Erik had made it clear his family was welcome in the home any time. His youngest sister, and Zoey's new best friend, had demanded her own room when they started moving in. Erik was all too happy to make a special place for her in Zoey's room. They had prepared a room for the baby that would be due in another month or so, and Zoey was over the moon about her own bedroom with a giant window. Zoey was content with sharing her room with her Aunt Adalyn whenever she would come to visit, however.
The new home was coming together so nicely. Today they had focused on the small study across from their family room. Christine was forced into a seat being deemed too fragile to help. She rolled her eyes knowing that there was no use in arguing with both Erik and Madeline. The three talked and laughed as Christine watched them work.
They heard the front door open. "Erik!" Taylor called. The three exchanged looks. The tone in her voice was not comforting.
"In the study!" He called back taking a seat next to Christine.
Taylor rushed in with a worrisome look trying to catch her breath. Christine glanced around her. "Taylor, where is my child?" Christine asked afraid of the answer.
They heard the patter of rushed footsteps as Zoey ran into the room. "I'm right here Mama!" She yelled jumping into her father's lap. "You will never believe who we found at the market." She said excited.
They all heard the front door shut and sighed in relief seeing Darius and Raoul step into the room behind Taylor. The relief was short lived. When Darius said in a serious tone. "Why don't you go play junior?"
Zoey climbed off Erik's lap and went to Darius. "But you just got here." She protested.
"We will find you once were finish talking petit." Raoul replied.
"But-"
"Zoey," Madeline chimed. "Why don't you help me start on dinner?" She suggested reaching out a hand. Madeline or Taylor coming to help with dinner had become a norm in their lives.
With a slight pout Zoey nodded and took her grandmother's hand. "What's happened?" Christine asked once she knew Zoey was out of earshot.
Darius eyed Taylor for a moment then looked to Erik. "Darius, Raoul, this is my sister Taylor. You can trust her." Erik said more for Darius than Raoul.
Darius sighed heavily. "They're coming."
"The troops can't be more than a week behind us." Raoul said.
Christine grabbed Erik's arm and placed a protective hand over her unborn child. "How many?" Erik asked.
"Six." Darius replied. "All from Isabelle's personal guard." Isabelle's men were known for their ruthlessness. Even though Erik was the one to train this particular group of assassins they were the first to turn on him once they heard of the former Queen's death. They were loyal only to Isabelle, and now Delilah.
Erik shook his head in thought. The room was silent for the longest time. "Surely we can just hide the three of you away until they leave?" Taylor suggested.
Raoul shrugged. "It's a thought." He agreed.
Erik shook his head. "No. Too many in town have seen us. They will question everyone. Once they know, they will come, and that puts everyone in this family in danger." Erik looked at Christine with so much sadness in his eyes. His eyes drifted down to the life they had waited so long for. The life they planned so much for. Erik could see it all slipping away. "We have to leave." He slowly looked back up at Christine's face. She nodded.
"Will it even be safe if we reach Paris?" Christine asked.
"We will make it safe." Raoul replied. "I know you don't like the idea of me using my little power to help you, but I can, and I will." Christine smiled sweetly and him. "Philippe and I have many connections. Once we get you in the city, it may take a while, but we can make it as if you all have just disappeared. I will write to my brother, and Darius will ride to the estate and come back with a carriage to hide you and take you to a safe location."
Darius scrunched his face. "Why me?" He demanded.
"Because they are looking for you too." Raoul said glaring at Darius.
Christine rolled her eyes expecting another fight. She missed them both terribly, but she did not miss this bit at all. Darius sighed glaring at Raoul briefly and replied. "Fine. Write your letter. I'll leave tonight." Erik and Christine looked at each other surprised Darius had not yelled at Raoul. Darius looked to the couple. "I will need the two of you ready day after tomorrow. All we can do is hope that is plenty of time."
Raoul and Erik sat in the nearly finished study with Thomas and Ethan working on the plan to get the family out safely. While Christine and Taylor were in the rooms packing for the journey. The task was fairly easy giving they had barley even moved into the new home. "When you and Erik told me of your lives, I will admit apart of me thought the adventure sounded amazing, but now," Taylor's words drifted off hoping she didn't offend Christine.
Christine giggled a little from her spot on the sofa. "I understand. I have never really experienced a sense of normalcy until here. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I never knew I wanted mundane until now." Her smile faded.
"I'm sure you will have that soon. I refuse to believe that life will always be like this. On the run." Taylor replied.
Giving a small smile Christine rubbed her stomach as the baby gave a hard kicked. "I hope you're right Taylor."
There was a knock from the doorway. Darius looked to Christine then Taylor. "I will go check on the girls." Taylor said leaving from Zoey's room where she knew her and Adalyn were most certainly not packing.
