Erika woke up with a start and looked around. Something wasn't right. Her mind groggily tried to sort it out. She looked at the clock sitting on the nightstand, 7:00, it read. She looked over at her sleeping husband.
"Dominic." she reached over and shook him. "Dominic." He groaned and rolled over. She stifled a giggle. She got up and went to the bathroom then came back with a cup of cold water. She stood by her husband. "If this doesn't work nothing will." She threw the water in Dominic's face. He sat straight up and looked around.
"I wake." He said groggily. He looked around then looked at Erika. "Why's you do that?" She laughed at his mispronounced words.
"You wouldn't wake up." She said putting her hands on her hips. "It's past seven." She walked to the closet, her long silk gown rustled around her feet. She swung open the door.
"Erika?"
"What?"
"Can you wear that dress you wore when I first met you?" She turned and saw Dominic already almost dressed. He was fixing the buttons on his shirt.
"If you want me too." She said with a shrug. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I do." He replied before kissing her. He then picked up a vest and pulled it on. "I'll see you downstairs. Ok?" then with a wink. "Don't take too long." He ran from the room as she threw a slipper at him.
"That guy is nothing but trouble." She whispered to herself. Then with one last chuckle she started dressing.
Erika walked into the throne room to see Dominic intently reading something in his hand. He didn't hear her walk up behind him.
"Dominic?" He jumped and spun around almost knocking Erica over. He reached out and helped her catch her balance. "Is something wrong?"
"No. Nothing." He replied hurriedly. She sent him a looked that said yeah right. Dominic took a deep breath and handed a paper to Erika. She read the letter:
Dominic,
We need your help immediately.
Appolonia is being attached and we don't know how much longer we can hold them off.
I'm sending Annaliese and the children to you, hopefully for safe keeping.
Julian
Erika looked at Dominic. Neither said a word. A tear slipped down her cheek. Dominic reached out and wiped it away. He lifted her chin and looked her in the eye.
"Annaliese needs you." He whispered. She nodded her head. He lightly kissed her then ran from the room. She could hear him shouting orders to the soldiers. Erika rang for a maid.
"Come with me." She motioned as the maid entered. They headed upstairs. "We'll need about four rooms cleaned." She said as she headed for one.
"Four, Ma'am?" The maid asked confused. "Are we expecting company?" Erika looked at the maid. And let out a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, Tara." She said rubbing her head. "Annaliese and her children are coming for a visit." Tara nodded her head. "She has six kids. Four girls, two boys, and maybe her mother." Erika explained.
"I see." Tara nodded. "Four rooms it is then." Tara ran to the upstairs supply closet while Erika rang for two more maids. When Tara returned Erika had changed into a rather messed up dress.
"These rooms must be spotless, ok?" Erika instructed. The maids nodded. "We'll each take a room and clean it to perfection."
"We?" Tara asked.
"I'll clean this one." Erika said indicating the room closest to her. "Then you choose one to clean."
"But…" Tara began. Erika looked at her with an amused smile. "Never mind, Ma'am."
"Well, let's begin." They each split ways and began to clean.
An hour later, Dominic walked upstairs to find Erika. He had looked downstairs and hadn't found her so he decided to try upstairs. As he reached the upper landing he heard singing coming from down the hall. He headed toward the singing. As he got closer he realized there were four voices singing. He leaned against the wall and looked at the four closed doors.
"This is priceless." He chuckled. He stood there and just listened. He then headed for the door that he was sure Erika was behind. He pushed it open and saw her making the bed. Her back was to him. He snuck up behind her and grabbed her arms. She gasped and brought her heel down hard on the top of his foot while swinging her arm.
"Oh." He groaned, releasing her. She turned and looked at him with a shocked look on her face.
"Dominic!" she exclaimed. "Are you ok?" Dominic was sitting on the floor where he had fallen. He started laughing.
"Dominic?" She asked concerned. A nice bruise was starting to form on his right cheek.
"I'm alright. Don't worry" He reassured. He got up and dusted himself off.
"I didn't know it was you." She tried to explain.
"I know."
"Why did you do that?" She asked glowering at him.
"I wanted to surprise you." He said sheepishly.
"Well, you did." She smiled. "But I think I won on the 'surprising'" she laughed.
"Agreed." Dominic said as he looked at his sore foot. "That foot will never be the same." He teased
"Very funny."
"You would think after being married to you for six years I would be prepared for anything."
"But…"
"But, you keep proving me wrong." He reached out to her and pulled her into a hug. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too."
"I'll be back as soon as I can." He pushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. "I love you."
"I love you too." They kissed longer than normal. When he released her he saw the tears silently coursing down her cheeks. They headed downstairs and to the barn. Dominic's horse was impatient to get going. He kissed her one last time before mounting up. "Be safe."
"I'll try." He smiled then looked at the captain, who ordered the men to head out. Erika watched as they rode off.
"I hope this can be resolved quickly." She wiped a tear from her eyes and headed back inside.
I hope ya'll enjoyes this chapter. Please review.
