TITLE: DAYS Fairy Tale: Eric & Greta: Chapters 66-70
WRITTEN BY: Heather Ferguson (fergus80)
EMAIL: hferguso@niu.edu
WEBSITE: http://eric_greta.tripod.com (from when Jensen was on days)
Rating: If you can watch DAYS, you can read this. If there is a rating change, a link to the chap. will be provided.
Disclaimer: Days of Our Lives and all of their characters are property of Corday Productions and NBC.
My Rant: Okay, I'm finally putting this up on FanFiction.net. Mostly to free up my website space. This was started way back in Oct. of 1999, and I haven't decided if it's finished yet or not. Reviews are always welcome!
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Chapter 66
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Eric made his way to the photo lab, and started setting up the lighting for the next shoot. He checked the schedule again, it was some makeup ad. He added more lighting, and changed the backdrop. The door opened, and he turned around, and sighed, then went to go put the film in the cameras.
"Hello to you too," Nicole said from behind him. "Someone isn't in a good mood, did you and Greta have a fight or something?" She said, hoping the answer was yes.
He turned to her, as he was cleaning off the lens. "As if it's any of your business. But no, we did not have a fight. Greta is on a plane to France as we speak."
Nicole's eyes lit up, *That means he's all alone.* "For how long?" She asked innocently.
"About a week." He said turning away and setting down the camera. Then moving to the next one.
She smiled, "So why is she going?"
Eric turned to look at her, "Why all the questions Nicole?"
"Just making small talk. I mean, why couldn't she wait and go when you had time off? Or did she just want to go by herself and get away?"
Eric shook his head, "The Realtor found a buyer for the chateau, and they are closing the deal."
"Oh."
Eric put the next camera on the tripod, then turned to her. "Now, that we have went over my relationship, how are you and Lucas doing?"
"We're fine."
Eric nodded, "That doesn't sound good. Still working on that baby?" He looked through the lens of the camera, then went over to change some of the lighting again.
"Yes, Lucas really wants one."
"What about you?"
She turned away and pretended to look at the schedule. "Of course I want a child."
Eric shook his head at the lack of enthusiasm, and decided to change the topic. "So when is the model coming in for this shoot?"
Right then the door opened, and in walked the model.
Nicole motioned at her. "Speak of the devil."
Minutes later the shoot began. A couple hours, and lunch later, the shoot was done. Eric took the film and went to develop them.
"Let the others do that, why don't we get a drink or something?" Nicole asked.
Eric just laughed. "I don't think so." And with that he went into the dark room.
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Eric looked at the clock for the millionth time, and sighed. The cordless phone was sitting on the couch beside him, and the news was on the TV. *Where is she?* He asked again, *She was supposed to call when she got there, and that was supposed to be over and hour ago.* He was worried. He knew nothing to bad happened or it would have been on the news. He jumped when the phone rang. He picked it up and answered it, "Hello?"
"Eric, hi."
"Oh, Greta, it is so good to hear your voice."
"It's nice to hear yours too and be off that plane. We had such bad turbulence, they had us in our seat belts for most of the end of the trip. My cell phone was in the over head compartment, so I couldn't call. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, just glad you made it all right."
"Yeah, well I am going to get a taxi and head over to the hotel. I'm exhausted."
"I bet."
"I love you." She said with a slight yawn.
He smiled, "I love you too, now get to that hotel and get some sleep."
"I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay, talk to you soon."
"Bye." She said, he said his good bye as well and they hung up. Eric turned off the television, yawned, and headed for bed.
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Greta got her luggage and then hailed a taxi, the driver got her bags inside, and helped her into the car. "Hotel de Crillon, s'il vous plaît."
The driver nodded and started to drive. Greta looked out the widow, she was back in Paris, her home. *No, it used to be my home. My home is now Salem, with Eric and John... my father, and family.* She smiled at that. She was so happy, she had a wonderful family, and a man she loved very much. She wished Eric was with her. The last time they were in Paris was so nice. *That's when he first kissed me.* She smiled again, but it faded, as she realized how alone she was there. The driver soon pulled up front, and a bellboy was already getting the luggage out of the taxi. Greta paid the driver, and got out of the taxi when the door man opened the door, and then the door to the hotel for her. She walked into the the grand, beautiful hotel, and made her way to front desk. She checked in, and then made her way to the room. After tipping the bellboy, she took a quick shower, and then went to bed. She laid awake for quite sometime. She had gotten so used to sleeping in Eric's arms that now that he wasn't there, she couldn't sleep. But after some time, the long plane ride took it's toll her body and mind finally gave in to sleep.
