Hey everyone, just bringing you the next chapter before I leave for another haunted hayride adventure. Thanks for the reviews and keep enjoying the story…way more to come so keep reading!
Everything was clear, Christine who was heavy with child had gone into labor with Erik at his side. He held onto her hand as she began to push. Erik was so nervous as he watched Christine give birth. Seconds later the nurse yelled in complete fear causing Erik to glance over at her. He was then handed a motionless bloody bundle, causing him to look down upon it. There in the blankets lied his son but he wasn't handsome, the right side of his face was terribly deformed and covered in blood. When he began to cry, Erik dropped him in fear, causing him to hit the floor. He had killed his baby, his own flesh and blood. He looked over at Christine who had begun to yell at him.
"It's all your fault! You killed Him! You made him this way!"
Over and over again, the sound of Christine yelling at him had filled his head, eventually fading as he awoke all sweaty out of the horrible nightmare that haunted his brain. By the following morning, Erik found himself wide awake without a nights sleep. After hearing Christine say that she was with child, he couldn't possibly concentrate enough to make love to her. All night long he lied there thinking about what his child would look like, only to make himself sick over it. It was still early, and Christine was still lying bedside him fast asleep. Finding it hard to fall back asleep, Erik walked to the other end of his chambers and splashed his face with the water that was in the basin. After drying his face off with a towel, he walked out into the kitchen and through on a kettle of water over the fire so that he could make some tea. Seconds later, two hands came over his eyes and blocked his view. He could hear the familiar sound of Clorinda's giggling from behind him and immediately knew that she was the one covering his eyes. Erik gently grabbed her hands, causing her to giggle even more.
"Now I wonder who could be behind me? Could it be the birthday girl?"
Erik immediately turned around, causing the mask to fall off his face. Clorinda stood still, and waited for him to yell, the yell that never came. Instead, Erik lifted the mask from off of the floor, and placed it back over his face.
"I'm sorry Monsieur Kire, it was an accident please….I didn't mean for that to happen."
"Calm down Clorinda, it's perfectly fine. Now onto better things my dear, today is your birthday."
Erik scooped her up into his arms, and spun her around never letting go.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart."
"I like when you call me that Monsieur Kire."
"Why?"
"Because it makes me feel like loved."
"Don't be silly Clorinda, you are loved. I love you more than life itself my dear. Now stop with such silliness and tell me what a beautiful birthday girl eats for breakfast?"
"French toast and ham."
Erik carried her to the counter, and took out a bowl from the cabinet.
"French toast it is, do you want to help me make it?"
"Yes please!"
Erik smiled, and held her as he took her hand to stir the batter. He poured the cinnamon into it as Clorinda kept stirring. Afterwards, Erik placed Clorinda down on the ground and turned and handed her the bottle of milk.
"Pour three glasses of milk Clorinda."
Clorinda did as she was told, and waited for Erik to place breakfast down on the table. Seconds later, Christine approached Clorinda and picked her up.
"Happy birthday Clorinda."
"Me and Monsieur Kire were making breakfast do you want some?"
"Sure sweetie."
Erik pulled out Christine's chair, and helped her sit down and then sat down beside her.
"Good morning Erik."
"Morning Christine."
"You look tired sweetie."
"I haven't been sleeping well lately."
Clorinda played around with her food and wondered why Erik was having such a hard time sleeping.
"Why Monsieur Kire?"
"Because I've been sick lately."
Christine took a sip of her milk, and after putting the glass down, she changed the subject.
"So Sweetheart, what do you want to do today?"
"Could we all spend the day together? Go on a picnic and take a walk in the woods?"
Christine and Erik looked at each other, waiting for the other one to say yes or no. Erik wasn't much for confrontations, but agreed anyway and nodded. Christine on the other hand was surprised at Erik's agreement and didn't argue.
"Yes, of course. I'll pack us some lunch and we'll be on our way."
"Could Petri come too Mother?"
Erik cleared the plates from off of the table, and put them in the dish tub.
"The gypsy boy?"
"It's my birthday Monsieur Kire, and I would like him to come."
Without another argument, Christine motioned Clorinda and Erik to go and get Petri while she packed a lunch for them to take on their picnic. Once Erik and Clorinda walked outside, Clorinda ran to Petri's caravan and knocked on the door to get him while Erik stayed back at the fun house looking around. Once Christine came walking out carrying a picnic basket, they began to walk side by side with Petri and Clorinda walking in front of them as they ventured into the woods. Erik kept a close eye on Clorinda who was running far ahead with Petri.
"Stay close Clorinda!"
After yelling at them, Clorinda slowed down and stayed closer to Erik and Christine. Up hill in the woods they climbed and down into the valley where the water rushed through the streams. Clorinda led them to a hill with a field below it and begged to stay. Erik's wound was bothering him and he was glad to have a seat on top of the hill. Clorinda and Petri began a game of tag that caused them to roll and tumble down the hill and out of Christine and Erik's way. Christine and Erik sat next to each other and watched as Clorinda and Petri played down in the felid.
