trrmo77: No it won't take too long. And yes, Alexander has grown some and he just loves her to pieces.

skittlessgirl99: Yes...until Erik finds out.

Chapter twenty

Eva's POV

I inhaled as I awoke to see I had my arms against my husband's chest and his hands around my waist. A faint fear welled up in my chest, then I remembered how gentle and tender he'd been with me last night. He asked before removing anything on me and he moved slowly.

He asked permission for touching and entering me. When we became one, fear had entered me, a foolish fear that the violence would begin again. Nothing happened. He waited patiently for me to adjust and didn't do anything until I told him to continue. Then, I entered heaven with him. I actually felt really loved for the first time in my life.

Alexander stretched and his hands curled around my waist. I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep for a few moments.

He sighed and brushed my hair from my face. "I love you." He breathed quietly. "I hope you can grow to love me as much as I love you. And I say so freely…because I know you're awake Eva."

I opened my eyes and looked at him, "how?"

He smirked, "I was already awake."

"And you didn't wake me?"

He shook his head, "why would I do a stupid thing like that? It's our honeymoon, remember?"

I nodded as he leaned forward and kissed my forehead, "do you," I licked my lips nervously. "Would you?"

He studied me, "yes Eva love?"

My face went pink, "make….love to me?"

He smiled and pulled me close, "as long as you want me to."

"Can you," my voice quivered slightly as his lips began to move across my face. "give me something?"

"Anything within my power."

"I want…a baby." Alexander pulled back and studied me. "Your baby."

Alexander kissed my cheek and began to move down to my neck. "I'll…see what I can do."

"I love you." I said as I felt his body against mine. Tears of joy slid down my face. "I do. I really do."

"And I love you." He moved against me and I trembled. He immediately stopped. "Am I moving too fast?"

I shook my head, "Alex. Can I call you Alex?"

He nodded, "I like it when you say it."

"Alex." He leaned forward slightly and kissed my nose. "I'm not scared anymore." Joy filled his eyes. "Make me yours. The way you wanted to last night...when you were begging me."

Alexander kissed me deeply and a moment later he was in me. He was cautious, but as my need grew, the caution was thrown to the wind and the passion grew inside me and burst. I was finally home. Safe, wanted, needed and loved beyond all measure.

Idonea's POV

I yawned and sat up to see I'd slept past ten o' clock. I stood up and moved quickly to get dressed. I was a little groggy, but not overly groggy. I slid on a yellow dress that Erik loved on me and decided to let my hair hang down my back. I grabbed a hat and stuck the huge hatpin to secure it to my head.

Then, I grabbed some money and bought some bread, cheese, grapes and a light wine. I knew Erik was in the office and I decided to surprise him. I came up the stairs to hear Erik bellowing at someone.

"Get out of my office" he roared. "I've no interest in merging with a company that allows their employee's to make propositions like this! Get out!"

I opened the door to see a woman perched on Erik's desk and her skirt drawn up. Erik looked at me, horror in his eyes, but I'd heard enough to know better. I started laughing as Erik walked towards me. "Idonea, I swear."

I handed him the food, "take a break darling." I kissed his cheek before shooting a glare at the lady whom walked by. "You need one after looking at such a monstrosity for however long that's been in the room."

He stared at me, "you're not upset?"

"Erik," I shook my head. "I heard your outrage on my way up the stairs. Besides, I've married to you for over twenty-years remember? You're not like other men and I know you like a book."

"really?" he asked with an arched brow. "what's my favorite color?"

"white. Especially on me."

"favorite book."

I laughed, "you hate to read and when you do it depends on your mood. But if you must, you favor poetry."

"favorite mask?"

"the invisible one." I said. "the one you wear at home. I know you hate your masks Erik. But, I know it's white one, because that's all you wear. Now," I smiled. "on nights, when you're trying to impress me, Ohhhh," I snuggled close. "that black one."

"All right." He said setting the food on his desk and lifting me up on it. He studied me. "I guess you do."

"I should hope so." I removed his tie and mask and set them on the desk beside me. he leaned forward, I smiled. "hello handsome."

"you're such a liar."

"I'm not lying Erik."

"such pretty little lies that I won't hear much longer."

"Erik," tears began to fill my eyes. "please. No more." I pulled him against me and buried my face into his coat inhaling the brandy vanilla scent. "you used to be so strong. I'm finding my strength from you, when you weaken, I weaken."

"you are my strength. I'm loosing it."

I gripped him tighter, "hold on as long as you can before finally letting go. Believe me Erik, miracles happen all the time. You and I will have as much time as we need together. Don't let go of the rope right away."

Lucy's POV

I spun in the dress and adjusted the veil. "yes. It's perfect."

Mother smiled, "yes. You look so beautiful." Tears filled her eyes. "oh, I can just see the look on your father's face when he sees you."

"or Joe's face." I moved towards her. "mother, will you wear your wedding dress?"

she made a face, "no."

"mother."

"honey, I'm old."

"you're beautiful. It'll really make father smile."

She sighed, "honey."

"please? As a wedding gift to me?"

she groaned, "all right. But I warned you."

I hugged her, "thank you mother."

"thank you." She said. "so, when's the wedding?"

"six days."

"honey!" she said. "can you do this?"

she nodded, "yes! Mrs. Fleck is looking for the caterers. The cake is already selected from the bakery and I've let the baker know when I want it. A simple wedding out in the garden and only family. That's all I want."

She hugged me, "All right baby girl. If that's what makes you happy. Lucy," the serious look in her eyes made me uneasy. "When I die, promise me, that you'll look after your father. He'll be so heartbroken."

"Mother." Tears filled my eyes.

"Now, now," She said. "death must come to pass for everyone, even you. Don't be sad, I had a good life." She stood up. "Now let's see some magic and my girl leave the nest."

"How can you be so happy?"

"Because...my work here is done for me."

"What was that work mother?"

She gripped my shoulder's, "To give Erik all the love he'd been denied since he was born. The help him heal from his emotion wounds and to make him complete. Erik, was such a cold cruel man when we first met. But love made him the man he is today. I don't know where he and Gustave would be without me...or you and Alexander for that matter. But I do know, I'd never have married anybody else."

"No one else mother?"

"No one. Erik was the antidote that my heart needed."

"And now?"

She sighed, "I'll never be gone from here, even if you can't see me. My body dies, but do you think the memories of all the wonderful times we'd spent be taken away. No! And then, we'll all meet again when God wills it, and we'll never be parted again. Think of that Lucy. That's why I can be happy." She wiped her eyes. "Now, you do your job just as good as I did for Erik."

I nodded, "I will."

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