Dieter led Erik into the empty café. He pointed to a table. "Nehmen Sie doch Platz." When Erik didn't move, he switched to French. "Sit down." While the only people Erik had ever taken direct orders from were Antoinette Giry and Nadir, and those were on very rare occasions, it didn't seem wise to argue. He slowly sat down as Katja's father took the seat opposite him. "What's this?" Dieter asked, throwing Erik's goodbye letter on the table.

He had a feeling that this was going to turn into an interrogation very quickly. All he could do was keep calm, answer the questions, and try not to lose his temper with Katja's father or things could get messy. Erik had a sneaking suspicion that Dieter knew about the pregnancy and that Katja believed that he was the father so cooperation was the only thing that could prevent the situation from growing even worse. "I left it for Katja," Erik replied. "I was planning on returning to France."

"With my daughter?" Dieter demanded, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"No!" Erik cried. "If I were, I wouldn't have brought her back the first time or this morning, and I certainly wouldn't have left her a goodbye letter. She was upset that I didn't tell her and followed me."

"You didn't tell her?" Katja's father seemed surprised.

"I tried to," he clarified quickly. "But she would get emotional every time I tried. I thought that leaving without telling her would be easier for her than a messy goodbye."

"Any particular reason you decided now would be a good time to return home?" Dieter asked, raising his eyebrow. Erik felt his stomach begin to sink. Katja's father most certainly knew about the baby, and from his tone, suspected Erik was trying to run from it.

This was quickly becoming a dangerous game. He couldn't afford to upset Dieter if he wanted things to stay good between Katja, her family, and himself. "I've been thinking about leaving for a few days now," he shrugged. Erik's next attempt was to feign innocence. "Is there a reason I should stay?"

"Is there?" Dieter countered, obviously not letting him slip away that easily.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, Katja has convinced me to stay."

"Really?" He seemed taken by surprise by Erik's statement. Dieter wiped his face of all emotion before continuing with, "And how exactly did she manage to do that?"

"I think you know," Erik answered evasively. "And had I known before, I can assure you, I never would have even considered leaving."

"So what are we going to do about this?" Dieter questioned, crossing his arms.

Katja had refused his first proposal but after what they had discussed after that, he had reason to believe that she would accept him if he asked again, but this time he was going to do it properly. Erik took a deep breath. "I would like to ask your permission to marry Katja."

Dieter seemed shocked. He took a moment to compose himself. "You mean it?"

Erik nodded. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't mean it. Monsieur, I care about your daughter very much. While she could always blame the child on her kidnappers, it would be far easier to avoid the gossip and scandal if she were married. Besides, whether the child is mine or not, she will need help raising the baby. I just want to do what is best for Katja."

"How do I know I can trust you?" Dieter demanded. "You were going to sneak out in the middle of the night and leave her without a word. What's to say you won't do it to her again?"

"I was trying to protect her," Erik explained.

"Protect her from what? If my daughter is in danger because of you…"

"She doesn't notice my mask or treat me like I'm different. However not all people are like that. Most people fear what is different and when they get scared, they have a very nasty tendency to get violent. I didn't want Katja to have to deal with that because of me. I didn't want to leave her but I felt that I had to. But now I can't leave her or the baby, but I will do everything in my power to prevent anything from happening to her."

"If, and I do mean if, you were to marry my daughter, how do plan on supporting her? You're a stranger to this area. And I will not allow you to take her away from me. I refuse to stand for losing her again."

He was quick to put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "Monsieur, I have no intentions of taking Katja from here. And as for being able to support her, I am a man of many talents. I was a musician and composer at an opera house in Paris and gave voice lessons as well for a time. I also have a history of architecture and design. As a result, I have more than enough money saved up to be able to afford a house and I am certain I'll be able to find employment here."

"And what if I said no?" Dieter asked suddenly.

"I would rather you didn't," Erik replied quietly.

Katja's father stood suddenly. "I need to discuss this with Katja. We'll continue this conversation later." Erik couldn't read his expression, so he could only hope that this was a good sign.

"Vati, where's Erik?" she asked when her father walked into the room.

"Downstairs." His tone told her that he was extremely upset with Erik. Her father must blame him for her sneaking out.

"It wasn't his fault!" Katja cried, leaping to Erik's defense. "He tried to tell me that he wanted to go, but I wouldn't let him! I followed him. He was so upset when he found me."

"Did he know?" her father demanded.

She shook her head. "Not until I found him. I was trying to convince him to stay, so I told him. Oh Vati, you should have seen his face. He was so surprised; he nearly fell down, and I don't blame him. But he's going to stay for the baby."

"What about for you?"

"Of course for me too! He loves me, and I love him."

"I'm just trying to protect my little girl," her father replied. "I've already failed once and I don't want to ever do that again."

Dieter woke to a loud scream. He leaped to his feet and rushed down the hall, followed closely by his wife. Tanja came out of her room, rubbing her eyes. Brigitte clutched her daughter to her chest. "Stay here," he ordered softly before continuing on to Katja's room.

He opened the door and was shocked by the sight before him. Katja was crying, but she wasn't alone. Erik had her in his arms and was rocking her gently. She clung to him, burying her face in his chest, as he whispered soothing things in her ear.

Erik glanced up and spotted him in the door. He loosened his embrace and stated to back away from Katja. She turned and saw him as well. Dieter looked back to Erik and gave him a curt nod. He could see that this man did indeed love his daughter. Erik placed a kiss on Kata's temple before standing. Dieter sat beside her. "Are you alright Liebling?"

She nodded. "I am now."

German Translations

Nehmen Sie doch Platz-Take a seat

Liebling-Sweetheart