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Chapter 67
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The next morning when Greta woke up she went to meet with the Realtor. She found out that the people would meet with her the next day, and that they wanted to look over the property one more time. Also, the papers were almost done. She decided to take the day and go and see the chateau herself. She spent awhile in her mother's bedroom. even though it was now empty, having sold or donated most of the furniture in the house. The paintings, and other things she decided she couldn't separate herself from, were being stored. She walked through the rooms, and found her way into the tower. She shivered as she thought of how her mother was locked up in there for all those years. She vowed that some day Stephano would pay for doing that to her mother. But right now she just wanted to forget about it. She walked out of the room and made her way through the rest of the house. She smiled as she came to another room. The room was bare but she could almost see the chair she tried to hide behind, the way the dust had made her sneeze. She smiled as Eric had found her, and then.. kissed her.
That kiss, that perfect first kiss. She knew things would never be the same after that. She explored the rest of the chateau and then took the rental car back to the city. She toured the Paris sites, and then returned to the hotel for dinner and a call to Eric.
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Eric walked through Salem place, and stopped at the Travel agency window, when he saw the advertisement for Paris. He stared through the window, *Oh how I wish I was there with her.* Just then his cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"HI sweetie," Eric smiled.
"Greta, I was just thinking of you."
He could almost hear her smile over the phone. "That's good, what were you thinking?"
"How much I wish I was with you."
"Me too."
"So how is it going?"
"I'm meeting with the people tomorrow, and the paperwork is almost finished."
"So maybe you can come home early."
"I'm not sure, the people still want to look one more time."
"Well, while you wait, see the sites, have some fun."
She laughed, "Already did some of that today. Went and saw the chateau as well, took a few pictures, relived some memories."
"Any in particular?"
"Some nice ones, when I wasn't alone in Paris last time."
Eric smiled, "We are going to have to go back sometime."
"That would be wonderful." She said, and then he heard a knock at the door over the phone. "Just a minute," She said, and then she walked over to the door. He could hear her talk to someone, and something being wheeled into the room. She told them thank you, and then picked up the phone. "Sorry about that, it was room service."
"Greta, why didn't you go out to dinner?"
"I didn't want to go out alone, decided to stay in and watch a movie."
"So what did you get for dessert?"
"What makes you think I got dessert?" She asked with a laugh.
"Cause I know you, and I know it is probably loaded with Chocolate."
She laughed again, "Guilty as charged. Translated into english, it's called, Chocolate Lovers Dream." He laughed. "So much chocolate, I might make myself sick."
"Well, eat something else first."
"Oh, I will. I won't be able to get half of everything I ordered, I missed the french food, and the smell. Oh, you should smell how wonderful it all is."
He laughed, "Well then I should let you eat your dinner."
She sighed, "Okay, I'm just not sure when or if I will be able to call tomorrow, it might be pretty hectic."
"Well, if you can't it's okay. Just try and keep it touch."
"Awh, I miss you too."
He smiled and shook his head, *Just how sappy are we?* He asked himself, but he didn't care, he loved it and her. "I love you, Greta."
"I love you too, and I will try to talk again soon."
They said their good-byes, and Eric went back to his shopping and errands. What he didn't see was the blonde behind the bushes listening to his conversation. She stood up and watched him leave. "How revolting." She said. "So sweet to each other it could give you a tooth ache." Nicole sighed, "I will make sure it won't be that sweet much longer. Cause as you know my dear Greta, when the cat is gone, the mice will play." And with a devilish smile she followed Eric.
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Chapter 68
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Greta met with the buyers the next day, and together with the Realtor they viewed the chateau again. She was curious as to why she was really needed, and couldn't just be there to sign the papers. But after talking to the buyers she realized, why. They wanted to know the history, about the people who lived there, how it was decorated. She actually had some fun describing to them how it was furnished, and talking about her mother.
A couple hours later she was on her way back to the hotel, and would meet the Realtor tomorrow to finalize the papers. She would actually be back in Salem early. She dragged herself into the hotel room, and looked at the clock. She was exhausted, but Eric was still at work. She decided to call tomorrow.
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Greta woke the next morning, and went down to the hotel restaurant for some breakfast. She then called the airport and booked a flight. She wasn't happy that she had to take a flight the next day, mid-morning. But at least she would get home early, and maybe her and Eric could still take the weekend together. She smiled at the thought.
She then went shopping, she had nothing else to do. She bought a ton of new clothes, and a few things she thought Eric might like. At that thought she blushed slightly. She brought it all back to the hotel, and then went to go sign the papers.
He hands shaked slightly as she sighed the line. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding when she saw her name there. The Realtor smiled, and Greta knew why. She was getting about seven percent of the sale. The Realtor then told her, the money would be deposited into her France bank account by the end of the day. Greta told the lady her thanks for taking care of everything and then left.
When she got back to the room, she called Eric.
"Hello?"
