Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Author's Note: First of all…I know I know…its been 6 years. But it hasn't been 6 years of not looking at this story. I actually have a lot written for this story. But its actually been solidifying the storyline and knowing where I want to go…and end this story. Yes I finally have been looking at endgame. Don't worry we still have a ways to go before that. A long long way to go before that. So you will probably start seeing frequent updates (fingers crossed…). I will also be going back and re-uploading several of my earlier chapters because when I uploaded them forever ago some of the punctuation got skewed in the upload. I also won't be updating the content but you can kind of tell that I was 16 when I first started writing it. So there are just a few tiny things I want to update and adjust but it won't affect the overall story too terribly bad. There are just some minor things that can be adjusted. Anyways…here is the long awaited Chapter 35. Enjoy!

Chapter 35

(Erik)

There was a great bout of silence that filled the room as I revealed several things. I didn't know my own date of birth, and that my birthday was causing these horrible nightmares. One of these nightmares causing her harm tonight because they were so intense. So I concentrated on her stitches as I let her think about it for a little bit. She seemed calm and concentrating but I knew beneath those eyes a storm of questions was brewing.

She sighed giving me a kind smile, "Well my love, I am sure glad that I will never have to meet your mother." I could tell she was trying to keep her emotions to a minimum. "Because I always thought my mother was…but between confrontations, lacerated wrists and complete and utter neglect." She shook her head, "How can somebody be so cruel? To their own son of all people." I could tell that she was completely baffled by all of it. And I could understand considering her background…but that also made her naïve to my family's thought process as well.

"Jasmine," I said softly, "she didn't do anything else different than would be expected of a mother who has a son with a face," I sighed, "like this."

She glared in my direction, "Erik there is nothing normal about a mother neglecting and abusing her child. My mother and father could have done the same thing to me after I became blind. They could have abandoned me and abused me as well. And while I will be mad at my mother for many things…she endured a lot helping me figure out a life without a sight. So don't you say that what she did was normal because it wasn't Erik, not even close." There was such a determination in her eyes that I was surprised. "You are acting again like you are incapable of being loved Erik," she said gently stroking her hand against my cheek, "but you know that's not true." And gently I took her hand from my cheek kissing it gently. Yes I knew that statement I had made wasn't true…but the majority of the time that was what happened. Her family and a few others were the only exceptions

Finally, I turned my gaze back and continued to finish up on her stitches. "Alright off that subject," she said shaking her head, "How do you know this week is your birthday? By the way, you said it I am assuming she never told you when it was."

"I was able to figure it out eventually on my own. And despite her best efforts my mother had…more extreme behavior during this particular week. Nine years of living with her I was able to figure it out eventually."

"Which also explains the dreams," she said softly, "this week just dredges them all up again. Something else I can totally understand." She was thinking of the day when her father and mother died I had no doubt.

I finished off finally and put some more medicine on it hoping it wouldn't get infected. I really did not want her to get another fever over something so small. I wrapped her hand in a bandage and gently tied it off.

She took the opportunity to grab my hands and gently hold them in hers. "I know you are upset that this happened Erik, and I'm glad you told me what you think the cause was. If you are truly worried about it then we can always make plans when we get to this time each year. Sleeping in separate rooms or beds whatever we need to do. I just want you to know," she said holding me close, "you are loved now. There are four people here who will never stop loving you no matter what. So no more despair, please. You are not alone."

I leaned my forehead against hers shaking my head, "I know. Thank you." And we just sat there in silence for the longest time. Finally, I got up, "I should clean up the rest of the shattered glass so nobody steps on it." She nodded her head as I did so.

(Jasmine)

I heard his footsteps disappear for a little while as he went to discard the glass elsewhere. My blood was still boiling a little after having to hear more about his mother's transgressions. It just made so sad every time to hear about it. And so determined that no matter what…our son was not going to have a life like either of us. Somebody would always be there for him, I would make sure of it.

His footsteps began to return and I tried to empty it from my mind now. "How is your back?" he asked gently getting on the bed.

"Still sore," I answered.

"Does it hurt or is it sore?" he asked knowing me all too well, "there is a difference."