"Remember when I was that small Erik?"
"Yes, you were five and I was fifteen at the time."
"I would have loved to see what you looked like when you were that age. I bet you would have looked as handsome as you are now."
"No, my own mother feared me."
Christine opened her picnic basket, and took out the bottle of wine that she had packed and filled a glass up for Erik.
"Are you still upset Erik?"
Erik took a sip from the glass and looked Christine in the eyes.
"Yes, but not about you. I'm upset about my monstrous gene being inside you. Anything that comes from the likes of me suffers and a baby doesn't deserve it. God should have made me incapable of doing such things, incapable of pleasuring beautiful women such as yourself. You of all girls don't deserve someone like me as their mate."
"Don't talk like that Erik. If you weren't in my life it wouldn't be the same. We have a beautiful little girl, and a child on the way. All I want to do is make the best of things, make the best of our family. I want to be with you Erik, be with you for the rest of my life."
Erik caressed her face with his hand and smiled at his beautiful angel. Seconds later, Christine rose to her feet to call the kids for lunch.
"Clorinda! Petri! Come and eat your lunch."
When they didn't come, Erik got to his feet and noticed that the children were still playing at the bottom of the hill.
"I'll get them Christine."
"Are you sure? You're hurt and shouldn't be going down such a steep hill?"
"I'll be fine."
Erik began to make his way down the hill, to the field where Clorinda and Petri were playing. The tall grass hit him in the gust of wind, making it slightly difficult to reach them. They had been playing tag and hide and seek in the tall grass, something that irked Erik beyond belief. What if they were bitten by an infected insect? Or got caught in some kind of animal trap? Once he reached Clorinda who was kneeling down in the grass, he tried to pick her up, when she stopped him.
"Shh….we're playing hide and seek Monsieur Kire."
"Well your mother wants you to go and eat your lunch."
Clorinda stood up from her crouching position, and put her hands to her mouth to yell out to Petri.
"Olly Olly Oxen Free!"
"I'll find him Clorinda, just go and eat your lunch."
When Clorinda began to run up the hill, Erik ventured out into the field to find Petri. Back from the field was a small stream with trees surrounding it, and that is where he found Petri. He was hunched over the stream looking into it's water as if something odd were lying in it.
"Petri, Christine and Clorinda have lunch ready for you."
"My father was right Monsieur."
Erik didn't understand what the boy was talking about? His father was right? Right about what?"
"What are you talking about?"
"My father spoke of a war going on in Belgium and that it was getting closer. I didn't believe him, and now I know it's true."
Erik knelt beside the boy, and looked into the water, to see a German army helmet and a Lugar lying beneath the water.
"Come, we can't stay here. Let us get something to eat."
After eating lunch, Erik and Christine made their ways back to the fair grounds before night fall. He was going to make sure that he spent as much time with Clorinda as possible before having to go to work. When they reached the fairgrounds, Petri went back to his family, and Clorinda walked into her home with her family at her side. She had a seat at the kitchen table, and Christine approached her with a medium sized box wrapped in pretty paper.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart."
Clorinda's eyes widened at the sight of the gift. Once Christine sat it down in front of her, she began to tear it open in excitement. When the paper was completely off it, Clorinda opened the box and looked inside of it. Erik could tell that her excitement had worn off once she saw the contents that were inside of it. He hadn't known what Christine had bought her, but now he knew that what ever it was surly wasn't what the girl wanted. When Clorinda took out the contents, Erik saw that Christine had bought her a pink dress and nothing more. What on earth could the girl use with a new dress? And especially on her birthday? He had always taught Clorinda about being polite and now it was paying off.
"Thank you Mother, it's nice."
Erik thought that it would be a good time to give her his present because of Christine's boring present ruining her birthday. He handed her a bigger box that he had wrapped in wrapping paper.
"Happy Birthday Clorinda."
Clorinda took the box from him, and unwrapped it and tore the box open. Her eyes widened as she picked up each of the gifts that were inside it. He had bought her a twenty four pack of colored pencils and a sketch pad. He had also bought her a tin box to keep it in. Clorinda immediately hugged Erik and thanked him for the presents.
"Thank you Monsieur Kire, for everything."
"You're quit welcome Clorinda."
After eating dinner, Erik carried Clorinda to her room and lied her down on her bed.
"Do I have to go to sleep Monsieur Kire?"
"Yes, I have to go to work now sweetheart."
"I had a wonderful birthday Monsieur Kire, and I loved your present."
"Your mother gave you a nice gift as well."
"Yes, but not as good as yours."
"She tries to be a good mother to you Clorinda."
"Yes I know and she is."
Erik tucked her in under the blankets, and handed her the doll of himself that he had made her.
"Could you tell me a story Monsieur Kire? Please?"
