After the third night at the house Zoey grew annoyed of the sofa in her parent's room so to Erik's displeasure they moved her into the small room across the hall. Two weeks had passed by and Zoey was doing much better. Taylor had continued to wait on them and make them as comfortable as possible. Erik liked her. She was rebellious towards her mother and a great cook. Taylor was very good with Zoey and this won Christine's trust. They had not seen much of any of the others. They had seen Ethan nearly every night, and the youngest girl Adalyn when she would sneak upstairs with her father. Thomas out of respect for his mother avoided the three. Madeline wanted to see them more, but just couldn't bring herself to do it. There was so much bad blood between her and her son she wasn't sure how to approach them exactly.
Erik walked into Zoey's room where her and Christine sat reading a story in the bed. Zoey looked up and smiled. "Hi Papa!" She greeted him.
Erik smiled down at her pulling a chair next to the bed. "Hello my little one." He pushed her raven black hair behind her ear and asked, "How are you feeling today?"
"I feel much better Papa. I told Grand-Pere Ethan that I think I'm almost all better."
Erik smiled. "I'm glad."
"Papa, is this our new home?" Zoey asked. Then Erik and Christine exchanged looks.
"Why would you think that Zoey?" Christine asked.
The little one shrugged. "I don't know. I just thought it might be." She looked back to her father.
"No Zoey. This isn't Paris. We are still awhile away from our new home." Erik answered.
"But could this be our new home? Instead of Paris?" She asked.
Christine pet Zoey's head. "Don't you want to meet Mama's family though? Aunt Annette and your cousins?"
Zoey looked down at the bed in thought. "I guess I do." Then she looked up at her mother. "But I like it here. I like Aunt Taylor and Grand-Pere Ethan." Christine looked at Erik.
"Zoey, we won't just have Mama's family. Once we arrive Uncle Darius and Nadir will be there. And I'm sure the De Chaney's will want to see you as well. There are so many people waiting for us in Paris love. We can't stay here just because of Taylor and Ethan." Erik explained. Zoey looked back down at the bed a little sad.
"I understand Papa." She replied.
Erik sighed hating seeing his little one sad. "I'll tell you what. Once we arrive and get settled into our new home I will write to them. And we will have a big party with all of our family." Zoey looked at him smiling.
"Promettre?" She asked excited.
Erik chuckled. "Je promets un petit." Zoey laughed. "Tres bon francais."
"Merci Papa! I've been practicing." She said proudly. Even though she smiled there was still a look in her eye that Erik knew well.
"Is there anything else?" He asked.
She nodded. "Papa why do you where your mask here?"
Zoey had never seen anything wrong with her face. It was normal to her. To Zoey it was just her father's face. Christine answered after Erik stayed silent for too long. "Do you remember how in Persia Papa had to where it for work?" Zoey nodded to her mother. "And do you remember why he had to?"
She nodded again. "Because Papa is different, and not everyone in Persia liked that he was different."
"That's right. Well, not everyone here likes it either." Christine replied.
Zoey scrunched her face and looked at her father. "But Papa, you always say that being different is good, and that we should show everyone that we are different."
Erik gave her a half smile. "This isn't the same darling. The people of this world unfortunately will never be pleased with my outer difference. When they see it they are scared."
"But I'm not scared. And neither is Mama."
"Because you and Mama know my heart. You and Mama know that you have nothing to be afraid of from me. It takes time for everyone to learn someone else's heart. It takes time for people to see that our outside doesn't always reflect what is inside." Erik explained to her. "Do you understand?"
She still looked puzzled. "I think so." They sat and let her process for a minute then she nodded her understanding. "I still don't like it though." Erik and Christine laughed at her.
Christine kissed her daughter's head and hugged her tight. "We know you don't darling. Trust me Mama doesn't like it either. But it's a part of life we have to deal with." Zoey nodded then grabbed the book they had been reading.
"Can Papa read some?" She asked Christine.
