When The Right Door Opens (21 page)

“So... It's a boy. Of course you are going to
name him Kai, right?” Kai changed the subject and he saw some
tension slip away from Agnes.

“Kai... Kai... No. I don't think so. I don't
know a single Kai I like.” Agnes teased and she started tell Kai
all about the wedding plans and her baby news. Kai listened gladly,
still sometimes surprised that Agnes seemed to trust him
unconditionally. It made him proud, but also aware that he saw
Agnes as his daughter. Sometimes, he was not sure if he was allowed
those feelings, but then he saw the light in Agnes's eyes and how
she waved her hands while talking and he permitted himself these
feelings.

****

Agnes nervously waited in line. She had not thought
that so many people would be there, to see Sebastian signing his
book and read a chapter.

It had been weird but also very touching,
when Sebastian read about what he had loved so much about Jamie.
Agnes prayed away the tears that threatened when she had seen
Sebastian walking tall and proud to his chair on the stage. If she
hadn't known, she wouldn't have guessed that Sebastian was missing
one leg. He looked good. Really good and in good shape. He had
nothing to do with the broken man she had last seen seven years
ago. It made her happy. She had moved on and it was good to see
that Sebastian had apparently moved on too. He was older and
broader in the shoulders. His blond hair was longer on top, and
styled back and his deep brown eyes had the glint back that had
left them after Jamie's death.

Sebastian's voice was slightly faltering when
he started to read, but his nerves quickly calmed and in his usual
steady voice, he spoke about Jamie.

Questions could be asked afterward and when
Sebastian revealed that Jamie had died a decade ago, people started
whispering and asking some more questions. Sebastian smartly
declined to answer any more of them, to not spoil the book and then
the event manager asked the attendees to get back in line and get
the signing started.

The closer Agnes got to the table and
Sebastian, the more her hands became clammy and shaky. It was her
turn. She held out her copy of the book and Sebastian, without
looking at her, opened the book and wanted to sign the first page
automatically. He blinked when he saw, that the page was already
filled with words and finally, he looked up and saw Agnes. Tears
welled up in his eyes and he got up from his chair immediately.

“Agnes!” he said out of breath and she nodded
affirmatively. She smiled through her tears of emotions and soon
two sobbing people stood in the middle of a stage, hugging, with
people all around them watching them and asking who that girl
was.

Agnes and Sebastian didn't talk. They just
hugged and cried tears of joy.

Finally, Sebastian pushed Agnes back and held
her at arm’s length.

“Look at you. You're a beautiful woman.”

“And you have changed quite a bit too since I
saw you the last time.”

“Could we ignore the past for a little longer
please? I am just so happy to see you.”

“Mister Martin? Your fans are waiting.” the
event manager reminded Sebastian.

“Can you wait just a little longer, Agnes? Do
you have time for a coffee after I've finished this?” Sebastian
asked, not ready to let Agnes go again.

“Yes. I need to talk to you too.” she
announced and kissed Sebastian's cheek, before ushering him back to
his waiting audience.

Sebastian was more relaxed now and had a
smile on his face and a nice word for everyone, while always
keeping an eye on Agnes and making sure that she was still
there.

****

Finally, the last dedication was written, the last
hand had been shaken and now it was time to face the past.

Agnes and Sebastian sat at the bistro, where
she always met with Kai. She ordered a tea for herself and
Sebastian ordered a cup of coffee. Neither one of them really knew
what to say, but they were happy to be together. Sebastian held his
mug between his fingers and looked up at Agnes, when she announced
that she was engaged to Jordan. Sebastian politely congratulated
her and they started exchanging some of their stories from the past
years.

“It's good to see, that you are doing well
for yourself. And I know that Kai is never far from you. That's
good too. He really loves you – in a fatherly way.” Agnes smiled
and looked at her hands, she loved him too.

“Did you really move on too, or this all an
act?” She hadn't meant to be this blunt, but she wanted to
know.

“It took me some time, but yes.” Sebastian
nodded looking into the distance.

“Partners? Do you have a new partner?” Agnes
asked.

“I had some encounters. I am not exactly the
eremite Kai wants me to be. Nothing lasting though. Most of them
have trouble seeing me and looking past details.”

“Like?”

“Only having one leg for starters.” Sebastian
shrugged.

“If I didn't know...”

“... and there lies the problem. People don't
suspect anything, until I let down my pants.” Sebastian's voice was
calm, but Agnes could sense some sadness too.

“Oh... I am pregnant.” Agnes jumped from one
topic to the next.

“That's wonderful. Congratulations. I know
that you are going to be a great mom.”

“I have my moments of doubts. It's not really
as if I had the best role-model.” Agnes referred to Lauren and her
lack of motherly skills.

“Not as a mother, but you had a really good
dad.” Sebastian countered and Agnes nodded, at a loss for
words.

“I came here today, because I want to ask you
to do me a favor.” Agnes finally said and sat back on her
chair.

“That's... what can I do for you?” Sebastian
asked in an uncertain voice.

“I'm getting married in three weeks. I want
you to be there.” Sebastian was surprised, but instantly agreed
that he didn't want to miss Agnes's wedding.

“There's more.”

“More?”

“Yeah. I... Would you walk me down the aisle?
With Kai? You both?”

“Wow. I didn't see that one coming. Why me?
We haven't talked in a long time.” Sebastian interjected.

“You are a missing link in my life and you
were the last man my father loved.”

“But I moved on. What if I have a boyfriend?
Could he come?”

“Do you? Have a boyfriend?”

“No.” he admitted.

“Listen, I know that I said ugly
things...”

“That's water under the bridge.” Sebastian
waved her off.

“Then please, don't make me beg. You should
be part of the family again.”

“And you are sure you want me there?”
Sebastian asked again.

“Yes.”

“Then I'll be there. Thank you.”

****

Sebastian sat in his boxers on the bed of a nice
hotel room. He was buttoning his shirt with shaky fingers. His
artificial leg leaned against the bed. A faint knock could be heard
and Sebastian asked whoever was on the other side of that door,
in.

It was a young man, who introduced himself as
Ryan. The bride's best friend. Ryan's eyes darted back and forth
between Sebastian, who was still sitting on the bed and the
artificial leg that wasn't attached to his stump yet.

“I'm so sorry. I was staring.” Ryan shook his
head, embarrassed.

“It's okay. I'm used to it. What can I help
you with?” Sebastian asked, while he continued to get dressed. He
prepared his stump, before slipping the prosthetic leg on and stood
up.

“Wow, you're tall.” Ryan exclaimed and
blushed, when he had to look up.

“I wanted to remind you of the ceremony and
the schedule. I know, I probably don't need to. But Agnes insisted.
She is slowly morphing into a bridezilla and I am not sure if it's
her or the baby.” Ryan joked and Sebastian laughed.

“She talks a lot about you. Always did. I'm
glad you are here. It means a lot to her.”

“It means a lot to me too. Um... could you
help me with the tie? I am really bad at that.”

Ryan stepped closer to Sebastian and had to
stand on tiptoes to tie the cloth. He felt a weird attraction
towards the man and tried to calm his nerves.

“You're as nervous as I am.” Sebastian
stilled the fingers fidgeting close to his throat and a jolt of
electricity ran through him and made him take his hands away. Ryan
and Sebastian locked eyes for a moment too long, before they broke
eye-contact and looked everywhere but at each other.

“Okay. You have fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks Ryan. I'll be on time.”

“I have no doubt about that.” Ryan
muttered.

“Hey, Ryan. Would you save a dance for me?”
Sebastian winked.

“How did you know?” asked Ryan, wondering how
Sebastian knew that he liked men. Maybe it had been their shared
look into each other’s eyes.

“I didn't.” Sebastian admitted.

“Yes. I will dance with you.” Ryan smiled and
looked at the ground before he left Sebastian's room.

****

Agnes took a deep breath. Behind the next door waited
many people who were there to see her only for her and to celebrate
her wedding.

“Ryan. Tell me that I'm doing the right
thing. I feel like running away.”

