After the Fire

Chapter 7

The next morning was Christmas Eve which meant Amelie and Fifi were elbow deep in sweet dough when Erik hobbled down for breakfast.

"Good morning, Erik!" Fifi ran over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Good morning, Feef," he smiled. "Morning, Amelie."

"Morning," she replied, cooly. He had hurt her feelings last night. She didn't need him to fall in love with her, but she at least hoped that they could share companionship.

There was an awkward silence.

"Feef, I seem to have forgotten my handkerchief. Would you run to my room and grab it?"

Fifi skipped away and Amelie kept her eyes on the dough.

"I apologize for my outburst yesterday," Erik said.

"The part where you called me a foolish woman or the part where you acted like I'm a selfish bitch like your angel?"

Erik slammed his fist on the counter, "Don't speak of her that way!"

"Fine, but when you want to be angry at someone, don't be mad at the person who cared enough to come back for you."

"I didn't ask for you to save me! I would have been happier dead!!!" he yelled.

Fifi had walked into the room at the wrong time and began to cry.

"Thanks, Erik," Amelie snapped.

Amelie went to Fifi's side and hugged her. She continued to cry. Then she choked out, "Erik! I don't want you! I want Erik!"

Amelie released Fifi from her arms, and she went to Erik. Then Amelie went off to her bedroom to cry. She had nothing left to give. Erik hated her, and she would never replace her sister or brother-in-law in Fifi's eyes.

It was a little while later when there was a soft knock at her door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Erik."

"I don't feel much like talking to you."

"Fine, then listen. Fifi's calmed down. She wanted to apologize to you. She only said that she wanted me because of my outburst."

Amelie opened the door. Erik felt a pang in his heart at how distraught she looked, "I've been nothing but kind to you and you treat me like I'm just another one of them. I'm not, Erik. I'm not going gain your trust only to stab you in the back. I'm not going to hurt you. I made that promise to you when we met."

"You must understand, Amelie, I'm not like other people. My whole life has been survival..."

"If you opened up..."

He interrupted her, "I will not be doing that anytime soon."

Amelie's face fell.

Erik felt guilty for a moment, "I didn't say never."

"Okay..." Amelie took in a sharp breath.

"Come eat breakfast. Feef and I finished the sweet rolls."

"Thanks," Amelie said quietly. "Erik?"

"Hmm?"

"I'd like it if we could at least get along and be friends... for Fifi."

"I'd like that too...For Fifi."