Chapter 308

"Nightingale." Erik said as he walked into the living room. Pearl had to choke down the urge to vomit.

"Erik. What the hell is going on? I've been worried about you." Pearl said, standing up and hugging him. Sebastian watched from the doorway.

"It's Auggie. He's a mess right now. I don't know what's gotten into him. Can you try to reach out to Maggie?" Erik asked.

"I already did. Twice. Nothing. So I called Iris and made sure she was in Seattle helping run the company. I didn't tell her anything. Just that Maggie needed some time off. And I told her to call me if she hears from her." Pearl said.

"Great. Yes. Thank you. How's little Robbie?" He asked. Pearl shifted her weight uncomfortably.

"Good. He's asleep. Would you like to see him?" She asked.

Erik nodded and walked over to the small bassinet in the room. "He looks so peaceful." Erik said, smiling. "How are you feeling, mentally?" Erik asked.

"Better. It's nice to have Gail to talk to. I'm making some progress. She says it's completely normal, feeling like this after giving birth. Happens to lots of women." Pearl said. Erik cleared his throat.

"I've heard that. I'm glad you're getting help." He said. "And Sebastian is here, too." He said.

Pearl pulled Erik aside. Whispering, she said, "Does he have to be here all the time? He has no life and just skulks around the house. I know he's bored." Pearl said.

"Pearl. Yes. He needs to be here. It makes me feel better. Please trust me. It's for your own good. And besides, other than the military, he hasn't had a life for several years now. He's fine. I promise." Erik said.

Pearl nodded. "Can we give him something to do? Like help with the garden or paint or something?" She suggested.

"Pearl. Stop. It's fine. Relax. Get better and enjoy your time with the baby. I'll be back in a week or so. I love you." He said, kissing her forehead.

"Can't you stay tonight? Or a little while longer?" She asked.

"The sooner I get this done the sooner I can be back for good. Call me if anything comes up." He said and left her in the room.

"Thanks for keeping things in order here." Erik said to Sebastian.

"No worries, cousin." He said.

"Oh and get a hobby. Paint or fish or something. Pearl thinks you're bored and have no life." Erik said.

"What? And leave all this excitement?" He said sarcastically. "It's under control. Don't worry. I've got it. She will be fine."

"Just keep her under control and the baby safe. I'll be back in a week. I'll call you." He said and patted his shoulder.

Sebastian nodded.

"That went well. Really well. How are you?" Sebastian asked after Erik left.

"I don't know. Seeing him again after all of this is weird. It's unsettling. Was he lying to me all this time?" She asked."What else was he doing behind my back while he pretended to be Prince Charming?"

"I'm not going to tell you that I told you so because you don't deserve to hear that right now. But I warned you about him. Others warned you about him. Many others. You fell for the charm and the lie. He showed you the man he WANTED to be and not the man that he actually is. You saw only the good where we saw the truth. It's not your fault. And in his defense, I truly believe he wanted to be that man and he tried to be that man. And he tried to be that man, for you." Sebastian said. "I think you having this baby triggered something again in him. Maybe it's the fear of being a new father. Maybe it's seeing you and resenting you as mother. I don't know. He's not a good man. And none of us, including him, told you otherwise, Pearl. Next time listen with your ears instead of just your heart. And that includes your view and feelings about me." He said. "I want you to be happy. But I don't ever want to see you in another situation like this. Ever again. Ok?" He said.

Pearl listened to him and processed it and nodded. He was right.

"Ok. So, what's next?" She asked.

"Meeting tomorrow." He said. He picked up his cell and called Gail. "Hey it's Bash. Is Rowan in town this week? Great. Can you have him call me tonight. I have a gardening question for him. Thanks." He hung up.

"Gardening?" Pearl asked.

"Oh heaven's no. But I liked your style with Erik. That's just a ploy to get her brother to call me. He's a cop that I trust and I need him here tomorrow. I have some legal questions." Sebastian said.

Pearl had the feeling things were going to get real intense, real fast.