Destiny Takes Time

Chapter 34 – Mystery

After they had made love and Erik was sleeping peacefully next to her, Christine couldn’t help lying awake. She turned over to look at him, lightly running her finger over his chin and thinking to herself. Happy as she was to be with him, she was troubled. For the second time in a row, he had refused to release inside of her, and she simply could not understand why. Perhaps he was worried about getting her with child again, but couldn’t he have at least asked her how she felt concerning the matter? The idea of having another baby with him was not something that she found upsetting, so why did it appear to be worrisome to him? She would have to ask him about it soon, but decided that it could wait until after they were married.

Together, Erik and Christine went to see Father Michael. Christine waited with Elaine in the sanctuary while the priest spoke to Erik. He was pleased that Erik had at least been baptized as a child before he was on his own. After a short talk about the sanctity of marriage which convinced him that Erik was sincere, Father Michael told them that they were free to go and that he would marry them on the date of their choice.

Just as they had discussed, they made their way to the gypsy fairgrounds right after. Magdalena’s eyes lit up when she saw Christine enter the tent.

“Oh, you came back! And accompanied, I see,” she said with a smile as Erik came in behind her.

He returned her smile kindly. He wasn’t used to people not being bothered by his mask, but this girl acted as if she hadn’t even noticed it.

“Magdalena, this is Erik,” Christine said as she strolled over to the table. “And this is my daughter Elaine,” she continued as she gently bounced her baby in her arms.

“Oh, she’s lovely! So, you have found your way, I see. That’s wonderful.”

“Yes, Erik and I are to be married very soon. Thank you for showing me what I needed to do, Magdalena.”

The young girl seemed aglow. “You’re welcome. I’m glad that I was able to help. That is why I am in this business.”

“I would also like to offer you my gratitude,” Erik said graciously.

Magdalena nodded in acknowledgement. Just then, another person entered the little tent.

“Oh, Mother, this is Christine. Do you remember, the young lady I told you about?”

Christine offered her hand, and the older woman smiled and took it.

“Your baby is beautiful,” she commented and also held Elaine’s hand for a brief moment.

It was then that Magdalena’s mother turned around to face Erik. When she saw him, her expression changed completely. In a second, her face paled and she fell unconscious. Luckily, Erik was able to catch her in his arms.

“Oh my God…” he said, barely above a whisper.

“What is it? What happened to her?” Christine was clearly shaken. Could she have found Erik’s appearance so frightening that it had made her faint?