Chapter 6
Week 16
Erik stifled a groan at the sight of the man walking towards him through the coffee shop. Ordinarily he would have been pleased to run into a friend for a brief chat, but these days he’d become a pariah among his social set and he could never tell how someone from the old days would react to him.
“Erik! Hi, I thought that was you!” Sebastian said an oily grin. They’d never been close but they were a part of the same group of friends and even belonged to the same fraternity at school so they were more than acquaintances but not quite friends.
They’d both been content with that arrangement, similar to one another but just different enough to prevent true closeness from forming. That all changed when Erik’s long time girlfriend Magda, and Seb’s new flame, Emma had suddenly become BFF’s in their junior year of college. From then on out they were thrust together at every turn, vacations, holiday parties, and friendly get togethers.
Emma and Magda had stayed close even as the couples had graduated, married, and moved forward in their careers. Even as Emma and Seb had five daughters including a set of twins, it had pained Magda to no end, but she’d always been there to support her friend.
He and Magda were the godparents to their eldest girl.
Erik had his suspicions that Emma had encouraged Magda to take time away, and he highly doubted they’d had a no contact agreement between the two of them. He gritted his teeth and forced a smile.
“Hello Seb, how’ve you been?”
The other man had the audacity to laugh, “You’re asking me that? With all that’s going on with you?” He shook his head and laughed again. Obnoxiously taking the empty seat at Erik’s table.
“Actually I’m waiting for someone,”
“Who? Oh, is it your boy? What was his name? Charlie?”
Erik had no doubt that Sebastian knew Charles’ name “Charles,” he answered shortly, subtly looking around for the man in question.
“Yes, Charles, he’s the talk of our house you know, and you are too mister, the girls are in an absolute tizzy. I’m sure you know Magda’s back in town,” he leaned forwards eagerly, watching Erik’s reactions like a hawk.
“Yes, I know.”
“She’s staying with us for the time being,” Seb goaded with a pleased smirk.
“Yes,” Erik sighed, irritated beyond measure with all this infernal prying.
Sebastian sat back looking disappointed in Erik’s disinterested attitude. They sat in silence for a moment before he tried another subject, “It must be strange, you must miss it, right? Adult conversation?” he chortled, “I can’t stand dealing with interns I couldn’t imagine being in a relationship with someone that young. Though he is easy on the eyes, I’ll give you that. You always had taste, Lehnsherr.” Sebastian toasted him with his coffee and gave a coy wink.
“Charles is the most intelligent person I’ve ever known, he keeps me on my toes,” Erik smiled softly at the thought of the other man, still glancing around for him to show up for their date.
Seb paused and cocked his head to one side, observing Erik like some rare oddity, “Well look at that, you really are gone on him. I guess Magda is right to give up the fight. You know Emma was still rooting for you guys? She tried to get Magda to talk to you again, see about getting custody of the kid and finally having the family you always wanted but…”
Erik pulse hammered in his ears drowning out the rest of Sebastian’s prattle. He was enraged that anyone would think to treat his sweet Charles like some inconvenient surrogate. Charles who had so much love to give and no one to give it to until now. Erik would never leave him in the lurch and he’d certainly never try to take their child from him, god, how callous could one man be?
“…but I bet it feels good to know you’re not shooting blanks after all! You know Emma once suggested I be a sperm donor for you two, good thing we didn’t go through with that, would have been awkward as hell and served no purpose after all!” Sebastian chuckled into his coffee, half lost in thought. Not noticing Erik’s increasing annoyance with his presence, “But Mags is strong, she’ll bounce back. I think Emma is just hung up on how in love you were when they met. Thought you two were forever, it’s hard for her to let it go, especially since Magda still wants you back.”
That jolted Erik from his irate reverie, “What are you talking about? She hasn’t spoken directly to me since Rhode Island,” he snapped.
“Oh you know how women are,” he waved a hand dismissively, “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to call you about all this. Since we saw you and your bo-Charles I thought it might come to this.”
“Come to what?”
