SYNCHRONICITY (The Lone Wolf)

21

Sebastian revved the bike listening for the timing when Alison met him outside, his jacket in her hand. "You forgot this," she said.

He looked at her from over his shoulder and nodded. "Thanks Love," he replied quietly.

"Are you going to be awhile?"

"Why, you gotta be somewhere?"

"Actually, yeah. See, this really hot hunky guy promised to take me for a ride on his bike to get some grubbage."

He grinned and quickly let the grin fade, then looked toward her again, his face completely dead pan. "Oh yeah? Should I be jealous?"

She nodded. "Oh absolutely..."

He stood finally, towering over her, relieving her if the jacket. "Well, I'd best get you away before he shows up and kicks my arse then, huh?"

Sebastian's hair was cut short, compliant with the military standards. So short, Alison thought that it was nearly non-existent; it did have the feel of the softest of velvet though, she thought, and she rather liked that. A lot.

She had accompanied him to the best local barber she knew of and fretted when the electric razor used to shave his head buzzed all of his long hair to the floor. She gathered it up, according to Lynn's instructions and placed it all in several plastic sandwich bags...there is power in each strand, she had said, especially that of a Native American's. Sebastian had confirmed what Lynn had said and was relieved that Lynn was now looking out for him as well.

He slid his arms into the sleeves of the jacket, then donned his helmet as well as his gloves. Their destination was to be Mario's place, an impromptu celebration for his twenty-fourth birthday, very private, just the two of them. He had wanted to talk to her in private about something very important. They left the house and sat through the afternoon rush hour traffic and finally arrived at their destination. He parked the bike as close to the entrance as he could then dismounted the bike. He removed his helmet, then rubbing his nearly hairless head he grimaced and sighed; his hair had been short before, but he always felt a bit less powerful and this time was no different.

He opened the door and ushered her in, the dead-pan Mafia guy, who he learned earlier in the summer, name was Leo met them at the door. "Hey guys," he said pleasantly. "We've a party of fifteen that we're expecting so I'm afraid your usual table won't be available."

Sebastian nodded. "That's okay, mate."

Leo nodded and escorted them to a back dining area. He pulled the pocket door to the side, and the first thing Sebastian saw was a buffet table full of his favorite foods; Alison giggled.  He craned his brow high and slowly turned his head toward her. "What did you do," he asked under his breath.

Their guests all stood and yelled out, "SURPRISE!"

Sebastian stood perfectly still, not knowing whether to laugh or cry; wondering how they had managed to keep this from him...Topher approached him.

"Happy birthday, mate!" He embraced Sebastian tightly. "Are you shocked?"

Sebastian barely nodded. He looked over his shoulder at his mother's face, tears streaming down her cheeks. George rounded the table, beaming, as he escorted Beverly to their son. George shook his hand and pulled him into a fierce embrace. He pulled away, still beaming.

Beverly moved in to embrace her only child. "Happy birthday Sweetheart..."

He held on to his mother, lowering his face to her shoulder. Overcome with emotion, he held onto her and almost wept for a moment, then laughed uneasily.

"Lone wolf, my arse," she whispered in his ear, causing him to laugh harder. She tapped at his cheek with her fingers, then squeezed his cheeks, pursing his lips and she kissed them quickly.