Kawaii-Cherri: I would honestly say that i don't think it gets slower than this but in another Fanfic I've written the OC and LI don't even kiss until chapter sixty odd i think. That was a fun one. Abigail doesn't come off well in this fanfic and it'll get worse, -spoiler alert- Rina has a tendency to overthink things and telling Penny would escalate that... but Penny is a force on her own.
AnonGuest: I'm glad you think that, I am always terrified of slipping into the more boring tropes. I hope you enjoy this.
A/N: Some sort of 24 hour stomach bug has torn through my little ones. I live in a house of fluids. Pray for me. I will update tomorrow, it might be quite late though, I'll do my best!
Chapter 29: Walk this way.
The entirety of Saturday was a blur, Rina was passed from house to house. Emily and Leah helped her with her dress, Robin and Maru were in charge of food and there was a brief meeting with Mayor Lewis. Sebastian insisted on having a word with the Mayor alone, Rina was confused but let him do his thing. Mayor Lewis had asked a few questions in regards to their relationship, their families, just basic background so that the marriage would be legal. Sebastian kissed Rina on the forehead and ushered her out of the house before shutting the door behind her, 'I'll only be a few minutes, honestly, go take a breather,' Sebastian said softly to her as she raised a brow but nodded.
Mayor Lewis raised a brow and looked at the young man, 'what seems to be the problem?' He asks as he picks up one of the pieces of paper; the declaration for the marriage license. 'I'll admit it's not the norm, nobody even knew that you were both dating,' he said simply. Sebastian wore a predatory smile as he walked over to Mayor Lewis and places a hand on his shoulder. Sebastian was a significantly great amount taller than the older man and it was quite intimidating. Mayor Lewis looked up at him and swallowed, 'what uh, what is the matter, lad?' He asked, trying to calm whatever was going on through Sebastian's mind.
Sebastian leaned down, 'I know that you're on her father's payroll. Relaying little pieces of information here and there,' he said quietly, his voice low and deadly. 'Nothing that would interrupt her day-to-day activities but enough to keep her father in the loop,' he said, feeling his anger rise. 'I also know that re-election is around the corner.'
'I…I don't like what you're insinuating,' Mayor Lewis snapped and pulled his shoulder away. 'How dare you imply that I deal with dirty… backhanded… certainly illegal-'
Sebastian placed his hands in his pockets and leans forward to look the Mayor in the eye, 'if a single word of our relationship is passed onto her father, I'll know where it came from and all the little secrets you try so desperately to hide… well, they'll find themselves alarmingly out in the open,' Sebastian threatened. 'Late night rendezvous, misplaced… purple… silken belongings, things of that ilk,' he smirks, watching the colour drain out of Mayor Lewis' face. 'From now on, you will respect Rina's privacy. She is to be my wife and I don't appreciate it when other men talk about her, especially behind her back to her toxic family members, do you understand?'
'I don't… I won't…' he stuttered as he took another step back.
Sebastian grins, wickedly, 'that's right. You won't. Don't dare test me, Mayor Lewis,' he said with purposeful inflection. 'I spend most my days on the internet, dealing with technology, I know how quickly things can spread and change,' he said, bluntly. 'You will leave my wife's business alone. Do we have an understanding?' Sebastian said, being able to call Rina his wife was strangely empowering to him.
Mayor Lewis looks around and then clears his throat, he holds out his hand and nods, 'yes, lad, I hear what you are saying,' he said. Sebastian didn't believe him for a moment but took his hand to shake. 'Until tomorrow then,' Mayor Lewis said, promptly, as if the last ten minutes didn't happen. 'Congratulations, to you and… Miss Tyrell,' he added.
'Pleasure,' Sebastian grinned. He let go of the Mayor's hand and saw himself out. A little way off on the bridge, he could see Penny talking to Rina. The weather was clear and lovely and looked to hold up for tomorrow, if Sebastian had his way, it was going to be perfect for her. He brushed back his hair out of habit and walked over to the pair of women, 'hey, Penny,' he said as he came close. Without thinking, he wrapped his arm around Rina's waist in greeting. Deep down he worried that it might be a little too much for her, since they had been out and about all day; the physical affection between them had been high. Rina hadn't said anything and seemed to be taking it in her stride. Still, he would have to inquire, later, in private.
