A Love Returned

Chapter 6

Malik sat down on a couch next to Erin and the baby. He signalled Ingrid and Will to a sofa opposite them.

Erin looked at the pair, wanting them to leave as she cradled the baby back and forth.

"So, what did you do that's going to please me?" Malik asked, breaking the sudden silence.

Ingrid forced a big smile, "I staked him!"

She saw Erin wince at the news. Did she still care? No way.

Malik almost choked from laughter, "Very funny. No really, what did you do?"

Ingrid motioned for him to stop laughing, "It's true, isn't it Will?"

Will had been playing the shy type very well, he just stared at his feet. But now he looked up, excited, "Oh yeah, you should've been there! The look on Vlads face... classic."

"So you really did it?" Malik said, sitting forward, "You finally got your revenge."

Erin talked for the first time, "Why did you do it?"

"Erin, seriously?" Malik looked at her, annoyed.

"She's got a fair point. I did it because he made my life terrible. Now he's gone and everything's just perfect," Ingrid said. It hurt to talk about her brother in that way, she just hoped they couldn't tell.

Malik looked at Erin, "She only cares because of the kid."

Ingrid couldn't believe he'd talked about the baby first.

"Don't talk about him in that way!" She snapped, clearly uncomfortable.

"Hey, she's a new mum. Give her a rest, Malik," Ingrid told him.

She could see how grateful Erin was for that.

"What's his name?" Will asked, wanting to lighten things.

Erin looked at Malik, for permission perhaps.

He looked away from her, "Artur."

"Oh, that's a nice name," Will replied. He didn't know the connection to this name.

"That's his middle name, Malik," Erin said annoyed.

Malik stood up, folding his arms, "Please leave Ingrid. We were happy until you stepped into this house."

"We didn't mean to cause any grief, just to catch up," Ingrid said.

"I bet I can guess his first name," Will declared. He was smart, from the emotions around the room he had quickly put the pieces together, "It's Vladimir, isn't it?"

Erin gave out a cry, she held the baby close her and sped out of the room.

"Now you've done it!" Malik yelled.

"Leave her be, Malik. You're not helping her!" Ingrid shouted.

The commotion could be heard from outside, the Count sped into the house and sprayed garlic juice at Malik.

He fell to the ground, Ingrid and Will pinned him down until The Count succeeded in fang cuffing him.

"Sorry Malik, but we need your help," Ingrid said to his frustrated and angry face.

"What about Erin?" Will asked, "We can't just leave her here.

"Erin!!" Ingrid shouted.

Erin appeared, startled, "What did you do to him!?"

"I'll explain when we get back, but you really need to come. Please."

Erin figured it out, "Ok."