Darius took the seat by Christine. "So, another Destler?" Christine laughed. "I have yet to congratulate you two. It's about time."
"I just wish it were under better circumstances this one was coming." Christine replied.
"If it were any other then I'm afraid it wouldn't be your child."
"I supposed you're right." She laughed some. "So, when did it happen?" She asked. Darius looked confused. "It might have taken Erik a year to figure it out, but I will remind you that I knew about you and Aaron within the first month. So, how long after the train ride from hell did it happen?"
"Zoey told you, didn't she?"
Christine laughed. "Your junior is a sleep talker. Never trust her with a secret." They laughed together.
"A few month ago, we found ourselves in the same town. I was leaving this tavern and was unaware I was being followed. Raoul came out of nowhere, and he saved my life." Darius explained. "It wasn't any of Delilah's men, but still." He went on to tell her about taking Raoul's place on the train that night and remembering that being the first time he admitted to himself that he cared for him. Christine smiled sweetly the while time he spoke.
She wanted to ask him if he loved Raoul, but the answer was obvious by how he spoke. The two talked of other things. Christine told Darius of the newly discovered family and stories of Zoey she knew he would find entertaining. Then Erik appeared in the doorway. "You are all set my friend." He said handing him the letter. "Raoul is waiting for you downstairs." Darius nodded then smiled sweetly at Christine before he left.
Erik sat next to Christine taking her hand. "It will be alright. We're going to be fine." She sighed deeply then nodded. "Perhaps one day we can come back." A tear fell down her cheek. They were so close. She feared it would always be this way. Always within reach, but never able to obtain the dream.
Suddenly there was a pain that shot though her. Erik looked at her in concern as she squeezed his hand and scrunched her face. "Christine?" It passed and she let out a breath. She put one hand on her unborn child and looked at Erik. He shook his head. "Now isn't the time." He said out loud.
"Well, you can be the first to tell your child." She said with a nervous laugh. "Go get Taylor." He nodded quickly then bolted from the room. Taking a deep breath as a wave of discomfort came over her, she looked at her stomach. "You truly do have bad timing though my love."
It was hours. No one slept that night. It wasn't until past 2 in the morning that the new baby finally arrived. Erik knelt next to Christine holding her hand and kissing her head at the sound of their new child. Taylor smiled cleaning the baby off. She looked up at them. "It's a boy."
She gave the new baby boy to Ethan. After he had been cleaned and wrapped Ethan presented the little one to Erik and Christine. He was so small. Erik always thought Zoey would be the smallest thing he had ever seen, but his son proved that thought wrong. "He's perfect." Christine said.
Erik looked up. "Zoey."
Ethan held up his hand. "I'll get her, don't you worry."
After a few minutes passed Raoul came in holding a sleepy Zoey. She rubbed her eyes and looked down at her parents. Then she gasped her eyes growing wide. "My baby!" She called. They all laughed. Raoul placed her on the bed allowing her to crawl up next to Christine.
"This is your new brother." Christine explained softly.
Zoey giggled excitedly staring at him. "What's his name?" She whispered wanting him to stay asleep in their mother's arms.
"Luca Gerard Destler." Erik answered petting Luca's face with the back of his finger.
"Welcome to our family Luca." Zoey whispered kissing his head. They all smiled at the new siblings. It wasn't too much longer until Zoey was curled up asleep.
Christine sighed with a tear rolling down her face. "Erik," He looked at her concerned. After a moment she looked up at him. "We can't take him with us."
Erik blinked at her stunned. "Christine-"
"No." She shook her head. "I hate it that Zoey has been through this, and if they weren't looking for her too, I would hide her away. But they know nothing of Luca. He can be safe." She said her voice breaking and tears streaming down her face. "I won't put him in danger."
Erik sighed deeply and nodded looking at his sleeping children. Taylor, still in the corner of the room, spoke up. "I will take him." Christine looked at her in relief. She had been secretly hoping Taylor would want to take him. Taylor smiled and shrugged as Thomas walked in. "Perhaps we can pass him off as Thomas'." They all laughed softly.
"I don't think that one will be believable." Erik said. "I mean, look at Luca, absolutely perfect. No one will believe he came from Thomas." They laughed again and the brotherly teasing.
"Because the definition of a handsome mug has your face next to it." Thomas said sarcastically and Erik winked at him.
The days passed quickly. When the night of the escape came, they were as ready as they could be. Christine held Luca for what felt like would be the last time. Erik came up behind her placing his hands on her shoulders. "Three days isn't long enough." She said in a broken voice.
"I know." He replied softly kissing her head then looking down at his son. "It shouldn't be long."
