Page 31 of Tempting Sebastian

Jackson

I was at Sebastian’s cooking dinner when the doorbell rang. “I got it,” Sebastian said. I heard him talking to someone and then he said, “It’s cold out there. Come on in. Jackson!” He yelled for me.

I set the towel down that I was holding and turned the stove off, not knowing how long it would take. Walking into the living room, there was a man about Sebastian’s age sitting on the couch across from him and he was holding a wooden box. “Eli, this is my partner, Jackson. Jackson, this is Mr. Talbot’s son, Eli.”

“Oh my gosh. It’s so nice to meet you. We didn’t know he had children.” I smiled.

Eli spoke. “He told you all about mom, right?” Sebastian and I nodded and smiled. “She was the love of his life. I was an only child, and they were amazing parents.” He cleared his throat. “I’m here because…my dad passed away a few weeks ago.”

The gasp I let out and instant tears that sprung to my eyes caught me off guard. Sebastian brought his hand to my back. We, at the same time, said, “We’re so sorry. He was such a wonderful person to spend a little time with.”

Eli smiled and said, “Yes, he told me about you coming out. He loved his collection ofstuff.” He laughed. “I’m here because his will was read to me and my wife a few days ago. My dad left you this.”

He handed the box to Sebastian. Sebastian looked confused and when he opened it, he inhaled and then cleared his throat. Bringing his hand to his mouth, he tried to speak but couldn’t. I went and grabbed Sebastian some tissue. “Thank you. I’m sorry. He really left this for me?”

Eli said, “He did. There is a note inside too.”

Pulling out the card it read:

Mr. Moore,

It’s been years since I’ve seen excitement in someone’s eyes over the treasures I’ve collected. Treasures. That’s what my Alina used to call them. You and your friend, Mr. Hall, were so excited about everything I had. Thank you for letting this old man go on about his wife too. I love telling stories about her.

Now to the good part! I’m leaving this Indian Railway Lamp to you. I know how much you wanted it. It was picked special by my Alina, and I just know she would want you to have it too! Remember the little scratch in the bottom? It’s there if you turn it over and look. This lantern is special and deserves to be with special people like you and Mr. Hall.

I hope the two of you never stop looking for treasures. They’re everywhere, hidden in barns, shelves of antique stores, yard sales. They’re little glimpses of history and how life was lived, and we all have the incredible opportunity to give them new life for a little longer.

Thank you for visiting me. I hope you continue the stories when people ask you about this lamp. Tell them about the little old lady that drove through a snowstorm to get it for her little old man. And how they lived happily, just the two of them, in their house of treasures, telling stories.

Keep searching for beauty in everything.

-Mr. Talbot

Sebastian and I were crying. Sebastian grabbed the lantern out of the box and inspected it, turning it upside down and smiling when he saw the little scratch Alina had made in the bottom of it. He stood up and went over to the fireplace, placing it on the mantle. “This is where it’ll live.” He placed it in the center, and it quickly became the focal point of the room.

Turning back to Eli, he walked up to him and said, “It was a pleasure to meet your dad, hear about your mom, and spend just a few hours with him. You were lucky to have them.”

Eli smiled. “That I was. Nice to meet you both. Happy New Year.”

We walked Eli to the door and once he left, we exhaled and wiped more tears away that just wouldn’t stop. Sebastian walked back to the living room and stared at the lantern.

I asked, “Are you ok?”

He was silent and then turned to me and said, “Move in with me.”

“Huh? Really?” I was a little surprised, but it was feeling overdue. I knew I would have to break my lease, but I honestly didn’t care anymore because being with Sebastian was all I’d ever wanted.

“Yes, really. I don’t want to waste any more time. If we learned anything from Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, it’s that time is fleeting, and we should enjoy every minute of every day as muchas we can. Move in with me, Jackson. I don’t want to live apart. I want you in this home, our home and in my bed, our bed.”

He reached his hand to my face, so I leaned into him. “Yes,” I said and then he kissed me. “Yes, Sebastian Moore.”

Chapter 24

Sebastian

We spent the next week moving Jackson back to my place. He didn’t have much. I think part of me secretly hoped he’d come back home…to my house, our house. When we were moving stuff in, he, out of habit, went to his old room and closet.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I was standing in the doorway, my eyebrow cocked, looking at him like he was crazy.

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