Erik's voice woke me gently. When I opened my eyes he smiled at me sweetly. Erik kissed my forehead.
"Good morning." He whispered. I sat up and stretched as much as I could.
"Good morning, Erik. What time is it?" I asked.
"About eight in the morning. The carriage is on its way I have our things packed and awaiting to board." Erik told me with a wink.
"Now all we need is for you to get dressed and eat and we will be able to go on our way." He told me. I nodded and got up. He kissed my forehead and placed a hand on my stomach. I touched his hand. He gave me a smile and I kissed his lips. He replied lovingly. He pulled away, tucking my 'bangs' back out of my eyes.
"I love how long your hair is now, but you really need to trim your bangs, your eyes are absolutely stunning. They need to be seen." He told me. I smiled.
"I'll trim them now if you really demand it." I told him, standing, He watched me from his kneeling place on the ground. I smiled down at him and grabbed his hand.
"Rise up my husband, no need to be so low." I told him. He laughed gently and stood.
"That's better. Now I'll go trim my bangs and get ready." I told him. He nodded and left the room. I picked my travelling dress. After I got clean and dressed I got out my scissors and started clipping my bangs away from my eyes. Erik came in; he looked fine in his suite. My husband had finally invested in some business dress that didn't make him look like he was attending a funeral. I turned and faced him.
"Hello again, love. Are my bangs to your liking now?" I asked. He smiled, touching my face and giving me a quick kiss.
"I suppose so, Cherie. As long as your eyes are free to be seen." He told me. I smiled at him; he took me out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. He set me down at the table for breakfast.
Erik was just finishing up the dishes when the carriage whistle went off. I stood up and grabbed my travelling bag from the back of my chair and I faced Erik; who was putting on his jacket. With exchange glances; Erik's a bit weary, mine more encouraging, we headed out to the carriage. I think Erik would've preferred to go on the carriage ride because it would lengthen the trip. He wanted to take as much time as possible. But he knew the train ride would be more comfortable for me. My back was already aching and I was getting sick throughout the day. He thought that perhaps a smoother train ride would be better for me.
Erik practically lifted me into the carriage, I had the urge to slap him; I wasn't helpless. But I avoided striking him. He was just being concerned for our child's welfare. He just didn't know how to go about it. I would have him meet up with Edward later. I'd get my former landlord to give Erik a crash course on ornery pregnant women. I smiled and giggled a little. Erik gave me a strange look as he got into the carriage on his side.
"What are you laughing at my dear?" He asked.
"I'm going to get you to sit down and have a nice long chat with Edward about how to take care of a pregnant woman. Edward has knowledge from two pregnancies. He was around for most of them. But then his business took off and he was absent for the rest of them. Funny how he was around for her to get pregnant." I muttered the last part. Erik still heard it and laughed.
"Am I doing something wrong?" He asked. I shook my head.
"Not exactly, you're just… not over protective. I don't know how to explain it." I told him.
'Just too worried. I can get in a carriage. When I'm nine months pregnant and fat as a cow you can help me get in a carriage but not now." I told him. He smiled, shaking his head.
"Alright, Constance." He told me. The carriage lurched forward and I gave a slightly pained huff. I was achy and the sudden movement didn't help me any. Erik sent a glare to the driver through the window opposing us.
Erik was putting up mental walls of protection. His eyes were hard and his stature was rigid. Reminding me of the Phantom of the Opera. I rubbed his shoulder soothingly and he became my husband again. He looked at me.
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" I asked him; we weren't even at the train station and he was already seemed to be getting ready for a fight
"We've already purchased the tickets and I have reservations for a room in a bed and breakfast in Boucherville. It would be a waste of money to not do this. So yes." He told me. I frowned.
'Erik you would be a fantastic father whether you go back to your home town or not. We don't have to." I replied.
"I just have to; I've been meaning to do this, but I've never had the confidence. Now I have you I feel safer. Do you know how many times I've stood outside the front gate in the middle of the night just staring at that house?" Erik asked.
"So you've gone?" I asked.
"Yes, but I was never able to go in." He told me. My frown deepened and I gave another huff. I then pursed my lips and nodded.
"Okay. Alright Erik, if you absolutely must. I'll be here for you, no matter what." I told him. He kissed the side of my head. We sat in silence until we were in Paris.
"Since we're early we can get the private booth of our choice." Erik told me as we came to a stop outside the train station.