'Seb! Hey!' Penny said with a bright smile, 'I just heard from Rina that you signed your declaration, that's so great!' She said honestly. 'Also, I was just telling Rina about what happened last night when I followed Abigail,' she admitted.
Sebastian sighed and shared a look with Rina, 'alright, hit me,' he said simply. 'Let me guess, she's pissed,' he said dryly.
Penny shrugged a shoulder, 'I didn't actually get a lot out of her. She seemed… upset but not angry. More like forlorn. I don't think she ever really thought that you would actually move on with someone else, Seb,' Penny said quietly. 'Plus, I don't know, I could be talking out my backside but Rina seems to really set off her insecurities, so it feels bitter.'
'Maybe I should talk to her,' Rina said quietly. 'I like Abigail, she's so sweet and I know that lately she hasn't shown the best side of herself but I don't think it would be fair to assume that she's like that all the time,' she sighs.
'After the wedding?' Sebastian asked, 'I don't want anything she says to upset you and cast a shadow on tomorrow,' he points out, giving her waist a little squeeze as he drops a chaste kiss on her temple. Rina nods and leans into him for a brief moment.
Penny looked between Rina and Sebastian for a second and then smiled, 'hey, uh, Seb, I had an idea I wanted to run past you, do you think you could spare me a minute? I know you're busy and all,' she smiled.
Rina raised a brow and she looked at her best friend, 'are you sure, Penny?' She asked. Rina had an idea of what Penny wanted to talk about and she worried that Sebastian would be honest with her. It wouldn't look great to find out that Rina had lied. Even though, in Rina's eyes it was necessary.
Sebastian nodded, 'sure thing, Penny, I don't mind. Pheebs, I've pretty much ticked everything off my list, what about you?'
'Oh, I… I still have to uh, meet Emily and have the final adjustments made,' she admitted, not really wanting to leave Penny with Sebastian. 'I mean, it doesn't have to be for a while though, it's not like she's starting from scratch or that I'm having anything-'
Her fiancé placed his finger on her lips, 'I am not supposed to know anything about the dress,' he said with a playful smile, making Rina roll her eyes. 'Why don't you go now and take your time with it. I'm going to my mum's anyways tonight. Just try to relax and I'll see you in the morning, yes?' Sebastian suggests.
Rina moved his hand from her mouth and nods, 'okay, if you're sure,' she said, a little reluctantly. Sebastian assures her that he was and they share a brief kiss goodbye. It was sweet and lingering, making Penny avert her eyes for their privacy. 'I'll see you tomorrow?' Rina said, quietly as she pulled her bag up her shoulder a little more. 'Bye, Penny,' she added before walking towards Emily's house. Sebastian gave her a brief wave before turning back to their mutual friend.
'So, what's this idea?' He asks, unaware.
Penny looked around and saw that they were totally alone. 'Why are you doing this?' She asks simply. 'I don't want Rina to get hurt so you better not be doing this out of some false sense of nobility-'
'Woah, woah,' Sebastian said holding up his hands, 'Penny, you need to calm down,' he said. The daggers that were thrown his way from her eyes, told him that it was the wrong thing to say. He sighed and leaned against the wall of the bridge.
Rina's best friend glared at him, protectively. 'Look, I know all about the will, she told me everything about it which means that you also know all about it,' she pointed out. 'Now, out of the blue, you two are getting married? I don't want to be the person who potentially ruins Rina's chances of passing the assessment,' she said honestly. 'But I will say something if I think she's going to be hurt!'
Sebastian sighs again and rubs his eyes. 'Penny, you know me-'
'Yeah, that's my point, Sebastian. I've grown up with you and while you've always been a kind, yet introverted guy, I can see how much Rina has helped you grow,' she said as she leaned against the wall with him, her back to the river. 'You two seem to bring the best out of each other and while you and I have never been really close, I would say we are friends at least?'
