The Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Chapter 25

Emotions Run Amok

(Erik)

I closed the door behind me taking a deep breath. I had finally done it. I had told her everything. I looked to see that we had gone from dawn to dusk in what seemed like such a short span of time. Then again, it was a long and complicated tale to tell. She had tried so hard to not let any emotion to show on her face, but even she couldn't stop those little ripples of emotions one naturally experiences when hearing these types of things.

She had taken a deep breath and asked if she could have a minute. I had merely squeezed her hand and told her to take as long as she needed. Then I had walked out of the room and come here to wait for who knows how long.

I sighed out of frustration to be once again in this state of waiting. It never seemed like anything moved forward as of late…we were all either stuck in the past or stuck in the present. Nobody seemed able to move on. I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes trying to relax. I must have truly been tired though as slowly I drifted off into a sleep state.

(Later)

My heart was racing and I couldn't breathe. I was surrounded completely by water and I was thrashing trying to find any way I could to surface. But as I was I turned and there she was…motionless and pale in the water. Her usually tied back hair was floating around her. My heart exploded as I reached for her now scrambling for the surface. I couldn't feel her heartbeat against me and she was as cold as ice.

Finally I reached the surface gasping for air. But she…she was still motionless and still. My arms were shaking holding her, "Wake up," I said softly, "please."

"I freed her," a voice said and I stared up my blood boiling at who was standing there, "And now she'll never be hurt by a monster like you."

I looked down at her so pale and serene, and yet….peaceful. I held her close my whole body shaking and then it felt like I was screaming lungs out but no sound came out.

I woke up screaming though my heart still racing. "Erik," a voice said beside me. I looked to see Jasmine sitting there her eyes worried, "I heard you screaming-"

"Jasmine," I said lunging forward and holding her close, "Thank God."

"Erik," she said her voice confused, "what-?"

"I thought," I said muttering to myself, but I shook my head, "I'm sorry…horrible dream."

She held me closer and she muttered to me, "I'm right here…and I'm not going anywhere."

(Jasmine)

I could feel his heart racing against my chest, and in fact so was mine. I guess my last statement had confirmed how I felt about everything. We sat there for a while in each others arms and it was then I knew that this is where I belonged. This was where we both belonged.

But whatever that dream had been about it had scared the hell out of him, his body was still trembling beneath my fingertips even now. "Erik?" I said leaning back, "What happened?"

He took his hands in mine and gently kissed them, "Nothing but a bad nightmare my love. Its past now."

I could tell from the tone in his voice that he was trying to avoid talking about it. But I let it past for now as he slowly cupped my neck in his hand and leaned forward kissing me on the lips. I felt our bodies start to melt into one another, as he gently laid me back on the bed. His hands slid down to my shoulders moving down the straps of my nightdress.

He paused for a moment, "Are you sure?" he muttered in my ear.

It didn't take me but a moment to answer, "Yes." And then gently took me in his arms and we both became one.

(Erik)

I awoke to the warm rays of the morning sun. I had slept through the night without anymore disruption or dreams. Then again I thought as I gently fingered he long flowing hair in my fingers, last night had been….well, there were no words to describe. I was still so fascinated to see her hair down and flowing. She always had it pulled back that it was weird to see it down now.

I stroked her cheek her skin so soft to my touch. I sighed to myself now knowing that this was it. I could no longer live without her. There was a soft knock on the door and I gently got up not wishing to disturb her. She turned on her side but did not wake from her sleep.

I opened the door and then when I saw who it was quickly closed it behind me, "William," I said keeping the nervousness from my tone. God forbid I let William find out his way that Jasmine and me were…well together was the kind way of putting it.

"Are you okay?" he asked surprised, "I know you and Jasmine talked for a long time yesterday…"

"Yes well," I said smiling, "We did and…everything is fine."

"Really?" William said a look of relief on his face, "I am glad then."

"Oh," I muttered, "You have no idea."

"Well I am sorry to have woken you up so early," he muttered, "Do you think Jasmine is up in her room now?"

"Probably not," I said quickly as he started to head in the direction of her room, "It was really late before we retired for the night. I am sure she is still asleep."

William paused for a moment looking at Erik curiously before heading back towards the staircase, "Very well. Maybe I will speak to her again in a couple of hours."

I could not help but breathe a sigh of relief as his form disappeared and I headed back into the room. "Well it wasn't a total lie," I heard her say from the bed. I looked over at her sitting up against the headboard a playful smile on her face, "It was quite late before we retired for the night."

I glared in her direction once again forgetting that she couldn't see it. But she obviously read my silence like a book. "Erik," she said reaching her hand out, "Don't be so serious…not after last night."

I walked over taking her hand an I sat down right beside her putting my forehead against her, "I do not deserve you," I muttered, "You do not deserve me."

"Erik," she said softly, "Not this…not again." She put her hand beneath my chin and tilted it up. "I chose you. I love you, and that is never going to change."

I leaned forward smiling and gently kissed her on the cheek but I said nothing to rebuke it. The truth is we didn't know that for sure, our lives were so volatile right now that anything could happen. And to tell the truth the dream from the night before was still so present in my mind I couldn't shake it. I held her close to me telling myself that as long as I as around nothing was going to happen to her.

(Jasmine)

He was still so tense and I couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with last night. I still couldn't believe that after telling me everything….there were still secrets being kept. Why had this dream terrified him so much? But I knew pushing him wouldn't work either…but then again neither would completely ignoring it as well.

(Later)

I made my way downstairs finally deciding that I should probably a room at some point. "Jasmine," I heard my brother say from the study. I tried so hard not to cringe as he did. I had a feeling Erik hadn't necessarily done his best pokerface this morning when William had come by.

I felt my way to the study and I felt the wind of the door close behind me. "Have you had a good morning?" he said with a snide tone in his voice.

"Why do I get the feeling," I said turning in the direction of his voice, "you already know the answer to that question?" I heard a deep intake of breath on his part. And I stood there waiting for him to say something or anything.

"Jasmine," he said, "please tell me that you didn't-"

But I guess my silence answered his question and I think I was almost grateful I couldn't see his face right now. "I knew you two were getting close," he muttered, "but Jasmine…this is…" His voice broke at that. "If we were in any type of proper life-"

"But we're not William," I said interrupting him, "We haven't been for months now. And we will probably never have a proper life again. If you are insinuating that have done some horrible act because Erik and I are not properly together then you are foolish Will. What church would take us and allow us to truly be together in the proper fashion?"

I heard him take a deep intake of breath, "I just don't want you to be hurt again…"

I smiled coming forward and taking his hand, "I think that path has already passed us by. Do you think that I would be the only one hurt if something happens now?"

I felt his quivering hand beneath my hand, "He is my lost hope for the two of you," William said softly. "He's the only protection I can leave for you guys when I-I-" He stuttered and I tightened my grip on his hand.

"Will," I said my own voice breaking, "I don't want you to worry about us. No matter what happens we will always be here for each other. I don't want these last days for you to be filled with nothing but worry and anxiety. Especially if it accelerates your condition."

I felt his smile beneath my hands, "You know you both don't help with that at all."

I hugged him smiling broadly, "Things will be alright little brother. You'll see." I was said though that even as I said those words there was that little bit of doubt still sitting there in the pit of my stomach.

TBC

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