"Hi," she said sweetly.
"Greta. How's it going?" He asked her.
She smiled, and decided not to tell him everything, "It's going, I hope to be home soon, but not sure exactly when."
"So what all have you been doing?"
She laughed, "Shopping."
"Buy out all the shops in Paris?"
"Not all of them," she laughed again and so did he. "How's Salem?"
"Well everyone misses you. Had to convince John that you didn't need his help, and that he should stay here. Hope went to the hospital with contractions, but they weren't the real ones."
Greta smiled, "Should be soon then."
"Yeah, real soon. Work is work."
"Nicole still working you hard?"
"Yeah, but at least I only have a half day friday. Just wish you were here to share it."
Greta smiled, "Yeah me too."
"Are you sure you won't be able to come home this friday, by midday?"
"Eric I can't catch a flight on friday, I'm sorry." She grinned, *Because I am coming home on thursday.* She thought to herself.
"It's okay, I understand." Greta heard a voice in the back ground, and Eric answer, "Okay, okay, just a minute.... Sorry about that, I need to get back to work." He sighed.
"Okay, I'll talk to you soon. I love you." Greta said.
"I love you too." Eric told her, and they said their good-byes. Greta hung up the phone. "Oh I have a surprise for you." She took out her address book and then called Green Mountain Lodge, she made reservations for one of the suites, one with a hot tub. She smiled, and then headed off to take a bath, and then pack to go home.
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The next day, Eric went to work once more. This shoot was of five little kids, some of this favorite subjects, at least for the first half. The second half was a swim suit shoot. Nicole was there bright and early nothing new about that. Halfway through the first one, he finally asked her to leave. He couldn't stand her breathing down his neck anymore.
Nicole left, and walked back towards her office, her secretary was on the phone, writing down a message. Nicole decided to wait, and see what it was.
"That sounds wonderful. No, don't worry I won't say a word. Yes, he will be surprised." Nicole's ears perked up. "Okay, I'll tell him what you said. And yes, he will be leaving work around four tonight. Okay, bye."
"So who was that?" Nicole asked.
"That was Greta."
"What did she want?"
The secretary smiled, "Well it's a secret."
Nicole sat on the side of the desk. "Come on, tell me."
"Well okay, just don't tell Eric. She is coming home early today."
"She is, he will be a surprised. What time? I can send a car for her."
"She's getting in around three." Nicole smiled, "So what is she all doing?"
The secretary smiled, "Well she wanted to know what time he would leave from work, cause she wanted to get home and get things ready there."
Nicole smiled wider, "Sounds wonderful." And with that she walked into her office and made a few phone calls.
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Chapter 69
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Greta hung up her cell phone. *Well he leaves work around four, that means he will get back to the apartment around four thirty. I will get off the plane around three, and back to the apartment around four. That gives me a half hour.* She thought for awhile on the plane of what she could do in that half hour.
She smiled at her thoughts, and couldn't wait to see the look on his face.
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Eric wrapped up the first shoot, and gave the photo's to the developer, since he had the next shoot to do. He started to set up for it, when Nicole came back. He could feel her watching him for awhile, and then she spoke.
"It's kinda warm in here."
"I'm fine."
"Okay, I'm going to get a soda from the machine, want one?"
"Uh, sure." Eric said giving her a weird look and then turned back to his work. A couple minutes later he could hear her walk through the door. He turned as he saw her pour the pop into two glasses. He walked over, and she handed him one. "I didn't need it in a glass."
He thought it was weird that she stammered for a second, "Well it was warm, so I got some ice."
"Oh, okay." He took a long drink and then sat it down. He went back to setting up the camera, coming back for a drink every so often. "Does it taste a little flat to you?"
"May be a little watered down from the ice."
"Must be it," He looked at her again. *Why does she seem so nervous?* He asked himself, as he took another drink of his pop.
A moment later the phone rang. Nicole jumped up to answer it, "Uh huh, why? Uh huh, okay okay. Bye."
"Who was that?" He asked her.
"Well the shoot has been canceled, the model can't come in. We'll have to reschedule."
"Okay with me, wouldn't mind going home early." He said, turning off the lights, and dismantling the camera.
"Got anything planed tonight?" She asked.
"Uhh, no. Greta's in Paris, remember?"
"Oh that's right, so how long has Greta been away?"
"A little over four days."
"Must be lonely in that apartment of yours."
"A little." He said truthfully.
"You know, I don't have much to do tonight, we could get some take out and catch a movie."
He looked at her, "I don't think so."
"What? Afraid to be alone with me in the dark?" She asked moving closer.
He looked at her, walking toward him, and pulled at the collar of his shirt. *Was it getting warm in here, or was it just him?" He sat the drink down. "No, I'm not afraid of being alone with you."
