Wanted

Chapter 46

Christine ran around the house trying to make everything look nice while Erik just relaxed on the couch. "I'd appreciate some help, Erik!" Christine said and Erik just laughed as he looked up from his book.

"I would, my love. But Raoul isn't coming for lunch until tomorrow." Christine's face fell as she realized what day it was. Now she felt stupid. She was about to get down on herself when she felt something pull on the hem of her dress.

Christine looked down to see her precious little boy standing there with a big grin on his face. Christine kneeled down in front of him and stroked his black locks of hair. The little boy wrapped his tiny arms around his mother and she greatly returned the hug.

"I love you, Mama!" He exclaimed and Christine smiled.

"I love you too! Now, why don't you go tell Papa?" Christine whispered in his ear and he happily ran over to the masked man who sat on the couch with his legs crossed. The cat, Ayesha,  was perched on the arm of the couch as Erik stroked her fur. He looked intimidating.

Gustave sat on the living room floor and played with his toys. Christine came into the room and sat beside Erik on the couch. He closed his book and set it aside. She laid her head on his shoulder and he smiled at her.

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When a knock sounded on the door the next day, Erik ran to answer it. His son, who was sill in his arms, laughed as Erik almost tripped. "Learn how to walk, Erik. We don't need anyone getting hurt." Christine said right before Erik opened the door.

"We're glad you could join us for lunch, Vicomte." Erik said as he let the man in. Raoul slightly smiled at Gustave and Erik, but his smile got significantly wider when Christine walked in. She smiled back at him as he placed a kiss to her hand.

Gustave squirmed in Erik's arms as they watched Christine pull Raoul into her arms and hug him tight. Erik couldn't watch that anymore so he walked out of the room and into the dining room. "Papa understands, my treasure." Erik said as he saw Gustave's cringe from watching his mother hug Raoul. "You are most certainly my child." He said and kissed his head.

Erik set Gustave in one of the chairs before walking into the kitchen to fill up glasses of water. Christine entered as he filled up the second one. "Can I help you with anything?" She asked as she noticed the annoyed look on his face.

"No, besides, I wouldn't want to ask you to do something when you looked so content in the man's arms. Go to him, he's probably missing you." Erik said and Christine looked shocked.

"Erik please-" Christine started but he held up a hand before carrying the glasses of water into the dining room. He set one in front of everyone before taking his place at the table. Christine came in and sat beside Raoul.

Erik got what he wanted and then broke up pieces of chicken that he put on Gustave's plate. They ate in silence until Raoul spoke up. "Thank you for having me over. It really means a lot."
"It's no trouble at all, Vicomte." Erik said. And he was telling the truth. He wasn't mad at Raoul. But he was jealous. Christine was slowly falling for the boy from her childhood and it hurt Erik. 

A few hours later, the Destler's bid goodbye to Raoul. Christine hugged him again and Erik shook his hand before he left. Once he was gone, Christine walked up to her husband. "Erik, we need to talk." Christine said as she took his hand and led him to the living room.

"You can't be jealous all of the time. You know I love you! Raoul is an old friend, I care about him. But no man will ever come before you." Christine said as she grabbed his left hand and ran her fingers over his wedding ring. She leaned down and kissed the silver band before wrapping him in her arms.