Craving Forgiveness

47

"So what do you suppose we do then?" You asked Erik who claimed he was dying of boredom.

"How about we go to the beach?"

You thought for a second and shrugged," okay."

You headed to the bathroom while Erik searched for clothes.

"Atarah." He called out to you. "Would you come here for a second?"

You walked back into the room to see Erik facing towards you with his hands behind his back.

"I just have a question for you darling." He started," why haven't I seen these lovely things?" He asked and pulled out a red lingerie set you got from your wedding shower.

You gasped in shock as you flushed and your face became hot. You ran over and grabbed the items from him.
"Erik!"

He grabbed your wrists preventing you from pulling away,"don't be shy my love, although it is very adorable, you don't need to be bashful."

"You can't go peeking at my naughty things." You scolded innocently.

"Well I've already seen your naughty things." His hand slid down to your bottom and he gave it a squeeze.

Your eyes widened," Erik!"

He laughed loudly," you're too cute for words. I was looking for my clothes when I stumbled upon your 'naughty things'." Saying the last part mockingly.

You rolled your eyes and walked over to the dresser and opened the third drawer to reveal his clothes."The top three are mine and the bottom three are yours."

He cocked is head to the side. "Why do you get the top ones?" He asked childishly.

You shrugged matter-of-factly," well it is because I'm better than you, duh." You turned on your heels and walked back into the bathroom.

After a quick shower you got dressed and left the room.

Erik was downstairs talking to the guys.

"Hey Atarah." Alex greeted.
You smiled," hey Alex. How are you?"

"Great. So you guys are going to the beach huh?"

"Yeah, you should come along."

He smiled and blushed," I um. I actually have a date."

You eyes widened excitedly," really?!? With who?"

"The waitress from that restaurant we went to a few weeks ago. We've been going out since then. Her name is Zoie."

You squeezed him before pulling away," Alex! That's so great! How's that going?"

"It's good, I really like her and I think she likes me too."

"I'm sure she does. Well we should get going. Have a great time tonight. Tell me all about it tomorrow." You winked and walked away.

You and Erik loaded up the car and got going.

Once at the beach you laid out your towels and laid down.

"Erik." You looked over to him.

He looked over at you but said nothing.

"My father. He's dead isn't he?"

He turned back to look at the ocean. "Yes."

You gave an unnoticed nod.

"Thank you." You said.

"You'd do the same." He said with a slight smile in his voice.

You smiled and rolled your eyes before getting up and running to the water.

The water was a bit cold as the the summer month was ending and would soon turn into autumn.

Erik showed of his swimming and surfing but you're pretty sure his mutation had something to do with it.

You and Erik played in the sand and water all day until your were pruny in some places and sunburnt in others.

"So Mrs. Lensherr." Erik turned to you while you were both laying in the sand. "I have a surprise for you."

"Oh Erik, you've got to stop spoiling me."

He raised an eyebrow,"oh. So you don't want it?" He playfully asked.

"Well...you've already gone through the trouble to get it.."you fought back a smile. "You may as well give it to me."

He smiled and let out a light laugh before reaching into the beach bag he carried.

"Close your eyes and open your hands." He instructed and you did as told.

A wooden object was placed into your hands and you tightened your grip ensuring it wouldn't fall.

"Alright. You can look now."

You opened your eyes to see a picture in a wooden picture frame.

You slid your fingers down the picture,"daddy." You whispered.

"Do you like it?" He nervously questioned.

You couldn't take your eyes off of it or say anything.

It was a picture of you and your dad at the beach the year he took you in. You two were in the water and he had you in his arms spinning you around.

You looked up at Erik who had an anxious expression on his face.

"It's perfect. I love it." You wrapped your arms around him and squeezed him tightly.

"You mean that?"

You nodded,"it's the best thing you could've given me."

You pulled away and looked at the picture again.

"I went to see your mother to ask for you hand in marriage. After she agreed," he paused to smile. "She showed me some pictures and she stumbled upon that one. Said she hasn't seen it since it was taken."

"I remember, we thought we lost it at the beach."

"Luckily she let me take it for you."

You leaned in and kissed his cheek,"you're incredible."