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The plane landed smoothly, and soon Greta was on her way to get her baggage. She couldn't wait to be in his arms again, feel his lips against hers. She closed her eyes for a second, and she could almost feel it.
After some hassle with baggage, she finally got her bags, and headed to the exit. She hailed a cab, and the man helped her with her baggage. She then got into the car, and was on her way home.
Soon she was at her stop. She paid the cab driver, then got out of the car with her luggage. She checked her watch. *Five to four.* She still had thirty-five minutes before he would get home."
She smiled to herself, as she grabbed her bags and made her way up to the apartment. She unlocked the door, and brought her bags inside. *Home.* She thought and smiled to herself. It really was home to her, not Paris, she found that out while she was there.
She looked around, and shook her head. "I'm gone for a few days and he is already trashing the apartment." She said picking up a pair of his jeans, shoes, and shook her head when she got to the T-shirt in the hall. She opened the door to his bedroom to drop them in there when she just about screamed.
Greta stood open mouthed, staring at the sight before her. The clothes dropped from her hand onto the floor. She couldn't move her eyes away, from the bed. There was Eric, sound asleep, apparently naked, except for the sheet. But that wasn't the shock, the shock was that Nicole was with him.
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Chapter 70
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Greta began to shake and slowly moved away from the door. The rest of Eric's clothes were thrown around the room, along with Nicole's. She felt like she was going to get sick, like someone had just punched her in the gut.
Her eyes traveled back to the bed, Nicole's head laying on Eric's chest. She then got her wits, and turned and ran down the hall grabbing her purse she ran out the door.
She couldn't think, she didn't want to think. All she felt was the pain, the absolute pain, heartbreak. *How could he?* He kept asking herself. She ran, she ran away as fast as she could. The image taunting her, plaguing her mind.
*He just couldn't wait? Couldn't wait a couple more days? I'm gone for a few days and he goes back to her?* Then more horrible thoughts ran through her, *Maybe, he was with her before too.* The tears ran down her cheeks as she continued to run.
People looked at her strangely as she passed them. Soon she stopped, out of breath. She rested her hands on her knees, and took some deep breaths, she looked up with a tear streaked face. She didn't know she was even running here, but it made sense. She walked inside the building and made her way up the elevator.
She knocked on the door, and when John answered it, she fell into his arms sobbing.
She cried hard, and John held onto her, and moved her over to the couch. She kept repeating, "How could he." But he had no idea what she was talking about.
"How could who what? He asked her, but she was just mumbling, as the tears and sobs kept coming.
Marlena came in hearing all the commotion, and rushed over, "What's wrong?" She asked rubbing Greta on the back, looking at John.
"I have no idea." He tilted Greta's face up to look at him. "Greta, what's wrong? What happened?"
"How could he?" She asked again.
John and Marlena looked at each other, not sure what she was talking about. "How could who what?" He asked again.
"Eric," She said her words trembling, more tears coming.
"What did Eric do?" Marlena asked her.
"I thought he loved me." She said.
"He does," John told her.
"Then why? Why?" She looked up at him questioning.
"Why what?" He asked again. She tried to form the words, but couldn't. "Just tell us what happened."
"Cab from airport." She said between sobs.
"Okay, you took a cab from the airport, you got home early." She nodded yes to him.
"Walked in his room... his room," she said again, "saw.. saw" She buried her head again in his chest and cried.
"Greta, it's okay, what did you see?" Marlena said looking worried, and feared what her answer would be.
"Nicole... Nicole.. in bed... clothes around the room.. both asleep." She finally got out, and started crying again.
John looked at Marlena, anger sweeping through his eyes. Marlena knew that look, and it was a good thing Eric wasn't there right then. John held her, and softly patted her back, holding her.
"This doesn't make any sense." Marlena said softly, "Eric would never do this."
John motioned to Greta, "Well I don't think she would be this upset if it didn't."
Marlena had to agree, and she wasn't sure herself what she would do to her son if she got her hands on him.
Greta cried for awhile, saying more and more of what she saw and what happened as she went on.
"What did he say?" Marlena asked.
"He didn't, they were both asleep when I left." She said, her tears starting to dry, but always on the verge of more.
Some time later, Marlena helped her upstairs to lay down in the guest bedroom, to get some sleep. Marlena came back down to find John pacing. He hit the table with his fist, "If he wasn't your son." He said with anger in his eyes, threw up his hands, "How could he do this to her? To himself?"
Marlena shook her head, she just didn't understand it. It didn't make any sense. Greta and him were so much in love, and as far as she could tell he basically detested Nicole and didn't want anything to do with her. But how could anyone deny what happened? The only way it was any more obvious was if she had caught them actually doing it. They curled up on the couch together, and knew that this was only the beginning, or was it the end?
