Chapter 25. The Spring Festival Part 2
Erik pulled me through the crowd ignoring my protests and pleas to let go of my arm. It wasn't until he led us into an empty store did he release my arm.
"What's your problem?" I rubbed my arm and glared right at him.
"My problem? Oh that's rich coming from you. Trying to replace me with that boy are you?" Erik's eyes narrowed.
"Oh please, don't you start preaching about replacements. Besides he's not a boy he's more man than you and he actually has the intention of raising Roselynn." Erik walked closer to me.
"She's my daughter, I'll be damned if another man raises her. I'm her father." He gritted his teeth.
"You didn't know she even existed prior to you showing up and completely upsetting our lives. And who do you think you are to tell me who I can and can't be with! Especially after you were canoodling with Delphine!" My voice was raising with every word I uttered. How dare he lecture me!
"It was just a walk! I'm not going to marry her! Lord!" His voice was raising as well.
"You might as well, she has money. Besides I'm sure you two would have a very happy life and family together." I crossed my arms, the sooner her left our lives the better.
"I don't love her! God, Claudine I love you!" Those words echoed in the small shop.
"W-what?" My voice was now small and intimidated.
"I love you Claudine. It's always been you, not Christine, not Delphine. Only you. I was so blind before; I should have held onto you. I should have been there for you during the pregnancy and when you had Roselynn." The room was silent, I assumed that he was waiting for me to say something, once he was sure that I would not open my mouth he continued.
"I'm so sorry… for everything. For hurting you and making you feel unloved. If I could do it all over again I would choose you over Christine. I could live a thousand lives and I'd still choose you over her. Over anyone." His eyes and his cheeks were now wet, for the first time since I met Erik I saw his humanity.
"Erik… I don't know what to say…" He looked up at me, his eyes were pleading.
"Let's get married, we can go to America and start over. We can start our lives together; you, me, and Roselynn." He held my arms, he was shaking slightly and he appeared almost sincere.
"I gave you so many chances Erik, why should I let you in again. You can't just hurt me anymore. What about her? What if you hurt her?" My voice was cracking and Erik released my arms in a defeated manner. We both stood there silently, neither one of us said anything.
"Just give me a chance, let me take you out to dinner and I'll prove to you how serious I am about all of this." His ice blue eyes looked at me, it was almost as if he feared my answer.
"I guess that would be alright." I smiled softly as he sighed a breath of relief.
"How about next Saturday?" His voice rose with enthusiasm as he hugged me.
"Sounds fine." I hesitantly hugged him back. Without another word I walked out of the building. Once I arrived back to the festival I found Sammy waiting for me with a worried look on his face.
"Thank God Claude, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He looked behind me and protectively held my arm.
"I'm fine Sammy, I'm sorry about that." I smiled a him and he flashed me a goofy grin.
"Oh I don't know if I can forgive you that easily." He folded his arms and turned away from me. This left me in a laughing fit.
"Oh don't be like that." The rest of the evening was spent laughing and eating. I tried to avoid dancing again. The last thing I needed right now was Erik coming after me or Sammy again. The evening was ending and Sammy and I were walking towards the exit. However, before we could take one step out the door Erik stood before us.
"I'll walk you home Claude." He went to grab my hand but Sammy stepped in front of me before he could do so.
"I think not, I'm her date just who do you are?" Erik's eyes snapped from mine to Sammy's, there I saw the familiar danger in them.
"I'm the father of her child now if you'd permit me to I'd like to make sure Roselynn's mother I escorted home safely. Sammy was about to protest, but I put my hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"It's okay Sammy, he won't hurt me." Sammy gave me an unsure glance but quickly shifted to glare set on Erik.
"See that he treats you as a gentleman should." I smiled as he took my hand and laid a light kiss upon it.
"Oh believe me I will." I glanced at Erik who, might I add, was seething. We walked together down the long dark road that led back to the inn.
"You know you don't have to frown so much; we were just playing with you." Erik grunted when I nudged him playfully.
"Claude, I was serious about what I said. I want to marry you." He stopped and looked at me.
"I know you meant it Erik, but Sammy also offered me a proposal and quite honestly I don't know if I even want to be married." His eyes widened, it was too late before I realized that I had told him about my other marriage proposal.
"So you mean to tell me that little worm back there tried to take you from me? My family?" His words were venomous.
"First off I was never yours to take from, and secondly you just came back into our lives. Were hardly what you call a family." I walked ahead of him, but evidently the conversation wasn't over.
"Were a family whether you believe so or not Claude. That child ties you and me together forever, it's fate. We belong together." I stopped and eyed him.
"Who's to say we belong together? My fate is determined by my own hand, nothing can change my mind about what I've decided about us." He rose his eyebrows.
"Oh yeah and what's that decision?" He took a few steps towards me. My confidence was fading fast as I backed away and stuttered my next sentence.
"T-that were g-good only a-as f-friends." I refused to look up into those devious blue eyes of his.
"You see Claude", He lifted my chin so I would be forced to look him in the eyes, "I don't really believe you. I think that you've secretly missed me and that deep down you still love me." His lips curled into a condescending smile.
"T-that's not true." My knees and heart said otherwise.
"Looks like I need to remind you then." I didn't have time to react before he cast his lips upon my own.
And in that moment it seemed like time had stopped.
So there's chapter 25! I wanted to make this one a little more fluffy than my other chapters, but dang can we talk about how Claudine managed to get two marriage proposals in one night? Anyways, I put a poll up on my author page so please make sure you guys are voting! It's crucial for the next chapter that you guys participate in this poll! Like always leave a review, comment, or you can even tell me if you prefer Sammy or Erik. I love you guys and thank you for reading this chapter! Oh! One last thing before I go, my T key on my laptop is stuck so if theres any missing T's let me know and I'll try to fix it!
-Kara