"It doesn't hurt as much as it did before," I said confidently. It was true now it just felt like a numb pain as opposed to a sharp pain. Carefully he lifted up the garment and he gently touched what I assumed was a nice bruise beginning to spring up.

"You'll be okay," he said kindly, "you can probably move around just do it slowly."

Thank goodness I thought to myself. If I had to stay still one more moment I might go crazy. I turned slowly towards him a smile on my face. "So are you going to stay here or are you going elsewhere to sleep." He gently stroked my face and I could tell he still wasn't sure about us sleeping in the same bed tonight. I gently took his hand kissing it gently, "It's alright. You do what you think is comfortable."

He sighed gently kissing me on the forehead, "I love you so much."

I smiled nodding my head, "I know." And then I heard his footsteps slowly head over to the other room. I sighed trying to get into a comfortable position so that my back wouldn't complain. Finally, I got into a position that felt semi-comfortable. I just prayed that Alex slept well tonight because otherwise, Erik was going to have a busy night because I wasn't getting up unless he had to be fed.

(Erik)

I jolted awake as the sun was just beginning to peek through the windows. I recognized immediately Alex screaming in the next room. I ran my hand through my hair trying to wake myself up before I got him. I had thought Jasmine would have gotten him already…but then I forgot she might have trouble getting up today.

I finally made my way to Alex but he didn't calm down in my arms, which told me that he was hungry. "I know," I said softly rocking him back and forth, "Let's go see if your mother is up."

When I went to the next room Jasmine was sitting on the bed with her arms locked like she was trying to get up. She must have heard my footsteps because immediately her eyes turned in my direction. "I tried to get up to feed him," she said softly, "but my back is still hurting from last night."

"Don't worry," I said kindly sitting beside her, "I've got him." And gently I handed him over to her. And quickly he quieted as he got what he had wanted.

"How did you sleep?" she asked me as she continued to feed him.

I sighed, "Not much better, unfortunately."

She nodded her head, "Yes neither did. My body just couldn't find a position that was comfortable."

I couldn't help thinking that was my fault but I knew she would get angry with me if I said something to that effect. As Alex finished up I gently took her bandaged hand in mine. I removed the bandage so that I could look at her hand. It looked like it was healing fine but I was concerned with the lack of sleep.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" I said touching her cheeks.

"I feel sluggish like I usually do when I don't sleep well," she said softly.

"Your cheeks are flushed," I said quickly. And touching her face she felt warm and slightly feverish. She covered herself again as Alex finished and I knew I needed to get her resting as soon as possible.

"Go ahead and lie down," I said calmly, "I'll take care of Alex." She gave me a look at first but then she complied without arguing. She knew she didn't feel well and there was no use fighting it. Besides she wasn't going to be able to move around a lot because of her back so she might as well stay in bed.

I went downstairs to get a bowl of water and a rag. She was lying down peacefully when I came back her eyes closed. She opened them as she heard my footsteps. I gently took the doused rag and placed it on her forehead. She laughed, "Well that feels good instead of painful so that must be a good sign."

Yes well, anything compared to her last fever seemed calm that was for sure. But I knew better than to get complacent about it. I sat down next to her on the bed leaning against the headboard. "Well, I if I have to guard you all day to make sure it doesn't get worse then I will most certainly do it."

She laughed, "Yes because I know that is so hard for you to do."

"Are you kidding?" I said back, "Confined in a small dark room? Hell, it feels like home."

She rolled her eyes at me and I knew she didn't always appreciate me teasing about my past circumstance but hell it was how I coped with them. I put my hand on top of hers and squeezed it gently, "It doesn't matter as long as I am with you."

She nodded her head her eyes closing again, obviously more tired then she was aware. Finally, her breathing turned to that of sleep and I breathed a sigh of relief as she did. I decided to try to rest my eyes…not go to sleep but at least quiet my mind a little bit.

(Jasmine)

When I finally woke up I felt so much better then I had the night before. Even my back seemed to be giving me a break as well. As I slowly stirred I heard some curious cooing and gurgling next to my hand. I smiled recognizing the sounds of my son. "Hello Alex," I said softly. Another figure moved on the bed and I figured that to be Erik.

