Spring's Child

Daniel had promised a weekend at his vacation home in the Adirondacks. Juliet had been thrilled. She’d packed hiking gear and lingerie side by side, expecting a week of full day workouts. But when she woke she was confused. She was tired, and her head felt heavy.

She groaned as she sat up, realizing she was on a beautiful bed. She looked around, seeing a bedroom and some doors that perhaps led elsewhere. The bed she was in was gorgeous. She went to get out when she realized her wrist was chained to the bed. She was able to move around, but not anywhere near the door.

“Hello?” She called. “Help!”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“Am I?” He said. “You’re rather soft yourself.”

Christine giggled. “You take really good care of your skin. I can tell.” She ran her fingertips along his cheeks and over his chin dimple.

“I do have a rather rigorous skin care routine,” he teased. He stayed still as her fingers trained along his features.

“It’s working,” she murmured, her eyes still trained on his features. She ghosted her fingers along his jaw, the tips of his cheekbones. She traced the circles under his eyes, then trailed back down until she reached his lips.

Erik pressed a kiss to her fingertips as she touched his lips, featherlight and full of love. Because he did love her. He adored her. She was his and he had to prove that to her.

Christine’s eyes widened as he kissed her fingers. Carefully, slowly, she cupped his cheek and reached up to kiss him.

Erik kissed her gently. He cupped her cheek and let her guide the kiss.

Her kiss was unsure at first. The idea of giving herself to him right now was terrifying. She knew that it’d be too much, but her lips craved his. So little by little, she felt herself letting go; surrendering to that craving.

Erik moved to cup both of her cheeks now, holding her as if she were fragile and something to be cared for. He moved to kiss her jaw, her cheeks, her eyelids before returning to her lips.

Christine was overwhelmed by the softness of his kisses. He was handling her as though he loved her.

Did he?

Did he really love her back? The thought made her heart ache. If he loved her, why was he keeping her down here? Why wouldn’t he just take her upstairs to his room and handle her just as tenderly? She wouldn’t run from this. Why couldn’t he trust her?

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, breathlessly. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do…”

She nodded quickly. “Yes,” she breathed. Did she dare ask to go upstairs? She didn’t want him to think that this was an act, or an attempt to trick him. She couldn’t bear to ruin this. She kissed the corner of his lips and rested her forehead against his jaw. “This is okay.”

Erik held her, letting her kiss where she wanted and waited for more. “Good. I enjoy this. I enjoy being with you.”

“I enjoy being with you, too,” she replied. “But I just…I do ask that we take things slowly. I…I’ve never…” She blushed and hid in the crook of his neck.

“I know, I know,” he said. He brushed back her hair and hummed. “We go at your pace, my love.”

Christine froze. “You know?” she asked. “Is it that obvious?”

“I just know. It’s not obvious, but I know you haven’t dated really,” he said. “I assumed. Maybe that makes me an asshole.”

Christine shook her head. “No, it doesn’t I just…I’m…I’m sorry that I don’t have as much experience with…with intimacy as you do.” Her cheeks were hot and she hid in the crook of his neck again.

“None of it bothers me,” he said. He kissed her temple. “All I want is you, Christine. Just you.”

Christine looked up at him in shock. “Just me?” she whispered.

He stroked back her hair. “Just you.” He kissed her forehead then her cheek. “You’re all I want, Christine. My every fantasy.”

She was his fantasy?

Her fantasy’s fantasy…But was this his idea of a fantasy? Her locked away in his basement to be used as an experiment?

“We won’t do that down here, will we?” she asked, her voice small.

“Not unless you want to,” he said. “That’s your decision. Not mine.”

“Not here,” she begged. “Please not here. I…I want my first time to be upstairs. This—this isn’t what I imagined for us. You’ve always been my fantasy, too. I was just hoping it’d be a little different.” She sniffed and hid in the crook of his neck again, afraid of what his response would be.

He simply held her tightly and nodded. “Then upstairs. We all wish things could be different sometimes. But things will work out. I promise you that.”

Daniel had promised a weekend at his vacation home in the Adirondacks. Juliet had been thrilled. She’d packed hiking gear and lingerie side by side, expecting a week of full day workouts. But when she woke she was confused. She was tired, and her head felt heavy.

She groaned as she sat up, realizing she was on a beautiful bed. She looked around, seeing a bedroom and some doors that perhaps led elsewhere. The bed she was in was gorgeous. She went to get out when she realized her wrist was chained to the bed. She was able to move around, but not anywhere near the door.

“Hello?” She called. “Help!”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“Am I?” He said. “You’re rather soft yourself.”

Christine giggled. “You take really good care of your skin. I can tell.” She ran her fingertips along his cheeks and over his chin dimple.