Christine took a deep breath then whispered words of love to Luca. She had the worst feeling about this escape. Reluctantly she gave Luca to Taylor. "We will keep him safe." Thomas said. "And bring him to you as soon as we can." She nodded after a moment of staring at the baby.
Zoey stood by Raoul looking out the window. Christine wiped away her tears then went to kneel in front of Zoey. She took her hands in hers giving them a gentle squeeze. "I hope this is the last time we have to put you through this my darling. Now listen to me carefully. I want you to stay with Raoul. We will have to move fast so do your best to keep up alright." Zoey nodded. "If anything happens, I need you to run as fast as you can and don't stop until you absolutely cannot run anymore. And if that happens you hide, and you don't move until you know for certain it is safe. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mama." Zoey replied. Christine nodded then pulled Zoey into her. She said a prayer in her mind to keep her daughter safe. The feeling of dread was one that she could not shake, and Christine was doing her best not to allow the feeing to get the better of her.
She released Zoey and stood looking at Raoul. "Take care of my daughter." He nodded knowing that nothing he could say would soothe her.
"You remember where?" Erik asked him.
"The road a mile passed the lake with the willow tree. We meet on the other side of the bridge." Raoul replied. "They will wait an hour at the most. If neither of you are there we move to the estate." Erik nodded.
The clock struck 11:00 and they knew it was time. "Take Zoey. We will be behind you." Zoey ran to her father hugging him tightly around the waist. "It's going to be alright little one. Mama and I will see you soon." Erik said petting her long black hair. Zoey let go and went to Raoul. Soon they were out of sight. Erik turned to his brother. "Keep yourselves safe. The minute you smell trouble, leave."
"We know." Thomas replied. They had all agreed it best that Erik's family would go to a safe location if the guards stayed too long and found out about the family. Erik did not even know where they would go, but as long as they were safe, he supposed it did not matter.
With all the dread in her, the last thing Christine wanted to do was separate from Erik. After hearing what sounded like a group of men, Erik told her to stay put and stay low. He didn't give her a chance to argue when he whispered that he would go ahead and come back for her. The minutes went by like hours. The silence of the woods was deafening. Anything that broke the silence made her jump. Every noise filled her with the hope it was Erik, but the fear that it would be a guard.
Christine jumped to her feet when she heard a shot fired from a gun. "Erik." She whispered to herself. The shot rang out from the direction they were supposed to travel in. She couldn't stay put, not after that. He could scold her all he wanted. She ran as fast as the obstacles would allow her to. She stopped at the clearing hearing a second shot ring out. Christine frantically looked around then saw it. Erik leaned against the willow tree with a body at his feet.
"Erik!" She called running to him. His back was to her. She was slightly relived seeing him standing, but the feeling in the pit of her stomach was still there. As she approached him, he sunk to the ground still leaning on the willow. "Erik," She whispered as he groaned turning to her. He held side.
"He came out of nowhere." He struggled to say. Quickly he yanked the knife out of his side with a yelp. Christine sunk to her knees. She followed the trail of blood to his shoulder where he had been shot. "Christine-" He looked at her so hopeless, but she would hear it.
"No. It's alright." She said through tears. "We can get through this too." She pulled off her cloak and placed it on his shoulder. "We- we aren't far from the road. You, you can just lean on me until we get there. Darius will be there. He will know what to do." She could feel her throat closing up. She had this dream before. It couldn't be real. It couldn't come true. She wouldn't let it. He looked so weak already. "Just, please, stay with me."
His eyes grew heavy. "Go." He whispered. "There are others. They will be here soon."
"No!" She said tears streaming down her face. "I will not leave you!"
"You have to think of Zoey." He replied weakly. His breathing was so shallow. "Go."
She placed her forehead to his. "Please don't leave me too."
"You can't get rid of me this easy." He spoke softly.
"I love you." She whispered and kissed him. She could hear the distant noise of people approaching. "Keep your eyes closed." She pleaded. Eyes still closed he nodded. "Find me." She said pulling away.
"I love you." He said as she ran off. When he opened his eyes, everything was blurred. It was a fuzzy shape that ran off. They were going to make it. His family would be free. With him dead perhaps the hunt would end. Christine and his children were safe that was all the mattered. He shut his eyes giving into the exhaustion when he heard footsteps coming closer. This was it.
He couldn't help but squeeze his eyes tighter as the bright light tried to come through. There was a soft giggle and a sweet voice calling his name. "Erik," She sang. Very slowly he blinked his eyes open. The sky was so blue, and the grass was so soft under him. He felt so at peace in this moment as a cool breeze played over his bare face. "Wake up sleepy head." The woman giggled.
Erik turned his head to see a pale girl with black hair and brilliant green eyes smiling down at him. "Luciana?"
She laughed. "Who else?"