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To Be Continued
WRITTEN BY: Heather Ferguson (fergus80)
EMAIL: hferguso@niu.edu
WEBSITE: http://eric_greta.tripod.com (from when Jensen was on days)
Rating: If you can watch DAYS, you can read this. If there is a rating change, a link to the chap. will be provided.
Disclaimer: Days of Our Lives and all of their characters are property of Corday Productions and NBC.
My Rant: Okay, I'm finally putting this up on FanFiction.net. Mostly to free up my website space. This was started way back in Oct. of 1999, and I haven't decided if it's finished yet or not. Reviews are always welcome!
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Chapter 66
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Eric made his way to the photo lab, and started setting up the lighting for the next shoot. He checked the schedule again, it was some makeup ad. He added more lighting, and changed the backdrop. The door opened, and he turned around, and sighed, then went to go put the film in the cameras.
"Hello to you too," Nicole said from behind him. "Someone isn't in a good mood, did you and Greta have a fight or something?" She said, hoping the answer was yes.
He turned to her, as he was cleaning off the lens. "As if it's any of your business. But no, we did not have a fight. Greta is on a plane to France as we speak."
Nicole's eyes lit up, *That means he's all alone.* "For how long?" She asked innocently.
"About a week." He said turning away and setting down the camera. Then moving to the next one.
She smiled, "So why is she going?"
Eric turned to look at her, "Why all the questions Nicole?"
"Just making small talk. I mean, why couldn't she wait and go when you had time off? Or did she just want to go by herself and get away?"
Eric shook his head, "The Realtor found a buyer for the chateau, and they are closing the deal."
"Oh."
Eric put the next camera on the tripod, then turned to her. "Now, that we have went over my relationship, how are you and Lucas doing?"
"We're fine."
Eric nodded, "That doesn't sound good. Still working on that baby?" He looked through the lens of the camera, then went over to change some of the lighting again.
"Yes, Lucas really wants one."
"What about you?"
She turned away and pretended to look at the schedule. "Of course I want a child."
Eric shook his head at the lack of enthusiasm, and decided to change the topic. "So when is the model coming in for this shoot?"
Right then the door opened, and in walked the model.
Nicole motioned at her. "Speak of the devil."
Minutes later the shoot began. A couple hours, and lunch later, the shoot was done. Eric took the film and went to develop them.
"Let the others do that, why don't we get a drink or something?" Nicole asked.
Eric just laughed. "I don't think so." And with that he went into the dark room.
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Eric looked at the clock for the millionth time, and sighed. The cordless phone was sitting on the couch beside him, and the news was on the TV. *Where is she?* He asked again, *She was supposed to call when she got there, and that was supposed to be over and hour ago.* He was worried. He knew nothing to bad happened or it would have been on the news. He jumped when the phone rang. He picked it up and answered it, "Hello?"
"Eric, hi."
"Oh, Greta, it is so good to hear your voice."
"It's nice to hear yours too and be off that plane. We had such bad turbulence, they had us in our seat belts for most of the end of the trip. My cell phone was in the over head compartment, so I couldn't call. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, just glad you made it all right."
"Yeah, well I am going to get a taxi and head over to the hotel. I'm exhausted."
"I bet."
"I love you." She said with a slight yawn.
He smiled, "I love you too, now get to that hotel and get some sleep."
"I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay, talk to you soon."
"Bye." She said, he said his good bye as well and they hung up. Eric turned off the television, yawned, and headed for bed.
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Greta got her luggage and then hailed a taxi, the driver got her bags inside, and helped her into the car. "Hotel de Crillon, s'il vous plaît."
The driver nodded and started to drive. Greta looked out the widow, she was back in Paris, her home. *No, it used to be my home. My home is now Salem, with Eric and John... my father, and family.* She smiled at that. She was so happy, she had a wonderful family, and a man she loved very much. She wished Eric was with her. The last time they were in Paris was so nice. *That's when he first kissed me.* She smiled again, but it faded, as she realized how alone she was there. The driver soon pulled up front, and a bellboy was already getting the luggage out of the taxi. Greta paid the driver, and got out of the taxi when the door man opened the door, and then the door to the hotel for her. She walked into the the grand, beautiful hotel, and made her way to front desk. She checked in, and then made her way to the room. After tipping the bellboy, she took a quick shower, and then went to bed. She laid awake for quite sometime. She had gotten so used to sleeping in Eric's arms that now that he wasn't there, she couldn't sleep. But after some time, the long plane ride took it's toll her body and mind finally gave in to sleep.
