XXI. Tears and a Heartfelt Apology
Antoinette sat a sobbing Zuri down on her bed. "He said what!" She asked her then gave her a handkerchief to dry her tears.
After dabbing at her tear-drenched face she said, "He doesn't want our baby. He is such a jerk!"
"Why wouldn't he want a child? That is my question. You would think that he would be happy to be a father." She commented then poured Zuri some chamomile tea.
"He hates me. He doesn't want me now."
"That is nonsense. I'm going to have a good talk with him. He has no right to deny you. No right at all. Stay here and rest for a while." Antoinette said after giving her the tea.
"Are you going now?"
"Yes. Erik and I need to have a long talk."
"Thanks Antoinette. I appreciate it."
Antoinette patted her affectionately on the shoulder. "Lay down and take care."
xxxx
Antoinette literally stomped into Erik's lair and yelled for him. "Erik. Get your behind out here!"
A maddened Erik stepped out of the bedroom. "What is it Antoinette!"
"You absolute jerk! You idiot! How dare you!"
"Would you mind telling me what you are blabbering about!"
"You know exactly what I am talking about. You call yourself a man! You don't deserve her."
"She shouldn't have gotten pregnant."
"What the hell do you think happens when you have sex every day? Did you think she wouldn't get pregnant after you made love to her? If you did you are more of an idiot than I thought."
"You're cutting it close Antoinette!"
"You need to listen to me and listen well. If you do not take responsibility of this child then you will miss out on a lot of things."
"Like what?"
"Like the birth of your child, like fathering, and seeing your child grow up into a beautiful young lady or handsome young man. You will miss so much if you shun both Zuri and your child."
"I don't want a child. Children are too much to handle."
"The GREAT Opera Ghost can't handle children. This is unheard of."
"It's not that."
"Then what is it! You know what I think you should do?"
"Pray tell."
"You should go out and buy Zuri something heartfelt that she absolutely loves. Then you should come back and apologize to her and then marry her."
"Marry her!"
"Yes."
"What if she doesn't want to?"
"She will. She thinks right now that you hate her and don't want her."
"She does?"
"Yes."
"She thinks I hate her? I don't hate her. She knows this."
"Obviously not! Now by tomorrow you need to apologize." Antoinette then marched back up towards her bedroom.
xxxx
Zuri woke up to a door shutting loudly. She felt disoriented all of the sudden. Thinking back she remembered she was in Antoinette's room and how she had run away after Erik and her had got in to an argument. She began to cry again. Sobs shook her body. "Do not cry Zuri."
"I can't help it. I cannot believe he was so inconsiderate."
"I think you will find that he will be apologizing."
"You think?"
"Of course. Erik will realize he is wrong and he will come to you."
"I hope so."
"He will apologize."
xxxx
The next day all Zuri did was drink tea, eat whatever Antoinette told her to eat, and wait for Erik to show up. She knew he didn't want a child but she couldn't help it now. He had to accept his child. Where would she go if he didn't? What would she have to do?
At the current moment Antoinette was out getting some things after practice. She read quietly while waiting for her to return. She suddenly heard a knock on the door. Her heart began to pound wildly. Zuri stood from her place, put down the book she was reading, then headed towards the door. She then opened the door slowly to reveal Erik.
"What are you doing here?"
With him he carried a paper-wrapped box and a rose. "I have come to apologize." He quickly shut the door behind him then led Zuri to the bed to sit down. "Zuri. I'm sorry about yesterday." Silence greeted him with angry green eyes. "I've never wanted a child because I don't know if I can be the father that you want me to be."
"What? Erik. I am new mother. I don't know what to expect."
"I will be there for you." He gently kissed her forehead then snaked an arm around her waist. "I have something for you." He reached down then gave her his present.
"Erik. You didn't have to." She took the present in her hands.
He watched her carefully unwrap her present then gasp softly when she found a blanket, a baby blanket. "Aw. Erik. It is so beautiful."
"I have another present and a question for you." He took out a small box then knelt on his knee. "Zuri, will you forgive my anger and selfishness and will you marry me?"
She giggled softly then said as tears streaked down her cheeks, "Of course I will marry you."
Erik hugged her tightly to his body then kissed her softly on her full lips. "Thank you Zuri. Thank you for putting up with me."
"I love you despite your anger."
His hand gently drifted over her stomach and rubbed her stomach softly. "Our first child." She leaned her head against his shoulder feeling tired all of the sudden. "Are you tired?" Erik asked as he noticed her eyes become heavy.
"Yes." She answered.
"Here then. Lay down. Antoinette told me that you could sleep here if you want."
"I would not want to be a bother."
"You are not bothering anyone. She more or less commanded me to tell you that." He said with a laugh then helped her lay down. After putting her underneath the sheets he covered her up with a thick blanket then stroked her hair softly. "Sleep well."
"Stay with me."
"I will. Now sleep." He replied then watched her slowly drift off.
Author's Note: I appreciate the reviews.
