Wow! But one more chapter done. I didn't think I would make it, but I did. As the title suggests, you can probably guess what it's about. I hope that you enjoyed it and that you're here next year too. I wish you a lot of fun reading and enjoy our cute little family. See you next year.

Greetings Petit Erik

Erik POV

In the meantime it had already become autumn. The opera was still going very well; so was Lou's work. And because my wonderful wife had no time, I had to pick up the children from kindergarten today. I packed up my stuff, said goodbye to my colleagues and ran to the streetcar. I got on, rode to the right stop and got off again. I quickly made my way to the kindergarten. I heard the children playing outside and ran to the back of the garden. There I saw my children happily playing with the others. A happy smile crept onto my lips. My children hadn't noticed me yet. I grinned and threw my voice in my son's ear. Immediately he turned his head and saw me.

"Daddy!", he shouted loudly and ran toward me.

When Josy heard her brother, she turned to me as well.

"Daddy!" she squealed and ran after her brother.

The kindergarten teacher saw me, opened the gate and let me in. My children hugged me and beamed at me.

"Hello, my angels. Was it nice today?"

They both beamed at me and nodded.

"It's very nice. Get your things and then we can change, okay?"

The two nodded again and ran inside the house. They returned with their backpacks and said goodbye to the educators. I said goodbye as well and walked with the children to the dressing room so they could change. They sat down on the small benches and I knelt in front of them.

"Daddy?" asked Josy.

"Yes, little one?"

"Mama home?"

"No, Mama isn't home yet. But it won't be long before she comes."

The little girl smiled happily. Jere, meanwhile, was struggling with his pants. I giggled and helped him put them on properly.

"Thanks, Daddy."

"You're welcome."

When they were both done, we headed home. They each took a hand from me and carried their backpacks. About 15 minutes we were on the road; 10 of which were by train. When we arrived at our house, I dug out the key and we went inside. We took off our clothes and shoes. I put the mask and wig on the cabinet next to the door and took their backpacks from them. Immediately they ran into the bathroom and I followed them. In the bathroom they jumped up and down in front of the sink. I smiled, lifted first Josy and then Jere and they were able to wash their hands.

"So, now you can play if you want," I said to the twins.

They laughed loudly and ran to their room. I washed my hands as well and looked up. In the mirror I saw my distorted face. But that was not what bothered me at the moment. In fact, it didn't bother me since I started dating my Louise. No, something else was bothering me. My hair looked horrible. It was sticking out in all directions. I grinned, wet a comb, and ran it through my sparse strands. At that moment, Jere came into the bathroom.

"What are you doing?"

"Just combing my hair. But I'm done now."

I put the comb back, examined my hair in the mirror, which was now all smooth against my head, and turned to my son.

"Yes, Jere?"

"Can we play?"

"Sure. What would you like to play?"

"Marble run!"

"All right. Do you want Fine to play too?"

"Yes! Fine too!"

"All right. Come on, let's go play a little."

"Yes! Come on, Daddy!"

"Yes, little one," I laughed and let him pull me along.

In the kids' room, we set up the marble run together. Josy joined us right away and we started playing. Soon we were so engrossed in the game that we forgot about the time.

Louise POV

When I came home from work, there was no one to be seen. I put down my clothes, shoes and bag. Then I went in search of my family.

"Erik?", I called out.

"Up here, dear!", I heard his voice.

I slowly walked up the stairs, supporting my pregnant belly. I heard loud laughter coming from the children's room. I opened the door and saw Erik lying on the floor with his children on his back. I giggled, Erik raised his hand and waved at me, even though he couldn't see me. Jere and Josy turned around, got off their dad and ran towards me.

"Mommy!" they both exclaimed and hugged me.

I laughed and kissed them both on the cheek. Erik stood up and walked toward me. He looked at me and smiled. I looked at him as well, gently embraced his disfigured cheek and kissed him. He returned my kiss with full fervor.

"Welcome home, angel," he breathed.

"Thank you, dearest."

The children had their hands on my belly and looked very curious. They beamed happily when they felt a kick. I grinned at them and they then ran off giggling. Erik wrapped his fingers between mine and lifted my hand to his lips. I blushed and he smiled. With children playing, Ayesha purring, and a wonderful atmosphere, we spent the rest of the day like this. When Erik and I went to bed that evening, he snuggled up to me.

"Tired?", I asked him.

He nodded and replied: "And I'm a little cold. But I'm sure that's normal this time of year."

"It certainly is. Now, you snuggle up to me and get a good night's sleep."

"I will. And dream of our new angel," he breathed, kissed me again, and then fell asleep.

I smiled, stroked his cheek and then fell asleep too.

Erik POV

The next morning I felt kind of weird. I cleared my throat and noticed that my throat felt raw. Suddenly I felt like I was going to cough. I still tried to stop it but it didn't work. It was not a normal cough. It was a kind of irritating cough. I also only noticed now that my nose was running too. Oh man, exactly what I was trying to prevent had happened. I had caught a cold. I coughed again and Louise woke up from it. She looked at me and her eyes immediately became concerned.

"Erik? Are you all right? Are you okay?"

I shook my head.

"No. I think I caught a cold."

It occurred to me that my voice was hoarse and I probably shouldn't be talking so much. Lou stroked my cheek and smiled slightly.

"Should I call Nadir and let him know you're not coming today?"

"Maybe it would be better. I don't feel so good either," I confessed.

"Okay. I'll call Nadir and you get some rest, angel."