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Chapter 67
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The next morning when Greta woke up she went to meet with the Realtor. She found out that the people would meet with her the next day, and that they wanted to look over the property one more time. Also, the papers were almost done. She decided to take the day and go and see the chateau herself. She spent awhile in her mother's bedroom. even though it was now empty, having sold or donated most of the furniture in the house. The paintings, and other things she decided she couldn't separate herself from, were being stored. She walked through the rooms, and found her way into the tower. She shivered as she thought of how her mother was locked up in there for all those years. She vowed that some day Stephano would pay for doing that to her mother. But right now she just wanted to forget about it. She walked out of the room and made her way through the rest of the house. She smiled as she came to another room. The room was bare but she could almost see the chair she tried to hide behind, the way the dust had made her sneeze. She smiled as Eric had found her, and then.. kissed her.
That kiss, that perfect first kiss. She knew things would never be the same after that. She explored the rest of the chateau and then took the rental car back to the city. She toured the Paris sites, and then returned to the hotel for dinner and a call to Eric.
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Eric walked through Salem place, and stopped at the Travel agency window, when he saw the advertisement for Paris. He stared through the window, *Oh how I wish I was there with her.* Just then his cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"HI sweetie," Eric smiled.
"Greta, I was just thinking of you."
He could almost hear her smile over the phone. "That's good, what were you thinking?"
"How much I wish I was with you."
"Me too."
"So how is it going?"
"I'm meeting with the people tomorrow, and the paperwork is almost finished."
"So maybe you can come home early."
"I'm not sure, the people still want to look one more time."
"Well, while you wait, see the sites, have some fun."
She laughed, "Already did some of that today. Went and saw the chateau as well, took a few pictures, relived some memories."
"Any in particular?"
"Some nice ones, when I wasn't alone in Paris last time."
Eric smiled, "We are going to have to go back sometime."
"That would be wonderful." She said, and then he heard a knock at the door over the phone. "Just a minute," She said, and then she walked over to the door. He could hear her talk to someone, and something being wheeled into the room. She told them thank you, and then picked up the phone. "Sorry about that, it was room service."
"Greta, why didn't you go out to dinner?"
"I didn't want to go out alone, decided to stay in and watch a movie."
"So what did you get for dessert?"
"What makes you think I got dessert?" She asked with a laugh.
"Cause I know you, and I know it is probably loaded with Chocolate."
She laughed again, "Guilty as charged. Translated into english, it's called, Chocolate Lovers Dream." He laughed. "So much chocolate, I might make myself sick."
"Well, eat something else first."
"Oh, I will. I won't be able to get half of everything I ordered, I missed the french food, and the smell. Oh, you should smell how wonderful it all is."
He laughed, "Well then I should let you eat your dinner."
She sighed, "Okay, I'm just not sure when or if I will be able to call tomorrow, it might be pretty hectic."
"Well, if you can't it's okay. Just try and keep it touch."
"Awh, I miss you too."
He smiled and shook his head, *Just how sappy are we?* He asked himself, but he didn't care, he loved it and her. "I love you, Greta."
"I love you too, and I will try to talk again soon."
They said their good-byes, and Eric went back to his shopping and errands. What he didn't see was the blonde behind the bushes listening to his conversation. She stood up and watched him leave. "How revolting." She said. "So sweet to each other it could give you a tooth ache." Nicole sighed, "I will make sure it won't be that sweet much longer. Cause as you know my dear Greta, when the cat is gone, the mice will play." And with a devilish smile she followed Eric.
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Chapter 68
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Greta met with the buyers the next day, and together with the Realtor they viewed the chateau again. She was curious as to why she was really needed, and couldn't just be there to sign the papers. But after talking to the buyers she realized, why. They wanted to know the history, about the people who lived there, how it was decorated. She actually had some fun describing to them how it was furnished, and talking about her mother.
A couple hours later she was on her way back to the hotel, and would meet the Realtor tomorrow to finalize the papers. She would actually be back in Salem early. She dragged herself into the hotel room, and looked at the clock. She was exhausted, but Eric was still at work. She decided to call tomorrow.
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Greta woke the next morning, and went down to the hotel restaurant for some breakfast. She then called the airport and booked a flight. She wasn't happy that she had to take a flight the next day, mid-morning. But at least she would get home early, and maybe her and Eric could still take the weekend together. She smiled at the thought.
She then went shopping, she had nothing else to do. She bought a ton of new clothes, and a few things she thought Eric might like. At that thought she blushed slightly. She brought it all back to the hotel, and then went to go sign the papers.
He hands shaked slightly as she sighed the line. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding when she saw her name there. The Realtor smiled, and Greta knew why. She was getting about seven percent of the sale. The Realtor then told her, the money would be deposited into her France bank account by the end of the day. Greta told the lady her thanks for taking care of everything and then left.
When she got back to the room, she called Eric.
"Hello?"
"Hi," she said sweetly.