“I do have a rather rigorous skin care routine,” he teased. He stayed still as her fingers trained along his features.

“It’s working,” she murmured, her eyes still trained on his features. She ghosted her fingers along his jaw, the tips of his cheekbones. She traced the circles under his eyes, then trailed back down until she reached his lips.

Erik pressed a kiss to her fingertips as she touched his lips, featherlight and full of love. Because he did love her. He adored her. She was his and he had to prove that to her.

Christine’s eyes widened as he kissed her fingers. Carefully, slowly, she cupped his cheek and reached up to kiss him.

Erik kissed her gently. He cupped her cheek and let her guide the kiss.

Her kiss was unsure at first. The idea of giving herself to him right now was terrifying. She knew that it’d be too much, but her lips craved his. So little by little, she felt herself letting go; surrendering to that craving.

Erik moved to cup both of her cheeks now, holding her as if she were fragile and something to be cared for. He moved to kiss her jaw, her cheeks, her eyelids before returning to her lips.

Christine was overwhelmed by the softness of his kisses. He was handling her as though he loved her.

Did he?

Did he really love her back? The thought made her heart ache. If he loved her, why was he keeping her down here? Why wouldn’t he just take her upstairs to his room and handle her just as tenderly? She wouldn’t run from this. Why couldn’t he trust her?

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, breathlessly. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do…”

She nodded quickly. “Yes,” she breathed. Did she dare ask to go upstairs? She didn’t want him to think that this was an act, or an attempt to trick him. She couldn’t bear to ruin this. She kissed the corner of his lips and rested her forehead against his jaw. “This is okay.”

Erik held her, letting her kiss where she wanted and waited for more. “Good. I enjoy this. I enjoy being with you.”

“I enjoy being with you, too,” she replied. “But I just…I do ask that we take things slowly. I…I’ve never…” She blushed and hid in the crook of his neck.

“I know, I know,” he said. He brushed back her hair and hummed. “We go at your pace, my love.”

Christine froze. “You know?” she asked. “Is it that obvious?”

“I just know. It’s not obvious, but I know you haven’t dated really,” he said. “I assumed. Maybe that makes me an asshole.”

Christine shook her head. “No, it doesn’t I just…I’m…I’m sorry that I don’t have as much experience with…with intimacy as you do.” Her cheeks were hot and she hid in the crook of his neck again.

“None of it bothers me,” he said. He kissed her temple. “All I want is you, Christine. Just you.”

Christine looked up at him in shock. “Just me?” she whispered.

He stroked back her hair. “Just you.” He kissed her forehead then her cheek. “You’re all I want, Christine. My every fantasy.”

She was his fantasy?

Her fantasy’s fantasy…But was this his idea of a fantasy? Her locked away in his basement to be used as an experiment?

“We won’t do that down here, will we?” she asked, her voice small.

“Not unless you want to,” he said. “That’s your decision. Not mine.”

Daniel had promised a weekend at his vacation home in the Adirondacks. Juliet had been thrilled. She’d packed hiking gear and lingerie side by side, expecting a week of full day workouts. But when she woke she was confused. She was tired, and her head felt heavy.

She groaned as she sat up, realizing she was on a beautiful bed. She looked around, seeing a bedroom and some doors that perhaps led elsewhere. The bed she was in was gorgeous. She went to get out when she realized her wrist was chained to the bed. She was able to move around, but not anywhere near the door.

“Hello?” She called. “Help!”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“Am I?” He said. “You’re rather soft yourself.”

Christine giggled. “You take really good care of your skin. I can tell.” She ran her fingertips along his cheeks and over his chin dimple.

“I do have a rather rigorous skin care routine,” he teased. He stayed still as her fingers trained along his features.

“It’s working,” she murmured, her eyes still trained on his features. She ghosted her fingers along his jaw, the tips of his cheekbones. She traced the circles under his eyes, then trailed back down until she reached his lips.

Erik pressed a kiss to her fingertips as she touched his lips, featherlight and full of love. Because he did love her. He adored her. She was his and he had to prove that to her.

Christine’s eyes widened as he kissed her fingers. Carefully, slowly, she cupped his cheek and reached up to kiss him.

Erik kissed her gently. He cupped her cheek and let her guide the kiss.

Her kiss was unsure at first. The idea of giving herself to him right now was terrifying. She knew that it’d be too much, but her lips craved his. So little by little, she felt herself letting go; surrendering to that craving.

Erik moved to cup both of her cheeks now, holding her as if she were fragile and something to be cared for. He moved to kiss her jaw, her cheeks, her eyelids before returning to her lips.

Christine was overwhelmed by the softness of his kisses. He was handling her as though he loved her.

Did he?

Did he really love her back? The thought made her heart ache. If he loved her, why was he keeping her down here? Why wouldn’t he just take her upstairs to his room and handle her just as tenderly? She wouldn’t run from this. Why couldn’t he trust her?