“Well, obviously I can’t represent you, Emma wouldn’t hear of it. I can slide you some recommendations, on the hush of course,” he smiled as though he was doing Erik the greatest of favors.
“I wouldn’t ask it of you, Seb, thanks for thinking of me though; I’ll handle it on my own.”
Seb’s eyes widened at the news, Erik didn’t know why he was so surprised, Frost and Shaw had only helped them on a few, small matters over the years and they certainly weren’t the only-or best-law firm in the city.
“Say Erik, isn’t that him? He’s rounding out early! Be careful, when Emma looked like that we had the twins,” he chuckled at the memory.
“As far as we know it’s just the one,” Erik flashed a genuine smile at the sight of his beloved moving towards them through the tables, no longer concerned with his unwelcome companion.
Erik stood to greet Charles with a light kiss as he reached the table, “Hello darling, did they have the book you wanted?”
“No, I had to special order it,” he said with a small pout.
“Didn’t stop you though,” Erik smiled knowingly as he took the bag of books from his partner and set it on the table.
“No,” Charles laughed abashed; “I still got three books that pertain to the subject matter so it wasn’t a total loss.”
“And what is the subject matter if you don’t mind my asking," Sebastian cut in with a slightly sour expression at the sweet exchange. Erik was reminded once again that the details of this meeting would make it back to Magda within the hour. He gave an internal sigh as Charles perked up at the chance to talk about his work.
“Oh, a paper I’m writing about the influence of genetic mapping as an overlay of historical conquest.”
Erik swallowed a laugh at the look of confusion on the other man’s face.
“Sebastian right? We met a few months ago,” he reminded the other man as though he wasn’t a minor celebrity in their lives. The two cautiously shook hands.
“Yes, I was with my wife Emma, we’ve been friends with Erik since college,” Sebastian said, standing as well to tower over Charles who met his gaze unflinchingly.
“Yes, he told me,” Charles smiled sweetly, ignoring the undercurrent of derision that laced the blond mans tone.
They stood in tense silence for a moment as the handshake drew out far too long before Sebastian came back to himself.
“Well, I’ve held you up long enough, Erik, Charles. See you around.”
“I’m sure,” Erik said shortly, wrapping an arm around Charles’ shoulder.
“It was nice seeing you Sebastian,” Charles lied with a pleasant smile as the other man began to make his way through the busy café. When he was only a few steps away he paused and turned to face them once more.
“Oh, and if I don’t get the chance again, congratulations,” he attempted a smile that presented as a sneer.
“Thanks,” Charles called to his back as he resumed his exit. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting darling that must have been awful!” he soothed quietly, rubbing Erik’s bicep gently.
“It was fine, I swear these people just live to feed the rumor mill.”
Charles frowned guiltily.
“Stop it, you didn’t cause this.”
“I didn’t say anything!” he defended himself staunchly.
“I can read your mind,” Erik teased, trying to lighten the carrier’s mood.
“A helpful ability for a dad to have,” Charles agreed sagely before losing his battle to hold in his smile.
“Yep, kid won’t get anything over on me.”
Charles looked skeptical at that, “We’ll see about that. Ready to head to lunch? I’m starved,” he groaned dramatically, placing one hand over the newly prominent curve of his belly.
Erik collected his briefcase and Charles’ books with a wide grin, “My mother will be glad to hear it.”
“I can’t believe she wants weight and measurement updates!” Charles insisted, scandalized.
“She’s concerned about you and we were keeping a chart anyway, what does it matter?”
“I feel like you two are going to show me off like livestock at the state fair,” Charles protested half heartedly.
“If there was a section for most beautiful carrier I’d enter you in a heartbeat,” Erik dropped a kiss on his full lips, delighting in the blush that swept up his pale cheeks.
“I know you would darling, come on, let’s eat so you can get back to the office and tell your mom I’ve had two proper meals today,” Charles teased, stepping through the door as Erik held it for him.
“And a-“
“Yes and a snack! My god Erik you’re going to drive me mad!”
~~
Week 18
“Erik, how are you?”
“I’m fine Az, and you? Been as busy as these numbers suggest?”
