The Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Author's Note: So…I wish to bring this up now because this chapter will address this a little. I always try to do my best research when it comes to anything medical. Granted this is a period piece so sometimes this can be harder to try to judge how they would have handled these situations. I always strive to do my best…will it always be one hundred percent accurate? Probably not. But its never usually beyond the point of reason. Or at least I don't think it is lol…anyways thank you to those who continue to read and I hope you enjoy Chapter 37!

Chapter 37

(Erik – 3 weeks later)

I woke up noticing that the other side of the bed was empty. Jasmine wasn't there in bed. I jolted up worried my eyes quickly scanning the entire room. And then…I heard her in the next room with Alex. I rubbed my temples shaking it off…I was being far too paranoid and I knew it.

But it still bothered me how many times this man had gotten close to her without my knowledge. I was often frustrated with the fact I couldn't follow her like I wanted as we tried to get things moving on getting out of the city. So at the very least one of the men always made sure they were in close proximity of her, but even that was difficult. Jasmine didn't like being shadowed at every step and she fought it like crazy.

I got up heading to the next room where she was smiling and talking softly to Alex who was beaming up at her. I went over gently greeting Alex by kissing him on the head which he gave an amused giggle over. I gently kissed Jasmine on the cheek. "Did you forget to wake me up before you got him?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "You must have been tired because I tried to several times but you didn't stir. All those late night meetings with William and Nadir must be finally getting to you." She didn't say that nearly as snidely as it sounded but I got what she was trying to say. I was having her shadowed at every step but I wasn't letting her in either.

"Jasmine," I began to say but she shook her head.

"I don't want to talk about this right now Erik," she said irritably. "Alex wants to be walked around so can I do that in peace please?" And while her eyes didn't meet mine directly I felt all the frustration and irritability reflected in that glare. I suddenly understood what people felt like when looking down that expression with me.

(Jasmine)

I had hoped that once we got married things would change. This keeping things from each other would subside. And now instead of two men keeping secrets, there were three. I gently rocked Alex as he cooed in my arms, "At least you're still on my side," I said quietly.

And it's not that I didn't understand why Erik wanted me followed. It disturbed me also how easy it was for Paul to get in and out of this house. And the incident the night of our wedding had shaken me to the core. But I just…I sighed in frustration…I didn't know how to feel about it, to be honest.

And so I walked him until I could feel him start to calm. I hadn't meant to be so mean to Erik…but it hurt me that he still wouldn't confide their plans to me. He still wouldn't let me in. "Jasmine," Ev said as I made my way downstairs, "Rebecca was calling for you earlier. I can take Alex if you want."

I nodded my head, "Thank you. Where is she?"

"Outside the front door," she said simply.

"If you see Erik," I said snidely, "tell him where I am. I don't need the house going on alert because of something simple like this." And slowly I made my way to the front door and I could hear Rebecca laughing a little ways off. Actually, I wasn't sure if I liked her playing out here, but she was too young to understand completely what was going on.

"Jasmine!" she said excitedly, "Sister I'm glad you came outside!"

"And why is that?" I asked smiling.

"Because you seemed upset staying inside all day," she said simply.

"Yes well Erik thinks it's safer if we stay inside," I said diplomatically. More like it was easier to keep tabs on me that way.

"Safe from Paul?" Rebecca asked nervously. "But he's gotten inside so many times. Is it really?" Leave it to a five-year-old to find the kinks in Erik's logic.

"Yes it is true," I said softly. "But as long as we all stay together we will be okay."

She was quiet for a moment and we both decided to take a seat on the steps leading up to the house. She was being far too contemplative and I wondered what was on her mind. "Jasmine," she finally said softly, "are you and Erik not going to be together anymore?"

I jolted at that, "Why would you say that?"

"You two are fighting so much since you got married," she said softly. "You both don't smile as much and Erik hasn't played his music in a while either." I found my heart aching as she said these things. Had it really been that way since that night? Had we become so wrapped up in everything that we had become unhappy in the process?

"I am sorry if you have felt that way," I said quietly. "Erik and I still love each other very much but we have been so afraid about what happened the night of our wedding that….I think we have forgotten everything else."

"Well don't," she said sternly. "Remember when I'm scared you always told me that I could run to you. No matter what happened. You should tell that to Erik." I smiled at her enthusiasm and innocence. I laughed, "I might just have to tell him that."

I turned at the sound of footsteps and I relaxed as I recognized them as the Doctor's. The Doctor who had helped William the night of Alex's birth had become a frequent visitor here now to check on his progress. He was a kind older man from the sound of his voice. He had been accepting of our situation and I had never felt uncomfortable with him. "Good morning Madame Dinea," he said with a gentle tone.

