The Love of a Stranger

Ob1MegOb1

Author's Note: Chapter 36! I have been stuck on Chapter 35 (which is two hundred pages long by now) that its weird seeing 36. The reason it so long is because I went about writing the entirety of the story out before updating. Even though technically I don't have a clear-cut ending yet but I have this pretty planned out for a while now. Either way…here is Chapter 36. Enjoy!

Chapter 36

(Erik)

I rolled my eyes as William and Nadir to dress me up in the most suffocating outfit possible. "I don't understand why we have to do this," I muttered, "it's not like anybody of the highest importance is coming today."

"What your future family is not important?" William said jokingly, "Besides we could have done a lot worse with this outfit." Which he was right about that. I was wearing my white mask which seemed to stand out in stark contrast with the rest of the outfit. A very simple black jacket, white shirt, and black pants and shoes. Not remarkable by any means but it would do. I just couldn't help but wonder if they were working this hard on me what they were doing to Jasmine right now.

And as they stepped away I could hardly recognize myself in the reflection. With the exception of the mask, I was almost presentable. "Well I think I shall go wait for the priest," Nadir said. "Once he gets here we will check and see where the women are at." The truth was I barely heard what he was saying. It was starting to set in everything that was going to happen.

"Here," William said handing me a glass and I rolled my eyes.

"I don't need it I'm fine," I said feigning irritation but he knew better just putting the glass down beside me.

"It's just for nerves don't worry I'm not trying to poison you," he said teasingly. He seemed so good today…no sign of his sickness in sight.

"You look well today," I said softly.

"Yeah well I tell you when joyful events happen I' m fine," he said smiling, "but it's when that stress kicks in that I start to spiral downward." I nodded understanding what he was saying. As I saw him prepare I couldn't help but notice once again how much he had grown this past year. It was a far cry from that young boy getting into fist fights with me.

I took a deep breath sitting down in a nearby chair my heart beginning to race. William messed with his tie nervously before turning to me, "I know you will take care of her. That you will only have her best interests at heart," he said quickly. "But if I find out you intentionally hurt her in any way—" he said his eyes blazing. Now there was the young man I knew so well.

"William if that ever happened I don't think I would ever forgive myself," I said seriously. "I will do anything in my power to protect her…anything," I repeated softly. He looked like he wanted to say something more but he didn't. He knew what the underlying tone was in that phrase. And he knew better by now that we didn't know what would happen. But I did know what I was willing to do to protect my family. All of them.

The door opened again and Nadir came in, "The priest has arrived, I am going to ask the women if they are ready. You two may head down if you are ready."

As the door closed William looked at me, "I am afraid to be down there alone with you and a priest. I know he's agreed to do this but I don't want to push our luck."

I chuckled at that, "We'll wait for Nadir to go down and then we'll follow. If you're so uncomfortable."

Nadir popped his head back in again, "You do realize I can hear you out here. And the women are almost ready so we need to make our way down."

I took a deep breath trying to gather myself. We were going down to the living room to hold the small ceremony. It was supposed to be nothing fancy…one look at myself made me think otherwise.

The priest was a younger man I was surprised probably about my age or a little younger. He gave us a kind smile as we came down and guided where he wanted me and Nadir to stand. As soon we were ready William made his way upstairs. He had promised he would walk Jasmine down…give her away I guess was the term. And then eventually Ev and a beaming Rebecca made their way down. Both looking presentable. And then we just waited for Jasmine and William.

(Jasmine)

I felt weird…even though Ev said that they hadn't really dressed me up too much. But I wasn't used to this…to feeling dressed up and I guess what most would consider beautiful. But I couldn't see myself so all I could do was imagine. My long raven hair wavy and down to my back. A long dress that went down to the floor and made me grateful that I would have William helping me down the stairs.

The door opened and I stood up recognizing William's footsteps. He was silent as he stood there and I began to get nervous in the silence. "Is it too much?" I said quietly.

"Jasmine," he said his voice in awe, "you look beautiful." He stepped forward and gently kissed me on the cheek. "I am so happy for you sister. And even though I doubted this so much in the beginning…I am glad to be proven wrong."

I smiled, "Thank you." I took a deep breath and smiled again, "Alright I'm ready." He hooked his arm into mine and began to walk me down.