He nods, he had to admit, outside of Sam and Abigail, he had always had time for Penny. Her own life circumstances had never been great but she hadn't ever let that put her down. She simply got on with things. Sebastian held great respect for her and knew that she would be trustworthy. He brushes back his hair. 'I… have only really admitted this to strangers,' he said quietly. 'Telling someone who knows me feels surreal.'
Penny nods and doesn't look at him, instead she casts her eyes over the other side of the river and allows him to take his time. 'Tell me what you want, Seb. All I want to know is that you're not going to hurt one of my closest friends,' she said softly.
Sebastian felt guilt rile in his stomach. 'Penny… I'm going to marry Pheebs… because I love her,' he said quietly. 'I love her so much, it… fucking aches. I don't know what I would do if she found someone else. I just want her to be happy,' he whispers. 'I know it's all kinds of wrong and I did try to tell her but she got all confused about what I was saying and it just keeps getting misunderstood.'
There was silence between them and Penny looked at him. 'What do you think you'll gain from this, Seb? Do you not think that this can only end badly?'
He shrugs a shoulder. 'I asked and… Pheebs agreed. Maybe it's wrong, maybe she just doesn't want to be alone, I don't know. I want to help her keep her home and business, everything that she loves and wants in her life. I know is that I will be the best husband and partner I can be. I will support her, honour her, respect her and love her throughout all of the shitty things to come,' he said as he looked at the river that flowed beneath them. 'I'll be honest with you, Penny. I adore her. I didn't even think it was possible to feel this way about someone. It's almost suffocating…' he mutters, tired of pretending. Penny had always been trustworthy and he knew that she could be discrete.
Penny felt herself get wedged between a rock and a hard place, 'so… you… are actually, truly in love with Rina?' She said, not really as a question. Sebastian pulled out a pack of cigarettes and nods, he takes one out and lights it, making sure that the wind didn't carry the smoke towards Penny.
'I know you're her best friend… I know that she doesn't feel the same and maybe you're judging me right now and you have every right, I just… please, don't tell her. Don't worry, I'm not going to like, expect anything from her and all the affection stuff, we've spoken about it and it's all on her terms,' he assures, feeling like an asshole. Sebastian finally looks at Penny and she looked amused. Like she was trying to hold in laughter. 'What?' He asked, her attitude had seemed to have done a complete one-eighty.
She seemed to pull herself together, 'oh, it's nothing, honestly. I just… think that perhaps you should tell her in a direct way. Rina doesn't do things without a reason, you could be… surprised. Honestly, you two need to have a serious talk,' she said trying to keep her promise to Rina and at the same time, metaphorically hit their heads together. She couldn't believe it, these two. Both head over heels for one another and both too scared to admit it.
He sighs and shrugs a shoulder, 'maybe… one day. I don't want her to feel like I've lied and tricked her. It's a shitty moral dilemma,' he mutters. 'I'll wait until she passes the assessment. Then the marriage won't matter and she can cut me out of her life if she wants, at least she'll still have her home.'
Penny shook her head, 'she would be living in a town without her best friend and nothing but painful memories, even if she did have the farm. Would it be worth what she lost? You need to tell her properly, Sebastian, sooner rather than later.'
Sebastian reluctantly nods as he smokes. She made sense and that sucked. 'I'll try, I really will,' he said softly to her, seeing her expression soften with his sincerity. He then attempts to change the subject, 'so did you actually have an idea that you wanted to discuss with me?' He asks in vain hope.
Penny grins and nods, 'actually, yes, I wanted to talk to you about her bouquet…'
-x-
The morning had been a nervous rush of things. Rina had barely slept but thankfully she had Maru and Penny with her to help. The farm didn't care that it was her wedding day so Rina had to get up extra early to account for all her chores. Feeding the chickens and releasing the ducks waited for no man and with the girls', albeit sleepy, help, it didn't take her long. Maru insisted that they have something to eat despite nerves and so Penny whipped up some omelettes and herbal tea. Once they had eaten Penny insisted on doing Rina's makeup while Maru fussed around with hair accessories and finding the right shoes.
