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Eleven

The funeral was quick.

Just the way Granny had asked.

She didn't want us to drag out the process, but instead hurry and get it over with so we could go on.

I was thankful for that. I don't do well in funeral homes. I don't think anyone does, but I have been in them enough to last a lifetime.

Sebastian had been a huge comfort throughout the process of saying goodbye.

The first morning of the visitation service, the whole family where allowed in privately to view the body in the casket and say our own goodbyes before we were flooded with other people. Sebastian held my hand the whole time as I listened to my Grandpa sob as he said goodbye to the love of his life. When my mother, aunt and uncle said their goodbyes to their mother, Sebastian held me against his chest so instead of hearing their cries, I heard his heart beating. When it was my turn to say goodbye, he stood silently beside me with his hand on the small of my back as I cried.

I was comforted by the dream I had. I know it was probably brought on from the extreme exhaustion I had been feeling at the time, but I like to think Granny was really there in my dream to say goodbye.

No one knows about the dream, and honestly I don't want to tell them. I want to hold that memory in my own mind and yes, maybe it is selfish, but I don't really care.

We had stayed with my parents for three more days before deciding to go home. My mom was doing a little better and Sebastian and I missed Aurelia like crazy. So, we headed home. Mom drove us to the airport and we cried again as we said goodbye. It had been two weeks since I had seen New York and Aurelia so I was ready to get back to them.

The flight didn't seem as long this time. What would have taken us 9 hours to drive, only takes 2 hours to fly.

Sebastian and I opened the door to our empty apartment and I instantly plopped down on the couch and rubbed my tired eyes.

I had gotten used to sleeping with the sounds of the city around me, so when I was home it was hard to sleep.

"Are you hungry?" Sebastian asks from the kitchen. He had been super sweet through this whole process. He was always trying to make sure I was okay.

"Not really." I sighed. Mom made us a big breakfast this morning. Cooking is one of her ways of coping with stress, so she cooked enough to feed a small army.

"You want to take a shower or anything before I go get Aurelia? I'm sure she won't leave your side once she sees you." Sebastian chuckles and I smile.

"I bet you're right." I say as I stand up from the couch and walk into the kitchen. "But, all I really want right now is just ten minutes of quiet with you." I wrap my arms around Sebastian and lay my head against him, listening to him breathe. His arms wrap around me and I feel him rest his head on top of mine.

"You got it." He says.

We stand there holding each other in the kitchen. He smells like an airplane mixed with his cologne but I don't really care. I just want to feel him against me. We hadn't had much time to just be alone with each other.

I start to feel my hormones acting up and mentally scold myself.

You just told him that all you want is some peace and quiet and now you want to get horny? Stop.

I squirm a bit and Sebastian looks down at me.

"You okay?" He asks. I look up at him and nod. He has a weird, almost nervous look on his face.

"Yeah, are you? Why do you look nervous?" I question.

"Well, I- I just was wondering- I mean I know it's been a hard week but-"