"Sorry," he said quickly, "I had an urge to compose so I brought the end table up here beside the bed but then Alex started crying. I tried to comfort him but he seemed to want to see you because as soon as he saw you on the bed he calmed down. So I put him down next to you on the bed."

"But my fever?" I asked concerned.

"Broke a long time ago," he said calmly, "its fine."

If he said so I thought to myself. I gently put my hand on Alex's stomach trying to imagine his calm cute little face right now in my mind. Erik laughed next to us, "I think he's missed you today. He can't stop staring at you." I heard the sound of pen on paper as he said this.

"Busy?" I asked teasingly, "You can go sit on a proper desk if you need to work. I can watch him."

"Not at all," he said with a smiling tone in his voice. "I've had to work in harder places…next to my child and his mother is about the best environment possible."

I laughed, "Now if only we could haul the piano up here I bet it would be even more perfect."

He chuckled at that. Carefully I pulled myself up to a sitting position, which was an accomplishment for me today. He put his hand on my shoulder to help but I shook my head, "I'm fine." And then I got Alex and put him in my lap much to his glee letting out a few excited squeals. A few moments of peace was what we got before there was a knock on the door. I pulled the blanket up to my midsection seeing as I still wasn't adequately dressed since last night.

(Erik)

I grinned as she tried to get somewhat presentable before the door opened. I looked up surprised to see it was Nadir coming in. "Good evening you two," he said simply.

"Good evening Nadir," Jasmine said cordially.

He kneeled down in front of Alex and smiled, "Hello there little one." Alex gave a small smile in Nadir's direction before leaning back into his mother.

"What is it, my friend?" I asked trying to find out why he had paid us this visit in the first place.

"I wanted to see if Jasmine was feeling better since last night."

"Much better," she said smiling, "much much better."

Nadir nodded, "Good I am glad to hear that for many reasons. I have a request for both of you and it's coming from William."

Jasmine eyes suddenly became inquiring or suspicious depending on how you viewed it. We had been suspicious for a little while that William was up to something. This only confirmed this fact.

"What is it?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"He wants to talk to you about something tomorrow if you are feeling up to it. He had wanted to talk to you today but because of how you were feeling he thought it better to wait."

"Any idea what he wants to talk about?" Jasmine asked.

"To be honest," he said not breaking eye contact, "I do. And I need to ask you both to have an open mind about it."

(Jasmine)

I could just imagine the look on Erik's face right now as Nadir said that. It's not that he didn't trust William but I had felt for a while that Erik had a faint idea of what William had been hiding from us. And for some reason, it bothered him a lot.

"Does he want us there at a specific time tomorrow?" I asked calmly.

"No," Nadir said gently putting his hand on mine, "he just wants you two to come when you are ready." I smiled nodding my head.

"Thank you Nadir," I said softly. "Could you do me a favor?" I asked him. "Could you put Alex to bed? I think he's ready for tonight."

"Of course," Nadir said reaching across me so that he could gently pick him up. "Come little one," he said softly, "maybe I will tell you a story while you fall asleep." And then slowly his footsteps disappeared to the next room. Meanwhile, it had become very quiet in our room. The sound of pen on paper had stopped which made me think that Erik was thinking about something.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly. He put his hand on mine giving it a squeeze but he didn't answer. I knew that over this past year Erik and William's relationship had grown so much. They had grown from arguing friends to something akin to brothers. And I wondered if he was thinking like me that William was going to be talking to us about his end of life plans. Which I personally didn't want to think about myself. But a month of confinement to his room…it was beginning to feel like things were accelerating for him.

He squeezed my hand again, "You're thinking the same thing I am aren't you?"

"Erik," I said shaking my head, "I don't want to be thinking that. I still wake up every day praying that he will be fine. I'm not ready to lose my brother yet." He put his arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him. I leaned my head on his shoulder and sighed, "Watch he won't even talk about that. My brother is just as stubborn as me and he won't give in so quickly."

"I hope so," he muttered softly, "I was also thinking of something else right now. Something I am afraid of as this disease progresses with him." I turned to him wondering what he meant by that. There was that knowledgeable tone in his voice…the tone of somebody who had seen somebody die slowly of this disease or another.