(Erik)

My heart started racing as I heard them start to come down the stairs outside. Rebecca and Ev had taken a seat and I swore Rebecca was going to explode if something didn't happen soon. Finally, we heard footsteps outside the room and then they both came in. I felt as if all the air had left my body. The dress would probably have been considered plain by anybody else's standards. But on her…she looked radiant. Her long black hair stood out in contrast, long and flowing down in long curled tresses.

William slowly walked her up muttering to her softly, and I'm sure that he was describing me in great detail to her. Finally, they made their way to me and William gently took her hands. He gently kissed them before finally handing them to me. I helped her stand up across from me and I felt entranced once again. Quite honestly even though the priest started talking about all the responsibilities that come with marriage I found myself not listening very well. The only thing I saw was her. And even though her eyes were not directly on me and yet I knew she was probably in the same state as me.

We exchanged the vows saying them with all the dedication that we had in each of us. And I felt my heart race like crazy as I gently slid her mother's ring on her finger. And…after a little bit of effort which she laughed off nervously she got her father's ring on my finger. The priest finished up his business before finally, he said the words we wanted to hear, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." And I smiled broadly leaning forward and kissing her gently on the lips accompanied by clapping and even a small cheer from the siblings.

We did the official signing of the marriage certificate and Jasmine even stayed to say a quick thank you to the priest. Which of course he said it was his pleasure and his God-given duty or something equivalent to that. "Alright, we can start celebrating!" William said a broad smile on his face and I forgot how young he was.

Jasmine laughed, "I need to go change first. I am not going to be able to do much celebrating in this dress."

"Do you need help?" I muttered softly to her and she smiled, "Don't worry we'll have time for that later. I'll be fine." I leaned forward kissing her once again and gently stroked her cheek. "Hurry back," I said softly. She smiled leaning down and removing her shoes with a great look of relief on her face. I think we both were ready for a little bit of relief tonight

(Jasmine)

I couldn't stop touching the ring that was now on my ring finger. I was now Erik's wife…it seemed so surreal. For so many reasons I couldn't even describe as I sat down to try to gather myself.

Then the door opened making me jump. I gave a nervous sigh laughing to myself, I guess I hadn't been paying attention. "Sorry," I said softly, "I was thinking about other things." I stood up figuring it was Erik that had come in. But nobody was answering my comment. I heard footsteps walk around me but I couldn't figure out whose they were. They circled back around me…like I was prey and they the predator. A chill went up my spine at that realization. "There was a time I had envisioned you in a wedding dress just like this," that all too familiar voice said. And my heart raced at the realization of who it was. Paul. "And now you've gone and married the devil," he said his voice calm but his tone dangerous. "And even worse you've conceived his child. You've destroyed yourself and now," he said softly, "there is no going back." My heart stopped as he said this. What was he planning to do? And why now?

"The only one who knows anything about the devil is you," I said my voice venomous. "I swear to God if you do anything to this family there will be no place on heaven, hell or Earth that can protect you."

And then suddenly his face was right next to mine, "We'll see." And then I heard his footsteps leave the room. There were shouts in the hallway and I recognized them as coming from William followed by his running footsteps.

"William!" I heard Erik call down the hallway and there was a lot of chaos outside. But what he had said kept echoing in my head. Here I had hoped that he was done and gone but now he was back.

Finally, there was the sound of footsteps and I felt Erik's hands on the side of my face. "Are you okay?" he asked.

I shook my head, "No I'm not," I said my voice breaking. Of all nights for him to do this, it had to be tonight. Erik wrapped his arms around me holding me close and trying to calm me down. But I could feel him shaking as well and for some reason, I knew it wasn't out of fear. This was anger for him. Subdued but he was angry.

"Did you find him?" I asked softly.

"No," he said through clenched teeth, "the bastard was long gone by the time we even tried to get to him. He seems to know every little exit in this house." And that just made my fears increase a hundred fold.

(Erik – A little later)

And what had started out so happy had turned to complete and utter hell. Barely married and we were already getting threats. Now I began to wonder if this had been a mistake. But I also had to remind myself that this was Paul. He was beginning to feel like a nemesis of the most dangerous kind. His movements and actions were so erratic that I had a hard time predicting what he would do next. Which made my fear and protective nature far worse than normal.

I was standing in the living room trying to clear my head. After I had calmed Jasmine down she had gone to take care of Alex who had begun to cry with all the craziness going on. I counted my blessings that Paul hadn't harmed Alex or Jasmine…at least he hadn't yet.

I turned as William and Nadir made their way in. William was out of breath from all of the excitement and I hoped he didn't dip back down. I needed him healthy right now. "No sign of that bastard," he said his voice rising.