"Good morning Doctor Martin," I said cordially.

"How is the boy today?" he said simply.

"Up and walking around. Hoping that he won't have to be seeing you as often," I said teasingly.

He sighed, "I would hope so Madame. I would hope so." And then he made his way inside to go check on William. I had been so happy to see William on his feet as of late and completely recovered it seemed like from that horrible spell around the time of Alex's birth. The Doctor basically said that would just be the way it is. He would have good periods and down periods. It was a fact of life for him now.

I turned my attention back to Rebecca, "Are you okay now?"

"Yes," she said a little less enthusiastically, "but please promise me that you will talk to Erik."

I smiled hoping it would comfort her a little, "I promise darling. You be careful playing out here alright? If anything happens promise me you will come right inside.'

"I promise," she said. And then I heard her little feet go running off. "And stay close to the house!" I called after her. She gave some faint auditory confirmation of that. And I made my way back inside and just about jumped out of my skin as I realized Erik was standing right next to the door.

(Erik)

She jumped a little when she realized I was standing there and she sighed. "I'm assuming you heard most of that?" she said trying to sound irritated but I knew she really wasn't.

"Yes," I said softly. "So we don't smile anymore huh?"

She smiled gently trying to appease that right now. "Yes and we argue a lot too."

I chuckled, "Sounds like a married couple to me." And she knew I was just trying to make light of it but we both also knew that it was true. Things had been so strained because of that stupid man.

"And technically I should be mad at you right now," she said laughing, "you were still following me." And I rolled my eyes standing right in front of her.

"I know it drives you crazy," I said softly, "but I just can't stand the thought of him getting that close to you again."

She nodded her head, "I know Erik. Believe me…I don't want that happening again either."

"Although," I said teasingly, "I do like this idea us running to each other when we are scared. I can think of several things we can do to comfort each other," I said leaning forward so that we were close.

"You do?" she said her eyes playful.

"Oh yes I do," I muttered leaning forward and kissing her gently. She smiled shaking her head, "Ah us and our stupid arguments."

I smiled back, "As long as their stupid I know we'll be alright." And I gently leaned forward kissing her again. But in the back of my head, I reminded myself that even the argument was stupid the reality was still the same. But I was quickly distracted by her hand on my neck as we slowly continued to hold each other. I smiled slowly maneuvering us away from the main room in the house and to a small salon in the living area. I closed the door, locking the door behind me, and looking forward to some alone time at last.

(Jasmine – a couple hours later)

We both woke up to the sound of our son wailing upstairs. I groaned realizing how tangled up me and Erik were on this little couch in the lounge. He laughed as he came to the same conclusion I did. Oh if Aunt Ev caught us this way she would have a fit. This is behavior more for young people than good upstanding parents and adults.

"I can get him," Erik muttered softly kissing me on the top of my head. "It's simpler for me to get ready."

I laughed, "You have to unwrap yourself first."

He kissed me before gently getting up, "I will go get Alex and I think its about time for lunch. I don't know about you but I am starving."

"I'm sure you are," I muttered playfully getting up as well. I listened smiling as I heard his footsteps slowly disappear upstairs. Well, that was one way to end an argument. I quickly put myself back together and eventually made my way back out. I heard Ev making her way down the stairs.

"Have you seen Rebecca?" I asked her wondering if she was still outside.

"Yes she came in for a little while, but I believe she went back outside again," Ev said. "I think she's enjoying what may be her last days at this house."

I stopped as she said that. Before fleeing here more than a year ago our communications with her had been few and far between. It had caused our relationship to be strained. To be back here though with her and reconciling that relationship…had been good for everyone. She would never go with us she said. That her place was here at this house. I did worry about her being here alone now without…without Elizabeth. And I always felt that was in part our fault. Although knowing Paul…it tragically probably would have happened no matter what. "Ev," I said almost regretfully.

"No, I understand why you need to leave. I bear some responsibility for all of this as well. I knew that you left Paul because of unsavory reasons. But I allowed him to come back into this family…and I paid the price of that." I could feel the sadness in her voice. "And I don't want any of you to pay as well. So I am not upset by you leaving…just sad that it is all." She paused before saying, "Go ahead and get Rebecca. I will make sure that lunch is ready."

I made way outside and was barely down the stairs before Rebecca came rushing into my arms. "What is it?" I asked figuring she had been spooked by something.

"Jasmine," she said her voice soft, "there is a lot of people down the road. They look angry."

