Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter! Thanks for all your reviews last chapter! You guys are so sweet. :) Thank you to all of my guest reviewers, sorry I can't reply to you because that's how it's set up but thank you all the same! PLEASE REVIEW and let me know what you think of this chapter! God Bless.
-Vegter999
Chapter 6
Ruth's POV:
The next morning I forced my eyes open as sunlight leaked through the cracks in the blinds. I blinked a few times and moved my head up to see Erik still snoozing peacefully with his arms wrapped around me.
I placed a soft kiss on his cheek and gently untangled myself from his arms and threw off the covers, tucking them gently back around him as I stood beside the bed. I then made my way to the bathroom, shutting the door softly behind me and gazing in the mirror for a moment.
The events of yesterday played over in my head as I gazed into the mirror. All of a sudden a knock came at the door.
"Ruth you in there?" Erik asked.
"Yes, you can come in."
Erik opened the door and I smiled at him.
"Good morning" he smiled back, kissing me.
"Good morning."
"Are you ok? You weren't there when I woke up."
"Sorry. I just needed a moment alone to process everything that happened yesterday."
He nodded.
"That's understandable."
"How are YOU feeling this morning?"
"Better I suppose."
"That doesn't sound very enthusiastic Erik."
"I will be fine, I promise." He kissed me on the forehead. "Plus it's Saturday which means I don't have to go into the office and I get to spend the whole day with you guys which always makes me happy. So why don't we go and do something fun today, I think we all deserve it."
I grinned at him.
"Alright, what did you have in mind?"
"How about we go out for breakfast to Ander's Restaurant and then we can decide what to do from there?"
"That would be lovely."
"Good, well I guess I'll get dressed and wake the kids up and I'll meet you downstairs."
"Sounds good."
He grinned mischievously at me.
"I still need one more kiss though."
I rolled my eyes.
"Come here" I held my arms open and he stepped into them and I pressed my lips to his.
We stayed like that for a long moment until finally I whispered against his lips "Erik we need to go."
He reluctantly released me and made his way from the bathroom. I quickly brushed my teeth and hair, sweeping my long dark locks into a ponytail before exiting the bathroom. I quickly dressed and made my way downstairs.
The kids and Erik weren't there yet so I sat on the bench by the door and slipped on my tennis shoes.
Jakob and Maryam soon came scurrying down the stairs, followed more slowly by Katarina and Erik followed behind her, carrying Annalise in his arms.
Erik placed Annalise down on the bench beside me and said to her "Put your shoes on princess so we can go."
Annalise quietly obeyed and slipped her tiny shoes on her tiny feet and then held her arms out for Erik to pick her up again.
Once everyone was ready we all made our way out to the car. Jakob raced to the drivers side door and pulled it open, hopping into the drivers seat.
Erik moved to the drivers side, grinning affectionately at Jakob who was currently moving the wheel back and forth and pretending to drive.
He glanced over at Erik.
"Pappa can I drive?"
Erik snorted.
"When you're older Jakob."
Jakob crossed his arms and pouted.
"Why do adults keep saying that?!"
Erik kissed him on the top of the head.
"Because you should enjoy your childhood. Now get in the back so we can go."
Jakob sighed and Erik patted him on the back as Jakob climbed into the backseat.
"Everyone buckled in?" I asked, glancing to the back where all the kids had settled in their seats.
"Yeah" they all chorused together as Erik started the car.
Soon we were cruising down the road and then arrived at Ander's Restaurant.
I recalled Erik bringing me here when he had asked me for dinner the first time, all those years ago when I had arrived in Norway.
We all exited the car, with Jakob, Maryam, and Katarina racing ahead of us to the door while I carried Annalise.
When we got inside the restaurant a familiar person waved to us from across the room.
"Erik!" Anders exclaimed, making his way over to us.
"Anders how are you?" Erik asked as the two men thumped each other.
"Doing well. And I see you brought the whole family today."
Anders eyes fell upon Jakob.
"My goodness Jakob you're getting so big! You look more and more like your Father everyday!"
"Um...thank you I guess" Jakob replied, uncertain as to whether or not to take it as a compliment.
Anders giggled.
"Don't worry boy that's a good thing. You're Father was always the more handsome of the two of us. That's how he got your beautiful mamma here to marry him." Anders gestured to me and threw a wink in my direction.
Jakob then turned to me and asked innocently "Mamma which do you think is more handsome, Anders or Pappa?"
My cheeks reddened and I glanced up to see Anders quietly losing it behind his hand, his shoulders heaving with laughter while Erik's face reddened as he softly laughed too before pretending to cough instead.
"Uh...sweetheart we don't ask questions like that."
"Why not? It's a simple enough question" Jakob pressed and I recognized that he had now gone into investigative mode and would not stop until he found the answer.
I glanced back up at Anders, who was still struggling to control his laughing fit, his face had turned red and tears were now showing in his eyes.
"Can we get a table please?"
Anders clearly decided to be nice today and put me out of my misery.
"Of course. Follow me" he squeaked out.
He led us to a booth and placed six menus on the table, before departing, his shoulders still shaking.
Jakob clearly had already lost interest in my opinion of which male I found more attractive because he was now helping Annalise read the kids menu.
Erik glanced across the table at me and snorted.
My eyebrows drew together in irritation and I whacked him on the arm with my purse.
"Ow!" he exclaimed, snickering and his face turning even redder which only made me feel even more irritated.
I decided to ignore him and turned my attention to Maryam.
"Mommy can we get dessert?" she asked.
"Not for breakfast sweetie."
"Please" she begged, giving me her best puppy dog eyes.