“Yes, that was an excellent presentation. As always I’m very impressed with your work.”
“Thank you very much; I hope our companies can continue a productive business arrangement,” he gave an automatic form answer, mind already on the next project.
“Of this I have no doubts,” the tall Russian assured somewhat stiffly.
“Great,” Erik shot him a half smile, wondering why the other man was behaving so oddly.
Azazel hesitated, watching Erik pack his briefcase and give the conference room another once over before turning to leave.
“Erik,”
“You’re not going to offer me a job again are you?” He asked, half joking, though Azazel had tried to poach him from Stark several times over the course of their business relationship.
“Not quite,” the other man said seriously.
“What is it then?” he asked, beginning to become concerned.
“I have heard talk that you are having a child.”
Erik beamed at the mention of his favorite topic of conversation, “Yes, well. Not me per se but my partner is a carrier and yes, we are expecting.”
“Congratulations,” he said with a slight frown.
He tensed at the subdued reaction, “Is something the matter?”
“Yes I’m concerned for you, Erik I thought you’d learned from what happened to me.”
“What’s to learn? You and your ex share your son?” Erik gave a stilted laugh into the stillness of the conference room.
Azazel simply eyed him balefully, “I don’t tell this much, I suppose I thought you knew.” He was silent for a long moment, “She was young, vibrant, beautiful. A delight in every arena. I did not find out until later that she had targeted me. She had been to a school to help women catch wealthy men. To think I was flattered that she singled me out? HA!” he slammed his palm down hard on the table, the echo filling the empty room.
Erik swallowed thickly, pity welling in his heart for his erstwhile friend, “I’m sorry that happened to you Azazel, but my situation isn’t like that. Charles isn’t like that.”
“How can you be sure? You can’t! You can never be sure and now I pay for her to live in luxury while a nanny cares for my son! She is a parasite! She is the bane of my life!”
“I’m telling you that don’t apply to me, I’m sure of it,” Erik assured him seriously, having had no idea the wreck Azazels’ personal life had become.
“You’re a handsome man Erik, young, successful, going through a divorce, no children. A prime catch for a money minded young man.”
“Charles is not that kind of man!” Erik insisted, trying to hold his temper with this clearly broken man who thought he was doing some good.
“There are steps you can take even before the child is born, and amnio to determine paternity, a clause for visitation and parental rights. You may even be able to get him to sign the child to you. For a given price,” he concluded darkly sparking Erik’s temper.
“You’re suggesting that our baby isn’t mine,” he stated, voice flat and cold.
“It’s nothing against you or your boy but I’ve seen many things in my day in court. He could be a parasite; you need to think of protecting yourself before it’s too late.” He cut Erik off harshly as he went to interrupt, “Just think about it Erik! You went many years trying to conceive with your wife and unless you’ve been with this young man 24 hours a day you can’t say for sure the child is yours! He gets to know you, how much you want a child and bam, suddenly he’s pregnant?! Its convenient is all I can say!”
“That’s enough Azazel! Do you take me for a fool?! I know Charles I trust him! If anything he needs a lawyer to protect his trust fund from me! My six figures is pocket change to him. We’re together because we want to be! Charles is my family and that child is my blood!” he shouted, enraged beyond all imagining.
the other man hung his head in sorrow, “I’m sorry my friend I didn’t know, I was just looking out for you as I wish someone had looked out for me,” Azazel placated sadly.
Erik allowed sympathy to cool his temper, “I know, I understand your point of view and I’m sorry that happened to you. But that was one woman. You can’t let love make you bitter,” he spat, still trembling with suppressed rage.
Azazel chuckled brokenly and settled back heavily in his chair, “I never loved her.”
“That was your first mistake,” Erik said over his shoulder as he made his way out of the conference room and the building itself. He chose to walk back to Stark Tower, taking the time to calm himself as much as he could before inflicting himself onto his employees.
Could no one just be happy for him?
~~
Week 20
“Erik,” he turned from the window at the sound of a familiar voice and offered a small smile.
“Magda, thank you for agreeing to arbitration.”
