" Hey dickhead", Sebastian greeted him with a smirk.
Quinn rolled his eyes, " Can't you come up with something new?", he asked, his tone bored, his voice it's usual deep rasp. Him and Henry sounded a lot alike. Henry's voice had that rasp to it too.
Sebastian chuckled, " I'll work on it"
The corner of Quinn's mouth lifted slightly, the only indication that he found that amusing. Christian stepped up next to Quinn and gave Sebastian a wary glance. Sebastian knew Christian was nervous about how he was going to be with their mother there. This was the first time he's seen her since blowing up on her. And Christian, being the pacifist that he was, wanted everyone to get along.
" Don't worry Chris, I'm on my best behavior tonight", Sebastian said. He wasn't going to ruin Henry's night with being nasty to their mother.
Christian nodded slowly, " Maybe you shouldn't drink", he said cautiously.
Sebastian sighed, " I'll be fine"
Christian looked skeptical but let it go. He knew he couldn't win an argument with him.
Sebastian helped Claire put dinner on the table while Henry got Ethan set up in his booster seat. Everyone sat down and started passing around the amazing smelling food. The conversations were light and happy. And Sebastian couldn't help but watch his mother out of the corner of his eye all through dinner. She joined in the conversations, laughed and seemed to really be enjoying herself. His father was absolutely beaming. Sebastian hasn't seen his dad this happy in years. Maybe his mom really had changed for the better.
Seeing his mom like this really made it hard for him to hold onto his anger and his grudge. He found himself engaging in the conversations she was in. Not that he talked to her directly, but it was close. He was sitting across from her and next to his father who was at the end of the table. Ethan was on his other side. His father more then once grabbed his forearm and gave him a squeeze, his eyes letting Sebastian know that he appreciated the little bit of effort that he was putting in towards his mother.
After dinner, they had dessert and coffee. While Claire and his mother cleaned up, the men went into the living room. Sebastian watched Henry pull Ethan onto his lap and talk quietly to him. No doubt going over what he wanted Ethan to say to Claire for the proposal. Sebastian knew that Henry wanted Ethan to be part of it. Sebastian felt a twinge of jealousy at what Henry was getting, a beautiful wife and a son. That should be Sebastian. The thought made Sebastian hate Victoria even more. She took everything away from him. Fucking bitch.
When Claire and Anne came into the living room, Ethan went running to Claire. She picked him up and moved closer to Henry, who was standing next to the tree. He didn't look nervous at all. He was simply smiling, all the love he held for Claire brightening his already bright green eyes.
" Mommy! Look present!", Ethan cried and stretched to reach the little box that Henry had set on one of the higher branches.
Claire looked confused but turned her back on the room and lifted Ethan up a little higher so that he could reach the box, just like Henry had planned. Sebastian smiled and shook his head as Henry got down on one knee behind her. Sebastian saw his mother's eyes widen as she slapped a hand over her mouth. His dad smiled wide and pulled his wife into his arms. Claire's dad Frank went over and placed a hand on his dad, Henry's, shoulder, a warm smile breaking out across his face.
After Ethan grabbed the box, he squirmed to be put down. Claire obliged, setting him on his feet. Ethan went to Henry, standing in his arms. Claire turned and flinched as if she was slapped. Sebastian stifled a laugh. She looked so confused and shocked. Ethan opened the ring box with Henry's help then held it up to his mother.
" Mommy, you marry Henwee?", Ethan asked sweetly.
Sebastian blinked back a rush of unexpected tears. What the hell? Ethan's little voice just tugged at his heart and he couldn't believe that he was actually getting choked up by his brother's marriage proposal.
Claire gasped and covered her nose and mouth with her hands. Sebastian could see the tears start rolling down her face as she dropped to her knees in front of Henry and Ethan. " Really?", she croaked, covering Ethan's hands as he held the ring box.
" Really Claire, I love you with my whole heart and I want us to be a family, will you marry me?", Henry asked, looking a little teary eyed himself.
" Oh my god, Yes Henry, Yes!" Claire cried, throwing her arms around to two of them.