"He didn't harm Jasmine though?" Nadir asked curiously.

"No, but he made a veiled threat instead," I said seriously. "I think that has her more shaken up than anything physical he could have done to her." My hands were beginning to shake with rage. And Nadir knew it too, his eyes on me. Watching me to see if I was going to resort to old ways.

"We should leave," William said softly, "we knew it was dangerous to stay here for so long."

"William you're still not healthy enough to travel," I said insistently.

"Then leave without me," he said seriously, "I will not be the one holding you back. And I will not compromise this family's safety because of my health."

I shook my head, "Jasmine will never leave you. You know that William. And quite frankly I am not willing to just leave you either."

"And what if something happens?" he said his eyes sad, "To Jasmine? To Alex?"

I ran my hands through my hair every inch of me becoming restless. "It doesn't matter anyway," Nadir said next to us, "it will still take a month for us to get everything prepared to leave. Nothing is prepared on the other side of things. And with a whole family to move we can't just pick up and go…not safely at least."

"Nothing's going to be decided tonight," I said tersely. "I suggest we rest and we will start making plans tomorrow. William, you have a month if that is what it is going take to get ready." William nodded his head solemnly understanding what I was saying. As they headed out of the room I headed outside. I felt on the verge of exploding right now. This…all of this would have never happened if I had never….this was all my fault.

It was always my fault, I thought pacing madly. It was my fault and this accursed, I thought touching my mask on my face. And then in my blind rage, I found myself taking that mask and throwing it into the window which shattered into a thousand pieces. What was the point in wearing it when I was fooling no one? Everybody knew what I was…everybody.

I walked away from the shattered glass my heart racing. Everywhere I went I was discriminated against and hated. And I couldn't escape it no matter what. Finally, I fell to my knees and gave out a frustrated cry pounding my fist into the ground. Was I to be afforded no happiness in this life? On one of the happiest days of my life, I had been handed this…the thing to throw it all into chaos. I realized that I was on the verge of sobbing just from the pure frustration of it. There was nothing I could do and it seemed no one to help me. There was nothing. I was losing everything.

And then out of nowhere her arms wrapped around me holding me close. I don't know how she had managed to find me in all my craziness but she was here. Holding my head in her arms and rubbing my shoulders comfortingly. And we sat there in silence for a long time…her just trying to comfort my raging heart. Right now we would have been celebrating and consummating our marriage. It was supposed to be a happy time.

And as I began to come down from my rage I suddenly realized all I had done. "The window," I said softly.

"Can be replaced," she said calmly. "I'm not concerned about a window," she said gently stroking my face. And I gently caressed hers.

"I'm so sorry love," I said my voice sad.

She gave me a kind smile, "I know."

And then we leaned on each other so thoroughly exhausted from the range of emotions we had gone through today. "We should go inside," I said softly, "It's too cold out here for you."

And slowly we helped each other up and slowly made our way back and eventually up to our room. We dressed down and even though it wasn't exactly the night I had planned we lay at each other's side my arms wrapped protectively around her. I didn't know if I was going to sleep tonight, but I would stay by her side. And as I had told William…I would do anything to protect this family. Anything.

(Jasmine)

I don't think either of us slept at all. I just laid in his arms and tried but all I could think of was what Paul said. I just didn't understand where all of this hatred he had, had come from. Paul had been angry in his time, but this was jealousy, hatred and vengeance all wrapped into one. And I didn't know what to think of it.

I could feel the wedding band on Erik's finger and the one on mine and finally my sadness hit me. This was not how I had wanted to spend my first night married to Erik. Suddenly I understood his frustration and why he had lost it for that short time. It wasn't fair…it wasn't fair at all.

And before I could realize it there were tears, of frustration or sadness I didn't know, but they came down my face. And I hated them, oh I hated them so much. And then I felt his arms wrap around me tighter trying to comfort me. And no words need pass between us, he knew exactly why I was upset. He gently kissed the top of my head and rocked me a little.

Eventually, I calmed down and relaxed again as did his hold on me. He still continued to rub my arm though with his thumb as a relaxing measure. I reached up giving his hand a small squeeze, "This isn't what I wanted tonight. I'm sorry."

I felt his breath against my ear warm and comforting, "You have nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault."

But as I lay there trying to put my mind at ease I couldn't help but wonder if it was. If it wasn't for me he would have never met Paul. And we wouldn't be going through this. And now…I was scared of what lay ahead. We all were.

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