to the living room and put Anne on the mattress so she could watch TV while Mary checked the papers. Sebastian stood in the door for a moment before he resolved to join them in the living room.
"So, what are you working on?" He asked Mary. She was checking some tables and calculating numbers.
"Well, I'm thinking about opening my own law firm, but it looks as it will have to wait." She sighed. She had this dream since studying in college, but it was expensive, and in that moment, even though Sebastian also contributed, she had Anne and the house they were living in to think about.
"Why?" Sebastian was curious. He knew Mary wanted to do her own thing for a long time.
"Well, it is expensive, and right now I can't, but someday." She put the papers on a folder. She was about to stand up when Sebastian grabbed her arm lightly.
"I can help you, Mary," He stood up, pointing out a solution for her problems. He wanted Mary to success and accomplish her dreams. If he could help her, then why the hell wouldn't he?
"Absolutely not, Sebastian. I'm thankful for your offer, but this is a matter that I need to take care of alone." Mary told him seriously. Sebastian laughed, he remembered that authoritarian tone too well.
"Look princess, I will be more than happy to help you." Mary rolled her eyes at his use of nickname. "You should see it as an investment. I believe in you, and I know you're an excellent lawyer, so what could go wrong? When the business goes well, you can pay me. But no pressure." He said reassuringly. He knew Mary could be the most stubborn person on earth, but he also knew he could find a way to convince her.
"You really believe in me that much?" Mary narrowed her eyes at him. She was embarrassed. She didn't like when people offered her help, and it felt worst when she needed it, especially if that person was Sebastian. She looked down, her red cheeks were giving too much away.
Sebastian put his finger under her chin delicately to lift her face so she had to face him.
"More than that," He confessed sincerely. Mary stared at him incredulously. Sebastian had the ability to be a sarcastic asshole and then turn into the most marvelous gentleman in one second. This unsettled Mary. She didn't know what to expect from him. His personality made things too spontaneous and she found herself lost, but the worst part was that she kind of liked it. It made him even more interesting.
"Sebastian, I really don't know what to say... I mean, I don't want you to spend your money on me and we need to take care of this house, of Anne... Besides, you're just my partner in raising Anne, and-"
"Mary! I want to help you, don't worry about my money, I have enough." Sebastian grabbed her shoulders. "And I think I'm more than your partner in "raising Anne" don't you think?"
Mary narrowed her eyes at him. What did he mean by more? Her thoughts were interrupted by his expectant sight. She sighed. "Okay Sebastian,"
"Okay what?" He asked, waiting for the words he wanted to hear.
"I'll let you help me." Mary gave him a crooked smile. Sebastian smiled broadly in return. The fact that Mary accepted his help meant a lot for him. She trusted him, and if there was one thing that Sebastian appreciated was people's trust. They stayed like that for a moment. He couldn't help but hug her. His chest felt warm. It felt like home, and Mary was more than happy to give in to those emotions.
They stopped their embrace to look at each other. He was smiling at her and she was smiling at him, and they felt at peace for the first time in a long time.
Mary felt an urge to kiss him. She looked at his lips and then at his eyes. Sebastian gazed at her. He knew what Mary wanted to do, and may God forgive him because he wanted to do it too, so badly. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently, to release some of his contained emotion. Mary inhaled sharply. Sebastian made her feel things she had no idea she could feel, and they felt alluring, but forbidden.
Mary took a step forward, to be closer to him. Sebastian knew if they kept doing this, something they might regret later would happen. He gathered all the control he could possibly have and stepped back. He coughed quietly and went to sit on the sofa. Mary was befuddled by his sudden change. She cursed under her breath. What is happening to me? Get your shit together for the love of god! She ran her hands through her hair.
"I'm gonna' give Anne a bath," She went to pick the baby from the floor and made her way as quickly as possible to the bathroom. Sebastian sighed, rubbing his eyes. They tried to keep their distance, but moments like that kept happening with more frequency. Will they be able to ignore them? Mary was afraid of what could happen. But she was even more terrified of what she wanted.
