Peacekeepers

Chapter 54: Apology

Ominis was nervous as they sat on the warm sand of the beach, not even comforted by the sound of the waves like he usually was. He was worried about Diane, worried that he'd messed everything up, worried that she wouldn't want to marry them. What if she didn't come back? Panic was gripping him, and it was hard to stay calm.

"Okay, so... Diane is really upset about how the muggle wedding is excluding Ominis." Poppy said it outright, figuring it was better not to beat around the bush.

"But... but it's not even the real wedding-" Sebastian started, his eyes wide.

"It's a wedding, Sebastian. In the end that's all that matters. It feels like a wedding to Diane, and obviously Ominis too." She motioned to Ominis, who was looking away in pain.

Sebastian let out a soft sound of worry. "I... I just wanted to find a way to make sure everyone was included... and that prevented Diane from being a Gaunt, because I know you hate that idea, Ominis."

Ominis looked over to Sebastian uneasily and nodded. He still hated the idea.

"It was just for the girls and for the kids, Omi. I really didn't mean for it to make you feel like this." Sebastian reached out and took one of his hands gently. "If we could include you we would, you know that."

Ominis nodded gently. "I know... I just... I can't help but feel that way. I just imagine you being up there with her, and..." he shook his head, biting his lip hard.

Sebastian let out a little sound and tugged him closer to hug him, letting out a deep sigh against his hair. "I'm sorry for such a stupid idea. I just thought... it would be for the best."

"It is for the best, that's the annoying part." Ominis grumbled. "I don't want you guys to stop the wedding just because of me." He leaned back with a frustrated look.

"It's not just because of you, Ominis. Diane doesn't like to see you hurt, either." Poppy said gently. "You guys have to remember, Diane is very empathetic. She cares about you two more than anyone else, and seeing you hurt pains her like nothing else."

Sebastian looked down uneasily, remembering the worried looks she'd always had whenever he had been anxious about being apart from them.

"But what do we do?" Ominis whispered in agony, leaning his forehead against Sebastian's shoulder. "The wedding is only a month away, and everything is so messed up now."

"There's plenty of time to fix things, but we have to figure out what we want to do." Poppy said firmly.

"What do you mean?" Sebastian looked over to her uneasily as he held Ominis against him.

"Well, we can either cancel the-"

"No!" Ominis protested, sitting up quickly. "I don't want everyone to be disappointed, and Diane picked out a dress and everything!"

"She can still find a use for the dress, Ominis." Poppy said in a soothing tone. "As for disappointing the others... Dan and I need to talk about that tonight. So we can't make a decision right now anyway."

"Talk about what?" Sebastian said in confusion before his eyes widened in realization. "Poppy, you can't! The kids are too young! What if they say something?"

Ominis seemed to realize what she meant as well and looked worried, his hands gripping fists full of Sebastian's shirt.

"It's not just about this..." Poppy said softly, looking out to the ocean waves. "There's... been something happening in that house. One of the kids is hiding something."

"Hiding what?" Ominis asked in worry.

Poppy looked over to them with a little smile.

Sebastian tried to think of what that might mean, before he inhale sharply. "Do you think one of them has magic?!"