Rina was walking around in a dressing gown when the rest of her wedding party arrived to get dressed. Her makeup was flawless and she was handled like glass by the other women. Contact between Sebastian and Rina had been kept strictly off limits and when Rina's phone went off, it was a fight to who got to it first. Maru had the upper hand and gave Rina a look as she opened up the message that had been sent. Rina rolled her eyes at her to be sister-in-law. 'It's sappy,' Maru said with her tongue out and passed Rina the phone. 'You get ten minutes then the phone will be locked away,' she teases.
'Thanks Maru,' Rina says with a grin and takes the phone, sitting on the edge of her bed to read the message.
I know this is going to be the best day of my life, x
Rina's heart filled with happiness and she had to really concentrate on keeping her tears away. With a deep inhale, Rina replied, hoping it gave him the same comfort. 'I couldn't imagine this day without you x'. Perhaps it was time to wear her heart on her sleeve a little. She sniffs and waits a moment; she was pretty sure he wouldn't reply but she waited just in case. After about five minutes, Rina gave the phone to Maru.
'You're done?' She asks with a tilted head.
'Yeah, everything is perfect,' Rina replied with a smile. Maru nods and tucks the phone away before being politely shoved aside by Emily who held a dress bag.
'No more talking!' She said in either pure rage or excitement, Rina wasn't sure. She held up the bag, ' it's time for the dress!' Emily's chaotic energy had spread to the others and Rina was firmly pushed into a different room to put on the gown. Once she had pulled it on and brushed it down she pulled out her hair.
'Now or never,' she whispered to herself before she exhales and walks back into her bedroom. Emily, Leah, Penny and Maru were in matching bridesmaid dresses and they looked at her with awe. 'What do you guys think?' Rina asks, shyly. The dress she had used once belonged to her mother. It was originally a periwinkle blue, with a sheath silhouette, sweetheart bust with long draping sleeves, a basque waist and cathedral train.
Emily had worked her magic and made white silk adjustments so that the blue was now an under-coat colour, hints of it peeking through white lace panels and swathes of silk. Leah had styled Rina's hair, it was half up and half down, curled and framed her face sweetly. She wore no jewellery; the necklace that Sebastian had given her was the one thing she wanted to wear but Maru advised her not to. The green didn't match the dress and despite her sentimentality towards it, today wasn't the day to be wearing it.
'Oh… Yoba,' Maru said with tears in her eyes.
'Honestly, Rina…' Leah sniffed.
'You look amazing,' Penny nodded.
'I can honestly say this is the best dress I've ever made,' Emily agreed. 'Thank you so much for trusting me with such an important thing,' she added.
Rina's eyes filled with tears and she sniffed, using the back of her hand to dab under her eyelashes. 'Guys, you're going to make me ruin my makeup,' she whispered as she looked at herself in the mirror once more. 'Emily, thank you so much. This is perfection,' she praised, causing Emily's cheeks to go bright red. There was a knock at her bedroom door and Robin stepped in, she looked shy and smiled brightly when she saw Rina.
'Girls? Could I have a moment?' She asks. Without complaint, the others left the room to congregate in the kitchen. Robin walked in and shut the door behind her. 'Let me take you in,' she said as she moved over to Rina and in response, Rina gave her a spin. 'Oh, Yoba, Rina… you are the most perfect looking bride,' she said softly as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue that she pulled out her sleeve.
It was the first time that Rina had seen Robin in a dress, 'You look wonderful,' Rina said honestly as she smiles. 'Is… Sebastian, okay, this morning?' She asked shyly, causing Robin to laugh lightly and nod.
