Roses || durm

. zwei.

.zwei.

The next night, the children hadn't forgotten about the story Arabella was telling them. They got into bed without making a fuss and waited anxiously for their mother to conitnue. "Will you tell us another bit of the story?" Maximilian pleaded with a smile.

"Okay." Arabella smiled back at them.

The two children cheered happily.

Their mother grabbed the music box off the nightstand and twisted the knob to produce music, just as she always did when she told them a story. This time she went to sit at the edge of her son's bed. Erik, who had heard she was going to continue the story, walked into the kids' bedroom and sat on their daughter's bed.

He too was anxious to hear the story, even though he had been there personally and knew exactly how it happened. He was curious to know what Arabella's point of view had been. Arabella's blue eyes locked with his lovingly as she began to tell the next part.

"I was seventeen when your father finally noticed the blue eyed girl at the training ground." She said with a smile, remembering the first day she started going there. "But I thought he hated me at first." She admitted. "Out of all his team mates, he was the only one who didn't approach me."

"I was nervous." He cut in.

"So he started sending me poems and presents anonymously." She continued. "He went as far as sending me a box of Teuton chocolates. They are the most expensive in Deutschland."

Erik chuckled. "When I did that, Mats got mad at me because I only got him an Adidas gift card for christmas."

"Uncle Mats is so funny." Anneliese giggled at the thought.

"When he becomes your girlfriend, you can get him all the Teuton chocolates he wants." Arabella joked.

"He got me underwear for christmas." Erik said, causing a laugh to erupt in the children's bedroom. Arabella and the kids were laughing at Mats unusual choice of presents.

"Anyway," Arabella sighed. "I eventually found out your papa was the one sending me presents and started a relationship before my dad's back. I told my dad about us when I finally turned eighteen. He flipped out." Looking directly at Erik, she added with amusement. "He was so angry he threw a lamp at your papa. I thought he would kill him and I would be loveless for the rest of my life."

-

It was the day of Arabella's eighteenth birthday. Erik had recently turned twenty three, and they had agreed it was time to let her father know they were seeing each other. Things had been easier since she started school at the University of Dortmund the previous fall. She had moved into a dorm room that she had all to herself and where Erik often visited. They were able to spend more time with each other because she was no longer under the watchful eyes of her father.

Erik was more than worried, he was genuinely terrified. Jurgen was a great team manager. But once things came to his daughter Arabella, he was strict and mean. He didn't want any of his players to get involved with his daughter, who was the light of his eyes. She was his pride and joy, the reason for which he smiled.

Her parents came together to organize a special dinner for her, in honor of her eighteenth birthday. She was to arrive at her father's house and from there, they would head to the restaurant together.

Arabella hit the doorbell and waited for her father to come to the door. When he finally did, she saw as the smile on his face faded slightly when he saw her with Erik. "Why'd you invite him?" Her father asked. "I though you wanted something small and private."

Arabella nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Yes. Can we come in? I need to tell you something very important."

Her father stepped to the side and let them in. The entire time, Erik was too nervous to even speak. Arabella led them to the couch and sat down, pulling Erik down with her. Jurgen sat on the couch across from them.

Sighing, as well as fidgeting with her fingers, she began, "Papa, I know you didn't want me getting involved with one of your footballers but," She paused for a moment, "Erik and I are in love."

She stopped to see what his reaction was. In that moment, her father went red with rage. Shooting up from his seat and startling both of them, he yelled, "All this time I was putting my trust in Erik because he was like a brother to you when you were a child, only to find out he's been seducing you! I warned you not to get close to my daughter in that way." He said the last sentence to Erik.

"I couldn't help it." Erik said in a small voice. "I fell in love with Arabella."

"Stop talking." Her father hissed, his hands balled up in anger. "Arabella, he's way older than you!"

"Papa, calm down." Arabella pleaded. Erik was only five years older than her. It wasn't too much of an age difference, but she didn't have the courage to point it out to her father.

"I will not calm down." He shook his head. Pointing an index finger at the footballer sat on the couch before him, he added accusingly, "I trusted him to take care of you, and intstead he does this."

"I have never intended to hurt Arabella." Erik spoke up, this time a bit more loudly. "I only want to make her happy."

"He makes me happy." She assured her father, taking Erik's hand in hers.

In his anger, her father grabbed the nearest object. It was a lamp that was on the sofa table. He launched it at the Dortmund footballer, who dodged it just seconds before it could hit him.

Arabella's eyes widened in shock. "Papa, stop!"

She knew her father would freak out when she told him the news, but she never imagined he would be affected that much. Arabella imagined he would be more accepting, since he trusted Erik. But now she saw that he felt more betrayed because he trusted Erik so much.

Jurgen ran a hand through his hair and sucked in a frustrated breath. "Okay." He huffed. "If you think you're old enough to do whatever you want, go ahead. But I'm telling you now that when this all breaks apart, you'll remember my words. Never get involved with a footballer. They're a hell of a good athlete, but not trustworthy people when it comes to relationships." After saying those words, he went to the front door, grabbed his keys off the hook they hung from and left the house.

-

"I avoided bringing Erik to my dad's house after that incident." Arabella explained to the children who were still very interested in hearing more. But it was late and she wanted them to get some rest.

Erik added, "Your grandfather and I laugh about it now. But when it happened, I was certain I was spending my last moments on earth."

"We'll tell some more tomorrow night." Arabella said with a smile.

She and Erik kissed the children goodnight and left the room. The children couldn't wait for the next night because they wanted to hear their parents' happily ever after.

-

so i posted a new update!

just thought you'd all enjoy it. im going to the movies with my friend tonight, so i'm expecting that to be very fun.

i hope you all have a blessed day!

-clary xx