Sebastian opened his eyes and realized where he was. He felt Pearl in his arms and smiled. It wasn't a dream. It was real. She was real. He kissed her head and smelled her hair and it hit him. He remembered making her laugh and her kissing him. Opening the second bottle of scotch. Being startled by her kiss but being way too drunk to over think it. He remembered moving on top of her, frantic, eager. He hadn't made love in almost three years. She told him to cum in her. She told him she wanted to feel something. Anything. And she told him he was beautiful. She felt so good. She smelled so good. He knew, even then, that he would fall in love with her. He remembered. He remembered conceiving his child. It was still cloudy but he remembered. And that's all that mattered to him.
"Hey." Pearl said sleepily, a smile on her face.
He kissed her and pulled her tightly to him. They heard Christian stir and begin to fuss. Pearl sat up and wrapped Sebastian's robe around her.
"No. Relax. I've got it." Sebastian said, kissing her forehead. He got up and put on a pair of sweatpants. Soon after, he came in with a freshly changed baby and a warmed up bottle. He laid next to Pearl and they looked at Christian, watching him eat. They were both so in love with the little person they created. The imminent storm coming to them loomed and Sebastian knew he had to leave soon to make it back to Highgrove House before Erik arrived home.
"I have to go. I will see you soon." Sebastian said, getting up and getting his things together.
He put on his suit and packed a small bag.
"You're not going to shower?" She asked.
"Not a chance in hell. I want to smell you on me as long as I can." He said, smiling.
"I'm scared, Bash." She said.
He sat down and looked into her eyes. "Listen to me. I will never let anything happen to you or to my son. I promise." He said. "Trust me."
Pearl nodded. They couldn't continue like this, they couldn't continue living in fear of the family and what they were capable of. They had to do something. They had to do something for Christian and for his future. She couldn't just tell Erik it wasn't his child. He would kill her. He would kill Bash. Especially with what they knew. The chips were in place now and they had to follow through with making sure they were safe.
"Everything is going to be ok." He said. He kissed her and kissed Christian and told her he would keep in touch. She nodded and smiled.
"Bash." She said as he walked to the door. "Last night... "she began.
"Was the single greatest moment of my life." He said. "Other than delivering my son into the world, that is." He said. He smiled at her and turned and left. He passed Jim in the foyer. "Take care of her until I get back." He said.
"Of course, sir." Jim said, saluting him.
Sebastian saluted him back and walked to the car.
***************
Gail came by for a session and Pearl told her about what he been going on. Not everything but enough to give her a perspective. She offered to help in any way that she could. She also warned Pearl about what she was up against.
She wanted to get into Pearl's past and help her to understand things about herself and what she needed to do to begin the work towards her healing.
After it was over, Pearl thanked her and gave her a hug. "I've needed this. It is going to help me so much. Thank you." She said.
"I am happy to help. It's what I do. And on a personal level, it's nice to see Bash happy. He's a good person. He deserves it. You both do." She said.
Pearl waved as she drove away and she went back into the house to spend some time with Christian.
**************
Sebastian got to Highgrove House and settled in. He knew Erik would come there first to speak to him before meeting with his father. Sebastian was ready. He was ready for anything. He always knew Erik wasn't a good man. But now he truly knew the kind of man he was dealing with and it was time to handle him, properly.