"Greta. How's it going?" He asked her.
She smiled, and decided not to tell him everything, "It's going, I hope to be home soon, but not sure exactly when."
"So what all have you been doing?"
She laughed, "Shopping."
"Buy out all the shops in Paris?"
"Not all of them," she laughed again and so did he. "How's Salem?"
"Well everyone misses you. Had to convince John that you didn't need his help, and that he should stay here. Hope went to the hospital with contractions, but they weren't the real ones."
Greta smiled, "Should be soon then."
"Yeah, real soon. Work is work."
"Nicole still working you hard?"
"Yeah, but at least I only have a half day friday. Just wish you were here to share it."
Greta smiled, "Yeah me too."
"Are you sure you won't be able to come home this friday, by midday?"
"Eric I can't catch a flight on friday, I'm sorry." She grinned, *Because I am coming home on thursday.* She thought to herself.
"It's okay, I understand." Greta heard a voice in the back ground, and Eric answer, "Okay, okay, just a minute.... Sorry about that, I need to get back to work." He sighed.
"Okay, I'll talk to you soon. I love you." Greta said.
"I love you too." Eric told her, and they said their good-byes. Greta hung up the phone. "Oh I have a surprise for you." She took out her address book and then called Green Mountain Lodge, she made reservations for one of the suites, one with a hot tub. She smiled, and then headed off to take a bath, and then pack to go home.
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The next day, Eric went to work once more. This shoot was of five little kids, some of this favorite subjects, at least for the first half. The second half was a swim suit shoot. Nicole was there bright and early nothing new about that. Halfway through the first one, he finally asked her to leave. He couldn't stand her breathing down his neck anymore.
Nicole left, and walked back towards her office, her secretary was on the phone, writing down a message. Nicole decided to wait, and see what it was.
"That sounds wonderful. No, don't worry I won't say a word. Yes, he will be surprised." Nicole's ears perked up. "Okay, I'll tell him what you said. And yes, he will be leaving work around four tonight. Okay, bye."
"So who was that?" Nicole asked.
"That was Greta."
"What did she want?"
The secretary smiled, "Well it's a secret."
Nicole sat on the side of the desk. "Come on, tell me."
"Well okay, just don't tell Eric. She is coming home early today."
"She is, he will be a surprised. What time? I can send a car for her."
"She's getting in around three." Nicole smiled, "So what is she all doing?"
The secretary smiled, "Well she wanted to know what time he would leave from work, cause she wanted to get home and get things ready there."
Nicole smiled wider, "Sounds wonderful." And with that she walked into her office and made a few phone calls.
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Chapter 69
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Greta hung up her cell phone. *Well he leaves work around four, that means he will get back to the apartment around four thirty. I will get off the plane around three, and back to the apartment around four. That gives me a half hour.* She thought for awhile on the plane of what she could do in that half hour.
She smiled at her thoughts, and couldn't wait to see the look on his face.
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Eric wrapped up the first shoot, and gave the photo's to the developer, since he had the next shoot to do. He started to set up for it, when Nicole came back. He could feel her watching him for awhile, and then she spoke.
"It's kinda warm in here."
"I'm fine."
"Okay, I'm going to get a soda from the machine, want one?"
"Uh, sure." Eric said giving her a weird look and then turned back to his work. A couple minutes later he could hear her walk through the door. He turned as he saw her pour the pop into two glasses. He walked over, and she handed him one. "I didn't need it in a glass."
He thought it was weird that she stammered for a second, "Well it was warm, so I got some ice."
"Oh, okay." He took a long drink and then sat it down. He went back to setting up the camera, coming back for a drink every so often. "Does it taste a little flat to you?"
"May be a little watered down from the ice."
"Must be it," He looked at her again. *Why does she seem so nervous?* He asked himself, as he took another drink of his pop.
A moment later the phone rang. Nicole jumped up to answer it, "Uh huh, why? Uh huh, okay okay. Bye."
"Who was that?" He asked her.
"Well the shoot has been canceled, the model can't come in. We'll have to reschedule."
"Okay with me, wouldn't mind going home early." He said, turning off the lights, and dismantling the camera.
"Got anything planed tonight?" She asked.
"Uhh, no. Greta's in Paris, remember?"
"Oh that's right, so how long has Greta been away?"
"A little over four days."
"Must be lonely in that apartment of yours."
"A little." He said truthfully.
"You know, I don't have much to do tonight, we could get some take out and catch a movie."
He looked at her, "I don't think so."
"What? Afraid to be alone with me in the dark?" She asked moving closer.
He looked at her, walking toward him, and pulled at the collar of his shirt. *Was it getting warm in here, or was it just him?" He sat the drink down. "No, I'm not afraid of being alone with you."
