Chapter 2: Link
Sean figured it was best if he showed up at the reception. A young woman answered the door and he told her that no, he wasn't a wedding guest, just there to see Dr. Christian Troy. An old friend. She asked him to stay in the lobby and disappeared for a minute. From where he was, he could see the bride and the groom sitting at the table, in each other's arms, kissing fervently, then staring into each other's eyes, talking. Sean had a flashback of his own weeding, and remembered having done the same thing with Julia. He had hardly seen his best man, Christian after the ceremony and only found out later that it was because he was busy sleeping with just about every woman in the room, including the mother of the bride. He found out even later that it was out of frustration over him marrying Julia. Sean gave a fleeting consideration to the thought that Christian could be occupied with similar things right now, but he appeared looking for him very soon. Sean's professional eyes noted immediately how much older Christian looked in just three years and he wondered whether his friend found the same looking at him.
"How nice of you to drop by," Christian greeted him mockingly, "what are you doing here?"
"I'm just here to say hello to you," he mumbled. He thought about it all week, what to say to him when he got there, still, he couldn't come up with anything better. If he was going to be more emotional, he gave too much away. He was supposed to have the upper hand in this relationship, if there was going to be any. Otherwise he felt like his pride was compromised.
"Very enigmatic," Christian picked up on his intentions right away, not ready himself to play the one that gives in, "am I expected to be intrigued?" It hurt him a lot that Sean had been so hostile towards him for a slip-up that happened twenty years ago now. He gave up the love of his life for him and he never really touched Julia again the same way, so the least he could expect from his friend was a bit of understanding for his loss. Not to mention the fact that he didn't know anything about his son because of their falling out. He could have contacted Julia about Matt, but that would've caused even more complications.
"Can't an old friend drop by?" Sean tried, disregarding the arguments they had.
"Friends? Are we friends Sean? Sorry it's just that I wasn't expecting you…"
"You told Liz very precisely where the wedding was. You want me to believe that was a coincidence?"
"You have the fixed notion of me being overly manipulative." Nevertheless, he led him outside the building, away from the noise the wedding guests made.
"Well…"
"Great," Christian sat down on the steps of the house.
Uncomfortable silence followed, and Sean decided to sit down next to him, wanting to say something positive to counterbalance, "I still cannot believe that I didn't see the resemblance. He looks more and more like you nowadays. Matt's a real ladies' man," he shared some information about the most valuable topic for the other that he could think of.
"You good? Liz said you were good. And she says what she thinks."
"Everything's great," it was too early to talk seriously, "what about you?" Stupid question, he would feel the same.
"I'm fine, yeah," Christian answered very quickly, not even considering the option of telling his old friend anything about himself that could make him look down on him.
"Okay," Sean stood up, having had enough of the uncomfortable situation, but ready to try again, "you could…come round to the house for dinner tomorrow…just like in the good old days," he offered the most precious gift again, "if you don't need to go back to work…" He walked to his car.
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Christian stood up as well.
"Seven o'clock?" Sean revved the engine, leaving his friend alone on the side of the road.
Christian took a breath of the fresh air, and walked back into the house deep in thought. He was looking for something and he couldn't be at peace all his life. Even with his daughter, something was missing. The closest he ever was to happiness was when he was with Sean and his peace was radiating into him. Maybe now, that he had his own family, it wouldn't hurt that much seeing his…"sorry," he whispered. He was sorry for what he had done and what he hadn't. Sorry for not knowing what to do. Sorry for not being daring enough when it came to close relationships. Sorry for not being the friend Sean wanted him to be...yet if he wanted to give the impression of being strong for himself, the only way to go was the one he was already on, whether happiness was on that road or not…
tbc
(Note: Sorry for the shortness of the chappie, I wanted the real conversation between them to be separate and later.)
