"Close your eyes, Darling!" Eddie said in a sing-song voice, a smile stretching from ear to ear. Clair did as she was told and shut her eyes. She wasn't sure what kind of 'surprise' he had in mind, but at this point, not a lot would shock her. Clair heard the two large doors in front of her open and Eddie placed a large hand on her back, guiding her inside. She walked carefully, unsure of her footing. Not wanting to trip over anything Clair squinted, but Eddie was quick to notice.
"No peeking!" He scolded and placed a hand over her face. They only took a few more steps before stopping abruptly. He didn't removed his hand right away, and Clair could almost feel the excitement radiating from his body. When he did finally let her see, her eyes adjusted quickly thanks to the dim lighting. Clair took a quick glance at her surroundings and realized she was in some sort of wood shop – he must have brought her back to the vocational block. There were no power tools, at least none she was able to see, only pre-made parts that would require gluing. Things like bird houses.
As her gaze traveled around the room they finally landed on what she assumed to be her surprise. A crib. A well made one at that, considering what he had to work with. The bars were made from different pieces of colored wood, and the bed inside was a cut out part of a mattress. Eddie walked over to the bed and gripped the side of it, beaming down proudly at his work before glancing up at Clair expectantly.
"It looks amazing, Eddie." She said softly, forcing a small smile onto her face. "I'm – I'm sure Abigail will love it."
"Oh, you think so?" He withdrew the doll Clair had given him from his pocket, and placed it down in the crib, grinning. "Just think my dear, our own little angel. She'll grow up so happy and never have to worry about anything. Never have to worry about her parents –"He stopped and cleared his throat. Clair knew what he was referencing. It amazed her how easily he could switch from adamant denial of his childhood atrocities, to swearing never to let his own children go through what happened to him. The file she read on him spoke of this behavior. Eddie was sick before they'd put him into the Engine.
"We'll have a blue house, no, a yellow one. With a large white fence so the dog can be let out in the yard. We won't get one till she's a little older, though. When she can really appreciate it." He said, going off on a tangent. "Her room will be pink, like any good little girl's room, with toys and a night light. A night light is important. No child should have to stay in the dark. That's just cruel. Wrong." Eddie looked at Clair, his expression almost asking something from her, but she wasn't sure what. All she could do was nod and give him an encouraging look. His face hardened and Clair realized her small gesture hadn't been enough for him.
As he walked toward her, his gate stiff, she tried to say something, but all she could do was stutter. When he reached her, Eddie shot his hand out to her neck and pulled her to him, a low growl coming from his throat.
"Don't you even care?" He asked, obviously irritated with her lack of contribution to his fantasy.
"Of course I do Eddie!" Clair chocked out. Her tiny hands were wrapped around his wrist, but she didn't attempt to try and pull him away. "I was just thinking – Abby would like blue better than pink. I-I didn't want to interrupt you is all."
He smiled at her and Clair drew in a grateful breath when he let go of her neck. "Blue. I think I have some light blue fabric back in the sewing room. Oh – I'll start on a dress right away!" Eddie moved away from her and back over to the crib, looking down at the doll as if it were his own child.
"I'm so excited." He breathed, his voice coming out shaky. "I'm going to be a father. To finally have a legacy of my own." He stepped away from the bed and approached Clair. She resisted the urge to jerk away from his reaching hands. "She'll be just as beautiful as her mother, I'm sure, Darling."
Eddie placed his hands on both of her shoulders and gave them a firm squeeze. She watched as his eyes scanned her body, the muscles in his neck and face visibly tightening as he did. Was he thinking back to what they'd done? Clair's stomach dropped and she turned her face away from him in disgust. Eddie must have interpreted the action as modesty, and grazed the side of her cheek with his knuckles in an affectionate manner.
Clair's body went ridged when he leaned down and pressed his lips on the side of her face. A shiver went up her spine when his thumbs started to rub her shoulders.
"I know you're already whole now." Eddie whispered, his mouth next to her ear. "But, you'd made yourself such a beautiful gift for me before. Even now, it's like a dream being here with you." Slowly, he placed one of his hands under her chin and turned her head back to face him, tipping it up so he could have eye contact.
Panic. That's all Clair was feeling. She'd been sure – so sure – that once he was convinced she was pregnant, he wouldn't want this. Wouldn't want to touch her the way he was. Eddie had seemed so cautious about being sexual before, but it appeared that the prior exchange had given him more confidence. Shown him that it didn't have to hurt – and that he could be in control if he wanted.
"Even in these clothes you look like a perfect little present." He breathed, his face getting closer to her own as his other hand moved from her shoulder to her hip. "I'd very much like to unwrap my gift again, Darling."
Before she had a chance to protest, to make an excuse involving the baby, his mouth covered hers. Not again. Please not again. Clair's hand's shot up and her fingers dug into his vest. She tried to move away, to stop the kiss before it could turn into something else, but Eddie already had a tight hold on the back of her head. His fingers knotted in her curly hair.
He broke the kiss for only a moment, his lips still hovering over her own. "No need to be shy my dear," he soothed, "We're married. Let me show you how much I love you. Just relax."
Love. That wasn't what this was at all. Even if he did believe he loved her, Clair knew better. He was just an exaggerated version of Mark – so obviously a monster that there was no hiding it. Mark had hid it well. The man had seemed perfect to everyone. A husband most women would die for, or at least that's what she'd been told. He'd treated her like a queen in public, lavishing her with sweet remarks and gestures, making himself out to be a man in love.
He didn't love her, though. You didn't do the things he did to her if you loved someone. That didn't stop the words he spoke, the words Eddie spoke, from making her feel guilty. Making her want to forgive them. She hated herself for it. The grip she had on his vest loosened and she felt Eddie smile against her mouth, pleased with her obedience.
Then it was over. Clair's body jerked as Eddie was torn away from her, a surprised yelp leaving her lips. He landed in an unconscious heap on the ground and Clair turned her attention to the assailant, ready to run for her life if needed.
Waylon. Thank god. He'd found her.
"Was he -" Waylon asked, lowering the wooden plank he must have gotten from inside of the room, "kissing you? Shit, are you alright? He didn't do anything else, did he?" Clair felt shame pool in her belly at his remark, his face covered in disgust as he stared down at Eddie. Waylon looked back at Clair, apparently still expecting an answer.
"Um, no." She lied. Well, half lied. He'd only kissed her this time. "He didn't go any further."
Waylon looked around the room and spotted the crib, an expression of concern coming over his face. She could tell he didn't believe her, and he turned to meet her gaze. There was a long silence, and Clair internally begged Waylon not to ask. All she wanted to do was forget.
"We need to go." Waylon said, reaching to take Clair's hand. She gripped him and gingerly stepped over Eddie's body, a twang of fear going through her. He was going to be so angry with her. God, what if he caught up with them? Woke up and found out where they went? He'd probably kill her this time. Baby or no baby.