I didn't understand what she was talking about and then I heard it the sound of foosteps…a lot of them making their way down the road directly in front of the house. "Rebecca get inside," I said tersely. There were shouts now coming from this crowd. And then suddenly they increased and my blood froze as I heard the likes of, "There she is! The devil's whore! Kill the devil's work!"

And still, Rebecca was clinging to my side. "Rebecca—" I started to stay but then a shot ran out and Rebecca screamed. "Run!" I said pushing her forward as several more shots rang out. We stumbled as we got to the stairs and I could her the whizzing of the bullets going past. With some effort, we pushed open the door as the windows shattered and I pulled Rebecca into myself shielding her. Finally, the bullets calmed and they didn't even try to break down the door. They just ….stayed out there. In fact, they almost sounded like they were retreating a little bit thankfully. Rebecca was shaking as was I but she carefully got up off the floor where we had taken cover. She gave a small cry of terror, "Jasmine!"

I had tried to get up with her but side suddenly exploded in pain. I realized I had my hand covering my side and as I pulled it away the smell of blood raided my senses. No, I had been…I had been…but I couldn't think straight. My senses started to go in and out. My heart racing and my body shaking…I was going into shock. I could hear Rebecca scream for something at the top of her lungs but I could understand what she said. I was falling to the floor my body going rigid and numb.

And then there was a new voice but I couldn't identify it. I was fading…falling apart…and then.

"Stay with me," I heard him say directly in my ear all my senses jolting awake at that. The pain in my side unbearable. "Erik," I stuttered out.

(Erik)

"Don't talk," I said my voice shaking, "Just lay still." I turned from her and nearly screamed, "Is the doctor still here?"

"He's coming down!" Nadir called from the top of the stairs. I meantime was beginning to lose it. Her eyes rolled back and I grabbed the sides of her head, "No Jasmine stay with me. I know its hard," I said sternly, "but you have to stay awake." Where had these people come from and who the hell were they that they open fired on a woman and child? One thing was for sure they had got my attention and now they would have to deal with my wrath.

"Erik give the doctor room," Nadir said as the doctor rushed over.

"We have to get the bullet out," he said calmly. "This is going to hurt but the sooner we get it out the better. You will need to hold her sir," he said to me and I unwillingly put my hands on her shoulders while Nadir went to hold her legs. She tensed up immediately but I leaned over whispering, "They have to take the bullet out darling. It's going to hurt but I am going to be right here." She grabbed my wrist gripping it like a vice before finally, the doctor started.

Immediately she screamed in pain her whole body thrashing but Nadir and I held our grips even though it hurt me to do so. It seemed like it took him an eternity but finally, he pulled the bullet out from her side and immediately applied pressure to the wound. He examined the bullet and gently pulled off a bit of clot on the one side. Part of her dress. He checked the cloth to her dress and sighed with relief to see it was an exact fit to the hole on her dress. He then went about cleaning and taking care of the wound. I turned to Jasmine who had passed out from the pain.

"We need to get her to a bed," the doctor said once he wrapped her wound. Very carefully we got her upstairs and in our bed. She hadn't moved once since then…only her breathing gave me any indication that she was still alive. "Now what?" Nadir asked for me.

"All we can do is wait," the doctor said solemnly. "I have no idea what damage the bullet did. I can fix the wound a little bit further but from there…all we can do is wait."

"After that stay here," Nadir said to the doctor, " it's not safe going out there with that mob."

"Thank you," he said simply, "I need to stay anyway in case anything else should happen with her or the boy." Speaking of William he came running in out of breath and tired. "Jasmine?" he said breathlessly.

"She's alive for now," the doctor said simply. "But she's not out of the woods yet."

"How is Rebecca?" Nadir asked once again for me. I seemed incapable of speech right now. My eyes still not leaving my wife.

"Physically she's fine," William said relieved, "she's really shaken up though."

I nodded my head my whole body shaking so badly now though. Jasmine was incredibly pale her breaths shallow but she was still breathing. Her dress was torn and drenched in blood…her blood. I got up and headed out the door not really thinking about what I was about to do. "Erik!" Nadir called after me. But I still kept going. "Erik wait!" But my blood was boiling and all I saw was red. That dark chasm that had, for the most part, disappeared for over a year was starting to crack open again. I was going to tear apart that entire mob if I had to.

But before I got to the door a little form got in my way. I stared at the little child with her sister's blood on her dress. "Please don't do it, Erik! You'll get hurt too."

"Move aside Rebecca," I said through gritted teeth.

"Erik doesn't," Nadir said behind me. "Now is not the time you're too upset."

"No now is a perfect time," I said my voice growling, "Before I lose my nerve and start to even comprehend what I am about to do." My voice was shaking, "It's me they want. They didn't need to…" I said my voice cracking now.

