Chapter 19

Isabelle woke up the next morning sore, but very happy. Erik was still sleeping soundly with his arm draped across her midsection. She smiled and shifted slightly and kissed his cheek. Erik's eyes snapped open staring at her intensely.

"Good morning my wife," he murmured giving her a gentle kiss, Isabelle deepened the kiss and wove her fingers through his black hair.

By the time Isabelle and Erik made it downstairs it was well passed noon. They went to the kitchen, to find some food warmed up for them. Both were starving and finished their meal very quickly. They went into the music room and Erik played for Isabelle. The song he played was a wedding gift to her, and when he finished he looked over and saw tears streaming down Isabelle's cheeks.

"Thank you Erik," she said, her voice thick with emotion. He wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead.

"It was an honor writing it for you Isabelle, you've been my inspiration," he said honestly.

That night at dinner Isabelle and Erik talked about music mostly and their future. Isabelle thought about it and really wanted to have children.

"I wonder what our children will be like," Isabelle wondered aloud.

"What children?" Erik said through clenched teeth. Isabelle suddenly very confused by Erik's tone and how he stiffened.

"Our children, do you not want any?" Isabelle asked, praying he did want them.

"Are you insane?" Erik growled, "Why the hell would I want children? For God's sake Isabelle, look at me!" Isabelle now had tears filling her eyes as she looked at her husband furiously. She stood up abruptly,

"I cannot believe you!" She spat, "You will not have any children all because you are scared of a repeat of your life! I cannot believe you would imply that I am that shallow to allow looks to change my feelings towards any human!" With that Isabelle stormed off and Erik heard the door slam shut, rattling the walls.

Isabelle was furious, hurt and felt shattered. She married someone she loved and wanted to spend every moment with, and felt like she didn't know him. She had always dreamt of having children, and she had never felt so hurt to know that Erik didn't want a child at all. Even if their child had been born with a deformity, Isabelle would have loved that child as much as she loved Erik. She felt as though someone tore her heart out and felt hollow. She changed her clothes and put on a shift.

As she did this the candlelight caught her wedding ring, she glanced down at it and became furious again. She caught her reflection in the mirror, seeing her face twisted with anguish, her green eyes shining with hurt she walked to the mirror, staring into her swollen, and red eyes. She pounded her fists against the floor length mirror repeatedly. Not feeling the pain as large pieces of glass tore at her skin and were getting lodged in her palms. Finally emotionally drained she lowered herself to the ground, sobbing.

Isabelle suddenly heard a knock at the door, and when the door creaked open she saw Gertie's wide eyes staring at her.

"Isabelle! My goodness what happened?" Gertie asked her friend concern written all over her face.

"I-I had a fight with Erik," she sobbed, "He hates me, I know he does!" Gertie pulled Isabelle into a fierce hug and then looked at her hands. They were covered in blood and lots of glass was sticking out of her wrists, and palms. Gertie stood Isabelle up and set her down on the bed. She went to get water and bandages.

Once Gertie cleaned the cuts and pulled out countless amounts of glass, she stitched up the larger cuts in her palm and one along her palm and wrist. Gertie was angry at Erik for doing this, and very sad for Isabelle being put through such anguish. She cleaned up the glass after she put Isabelle in the bed and went downstairs.

Erik was in the music room, still furious with Isabelle for her suggestion and even more for her temper against him. Even though he heard all of Isabelle's sobbing he did not feel guilty. He did not want children, he could never live with himself if his child ended up like he did. He even knew he could not bear to look at his offspring. He heard Isabelle breaking something, and briefly wondered what it was. He then heard Gertie go in their room and clean whatever it was up.

Suddenly the music room door slammed open and Gertie stormed in looking livid.

"How dare you!" Gertie spat at him, slamming the door close to muffle their voices.

"How dare I what exactly?" Erik wondered his voice laced with venom.

"Your wife is in your bedroom sobbing her heart out, saying you hate her!" She shouted. "She broke the Goddamn mirror and has stitches up and down her wrists and hands because she is so upset! Now you go up their and live up to the vows your promised her yesterday or so help me God, I will give you a beating you will never forget!"

Erik was furious at Gertie and stormed passed her and went upstairs, he took a deep breath before entering the bedroom he shared with Isabelle. He quietly opened the door, he could hear Isabelle's ragged breathing and occasionally heard hiccups and sniffing. The candle was still burning and what he saw started to eat away at his anger.

Isabelle was lying on their large bed, her eyes swollen and red, her face blotchy and very pale. He saw her bandaged hands and arms, places on the bandages stained red from blood. He glanced at where their mirror had once been and saw the entire thing had only two large pieces of glass left in the bottom corners.

He quietly closed the door and changed into his bedclothes. He gently got into bed and took Isabelle's hand in his, she was so worn out emotionally she didn't even stir. He carefully unwrapped the neatly bound bandage and saw tiny cuts on her palms and as he got farther down her hands and wrists a couple wounds gradually got worse. Several did require stitches and the ones that did were very long and deep.

Erik was still very upset, but he felt guilty for causing her so much distress, he kissed her arm and rewrapped it, and tried to sleep.

Drama eh? Hope you enjoyed! Please R/R!