XXXII. Adjustments

The next week was very hectic for Erik and Zuri. Erik had procured a small villa but unfortunately they had found that their furniture had not arrived and would not until the day afterwards. Then Aya became sick. It was not a very good time for any one of them.

Zuri sat in her rocking chair with her daughter in her arms, musing over their new lives. Despite the fact that they were in a new place she felt free of her father's wrath and she would not have to worry about Erik's safety. Their villa was pretty big and overlooked the ocean. It was beautifully built with a lot of architectural detail. They had a courtyard and a beautiful fountain.

Putting her child in her high chair she proceeded to prepare lunch for her husband and daughter. 'Where is he?' She thought to herself. 'He should have been home by now.' After beginning to chop some potatoes she heard the door open. "You are in trouble Erik."

"I know I am late. I was lost." He said as he came into the kitchen to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead. Then he picked Aya from her high chair and sat in a chair next to the table. "So what have you been doing?"

"Thinking."

"About what?"

"I've been thinking about planting a garden. I also thought that we should think about learning to speak the language. A few French friends are not going to cut it." Luckily, the two had come upon a small community of French Italians who knew both languages and were willing to teach both of them how to speak the country's language.

"Both sound nice."

"I also thought that since spring is around the corner then we might want to help with some of the fruit and vegetable picking."

"Will you be up to that?"

"Yes. You cannot talk me out of it."

"Do I ever try to talk you out of anything?"

"Yes."

"Well...I'm flabbergasted." Erik replied in a mock offended voice.

"I know. You should be." She replied back then winked at him. Then suddenly her voice became serious. "Erik."

"Yes."

"Have you thought of what we are to do in the future? Like how many more children do you want to have? And, what about you writing your operas?"

"No. I do not know about the operas, however, about the children. I think I want to have as many as we can have."

"Seriously?"

"Yes Zuri."

Zuri kissed him on the forehead then went back to mashing up the potatos for Aya. After making them as smooth as she could she gave a bowl to Erik to feed Aya. She watched him every few minutes imitating a train or a animal so that she would eat. He definitely spoiled her. "You realize what you are doing right?"

"What?" Erik asked after spooning some mash potatos in his daughter's mouth.

"You are spoiling her. She'll be papa's little girl when she grows up. Fathers' always have a way of spoiling their daughters like mothers' spoil their sons."

"I am simply trying to get her to eat her food." He defended himself.

"Mmmhmm. Whatever you want to say dear."

He laughed then watched her finish preparing their stew. "You know I think I prefer fatherhood over anything else," He noticed her look then added, "except you of course."

"Thats what I thought you meant. I'm glad you enjoy it." Pausing she said, "I'm very proud of you."

"Why?"

"Because you have come a long way from being that lonely man you once were." He smiled widely. "In all honesty, am I everything you wanted?"

"Everything and much more." She smiled to herself then placed a bowl in front of him. He shot her a disappointed look. "Don't I get fed?"

Zuri laughed then kissed his cheek. "Of course. Do not expect me to make noises though." He smiled before opening his mouth and eating her stew.