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, breathlessly. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do…”

She nodded quickly. “Yes,” she breathed. Did she dare ask to go upstairs? She didn’t want him to think that this was an act, or an attempt to trick him. She couldn’t bear to ruin this. She kissed the corner of his lips and rested her forehead against his jaw. “This is okay.”

Erik held her, letting her kiss where she wanted and waited for more. “Good. I enjoy this. I enjoy being with you.”

“I enjoy being with you, too,” she replied. “But I just…I do ask that we take things slowly. I…I’ve never…” She blushed and hid in the crook of his neck.

“I know, I know,” he said. He brushed back her hair and hummed. “We go at your pace, my love.”

Christine froze. “You know?” she asked. “Is it that obvious?”

“I just know. It’s not obvious, but I know you haven’t dated really,” he said. “I assumed. Maybe that makes me an asshole.”

Christine shook her head. “No, it doesn’t I just…I’m…I’m sorry that I don’t have as much experience with…with intimacy as you do.” Her cheeks were hot and she hid in the crook of his neck again.

“None of it bothers me,” he said. He kissed her temple. “All I want is you, Christine. Just you.”

Christine looked up at him in shock. “Just me?” she whispered.

He stroked back her hair. “Just you.” He kissed her forehead then her cheek. “You’re all I want, Christine. My every fantasy.”

Daniel had promised a weekend at his vacation home in the Adirondacks. Juliet had been thrilled. She’d packed hiking gear and lingerie side by side, expecting a week of full day workouts. But when she woke she was confused. She was tired, and her head felt heavy.

She groaned as she sat up, realizing she was on a beautiful bed. She looked around, seeing a bedroom and some doors that perhaps led elsewhere. The bed she was in was gorgeous. She went to get out when she realized her wrist was chained to the bed. She was able to move around, but not anywhere near the door.

“Hello?” She called. “Help!”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“Am I?” He said. “You’re rather soft yourself.”

Christine giggled. “You take really good care of your skin. I can tell.” She ran her fingertips along his cheeks and over his chin dimple.

“I do have a rather rigorous skin care routine,” he teased. He stayed still as her fingers trained along his features.

“It’s working,” she murmured, her eyes still trained on his features. She ghosted her fingers along his jaw, the tips of his cheekbones. She traced the circles under his eyes, then trailed back down until she reached his lips.

Erik pressed a kiss to her fingertips as she touched his lips, featherlight and full of love. Because he did love her. He adored her. She was his and he had to prove that to her.

Christine’s eyes widened as he kissed her fingers. Carefully, slowly, she cupped his cheek and reached up to kiss him.

Erik kissed her gently. He cupped her cheek and let her guide the kiss.

Her kiss was unsure at first. The idea of giving herself to him right now was terrifying. She knew that it’d be too much, but her lips craved his. So little by little, she felt herself letting go; surrendering to that craving.

Erik moved to cup both of her cheeks now, holding her as if she were fragile and something to be cared for. He moved to kiss her jaw, her cheeks, her eyelids before returning to her lips.

Christine was overwhelmed by the softness of his kisses. He was handling her as though he loved her.

Did he?

Did he really love her back? The thought made her heart ache. If he loved her, why was he keeping her down here? Why wouldn’t he just take her upstairs to his room and handle her just as tenderly? She wouldn’t run from this. Why couldn’t he trust her?

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, breathlessly. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do…”

She nodded quickly. “Yes,” she breathed. Did she dare ask to go upstairs? She didn’t want him to think that this was an act, or an attempt to trick him. She couldn’t bear to ruin this. She kissed the corner of his lips and rested her forehead against his jaw. “This is okay.”

Erik held her, letting her kiss where she wanted and waited for more. “Good. I enjoy this. I enjoy being with you.”

“I enjoy being with you, too,” she replied. “But I just…I do ask that we take things slowly. I…I’ve never…” She blushed and hid in the crook of his neck.

“I know, I know,” he said. He brushed back her hair and hummed. “We go at your pace, my love.”

Christine froze. “You know?” she asked. “Is it that obvious?”

“I just know. It’s not obvious, but I know you haven’t dated really,” he said. “I assumed. Maybe that makes me an asshole.”

Christine shook her head. “No, it doesn’t I just…I’m…I’m sorry that I don’t have as much experience with…with intimacy as you do.” Her cheeks were hot and she hid in the crook of his neck again.

“None of it bothers me,” he said. He kissed her temple. “All I want is you, Christine. Just you.”

Daniel had promised a weekend at his vacation home in the Adirondacks. Juliet had been thrilled. She’d packed hiking gear and lingerie side by side, expecting a week of full day workouts. But when she woke she was confused. She was tired, and her head felt heavy.

She groaned as she sat up, realizing she was on a beautiful bed. She looked around, seeing a bedroom and some doors that perhaps led elsewhere. The bed she was in was gorgeous. She went to get out when she realized her wrist was chained to the bed. She was able to move around, but not anywhere near the door.

“Hello?” She called. “Help!”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“Am I?” He said. “You’re rather soft yourself.”

Christine giggled. “You take really good care of your skin. I can tell.” She ran her fingertips along his cheeks and over his chin dimple.

“I do have a rather rigorous skin care routine,” he teased. He stayed still as her fingers trained along his features.

“It’s working,” she murmured, her eyes still trained on his features. She ghosted her fingers along his jaw, the tips of his cheekbones. She traced the circles under his eyes, then trailed back down until she reached his lips.

Erik pressed a kiss to her fingertips as she touched his lips, featherlight and full of love. Because he did love her. He adored her. She was his and he had to prove that to her.

Christine’s eyes widened as he kissed her fingers. Carefully, slowly, she cupped his cheek and reached up to kiss him.

Erik kissed her gently. He cupped her cheek and let her guide the kiss.

Her kiss was unsure at first. The idea of giving herself to him right now was terrifying. She knew that it’d be too much, but her lips craved his. So little by little, she felt herself letting go; surrendering to that craving.

Erik moved to cup both of her cheeks now, holding her as if she were fragile and something to be cared for. He moved to kiss her jaw, her cheeks, her eyelids before returning to her lips.

Christine was overwhelmed by the softness of his kisses. He was handling her as though he loved her.

Did he?

Did he really love her back? The thought made her heart ache. If he loved her, why was he keeping her down here? Why wouldn’t he just take her upstairs to his room and handle her just as tenderly? She wouldn’t run from this. Why couldn’t he trust her?

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, breathlessly. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do…”

She nodded quickly. “Yes,” she breathed. Did she dare ask to go upstairs? She didn’t want him to think that this was an act, or an attempt to trick him. She couldn’t bear to ruin this. She kissed the corner of his lips and rested her forehead against his jaw. “This is okay.”

Erik held her, letting her kiss where she wanted and waited for more. “Good. I enjoy this. I enjoy being with you.”

“I enjoy being with you, too,” she replied. “But I just…I do ask that we take things slowly. I…I’ve never…” She blushed and hid in the crook of his neck.

“I know, I know,” he said. He brushed back her hair and hummed. “We go at your pace, my love.”

Christine froze. “You know?” she asked. “Is it that obvious?”

“I just know. It’s not obvious, but I know you haven’t dated really,” he said. “I assumed. Maybe that makes me an asshole.”

Erik had made the short drive to the hospital from his practice without a second thought. John had called him with, explaining a new case he had. A little girl who was sick and abused. He wanted Erik over to give a full exam, because the pediatrician on call at the hospital was Beth. And Beth had red hair. Beth was an amazing doctor, but apparently the little girl had screamed and cried seeing the woman. She seemed only comfortable around men, which was odd. So Erik walked to the cardiology department and knocked on the door.

When he went in he saw John trying to comfort a small girl. She was sitting on the bench with a stuffed bunny tight in her arms. She wasn’t much more than big eyes and big curly hair and cheeks. And she couldn’t be older than four.

“Hey,” Erik said softly. “I’m Doctor Destler. What’s your name?”

Juliet looked up at the new man and her eyes widened. She’d been so scared when that lady had come in. She didn’t like that lady for some reason. But this man looked nice. He looked like he gave good hugs and that he wouldn’t yell or be mean to her.

“Hi… I’m Juliet.”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“She does.” He nodded once. “Mind if I go check on her before we head to bed?”

“No, I wanted to, too,” she said. “Let’s go see her.”

Juliet was just as they’d left her, curled up in bed with her bunny. “She’s so angelic looking. Especially when she’s asleep,” Erik whispered.

“I know,” she whispered back. “She’s so perfect to hold, too. I love how she curls right up. She..she does what I used to do when I was little, with her little hand on your cheek.”

“You still do that, darling. When you’re very tired and half asleep. I love it,” he said. He went over and pressed a kiss to Juliet’s cheek. She stirred a bit.

“Papa?”

“It’s papa. Go back to sleep, baby girl.”

“Okay,” she whispered and closed her eyes again.

Christine smiled softly and placed a kiss of her own on Juliet’s cheek. “I love you, sweet girl,” she murmured to her.

“Can you stay?” Juliet whispered, her little hand reaching for Christine’s. Erik smiled and gave Christine a nod. “I’ll go get ready for bed. You get some more snuggles,” he whispered.

Oh, that little hand.

Christine nodded quickly, crawling into the bed beside her. “Of course. I’m right here, baby. It’s just us.” She kissed her cheek and stroked some curls away from her face.

Juliet snuggled closer and closed her eyes once more. “I don’t want to have bad dreams and you scare the bad dreams away,” Juliet explained.

Christine hugged her a little tighter at that. “That’s okay,” she promised her. “I’ll always be here to keep those bad dreams away. I love holding you. You fit so perfectly right here.”

It wasn’t long until Juliet was fast asleep again. Naturally her hand had found Christine’s cheek, her other one clutching her bunny.

Christine held Juliet for nearly half an hour. She looked up as she felt Erik in doorway, her eyes wide. “I don’t want to put her down,” she whispered. “I…I can’t.”

“You don’t have to,” he said. The bed was big enough for the three of them. So he climbed in and held Christine.

“How often do I do what she’s doing right now?” Christine asked, referring to Juliet’s hand on her cheek. “I know I’ve done it a handful of times, but I didn’t think you’d remember.”

She did. She remembered doing it after her first nightmare here. She remembered him kissing her palm and telling her that it was okay, that she was safe. That she’d understand all of this soon enough…

“Just about every night,” he said. He kissed her temple. “It’s sweet. I love it.” He glanced at Juliet who was still asleep. “She fall back asleep okay?”

“Yeah,” she replied. “Quickly, actually. I just haven’t had the heart to leave her.”

“That’s good,” he whispered. “And it’s okay. We can snuggle her until morning if we want.”

“Could we? Please? I…I need it,” she admitted.

Truthfully, she was terrified of what tomorrow would bring. Tomorrow she met his parents, his best friends, his godchildren. Tomorrow she had to pretend that she hadn’t just spent the past year and a half in his basement. It was as if Juliet knew that her Maman was just as anxious about meeting new people as she was. They needed each other desperately tonight.

“Then we stay right here,” he said. He kissed her shoulder as if to prove his point. “And in the morning we’ll have a snuggly peanut to love.”

“What time is everyone coming over?” she asked.

“Around four,” he answered. “We have plenty of time to watch her find her eggs and her baskets and prep for dinner.”

“I want lots of pictures tomorrow, too. Of all of us.” She kissed his cheek. “It’s our first holiday as a family.”

“I know. I’m excited. Now… it’s time for you to sleep too. She’ll be up early she’s so excited,” he reminded her.

“I know,” she whispered. “What do we want to do for breakfast tomorrow?”

“We’ll just order bagels,” he said. “Now sleep. No more worrying.”

“Okay,” she finally complied. “Goodnight. I love you.”

“I love you more,” he said. He didn’t close his own eyes until he felt her breathing even out. Only once both his girls were relaxed and resting did he fall asleep himself.

Juliet woke early just as Erik had predicted, but she truly did try to fall back asleep. She did for a bit but by seven she was ready for go. “Maman? Papa? Can we go see if the Easter bunny hid my eggs?” She whispered.

Christine felt a tiny hand rubbing her cheek. She smiled, eyes still closed, and kissed her baby girl’s palm.

“Good morning, little love,” she whispered to her.

“Good morning,” she whispered back. “It’s Easter. And the Easter bunny came I think.”

Christine and Erik both laughed softly.

“It is Easter,” Erik murmured warmly. “And I’m simply the luckiest man in the world to be waking up on a beautiful day, with my beautiful girls in my arms.” He kissed Juliet‘a forehead and pressed a tender kiss to Christine’s lips.

Christine looked at him with all the love in the world in her eyes. “Happy Easter, my loves,” she murmured to both of them. “We have our own Easter miracle this year. Don’t we, Papa?”

“That we do,” he said. He smiled as Juliet hid in her bunny’s ears. “Our own little miracle.”

He sat up a bit and then climbed out of the bed. Juliet lifted her arms to him and he easily lifted her up as well. “Time to get ready huh?” He said.

“We need to look for eggs first!” Christine laughed. “The Easter Bunny was very busy this morning.”

“That’s true,” he said. He smiled as Juliet squirmed out of his arms to head towards the stairs. “Wait for us!” He called.

Christine was quick to catch up to Juliet and took her hand. “Look at all that grass at the bottom of the steps!”

“It’s a big mess!” Juliet giggled. Erik shook his head. “I’m sure we’ll be finding that for months,” he said.

Christine laughed delightedly. “I bet the grass will lead to your eggs!”

Juliet followed the grass until she found the two baskets. “I got two?!” She said. “Look! And I have a new friend for Dawn!”

“One is from us,” Christine told her. “We wanted to celebrate our first holiday as a family.” She crouched down beside her, as did Erik.

“Go ahead, open them,” he encouraged her warmly. He cupped her little cheek, running the pad of his thumb along the apple, and smiled. A smile that was just for his baby girl.

