Peacekeepers

Chapter 61: Hope for the Future

Sebastian woke first, opening his eyes to find his limbs tangled with Diane and Ominis', a long leg resting against his shin and slender soft hands laying across his chest. He smiled warmly at the sensation, turning his head to see the two of them sleeping soundly still. It was such a soft moment, his cheek brushing against thick curls when he shifted to his side to look to Diane next to him.

He reached out and gently ran his fingers through her hair, gently moving some of her wild locks from her face as she slept, smiling happily as she smiled in her sleep from his touch. It reminded him of that moment so very long ago, when they'd first started living together in the house. After Marvolo had hurt her, and she was resting, reacting like that to his touch. He hadn't ever had someone enjoy his touch like that before... and that little moment combined with their duel in the Undercroft had cemented his feelings for her.

And now... now he was going to marry both her and Ominis. It was hard to even grasp that it was happening, even though he'd been the one to propose. This felt like some sort of dream, some happy fantasy that he'd made up for himself when he was lonely and hurt. But it was real... there was far too much pain that came along with the joy for it to not be real.

He heard a soft moan from across the bed and saw the pale eyes of Ominis open up, smiling happily as he nuzzled his cheek against Diane's shoulder. It was such a sweet gesture, and reminded him how tender Ominis could be... but he'd been showing another, far more confident side of himself lately as well. It was rather thrilling to catch glimpses of it... and admittedly a bit intimidating. He wasn't sure what to do with a fierce Ominis.

Sebastian shifted his hand down, his hand resting over Ominis' against Diane's belly so that he could brush his thumb over the back of his palm.

"Good morning." He whispered quietly, and was rewarded with a warm smile gracing him from Ominis. He loved to see those soft smiles.

"Good morning." Ominis whispered back, shifting his hand around so that he could hold Sebastian's, their fingers linking together against Diane. "What did we want to do today?"

"Do you have to go to the Ministry?" Sebastian whispered, knowing Ominis' schedule was a bit unpredictable with his apprenticeship starting to come to a close.

"Not today." Ominis smiled, glad he'd thought of that. "You have me all day."

Sebastian chuckled softly, glancing over to Diane to see her still sleeping soundly. Poor thing was tired after the chaos yesterday. "Good." He said in satisfaction, turning his gaze back to Ominis. "I think some time together today would be a good idea."

"Maybe you should read to us." Ominis whispered, nuzzling back against Diane again. "I do enjoy that, and I know Diane does too."

"I'd be happy to." Sebastian smiled warmly, liking that idea. When he read to them they both snuggled up on either side of him and it was such a wonderful feeling.

"You know... sometimes this is hard to believe." Sebastian confessed in a quiet voice. "I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and..." part of him wondered if he'd still be in his parents old house, or if he'd somehow wound up in Azkaban.

Ominis was silent for a moment, his grip tightening around Sebastian's hand. "Me too." He said softly. "I keep expecting to wake up in my father's manor."

The idea was terrifying, but it was reassuring that he wasn't alone in the fear. It was completely irrational, but... he'd never expected to be where they were now.

"Well... soon you won't ever have to worry about that again." Sebastian said gently, raising their joined hands so he could kiss the back of Ominis' hand with a smile. "Mr. Sallow."