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The plane landed smoothly, and soon Greta was on her way to get her baggage. She couldn't wait to be in his arms again, feel his lips against hers. She closed her eyes for a second, and she could almost feel it.
After some hassle with baggage, she finally got her bags, and headed to the exit. She hailed a cab, and the man helped her with her baggage. She then got into the car, and was on her way home.
Soon she was at her stop. She paid the cab driver, then got out of the car with her luggage. She checked her watch. *Five to four.* She still had thirty-five minutes before he would get home."
She smiled to herself, as she grabbed her bags and made her way up to the apartment. She unlocked the door, and brought her bags inside. *Home.* She thought and smiled to herself. It really was home to her, not Paris, she found that out while she was there.
She looked around, and shook her head. "I'm gone for a few days and he is already trashing the apartment." She said picking up a pair of his jeans, shoes, and shook her head when she got to the T-shirt in the hall. She opened the door to his bedroom to drop them in there when she just about screamed.
Greta stood open mouthed, staring at the sight before her. The clothes dropped from her hand onto the floor. She couldn't move her eyes away, from the bed. There was Eric, sound asleep, apparently naked, except for the sheet. But that wasn't the shock, the shock was that Nicole was with him.
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Chapter 70
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Greta began to shake and slowly moved away from the door. The rest of Eric's clothes were thrown around the room, along with Nicole's. She felt like she was going to get sick, like someone had just punched her in the gut.
Her eyes traveled back to the bed, Nicole's head laying on Eric's chest. She then got her wits, and turned and ran down the hall grabbing her purse she ran out the door.
She couldn't think, she didn't want to think. All she felt was the pain, the absolute pain, heartbreak. *How could he?* He kept asking herself. She ran, she ran away as fast as she could. The image taunting her, plaguing her mind.
*He just couldn't wait? Couldn't wait a couple more days? I'm gone for a few days and he goes back to her?* Then more horrible thoughts ran through her, *Maybe, he was with her before too.* The tears ran down her cheeks as she continued to run.
People looked at her strangely as she passed them. Soon she stopped, out of breath. She rested her hands on her knees, and took some deep breaths, she looked up with a tear streaked face. She didn't know she was even running here, but it made sense. She walked inside the building and made her way up the elevator.
She knocked on the door, and when John answered it, she fell into his arms sobbing.
She cried hard, and John held onto her, and moved her over to the couch. She kept repeating, "How could he." But he had no idea what she was talking about.
"How could who what? He asked her, but she was just mumbling, as the tears and sobs kept coming.
Marlena came in hearing all the commotion, and rushed over, "What's wrong?" She asked rubbing Greta on the back, looking at John.
"I have no idea." He tilted Greta's face up to look at him. "Greta, what's wrong? What happened?"
"How could he?" She asked again.
John and Marlena looked at each other, not sure what she was talking about. "How could who what?" He asked again.
"Eric," She said her words trembling, more tears coming.
"What did Eric do?" Marlena asked her.
"I thought he loved me." She said.
"He does," John told her.
"Then why? Why?" She looked up at him questioning.
"Why what?" He asked again. She tried to form the words, but couldn't. "Just tell us what happened."
"Cab from airport." She said between sobs.
"Okay, you took a cab from the airport, you got home early." She nodded yes to him.
"Walked in his room... his room," she said again, "saw.. saw" She buried her head again in his chest and cried.
"Greta, it's okay, what did you see?" Marlena said looking worried, and feared what her answer would be.
"Nicole... Nicole.. in bed... clothes around the room.. both asleep." She finally got out, and started crying again.
John looked at Marlena, anger sweeping through his eyes. Marlena knew that look, and it was a good thing Eric wasn't there right then. John held her, and softly patted her back, holding her.
"This doesn't make any sense." Marlena said softly, "Eric would never do this."
John motioned to Greta, "Well I don't think she would be this upset if it didn't."
Marlena had to agree, and she wasn't sure herself what she would do to her son if she got her hands on him.
Greta cried for awhile, saying more and more of what she saw and what happened as she went on.
"What did he say?" Marlena asked.
"He didn't, they were both asleep when I left." She said, her tears starting to dry, but always on the verge of more.
Some time later, Marlena helped her upstairs to lay down in the guest bedroom, to get some sleep. Marlena came back down to find John pacing. He hit the table with his fist, "If he wasn't your son." He said with anger in his eyes, threw up his hands, "How could he do this to her? To himself?"
Marlena shook her head, she just didn't understand it. It didn't make any sense. Greta and him were so much in love, and as far as she could tell he basically detested Nicole and didn't want anything to do with her. But how could anyone deny what happened? The only way it was any more obvious was if she had caught them actually doing it. They curled up on the couch together, and knew that this was only the beginning, or was it the end?
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To Be Continued