“We both want the same thing, Erik, may as well get there as soon as possible,” She held herself rigidly, jaw clenched, refusing to meet his eyes.
He turned to her lawyer, “Daniel.”
“Erik,” he shifted uncomfortably and fidgeted his tie as silence closed round them.
Magda was being represented by her brother, a few years younger than them who’d always looked up to Erik and now seemed to hold him in a rather broken regard.
“Where is your lawyer?” Daniel asked into the awkward silence.
Erik bared his teeth in a semblance of a smile, “Already inside, I just wanted a moment before we began.”
“How did you get Worthington Law on short notice? They’re notoriously hard to book,” Daniel asked, curiosity winning out over caution. Magda snorted derisively at the question.
He considered not answering, as far as questions went, that was one of the more awkward he could have opened with. But they were both awaiting his response so he cleared his throat, “That’s because they’re always booked. They have a select client list. Charles is on it.”
“Is he here?” Magda snapped up out of her slouch and looked around like Charles was waiting to ambush them from a conference room.
He rocked back on his heels and said softly, “No, I can’t see how that would be a good idea.”
She relaxed slightly at the news, but was still on edge, “So he’s paying for your divorce? Someone is certainly eager to have you all to himself,” she shot snidely.
“It’s nice to be wanted,” he retorted automatically, immediately feeling swamped with guilt as she all but collapsed in on herself. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for,” he began awkwardly but Daniel cut in before he could continue.
“Let’s all head in and get this settled, the sooner the better, right Maggie?” he asked softly.
Erik entered the room ahead of them to give her a moment to compose herself.
“I take it their team has arrived?” asked the striking young man who was his legal representation.
“Yes, they’ll just be a minute,” he sat at his lawyers side and watched, detached as Magda and Daniel entered the room and sat across the glossy table from them.
He’d already covered his wants and needs with the lawyer and was relieved that he wasn’t needed to actually participate since he felt light headed in the extreme.
Part of him mourned the loss of his marriage, but that was because he saw it as a personal failing, not because he wanted to reconcile with Magda. Even now, seeing her, speaking to her he felt no spark of desire, of love.
She was distant from him, and he was startled to find that he was over her. Over them.
The lightheadedness was relief.
Within a few hours and with a break for lunch, they had come to an arrangement. Magda would buy him out of their house to keep or sell as she wished.
He’d made more over the course of the marriage, but instead of alimony she’d agreed to a financial settlement. It was no small amount but he was frugal and could afford it. He’d probably have to fight Charles to keep the other man from paying on his behalf; he hid a smile behind his hand at the thought of that conversation.
Magda caught his eye, looking betrayed by his cavalier attitude before she broke eye contact once more.
He settled back into his seat with a sigh, ready to sign, ready to move on with his life and give her the opportunity to move on with hers.
Then it was done, papers just had to be filed.
He was all Charles’ now.
~~
Week 21
“Well, we found out it’s a girl!” Erik proudly announced at one of the few family meals Charles was unable to attend. He fully expected to be sent home with a carload of food for his now plump boyfriend.
“Oh Erik how wonderful!” his mother gushed, reaching over the able to give his hand a firm squeeze.
“Yes, and Charles is happy to have the baby attend her first Shabbat at the synagogue.”
“Oh!... is he? Ahem That’s great!” she assured, smile freezing in place as Erik continued happily unaware.
“Yes, he’s no more religious than I am but we agreed to a baptism in the same church Xavier’s are always baptized in, christening gown and all. Then he asked about Jewish ceremonies so I told him about the aliyah I will say on her first Shabbat where we will give her Hebrew name, the Br’i Bat and the home ceremony. He’s excited to say the least! Of course you’re welcome to attend the baptism as well!”
She coughed slightly at that, “Oh… darling…of course we’ll come, and we’ll do the Br’i Bat right here. I- I’ll talk to the rabbi myself about the aliyah and…the Kiddush for the two of you,” she stuttered out.
“What’s wrong mama?” Erik asked, voice laced with concern
“Oh, nothing for you to concern yourself with, really,” she said, sending Jakob a message with her eyes.
