Chapter 251

"Good morning, Nightingale." Erik whispered as he pulled Pearl into his arms.

"Good morning." She said, smiling and pulling the covers up to her face.

"I can't wait it get settled in a place and make it our own home." Pearl said.

"Highgrove will always be our country home. And wherever else we live will be our home as well. Home is wherever you are." Erik said.

Pearl smiled.

Erik got up and got dressed. Pearl noticed he was a little more anxious than usual.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Yes. Fine. Just have a lot to do today and I am excited about your surprise." Erik said, tucking in his shirt.

"Ok. Just checking." Pearl said, still not convinced.

At breakfast, everyone else seemed a bit tense as well. Auggie and Maggie were barely speaking and Sebastian and Dylan weren't even there.

"Did the boys have a night out last night?" Pearl asked.

"Sebastian had a meeting at his military command and Dylan is out and about in London. Think he may be getting us a wedding gift. I don't know. He seems to like it here." Erik said.

"London is lovely. Ian and I have talked about getting a flat here in the city." Fi said.

"Speaking of, we need to find something for Nico and Iris." Pearl said.

"Yes. It is on the list." Erik said, smiling and kissing her forehead.

"Erik, can we meet today? I need to go over some things with you." Edward said. Pearl could tell this made Erik uncomfortable.

"Yes. Will it take long?" Erik asked.

"No son." Edward said.

Pearl could just feel the tension from him. She sincerely hoped everything was ok. She still felt guilty about her wedding fears and she hoped that wasn't contributing to his stress.

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

"I have to take care of some things. The car will be here to pick you up at eight thirty. I'll see you at the airport." Erik said. Pearl smiled and hugged him. "Ok. Are you sure you're alright? You haven't been acting like yourself much lately." She said

"I am perfectly fine. See you tonight." He said.

Something was off. Iris was busy enjoying her new engagement and working and Fi and Ian were in their own world, but everyone else was acting weird. Really weird. She had barely seen Maggie since she came into town and when she had ran into what she felt like she was avoiding her.

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

Pearl finished her hair and makeup, sipping her tea and watching the clock. She put on a simple black dress and walked down to the where the car was waiting. "Hello Jim." Pearl said. Jim smiled and they rode to the airport. The car stopped and Jim walked her to the jet, making sure no one was around to see her. Pearl was excited to see Erik and to be able to talk to him and have some time with him alone, to feel some calm in all the current chaos in their lives. She boarded and looked around to see... Maggie standing there in the main cabin.

"Maggie. What are you doing here? Where is Erik?" Pearl asked.

"There's been a change of plans, Pearl. I'll explain everything." Maggie said, hoping Pearl would hear her out.