SEBASTIAN
“Lana, are you okay?” I ask, after she hasn’t said anything for about five minutes.
She’s been picking at a piece of bread, and staring off into the distance without a word, and I’m kind of worried.
I know something the fortune teller said rattled her, but I thought she was okay now.
She seemed it when we first sat down for dinner.
I take Lana’s hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. “Of course not. It means I get more time to snuggle up in bed with you.”
Lana laughs, her mood seeming to lighten again, and we finish our meals.
We head back to the hotel, and just like I wanted we snuggle together in bed. I trail my fingers over Lana’s body, unable to believe how lucky I am.
I always hoped, always dreamed, that one day in the future, Lana and I could reconcile and now that it’s happened, I want to pinch myself.
How did I get so lucky?
Later, after Lana and I have made love, and she’s fallen soundly asleep, I can’t drop off. I’m exhausted and should be happy to curl my body around Lana’s and drift off to sleep, but I keep replaying our visit to the fortune teller.
I know I told Lana I wasn’t sure what I believed, and that we’re in control of our own destinies, but how can what the fortune teller said not be a sign.
The Lovers. Second chances and seizing the moment. Reconciliation, and finding a balance in a relationship.
To me its crystal clear what the next step is, and a plan already starts forming in my head. But first I need to speak to my brothers and make some arrangements.
I feel more settled once I decide on a plan of action and get back into bed. I pull Lana into my arms, inhale her scent and press a kiss to her shoulder, then allow my eyes to close.
-----
The journey back to East Hampton is bittersweet. I’m excited to be heading home with Lana, so I can start enacting my plan, but at the same time, leaving New Orleans is like leaving a dream. It really is a remarkable city.
Before we head to Louis Armstrong airport, Lana insists on buying some beignets and other sweet treats as a ‘thank you’ gift for Monica for looking after the gallery and apartment while we’ve been away.
Thinking it’s probably a good idea if I get my brothers something, too, I pick up a variety of spirits, liquor and cigars from the airport gift shop.
I’ve already texted my brothers, saying I’d like to meet with them for dinner. I even sent Antony over some Creole and Cajun recipes, so they can have a taste of the food Lana and I experienced while here.
All too soon, the cab is pulling up outside Lana’s shop. “I’d love to invite you up, but well, it’s still a complete dump up there. Plus, I have some business I need to take care of. There’s a client that’s asking me for a quicker turn-around time.”
I lean in and kiss Lana deeply, before straightening and saying, “That’s okay. I’ve already arranged to hang out with my brothers tonight.”
“That explains all the alcohol and cigars you bought at the airport.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I’ve convinced Antony to try cooking Creole and Cajun food.”
Lana grins. “Good idea. You’ll have to let me know how he gets on. I’m tempted to take a crack at it myself, actually.”
“They really did have some delicious dishes,” I agree. “Are you free tomorrow night? I want to take you out for dinner.”
Lana bites her bottom lip, before replying. “I can make myself available.”
“Good. Okay, I’ll pick you up around seven.” I lean in and kiss her again. Part of me doesn’t want to leave, but I know I have to. I need to speak to my brothers. Besides, if all goes to plan, soon we’ll never have to leave each other again.
I watch as Lana carries her suitcase up the exterior steps to her apartment, then I get back in the cab, and ask the driver to take me to the ranch.
When I get home, I don’t bother unpacking, and instead, go straight to my laptop.
It doesn’t take me long to find out what I’m after -- a local jewelers that modifies existing jewelry.
After making an appointment to see them the following day, I check the safe I have hidden in the wardrobe.
There’s no reason anything should be missing, but I still check anyway, and pull out one of the rings I inherited from my mom after my parents passed.
It’s a simple white-gold band that she used to wear on her right hand. I think she told me once Dad bought it for her after I was born. He bought her jewelry for each of our births.
I’ve always intended to give it to Lana someday.
I put the ring back in the safe, then freshen up and unpack from our trip.