He shook his head silently and put his napkin down on the table, “Edie, tell him what’s wrong, it’s better to know now than later.”
“Yes, mama, whatever it is I’d rather know,” Erik turned to face her fully, lips set in a thin line.
“Erik, dear, you know that while we’re not conservative, we are still devout.”
“What does that mean?” he asked a sinking feeling in his stomach
Jakob sighed and interrupted as he noticed the pallor that came over his son’s face, “Your mother means that it may just be us, not at the temple of course the entire congregation will be there. But for the at home celebrations. And there may not be a Kiddush, at the temple at least, I’m sure we can honor you perfectly well at home.”
“No, no your aunt Ruthie will definitely come remember how she supported David and his goyim?” Edie interrupted with a fake smile.
“So the only family that will claim our daughter is aunt Ruth, cousin David and his family?”
“They’ll be so excited to have a little cousin,” he mother said in an awkward attempt to pacify him.
“That’s not the point mama!” he snapped, wanting one thing to go smoothly for them!
“But it is, Erik! as Jews we are held to a higher standard, but even non Jews are held to the Noahic commandments and you’ve both broken them,” Jakob said tiredly, as though he’d been through this a million times. And perhaps he had.
“What do you mean?” he asked, genuinely confused, he’d never been overtly religious and had often spent his teenage years avoiding temple whenever he could. He and Magda had only attended on High Holy days, and even then it was hit or miss.
“They are the seven commandments G-d gave Noah, I’m sure you’ve only broken the fourth one and it clearly wasn’t intentional,” Jakob assured.
“What’s the fourth one?” he asked, perturbed by his father’s serious mien and his mothers silence.
“Not committing incest or adultery.”
Erik sucked in a breath like he’d had the wind knocked out of him, “What does this mean?”
His parents shared another long speaking glance before his mother spoke again, “The Eisenhardts are very popular at the synagogue, bubuleh, and they’re already calling sweet Charles your – your shiksa. I think if he joined us at the temple it would do more harm than good.”
“What? No. Either Charles will be there, the mother of my child at my side as I hold her for her blessing or we’ll find a reform synagogue where the gossip hasn’t corrupted the services!” he said in a tight, clipped tone.
“I’m sorry darling, I wish things weren’t this way,” his mother stood to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders as he pressed his face into her soft belly.
Erik inhaled deeply, soothed by her scent, the same as ever, “Mama, please talk to the Rabbi, let me know if we need to make other arrangements,” he said quietly.
“Yes, my love. I will.”
“It will work out fine my boy, you’ll see,” Jakob said kindly, “And we’ll certainly be there for the baptism as well, tell Charles that if you need to tell him anything.”
“I will, thanks dad,” he slumped in his seat, dreading telling Charles the news.
~~
Week 24
Seth, Magda’s eldest brother rounding the four, was helping him sort out the last of his belongings at the house. Magda was moving back in and he wanted to be clear of the place before then.
“I’m almost surprised you’re in such a rush to get this done with, Erik. It’s not like you can marry him,” Seth chided judgmentally.
“What do you mean?” Erik huffed, setting the box he was carrying into the bed of the pickup truck.
“Don’t play dumb, you know what I mean, even if he converted there’s no way your family or the community would ever accept an adulterous goy. He’s the definition of a shiksa! Tempting a good Jewish boy from his virtuous wife!” he railed.
“Don’t speak of him that way, he is my partner and the mother of my child, watch your mouth,” Erik towered over the other man, and was more muscular by far. Seth took a cautious step back and seemed to reconsider his next words.
“Don’t take that tone, Erik, be serious, you know I’m right!” He gazed steadily into the younger man’s eyes, “Look, Magda may not be the right one for you, maybe that’s the case. But maybe it isn’t. I’ve heard the boy is beautiful, I never took you for a man lead by lust,” he carefully put out there.
“I’m lead by love,” Erik sighed, eager to be gone.
“And you couldn’t find love with a Jewish girl? You had it once you could have it again! There are many fine carriers at the temple if that’s your leaning,” he awkwardly alluded to Erik’s changed sexual preferences.