'That's nice." I told him absently. I'd get to see his hometown, the place where my husband was born. He gave me a concerned look.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"I'm just tired; I can sleep on the way there." I told him He nodded and stepped out. My carriage was opened by the cab driver.
"Madame." He said, giving me his hand. I smiled and allowed him to help me down, it was his job; Erik had our suitcases.
"Give me my bag; you look ridiculous." I told him, giving Erik a stern look. I had to be stern with my husband when he was like this. He gave me my bag and we went on to the station.
After we had our tickets checked we went onto the basically abandoned train and took an ideal booth. I gave a small huff and took out my sketch pad and drawing utensils and started to draw. It was nine thirty so the train would be leaving in fifteen minutes. Other passengers were boarding.
"You are going to let other people sit in the booth with us, right? We're two people in a booth for four." I told him.
"Maybe. I'm fine in a big room of people but something this confined may not end too well. My people skills are really not that good." He told me.
"People are going to ask. What do we say when they do?" I asked.
"I don't know." He said stressfully. As if on cue there was a knock at the door I looked up. Then stood and opened the door. A single man stood there.
"Hello. Is there room in your booth for one more?" He asked. I looked to Erik who looked quite uncomfortable. He would never learn if he never tried to experience. I nodded.
"Yes come sit down." I said, opening the door the rest of the way. I stepped out of the way and allowed him to enter. The man met eyes with Erik giving the mask a bit if a strange look. He offered his hand warmly.
"Good morning, sir. Where might you two be heading?" He asked
"Boucherville. We're visiting his family." I told him, sitting down beside Erik and took his hand.
"I'm heading to Rouen. We'll be getting off at the same stop. I've been to Boucherville. Very charming town, small town. Everyone knows everybody." He told me. Erik shifted uncomfortably. I touched his shoulder gently.
"What were you doing, visiting Boucherville; there's hardly a business there." Erik asked.
"Went there on a honeymoon with my wife. She wanted to stay in a small town. We stayed I the nicest little house. It was a cottage with a charming little garden and ivy grew all over the walls. The woman who ran it is elder, very sweet. Hmm, if you don't stay with family. You could probably stay with her. What's her name... Madeline... Destler? Yeah that's right. The place is a little outdated; but its very quaint." He told us. Erik stood up and left abruptly. I watched him leave in shock. His mother was still alive.
"So when did you go?" I asked him, our fellow passenger looked back at me.
"About half a year ago. Did I say something wrong?" He asked.
"You stayed with my mother in law. Erik and his mother weren't exactly on good terms when he left. If you'll excuse me." I told him. He nodded and I left the booth. I stopped a conductor.
"Pardon me; have you seen a man he may have just went by you. He was wearing a mask. Did you see him pass by?" I asked. The conductor nodded.
"Yes ma'am, he looked rather upset about something. He went towards the caboose." He told me.
"Thank you." I told him and went on my way. I couldn't believe Erik's mother was still alive. He was older than me by at least ten years. I entered the caboose and looked for Erik. I saw him outside on the guarded ledge outside. He looked like he was about to be sick. I joined him. He gave painful gasps of breathe.
"I may have miscalculated my age. My mother is still alive. I-I can't believe it." He said, he knew it was me.
"It was about half a year ago." I told him. He looked at me. His eyes were red. I touched his face.
"Now I'm rethinking it. It's too late though. Constance what do I do?" He said.
"Maybe you should go see her; make peace with her." I told him. Erik gasped for breathe.
"Do you think I could do that?" He asked. I frowned at him.
"I believe you can do anything. Now get yourself back together and we will go back to the booth." I told him. He nodded taking in a deep breath. He stood up straight and smoothed out his hair in a poor attempt to tame it. I kissed his cheek. He took my hand and led me back to our booth. When we entered our booth our traveling companion was reading a book. He looked up at us with a warm smile.
"I apologize about that. I didn't know about your family history." The way he worded that worried me.
"It's fine." Erik replied, having a seat I sat down beside him and arched my back a little, trying to alleviate my ache.
"How is she anyways? I haven't seen her since I was young." Erik asked.
"She was fine when I was with her. But she always did this strange thing. She would stare out her window, looking for something. My wife said she regretted something she can read people's emotions very well." The man told us. Erik got a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"I hope she's still fine." Erik said. I rubbed his forearm soothingly. All I knew was that we were in for much more than facing Erik's past home. He had to face his mother now.
