Chapter 26. Reconciled

Time had stopped the moment Erik's lips met mine, my eyes were wide yet the world appeared empty. Erik's kiss was filled with a fiery passion, but it's undertone screamed of desperation. After a few moments he pulled away, his eyes were down casted and he appeared almost disappointed.

"Claude… say something." He stood at arm's length from me. I wanted to say something but my lips would not form the necessary words.

"Why are you just staring at me…" He held my arms and shook me; still I had no words to say and no sentences to form. Erik slowly released my arms and stepped a few steps back from me. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed loudly.

"We should get home, it's late and I'm sure Roselynn misses you." Erik walked off towards the direction of the inn. Not another word was said that night between either of us.

The next morning was a bit awful; I woke up from a nasty hangover. I had a feeling that most of the inn had also woken up with the same fate. The mood wasn't as lively as it had been leading up to the festival, many of our patrons were leaving this morning. Aunt Giry and Clara, who immediately got along famously decided that it'd be best to take the children out for a trip. No doubt Thomas was bound to be in a foul mood and spend his day out in the barn. That would leave me, Roselynn, and Erik alone in the inn. My stomach was twisting in knots, the thought of being alone with Erik made me anxious. It was bad enough that he wasn't talking to me. Though I believe that I deserved it, kissing someone was the most intimate thing besides…well that.

"Claudine!" Clara's voice, like many times, cut through my thoughts. She walked into the living area with her famous smile on her face. She was wearing a pink afternoon gown, no doubt it was one her best dresses and it suited her greatly.

"Yes Clara?" I smiled and stood, my white blouse and brown skirt failed to compare to her radiance. I had decided to put my hair up in a messy bun, I didn't feel like dealing with it today.

"Were leaving now, most of the guests have gone and the bakery is closed for the day seeing as most of the town is out of commission. Take the day off dear." She grabbed her parasol and bonnet and made a beeline for the door.

"Take care dear!" She shut the door and left me dumbfounded. Never in the history of knowing Clara had she uttered a sentence so short and quick. I shook my head and grinned to myself, walking up the stairs I decided I'd give Roselynn and bath and perhaps we'd have our own picnic. Walking into her room I saw Erik holding her and feeding her a bottle, I smiled at him for the sake of making things less awkward. All I got in response was a nod, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little hurt.

"How is she this morning?" I walked up to my daughter and played with her little toes, her only response was something between a gurgle and a giggle. I laughed as her light blue eyes looked into her father's; who's eyes were familiar.

"She's wonderful, a bit cranky you Aunt said she was up all night." He handed her to me as I began to burp her.

"She gets restless at night sometimes, something she inherited from you I suppose." I smiled and pulled her from my shoulder once she let out a hearty burp.

"I'm glad she inherited your looks rather than mine." Erik looked at her and absent mindedly fiddled with his mask.

"She has your eyes and hair color, who knows maybe she'll develop your musical ability." He smiled at this. It warmed my heart when he smiled, almost as if everything were normal between us.

"I should get back to my room and let you two be." He started to walk towards the door but I grabbed his hand. He stopped and looked back at me.

"Don't go." His eyes lightened slightly.

"I mean, it's such a nice day out and I was thinking about taking a picnic with Roselynn… if you'd like to join us." I was glad I was holding Roselynn; my hands would have been shaking otherwise. What was wrong with me?

"Oh… yes that sounds nice." He smiled and walked out of the room. I released a breath that I didn't know I was holding and looked down at Roselynn. Her little eyes were giving me a look as I smiled.

"Quit looking at me like that." I took her down the hallway and started to give her a bath.

Erik's P.O.V

I couldn't believe she asked me to go on a picnic with her! My heart bounced when her hand touched mine. I don't know what has come over me lately, but this woman has me under her spell. I assisted her with giving Roselynn a bath, my daughter was the most peculiar thing. She splashed and laughed at everything. Claude blew bubbled for her and she giggled as if it were the most humerous thing ever. Her laughter was contagious and she had Claude and I laughing in fits. By the time it was over she had tired herself out and Claude began to change her.

"She looks tired." I handed her a diaper cloth.

"I'd be too after fighting off those dastardly bubbles." Claude chuckled lightly and finished dressing Roselynn; who's eyes were now slightly shut.

"Perhaps a picnic is not in the agenda today." Claudine gently laid Roselynn down in the crib and looked down at her. I followed suit and gazed down at our beautiful daughter. I looked at Claudine who looked back at me.

"I should go back to my room." She whispered but made no move to go.

"As should I." I stood there and hesitantly wrapped my arm around my waist. Her eyes flicked to my lips as I smiled. We slowly started to close the distance between one another, our lips contacted. We kissed softly at first but soon our kisses became hungry for one another and her hands soon found their way to my hair and entangled themselves in it.

"We shouldn't be doing this here." She said in between kisses. I grunted and lifted her up and walked out of Roselynns door and through my own. I threw Claudine on the bed and started to kiss her neck. She sighed and pulled away.

"Erik? Should we really be doing this?"" Her delicate hand rested on my chest as her beautiful violet eyes looked up into my own.

"Only if you want to." I took her hand and laid delicate kisses on it. She smiled and blushed as she nodded her head. The next hour was full of passion, our bodies never left one another's. Once everything was done and over with she laid on my chest and I held her. My thumb traced circles on her arm and she looked up at me.

"Erik?" Her voice was small and shy.

"Yes my love?" I held her face in my rough hands and smiled.

"Yes." Was all she said as I looked down at her with a confused look.

"Yes? What are you saying yes to? Because I'm sure with what we just did you'd said yes at least a hundred times." She slapped my arm softly as I chuckled.

"No! You impudent man, I meant yes as in yes to your marriage proposal." I froze and looked down at her.

"You want to marry me?" She smiled and nodded.

"Yes Erik, I want to marry you." I looked down at her and took her face in my hands.

"Thank you!" I kissed her face all over and she giggled.

"I love you Erik." She told me this once I stopped assaulting her with kisses as she laid down on my chest again. Her breathing soon became heavy and relaxed. I slowly got out of the bed and dressed myself.

"I love you too." I gently caressed her cheeks. I then left and set out to buy my future wife the perfect ring.

Hey guys! That concludes chapter 26, and quite honestly I'm pleased with this one. I love their budding romance... would be a shame if something were to.. happen. Mwahahaha! *clears throat* Sorry about that I tend to get a bit power crazy with my writing. But come on! How cute are these two?! Anyways thank you guys for reading my story! I had no idea that I'd have so many readers and I love our little community! Don't forget to review and PM me if you have questions, concerns, suggestions or if you just want to say hi! Love you guys!

-Kara