Chapter 441: Chapter 441
Nora walked down to the dining room, her nerves making her feel weak. How could she have allowed this to happen? She had missed her pill for a few days in the chaos of the salon opening. It was her fault. He was the king. He couldn't marry a woman after he knocked her up! Ugh. She was disgusted with herself. She couldn't tell him. How could she?
"Nora. You look amazing." Christian said as he kissed her hand, meeting her at the bottom of the staircase.
"Thank you, so do you." Nora reached up and hugged him tightly.
"Are you alright?" Christian managed to ask through the enormous pressure on his ribs.
"Yes. Fine." She said. He pried her off of him as best he could.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Sorry. Just a bit emotional with my family here." She straightened her dress and walked into the dining room.
Christian shook his head. Women were certainly interesting at times, he thought.
"Christian." Erik put his hand on his shoulder and let out a laugh. "Ready to have a feast with the future in-laws?"
"Erik." Christian smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be. It's been a week already and it's only Monday."
Erik nodded and patted him and lead the way. There was something about Erik that Christian just couldn't help but adore. He was masculine without being overtly open with it. He was cunning. Brilliant. Regal. And yet he made Christian feel at ease. Like he would protect him. He was the anti-hero for certain but Christian found himself seeking him as a mentor for some reason he couldn't understand. He wanted to learn from him. He was glad he asked him to be there as one of his first acts as king. He trusted his gut more now than ever.
They filed in to the enormous and lavish grand dining room specifically used for entertaining.
Erik, Auggie and Maggie, Charles, Nora and her father and brother were already there. Isla and Alex were slated to arrive as well as Fi and Ian. Christian had invited them to surprise his mum and hopefully lighten the mood.
Speaking of Pearl, she arrived in a dress Christian had never seen before. She looked incredible and happy. He hadn't seen her like this in as long as he remembered. She was glowing.
"Mother." Christian said as he smiled.
"Pearl." He heard Erik say, as he stood to the right of him with a drink in his hand and his jaw to the floor. Christian chuckled.
Pearl grabbed a glass of wine and smiled at Erik. It was quick but clear.
Everyone began to converse as Alex came in.
"Please don't make a fuss for me." He said as no one acknowledged him.
"Hello, my beautiful boy." Pearl said.
"Mum, you look ravishing. My god. The light inside of you looks to be lit." Alex twirled her around. "Who is this vixen in black and what have you done with my serious and bland rock star mother?" Alex twirled her around again.
"Oh stop it, Alex. You're embarrassing me." Pearl blushed.
"You? You sang about your fanny in front of a sold out stadium and I, little ole me, is embarrassing you? Cmon mum. Now tell me where that spark came from." Alex was on one, as usual.
"You. It was you, wasn't it?" He looked over at Erik, who in turn looked surprised.
"Well, well… dear almost daddy, you look ghastly peak-ed. Get this man some red wine!"
Alex smiled and winked at him then went to the table to introduce himself to Nora's family.
"Pearl!" Fi said as she threw herself through the door.
"Fi! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Japan for the summer?" Pearl got up and hugged her.
"Holy shit. Ho-Lee-fuck what is he doing here?" Fi asked as she looked at Erik. Erik adjusted his suit and walked over to her as a lull came over the room.
"Fi, always the drama and never the dull." Erik greeted her with a bow. She looked too much in shock to respond.
"Hey mate. It's been a long ass time. I hear you're giving pep talks around the world and stuff like that. Glad for you." Ian said with a fist bump. "When I went into recovery, everyone still called me a junkie but fuck them anyway. Recovery is no joke." Ian nodded and smiled.
"I'm so sor…" Erik was just about to offer an apology, yet again, when Pearl stopped him.
"No. No more apologizing. Your work on yourself has given you the right to free yourself from your past, including the judgement of others. It's over now. No more apologies. I'm proud of you." The room fell absolutely silent.
"Th-thank you, Pearl." Erik choked down the tears and lump in his throat.
Still looking down, Christian got up and walked to him, putting his hand on his shoulder. "Very happy you're here with us now." He patted him and held up his glass.
"To recovery and hard work. To Erik!" He toasted.
"To Erik." Ian said.
"To Erik." Pearl said. And the rest of the room followed. Even Auggie held up his glass.
"To my almost dad!" Alex chanted. The room broke out in laughter but Erik, Erik stood and sobbed. Her couldn't help it. And he didn't want to.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone