XX.

Malika felt as if she was walking on clouds. Who knew marriage was so fulfilling? Erik was being the perfect husband. She never thought that she would be married, but here she was, married to a wonderful man who loved her. She turned on her side and groaned when she felt Erik's hand slide between her thighs. "Where are you going wife?"

"Nowhere. I was turning over." She replied, her stomach growled as she sat up. "I suddenly feel hungry for food."

Erik smiled, "Like I couldn't tell." He retorted.

Malika shot him a semi-angry stare, "Don't be smart with me monsieur. For I will withdraw certain activities from you."

"Oh? Is that so? How do you plan to do that when I am your husband and you have to obey me?" Erik questioned her playfully.

"You will see."

Erik smirked. "I have employed a new maid to help you as you get further along in your pregnancy."

"Oh...does that mean the Vicomtess will not be visiting anymore?"

"Unfortunately not. She will still be visiting." Erik replied.

"Oh." She changed the subject. "Let us get something to eat. I am hungry."

"Yes cherie."

xxxx

Malika finished the last stitch on the first baby blanket. She had so much more to knit that she was sure that she would not have enough time. Soon the first phase of her pregnancy would end and the next would begin. Thinking about children brought her such hope for the future. Erik would certainly become a good father and a better man for it. She smiled to herself in a happy bliss.

"Sister, can I talk to you?" Lukcas asked as he shut the door to the parlor.

"Yes. Where is Linka?"

"She laid down for a nap."

"Oh. Alright." She patted the space on the chaise next to her and began knitting on a second blanket.

"Malika, have you given thought to what will happen to you after you and Erik can't have sex?" He asked her.

Malika nearly choked. Why was her brother asking her such a thing? "Yes. Why?"

"I do not want your heart to be broken."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because men can have mistresses in this day and age. It is not uncommon or unheard of." He responded.

"He would never do that to me. We are husband and wife and that is all that matters." She protested.

"That ring means nothing if he doesn't stick to the vows." Lukcas commented.

"Why wouldn't he stick to his vows? He is a changed man. You have seen him. He is much different than he was."

"Sister, he is going to take a mistress once you can't have sex with him. I just do not want you to get hurt."

Malika put her knitting on her lap and glared angrily at her brother. "He won't cheat on me. He's changed. Now please leave me!"

He nodded then stood up from the chaise and left the room. Malika clutched the knitting needles in her hands. He wouldn't cheat on her. She knew it. He was honorable and loved her and he would never do that kind of thing. Not after all they had went through together. She knew he would not betray her. She was certain of it.

xxxx

Erik sat on a plush chair reading another book on pregnancy. He wanted to see if he could somehow validate her worries and fears. He knew she was having multiples and according to the book he was reading if she was having multiple children she would be in danger. He sighed to himself, first pregnancies were always terrible but he couldn't imagine what it would be like for her.

Malika lay on the bed asleep, her knees pulled up near her chest. He smiled to himself as she yawned in her sleep. What would he do if something happened to her while she was in labor? He couldn't bear if she had complications during pregnancy. He looked back at her and frowned. He would make sure that they were having multiples by calling on the doctor in the morning.

He closed the book he was reading and set it on the table then walked over to the bed. He quickly undressed, leaving the garments he shed in the floor. Pulling up the covers, he got onto the bed and scooted beside Malika then pulled the covers back over them. He pulled her into his warm embrace as she moaned in protest. He nuzzled her neck with his lips while gently rubbing her stomach. "Stop..." Malika told him as she yawned again.

"We need to talk before I go back to work on de Chagny's home tomorrow." Erik whispered in her ear.

"I'm too tired." She whined.

"I know what will wake you up." He whispered in her ear as his hand slid under her nightgown and cupped one of her breasts.

Malika shrieked in surprise, she grasped his hand and pulled it away from her breast. "I thought you were going to kiss me not try to arouse me!" She scolded him.

Erik grinned wickedly, "I can arouse you both ways and you know that. I prefer fondling right now, that is all."

"Wicked man." She grumbled then flipped on her other side to face him. "What do you wish to speak about?"

"I am calling for a doctor in the morning. We are hopefully going to find out if you are indeed having multiple children and if so we need to know what to do so you have a safe delivery." Erik replied. He paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue, "I also think it is best that after your fifth month is over you sleep in another room."

"Why Erik? I don't understand."

"If you sleep with me then I will not be able to resist doing things to you of the sexual nature. I will still make sure that you have everything you need. I just do not think it is best for us to be in the same bed after your fifth month is over."

Tears began falling down her cheeks, she turned back over and said, "So do you intend to have a mistress then?"

"No. I told you that no one satisfies me like you do." Erik replied.

"You promise that you won't take a mistress."

Erik growled in her ear as he pulled her on her back. He flashed his wedding band in front of her face, "This proves my fidelity to you. I would never cheat on you."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "I love you. I'm sorry I even suggested that you would cheat on me."

"I love you too. Now sleep...unless you want to do something else." He replied with a wink.

She smacked him playfully on the wrist. "Not now Erik."

He frowned, also playfully, then said, "Alright. However, I hope to have fun soon."

Malika smiled then commented, "Of course monsieur. Soon enough."

Erik grinned then wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. "Sleep well cherie."

"You too Erik." Malika replied then soon fell asleep in his warm arms.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. I am going to be speeding it up a bit in the next chapter so do forgive me. I want to finish this story by the end of July and start on some rewrites for two other phantom stories which I was not happy with. Thanks for the reviews.