Forever

Chapter 18: Time

I swear, I saw them. They...He was just there. Wasn't he?

You rubbed your eyes again, thinking that somehow it would help you. I know what I saw.

April 28th –

"He's awake! Oh, oh my god, he's awake, someone!" You frantically run out of the room, flagging down one of the nurses at the station, and hear a familiar sound as you turn around. His laugh.

"Oh...oh god, everything hurts. My love, don't make me...don't make me laugh, please!" Chadwick was leaning over the bed railing, clutching his side as he continued to chuckle at your hysterics. You ran to him, cupping his face in your hands, tears streaming down your cheeks. His smile fell as he saw you, and you began to cry even harder. "Why're you crying, baby? What's wrong?"

Just about to reply, you're gently pushed aside by a nurse and doctor, another nurse and doctor on Chad's left. You take a few steps back, watching as they check him, and when he catches your eye, he gives you a small smile, his eyes twinkling like always. You waved at him, still crying, when you felt a hand grip your shoulder. You glance up, smiling when you see Carolyn – Chad's mother. She moved to the side, allowing her husband to walk past, towards Chad. He had just flown in last night, so it was his turn to see him.

You felt Carolyn tap your shoulder, and she eyed the door, mouthing, "Let's step out,". You nodded, taking one last look at Chad before following her into the hall. As the door shut, you turned to see her leaning against the opposite wall, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Y/N. You know I adore you. Hell, I love you as if you were my own daughter."

"I know, Carolyn."

"Then, you know. Now is the time, darling."

10 days earlier –

"You've been crying again, haven't you?" Tom was looking down at you, your head in your hands, the throbbing migraine still in full force. He looked sad, almost depressed; kind of like you, but you had reason to be. Chad had been completely taken off the coma drugs, and had yet to wake up. 5 days had passed, and no change. You had started to go crazy, and it didn't help that Sebastian had disappeared.

"It's because of him, isn't it? Sebastian?" Tom's nostrils flared at the mention of him, and he balled his hands up into fists, grimacing. He was annoyed that Sebastian had failed to keep his promise of stopping Y/N's pain, and he was frustrated he could do nothing about it.

"Isn't it always him, Tom? I just don't understand any of it. But I've given up. I don't care anymore."

"If that were true, you wouldn't be cooped up in here, crying over him."

"Don't say that. I'm here for Chad."

Tom's phone began to ring, and the tone only made the throbbing in your head worse. As you winced, Tom picked up.

"Yeah? No, nothing, why- Really? Holy shit. I'll be right there, just tell him to ho-hold on!" Tom hung up just as he ran out of the room, but you didn't really care. The same thoughts that plagued you earlier had returned.

Where was Sebastian? Had he come to say good-bye? Is that why you saw his eyes? Or was it all in your imagination? What was he doing? Why did he leave?

As you lost yourself, Tom returned to the ICU desk, meeting Anthony and the others. He was slightly taken aback with one's appearance, but let it slide.

"How is she, kid?"

"Fine, Anthony. But I don't know if she's really...ready for this, you know?"

"She can handle herself, Tom. You and I both know that very well. It's one of the reasons why we love her, right?"

-

Sebastian scratched his stubble as he made his way to Chad's room. His hands were shaking, but he knew he had to tough it out. For her.

As the door opened, you groaned, rolling your eyes as you massaged your forehead. Looking up, you almost screamed. It was like seeing a ghost. Only he was really here. He's really here, idiot! You jumped up, and practically tackled him to the ground. He fell back against the wall as he wrapped his arms around your waist, nuzzling his nose in your hair. You had your hands on his chest, but you didn't dare look at him. What if it's not real?

"I promise I'm very much real and alive, doll. Also, extremely relieved this is how you chose to react; thought you'd come after me with a scalpel! Ha," Sebastian chuckled, the vibrations of his chest soothing your migraine. You pulled away just enough to smack his chest, causing him to look down at you. Your eyes met, and you knew it.

"It was you, Seba. You were here." In that moment, Sebastian thought he was in some alternate universe. You hadn't called him "Seba" since he had started dating his now ex-girlfriend; he had forgotten just how much he loved hearing you say it.

"I didn't think you'd catch me. I didn't want to wake you, doll. And right now, it looks like you haven't slept in a while. Come here," Sebastian let you go, regretting it as he guided you to the couch next to Chad's bed. He sat down, and patted the spot next to him. Reluctantly, you sat down, curling up in his lap. He ran his fingers through your hair, and a small moan escaped your lips. You shifted, making yourself more comfortable as sleep washed over you.

Sebastian continued playing with your hair, while his free hand traced patterns on your thigh. He felt his own eyes grow heavy, and he shifted slightly, trying to make himself comfortable too. Finally, he leaned back resting his head against the wall as he drifted off.

-

A faint knocking sound drifted towards you, and as you slowly began to wake up, you realized there was something...weird underneath you. As you looked up, you met Carolyn's gaze, a stern look on her face. Shifting your gaze more, you realize suddenly that you're on Sebastian's lap. You scramble to get up, fixing your shirt as you run your hands through the bird's nest on your head. Sebastian began to stir, his hands grasping the cushion next to him, only for him to realize you weren't there anymore.

As he looks up, he sees you're scared, and turns to see Chad's mother glaring at him.

"Nice to know you're...back, Sebastian."

"Carolyn, I swear, I lost track of time and I'm so so-"

"No need to explain, darling. Sebastian, if you could please, give us a moment." She motioned to the door, and Sebastian only nodded, glancing at you one last time before he left. Once the door shut behind him, Carolyn turned to you. Her gaze had softened, but her body language showed she was uncomfortable with what she walked in.

"I'm so sorry, Carolyn, I swear nothing happened, and,"

"I know nothing happened, Y/N. But something will. He's gone 5 days, and when he returns, you welcome him back with open arms? Something is bound to happen, my child. And you know I love you. Chad loves you. You deserve to be happy. If that's not with Chad, then I understand. But I need you to figure it out, sweetheart."

"But, but I love Chad. I'm with him. Not Sebastian. No."

"I know you love him. But I also know there's something there, underneath that love, that is purely for Sebastian. You two are truly something else. Darling, I want you to be happy. Chad wants you to be happy. Sebastian does, too. You must sort out your feelings, and decide who it is that will bring you that happiness. No matter who it is. Do it for yourself. Not for Chad, or for me. For you. You're so selfless, sometimes I fear you lose yourself in others."

"I-I don't know what to do. About any of this."

"You don't have to decide now, Y/N. Take your time. Sort out your feelings. Learn about yourself. What you want, what you dream of having. When you know, you'll know who to choose. It takes time."

-

And now was the time. You had Chad. You had Sebastian. Now was the time to know who really had you.