"What are you afraid of?" I asked almost afraid of his answer.

He took a deep breath, "I am afraid that when this disease becomes too much for him…he will ask me to relieve him of that pain and take his life." My blood froze as he said this. This hadn't even crossed my thoughts at all and it felt like it had come out of nowhere. "And I am afraid," he said his voice shaking, "that this time I will not have the strength to do it."

I sat there unsure if I had fully understood what he said. "You've had to," I paused trying to watch what I said, "end somebodies life to bring them peace?"

I could feel the tension in his touch, "Yes I have…before his young life had even fully begun."

I pulled my hand away and turned from him, "A child?" I said my voice shaking.

(Erik)

Good God, I had finally said the thing that would make her leave. She had always tried to stay so calm and reserved when I talked about my past because she knew it was hard for me to talk about. But maybe now that we had our own son this topic was hard to hear. But I had never seen her get this emotional so quickly before. "He was a young boy stricken with a disease that left him in constant pain every day. At the age of five, his father could no longer bear to see him in pain. His father was a close friend who I owed so much to at the time. So I took his life because his father could not bear to see him live like that anymore. Since then we have remained friends but I will not lie…this strained our relationship a great deal. It has taken years to get back to where we were before then."

And then she turned to me the realization in her eyes. "Nadir?" she asked her voice strained and I could tell her emotions were starting to get the best of her.

"If William asks that of me," I said my voice beginning to break, "I can't." I put my head in my hands.

She gently made her way over to me cradling my head now against her chest, "I'm sorry my love. I'm sorry that you had to have such a hard experience for you and Nadir. I don't think my brother would ever ask such a thing of you. But know this," she said her voice steady, "I would never allow you to do it." I looked up at her, her eyes steady, "I love my brother and I have worked so hard to allow him to live in this life we have had. And I love you more than life itself, and I couldn't let you two destroy yourselves like that. Not ever."

Her eyes were serious and intense and I had only seen this once. After Elizabeth had died and her feelings for vengeance had been tenfold. I think the last thing either of us would want is her eyes to look at us like that. "You have my word," I muttered putting my hand on her cheek, "it will never happen."

She smiled shaking her head, "Alright enough of this. We don't even know if he is going to talk about this and it does no good to worry about it." She was trying to move on to another subject. This had hurt us both to talk about it, but at least we were on common ground about it.

"Agreed," I said, "we'll need a good nights rest for whatever it is he has planned tomorrow." So we both laid side by side on the bed forgetting about nightmares and past events. Tomorrow was a new day and I would be ready for whatever lay ahead.

(The Next Day…)

(Erik)

I stormed out of the house my blood boiling and heart racing. How could he-why on Earth did he ever think I would agree to something like that? Why did everything always have to be confirmed and solidified through a piece of paper now? Why couldn't I love somebody and have a family with them without having to confirm it with the rest of the goddamn world? So that society could accept us. Who gave a damn what society thought.

And yet there they had all sat staring at me like I was crazy for not wanting to do this. And Jasmine….Jasmine hadn't said a word. She had sat there dumbfounded and quiet and I couldn't understand it. We had a son…I had thought we loved each other…and we hadn't needed anything else. I thought…I thought…

(Erik – a few hours earlier)

"We're being childish," Jasmine said as we both stood outside William's door. We had taken our time getting ready and trying to just stay calm during the morning. "We are acting that we are going to hear the worst news in the world," she said trying to keep her tone light. "It could be happy news for all we know."

I stared at her forgetting that she couldn't see me doing it. All I could think was what could he possibly have to say that could be happy? Not that we hadn't been happy the last few months but for most of that he had been in a bed it seemed like. Unless for some reason he had been magically cured and was completely better. But what also clawed at my mind was how he had asked Nadir to be his messenger boy. If he had Nadir involved it truly made me wonder what he had to say.

"Alright enough waiting," Jasmine said slowly reaching for the knob and opening it. William was sitting up in his bed dressed and ready. I wonder how long he had been sitting there because his face looked anxious. He made eye contact with us and he took a deep breath.

