London | Lin x Pippa

Chapter 17

Pippa's POV
Lin looks back at me and gives me a bittersweet smile. He walks over to where I am sitting and we both try to comfort Sebastian. I am surprised that he actually knows what I meant, but, ya know, this kid is insane man.
"Hey, Seb, it's okay," I say, "I'm not leaving yet." He just cries even harder and buries his face into my arm. I feel so horrible. Lin sees my distressed face so he rubs my back and whispers in my ear.
"It's okay, pip, he will understand. Give him time."
After a few more minutes Sebastian calms down a little and stops crying.
"I still love you Sebastian, I will always love you."
"Thanks mommy," he says and rubs his eyes.
"Shoot," Lin glances at the time and looks up with a regretful face. "I gotta go to rehearsal. I am so sorry guys--"
"Don't worry about it Lin!" Anthony says reassuringly, "we understand that you have a job."
"Thanks guys. I should be home around 3:45 or so," he gets up and kisses hugs sebastian, kisses me on the forehead, and waves to Jazz and Ant who are sitting together on the couch. Sebastian is still sitting on my lab and leans into me as I wrap my arms around is small body. I look up at Jasmine and she gives me a sympathetic look. Anthony does the same.
"You okay buddy?" I ask Sebby.
"I guess so.. I'm just really sad," he says and sighs.
"I'm sorry, buddy," I say as I hold him even tighter. "But I'm not leaving yet! Today is January 26th, the buzz about us singing will probably be released tomorrow. I have rehearsal on the 3rd which means I should probably leave the 1st just to make sure I'm there on time--"
"But Pippa, what about jet lag??" Jasmine looks at me, obviously skeptical about my plan of action.
"Well, I have 5 days after the rehearsal to recover from that, and I would rather spend a few more days with Lin and Sebastian. Sh-oot. sorry... We need to practice with Renee! When will we do that?!"
"Uhhhh I think this was supposed to be a surprise," Anthony says. "Lin told me while we were picking up breakfast. She is actually set to arrive today."
"WHAT?!"
"Hah, yeah," Jasmine says, "now all three of us will have screwed up relations with time once rehearsal rolls around."
"This is fantastic!!! Not just the fact that I get to see her for the first time in months, but we can practice and stuff!! Shoot.. where is she staying??"
"Umm I'm not sure," Anthony replies. "Lin didn't mention that when we talked. She is probably getting her own place because jasmine told me about their group chat--"
"You have a group chat without me! guys!!!" I fake whine.
"It's okay pip, it was for your own good," Jasmine says back, pinching my cheek.
"Please, Jasmine, never do that again."
"Why? I am older than you."
"Yeah! by like.. a year!"
"More than that," she says. I just roll my eyes and go along with it.
"Hey mommy?" Sebastian asks. He looks up at me with his dark brown eyes and messy hair and I just want to squeeze his guts out. Not literally of course, but he is so gosh darn adorable rn.
"Yes baby?"
"Can we eat? My tummy is rumbling," he says looking down and pointing at his stomach the same way Lin points when he is rapping, actually--his index finger is parallel to the rest, instead of oblique. I find it so amusing because Sebastian is literally a miniature version of Lin. He loves music, he is sweet and kind, and he loves to laugh! Gosh, how am I this blessed? "Mommy?" he says tugging on my shirt. Apparently I spaced out for longer than intended. Not that I usually space out on purpose.
"Of course, let's eat," I say.
Jasmine, Anthony, Sebastian, and I each take a side of the table. After passing out the scones and croissants and other pastries that the boys picked up, we eat and talk about random things.
"Mommy?" Sebastian interrupts jasmine and my conversation about singing and stuff.
"Sebby it's rude to interrupt," I say kindly but a little sternly as well.
"Sorry mommy."
"It's okay, now what is it you need?"
"I was wondering.. can we go to the park later? Anthony said he would run around with me." I look at Anthony and he smiles. He is so good with Sebastian and I feel that he will make a great father (when the time comes).
"Sure," I say. "We can all go later this morning."
"Yay!" Sebastian cheers and waves his little fists in the air.

Jasmine's POV
Includes: Renee, Lin
Anthony Ramos has been added to the group chat by Jasmine Cephas Jones
Jasmine: just so I don't have to keep telling him stuff.
Lin: sure
Lin: Renee?
Renee: ya?
Lin: what time do you think you will get to my apartment? Give yourself time to chill at your hotel, put stuff away, etc. there is no rush.
Renee: probably around 5. It's super early in the morning here in New York but we're leaving pretty soon.
Lin: awesome
Jasmine: can't wait to see you!
Jasmine: oh.. Lin?
Lin: yea?
Jasmine: I sorta let it slide to pip that Ren is coming...
Lin: nuuuuu that's okay
Jasmine: sorry! ;-;-
Lin: it's fine. Why the extra mouth?
Jasmine: inside joke.
Lin: lol k. Break's over, gtg, cya.

I turn off my phone and look up. Anthony and Pippa are talking about Sebastian who is playing with his toy trains. It is really nice in Lin's apartment. There is a very homey feel... which I feel Pippa has to do with some of that. My mind starts wandering until I think about performing at the super bowl... and the fact that Pippa and I (and Renee) still need to get flights back.
"Hey pip, do you want to look at flights now or wait till later?" She looks at me with sad eyes but responds: "sure."
We get up and go to ant's and my bedroom. I open my laptop and search up planes flights. "Are you sure you are okay with this, pip?"
"Yeah.." she says. I know there is something else.
"But?" I try to lead her into it.
"I love him jasmine. I really do. And I love Sebby and I love our apartment and I love being with them. I don't want to lose that because what if we never go back to that? What if he meets someone else here? It's not like I can move in permanently, I have my show, and it's not like he can move back to the US cuz he's got his show. Our lives aren't aligning and if we don't make time for each other this could all be over and honestly, jasmine, I'm not ready for that." I can tell that my best friend is low key freaking out right now and I shut my laptop to go over and hug her.
"Lin will wait for you. I am sure of it. Sebastian has never had a mother like you and even if Lin gets a little of track, the fact that Sebastian calls you his mommy will keep him focused on the fact that he loves you. Don't worry about it, because sooner than you know it lin's contract will be up and he will come back for you. I'm sure he will come visit as well. In the mean time, enjoy his presence. Maybe we can even convince him to take a few days off."
"Thanks jasmine.." she says and hugs me even tighter.
"I will look at flights for us so you don't have to worry about it, okay?" i say.
"Oh, yeah, what about Anthony? How is he gonna get back?"
"We already have tickets scheduled for about a week after I have to leave so I think he will cancel one or something and take the other. It will be good for him to stay with Lin for a bit. They need their 'guy time'," I say making Pippa laugh. It is so good to see her smiling again.

Hey y'all! Sorry this chapter is a little shorter than usual but I sorta promised that I would try to get another chapter out this weekend. Thanks for the continued support!!

I am sooo excited for the Schuyler sisters to sing at the super bowl btw!!!