anXV.
Malika was sick of Erik's selfishness. She had had enough. He was going to be a
father, whether he liked it or not. He was part of their child and if he didn't take
responsibility for their child soon she was surely going to hit him. He purposely
avoided her questions about their child and the marriage she wanted. Well, she was
going to make sure he took his responsibility as a father at least. If he didn't
marry her...well she would have to find a way for him to understand that marriage
would be best.
She had had many hours to go over a plan of action before Erik came home from his
job. She intended on taking him by surprise. She shivered suddenly. Just the thought
of Erik beneath her caused ripples of heat to spread through her body. She shook her
head. This was no time to be thinking about him in that way. She waited on edge to
hear the carriage pull up in front of the manor and hoped that it would be soon.
xxxx
Erik felt tired as he entered his bedroom. He threw his coat on a nearby chair as his
eyes searched for Malika. Where was she when he needed her? "Malika?" He listened for
her reply but heard none. He looked towards the bed and found that it had been slept
in, she was not in it. "Malika, i'm not playing around." He turned around and felt
himself tackled to the bed.
"Neither am I." She replied as she straddled his hips and pushed him flat on the bed.
Erik's jaw dropped as he saw the wild-eyed look on her face as she pressed her hands
to his chest. He suddenly smirked. She had promised to surprise him when he least
expected it. "So is this where you intend to ride me cherie?"
She raised an eyebrow at him then said, "Who said I am giving you sex Erik? You and I
are going to have a talk and then 'maybe' I might give you sex." She responded as she
glared at him.
"I'm listening." He said finally.
"I am sick of your selfishness. I am sick of feeling like I am not important to you
except whenever you want sex. You cannot deny me of this child because it is my body
and it is my right to carry this child to full term. Do you understand me Erik? I
have had enough and you are either going to marry me or you are not going to get any
more sex from me. You'll get nothing from me. I can't stand it anymore." Malika told
him, she pressed a hand to her chest. "My heart can't take anymore of these lies and
deceit."
Erik looked at her as a sudden rage came over him. He rolled her on her back and
pinned her arms to her side then said coldly, "How could you think that all I want
you for is your body?" She struggled against him as he continued, "You are so
stubborn Malika."
"Maybe I am but I want to be with you! Why don't you want to be with me!"
Erik exploded, "Goddamnit Malika! I want to be with you but, don't you see what would
happen if we were actually married?"
"What Erik?"
"It wouldn't be the same. It would be different. Everything would be different."
"Of course it would. It is called change Erik! I know change can be scary but
everything will be alright!" Erik suddenly pressed a bruising kiss to her lips while
releasing her arms and softly grasping her hips. "Do you think that I will not have
the same love for you?"
Erik was taken aback by her statement. "No...I...Malika." He stammered.
"Don't you see past your own needs and wants that I am afraid Erik?" Malika
questioned him softly.
"You are?"
"Yes Erik. I am so afraid that I will do something wrong that could hurt the baby. I
can't deal with that alone. I can't deal with you not wanting our baby. Do you hate
me that much that you do not want what we have created?" Malika questioned him
quietly.
He stroked her cheek softly. "I don't hate you. I never hate you. I want you."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes." He whispered in her ear.
Malika heard no resistance in his voice but questioned him, "Truly?"
He gently kissed her lips softly then responded. "Yes."
Erik pulled her on top of his body and gently wrapped his arms around her waist. She
softly kissed him back while entwining her fingers in his dark hair. His fingers
gently skimmed her back as his lips pressed against her own. "Erik. Please give this
child a chance." He reached up and stroked her cheek.
"Of course cherie. I won't make you have an abortion." He said. 'Neither will I force
it behind your back.' He thought secretly. "If you want this child then we shall have
it."
She beamed at him then gently lay her head on his chest as he stroked her hair. They
lay for a few minutes in silence. Malika listened to Erik's heartbeat as he caressed
her neck and shoulders. "Erik...i'm scared."
"What scares you?" He asked.
"Having a baby. I don't know what I am going to do." She admitted to him.
"Everything will be fine cherie. I am sure the pregnancy will go as it should. I have
some books if you want to read them."
She smiled up at him. "Thanks. I suppose I should start knitting the baby's garments
soon. Do you think you can get me some yarn and knitting needles?"
