Christine became more antsy the longer it took Erik to answer. She knew she had to be patient with him but in some situations, that just felt downright impossible. This one being the main example. After all, he had walked out on her after she'd told him that she would be having his child.
"I...uh, I was just scared. Alright?! I was scared." Erik blurted and both her heart and expression softened further. How could she be irritated with that?
She immediately embraced him properly once more, pressing herself against him and going on her tiptoes so she could wrap her arms around his shoulders. A small gasp left him but he immediately wrapped his hands around her midsection, stroking it with his thumb.
She relaxed into him and allowed him to scoop her up, carrying her over to the bed. He perched on the edge of it and she situated herself so that she could sit in his lap comfortably.
"What are you scared of?" She questioned softly, peering up at him for a moment. She watched as he hesitated again. She didn't back off, though. Even if he wasn't the greatest at being vulnerable, this was an important conversation for them to have. She wanted to be able to help him like he helped her.
"I am terrified that our child will be like me and I am terrified that I will be a horrible father. You can understand that much, right?" He finally admitted, though the question seemed more like he was hoping she would tell him that his fears were rational.
In a way they were. But she couldn't help but be somewhat offended that he believed she could ever be shallow enough to care that much about what her baby looked like. Had she not proven that she was different than everyone else in his life already?
She could understand his fear about being a terrible father much easier. She didn't know much about his parentage outside of what he'd revealed to her, but she could safely assume that he either didn't have a father or his father was just as bad as his mother. She wasn't quite sure which option she found worse.
She only snapped out of it when she realized that he was becoming uncomfortable, shifting slightly beneath her.
She pushed away the offended feeling and carefully removed the mask. His eyes widened and he stiffened, but he thankfully didn't lash out.
She cupped his cheeks and carefully stroked the side that she had just uncovered. He relaxed and even leaned into her touch, closing his eyes with a slightly shuddering sigh.
"We'll deal with what our baby looks like when we get there. I personally don't care either way. I love you and I will love this baby. As for what sort of father you'll be? I know you'll try your best. Everyone makes mistakes." She soothed, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
Another shuddering sigh left Erik and he wrapped his hand around her wrist. He turned his head and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to her palm.
"You're right... " He breathed simply. She was just glad that he didn't fight her on that. Then again, she was pretty sure he would've if he wasn't emotionally exhausted. He had to be. It wasn't often he spilled his guts and they had gone on a bit of an emotional ride together.
"Come on, let's lay down. Both of us could use a little nap." She urged as she shifted out of his lap and into the bed. She patted the space beside her and much to her joy, he flipped down beside her. Neither of them bothered with the covers. They were more than content to simply curl up against each other and remain warm that way.
He'd spent a lot of time with Christine after they'd moved past his moment of weakness. He found that he was warming up to the idea of being a father rather quickly. It helped that it was Christine's child and therefore was half her. It helped more than she realized and more than he could ever confess.
But unfortunately, he had to pull himself out and away from their little bubble. They couldn't stay in this inn forever and they needed some form of income. He downright refused to let Christine find work in her state and Giry's options were limited due to her age.
Besides, he wouldn't trust that bitter wench to support them at all now. Something had changed within her and he didn't know what it was. All that mattered was that he didn't like it. So it meant that this duty fell to him and he was more than alright with that. It was just that it would be rather hard to find a decent job looking the way that he happened to.
He was losing hope when he stumbled across a place that reminded him far too much of his past. But it was also the answer to his current problem. He was exactly what they were looking for. He could do this without a question. In fact, they'd be fools to not accept him.
He knew Christine wouldn't like this. Hell, he didn't even like this. The closer that he got, the more his stomach muscles tightened and his breathing increased slightly. But sometimes one had to do things that they disliked. Even if it was putting oneself in a position that they never wanted to be in again.
All he had to remember was that he was doing this for her. What she didn't know, wouldn't hurt her. If he told her, his resolve would break and he couldn't have her talking him out of this. Especially when it was so important.
She would forgive him in time, when they were living comfortably, she was happy and their little baby was healthy. After that point, he'd be done. He hardly intended for this to be a permanent thing.