Everyone came to Chloe’s apartment again for game night to save her from having to make the trip to Black Bay, and toward the end of the night, Paige had happily announced that she and Jace were expecting. Everyone sprang to their feet to congratulate the couple, and Kong got so excited that Chloe thought for sure her floor was going to collapse beneath him when he picked up Jace and began jumping up and down in celebration.
Erik stayed after everyone left, and with the topic fresh on her mind, she asked, “Do you want children someday?”
“I never really thought about it. Honestly, I never thought I’d have the chance.”
Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think maybe I’d like to have kids one day.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
He shot her a decidedly wolfish look. “Maybe we should go practice then. I’m still a novice after all.”
Several hours later, her body tender in all the best places, and her voice hoarse from her cries of pleasure, Chloe sleepily told him he’d graduated from novice straight to expert.
The next morning, they headed out for their beach date. Erik had tried to get her to change her mind and wait for a warmer day, but Chloe was determined. She wanted to feel the sand between her toes and let the surf rush over her feet. Well, she had, then wished she hadn’t. The sand was cold, damp from an overnight rain, and the water was frigid. They hadn’t made a day of it like she wanted. She’d lasted two hours out of pure stubbornness – an hour more than Erik had predicted. Even after he’d given her his hoodie, then wrapped her in the blanket they’d brought to sit on for their picnic, she’d been shivering so hard she’d had to give in. They’d ended up eating their lunch in the vehicle and watchingthe waves through the windshield as the heater blew hot air on her freezing toes. That was okay. It was still one of her best dates ever.
Lattie came to see her later that same night. His smile was dimmer than usual, but he was determined to erase the stain left on his opera house. It was full-speed-ahead for the tribute concert. As for resumingPhantom of the Opera, he was conflicted. While many hours had been invested in the production, Danny’s death, along with Thad’s and Michelle’s injuries, had left an indelible mark.
Bruce’s adoption was approved, and Erik drove out to be with her when she brought him home. Chloe had done her research, had been prepared for the possibility of a difficult adjustment period, but after a thorough inspection of her apartment, where everything was sniffed and sniffed again, Bruce had settled in just fine. He now went everywhere with her and had become a familiar fixture at the opera house during rehearsals. Lattie had even gotten him a dog vest with the opera house logo and dubbed him their new mascot.
Somewhere along the lines, Chloe and Erik also ended up in an undeclared competition of who was the better chef. For date nights, they cooked for each other, trying to outdo each other’s most recent creation. Bruce fully approved since he got to help with the cleanup, but made a terrible judge as he refused to pick a clear winner.
The shock of Jackson had receded, and Chloe no longer got that sick feeling whenever Erik left. She was no longer leery of goingout, taking Bruce for a walk, or going to the grocery store. Her fear had ebbed, and life had fallen into a comfortable rhythm. She felt normal again. No, better than normal. Chloe was happy.
Doctor Fernandez had arrived at Black Bay and was in discussion with Doctor Dietrich, along with some of the other doctors on site, as they prepared for Erik’s reconstruction surgery. He’d not only be receiving the skin graft, but a new eye designed for the Resurrection project. It required integration with a neural chip he’d been a bit skeptical about having implanted, but in the end, the benefits, both aesthetically as well as better than perfect vision, won him over. The surgery would take place in two days. Chloe and Bruce would be there with him, as well as Kong and Lark, to make sure the doctors didn’t deviate from the plan while Erik was asleep.
He'd been fine with just Kong keeping an eye on things. The big man was intimidating enough; he didn’t need backup, but when Lark had approached Erik, asking to be there for him as well, he couldn’t deny her. Even after all these years, she still struggled with guilt.
“Please let me do this,” she said.
“You don’t owe me anything, Lark. You need to stop feeling guilty.” He pointed at his face. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Not true. If I didn’t produce the venom, Doctor Dietrich never would have had it at her disposal to hurt you with.”
“You target practice with your venom, yes?” He already knew she did, knew that she had an impressive range, but he was trying to make a point.
“Yes.”
“Do you target people?”
Her face was appalled. “Of course not.”
“Exactly. Doctor Dietrich could have tested it on a concrete slab, scrap metal, or an old junker car, like you do. If it can cut through that, it can sure as hell cut through a person, but she didn’t do that. Shechoseto spray it in a person’s face – my face – that’s on her. Not you.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right, but I still want to be there for you.”
Erik nodded. “I’m fine with that. Just stop shouldering her blame. Let it go.”
Lark looked at him for several moments, a smile lifting the corners of her lips. “You’ve come so far, Erik. I can see it in your face. You look happy.” She nodded. “It looks good on you.”
He owed it all to Chloe, and tonight, he’d get to hear her sing.
For the first time, Erik was attending a performance live instead of catching muffled bits and pieces while hiding in his vehicle outside. But for Jayla, who was still recovering, the whole game night crew, along with General Davies, had come to show their support. They’d been given VIP private box seats in the balcony, but he and Bruce were together, watching from just off stage. It was magnificent.Erik had lost count of how many times he’d gotten chills. The power of a full orchestra, the choreographed beauty of the dancers, and the emotion-drenched vocal performances from both Chloe and John Madison.
The stage lights cut out, and a spotlight tracked Chloe as she walked to the front of the stage for her final piece. Before she began, her eyes met his, and she smiled softly and mouthed the words,I love you. She drew in a breath, and the first note rang out, clear as a bell, and goosebumps rose on his arms. She was singing a cappella, an Italian piece about how the departed live on in our hearts. The passion in her voice transcended the language barrier. He could feel every heartfelt note in the tightness of his chest and the thick lump that formed in his throat.
The audience was packed, but even with the houselights down, he saw handkerchiefs being raised to their eyes, while others held their hands to their mouths. It was a performance they’d never forget. A performancehe’dnever forget.