“You are doing the right thing, honey. You
love Jordan. You look gorgeous. And there are at least three
gorgeous men – me not included, because I am here with you – on the
other side of that door.”

“Oh you!” Agnes smiled.

“Everything is going to be fine.” Ryan
reassured Agnes.

“Did you meet Sebastian?”

“Smooth liaison. But, yes.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“What do you think of him?” Agnes
inquired.

“Oh Agnes, no. You are not trying to pair us
off together. Are you?”

“The thought crossed my mind once or twice.”
she admitted mischievously.

“He's old.” Ryan tried to reason. Deep down
inside he knew, however, that age didn't matter to him and that he
would gladly be with a man like Sebastian.

“He's forty-two and you are
twenty-eight.”

“Fourteen years!”

“But you like older guys.”

“Shut up and go get married.” Ryan snickered,
loving the fact that Agnes knew him so well.

“I knew it!” Agnes laughed and Ryan pulled
her to Kai and Sebastian.

“Here! She's all yours. I'm going to offer my
condolences to Jordan. He's marrying a crazy woman.” Ryan laughed
and kissed Agnes affectionately. He shook Kai's hand and squeezed
Sebastian's shoulder, before he was gone.

“So? Are you ready, gorgeous?” Kai asked.

“Hell yes! Okay, Sebastian to the left, Kai
to the right. Let's go. If we stall any longer, I'm going to
run.”

“That nervous?” Sebastian asked.

“Gosh, yes!”

They opened the door to the chapel and the
wedding march started. The three of them walked down the aisle,
where people stood and admired the bride. A few people whispered,
not knowing who Sebastian was and why he was walking with them.
Most of the invitees only knew Kai as Agnes's parent, ignoring her
past and the truth.

The ceremony was romantic and beautiful. And
when the minster finally pronounced Agnes and Jordan husband and
wife, the guest cheered and applauded. The bride and groom kissed
and people started crowding them, to say their congratulations.

Sebastian stayed at the side, observing the
newlyweds. Agnes looked happy and relieved that now the partying
could begin. Kai stood close to her, acting every bit like the
proud father. Ryan came up to Sebastian and nudged his side.

“She's happy.”

“Yes, she is. It nice to see it.”

“She misses her father though. Kai does a
good job and she loves him, but she would have liked to have Jamie
with her.” Ryan mused and Sebastian nodded understandingly. He
didn't know what to say, he missed Jamie too, but not as much as he
used to. It wasn't paralyzing him anymore and some of his
inconsolable grief had been processed when he wrote his book.

“You are far away, aren't you?” Ryan asked
smiling. Sebastian smiled back.

“It's time to walk over to the tent. Dinner
will be served soon and Kai said that he has a surprise for Agnes.”
Sebastian walked next to Ryan to the tent and they went in search
for their places. As fate – or Agnes – had arranged, Ryan and
Sebastian sat next to each other.

When every guest and the newlyweds had found
their seats, Kai took the microphone and announced that he had a
surprise. A curtain fell down behind him and revealed Darragh
Morgan with his guitar and Callum Townsend at the piano. The guests
clapped and cheered and Agnes held her hands to her face with
shocked joy. Kai kissed her on the forehead and shook Jordan's
hand, before the musicians started to play a first song.

The night passed quickly and Agnes was called
to the dance floor for her first dance. She asked Kai to dance with
her and they opened the dancing part of the evening. Kai had tears
in his eyes; Sebastian could see how touched he was. Next, Agnes
danced with her husband and for the next song, she came to
Sebastian.

“Would you dance with the bride?” she asked
hopefully. Sebastian smiled and took her hand.

“I always wanted to see you dance again. I am
sorry for...”

“Shh. It's not important anymore. Today is
your wedding day. That's what's important. You live a good and
happy life that is important too.”

“Can I ask you something, without you getting
mad at me?”

“You can try.” Sebastian offered.

“What do you think of Ryan?”

“Why?”

“Because, I have a feeling that you two would
be the perfect couple.”

“I'm... sorry, that's a weird conversation,
don't you think?”

“Maybe, but I want you to be happy and I know
that Ryan could make that happen. Give him a chance?”