"We shall go out tomorrow and I will get you whatever you wish." Erik replied as his
fingers softly stroked her neck and back. She shivered suddenly and clung to him for
warmth. "What is the matter?"
"I'm cold all of the sudden." Malika responded as she pushed herself off him and
climbed beneath the covers. Erik also climbed beneath the covers and pressed himself
against her back while wrapping his arms around her. One arm lay protectively over
her slightly swollen stomach.
"Is that any better?" Erik questioned her then kissed her neck softly.
"No. You know what you are doing to me."
Erik stopped what he was doing and only moved when he was talking. "Forgive me
cherie. I'm not intentionally trying to arouse you."
She laughed softly. "Mmm. Yes of course you aren't Erik. If you want to play around
then wait till I feel warmer."
"Oh but I can make you hot cherie and you know that." Erik whispered into her ear.
"How about you put your sex drive on hold until I feel well enough to handle you?"
She suggested while feeling his arm tighten around her.
"Promise you'll finish what you were doing and I will be good." He said quietly.
She laughed again. "Yes Erik."
He smiled then kissed her cheek. "I love you cherie."
She smiled to herself in happiness. "I love you too Erik."
xxxx
Malika felt Erik hold back her hair as she vomited in the basin. She felt so weak
that she could not stand it. Her body was sore and she was constantly dizzy and
vomiting at least every other hour. Erik had remained beside her when he could. He
still was overseeing the building project of the Chagny's new house. Personally, he
would rather be with Malika than talking to Chagny about his house.
Erik winced as he heard her vomit again. She barely ate and she was vomiting so much.
Surely it wasn't natural. "Maybe I should call for the doctor."
"No. It's alright. I'm sure it is normal." Malika replied as she took a towel and
wiped her mouth then leaned her head against Erik's knee tiredly.
"Should I tell chef to make you some broth? The child will need nutrients."
"I suppose so. I don't really want anything to eat, but I have to try to down
something for the baby's sake." She added as her stomach grumbled in protest.
A sudden knock came to the bedroom door. "Monsieur Garnier."
"Yes Charles." He shouted back while caressing Malika's cheek.
"The Vicomte and Vicomtess are here."
"What!" Erik shouted out in surprise.
"They wish to speak with you and the...mistress about something. They wouldn't tell
me what." He answered.
Erik growled softly then finally said, "Fine. Show them in the parlor and afterwards
make sure that chef prepares some broth for Malika."
"Yes sir." Charles muffled voice came through.
Erik looked down at Malika. Her pale face stared up towards his. "Cherie. Do you
think you are up to the challenge? If not I can always tell them you are sick."
"No Erik. It wouldn't do well for you to show up without me." Malika protested and
pushed herself up to her feet. She wobbled as dizziness overtook her.
Erik caught her and pulled her close to his chest. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." She said firmly.
"Fine. However, you will stay close to me and if you need anything you will tell me."
Malika nodded as he helped her out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. "Can you
help me change?"
"I intended to." Erik responded quietly as he opened the wardrobe and pulled out a
simple yet fashionable azure dress and lay them on the bed. He then pulled out her
undergarments from her dresser and lay them on the bed as well. He positioned her an
inch in front of the bed so if she was too dizzy she could fall back on the bed.
"I'm sorry I am useless." Malika interrupted the silence suddenly.
"Cherie. You are not useless. I enjoy doing this for you." Erik responded while
pulling her pantalets up and tying them. She sighed loudly. Erik took notice of this
and asked, "What is it?"
"My pantalets are getting too tight. I'm so fat."
Erik laughed loudly as he helped her into her stockings. "I can have more clothes
made for you."
"Don't laugh Erik! It's not funny." Malika shouted at him as he now pulled her
chemise over her chest.
"I think I will enjoy watching you change. I think it will be very interesting." Erik
responded with another laugh. He now worked to pull the dress over her body. Once
finished he buttoned the back of the dress and turned around to survey her
appearance. It was a bit snug over her stomach but it would not be too noticeable. He
would have to get the tailor to make her some more clothes. "You look beautiful."
"I feel fat."
Erik laughed as she leaned against the bed so he could help her put on her shoes.
"You are so sensitive cherie. You are not fat."
