Erik sat across from me at dinner as we enjoyed vegetables, bread, and some meat. It tasted delicious, and I smiled at Erik, "Thank you for this wonderful meal."
"You're welcome," he said quietly.
He was certainly trying, but he was so uncomfortable around me and it was quite obvious by the way he squirmed during conversations.
"So, how are you?"
"Fine. You?"
"I'm doing well. I've been feeling a little tired."
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked nervously.
"Yes, I'm alright. It's just the baby."
Erik nodded. We finished our meal in silence. As Erik cleared the dishes, I reached for Erik's hand and stopped him, "Erik, come here."
"What's wrong?"
I stood up and wrapped his arms around me. He was shaking as I placed his hand on my stomach, "Do you feel that?"
"Is that..."
I nodded. Suddenly, I felt something warm on my neck. I realized that Erik was crying. I didn't say anything. I just stood there with his arms cradling my bump and my back pressed against his firm chest. We stood there for a long time. Erik could no longer keep his cries silent, and I heard his gasps for air between sobs. Eventually, he buried his face in my neck. I reached my hand back and placed it upon his head, feeling the synthetic hair upon his head.
When I could no longer take his heart-breaking cries, I turned to face him. My stomach pressed up against his svelte figure and I put my hands on his shoulders. He tried to to cover his eyes with his hand as if he hadn't been crying and I hadn't heard it.
"Darling," I whispered, "I love you."
"You don't mean that," he whimpered, "You don't have to say it."
"Oh, Erik..." I brought his face toward mine. He had a look of panic in his eyes, most likely assuming I was going to tear his mask off, but instead, I brought his lips to mine and gave him a gentle kiss, "Erik, I love you."
"You saved me," he cried, taking me in his arms.
"What?" I asked quietly as he held me.
"The night you came to tell me about the... our child, I was going to end it all."
"Why would you consider such a thing!" I asked sadly.
"Christine had left me and married Raoul... I had scared you away. Madame Giry and Meg had to leave me for their own safety... I was truly alone."
"No longer, Erik," I said quietly as I gave him another tender kiss on his smooth cheek.
