XXXIII. Surprises
Three months later, Erik and Zuri had fully settled into their new home. Erik had been busy over the months writing new operas while Zuri worked to straighten their home and learn as much about Venice as possible. Since their coming, she had learned a lot about Venice and the festivals that took place every year.
On a particularly warm sunny day, Erik found his wife pulling weeds and preparing to plant seeds for their new garden. He carried Aya with him to make sure she would not get in any trouble. She had recently learned to walk which caused the two to excessively worry about her safety. Covering his eyes with his hand he asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to help?"
"For the last time Erik, I am fine. Sit down with Aya if you feel like watching."
"You have been working too hard and last time I heard, you are pregnant!"
"Just because I am pregnant doesn't mean I cannot do my daily activities. Let me remind you that I have to do this because Antoinette is not here to support us. I can't sit around all day like I did at the opera house." She said while pulling the last weed. "And besides, does it look like I am that pregnant that I cannot plant a garden?"
Shaking his head he decided not to argue with her. "Alright, whatever you decide." He then sat down beneath the shade of a large olive tree and played with their daughter.
"Erik," she said while burying seeds, "I appreciate your concern. I will do my best to keep my activities down but it is impossible to do such when we have so much to do."
After burying all the seeds she covered them then watered the seeds with several buckets of water. She wiped her face with a clothe then wiped her hands on her gardening apron. Erik stood up and followed her to the kitchen. She took off her dirty apron then washed her hands and put on a clean one. "What are we going to have for supper?"
"Well, I was thinking about making spaghetti with tomato sauce for tonight."
"Spa...Spagh...Spaghetti."
With a surprised look, Zuri turned around to find Erik with the same surprised look on his face. "Did she just..." She trailed off as Erik finished her sentence.
"talk?"
"Oh my lord."
"She talked."
"Already!"
"She pronounced a three syllable word. That is amazing." Erik praised his daughter. "I knew she was smart. See Zuri, all that reading is paying off."
Zuri rolled her eyes at her husband. "You spoil her way too much."
"That is a father's duty." He replied with a laugh. He then turned Aya around to face him and cooed at her then praised her for her learning to speak a word. Zuri turned around after smiling at the scene and began preparing supper.
