Chapter 8
They quickly made their way back to the festival after stowing the duffel bag in the trunk of the car. Erik felt almost giddy with the weight of concern lifted off his shoulders. He felt silly for worrying about meeting Charles and his parents.
Still grasping his hand, Charles was eagerly chattering about the various food trucks set up at the perimeter of the fair.
“I looked into who would be here; I have to try some of the apple craft beer I read so much about online.”
“I like the sound of those kabobs you mentioned,” Erik said, looking around the steadily growing crowd to glimpse of his family.
“You like lamb?” Charles asked.
“Yes, I used to hate it but it’s grown on me. Magda-” he cut himself off awkwardly, not sure how much conversation about his late wife would affect the mood of the date.
Charles simply smiled and gave a comforting squeeze of the hand. So he continued smoothly, “She used to make mustard coated rack of lamb. It was fantastic.”
“Sounds delicious,” Charles said sincerely. He didn’t want Erik to feel uncomfortable sharing any aspect of his past. He didn’t plan on censoring his life, and hoped Erik wouldn’t either.
“There they are,” Charles stood on tiptoe to point through the crowd. Erik followed his gesture and saw his mother and Nina trying on knit hats at a craft stall.
“Good eye,” they made their way through the crowd hand in hand.
“Papa! Charles!” Nina cheered like she hadn’t seen them in years.
“Nina!” Erik laughed playfully, “Are you picking out hats?”
“Yes, I like this one,” she was holding a colorful monstrosity of a hat complete with tufts and tassels.
Edie laughed at the look on his face as Nina tried it on with a little twirl. “Do you like it?”
“It’s very…interesting,” he said as diplomatically as possible. Nina rolled her eyes at him and braced her hands on the shelf to look at herself in the customer mirror.
Charles was trying on a warm black cap with ear flaps that was indeed just as warm as the booth attendant promised. He allowed himself to be talked into trying on a pair of matching black gloves with ¾ length fingers.
“It’s far too cold for those,” Erik scolded.
“They help me use my phone!" Charles protested. "Besides. I like to support small businesses.” He handed over his cash for his ridiculous purchase. The merchant thanked him sweetly, looking nothing like the astute business shark he suspected her of being.
Erik sighed at the further evidence of Charles’ soft heart.
“Alright,” he sighed, letting the cashier swipe his card on her phone to buy Nina’s horrific hat. He noticed that style only came in children’s sizes. She clearly knew her market.
“Where’s dad?” he asked, looking around and not seeing the other man.
“He went to get me a roast corn on the cob,” Edie smiled, glancing over her shoulder in the direction Jakob had taken through the crowd. He saw his father making his way back through the crowd with a pep in his step as soon as he caught sight of them.
Erik glanced over to see Nina asking Charles to help her tie her hat beneath her chin, he knelt to do so. Edie caught his eye approvingly at the sight, he tried not to blush.
“This scarf is quite soft and warm,” the booth hawker caught his attention once more. He looked up to see her holding a long cable knit scarf that almost exactly matched Charles’ eyes.
“It’ll keep as a nice gift,” she raised an eyebrow.
She was better than good, she was great. He looked around to see in Charles was watching. He wasn’t. “Can you wrap it?” he asked softly.
She smiled and quickly turned her back to do just that.
When he turned back around his mother and father were sharing a corn on the cob, sitting on a bench just across the way and Nina and Charles were going on very excitedly about something or another.
“What did you get?” Charles asked, noting the small bag Erik carried in one hand.
“Something for my father. The holidays are coming soon.” Erik lied.
Charles gave him a skeptical look that had his pulse racing with nerves. “I bet you bought yourself some practical fingerless gloves and you’re just too shy to admit it.” He teased.
Erik chuckled, “You’ll regret those when the cold hits properly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I’ll have you to warm me up,” Charles said too softly for anyone else to hear. Erik tucked him under one arm and cuddled him in lieu of reply.
Jakob and Edie made their excuses soon after. “It was lovely to meet you, Charles.” Edie said warmly.
