Life Goes On

Chapter 36: Surrey Proper

Great aunt Cleo had informed us that she'd been planning on hosting a party for New years Eve. She'd asked us to accompany her to town to shop for the party, and of course, we couldn't say no. I'd been somewhat avoiding leaving the house. Partially because I was too busy and distracted spending time with auntie Cleo, and sneaking around with Ominis and Sebastian. But also... Because I didn't want to run into Edward. I knew he'd likely be with his father whenever he was at the house doing work on the grounds, and around town on their free time or when they were running errands for Mr. Smith's employers. It was hard to avoid people in Surrey.

Today unfortunately, Mr. Smith and Edward would be taking us into town on their carriage, and loading all the shopping to take back to the house. Great aunt Cleo didn't know anything about Edward's and my exchange over Christmas, and I was hoping that he might've forgotten about it, or at least gotten over it.

When the four of us exited the house right around 11:00 though, Edward was standing by the carriage, holding the door open and staring at Sebastian and Ominis with fire in his eyes. I bit my lip as we walked up to the carriage attempting to avoid his eyes as he greeted us.

"Good morning madam Wright, Ms. Wright, Sallow, Gaunt..." He said stiffly.

"Why, good morning to you Edward, Don... Thank you for doing the shopping with us today." Great aunt Cleo exclaimed as she gently tapped Edward's cheek and climbed into the carriage.

I had winced a bit at Edward for calling me by my father's last name, he'd never done that before, at least not after I'd told him how I felt about it. "Edward," I said his name as I took his hand to climb into the carriage. He made a weird expression with his mouth that wasn't quite a smile or a frown and nodded his head before moving aside to let Sebastian and Ominis climb on.

"Edward," Sebastian said his name too giving him a smirk and climbing on.

"Good morning Edward, thank you for the help today." Ominis said nodding in Edward's direction.

Edward did not address either one of them directly. He simply closed the door behind us all and climbed up next to his father before we started riding off towards town.

In the carriage Sebastian sat next to auntie Cleo, and Ominis next to me.

Sebastian chuckled a bit, "today's going to be fun." He said sarcasticly.

Great aunt Cleo, however, did not know how to read Sebastian's sarcasm and smiled in return. "Yes it will!" She squealed a bit and placed her hand on his.

Sebastian squeezed her hand and gave her a kiss on the cheek, she responded by pinching his cheek hard but lovingly before turning her attention back to the window.

It was nice to see those little interactions between them, Sebastian knew how to make auntie smile, it reminded me of my father's and her relationship.

Ominis had reached for my hand as soon as we'd sat down. The two of them had gotten a little more affectionate with me around great aunt Cleo. As long as it was just the four of us, they allowed themselves to hug me, hold my hand, snuggle with me or steal small kisses here and there. Great aunt Cleo always smiled at us and teased us. It was nice, being open around her, letting her in on our secret.

For now, Helga was none the wiser, and I was hoping everyone else in town would remain the same.

When we arrived in town, Ominis let go of my hand before Edward opened the carriage door. He eyed Ominis and Sebastian and turned to help great aunt Cleo and me down.