Chapter 5: Better days

While he was in the hospital, it was his birthday, but he didn't tell anyone. He knew his parents wouldn't do anything for him. It was to his surprise though, that Christine had seen the date briefly on his medical history before he'd woken up and she had something special planned. He could see her walking down the wall to his room one day with a huge bundle of boxes in her arms and three balloons that were obnoxious and bright. As soon as she opened the door, she let out a joyous: "Grattis på födelsedagen - Happy birthday, my Erik!"

He couldn't believe what he saw and grinned as she set the numerous boxes down by his feet. "What is all of this?"

"It's your birthday and since you spoiled me so much, it's my turn to spoil you!" she sang out before going up to him and placing a kiss on his lips.

He smiled and kissed her back. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," she ruffled his shaggy black hair and placed the presents in his arms one by one. "Open all of these! They're all yours!"

"How did you know it's my birthday?" He slowly started to open one.

"I happened to be handling some delicate medical files that just so wonderfully had your birthday on it," she said mischievously.

"You naughty girl," he chuckled and opened the first one. Within each gift was something new a wonderful. The first has five new and expensive sketchbooks; the second had five blank musical scores of the same quality. She got him expensive pens of red ink and little trinkets to make him smile, but the best gift of all she had saved for last.

"I figured that if I can't ever be around all the time, that you deserve a friend by your side. So…" she trailed off and from within her purse came a kitten. It was a very tiny Persian kitten with a red bow around its neck. "My Erik, this is Ayesha."

He gasped and took the tiny kitten from her hands. "She's so small!" He pets her lovingly and grins at Christine. "You are an angel. Thank you so much, love!" He kissed her and smiled down at Ayesha. "This is the best birthday ever."

Christine stroked his hair back and kissed the top of his head adoringly. "You deserve all that I can give and more. A simple birthday will be the start of our constant battles to out-gift each other, I believe," she chuckled and pet the little kitten's head. "Are you very happy?"

He pulled her close and had her sit next to him, "The happiest."

"I love you," she whispered as she curled up beside him. "And I want you out of here so we can go eat some well deserved birthday cake, which the receptionist wouldn't allow me to smuggle in."

"But you snuck in the cat?" he chuckled.

"Well now that was easy," she rolled her eyes. "She's tiny. I got you a big fucking cake." It was rare to hear Christine curse, but she only did it in a humorous way. He grinned and kissed her again.

"You really are the best girlfriend ever."

"And don't you forget that, my Erik," she grinned widely.

"I never could." He smiled. It was a long time before he could leave the hospital. The day he was released, his mother came to sign the paperwork, but left after to go to work. She didn't help him to get home or to even get out of bed. His muscles were very weak and they had to put him in a wheelchair to get him to a car. Christine had skipped school that day to help out with getting him home. His new kitten was sitting on his lap on the car ride home.

"You haven't missed out on much," Christine rambled on about school. "Same shit, different day." He was looking out the window and petting Ayesha.

"I don't miss it, honestly."

"I'm not the least bit surprised."

He smiled over at her and took her hand. "The doctor said I need to go to physical therapy...my muscles are really weak and I can't walk by myself," he sighed.

"I'll always be there to help you, my Erik," she murmured and gave his hand a squeeze. "Always."

"I love you." He squeezed her hand back, "Thank you for everything."

"It's what I'm here for." They got back to his house and Christine got him settled with the help of the maids. She got him in bed with his kitten and kissed his forehead. "I have to get back to school unfortunately, but I'll be back tonight with homework. Isn't that exciting?" she chuckled and grabbed her coat. "Until then, just rest. I won't be gone long."

He smiled lovingly at her, "Thank you." He yawned and pulled the covers closer. The physical exertion had him exhausted.

She left and went to school. She continued their routine of bringing him schoolwork until he was back on his feet at school. She hadn't noticed the way Raoul had been looking at her these past weeks that Erik had been gone.