“Yes, hopefully we’ll see you again soon,” said Jakob, eyes sparkling with mischief. “You all have a lovely evening.”
Erik hoped the settling dusk hid his blush; his parents were clearly trying to leave them alone to set a more date-like mood, though he wasn't sure what they thought could happen with Nina as their chaperone.
“Thank you,” Charles smiled. “It was wonderful to meet you too.”
They all shook hands and Nina got another round of praise and kisses before the older couple vanished into the crowd.
Erik turned to his companions with a warm smile, “Where to next?”
~~
They made their slow way around the fair, enjoying a performance by a group of fire breathers, a juggler, and magic act all set up in different areas of the festival.
They all quite enjoyed the magician who successfully guessed the number Nina was thinking and Charles’ favorite color.
Also, Nina was now very interested in learning to juggle.
They were all hungry after the exciting evening they’d had and decided to have some dinner. Erik had the lamb kabobs with yogurt sauce that Charles had suggested. Charles ordered Korean BBQ tacos with Kim-chi fries from a neighboring truck. After gathering their food, they made their way to the open seating area complete with torches and picnic tables.
They sat next to each other, happily sharing, each wanting to sample the others’ meal. Nina was unimpressed with their selections and was quite happy with her hot dog and potato chips.
To round out their meals, they all split a funnel cake with strawberries and powdered sugar. Neither Nina nor Erik had ever tried one but they both loved it.
“Can we make these at home, Charles?” She asked, sweater liberally dusted with crumbs and powdered sugar. Erik sighed and pulled a wet nap out of his pocket to wipe her sticky mouth and fingers. She sat still for his ministrations, attention entirely on Charles.
“Of course we can, dear. But there’s a trick to it,” he said conspiratorially.
“You should make them for your show!” She yelped excitedly.
He gave her a warm smile and began collecting their trash, “Maybe I will. I can do a whole episode on fair snacks.”
Erik smiled at the two of them, “Anyone need the bathroom?” he asked, hoping not. Of course Nina did and they made their way back to the small building where the concert had been held rather than waiting in line to use the porta potties.
He and Nina ducked into the family rest room, leaving Charles just outside holding their bags and coats. Erik waited outside the stall for her to use the facilities. He knew it looked odd but after all his years of prosecuting criminals, he had no faith in the general public.
~~
Charles was too excited to be tired. Everything from the food to meeting Erik’s parents had been marvelous. Not to mention the wonderful concert they’d attended. It was early, but he was happy to head out, knowing Nina had school in the morning.
“Ready?” Erik appeared at his side. Charles handed the other man his coat and waited for him to help Nina into hers.
“Sure am.”
Nina walked between them, holding hands with both and squealing with joy when they swung her off her feet to a three count.
Charles laughed right along with her, happy to dwell in the moment.
They made their way back to the car and had a quiet drive home as Nina was soothed and lulled to sleep by the motion of the car.
“Always sends her out like a light. We used to drive her around as a baby to help her sleep,” Erik said softly, voice warm with memories.
“She has a right to be worn out, it’s been quite a day for her,” Charles said softly.
“Her big debut,” Erik agreed with a smile. He glanced over at Charles, “I’m going to head inside and put her to bed. Are you tired?”
Charles was wired and felt even more alive at the questioning note in Erik’s voice. He looked at the time, 7:45pm, “No, it’s early for me.”
He laughed, “It’s early for everyone. Once she’s out, maybe you could come over? I’ll call you?”
Charles’ heart raced, he hadn’t planned on tonight being a proper date or the two of them getting any alone time but he wasn’t going to turn it down either. “I’d love to.”
They pulled into the driveway and Erik helped a sleepy Nina out of the car. She gave Charles a drowsy hug and buried her face against his neck when he kissed her on the cheek. “Goodnight, Nina.” He said softly.
“G’ni Chares,” she mumbled half asleep.
Erik took her hand and led her inside, shooting Charles a warm look over his shoulder before the smaller man headed back to his own house to freshen up. The evening was looking up.