(William)

I was scared out of my wits I will admit. Erik had barely come into the room and he was already trying to not stare me down. And Jasmine's face was calm but I could sense her nervous energy also. Slowly Ev and Nadir also made their way in as well.

"You two are here as well?" Jasmine asked curiously. "Who is watching Alex and Becca?"

"Don't worry they are both in the next room," Ev said calmly.

(Jasmine)

And just like that, a great empty silence filled the room. And the nervous tension was absolutely unbearable. "William," I said finally, "why did you ask for this meeting?"

I heard him take a deep breath, "Alright I'm sorry about the deception the last few weeks on all our parts." If I could look at Erik we would have been exchanging knowing glances right now. But the fact that both Ev and Nadir had known about this as well made me a little nervous.

"For a while now," my brother continued, "I have wanted to give you and Erik something. A gift or I am hoping you will view it that way."

(Willliam)

I could see that they were trying their hardest to not interrupt or say anything. A brief moment of surprise had crossed both of their faces meaning that I was not talking about something they had expected which gave me some relief.

"I know that my health has started declining as of late," I said softly, "so I wanted to make sure I gave these to both of you." I took the objects I had been holding onto for months now into my hands.

(Jasmine)

I had to admit a gift was not at all what we had been expecting. The speech about his declining health but…a gift? "I am going to hand you something," he said I knew for my benefit more than anything. I extended out my hand and I felt Erik giving my hand a comforting squeeze with his other hand.

William put something small into my hand and I was surprised. I could feel the nervous energy increase tenfold as I examined the object with my fingers. The object felt like a ring and I examined it more it suddenly felt very familiar. And my heart began to race as I recognized the shape and feel of it.

(Erik)

It was a ring. A golden band that I knew immediately to be a wedding ring. I wanted to say out loud to Jasmine but she was busy examining the ring he had put in her hand. "Is this what I think it is," I asked my voice tense and I was trying to not be angry. But my blood was beginning to boil as I held the thing in my hand.

(Jasmine)

I immediately recognized the underlying tone in Erik's voice. Before I could say anything William responded for me, "Yes they are," he said confidently. But how had he…when had he…? I heard Erik get up beside me and I could feel it flowing off him.…anger.

"Erik please," Nadir said stepping forward.

"I should have known better," Erik said his voice venomous. "You, boy, who have always been nervous about this situation. You still view your nephew as a bastard and this is the only reason we are being presented with this gift," he said the last word with so much anger in his voice. "And why so society can finally accept us and welcome us with open arms?" I heard him walking back and forth behind me as he said this words. Each one had so much sting in them and I had never felt so nervous in his presence in a long time. "They will never accept us, William," Erik said his voice rising now, "And this piece of metal will not change that." And I cringed as I heard the ring make hard contact with the floor.

"Erik!" Nadir said his voice stern, "you need to calm down."

"I'm sorry Erik," William said his voice shaky, "I will admit that this would be advantageous for this family but that's not my reason for doing it. If you would just listen I would explain-"

(Erik)

I was done listening though and my whole body was shaking with rage now. "I don't need you to explain it, William," I said my voice low. "I am done trying to prove to others that my intentions are true. I don't need a band and a marriage license to tell me that I love your sister and that our son is a normal person."

It seemed logical it seemed to make sense what I was saying…and yet every person was looking at me as if I was making a horrible mistake. "Erik," Jasmine said next to me, "sit down please and calm down."

I shook my head, "Do you agree to this? That we must do this?" She looked in my direction and even though I knew she wanted to agree with me her eyes said otherwise. She had never mentioned a need for marriage so why was it coming up now? "Erik," she said softly, "William isn't doing this to hurt us. I don't understand why you are acting this way."

I stepped away from her not believing what she was saying. "Since when did this family become more worried about propriety then being happy?"

She looked at me confused, "I am not saying I like this idea because of propriety Erik."

"Then why Jasmine?" I said getting in her face, "Why do we need this to be happy?"

She shook her head, "I don't need it, Erik, I don't." But yet even as I looked into her eyes I knew it wasn't true. There was a longing there that I had not seen before now. I shook my head and stepped away from her. "Erik," she said reaching from me but I couldn't be here. I needed to get out of here. So I turned on my heel and walked out.

