Chapter 2
The fallout was both better and worse than Erik had expected. Charles’ sister and friends were mostly pleased for the two of them, but apparently had concerns about the age difference that Charles had all too easily brushed aside.
“As if it’s any of their concern what I do with my life!” Charles had snapped one day after a disagreement with his sister about moving in with Erik.
“They’re just worried about you, sweetheart, they love you,” he’d soothed as best he could with his hands full with dinner.
Charles had deflated at that, “I know. I know. It’s just frustrating, I’m older than I look you know?”
“Thank goodness for that,” Erik muttered under his breath, imagining getting himself locked up for impregnating a teenager.
“She said we’re moving too quickly, But I explained that we’ve been dating for a while now and you’re selling your house! It makes sense! Plus, I don’t want to be a single mom, it sounds hard,” he pouted slouching down onto the couch.
“Good thing you don’t have to worry about that then. They’ll come around, just give them time, darling.”
Charles sighed, still sounding irritated, “you’re always so calm, do you ever freak out?” he mused.
Erik shot him a look at that, “Have we argued politics?”
“…Okay, you’ve got me there, but about this, about us, you’re so cool, it’s eerie,” Charles titled his head back to peer at Erik upside down.
“That’s because I’m exactly where I want to be, I’m old enough to recognize the feeling and simply enjoy it for what it is.”
“Hmm” Charles agreed contemplatively before settling in to read the latest issue of a scientific journal he’d brought home from work.
~~
In spite of their concerns, which Erik was amused to note were never mentioned in front of him, Charles’ friends were the easy part.
Charles said he intimidated them, Erik didn’t really care about the reasons why, he was just happy there was one corner of his life that wasn’t shot straight to hell with his news.
Though even that wasn’t entirely fair, his parents hadn’t disowned him, and at this point he’d take what he could get.
~~
The day after Charles’ big announcement, Erik had indeed taken the day off; Charles already had a clear schedule, so they made a trip to the doctor’s office for a checkup and sonogram.
The doctor had run a routine physical and noted that Charles was in excellent health and that the pregnancy was progressing normally. That was a weight off both their shoulders, though they were still within the miscarriage zone, things were looking good.
They were even proven right about the date of conception when he confirmed that Charles was seven weeks pregnant. They’d shared a laugh at that, how many couples knew the exact night it happened?
“Perhaps not a story to tell the kids,” he’d joked causing Charles to snort a laugh.
Erik hadn’t known he could feel as happy as he squeezed Charles’ hand, rubbing his shoulder gently when he flinched at the cold gel the doctor spread across his belly before they saw the little dot and heard its frantic heartbeat.
Charles had frowned at the sound, “Is it alright?”
“Oh yes, it’s just quite busy growing right now, everything looks good from where I’m sitting,” the doctor reassured.
Erik had stared at the screen, enraptured by the life he’d helped create; he’d leaned against Charles as the smaller man pulled him in comfortingly. Only then had he noticed he was crying.
The doctor had smiled at them gently and excused himself to give them a moment alone.
The shared a chaste kiss and Charles let Erik clean the gel from his belly with a sani wipe, “I’m here for you, you know that? Both of you.”
“I know, Erik, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
~~
That same day, filled with all the anticipation of an expectant father, he’d called his mother and arranged a visit that Sunday.
“Is this about that boy?”
Erik sighed heavily into the phone, the world was too damn small, “His name is Charles mother, and how did you hear about him anyway?”
“Magda’s sister called their mother last night telling her about what happened with you, she called me right after they hung up and asked if it was serious. I told her it couldn’t be because we haven’t been introduced, and how could we seeing as you haven’t even mentioned this young man to me?”
Erik pinched the bridge of his nose and paced across the living room, irritated beyond all measure.
“It is serious, mother; in fact, that’s why I’m calling. I’m hoping you’re free Sunday so I can bring him over to meet you and dad.”
She was quiet for a long moment, “What’s all this about Erik? I heard he’s very young, Is this some midlife crisis?”
“What? No, I’m not even middle aged, mom, please!”
“I’ve heard it happens younger with some men, I’m just concerned, and that’s all. I’m your mother, that’s my job,” she countered defensively.
He bit off a sharp retort at that, knowing her words came from a place of love. He sighed again and shuffled his feet, “Yes he’s young, he’s 24,” he ignored her dismayed gasp, “and a professor of genetics at Columbia. We’ve been seeing each other for about six months and I care for him very deeply.” He held his breath.
“And what about Magda?”
He released a ragged sigh, “I’m sure you already heard.”
“I want to hear it from you.”
“I ended it, for good, I just…can’t anymore.”
“But Er-“ he cut her off mid protest.
“ You’ve been saying how much better I’ve seemed lately, happier, that’s down to Charles. Now, are you free to meet him or not?”
She was silent for another long minute, during which he was sure she and his father were having an impassioned pantomime conversation about this turn of events.
“Of course we are beloved, bring your boy for a nice brunch, we’ll see you at eleven.”
“Thank you mama, tell dad I said hi,
“He says hi back and we’ll see you then.”
“See you then.” He ended the call and tuned to walk back to the sofa only to find Charles fondly watching him from the doorway to his office.
Erik silently held his arms open and Charles moved into his embrace, “Big day.”
“You can say that again. How did it go with your sister?”
Charles blushed and looked away, “I chickened out and invited her for lunch tomorrow, and I thought it’d be best to tell her in person.”
“Yeah, I was thinking that too,” Erik hedged as Charles wrinkled his brow in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’ve seen how small my grapevine is, once we tell my parents Sunday, the news is out.” Charles nodded his understanding. “I want to drive to Rhode Island tomorrow and tell Magda myself.”
The younger man paled and took a step back before Erik quickly but gently led him to sit on the couch, “Are you alright, darling?” he asked, trying not to panic, cursing himself for stressing Charles unnecessarily.
“Yes, I’m fine, I’ve just been so worried for so long that I only had you on loan,” he looked down at his hands clasped in his lap. “I know better now, well, my brain does, but my heart…”
Erik pulled the smaller man onto his lap and let him rest against his shoulder, “Your heart better listen to your head, I’m coming back to you, I promise,” he pulled back to look him in the eye, “I just feel like I owe her this.”
Charles gave him a weak smile, “I know, Erik, and I understand. You’re a good man.”
He huffed a laugh, “I’m glad someone thinks so." And even though it made Charles chuckle, Erik was only half kidding.