"No Maryam."
Her face fell.
"Why don't we work on the puzzle together?" I asked, indicating the little crossword puzzle on the kids menu.
That seemed to distract her and as I tried to help her find the words I felt someone's eyes on me. I glanced up to see Erik gazing at me, love and passion and desire written all over his eyes.
I knew that look well after ten years of marriage.
He wanted me. Right now.
Well after he laughed at me, he wasn't gonna get me that easy.
I turned my attention back to Maryam and refused to look at him, though I still felt his gaze burning into me.
All of a sudden I felt a sharp tug on my wrist and I was thrown to the floor.
I gazed up to see a very angry-looking man I had never seen before glaring down at me.
"Go back to where you came from! You and your kind are the reason my son is dead, he went off to fight in the middle east and your people killed him!" he spat in an American accent.
Erik got up from the table and angrily shoved him away, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Back off! She is my wife! And if you ever touch her like that again I will make sure you pay for it!"
"You are a disgrace to Western civilization in marrying someone like her! And for Fathering filthy half-breeds!"
I got up off the floor as Maryam, Katarina, and Annalise all burst into tears.
I exclaimed angrily to the man "My children are NOT half anything! They are children of God same as you and I think it best you leave!"
"Yeah I think that's a good idea too" Anders came up to us, his eyebrows drawing together in anger.
"I have as much right to be here as anybody else!"
"Not when your assaulting my customers. Now you either leave or I will call the police and have them make you leave. Your choice" Anders glared at him.
The man was silent for a moment, but then he glared at me one last time and spat in my direction before stomping out the door.
I glanced around the room for a moment, noting how the restaurant had turned completely silent and how everyone had stopped to watch the incident. I felt hot tears well up in my eyes and I allowed Erik to pull me to him.
"Shhh, he's gone now love. He's gone. Your safe. I will always keep you safe" he soothed. He kissed the top of my head.
"I'm truly sorry about that Ruth. I had no idea he would do that since I've never seen him before."
"It's alright. It's not your fault" I said.
"Do you still want me to call the police so you can file a report?"
I looked at Erik.
"I think that would be the best thing to do right now Ruth."
I nodded.
"Ok."
Anders nodded.
"I'll go call them then."
I turned to the kids, who were all softly crying, most likely in shock from what they'd witnessed.
"Oh my sweeties. I'm so sorry you had to see that. Everything is ok now. I'm here and Pappa's here and we're all safe now" I soothed them, placing a kiss on each of their heads.
Anders soon returned.
"The police are on their way."
"Thanks Anders for all your help" Erik said.
"No problem. Will you guys still be staying for breakfast or will you go home after you talk to the police?"
"I think it best we just take the kids home, so I think we'll just do takeout if that's alright" I replied.
"Sure I'll have one of my waitresses take your orders and get it ready for you."
"Thank you."
Anders gave me a sympathetic smile and a nod and then walked away.
The police arrived soon and Erik and I were questioned at length about the incident as were Anders and other witnesses in the restaurant.
I found the whole process very exhausting but I knew that it was also necessary.
Finally the police had all the information they needed and they exited the restaurant.
Erik and I were handed our takeout from Anders but when Erik pulled out his wallet Anders said "On the house."
Erik smiled gratefully at his friend before taking the bag and we held each others hands as we walked out to the car with the kids.
Just before we reached the car Erik pulled me to the side.
"Hey let's see if we can drop the kids off with Naomi for the rest of the day and you and I can have some time alone." He stroked my cheek with the back of his finger.
Being exhausted as I was emotionally and physically I could only nod in agreement.
We drove by Naomi's apartment and she was surprised but also delighted to see us.
Erik and quickly explained the situation to her.
"Oh Ruth that sounds horrible! I'm so glad your ok!" she said, pulling me to her in a hug.
"We were wondering if perhaps you could watch the kids until tonight. Ruth and I need some time alone after this."
"Of course. I'd be happy to." Naomi gave me one last hug and Erik and I departed.
I was quiet on the ride back home, more tears threatening to spill over. Erik parked the car and unlocked the door and as soon as he did I dashed up the stairs, heading straight for the bathroom in our bedroom.
"Ruth!" he called out after me but I didn't respond.
As soon as I got to the bathroom, I slammed the door shut and sank to the floor, sobbing, tears running down my face and my shoulders heaving.
I looked toward the bath and all of a sudden felt the need to sink into some nice warm soothing water.
I started the bath and undressed and stepped into the tub, sinking into the warm water and allowing to relax my muscles.
I continued to sob and let the tears rush out of me like a waterfall.
A knock came at the door.
"Sweetheart, can I come in?" Erik asked.
"Come in" I called, sniffling.
He came in and stopped when he saw me. What a mess I must've looked with tears stains upon my face and my nose running.
"Oh Ruth" he said softly, his eyes filling with sadness.
I sobbed more and pulled my knees up to my chest and placed my head upon them.
Erik placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Sweetheart?"
I didn't look at him and just continued to sob.
"Sweetheart please look at me."
I shook my head.
"Sweetheart, what happened wasn't your fault. You're the kindest, bravest, most beautiful woman I know and it was unfair and cruel of him to blame you for all those things and to attack you in such a way. Please just look at me."
I finally lifted my head and my eyes met his.
"There are those beautiful eyes I love" he smiled.
His gaze then flitted over the rest of my form, his eyes filling with desire.
He kissed me and whispered against my lips "I want you. Will you have me?"
"Yes."
I then shut off the water and dried off and allowed him to carry me to bed.
Hey guys I hope I did this chapter alright. Please REVIEW and let me know what you think. God Bless.