Juliet nodded and pulled the baskets closer so she could slowly unpack what was inside. “I don’t need all of this. What if I get spoiled?” She asked, looking at her mother and father. But she was hugging the new teddy bear, holding it close to her.

Erik and Christine looked at each other, then back down at Juliet, who’d nestled safely into Erik’s lap.

“But you do need these things, sweet girl,” he countered gently. “Your heart does. This little guy,” he patted the bear’s head, “is making you really happy right now, isn’t he?” He waited for her little nod. “We love you so much, baby. This day is special to Maman and I because it’s our first holiday with you. It’s okay for mommies and daddies to spoil their babies sometimes. You’re the most wonderful little girl. Us giving you gifts won’t make you a bad person. I promise. Okay? Enjoy these. You deserve every one, baby.” He kissed her forehead.

Juliet held the bear tighter a if scared they’d take it away. But she was beginning to realize they wouldn’t. So she continued unpacking her basket. Which did include some Juliet friendly candy. “Can I have some now?” She asked. “Just a little bite and then I’ll have breakfast?”

Erik chuckled. “Just one piece. But only because it’s a special occasion.” He kissed her nose. “Can I get a couple of pictures of you with Maman first?”

“Yeah!” She said and instantly was over to her mother. “Did you see my new teddy bear?” She asked and held it up for her to look at. “I think I want to name him baby bear.”

Christine giggled and hugged her tightly. “I did. I picked him out for you. I saw him and knew right away that you needed him.” She kissed her cheeks. “I love this little smile.”

“Yeah. I like that he’s happy like Dawn,” she said. She leaned her head on Christine’s shoulder and just stayed there. “I love you, maman. Thank you for my baby bear.”

Christine’s heart melted.

“You’re welcome, my ladybug. I love you, too, Juliet. More than you’ll ever know.” She kissed the top of her head. “You make me so happy.”

Erik smiled and took a few photos of the two of them on his phone. “You girls are so beautiful,” he said.

Christine leaned over and kissed him. “Happy Easter, my love,” she murmured.

“Happy Easter,” he said. “I’ll order our breakfast now.”

Christine was content to spend time with Juliet and Erik as they waited for their food. They made sure to take care of business, of course. Introducing Dawn to Baby Bear, organizing her Easter candy, cleaning up as much Easter grass as they could.

Juliet picked up the grass alongside her parents. “We’ll be finding this for months,” Erik said again.

“It finds its way into every corner of the house, that’s for sure,” Christine laughed.

Juliet sat down with her new bear watching cartoons when the bagels came. Erik set them up in the kitchen. “Do you want cream cheese, Jules?” He asked.

“Yes please!”

“What kind of juice do you want, sweet girl?” Christine called.

“Ummm apple juice please,” she said. She paused her show before getting up and going to the kitchen. Erik grinned down at her. “Is it the good cream cheese?” She asked.

Christine laughed. “It’s the best cream cheese,” she clarified. Barry’s Bagels was a staple in their area. Christine would have known their bagels and homemade cream cheese anywhere. The first time he’d brought one down to her as a treat, she’d nearly cried.

Erik set Juliet up with her bagel and juice. “Enjoy, baby girl,” he said.

Erik kissed Christine’s cheek as she set Juliet’s juice in front of her. “I’ll get your bagel, sweetheart,” he told her. “Sit.”

Christine nodded and sat beside Juliet. “Thank you,” she replied. He ran a thumb over her cheekbone and smiled. “You’re welcome. Any special requests, or same as usual?”

“Same as usual, please,” she said.

Juliet hummed as she bit into her bagel. “It’s super yummy,” she said. She held it out to Christine. “Wanna try?”

“No, thank you, baby,” Christine said. “That’s all yours. Papa’s getting mine now.”

“Okay. But you can have mine too if you want,” she offered.

Christine kissed the top of her head. “Thank you, sweet girl.” She stroked her hair lightly as she ate.

Erik dropped her plate off to Christine, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Enjoy, my love.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Are you going to sit with us?”

“Let me grab my bagel and I will,” he said. He kissed her forehead again and went back to the kitchen. He returned with his own plate and sat down between his girls.

“How’s your bagel, Julie Bean?” Christine asked. Barry’s had been her favorite when she was Juliet’s age.

“It’s the yummiest,” she said. “Cause it’s the good cream cheese.”

Christine laughed. “I’m glad.” She took a sip of her cranberry juice and hummed happily.

Juliet sipped her own juice. “Papa has coffee, but why not juice?” She asked him.

Erik sighed dramatically. “Because Papa is old, and needs his coffee to give him energy,” he said. He gave a little smirk and tapped her nose. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I have some juice, too. Okay?”

“Okay good. Cause juice is good for you in the morning,” she said. She blew him a kiss before taking another messy bite of her bagel.

