"I'm telling you, no matter how much he denies it or you argue with me, your cousin is a Hufflepuff.  Plain and simple."

Sebastian's eyes are focused solely on the road in front of us so I can't see his eyes to tell if he's serious or not. I'm aghast.

"Sebby, Blainey IS NOT!!  He's Harry Potter. How could he possibly be a Hufflepuff?!"

Calmly Sebastian flicks on the turn signal, changing lanes with ease as he follows the directions the gps is giving him, even in the waning daylight. Not even flustered in the slightest by my outburst.

"Princess, think about it.  Your cousin is loyal. To. A. Fault.  Everyone likes him and he tries so hard to be what they want him to be.  He'd have worked himself to death if you hadn't been there for him, to get him out of his head this year."

Huh...

I guess he's right.

The smirk is clearly evident in his voice even though Sebastian's expression is blank.

"From your silence Ma Cherie I sense that you're coming to realize that I'm correct on this matter."

In the smallest possible voice I respond.

"Maybe this time Bastian."

Sebastian chuckles softly, chancing a quick glance in my direction, a gentle smile playing on his lips. 

"Of course My Love.  I know this just like I know you and Hummel are Ravenclaws.  Clarington, as much as I detest him at times is a noble Gryffindor.  And Broadway, Shaqueera and I are Slytherins."

I reach for his hand and squeeze it gently.

"Sebby.....   you're not a...."

He interrupts me before I can even finish my thought. Quickly pulling his hand from my loose grasp. 

His voice sad and soft.

"Oh I am, Shannon.  As much as I try to, you can't always change your nature..."

Silence overtakes the car. I really, really don't know how to respond to what he said at all.

Soon he's turning into a parking lot, it's the hotel for the evening. Bright neon sign shining overhead. We're in some small town in Arizona.

Sebastian turns off my car and doesn't even wait for me before he exits. He's upset.  I don't know what to do now. 

If I can do anything really.

With a sigh I follow him out of the car, gathering up the one bag I need.

Sleep comes eventually once we enter our hotel room for the evening. It's difficult to move around like this. To try and sleep in a new bed every night. But I'm trying.

There are times during this journey that I wish I would have just flown to California. Shipped all of my things and car.

I could be sitting on the beach RIGHT NOW.

The bed is empty when I wake up, Sebastian's side isn't even warm anymore.

I sigh disconcertedly, pulling myself into a sitting position on the bed. Pale light filters through the gaps in the hotel room's curtains as the lock on the door clicks and swings open.

And there he is. 

Even in the early morning light Sebastian is glorious looking.  All handsome man in just jeans and a simple T-shirt.

And his smile....

That genuine, golden smile that warms me from the inside out.

"Why are you looking at me like that Shann?"

He comes in the room with two coffees and a bag of what can only be breakfast. Setting them on the bedside table, he sits down beside me. Quirking an eyebrow, waiting for my response.

"I just wish we were there already."

He reaches out a hand to caress my cheek and my eyes can't help but flutter closed at his gentleness.

"We'll be there soon Love. How about we stop at the Canyon on our way today, change course just slightly. We're still ahead of your schedule anyway."

I nod my head. Perhaps it's a good idea.

And hours later, I find myself standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Staring out at that abyss.

Struggling with my own inner dilemmas...

(Okay so this chapter is a little short and eh.... fun fact though, that's me at the rim of the Grand Canyon in the photo up top. ❤️ Shann)