'Nervous, as all grooms are,' she said. Robin took a deep breath and pulled a small box out her bag, 'now, I know I'm not your mother and that she's no longer with us…' she said, both falling silent for a moment in sadness and respect. 'I wondered… seeing as Sebby didn't really, well, he didn't follow tradition… I wondered if you would like to wear this,' she said as she opened the box. Inside was a mermaid necklace that glittered when the light hit it.
'Oh… Robin,' Rina said in a gasp as she looked at the necklace. Oh, Yoba, no… this is too cruel, Rina thought to herself. Everyone was treating today as if it was the real deal and only she and Sebastian knew that it was fake. Realisation hit Rina, if things went wrong, it wouldn't only be herself and friend who got hurt. Everyone they loved would be devasted by it all. Dread filled her and she felt her cheeks pale. Rina shook her head, 'Robin… I can't,' she whispers.
The woman looked at Rina carefully, scrutinising her expression before taking her future daughter-in-law's hands and sitting down with her on the edge of the bed. 'Rina,' she said softly, 'I want nothing but happiness for you and my son.' Her words were like daggers to Rina whose eyes were filling up with tears.
'I can't do this,' Rina said, unable to hold her tongue. Robin projected nothing but maternal comfort and it was all Rina wanted at that moment. A mother.
Robin cupped her cheeks and looked deep into her eyes, 'Rina,' she said firmly. 'Do you love my son?' She asked simply.
Rina swallowed as she stared back at Robin. 'Yes,' she whispered feeling her heart ache. 'So much, Robin. I love him so much,' she said as her voice broke into a sob and the tears that she had been holding back silently dropped onto her cheeks. 'I don't want to hurt him, he's my everything and-'
Robin shushed her lightly and pulled her into a hug, the box on her lap forgotten. 'Oh, my girl,' she said as she stroked Rina's back. 'I know it's a lot on your wedding day, there's nerves and worries that just seem to scream that everything is wrong. It's normal,' she comforts. Rina tries to pull herself together and leans heavily into Robin.
'What if-' Rina began but Robin shook her head and pulled Rina upright for a talking to.
'Rina. Sebastian is my son,' she stated simply. 'He was an anti-social, introverted, cold, young man. I love him with all my heart and I want nothing but the best for him. I didn't think he would ever become the person he is today. Half of that… that's my fault. I've made mistakes as a parent and there's no excusing that. But you, what you've done for him is beyond my wildest dreams. My son is getting married to a beautiful, kind, strong and intelligent woman. I know for a fact that he is head over heels for you, you bring a light into his world and it burns bright. Do not ever think that today is a mistake, that it is somehow wrong. You have met your soulmate and after today? You will never have to be without him again,' she said simply.
'Robin…' Rina sniffs, wanting to tell her everything but unable to find the words.
Sebastian's mother smiles fondly at Rina, picking up the box. 'This was the mermaid necklace, Joseph; Sebastian's father proposed to me with,' she reveals opening the box once more. 'I have been so lucky in my life to have been blessed with loved ones. Joseph will never leave my heart and Sebby looks just like him, though for a while I thought he was going to inherit my red hair,' she jokes making Rina smile. 'While we only had a short time together, I don't regret any moment and would do it all again.' She looks at Rina who wore a weak smile. 'It is time this necklace was worn again with love and pride,' she said as she ran her fingers over it.
'Are you sure?' Rina said, dabbing under her eyes with her hand. She felt like such a fool.
'I am,' she assures as she takes it out the box. Rina turned so that Robin could secure it around her neck and it fell nicely against her collarbone. 'Matches your dress,' Robin said sweetly as she looks at Rina's reflection. Robin places her hands lightly on Rina's shoulders, 'I knew the day you came to town that you were something special but I didn't ever think that you would change my life so much,' she whispered.
Rina spun around and hugged Robin tightly. 'I couldn't have done any of this without you,' she said honestly, ignoring her tears. They embraced for a moment before pulling away and sniffing. 'I know it's not the done, but… I was hoping you would walk me down the aisle,' Rina asked.
'Really?' Robin said, her face scrunching up as she fought a fresh wave of tears.
'Truly,' Rina nodded. 'There's no-one I would want more than you.'