Erik chuckled and wiped her cheeks off. Seeing her eat put him at ease. Slowly, she was beginning to look healthier. Her coloring was coming back to her cheeks, her arms weren’t as alarmingly thin. This baby could finally enjoy being a baby.

Juliet finished her bagel and tried to look around for any hidden eggs. “Where did the Easter bunny hide my eggs?” She asked her mother. “Did you see any?”

“I don’t know,” Christine said. “I haven’t seen any. Should we look together?”

Erik smiled as she nodded and jumped up. He left the dishes to follow them, knowing he normally would take care of them immediately. But today was for making memories.

Daniel had promised a weekend at his vacation home in the Adirondacks. Juliet had been thrilled. She’d packed hiking gear and lingerie side by side, expecting a week of full day workouts. But when she woke she was confused. She was tired, and her head felt heavy.

She groaned as she sat up, realizing she was on a beautiful bed. She looked around, seeing a bedroom and some doors that perhaps led elsewhere. The bed she was in was gorgeous. She went to get out when she realized her wrist was chained to the bed. She was able to move around, but not anywhere near the door.

“Hello?” She called. “Help!”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“Am I?” He said. “You’re rather soft yourself.”

Christine giggled. “You take really good care of your skin. I can tell.” She ran her fingertips along his cheeks and over his chin dimple.

“I do have a rather rigorous skin care routine,” he teased. He stayed still as her fingers trained along his features.

“It’s working,” she murmured, her eyes still trained on his features. She ghosted her fingers along his jaw, the tips of his cheekbones. She traced the circles under his eyes, then trailed back down until she reached his lips.

Erik pressed a kiss to her fingertips as she touched his lips, featherlight and full of love. Because he did love her. He adored her. She was his and he had to prove that to her.

Christine’s eyes widened as he kissed her fingers. Carefully, slowly, she cupped his cheek and reached up to kiss him.

Erik kissed her gently. He cupped her cheek and let her guide the kiss.

Her kiss was unsure at first. The idea of giving herself to him right now was terrifying. She knew that it’d be too much, but her lips craved his. So little by little, she felt herself letting go; surrendering to that craving.

Erik moved to cup both of her cheeks now, holding her as if she were fragile and something to be cared for. He moved to kiss her jaw, her cheeks, her eyelids before returning to her lips.

Christine was overwhelmed by the softness of his kisses. He was handling her as though he loved her.

Did he?

Did he really love her back? The thought made her heart ache. If he loved her, why was he keeping her down here? Why wouldn’t he just take her upstairs to his room and handle her just as tenderly? She wouldn’t run from this. Why couldn’t he trust her?

“Is this okay?” He asked softly, breathlessly. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do…”

She nodded quickly. “Yes,” she breathed. Did she dare ask to go upstairs? She didn’t want him to think that this was an act, or an attempt to trick him. She couldn’t bear to ruin this. She kissed the corner of his lips and rested her forehead against his jaw. “This is okay.”

Erik held her, letting her kiss where she wanted and waited for more. “Good. I enjoy this. I enjoy being with you.”

“I enjoy being with you, too,” she replied. “But I just…I do ask that we take things slowly. I…I’ve never…” She blushed and hid in the crook of his neck.

“I know, I know,” he said. He brushed back her hair and hummed. “We go at your pace, my love.”

Erik had made the short drive to the hospital from his practice without a second thought. John had called him with, explaining a new case he had. A little girl who was sick and abused. He wanted Erik over to give a full exam, because the pediatrician on call at the hospital was Beth. And Beth had red hair. Beth was an amazing doctor, but apparently the little girl had screamed and cried seeing the woman. She seemed only comfortable around men, which was odd. So Erik walked to the cardiology department and knocked on the door.

When he went in he saw John trying to comfort a small girl. She was sitting on the bench with a stuffed bunny tight in her arms. She wasn’t much more than big eyes and big curly hair and cheeks. And she couldn’t be older than four.

“Hey,” Erik said softly. “I’m Doctor Destler. What’s your name?”

Juliet looked up at the new man and her eyes widened. She’d been so scared when that lady had come in. She didn’t like that lady for some reason. But this man looked nice. He looked like he gave good hugs and that he wouldn’t yell or be mean to her.

“Hi… I’m Juliet.”

@christine-the-soprano-31

“She does.” He nodded once. “Mind if I go check on her before we head to bed?”

“No, I wanted to, too,” she said. “Let’s go see her.”

Juliet was just as they’d left her, curled up in bed with her bunny. “She’s so angelic looking. Especially when she’s asleep,” Erik whispered.

“I know,” she whispered back. “She’s so perfect to hold, too. I love how she curls right up. She..she does what I used to do when I was little, with her little hand on your cheek.”