"Erik!" Nadir said starting to follow me.

"Oh for God's sake leave me alone!" I bellowed at him. "Just leave me alone!"

(Jasmine)

I sat there my whole body shaking not believing that he was talking to us in this manner. He was angry and afraid and I had never heard him like this. He had barely left before I was on my feet to follow him, "Where is the other ring?" I said through clenched teeth.

"Its here Jasmine, I picked it up," Ev said softly handing it over to me. I walked out into the hallway and immediately headed down the stairs. I could hear him just ahead of me and I wasn't even going to give myself the chance to catch up to him.

"Since when do you act like a child?" I said the anger in my voice rising.

"I'm the child?" he said incredulously, "At least I am not disillusioned by the fact that we have to be married to be happy."

"Then obviously you don't know me either," I said my shaking, "because that's not what I think at all. Since when have I given a damn about propriety and what society wants Erik? Did you ever think I might have my own reasons for wanting to do this?" I shook my head my voice breaking now, "But it doesn't matter because you don't see anything else. You don't want to see anything else." And I turned from him hating that I had said that but I was too angry right now. I went into the study and slammed the door behind me. I held the rings in my hand close to my heart. I laughed sadly to myself. I hadn't even got to explain why these rings were so important.

(Erik – later on, that evening)

I sat outside for most of the day the events of the morning going on over and over in my head. Marriage was something I had only entertained once. And that had been Christine and that had been under forced pretenses. That wouldn't have even been a pure form of marriage. And when I thought about it I had seen no definitive form of marriage that had been successful. And neither had Jasmine by all that I knew about her. So why on Earth had she said that to me? What other reason would she have for wanting to get married?

But anyways…I avoided the house probably much to everybody's dislike. And I watched as every single light went out in the house, except for the one in the main lounge. I figured that was probably just Nadir still up as well. He tended to be a night owl like me and suffered from insomnia. So I slowly made my way in tired of thinking about today and just wanting to rest.

I made my way into the lounge at first surprised to see nobody there. And the house was very quiet so maybe somebody just forgot to turn the light out. But as I went by on one of the sofas lay a figure. It was Jasmine. Her eyes were closed but instead of looking peaceful as usual she looked troubled. Like she was barely asleep at all. I walked over to the corner where they kept extra blankets and softly walked over.

My heart ached to see her like that but I just…I didn't know if I could talk to her anymore today. I gently laid the blanket up to her neck. As I did though her hand slowly reached up grabbing my own. Her eyes didn't open but she held on to my hand. As usual, I relaxed at her touch but I just…

"Please," she finally said softly her eyes opening, "stay with me. I can't leave things the way we did."

(Jasmine)

I could feel the uncertainty lingering in his fingertips. But I needed him desperately to stay. I had been worried about him all day…now I needed him to hear my side of things. "Erik?"

He gave a great sigh, "Jasmine I—I just don't know."

"I know," I said softly, "I'm not asking you to explain yourself. I just need you to listen to me and let me explain how I feel about all this."

He hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Alright." I sat up wrapping the blanket around my waist as he sat down beside me.

(Erik)

Her eyes were uncertain as I sat beside her. I couldn't help but see that on the end table in front of us were the wedding bands that William had given us. Even the one which I had thrown into the ground. "I need to explain something about these before I get started," she said indicating the bands. Once again making me wonder if she could read my thoughts.

"These wedding bands," she said almost like she was speechless, "amazingly are my mother's and father's." At that moment a lot of emotions hit me, one of them being guilt as I realized that I had thrown her father's wedding band onto the ground.

"You said its amazing," I muttered, "Why?"

She shook her head, "I thought we had lost these forever. I didn't know until much later that my mother and father had ended up selling these so that they could get some kind of money in for our family." Now I understood why she had been so shocked when she had realized what she was holding. She had been holding a family heirloom.

"How did he find them?" I asked.

"All he said was that it wasn't easy and it wasn't cheap," she said softly. "So understand some of my frustration with you came from the fact that you threw my father's wedding band on the floor before we could say anything to you."