Erik sat up looking at her. "I- I don't- I don't understand." He stuttered.
She shook her head and stroked his face. Her hand felt so odd on his face. "What is there to understand?" All he could do is stare at her.
"You're, alive?" She smiled.
"Stop being so silly. You must have had such a dream my love."
He blinked and looked around. "Where am I?" He asked facing her again.
"You're home." She replied and kissed him softly.
Erik kissed her back. His first love had returned to him. Or maybe not returned. Perhaps it was all a nightmare. Her death. Persia. His career as an assassin. Nothing but a dream. Maybe Erik was the one that fell that day and hit his head. Maybe he just couldn't remember.
Remember. If that was true, then it wasn't all a nightmare. Erik found love again. He made a life. He made and found his family. Christine. What happened? Erik pulled away as a shooting pain went through his body. "Don't." Luciana whispered grabbing his arm. The sadness in her eyes was almost too much. She shook her head. "Please don't try to remember. Don't think about what happened. Please," She begged. "Just stay here with me."
Erik shook his head. "It wasn't a dream."
"Erik,"
"It was all real. How can I not remember it Luciana?"
"You can try." She replied. "You're here with me now. We can go on just the way we wanted."
"I can't." He replied. She looked away from him letting him go. "But, you know that."
She shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Erik chuckled. "Liar." She smirked and looked at him.
"What does she have that I don't?" Luciana asked annoyed.
"Don't do that." Erik replied with a smile.
She scoffed and shrugged. "I only asked a question."
Erik laughed. "You would like her."
Luciana rolled her eyes. "I doubt that."
"You would. She reminded me so much of you when we met. She was able to give me all that you and I dreamed of Luci." He knew she wouldn't stay mad at the drop of her nickname. She finally looked at him. "Christine." He said her name as if a prayer. "She married me. We have a daughter, Zoey. She's four now, and a new little boy, Luca." They sat in silence for a moment just staring at each other.
"Is going back to them really worth it Erik?" She asked. "Is it worth going back and being someone that has to hide." Slowly Erik brought a hand to his face. That was why her hand felt so odd. His face was like any mans now. "Stay." She pleaded. "We will take walks in the city on Sunday's. Paint in the park during the week. Everything you have always wanted."
He stared at her for a moment, remembering everything they had planned together. The life they had intended to share until her death. "They're my family." He finally said. "If things had been different, I would go back for you. I love her Luciana, with everything I am."
She pouted for a moment then stood up. "Fine then. Go." She said with a glare in her eyes.
Erik stood. "Don't leave it like this." He spoke.
"Like what?" She demanded crossing her arms.
"The last words we spoke to each other were in a fight. I do not want to leave this with you angry still." Erik said moving closer to her.
"If it helps," Luciana replied after a moment of annoyed looks. "I am not angry with you in this moment."
"You aren't?"
She shook her head. "No. Papa told me you would choose them and told me not to be the one to come for you. So, I m angry at him for being right, again." She said with an eyeroll.
Erik laughed taking her in his arms and kissing her forehead. She smiled and allowed this moment to wash over her. She knew that they wouldn't even have another even when he came back. "Go." She whispered. "But Christine better know that I will come back and haunt her sorry ass if she doesn't give you exactly what you want the minute you are safe."
Erik laughed again. "That's my girl." He whispered against her hairline.
Tears finally stopping she found the road and the carriage. Raoul and Darius stood on the road. "Christine!" Raoul called.
"Where's Zoey?!" She demanded approaching.
"Mama!" Zoey jumped from the carriage and ran into her mother's arms. Christine held her close walking quickly back to the carriage.
"We have to go. Now." She said to the boys.
"Christine, are you alright?!" Raoul asked spotting the blood on her dress, hands, and arms.
"They aren't far behind me." She said ignoring him.
"Wait, Erik isn't here and you're bleeding." Raoul said looking to Darius.
"The blood isn't mine." Christine's eyes stayed to the ground not wanting to watch the realization form on their faces. "We have to go Darius. It's over." She said softly attempting not to cry.
"Raoul get in." Darius said distantly after the girls climbed in.
"Wait-"
"Raoul." Darius said in a threatening tone. "Please don't make me say it." With a long sigh Raoul nodded and closed the carriage door behind Darius and the girls. They rode until they reached the estate just outside of Paris. Zoey clung to her mother as she slept.
"I told him." She whispered staring out the window. Darius looked at her. "I told him I had a bad feeling. He should have listened." Darius had no words. He only sat there silently mourning his friend as Erik's widow sat across from him allowing a single tear to fall down her dirty face. With clinched teeth she only allowed herself to feel so much. She would revert. The Christine everyone had come to know died in the field with her husband. She had lost for the last time she vowed. It was over.