“You still do that, darling. When you’re very tired and half asleep. I love it,” he said. He went over and pressed a kiss to Juliet’s cheek. She stirred a bit.

“Papa?”

“It’s papa. Go back to sleep, baby girl.”

“Okay,” she whispered and closed her eyes again.

Christine smiled softly and placed a kiss of her own on Juliet’s cheek. “I love you, sweet girl,” she murmured to her.

“Can you stay?” Juliet whispered, her little hand reaching for Christine’s. Erik smiled and gave Christine a nod. “I’ll go get ready for bed. You get some more snuggles,” he whispered.

Oh, that little hand.

Christine nodded quickly, crawling into the bed beside her. “Of course. I’m right here, baby. It’s just us.” She kissed her cheek and stroked some curls away from her face.

Juliet snuggled closer and closed her eyes once more. “I don’t want to have bad dreams and you scare the bad dreams away,” Juliet explained.

Christine hugged her a little tighter at that. “That’s okay,” she promised her. “I’ll always be here to keep those bad dreams away. I love holding you. You fit so perfectly right here.”

It wasn’t long until Juliet was fast asleep again. Naturally her hand had found Christine’s cheek, her other one clutching her bunny.

Christine held Juliet for nearly half an hour. She looked up as she felt Erik in doorway, her eyes wide. “I don’t want to put her down,” she whispered. “I…I can’t.”

“You don’t have to,” he said. The bed was big enough for the three of them. So he climbed in and held Christine.

“How often do I do what she’s doing right now?” Christine asked, referring to Juliet’s hand on her cheek. “I know I’ve done it a handful of times, but I didn’t think you’d remember.”

She did. She remembered doing it after her first nightmare here. She remembered him kissing her palm and telling her that it was okay, that she was safe. That she’d understand all of this soon enough…

“Just about every night,” he said. He kissed her temple. “It’s sweet. I love it.” He glanced at Juliet who was still asleep. “She fall back asleep okay?”

“Yeah,” she replied. “Quickly, actually. I just haven’t had the heart to leave her.”

“That’s good,” he whispered. “And it’s okay. We can snuggle her until morning if we want.”

“Could we? Please? I…I need it,” she admitted.

Truthfully, she was terrified of what tomorrow would bring. Tomorrow she met his parents, his best friends, his godchildren. Tomorrow she had to pretend that she hadn’t just spent the past year and a half in his basement. It was as if Juliet knew that her Maman was just as anxious about meeting new people as she was. They needed each other desperately tonight.

“Then we stay right here,” he said. He kissed her shoulder as if to prove his point. “And in the morning we’ll have a snuggly peanut to love.”

“What time is everyone coming over?” she asked.

“Around four,” he answered. “We have plenty of time to watch her find her eggs and her baskets and prep for dinner.”

“I want lots of pictures tomorrow, too. Of all of us.” She kissed his cheek. “It’s our first holiday as a family.”

“I know. I’m excited. Now… it’s time for you to sleep too. She’ll be up early she’s so excited,” he reminded her.

“I know,” she whispered. “What do we want to do for breakfast tomorrow?”

“We’ll just order bagels,” he said. “Now sleep. No more worrying.”

“Okay,” she finally complied. “Goodnight. I love you.”

“I love you more,” he said. He didn’t close his own eyes until he felt her breathing even out. Only once both his girls were relaxed and resting did he fall asleep himself.

Juliet woke early just as Erik had predicted, but she truly did try to fall back asleep. She did for a bit but by seven she was ready for go. “Maman? Papa? Can we go see if the Easter bunny hid my eggs?” She whispered.

Christine felt a tiny hand rubbing her cheek. She smiled, eyes still closed, and kissed her baby girl’s palm.

“Good morning, little love,” she whispered to her.

“Good morning,” she whispered back. “It’s Easter. And the Easter bunny came I think.”

Christine and Erik both laughed softly.

“It is Easter,” Erik murmured warmly. “And I’m simply the luckiest man in the world to be waking up on a beautiful day, with my beautiful girls in my arms.” He kissed Juliet‘a forehead and pressed a tender kiss to Christine’s lips.

Christine looked at him with all the love in the world in her eyes. “Happy Easter, my loves,” she murmured to both of them. “We have our own Easter miracle this year. Don’t we, Papa?”

“That we do,” he said. He smiled as Juliet hid in her bunny’s ears. “Our own little miracle.”

He sat up a bit and then climbed out of the bed. Juliet lifted her arms to him and he easily lifted her up as well. “Time to get ready huh?” He said.

“We need to look for eggs first!” Christine laughed. “The Easter Bunny was very busy this morning.”

“That’s true,” he said. He smiled as Juliet squirmed out of his arms to head towards the stairs. “Wait for us!” He called.