The man in question simply shrugged it off and went to collect the last of his belongings.
Seth followed along behind him, persistently trying to bring Erik back into the fold even as they hefted the last of the boxes outside, “That’s the problem these days. Everyone wants to throw in the towel when the going gets tough! Mayra told us what happened, that you refused to reconcile with your wife. This was never an issue in our parent’s generation!”
“She left me! She only mentioned reconciliation after I told her I’d moved on,” Erik finally snapped, sick of hearing her side of the story from everyone else.
“You moved on while she was still your wife, is your fidelity too much to ask? I hope your boy knows about you,” Seth slammed a box into the back of the truck with a deep frown.
“And what is there to know?” Erik demanded, arms crossed.
“If they’ll cheat with you, they’ll cheat on you,” he turned to lock gazes with Erik, eyes blazing, jaw thrust out.
“I will say this once and you can tell everyone I did. I did not cheat on Magda, our marriage was dead long before I met Charles, regardless of what she’s told you! You know, I had a valid claim for spousal abandonment that I didn't bring up out of kindness towards your sister. You make it seem like she was at home waiting for me while I ran the town!” he gritted out through clenched teeth.
“That’s how it seems from the outside, Erik, only your mother would be strong enough to hold her head up at temple every week. Knowing what you put her through. She’s lost lifelong friends over your poor choices,” Seth prodded, knowing Erik’s devotion to his parents was his weak spot.
He flinched but stood his ground, “Charles is the best choice I’ve ever made. My only mistake was thinking Magda could be rational about this,” he stormed back into the house to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind, Seth was hot on his heels.
“She’s hurting Erik!”
“So was I!” he shouted, voice echoing in the cavernous dining room that was once meant to seat their happy family.
Seth looked shaken by Erik’s vehemence and they stood in ringing silence for long moments before he ventured a final question, “Is there anything else you want to take?” he asked quietly, lips thinned in agitation.
“No, that will be all,” Erik looked around at the place that he’d called home for so long, and felt nothing but the desire to wipe the dust from his feet, “I’ll see myself out,” he left his key and spares on the kitchen counter and made his way out to the truck he’d hired for the day.
Happy to be heading home.
~~
Week 30
“Oh Charles, at least you graduated before you…made your choice,” Moira said sadly as he handed in his notice.
“What do you mean? I graduated years ago; I’ve been in school forever I’m eager to take some time to spend with my baby,” he smiled brightly.
“But Charles, no one comes back from maternity leave,” she insisted seriously, bracing her elbows on her desk and propping her chin on her hands.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what’s right for us, maybe I’ll be back, maybe I won’t I can’t really say,” he said with a sad smile. He loved his job, but his excitement about being a mother overwhelmed all other concerns.
She clicked her tongue in disappointment, “You’re brilliant Charles, too bright to be knocked up, barefoot and pregnant! You said he’s even making you cook, you’re a terrible cook! He wants some Betty housewife and he’s turning you into her!” she warned in a dire tone.
Charles gave leveled an incredulous look, “Erik cooks, he’s teaching me how. I enjoy learning new things, like cooking. You know nothing about him or our relationship. He supports me in what I want to do. I want to stay at home, I want to bond with my baby, I want to breastfeed is that so wrong? I’ve always wanted children, why would I want to miss out on their formative years!” he demanded, clearly baffled by her resistance.
“You’re too good for this Charles, you deserve better! My sister works on wall street, she’s got a nanny, went back two weeks after giving birth and checks in on the baby via webcam. It works for them! It could work for you!” She insisted, cheeks flushed with adamancy, “You can still have it all, Charles, just think about it!”
“No, that’s not me; I can feel that to my core. I’m just going to try it on for size, carriers have been doing it since the dawn of time, obviously there’s something right about it!” he said lightly, trying to bring the conversation back around, even as he tried not to get irritated that she thought he needed her to tell him how to think.