I closed my eyes massaging my temples and cringing on the inside. "I'm sorry love," I said softly. "And you're right I didn't give you a chance. I jumped to conclusions." she raised her eyebrow at me and I sighed, "And I completely overreacted as well."

"I just," she started to say but she stopped herself, "I promised you wouldn't have to explain yourself." I wanted to stop her and tell her why…but I was just too curious about her reasoning to say anything right now.

"When I think of marriage I think of two people who love each other deeply…who are ready to make the ultimate commitment to each other. They will promise to have each other and only each other for the rest of their lives. Its one of deepest ways of showing your love," she said softly. Then she smiled, "And what girl doesn't dream of her wedding? Fancy or not it doesn't matter. You just look forward to that day when you have found somebody who you know is going to share your life with you." She turned toward me grabbing my hands. "You are that person for me, Erik. There is nobody else, and for all our troubles, arguments, near-death experiences," she laughed, "this has been the most joy I have had in a very very long time. I have a person who loves me and we have a beautiful son. I am ready," she said gripping my hands, "I am ready to promise my life to you in every way that I possibly can. And no matter the arguments and pain…we will always have just as much happiness. We will always have each other."

And I just sat there….now it was my turn to be speechless. These were things we had already known…but never had she vocalized it in such a way to me. "Erik say something please," she said softly.

I gently took her hand and smiled. "I know all of this…you have known all of this as well. You know that I don't care about anybody as much as I care about you. You and Alex both. But why must it be sworn in front of God and proclaimed on a piece of paper? You just gave me your promise isn't that enough?"

She smiled, "But I'm not swearing to God, I am swearing to you. In front of everybody else I love. And yes I will admit that the thought of priest being there made me nervous. But then I realized that we are doing exactly what we didn't want to do. We are hiding, we are acting like we are not normal. And as much as I hate to admit it," she said smiling, "William was right about the benefits of actually being married."

I groaned, "Admit it that is the only reason to do this."

"It's a good reason," she said simply, "but it's not my reason for doing this. There is nothing I would rather do than put my father's ring on your finger. And even though I have no intention of letting anything happen to you if something should," she said hesitantly, "or if something should happen to me our son will still have a solid family life. He won't have a whore for a mother or be proclaimed a bastard. Nobody will treat him differently for it…he will be a child and us his parents no matter what. But as I said that is not my reason…its just a nice addition."

I shook my head not believing this. "You had thought of marriage at least one other time before," she said simply.

"I think you forget I was delusional during that time as well," I muttered irritably. She was referring to Christine but that…as I had thought before that wouldn't have truly been a marriage. Not even close.

"And are you delusional now?" she asked in a slightly teasing voice.

"I must be," I muttered softly, "because I never thought I would be in this situation. Ready to dedicate my life to somebody so utterly and completely. Even if the ceremony of it seems useless to me." I turned to her and held her hands in my own. 'So I guess if I am going to lose my mind I might as well do this the right way."

Her eyes went wide and I didn't know whether that was shock or surprise on her face. "Jasmine Dinea," I said softly, "since the moment I have met you…I have never had a moment's peace. I have had to fight through gendarmes, Vicomtes, and psychotic ex-beaus. I have had to bring yourself and myself back from the brink more times then I would like. I had to earn my place in your family and am still earning it even to this day. But amidst all of that, I have experienced the greatest joy possible. You have loved every inch of me from my music to my mask. I have done the impossible and become a father to our beautiful son. And through it all you have accepted my faults, my past, my temper…you saw through the mask and the pain and you found me. And nobody has done that…not so completely as you have. So Jasmine Dinea it would be my greatest honor if I could be your husband and you my wife."

She just sat there for the longest time staring straight ahead her face emotionless and I began to wonder if I had done something wrong. But finally, her face changed into that of a smile and a few tears rushed down her cheeks. "Oh you idiot," she said lightly hitting me on the shoulder, "you could have done that this morning and made things so much easier." We laughed softly and she said, "But I know this wasn't easy for you and I know you just wouldn't have been you if you hadn't overreacted about it."

I shook my head rolling my eyes, "Yes yes I know. I just hope with this little plan of theirs they were able to find somebody to marry us. Because quite honestly that's going to be the hardest part."