"If he would like to." Zoey looked at Erik with pleading eyes.
"You're just like your mother." They laughed as he looked at Christine. "She knows what to do so I don't say no." He took the book and began to read to them. Zoey snuggled up in her mother's arms and listened with a smile on her face.
Later that evening Erik stood going through his bag organizing what he had. He heard a light knock on the door. He turned to see his red headed half-sister smiling at him. He gave a smile back. "Good evening Taylor."
She snorted. "You sound so formal." She laughed walking into the room.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a playful way not wanting her to annoy him.
"Yes actually." She replied. He looked at her curious. He had asked this often since their first meeting and she had never once said yes. "Will you three come down for dinner tonight?"
Erik lost his smile and looked away from her. "Taylor, we can't, I can't." He replied.
"But, Erik-"
"No." He said firmly. "I thank you for your kindness to my family and I. But the fact of the matter is I am not a part of this family."
"That's not true."
"Yes, it is. I left because I knew Madeline would never have a future while trying raising me. I left to give her the opportunity to have a life with Ethan. To give her the chance for other children. You, Thomas, Adalyn." He was silent for a moment. "Madeline didn't want me in the end. I've come to accept that. I reminded her of my father and it hurt. I don't belong here Taylor. And I will not pretend that I do."
Taylor looked at him with sad eyes. "I'm sorry you feel this way Erik."
He laughed softly. "It's not your fault."
"I just don't want you to think that I don't want you a part of this family. Because I do. And so does Ethan."
"Thank you, Taylor." Then he turned back to his things.
"My offer still stands. You and the girls are more than welcome at our table." She waited a moment for a response, but when he remained silent she left with a disappointed look in her eyes. Christine stood outside the door and Taylor almost ran into her. Taylor apologized then walked down the stairs.
"Erik," Christine called as she walked in. "I'm sure one night would hurt."
"It's not happening Christine. Just drop it."
She sighed and came up behind him wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt him sigh as well and placed his hands on her arms. "I just want you to be happy Erik."
"And I will be. Once we have reached Paris."
Christine chuckled some. "That's too long to wait Erik."
He smiled some. "This place," He paused looked out the window remembering the night he escaped. "It holds so many painful memories." Christine held him tighter. "If I go down there and face her, it is a situation out of my control. It's not predictable. You know how I hate that."
"So, was I predictable then?" She asked playfully and felt him laugh.
"You know what I mean." She said turning around putting his arms around her. "You are the best unpredictable thing I have ever encountered. Our out of control situation is something I wouldn't trade for anything in this world." Christine smiled at him.
"That's good to know." She said standing on her toes and kissing him.
The family of five sat around the dinning eating in awkward silence. Taylor seemed annoyed when she had put the food out and it was very unusual for her to be so quiet. "Taylor," Ethan finally broke the ice. "Is everything alright?"
She looked up and sent a glare at her mother then looked back down. "I'm fine."
"Have I done something?" Madeline asked annoyed.
Taylor looked up at her. "I don't know. Ask Erik."
Madeline's face went blank. Thomas looked to Taylor. "That was uncalled for." He said.
Taylor kept her eyes on Madeline. "There are a lot of things in this house that are uncalled for."
"Taylor," Thomas started but was cut off.
"It's alright Thomas." Madeline said. "If she wishes to get upset for disobeying me that is quite alright."
Taylor laughed. "Because that is the only reason I would be upset." Taylor said.
"Why else?" Madeline replied.
"You haven't told him." Taylor answered angrily.
After a moment of silence Madeline answered. "It's in the past. It doesn't matter now."
"Of course it matters!" Taylor yelled standing to her feet. "He is up there believing that in the end you didn't want him. Choosing to believe that you didn't care for him. Believing that the only reason the three of us are here is because he left. He thinks he doesn't have a family because of you. Because you are too much of a coward to tell him the truth! What are you embarrassed that you actually cared? He deserves to know mother." After a moment of staring Taylor scoffed and stormed out of the room.
