Selena – A Month After the Wedding
There was something undeniably sweet about moments like this.
We were all gathered at the big table in front of the café, bathed in the soft afternoon sun, our coffee cups steaming gently as laughter drifted between us like music. Eight of us sat around that table — Felix by my side, Eve and Mike opposite us with their baby girl Lily snoozing peacefully in her stroller, and even Lucas had graced us with his icy presence, seated next to his girlfriend Hannah. The last spot was filled by Sebastian, Lucas' ever-loyal right-hand man.
A strange mix, maybe, but somehow it worked.
Eve tried not to glance too often in Sebastian's direction. I could tell she was anxious — still hiding something from Mike. But no one said anything. Not even Lucas, although that was probably because he preferred sarcasm to sincerity. Let's be honest: no one expected Lucas to become anyone's friend. The fact that he even showed up was already a win. I had a feeling Hannah was to thank for that. She softened him in ways no one else could.
I respected her for it. Taming a storm like Lucas… it wasn't easy.
Under the table, Felix slipped his hand into mine — warm, steady — as he launched into a conversation with Mike about the last basketball game. I tried to follow, but Lucas looked moments away from rolling his eyes clean out of his skull.
I couldn't help myself.
"Brother-in-law, is something hurting? You're making strange faces," I teased, raising my coffee cup with a smile.
Lucas set his own cup down on the saucer and offered me a wicked grin.
"Yes. It hurts every time you call me that."
Hannah rolled her eyes, clearly used to our bickering. At this point, it was more of a tradition than an argument. And though I doubted Lucas would ever truly like me, he tolerated my presence — probably for Felix's sake. I mirrored that tolerance right back at him.
"You should be grateful to have a sister-in-law like me," I said, smirking. "After all, you've known me since we were kids. You even wanted to be friends with me once."
That drew a few surprised looks around the table. Felix shot his brother a tired glance, but Lucas ignored it, eyes locked on mine.
"Luckily, I had a guardian angel who steered me away from that catastrophe. Too bad you left the school. Shame you reappeared in Felix's life shortly after… and, horror of horrors, in mine too."
His voice dripped with sarcasm, but I only laughed.
"Do you two always have to do this?" Hannah asked, exasperated. "Can't you just… try to get along? Selena's done a lot for Felix. She helped him heal. She still does. You two are family now. Why keep picking fights?"
Lucas gave her a slow, smirking glance and gently touched her cheek.
"That's only because I don't have a mother or mother-in-law to vent my frustrations on," he said sweetly. "And I'm not about to take it out on you, darling. A sister-in-law is the perfect target."
"If I disown you, you won't have a sister-in-law to torment," Felix chimed in, making everyone laugh — everyone but Lucas.
"Try it and see what happens," he said coolly, then turned back to me. "And you, little demon, would you finally save my number already? It drives me insane that every time I call, you act like you don't know who it is."
I gasped dramatically, pressing my hands over my mouth like I'd just committed a crime.
"Oh no, how could I forget again?" I said in mock horror.
Felix rolled his eyes and turned to Lucas. "She's got your number saved. She just pretends she doesn't. You really don't want to know what the contact name is."
Lucas blinked. "I have her listed as 'Little Demon,' so how bad could it be?"
"That's cute," Eve murmured, quickly biting her lip as if she hadn't meant to say it aloud.
"See?" I grinned. "He only pretends not to like me. Deep down, he's thrilled to have such a charming sister-in-law."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "I'll confirm that if you tell me what name you have me saved under."
I glanced around the table, my grin widening.
"Do I really have to say it in front of everyone? You'll hate me."
Lucas leaned back, arms crossed. "Too late. I already do."
"No," I said, chuckling. "You said — and I quote — 'I won't let myself hate you anymore.'"
He groaned. "Fine. Let's hear it."
I took a deep breath and declared proudly, "Okay… Mr. Bad Sperm."
The silence cracked like lightning before laughter exploded around the table. Eve nearly choked on her latte, Mike had to wipe tears from his eyes, and even Hannah lost herself in giggles.
But the best part?
Lucas — the ever-stoic, sarcasm-drenched ice prince — actually laughed. Not a smirk, not a huff. A real, surprised, belly-deep laugh.
And for a brief moment, under the golden sun and surrounded by friends, even Lucas looked like he belonged.
"I officially like you, Little Demon," Lucas said, shaking his head with a rare grin. "I like that nickname. I really am a Rotten Sperm."
Laughter still hung in the air when the sharp wail of a car alarm suddenly cut through the moment.
We all turned toward the parking lot at once. Sebastian shot up from his chair like he'd been electrocuted, his fists clenched at his sides and his jaw tight with fury.
"I don't believe this. I don't believe someone hit my car again. This has to be a curse… some kind of fate," he muttered, storming off in that direction.
Our attention shifted instantly, all conversations abandoned as we watched the scene unfold like an impromptu drama. A young woman stumbled out of her car, visibly panicked, hands fluttering in apology. She barely got two words out before Sebastian began shouting like a man possessed.
And then… I recognized her.
Wait. No way.
"That's her," I whispered, leaning closer to Felix. "It's the same woman from before — when Sebastian gave us a ride to the clinic."
Felix narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure? I don't remember her face that well…"
"Yes! It's her. That's why he's so furious."
Lucas let out a dark chuckle beside Hannah. "I'm proud of my boy. I hope he tears that woman apart."
The woman looked about ready to cry. Sebastian, meanwhile, was all fire and thunder.
"Are you doing this deliberately?!" he shouted, loud enough to turn heads. "I can't believe this coincidence! Back then it was my bumper, and now you've scratched my door?! How do you still not know how to drive?! How the hell did you even pass your license?!"
The girl flinched under his words like a scolded puppy, her wide eyes filled with regret.
Eve sighed and shook her head. "Who would've thought that sweet boy would turn into such a monster when he grew up?"
Mike shot her a pointed look. "Can you not say that in front of me? I still remember what you two had in high school."
She scoffed. "It wasn't even a relationship. Come on."
Their bickering faded into the background as I looked around the table. These loud, chaotic, wonderfully flawed people… they were my people. Somehow, against the odds, we'd all found our way back to one another.
And Felix — warm, calm, steady Felix — was right beside me, his thumb gently brushing over my hand under the table.
I smiled.
I didn't need much more than this to be completely happy.