Chapter 13- Losing Erik.

Edited 05-08-2020.

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Chapter 13-

It's been over a week since the talk with Trent at his bar, and he still hasn't figured out how to help his brother without doing something illegal. We've talked on the phone a few times, but I'm not going to lie- I miss him. More than I thought I would, to be honest. How could he mean so much to me in such a little amount of time? I've been doing my usual routine, work and taking care of Paige. I can't believe how grown up she's getting either. I realized the other day that her birthday is in one month. Like, how could that amount of time go by without me noticing? She sure as heck noticed, and has a countdown started for when her birthday finally arrives, as she says. I can't believe she's going to be 5, that it's been 5 years since Tillie passed.

Time flies sometimes, I guess.

Tillie would laugh at how hectic my life was, and how crazy my relationship is- after waiting 4 years to truly date someone. Yeah. She would laugh at me for sure. God, I miss her sometimes. All the time, really. I often wonder how different our lives would be if she was still alive.

Anyway, it's not time to dwell on the past. I need to figure out my future, and how to make Trent fit into it.

Whoa.

Do I really want that? Is it worth it? Well I won't know until I try, and right now my heart says, 'Heck yeah'. Today was Sunday and I promised Elise I would stop moping and go on a picnic with her family. I hate how she can make me agree to do something I don't want to do. But she said my depression would rub off on Paige and make her an emo teenager later in life, and blah blah blah. Which was ridiculous, but I let it slide because she was somewhat right. I didn't want Paige to feel down because I was being a moper. I walked down the hall slowly and stopped to lean against the door jamb when I got to Paige's room. She was busy trying to get her green rain boots on and I smiled at how cute she could be sometimes. Heck, all the time.

"Almost ready to go munchkin?"

She did one final tug and the boot fell in to place before she nodded and jumped up "Yep, daddy. Let's go."

I held out my hand and she grabbed it before we walked outside and to my car. I didn't have to bring anything because Elise knew I wasn't up to it anyway, and anything I did make would probably be awful.

I buckled Paige in, and we started driving to the park.

"So, daddy, where's Trent?"

I looked at her in the rear-view mirror and gave her a fake smile "He's very busy sweetheart, but he'll come around soon."

"Okay." And she started swinging her feet and humming a little bit.

Trent had really made an impression on Paige, and she on him. Don't get me wrong, I was happy they got along so well- it just sucked right now, with the whole having to keep our distance thing. We pulled up to the park and when I let Paige out, I grabbed her hand and we started walking to Elise and Owen, who were sitting on a bright green blanket in the grass.

I sat down and Paige got distracted with Owen "Where's your husband?" I asked as I snatched a grape and threw it into my mouth.

She slapped my hand and shrugged "He's not feeling well, decided to stay home."

I nodded "Oh okay. So has your day been so far?"

"Better than yours I'm sure." And she gave me look to which I responded with an eye roll. "So, when are you going to tell me what happened with Trent?" she continued and huffed.

I laughed at her face and shrugged "Nothing to tell."

I had decided not to say much, because it wasn't my story to tell and partly because the less, she knew, probably the better.

She sighed "Okay, well we won't talk about it since the point of today is to help you forget. So, anything new in the world of Erik and Paige?"

"Yeah, actually. Can you believe her birthday is in one month? It seems like yesterday I was holding her and flinging baby powder around because I had no clue what I was doing."

She laughed "Oh yeah, I remember those days. I can't believe she'll be five, it feels like she should be turning 10 or something. She's so smart and mature for her age."

I smiled "Yeah, I know. It's crazy. Anything new in your world?" I asked as I grabbed more grapes, minus the slap this time.

She shrugged and I noticed a sad look in her eyes because she blanked it.

I sat up "What's wrong Elise?"

She looked over at Owen and Paige "I think Grant might be cheating on me..."

My mouth fell open and I stared at her in shock "What? No way!"

I thought Grant was a great guy, and not capable of this but then again, I've always been closer to Elise, so I wasn't 100% sure.

"I just don't know Erik. It's a feeling I have, and then I feel like I should beat myself up for being so ridiculous, but something stops me. I feel like he's hiding something."

I was at a loss but there was only one thing she could really do "You need to talk to him, before it builds up and permanently ruins your marriage Elise."

She sighed again "Yeah I know, I just don't want to."

I took her hand and gave it a squeeze before letting go "I'm sure you're wrong, and its nothing."

"I hope so."

I looked down at my watch and noticed we had been chatting and snacking for almost an hour. I looked up at Elise and couldn't help but feel bad, hoping Grant wasn't wrecking their marriage behind her back.