"Erik please," William said now from the stairs, "she needs you right now. What use is it going to be if she wakes up and you're dead?"

Rebecca came forward grabbing my hands, "They called her horrible names and they hurt her. I don't want them to do that to you. I know you are strong but there are too many. Please Erik!" she said forcefully. And I stared remembering how this was the girl who wouldn't speak. And now she was telling me what to do.

I leaned down in front of her seeing that tears had begun to form in her eyes. "I don't want anything to happen to you," she said her voice trembling, "so please Erik. Please don't go." And I reached forward holding her in my arms my own voice going now.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, "I'm sorry I scared you. I promise I won't go out there unless I have to."

"Thank you," she said quietly. William made his way forward and gently took her.

"Come on little sister lets get you changed out of those clothes," And as he turned with her he gave me a grateful look. I was really truly fighting my nature right now. But they were right I couldn't go parading out there now because I would be giving them what they wanted and I was pretty sure this was exactly what Paul wanted as well.

So after I had gained my strength I finally made my way upstairs and back to our room. The doctor was still keeping a close eye on Jasmine and he gave me a comforting smile as I came in. "She is quite a fighter," he said simply.

I smiled, "That she most certainly is." I gently sat down on the edge of the bed taking her hand in mine.

"You know when I first came to treat this family," the doctor said softly, "I am ashamed to say I probably would have been with that mob out there." I looked at him surprised that he was having this conversation. "I want you to know," he said confidently, "that you have my full support. I have seen many different types of families in this city and not always for the better. I don't care your physical impairment…it has not impaired your soul or your love for your family. So I will help you even if the whole city should abandon you."

"Thank you," I said softly not believing he had said this. "Thank you."

"Yes," I suddenly heard Jasmine say next to me, "thank you."

"Jasmine," I said leaning down next to her but it must have been a moment of strength because she had closed her eyes again.

"That is a good sign but still not safe," the doctor said sighing. "I'm afraid with her history of fever that she could get one with this injury. And if she gets a fever it will impair her healing, and I'm afraid her body won't be strong enough to fight it off. So we need to keep a close eye on her."

I nodded, "I plan to. And we have no idea what the bullet could have injured inside of her?"

He shook his head, "Not definitively. By all accounts, it seems to have not harmed anything too substantial or we would have had other signs by now. There's a lot of things inside our bodies though and the trauma alone from the bullet in the body is enough to sideline her for a while." I gingerly touched my side where I had been shot. Both times though the bullet had traveled through and missed a lot of things miraculously. But Jasmine…may not have been so lucky. She already wasn't in that the bullet had been lodged in her side. But the fact that she was still here and breathing gave me so much comfort for now.

So I sat there holding her hand and refusing to move. Despite the mob's protests and horrible words outside. And quite frankly it made my blood boil more then I would like. But I wasn't going to leave her side. And as the day went on the people that came in and out of the room changed, but I stayed constant. Even as the sun finally dipped and we heard the mob's complaints begin to fall outside. Maybe they would leave for the night?

But my attention turned as I felt her hand suddenly stir in mine. I sat up my heart racing as I saw her slowly stir. "Jasmine?" I said my voice shaking.

"Erik," her voice said very softly, but even then I could hear the pain in her voice. "Rebecca?" she managed to get out her voice strained now.

"She's fine," I said quickly. "You did it," I said my voice shaking, "you protected her."

She forced a smile but I could tell her mind was solely focused on something else. "Erik," she said, "it hurts so much." And it hurt me to hear her say that. She was such a strong person, so to see her like this.

"I know darling," I said putting my forehead on hers, "I know it does. I promise it will go away though. You have to keep fighting though." I gripped her hand in mine her pulse racing against my palm. And I could see some tears going down her cheeks telling me the pain was still too much right now. I reached over to the nightstand where Nadir and the doctor had prepared some things for her.

"You need to rest my love," I said softly. "This will help you sleep," I said as I measured out what I wanted to give her. My hand shaking the entire time. She must have sensed my sadness as I sat beside her because she put her hand on mine calming me a little bit. I slowly helped her drink it and eventually, she got drowsy from it. She managed to say one thing before she fell back asleep again, "I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too," I said right back to her. And then her eyes closed and she fell asleep again. My head fell in my hands and I felt on the point of falling apart. There was nothing I could do to help her. And I had never felt so helpless in a long time.

"Don't lose hope," the doctor said putting his hand on my shoulder, "you have to be strong for her." I lifted my head but didn't make eye contact with him. "Thank you," I muttered softly.

And so the night finally came and I stayed by her side. "You have to stay strong," I said squeezing her hand. "You have to."

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