"About what?"
"About my father, tell me about my father."
"You wouldn't rather hear a scary story?"
"No, tell me about my father Monsieur Kire."
Erik didn't know what to say to her. What on earth could she have wanted to know? The best birthday present would have been to tell her that he was her real father but he couldn't, not now.
"I don't have anything to say about your father Clorinda."
"Well can I ask you something?"
"Of course, anything."
"Do you have any children?"
"Why do you ask?"
Before he could even think about why Clorinda had asked him such a question, he saw her reach from under her pillow and take out a photograph but not just any photograph, Erik's photograph. It was the one that Christine had given him inside the music box of him holding Clorinda's infant body. Erik immediately snatched it away from her in anger, and turned away.
"Where did you get this?"
"I found it in a box that was under your bed."
"What did I tell you about going through my things Clorinda? What else did you touch? What else did you touch?"
"Nothing Monsieur Kire, I swear. I found the picture and wanted to know about it."
Erik looked at the photo and was relieved to know that she didn't know that the baby was her. How badly he wanted to punish her for doing such a thing. He couldn't tell Clorinda that he fathered her, she would surly hate him for keeping such a secret. He didn't like lying, but he had to lie, he just had to.
"Yes, I had a daughter."
"What was her name?"
"Erika."
"What happened to her Monsieur Kire?"
"She died a long time ago."
"Were you married?"
"No, I wasn't. I love your mother with all my heart."
"I noticed that my mother has put on more weight Monsieur Kire. What's wrong with her?"
"She's with child Clorinda."
"She is? Really? Are you the father?"
"Yes, and I'm scared."
"Why Monsieur Kire? I'm happy for you and Mother."
"What if it comes out looking like me? A horrible mesh that's bound to walk the earth alone?"
"It won't happen Monsieur Kire, my mother loves you too much to let it happen."
Erik handed her the picture, and re tucked Clorinda in under the blankets.
"You keep it sweetheart, just don't ever go threw my things ever again."
"Ok, I promise."
"And keep this conversation between you and I."
"Good night Monsieur Kire."
Erik then walked into his chambers, and began to get dressed for the night's work. As he was changing, Christine walked into the area and began to get changed into her night gown.
"Once again you pulled off as being the better parent."
"What so ever do you mean Christine?"
"Oh come on Erik, you saw how she looked at my present. She hated it and you know it."
"I know that she didn't hate it Christine. It's common sense that a five year old girl doesn't want a dress for her birthday. She enjoys drawing so I bought her a sketch pad and colored pencils. She likes the dress, but it shouldn't have been a birthday gift."
"Come to bed Erik."
"I can't Christine, I have to work you know that."
"Let me come with you."
"No, you're pregnant, you need to take it easy and relax."
"I'm only three months Erik, and I'm hardly showing."
Erik straightened his jacket, and turned to tuck Christine in bed.
"I can tell that you're pregnant, and that's all that matters. Now just get your rest and try not to wait up for me angel."
"Be careful tonight Erik."
"Yes, I will and when I come home I promise not to wake you."
Erik tucked Christine in beneath the covers, and then gave her a quick kiss before making his way outside. Once he made it to the hall of mirrors, he began to hear a pounding on the roof. As he made it to the opening, he saw that it was pouring rain outside. There would be no show for the night, but the gates had to be safely secured before the wind caught hold of them. Through the pouring rain, Erik ran towards the entrance to secure the bronze gates. Once he made it there, he saw Curtis already trying to secure them as the wind blew roughly against the both of them.
"Curtis! I'll help you. Grab the other gate and I'll grab this one and we'll bring them together."
Curtis grabbed hold of the other gate, and Erik pushed his together with the one that Curtis had in his grasp. Afterwards, Erik locked them and walked with Curtis back into the fairgrounds.
"No show tonight Monsieur?"
"Not in the pouring rain, you get to your tent and get dried off before you catch your death."
Once Curtis was back in his tent, Erik ran back inside his home soaking wet. He was soaked to the bone, and freezing. Once he was in his chambers, Christine lit a candle and looked at Erik who was undressing.
"Erik, something wrong?"
"It's raining like the devil out there."
After changing into his pajamas and taking off his mask, Erik crawled in bed with Christine and covered himself up.
"You're soaking wet Erik."
"I know, I had to close the gates with Curtis."
Christine ran the blankets over Erik's soaked body to get him warm and watched him in the dim candle light.
"I love you Erik."
"Yes, me too angel."
"You're so handsome."
Erik couldn't hold back his lust any longer, and pressed his cold icy lips up against hers, and began to kiss her. Seconds later, she began to kiss him back and couldn't help but to run her hands up and down his back with such sexual tension.
"Oh Christine you're so beautiful."
Erik wasn't sure when he had stopped kissing her, all he knew was that falling asleep in her arms was the best feeling that he had felt in a long time…
More to come soon!