Lifeline (Sebastian Vettel)

Chapter 61: Back to London

As Tully drove back to the townhouse, she thought to herself in bemusement about how rapidly things had evolved with Seb in just two short days of them finally being open with each other. Well, somewhat open. Mostly Seb being open.

As he'd said multiple times now, they really did seem like magnets. Though as much as she wanted to still be there in his lap, maybe with a lot less clothes on, she needed to cool off and have some time to think.

She'd always thought her life would be a certain way, and this was so different to that plan. What they had was so much bigger than what she'd ever imagined she was capable of having with anyone.

What would her life would look like if he was permanently a part of it? Could she live up to his expectations? Would he live up to hers? What even were her expectations? Could she prioritise someone else equally to herself?

And then there were all the issues she was having. What if she regressed? What if he couldn't handle the mood swings? What if she forgot something important?

She imagined living with him, waking up every day with him, going to sleep with him, travelling the world with him, growing up with him. With everything reverberating around her mind, there was an underlying sense of hesitation towards it all.

Was she more worried about her own expectations, or his? Could they sustain this long term? Would it end suddenly with one of them getting more hurt than the other? Would he eventually be disappointed that she wasn't the same person as before?

Tully wasn't normally one for suffering anxiety, but evidently, when it came to relationships, she was absolutely riddled with it.

She needed someone to air her thoughts with. Though, maintaining friendships hadn't been something she'd attended to lately, leaving her options limited. Britta was too biased, she'd have them dragged down a wedding aisle and locked on a remote island together for all eternity if it were up to her. Heikki sucked. Her parents... absolutely not. Olivia for all she knew might not even still be with Stoffel anymore, but she added her to the 'Maybe' list anyway.

She pulled into the townhouse smoothly and jogged up the steps, pushing the unlocked door open to find the house brimming with activity. Heikki and Casey were in the kitchen, preparing dinner, while the TV was on with what appeared to be a comedy playing.

"Oh you're back." Heikki said, his eyes landing on her as a grin emerged across his features, "Heard you caused a bit of a scene at the pool. Can't help yourself can you?"

"Heik." Casey scolded, swatting him with a spoon, "Be kind."

"I was accosted by a pissed off ex-girlfriend and I firmly blame her." Tully replied indignantly, throwing her keys down on the counter.

"Even I could have warned you that she'd probably be there. Seb should have known too. Pair of idiots."

Tully sighed, choosing to ignore him. She was in too thoughtful of a mood to bite.

"How was Seb?" Casey asked, giving Tully a knowing look.

The idea struck Tully immediately. Casey. Perfect. She could talk to her.

"He's good. Like an overbearing mother hen sometimes, but... he seems fine."

"And you're getting along?" Heikki asked.

"Yes."

"I mean like... you know, as more than just..."

"I'd rather not have that particular discussion with you to be honest..."

"Well I kind of need to know, before I ditch you here and go back to England."

"You so desperately want me to be all neatly hitched up to some man, don't you? What are you, an arranged marriage consultant now?" Tully quipped in annoyance.