Moira plowed ahead, not noticing the subtle furrow of his brow, “So what, now you’re just his brood mare? Letting all your education go to waste? Because of some man? He’s not giving up his career, you have more money to your name than he’ll ever make! Have him stay home and cook for you and take care of the kid why not?” She threw up her hands in exasperation at his stubbornness.
Charles finally snapped, “Because he doesn’t want to and I do! My god do you hear how hypocritical you sound? All those birthers rights meetings meant nothing to you did they? What about supporting my choices as a mother?” he leapt to his feet (stood as quickly as possible at nearly eight months pregnant) and looked down at her indignant expression.
“Birthers Rights fought for us to be able to leave the house and work! And you’re throwing that away!” she stood and slapped both hands on her desk in emphasis.
“No! They fought for our rights to choose what’s best for us and our families, and that’s what I’m doing. You’re the one who keeps bringing up how smart I am! Trust me to know my own mind! Erik isn’t that type anyway!”
“What type?” She demanded snidely.
“The type to wants a downtrodden carrier without two brain cells to rub together, if he did he wouldn’t be with me,” he insisted angrily.
She huffed an amused laugh, “Oh Charles don’t be naïve, have you seen yourself, you’re like walking arm candy for an older man.”
He glared at her in shock as the realization that she’d crossed a line slowly crept over her face.
“How dare you?” he asked, deadly soft, “This topic is off limits to you, Moira, we won’t discuss it again,” he left as quickly as he could manage.
She panicked, banging her knee on the side of her desk as she rushed to the door, catching him by the arm, “Charles, for Christ sakes I’m trying to help! I didn’t mean-“
“Goodbye Moira,” he pulled away and made his way back to his own office before he broke down in tears.
~~
Week 30
“Hello?”
“Hello Armando, it’s Erik.”
“Oh hi Erik, how are you?”
“Great thanks, I’m having a get together with my partner, a baby shower really and was wondering if you could make it.”
“I think we can do that, I’ll have to check with Alex about the date and time, but we love parties. Remember when a party consisted of clubbing all night, not comparing diaper brands?”
They shared a laugh, “Yeah, a million years ago.”
“So you and Magda finally made it huh? Sometimes it just takes time you know? Congrats man, tell her I can’t wait to see her, she must be glowing huh?”
Erik gaped like a fish before finding his voice, “Armando, Magda and I are over. I’m with someone else now. My boyfriend is expecting.”
There was a long awkward pause as Armando attempted to find his voice.
“Oh god man, I’m so sorry I’m so far out of the loop! What happened? Not that you have to tell me! Anything…or, um wow.”
“Yeah, I can’t believe you haven’t heard!” He really couldn’t, had he really fallen so far out of their circle of friends? Erik felt a guilty jolt of pleasure as he realized he might get to keep Armando as a friend. Of course he’d always been more Erik’s friend than anyone else’s, it would be nice to have someone in his corner.
“You know man; I’ve barely lifted my head up at work! And home’s been crazy as well. I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, Erik. I’ll definitely clear time to meet your fellow. Send me the details of this party; I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Thanks man,” Erik smiled, picturing introducing the two of them.
“Hey, what are friends for?” he asked, still sounding shocked at the news. They hung up soon after and he sat at his desk, suddenly eager to attend this party and meet Erik’s new beau.
~~
Week 32
“So Charles, do we have a guest list for your baby shower?”
“You can invite whoever you like Raven, just include Erik’s few.”
“He only invited like six people and two of them are his parents,” she said skeptically.
“Yeah well, his family isn’t taking too kindly to the goyim who led their darling boy astray,” he groaned and stretched out on her couch.
“Like Sharon then?” she asked sympathetically.
“Exactly,” they shared a speaking glance at Sharon’s rant about “low class Jews contaminating the Xavier line.”
“Well it’s not like she was going to be invited anyway,” Raven said pragmatically.
“No but I was hoping she’d come to the baptism,” he frowned.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect her to call the rectory and try to have them refuse to perform the ceremony.”
“Well at least we know where she stands,” he sighed heavily.
“How did we not know she was an anti-Semite?” Raven asked, at a genuine loss.
Charles shrugged helplessly, “I guess it never came up, not like we talk much anyway.”