"I think Paige and I will head home; I haven't been sleeping well and I think it's time for me to start. Thanks for inviting us." I leaned over and gave her a hug, which she returned and mumbled "Anytime Erik, you know that."

I stood up and looked at Paige while brushing myself off "Hey munchkin lets head home."

She looked at me with a pout "Do we hafta?"

I chuckled "Yes, we do. Let's go."

She sighed "Fine." and said goodbye to Owen.

I grabbed her hand and looked at Elise again "I'm sure everything is fine, don't stress too much."

She smiled "I'm sure you're right. Bye guys. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nodded and turned around with a wave, leading Paige to the car.

"You'll see them tomorrow munchkin."

She started skipping "I know daddy, I just didn't want to leave right then."

I laughed and shook my head before continuing in silence.

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When we got home, I collapsed on the couch and sighed. This lack of sleep was killing me.

Maybe I would let Paige play for a while and then we could make dinner together before going to bed, I did have work tomorrow so a little extra sleep couldn't hurt.

"Paige!"

I heard some thumping and then Paige came out of her room and jumped on the couch next to me.

"Yeah daddy?"

"How about we play for a little while and then make dinner together? You can skip your nap today."

She started jumping on the couch and I playfully grabbed her legs to make her fall backwards onto the cushions "No jumping monster." I laughed.

She giggled "Sorry. But okay daddy, as long as we make something good."

I mock glared "Isn't it always good?"

She gave me an innocent smile and skipped off to her room.

"Hey!" I yelled and laughed. She giggled but didn't come out.

What a hellion. I sighed and snuggled into the couch and closed my eyes. I'm just going to rest them, not fall asleep...

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I woke up to a tiny body bouncing around me wildly "Daddy! Dinner time!"

I groaned and opened my eyes "Are you sure?"

"I'm hungry! So yes!"

"Okay, Okay. Quit your yelling." I laughed.

She giggled and finally jumped off, onto the floor. I sat up and rubbed my eyes a little before looking at the clock. Wow, I slept for 2 hours. So much for just resting my eyes. Oh well. I guess I needed the sleep. I stood up and led Paige to the kitchen.

"What should we make munchkin?"

She stood next to the counter and put her finger on her chin in the classic thinking pose.

I chuckled; she was so cute sometimes.

"Hmm. What about pasta and yummy bread?"

Yummy bread was the garlic bread we usually made with pasta, but she insisted it was yummy bread.

I smiled "Sure that sounds good. Do you want to grab the pasta for me?" I bent down to grab a pot big enough and started filling it with water. I turned the burner on, and she set the pasta down before plopping down on a stool behind the bar counter.

"You're not going to help me?" I teased.

"Nu uhhh." She smiled.

I shook my head at her "Make me do all the work."

She giggled "Yepp."

Why am I not surprised?

I laughed and continued making dinner. About 40 minutes later I was setting our plates down on the table and Paige was munching on some yummy bread. I forked up some pasta and started eating. Mmm, rather good.

After some more yummy bread and a little bit of flinging pasta I was setting our plates in the sink and turning back to Paige "Are you ready for bath time munchkin?"

"I guess daddy." She started skipping down the hall to the bathroom.

I followed and started the water after adding some bubble bath. The next 30 minutes were spent dodging water and bubbles while Paige giggled hysterically.

"Missiles coming!" she laughed.

I dodged another ball of bubbles and snatched out of the water playfully "I think we've had enough missiles for tonight munchkin." I wrapped her in a towel while she wrestled with me to try and get back to her missile launching. I laughed and bundled her up before walking down to her room and setting her down.

"Noooo! My war wasn't over daddy!" she giggled.

I laughed and grabbed some pajamas and helped her get dressed before setting her in bed.

"Do you want to read by yourself for a little bit munchkin before going to bed?"

"Sure daddy."

I grabbed a few books and set them on her before kissing her forehead and walking down the hall to the kitchen. I sat down on the couch and when I saw her light go off twenty minutes later, I walked into the kitchen to turn off the lights. I started walking back down the hall and I heard a clicking sound in the kitchen.

I paused and turned around to go back to the kitchen. What was that sound?

I lifted my arm to flick the switch, but before I could I heard a thump.

I froze.

Before I could move, I felt an arm swing around and enclose around my throat.

I clutched at the arm but before I could yell, I felt a cloth over my mouth.

I inhaled and almost choked on the overpowering stench.

I felt my vision clouding and my struggles getting weaker.

I took one last breath before I saw black dots swimming around at the edge of my vision.

I slowly exhaled and slumped before everything went completely black.

Oh god...Paige...