-----
A few hours later, I arrive at Antony’s place with the alcohol and cigars I bought in New Orleans. Erin answers the door, greeting me with a smile.
“Hey, good to see you, Erin. Are you joining us tonight?”
As we step through into the house, the smell of spices fills my nostrils, and it’s like I’m transported back to The Big Easy. My brother really is a culinary genius.
“What, and disturb a Braddock Brothers get together? No way! I'm taking the twins over to Ryan’s place to have dinner with Alicia and Jackie.”
“Only if, you’re sure. This is your home too, so don’t feel like you need to leave on my account,” I assure her, before adding, “And I’d love to see Aaron and Elizabeth.”
As if on cue, my niece and nephew come rushing over to greet me.
“Uncle Seb! Did you bring us presents from your trip?”
“I did. Here you are,” I say with a laugh, as I begin pulling out some Mardi Gras Beads and chocolate coins, I brought from the Mardi Gras museum. I hand the bag to Erin and add, “I brought some for Alicia’s brothers and sister too. Would you mind passing it along?”
“Of course not,” Erin says, taking the bag from me, as we enter the kitchen, where Antony is in his element.
Erin crosses the room and wraps her arms around my brother, leaning in for a kiss that makes Elizabeth and Aaron behind me giggle.
It’s so good seeing my brother so happy and in love. He deserves it after losing his wife May almost five years ago. And now, he and Erin have a baby on the way. It’s perfect.
My mind drifts to Lana, and I feel myself grinning.
“Me and the kids are going to head over to Alicia and Ryan’s place now,” Erin says, as she walks away from Antony.
“Okay. Have fun, and I’ll see you later,” he calls. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” Erin replies.
As Erin, Elizabeth and Aaron prepare to leave, I settle at the breakfast bar, and watch my brother cook.
“I have some liquor and cigars for later,” I inform Antony, who pauses for a moment and turns his attention to me.
“Sounds like it will be a good night. And to what do we owe the pleasure?”
“Can’t I want to hang out with my brothers once in a while?”
“Sure,” Antony agrees, with a shrug. “But usually, we just grab takeout from the restaurant, and a couple of beers. What’s the special occasion?”
I feel my cheeks heat from being caught out so quickly. “Okay, you got me. There’s something I want to talk to you all about. But let’s wait until the others are here, so I don’t have to repeat myself a bunch of times.”
Not long after, Ryan arrives. “Erin and the twins had just gotten to my pine and Alicia’s as I was leaving,” he tells us.
I know this is for Antony’s benefit. After losing both our parents, and his wife May in a car accident, I understand why my older brother is always on edge whenever his loved ones go somewhere.
“I tell you, I’m glad I’m here instead of back home,” Ryan says, joining me at the breakfast bar. “Whatever you’re cooking smells amazing. When I left, Alicia and Jackie were making s’mores and planning a Disney marathon.”
A short time later Joshua and Tucker arrive together.
Tucker has been staying with my younger brother until it’s time for him to head out to California for a big surfing contest in a few months.
I know from what Ryan and Antony have told me that Tucker is dragging Josh along to bars every night, trying to get him out of his funk over Caitlyn.
Josh and celebrity dog walker Caitlyn have been friends for years, and my brother has harboured a secret crush on the woman for almost as long.
Josh has never made a move on Caitlyn though because she’s dating someone else.
Much to my brother’s dismay, Caitlyn recently revealed she’s gotten engaged.
Joshua was crushed, and we’ve all been trying to help him through it as best we can.
Of course, Tucker’s way of helping Josh through it is by taking him to bars and getting him drunk.
“Okay, now that the gang’s all here, you can spill your big secret or whatever,” Tucker says, opening Antony’s fridge without invitation and pulling out a bottle of beer.
Antony looks at Tucker sharply, but our youngest brother merely shrugs and passes a beer to Josh.
I laugh and shake my head at the audacity of Tucker but accept a drink when he hands me one.
“I’m going to propose to Lana,” I say.