"Let us go Erik." Malika finally said as she took his arm.
xxxx
Malika used Erik to keep in balance. Erik grasped her waist as she slightly stumbled
against him. "Are you sure?" Erik asked before they entered the parlor.
"Yes. For the last time!"
Erik placed his hand over her mouth. "Shh...alright I want to make sure you want to."
Malika straightened her dress and hoped she looked well as Erik led her into the
parlor. "Erik. It is good to see you." Christine commented as she stood up to greet
him.
"Vicomtess." He acknowledged. "May I inquire why you are here?"
"I was wondering if you would consider letting me stay with your wife while Raoul
accompanies you to the location of our new house when you oversee the building of
it." Christine explained.
"No. Malika has enough to do without entertaining you." Erik responded.
"Look," Raoul intervened, "I want to make sure that our house is built to my
specifications. That means that I want to be there to make sure it is being built
correctly."
"Are you insinuating that I would deliberately do something?" He questioned back in
an enraged voice.
"No Erik." Christine responded.
"If you will excuse me." Malika suddenly interrupted as she placed her hand over her
stomach and ran off towards the nearest bathroom.
"Is she alright?" Christine asked him.
"No." He growled. "She's pregnant."
Christine's jaw dropped as did Raoul's. "Pregnant? Congratulations Erik. When is the
baby due?"
"Six and a half months." He commented.
"That is good. Christine can keep her company. Surely she will need some
companionship." Raoul interjected.
"She has her siblings for companionship." Erik replied angrily.
"Please Erik. We could become friends again. Like in the past."
Erik stared angrily at Christine. "I would rather not Vicomtess."
"Erik...I know what happened was not good but we can put our past behind us. I can
stay here during days and be a companion."
"Oh? My wife needs a midwife not a Vicomtess to help her through her pregnancy."
"But i'm a woman." Christine said stubbornly.
"Oh? I haven't noticed." Erik snapped back in a sarcastic tone. Erik glared in her
eyes and finally said, "I don't want anything to do with you Christine nor your
husband. I will let you stay because my wife would not want me to be discourteous.
However, if something happens to her and she loses my child while she is in your
company, then I will have you investigated faster than you can blink."
Christine's jaw dropped in shock. "I don't know what you are insinuating Erik, but I
would never do such a thing."
Erik's jaw tightened. "Good. Now that we have discussed that matter I want you to leave so I can tend to my wife." And with that said Erik summoned the butler to show them out and left to find Malika.
xxxx
Erik found Malika in the downstairs bathroom leaning against the tub and pressing her hands to her stomach. "You need to know that you will be having company until I complete their house."
"Oh." Malika commented softly.
"I hope you do not mind." He paused, "I do not have your powers of persuasion."
She smiled at him. She knew he was trying to cheer her up. "I doubt even my powers of persuasion could stop her."
"Come cherie. You need to eat." Erik said as he hoisted her to her feet.
"I don't want to." Malika whined in his ear.
He laughed softly. "Would you like cheese with that whine?"
Malika raised an eyebrow then elbowed him in his stomach. "Don't be mean."
"Alright. But I am being serious. You need to eat."
Malika nodded and followed him out of the bathroom to the dining room. He seated her in a chair and they talked while waiting for the broth to be brought out. He hadn't breached the subject of sex for a few days and was obviously afraid to do so because it set her off on a rampage of 'you only want me for my body' or some other words. He had been avoiding it till now. "Malika, I want..." He stopped himself before continuing. He could not say those two little words. She would start off on a rampage if he said that.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if perhaps we might have some time to ourselves tonight. I miss our closeness and to be honest, I miss you sleeping naked." Erik explained to her.
She smiled and noted that he was asking for sex but trying to be more gentlemanly about it. "I don't see why not. Let my stomach settle for a while though."
He gently pressed his lips against hers, savoring the softness of them. "Very well. I am going to see what is taking so long."
Malika smiled as he left to go to the kitchen. He was changing little by little. She just had to be patient with him. She knew he would be the man she hoped he would be. He was so much more than other made him out for and she knew that she could never truly hate him for his previous actions and word. Despise him, yes. Feel sorry for him, yes. However, she could never hate him.
Author's Note: Well hope you like this chapter. Erik is getting better. I hope I am not going to fast. I do appreciate the reviews. Please review. Reviews motivate me!