Here is an update for you! I'm leaving for the holidays and I'm not sure if I will be able to update. I will do my best to try and update this week.
A little angst for our Erik in this chapter...enjoy! And Happy Holidays:)
Erik returned to his home later that night, he settled himself into his chair in front of the fire in his study. Contemplating if he was strong enough to do this. Certainly with Jenna and Bernard working on his behalf things would work out.
While Bernard was a nervous fellow he served Erik well. Keeping his small one manned business running, quite well, He kept Erik up on the changing times and bought groceries when needed. Yes this might be just wanted he needed.
He sighed; he would have to change a few things. He glanced down, his wardrobe for one. Though he really had no idea what was fashionable these days. He stopped caring a long time ago. He would speak to Bernard about a new wardrobe in the morning.
Jenna settled herself in bed shortly after 2am he might actually let me do this for him. Tomorrow I'll take him shopping for some new clothes…this is going to be fun she thought to herself as she fell asleep.
The next morning she dug Bernard's number out of her purse and called him. She was surprised that he already knew of the plan she had come up with for Erik's move. He explained that Erik had come by earlier that morning and given him the details.
"Mademoiselle, I'm very pleased you have finally convinced him to do this. I've been trying to get him out into the light for years"
She smiled to herself "Well I couldn't leave him down there. Oh, I want to take him shopping for some new clothes"
"Ah, very good. He had said the same thing this morning. I will drop off the company credit card for you to use"
"Thank y- credit card? Erik has a credit card?" she couldn't hide the surprise in her voice.
Bernard laughed "Yes, It's for the business, it makes purchasing things easier than using cash…less questions"
"Cool" was her simple reply.
They hung up and she hurried to dress before Bernard arrived. She was more than a little surprised when she walked out of her room and saw Erik lounging on her couch.
"Erik, I wasn't expecting you till after Dark"
"I do sometimes venture out during the day. If the occasion calls for it," he said with a smirk.
"Oh…well good. I'm glad you're here. I'm taking you shopping"
He arched an eyebrow in surprise "Really?"
She nodded "Bernard is dropping off your credit card and then we'll be off. I saw some small men's clothing shops that we should stop in. And we can try some of the department stores if you are feeling brave."
He looked a bit overwhelmed but remained silent. He looked down at his suit and looked back at her. "I fear I will not…blend in…I'm quite conspicuous looking"
She blushed slightly "Well…I think I have a remedy for that." She disappeared into the bedroom and reappeared with a huge shopping bag. She handed it to him.
He opened it and was surprised when he saw a men's outfit in it. He looked back at her waiting for an explanation.
"I'm not sure what possessed me to buy it…but it should fit."
He nodded and disappeared into the bedroom, not trusting his voice at the moment. She had bought him clothes…that were the first gift he had ever received. His eyes misted over with tears at her thoughtfulness. He was amazed that it all fit him perfectly. He walked back out, looking quite handsome.
Jenna felt her breath catch in her throat. He looked amazing in the black trousers and gray button down shirt. "Oh, I have a belt that I bought for my dad, but it will fit you too" she hurried into the bedroom and reappeared a moment later and handed it to him.
He put it through the loops, and fastened it before looking up at her. "Thank you, but how did you know what size to get?"
"Well my dad is hopeless when it comes to clothes so I usually do his shopping. You and he have a similar build and dad's a business man so I figured his style would work for you."
"Thank you" he choked out.
She looked up at him, her heart racing. "You're more than welcome Erik."
Once again his eyes became bright with tears, her kindness overwhelmed him. No one had ever been that kind and caring to him before. She was an angel sent from heaven.
Jenna saw his golden depths fill with tears, she thought he didn't like the clothes and felt her breath catch in her throat.
"I'm sorry Erik, I…I thought you would like them. If it's not your style we'll find something different," she said hurriedly.
He stepped over to her and tipped her chin up to look at him. "Not at all my dear. I…I don't know how to thank you…this…this is the nicest thing anyone has ever…no one has shown me such kindness before. I'm quite unsure of how to accept kindness like this"
Her heart began pounding, she was sure he could hear it. His face was only inches away from her own, his lips hovering above her own. His tears still unshed; he seemed to be shaking from sheer emotion. She wanted to kiss him, hug him. Wipe away all his horrid memories. She tipped her head up, opening her mouth slightly hoping he would kiss her. Desire burned in his eyes, she was sure her own blue depths matched his.
