A/N: Part of the TWoP 7th Heaven Lyric Wheel. This is my first fan fic ever, so please be constructive in your critisisms. Lots of thanks to Halcyon, who sent me the lyrics, helped me with some of the French things, did some pep-talking, and beta-read the story. *Now with translation of the French bits.* Scroll down, they come after the lyrics.
Title: Rester Femme
Author: Tijmetje
Rating: G
Category: Drama, POV
Warning: vaguely spoilerish for season 7
Distribution: ff.n
Summary: Annie thinks of Eric.
Disclaimer: I don't own the song, I don't know (or care) who does. I don't own the characters, Brenda Hampton owns them or something.

***

Eric is a good man. He is a man of God. He is my husband. Mine. He promised to love me forever, to be faithful.

If only he were a little stronger.

He counsels people. He is very good at it. He has helped many of the children's friends and their families. He helped his own family.

Sometimes he helps single women. It's so hard for them, all alone, without a husband. Not all men are as good as Eric. Some leave their wives and families. Some are quitters. I'm so happy I have Eric.

The single women can be a bit misguided, though. Sometimes they start flirting with Eric. Usually he doesn't notice, but I do. It's not his fault. He trusts people too easily. By now, he should know that the one thing women want is a good, honourable husband. Like my Eric. That's why they try to steal him from me. But Eric is a good husband. A bit naïve, but still. He is a good husband.

Correction.

He was a good husband.

He pretends it's just another troubled young lady. But I know better. The way he talks about her, the way his last sermon touched upon her problems, the way he keeps insisting she is no different from the others He thinks I don't notice. Fool. I notice everything.

"Mom? Can you help me with my homework?"
Simon.
I keep forgetting he's still a school boy. He has become quite the handsome young man. He'd better treat that nice girlfriend of his properly, like a good Christian boy ought to.
"Sure, honey. What do you want me to help you with?"
"Can you quiz me on these French verbs?"
"Ok. I will do."
"Je ferai."
Je ferai tout pour t'encourager. When you lost your goal, I helped you go back to the church.

"I have done."
"J'ai fait."
Tu as fait une chose horrible. Tu m'as trahi.

"I would do"
"Je ferais."
Je ferias semblant de croire tes mensognes. All the lies. I can pretend to believe them. For a while. Just so you have time to see your errors and return to me. Where you belong.
"Are you ok, mom?"
"Yes, I'm just remembering my French lessons. I do"
You said that. When they asked you if you wanted to marry me.
"Je fais"
Je fais rien.

***

Axelle Red

Rester Femme

Laisse-moi rester femme
Laisse-moi rester femme
Je ferai tout pour t'encourager
Ne pas t'étouffer
Pour que tu m'aimes
Je donnerai tout le temps qu'il faudra

Je porterai plus que mes bas noirs
Je ne te demanderai plus de m'appeler
Quand tu rentres tard

Et même si je voulais savoir
Où tu es et qui tu vois, qui te sépare de moi
Je ferai semblant de croire tes mensonges
Et j'aime autant fuir les gens que ça dérange
Mais laisse-moi rester femme
Ne fût-ce qu'en larmes

J'abandonnerai mes séries à savon
Je ne te comparerai plus aux héros de mes pulp fictions
Oh non
Mes discours de sécurité
Appartiennent au passé

Et même si je voulais savoir
Où tu es et qui tu vois, qui te sépare de moi
Je ferais semblant de croire tes mensonges
Et j'aime autant fuir les gens que ça dérange
Mais laisse-moi rester femme
Laisse-moi rester femme
sans arme

Laisse-moi rester femme
Laisse-moi rester femme
Je ferai tout pour t'encourager
Ne pas t'étouffer
Pour que tu m'aimes
Pour que tu m'aimes
Pour que tu m'aimes

***

Translation of the French bits

Je ferai - I will do
Je ferai tout pour t'encourager - I will do everything to encourage you
J'ai fait - I did
Tu as fait une chose horrible - You did a horrible thing
Tu m'as trahi - you have betrayed me
Je ferais - I would do
Je ferias semblant de croire tes mensognes - I would pretend to believe your lies
Je fais - I do
Je fais rien - I do nothing