Chapter 283

Highgrove House came into view and it was bittersweet to see it again. The weather was gloomy and cold this time of year in England and she already missed the California sunshine, but it was where her baby would be spending it's first few months of life, so she was excited about being closer to finally meeting her son.

Erik opened the car door for her and told her to close her eyes.

"Are you serious?" She asked.

"Yes, quite." He said, sternly. He took her by the hand and led her into the house, standing her in the foyer.

"Open them." He said. Pearl opened her eyes to an entirely different house interior. It was completely overhauled decor wise and looked incredible. New hardwood floors, paint mixed with modern wallpaper, bright colors and new art hanging on the wall.

"Holy shit. Is that Leonardo DaVinci?" Pearl asked.

"Yes." Erik said, looking at the sketch of the flower. "Also, note the Klimt." He said, pointing at the fireplace.

Above the newly tiled hearth was Klimt's "Hope I". The main subject of this work is a pregnant, nude female. She is holding her hands together above her stomach and close to her chest.

"Oh my god." Pearl whispered.

"Do you like it?" He asked.

"I can't even find words." She said. "Erik, the house looks incredible." She said, in awe.

"Come." He said, taking her hand again. She followed him up the stairs to where their master suite was, and he walked her into the smaller bedroom next to it. It was a nursery, completely furnished and absolutely beautiful, painted light yellow with all the gifts and books from her shower and other various decor, her teddy bear announcement sitting in the middle of the crib. Pearl felt tears coming and smiled with love at Erik, who was looking at the room with pride.

"Thank you. Erik, I love you so much. I'm so sorry. For everything." She said.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. Not ever. I know my family and my history isn't ideal. Far from it, actually, and I appreciate your willingness to try to understand it all and still be by my side. I love you, too." He said. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"One more thing." He said.

"What else could there possibly be?" She said, exasperated.

He opened the door to their bedroom suite and she put her hands over her mouth. Hanging on the wall was one of the photographs of her that Erik took, blown up large and framed. It was her, sitting on the bed, facing away and to the side, showing only the side profile of her face. A sheet draped around her, her back exposed, with the moonlight shining through her hair.

"Erik, I... " Pearl began.

"Isn't she beautiful? The most extraordinary piece of art I have ever laid eyes upon." He whispered into her ear.

Pearl smiled.

"Thank you." She said.

"No. Thank you, Pearl. For saving my life and being my everything. Thank you for existing." He said.

She hugged him, tightly.

**********************

"Good morning, nightingale." Erik said as he opened the curtains.

"Why are you up so ridiculously early?" Pearl asked.

"There are two weeks before Christmas. We have some shopping to do." Erik said. Pearl rolled onto her side and sat up on the edge of the bed. She was huge now and all baby.

"It will take me an hour to even get out of bed and move to the bathroom to take a shower." Pearl said, rubbing her round belly.

"That's why we are up so early." Erik said, smiling and kissing her tummy.

"Hello there, little Robbie. Your daddy is going to give mommy a big breakfast today and we are all going to go on your first ever Christmas shopping adventure, and I'm going to buy you all sorts of baby things." He said. She smiled and kissed the top of his head.

"He's already spoiled and he isn't even out of the womb yet." Pearl said.

"Of course." Erik said, shaking his head. "And it will only get worse, I'm afraid." He said, smiling.

***********

After a long day of shopping, Pearl's feet were swollen and her back was out of commission. Erik had arranged for extra security because the press were desperate for pregnancy photos of Pearl and he didn't want their day to be ruined with stress from that so they were rushed and moved around like cargo most of the day.

They had picked out gifts for Erik's family and Pearl's friends. Thoughtful gifts like a vintage journal for Dylan and art for Iris and Blake's seaside home. As Erik loaded bags into the car, a small shop on the corner caught her eye. She walked in came across dagger in a glass showcase in the high priced antique shop. It had sapphires and pearls encrusted into the handle and sheath and the inscription,"In nomine amoris ego semper custodiat te", written in Latin on the blade.

"In the name of love, I will protect you always." The man behind the counter translated to Pearl, seeing her look at the blade. "It is a late eighteenth century dagger. Custom made." He said.

"May I?" Pearl asked, looking at it. He took it out of the case and Pearl held it in her hand. It was heavy and absolutely beautiful.

"I'll take it." She said. The man smiled, and hugged her. It was priced at 11,000 dollars and Pearl didn't ever attempt to negotiate it down. It was for Sebastian and she would have paid double that.

"I had an amazing time today. Thank you for going with me." Erik said, sitting on an ottoman and rubbing Pearl's feet. "I'm so excited for our first Christmas together." He said.

Pearl smiled and sat forward, putting her hand on his. "Me too." She said, looking into his eyes.