"Yeah, Mommy," I grinned, curling back into my blanket as I realized I was freezing again.

Lou grabbed her cell phone, dialed Nadir's number and called. After a few rings, I heard his voice.

"Good morning, Louise. How are you?"

"Good morning, Nadir. I'm doing very well. But Erik not so."

"Hello, Nadir," I groaned.

"Oh. That doesn't sound good at all. I just want him to get some rest. I'm already running this place. I'll let the cast and staff know, too. I wish him a speedy recovery."

"Thank you for that. I hope it doesn't take too long. He hates doing nothing."

I heard Nadir laugh.

"That is indeed true. I would say goodbye because I have to go now. I'll say hello to the others. See you soon."

He hung up and Lou put her cell phone aside.

"Best wishes and get well soon."

"Thank you, dear," I replied.

At that moment, the kids came into the bedroom.

"Mommy! Daddy!" they shouted and ran to us.

"Not to me!", I shouted and buried myself in my blanket so deep that only my eyes were visible.

"Papa?" asked Josy, tilting her head.

"Daddy is sick. That's why we have to cut back on the cuddling and snuggling a little bit, okay?" said Lou to the kids.

"Daddy sick?" asked Jere quietly, looking at me.

I nodded and smiled slightly.

"Yes. I hope I get better soon, though."

He was still looking at me.

"Daddy hug?"

"I think hugging is fine. Come here," I said to him, spreading my arms and immediately he snuggled up to me.

Josy joined me a short time later as well, as did Lou.

"You're all so sweet," I murmured to my family.

I put my hand on Lou's belly and stroked it gently. I felt a kick and smiled.

"Daddy will hopefully be okay soon. But he can't drink coffee there now either. Only tea now."

I looked at my wife in horror. No more coffee? Only tea? That... that wasn't possible! Coffee was my livelihood; my life! And now I'm supposed to give it up?

"Lou? Are you sure about this? How am I supposed to give it up?"

"You'll manage. If you want to get better fast, you'll do it."

"Okay," I said meekly, burying myself more in my blanket.

Lou laughed along with my kids. I grinned too and giggled hoarsely as well.

"Okay. I know what we're going to do with you," my wonderful wife said, looking at me.

"And what?", I asked.

"We're going to put you in the health bath. Then you can take a deep breath and hopefully it will help you."

Indeed, the prospect sounded wonderful after a hot bath.

"Will you keep Daddy company for a bit while I prepare the bath water?"

They both nodded delightedly at the prospect of staying with me a little longer. Lou kissed me on the cheek, as well as my children, and then went into the bathroom. The two of them grinned broadly at me. I was a little afraid of what they were about to do to me. Suddenly they jumped up and fell on top of me. I squealed in surprise and laughed. They squealed and laughed happily. They romped on me and I tried to catch the two bullies. But they were nimble and dodged me. Louise came back a moment later.

"Now let your poor papa have a rest. He needs to rest a bit."

The children kissed me on the cheek and scrambled off me. I peeled myself out of my covers, put on my slippers and got up. I went to the closet, opened it, took out fresh clothes and went to the bathroom.

Lou kissed me again briefly and then went to the children. Meanwhile, I undressed, got into the tub and let myself sink into the warm water. I sighed happily, let my tired muscles relax, and closed my eyes. Lou came back a moment later.

"Relaxing, isn't it?" she asked, sitting down on the rug in front of the tub.

"Oh, yes. It feels wonderful. I could stay here forever."

My wife grinned and stroked my cheek. She stood behind me and massaged my tense shoulders. I moaned happily and leaned into her touch.

"Oh. It seems someone is enjoying that touch, too," Lou purred in my ear.

I looked at her confused, but she wasn't looking at me but at the center of my body. I looked there too and saw that I was fully aroused. I slammed my hands down on my erection and pushed it down. Lou grinned, moved away from me and took off her clothes. My eyes widened. My wife came into the tub as well and lay down with her belly on top of mine. She turned a little to the side to protect the baby in her belly. I felt her press against my member and moan. She grinned, reached down with her hand and encircled me. I gasped and she grinned. Then I noticed how she slowly guided me into her and moaned. She hugged me, giggled and started to move. I grinned and met her with my own thrusts. Soon she was constricting around me and moaning into my neck. I noticed the pressure building inside me and poured my seed into her. Lou had her forehead against my collarbone and was breathing in and out deeply. Slowly I pulled out of her and she looked at me grinning.

"Always trying something new, aren't you, angel?" she feigned.

I smiled and kissed her.

"Indeed. But I think we should get out of the tub slowly, don't you? I'm sure the kids are hungry."

She nodded, disengaged from me and got out of the tub. Then she grabbed a bath towel and wrapped herself in it. I got out of the tub as well, pulled the plug and wrapped a bath towel around my waist. Lou, meanwhile, was already getting dressed and rubbing her hair down. I dried off and put on my clothes as well. We hung up the bath towels and left the bathroom to check on our kids.

"What are they doing anyway," I asked Louise.

"Oh, they're playing at the moment. They're very mature for their age and they're taking care of themselves."

"That's true. But we might have to prepare breakfast now, or they'll starve us," I groaned.

"Indeed. And you be quiet now and get your tea."

"Oh Lou," I grumbled, running after her.

"Don't argue with me. If you want to get better, you do it."

"Okay. Got it."

"Good Erik," she purred, patting my head.

Together we walked to the nursery to get the kids into the kitchen for breakfast. And thus, the first day for me would begin. The first day without coffee.