She felt a tingle start at her feet and work it's way up, her heart beating faster still. She felt dizzy, and hot. She tentatively raised a hand and touched his unmasked cheek, his head jerked back as though her touch scalded him. But she wouldn't back down.
"Erik, I won't hurt you," she whispered softly.
He looked down at her, disbelief in his eyes. Like he didn't want to believe the sincerity in her words.
"Erik, I know you have been hurt in the past. But you can trust me. I would never hurt or betray you"
He studied her, looking for any signs of deceit, upon finding none he nodded. "I…forgive me…"
"There is nothing to forgive," she said cupping his cheek with her palm once more. "You have done nothing wrong"
She saw a mixture of emotions flash in his eyes; she realized he had pent up everything since that night Christine had left him. Maybe he just needed to release some of the demons from his past. She led him to the sofa, and sat down next to him, and tentatively took his hand in hers, ignoring how he tried to pull it from her grasp.
"Erik, you don't have to run. Not anymore, it's not healthy…you need to close the door on your past"
He looked at her, as though he didn't know what she meant. His frame still shaking slightly from his warring emotions and desire from her being so close. He was surprised he had managed to control himself when they were so close; he had so wanted to kiss her. Pull her to him and lose himself in her. The feel of her hand on his cheek, the smell of Gardenias that he had begun to associate with her. It was driving him mad, and now the feel of her small hand on his…it was the sweetest torture.
He saw the wisdom in her words but wasn't sure if he would be able to stop the deluge once it started. He had cried only once, the night she had left him. After that night he had rid himself of emotions…or so he thought. He had become a zombie, just living but experiencing nothing.
This precious angel before him and begun to thaw his frozen and broken heart. Perhaps…he could let himself feel again. He looked into her eyes and saw compassion and kindness, his calm façade was breaking. She squeezed his hand and moved closer to him, her leg pressed against his; he felt a tear slip down his cheek. Another followed, another and another. Soon he was no longer able to hold them back, his sobs wrenching his entire body.
All his memories from that night flooded back, the pain and heartbreak tearing through him forcefully and painfully. He felt one small arm go around his shoulders, she pulled his head to her shoulder and stroked his back and let him cry.
He began to cry in earnest, his sobs choking him racking his frame. She pulled him into her arms and held him tightly, letting him cry, exorcise his demons that had been haunting him for so long.
"Christine…Christine…" he choked out around his sobs. His arms coming around Jennaa's waist. He held onto her as a drowning man would hold his rescuer.
It hurt her to hear the raw pain in his voice as he cried out her name. The only thing she could do was let him cry, he had held it in for so long.
For how long they sat there, him sobbing and crying. Her holding him, placing light kisses on the top of his head neither of them knew. Finally, he seemed to cry his supply of tears. She simply held onto him, his arms still around her. She stroked his hair comfortingly knowing there was nothing she could say, nothing she needed to say. Her presence was enough.
He looked up at her; she wiped away the tears on his exposed cheek, smiling at him as she did. He did nothing, but look at her in awe as she touched his cursed flesh and didn't flinch or look disgusted.
"Feel better?"
He only nodded, unsure his vocal cords were working properly yet. Finally after what seemed like an eternity he found his voice.
"Thank you" he rasped out.
She kissed his temple "It was nothing Erik. Please don't be afraid to come to me about anything"
Her lips on his face sent a surge of desire ripping through him, he sat up his arms still around her. He bent his head, his lips just above her own…. when there was a sharp knock at the door.
Jenna jumped in surprise, Bernard…you and your damned timing! She raged. She stood up, and smoothed her pants out before hobbling over to get the door. She took the card from him with an iciness that was unexpected, leaving Bernard curious.
Erik took the time to compose himself, and beat back his desire. The moment broken they looked at each other awkwardly.
"Shall we?" she asked finally.
"Yes" was his reply. She grabbed her purse and they departed.