“True, what did Erik have to say about it?”
“He thinks it’s funny both families are rejecting the other for being inferior, he has a dark sense of humor.”
“You can say that again,” she mumbled, pulling his legs onto her lap to rub his feet.
“Thanks for everything, Raven.”
“Of course, Charles, I want to see you happy, even if it’s in a way I don’t understand.”
“What’s to understand? We’re in love, we’re having a baby, we’re happy together, why is everyone else making this a huge deal?” he sat up to give her a questioning look.
She hedged a bit and focused on the foot rub before answering, “It just seems odd, you guys are such opposites you know?”
“What are you on about now?” he wondered, sensing her reluctance to let him in.
“It’s just; Erik looks so serious all the time, almost…stern? Cruel, I mean. I just want to know you’re ok.”
Charles laughed out loud at her professed concerns for his safety, “Erik treats me like a princess! Don’t worry about that, he’s the opposite of cruel.”
“Oh…good, glad to hear it,” she gave an obvious fake smile.
“Do you not believe me?” he chuckled, still coming down from his laughing fit.
She hesitated, “I believe that you’re happy. For now. But...I’m kind of concerned that you’re seeing what you want to see,” he pulled his feet away from her lap and sat up fully.
He’d stopped laughing and she was pleased that he was finally taking her seriously, “And what do I want to see?”
“Erik as this good, kind man, no one else sees that, Charles doesn’t that concern you?” she pleaded.
“Not really, no. No one knows him like I do, he’s just shy and has a resting bitch face, no big deal,” he pursed his lips at her deepening frown.
“Just listen Charles; there are things we’ve noticed.”
“We?” he asked, brows drawing together angrily. She swallowed thickly and pushed on, ticking points off on her fingers.
“He always wants to know where you are, he tells you what to wear, he never wants you to have friends over, he doesn’t let you go out anymore, and as you said, he has a cruel face. He’s controlling and domineering and that can so easily escalate, we’re worried about you, Charles.”
“Who is this we?” he demanded coldly.
“Me, Hank, Moira, Angel, the gang you know?”
“Moira? Did she tell you what happened in her office?”
“Yes, that’s why we decided I would talk to you. I can’t believe you’re giving up your career, you love your job, Charles don’t let him take that away from you!” she begged, eyes filling with tears as she clasped his hands to her chest.
He sputtered in indignation, “But those things you said aren’t even true! Yes, he likes to know where I am, but he’s not obsessive, you always text Hank what you’re doing!”
“That’s different,” she flushed pink and looked away.
“How? And when has he told me how to dress?” he demanded crossly.
“That one time I came to pick you up to go see that French movie you were so eager about, he told you that you couldn’t leave in what you were wearing and you changed without arguing!” she said triumphantly.
Charles stared at her like she was mad, “He’d been out already and he was right, I would have been freezing without that sweater!” she huffed in irritation, “oh forgive him for being concerned with the health and safety of his partner and unborn child!” he snapped pulling his hands away from her roughly.
“And so what he’s not big on company, you guys are welcome to come over whenever, I never got the feeling that you mind him hanging out in his study for the evening! And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m huge! I’m too tired to do anything but sleep most of the time, that’s why I haven’t been coming out anymore, so blame the baby if you must but not Erik! He’s not controlling, he’s not domineering and if he was I wouldn’t be with him! It’s like you don’t know me at all, I’m not some wilting flower that can’t stand up for myself. God Raven I thought we were past this,” he fumed, climbing to his feet and slipping his shoes on as he went.
“Charles, please, I-we just want to make sure he’s treating you right!”
“Then for God’s sakes trust me when I tell you he is!” he snapped, jerking his coat on hastily and heading for the door, “Don’t call me until you’re ready to be reasonable!”
His stomach turned as tears spilled over her cheeks, “But-“
“No buts Raven, I’m with Erik and you can either accept that or not. It’s your call. That goes for everyone, I’d better not need to have this talk with each of you or I will be very put out!” he slammed his way out of her apartment and waddled down the hall.
At least this time he was too angry to cry.