"Don't worry about that," a new voice said from the doorway making us both jump. "We had that taken care of a while ago." And I wasn't surprised to see Nadir standing there. Now it made sense to me why William had asked for Nadir's help in all of this.

"So when is it going to happen?" Rebecca burst in her eyes wide. And then it hit me…had the whole damn household been listening in right now?

"You'll have to get used to having siblings," William said as well, "it means you have absolutely no privacy."

"Oh, believe me, I learned that a long time ago," I said sarcastically remembering when Jasmine had thrown me off the bed because Rebecca was coming into the room. She must have remembered that too because she laughed next to me.

"So when?" Rebecca said excitedly.

"Well, there are things to prepare," Jasmine started to say, "Obviously not that much because it's just going to be us-"

"You don't need to worry about that," William said interrupting her.

I glared at him, "My God you guys were that confident? You're acting like we could do it tomorrow."

"First of all no we weren't confident," William said shaking his head, "and secondly yes we could absolutely do it tomorrow if you wanted to."

"Yes, let's do it tomorrow!" Rebecca continued to go on eyes bright and excited.

I sighed, "Well tomorrow…why not?" Jasmine looked at me surprised but I shrugged my shoulders, "Well why not? The sooner the better in my opinion."

She turned towards William, "Do you need more of a confirmation Will?"

He smiled, "Alright I guess we are putting on a wedding tomorrow."

Rebecca jolted up immediately taking Jasmine's hand. "That means you have to stay with me tonight!" She said excitedly.

"I think it's already too late for that rule," I muttered to myself.

"Yeah well, there's also no arguing with a five-year-old," William teased.

I sighed, "Fine," I said leaning forward kissing her on the cheek, "go. I will see you tomorrow."

"Yes you will," she said smiling. And slowly she made her way out with Rebecca and Nadir followed them as well. Only William was left now.

He looked at me meekly, "I'm sorry Erik," he muttered, "I didn't mean-"

"Hush boy," I said cutting him off, "it wasn't your fault. I overreacted and I didn't let either of you explain. I'm the one who is sorry."

He sighed, "I would be lying if I wasn't thinking of the societal benefits in all of this. But I also know my sister's heart, and I know she wanted to make this commitment to you and only you."

I nodded, "Thank you, William. But I think both of us need to rest. You shouldn't even technically be out of bed."

"Yes I know," he said rolling his eyes, "I should have been out of bed much sooner than this." He smiled before walking away and heading back upstairs. I sighed…I went from totally rejecting to this to agreeing with it. That's how much power she had over me…and that was how much I loved her.

(Jasmine)

I hardly slept at all that night my mind racing with so many things. I wished it could be exciting but I also felt almost guilty. Was I forcing him to do something he didn't want to do? I gently got up not wanting to disturb Rebecca who had barely been able to calm down herself with all this excitement.

I made my way down the hall to his door and raised my hand and knocked gently on the door. I listened intently for his footsteps and when I finally heard them I said quickly, "Don't open the door." His footsteps came to an immediate halt at that.

He chuckled on the other side of the door, "Aren't you breaking the rules right now?"

"Technically I'm not seeing you and you're not seeing me," I said trying to keep my tone light. But as I stood there silence became overwhelming and I finally leaned against door slowly sliding my body down to a sitting position.

"What's wrong?" he asked sounding like he had moved to a sitting position as well.

"Just tell me," I said immediately, "you do want this right?"

As I heard nothing but silence on the other side I began to think that it was true. "Because I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to. You know that. We can continue being happy…just as a family together."

"Jasmine," he said interrupting this, "I know you want this. And I would be lying if I didn't say I haven't thought about his also. I have had all night to think about this my love and I want this with you. I want to be able to go someplace someday where this," he said probably indicating his scarring, "won't matter. Where I can proudly call you my wife. And even if it takes years we will find that place and we will be happy." I smiled to hear those words come from him and it helped relieve a lot of the tension I had been feeling.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Of course my love," he said, "you had better get back before you get in trouble. I know just how hard five year olds can be when you break the rules."

I gently put my hand on the door, "I love you."

"I love you as well," he said back. And then I walked back to my room ready for whatever the day might bring.

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