Chapter 27. Fresh Wounds
Finding a ring for Claudine proved to be difficult, I wanted to find something that was just as unique as her. But how do you find a ring that matches a woman's fiery personality. The poor old shop keeper brought me at least three dozen sets of rings. Each one was turned away, not suiting my taste. Price wasn't going to be an issue that was for sure, but knowing Claude she would prefer something simple.
"Sir, I have to close up shop soon." The shopkeeper rubbed his tired eyes.
"Sorry Monsieur, I just want to find the perfect ring for my significant other." I eyed him, a twinge of annoyance was seeping through my voice.
"Ah, you French men always spend too much time looking for beauty. I have one more thing for you. But after this I need to close the shop!" His portly figure retreated to the back of his store. I listened to the rustling in the back. There was a crash or two followed by a few swears, but ultimately he came back in one piece.
"Here you go. This style has been out of date for the last decade. The ring was returned to me by the bride after she found out her groom slept with her sister." He slid the small box towards me.
I took it and opened it slowly, inside the box was a small sliver ring with a square piece of white opal. If you held up to the light a certain way it would catch many colors. Colors like reds, blues, greens and oranges. It screamed Claudine.
"How much?" I looked up and held the box tightly in my palm.
"Let's do about 500 Euro." The shopkeeper rubbed his chin.
"I'll take it." I reached for my bag and counted out the necessary amount.
"Thank you for your business. Now get out of my shop." He pushed me out of the door and slammed it shut behind me.
Usually I would have snapped his non-existent neck, but the amount happiness that I felt was enough to counter my rage. I hadn't been this happy since forever. Claudine and I were going to be married and we could raise Roselynn and give her the life that she deserved. I'd finally have a family.
Claudine's P.O.V
The day dragged on like most of our days did. The cool crisp air of spring was enough to make anyone want to walk off onto the moor. Living here in Ireland made me happy, I imagined myself growing old and dying here. As morbid and depressing as that may sound, it was true. I fell in love with the country and the town. Clara often told me that Clarina was a magical town that would cast her spell and trapped its inhabitants. I couldn't wait to tell Roselynn the stories of the moor when she got older. With my luck she'd rather compose music than listen to stories. I had a feeling she would inherit her father's gift of composition. I sat in the vacant living room that was adjacent to the bakery's sitting area. I had been so engrossed in my own thoughts that I didn't notice the door to the bakery open. I nearly yelped after a pair of rough hands covered my eyes.
"Guess who?" I smiled and lowered the hands from my eyes.
"Sammy! How many times have I told you not to do that?" I feigned fury, he smiled his usual half-crooked smile.
"I couldn't resist; you were so deep in thought." He sat down next to me.
"Well next time try to refrain from scaring me to death." I playfully smacked his arm.
"OW!" Sammy held his arm.
"Oh you big baby! That didn't hurt you at all!" I laughed.
"I'm like a delicate daisy! I need to be treated with the utmost care. A woman's touch should be delicate and light, you brute!"
"Oh I'm the brute? Might I recall the day you tripped me as I was walking home with eggs for Clara?" Sammy snorted, I couldn't help but crack a smile.
"How could I forget, you had yolk all over you and the look on your face was priceless!" He held his sides as he laughed.
"Remember the spectacle I made, I yelled at you till the red drained from my face." I was now belly laughing along with him.
"I retain my innocence! It was an accident." He smiled and got a distant look in his eye. After our laughter died down he turned and faced me.
"That was the day we truly met, I'd seen you around the town but I hadn't the courage to speak to you. I knew after that day, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you." I swallowed a hard lump in my throat. For a minute I thought I tasted the bitterness of my own guilt.
"Sammy I- "Sammy interrupted me, in an instant his lips were on mine. I tried to push him off but he had a strong grip on my shoulders. So I did the one thing I could think of doing… I bit his lip… hard.
"Ow Claude! What the hell!" Sammy stood and wiped away some blood from his lip.
"Who do you think you are! Just kissing me out of the blue like that!" I stood to match him.
"I thought I was well within my right to kiss my future bride!" I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"I never agreed to your proposal." For a moment I regretted the words that left my mouth, but that regret was soon replaces with anger.
"Why not? What's stopping our love?" Before I could respond I felt a familiar chill in the air. I looked behind me and low and behold there was Erik. He always had a habit of barging in at the wrong moments.
"I believe that would be me. You see sir, Claudine has already promised her heart and hand to me. So I would appreciate it if you left my bride alone." Sammy tuned towards me, I didn't see sadness of understanding in his eyes. I saw rage.
"You harlot! What you were just going to string me along for as long as you could before you told me? I poured my heart out to you! I was prepared to raise your bastard child!" In the moment something in me snapped. He could verbally abuse me all he wanted, but once he called Roselynn and bastard child I drew the line. Without thinking I flew at him and punched him square in the jaw. I was so angry I couldn't see anything but him. I thought I heard the door open and 'Oh my' but I didn't care enough to look up. Two sets of strong arms lifted me from Sammy, yet my fury didn't die.
"How dare you bring my child into this! You have no business! Just because your love is one-sided doesn't give you the right to call my daughter a bastard! How could you?" I struggled against the strong arms that were holding me back. I could see Clara ushering Sammy out of the bakery.
"I think its best you leave. Don't come around here again. You're not welcome here." She shoved him out, but before she could close the door Sammy stuck his foot in.
"Mark my words Claudine, you'll rue the day you rejected me. You'll see once I take everything that's precious from you." He spit into the bakery and then left. The slamming of the door left an echo and shook the entire building. Moments later I could hear Roselynn wailing.
"I'll get her; Erik make sure she calms down." Clara rushed up the stairs as Erik walked me over to a vacant table. I was still seething but I was beginning to calm.
"It's going to be okay Claudine." Erik held me against his chest. And for the first time I realized I had been crying.
It's going to be okay. Those words soothed me in the moment but had I known what was to come next I would have never let my guard down.
Alright guys! Only three more chapters to go before the exciting conclusion! I can't wait for you guys to read it! It's going to be a three part chapter, now these will take longer to write because I want it to be good. You guys deserve only the best. So for those of you who want to submit fanart I have my email on my profile, once I figure out how to upload it to my bio I will put it there as well. Please don't forget to review! After this story concludes I will probably write a series of chapters that will be about Claudine and Erik trying to cope with raising Roselynn. At the end of this story I will have a sneak peek of the next story! So please sit tight! Love you guys!
-Kara
