« in which life lesson's are taught. »
''I don't understand, '' he said whispering. Even if only Harlyn could see him, the habit to try and make himself small as possible, to avoid touching people or crossing them, was sticking to him. Harlyn's family house was completely full. Her grandma was there, her sister, her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. For a second, he almost felt as if he was a part of it. All that was missing was an ugly knitted sweater, but sadly, he was still wearing the clothes from his accident.
''What?'' Harlyn said, sipping her hot cocoa, and smiling at her family members like she was perfectly sane and not talking to Sebastian Stan's ghost.
''You've been listening to all these crappy Christmas songs all day at the bookstore, and yet you don't ask them to shut it down, '' he crossed his arms. ''I'm not sure how you do it, really. You're a tough cookie.''
She laughed. ''This is bigger than me, Sebastian. It makes my family incredibly happy. It makes my grandma smiles, and God knows she needs it. It makes my cousins chant happily, while opening their gifts, it makes my parents reminisce their young days, when my sister and I were just kids. I cannot ask them to throw that away just for me, '' she smiled, taking another sip of her warm drink. ''And hearing them in a bookstore where I'm paid minimum wage, versus here, the ambiance makes it all different, don't you think?'' She questioned, her eyes were sparkling. Sebastian was observing her, taking in the shape of her nose, the softness of her voice, and curve of her smile.
He shook his head. He couldn't understand it. ''But if they love you as much as you love them, shouldn't they understand your situation?''
''Perhaps, but I don't want to take that away from them.'' She looked at him, forgetting for a moment they were surrounded by people who couldn't see him.
''You're so...'' He started softly.
''Weird?'' She smiled.
''Selfless.'' He finished, locking eyes with her. Time seemed to stop.
''Harlyn darling, who are you talking to?'' Questioned her mum. Harlyn's attention snapped back to her mother.
''Oh, just thanking life, you know,'' Harlyn answered naturally, pushing her short hair behind her ears.
''You seem to be doing that a lot lately...''
''Well, it's been good, hasn't it? And after a near death experience...''
That seemed to do it, and her mum's shiny eyes focused back on Harlyn's dad.
Everybody seemed happy, even Sebastian. And that made her incredibly happy.
XX
''Harlyn... wake up...''
''Just a moment please...''
''Harlyn!'' She woke up with a start. Sebastian was laying in the bed, beside her.
''What – '' she started but she was interrupted when two rebellious kids entered the room with a lot of energy, and started jumping on the bed.
''Mommy! Daddy! It's Christmas!''
''Kids! Calm down, your Ma' just woke up,'' Sebastian spoke with authority, but also with a lot of love in his voice. Love for the kids, love for her.
She was taken aback by the situation. What was happening? Who were these kids? They couldn't be hers and Sebastian.... right?
''How are you feeling this morning gorgeous?'' He smiled down at her, putting a hand on her belly.
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Comatose || s. stan
Fanfiction»» In which he's in comatose. «« And she's alive and well. »» But sort of stuck with him anyway. [short story]
