Chapter 40 – Back to the Keys

Eric paced around the foyer, waiting for Charlotte to get home from work. "Ha..." Eric sighed and looked at his watch again. It's not like anything special is going on, so why am I feeling nervous?

The front door opened, and he jumped, turning to face it as he kept a hand hidden behind his back.

"Char..." Eric muttered her name, his face instantly changing to one of complete adoration. "Welcome home."

"Eric," she smiled at him and handed her bag off to Timo. He rolled his eyes and left, not wanting to be caught in the middle of anything.

Eric waited for her to be near and pulled his hand out from behind him with a big bouquet of flowers. "For you, to thank you for all the trouble you went through to get me back."

"Oh!" Charlotte's eyes sparkled. "They're beautiful, thank you." She accepted the bouquet and breathed in the floral scent. "I'll get these into water right away, and put them in my room."

"Miss, I can do that for you," Timo came back in with a vase ready.

How does he do that?

"Thank you, Timo." Charlotte handed him the flowers and held her hand out to Eric. "Time for your gift. Close your eyes."

Eric took her hand and let her lead him away as he kept his eyes closed. She led him down the hall on the first floor and stopped in front of a door he'd never been through. She opened the door and led him in a couple of steps.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now."

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to see a grand piano sitting in the middle of a large music room. A desk sat near the piano with a pile of music sheets on it.

"Why..."

"I know you said your hand isn't great anymore, so it'd be hard to play, but I thought you still might want to try. With enough practice, you might get back your ability to play."

"I honestly don't think I was ever that great, but I did love to play," Eric glided his hand across the fallboard before opening it and tapping on a few keys. "It's been so long..." He sat down and positioned his hands on the keys. "I... don't know..."

Charlotte sat down beside him on the bench. "Just try; it's only the two of us here, and the room is soundproofed."

He took a deep breath and played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. "I guess I can manage something for beginners," he chuckled. "Let's see if I can remember something a bit harder," he stretched out his fingers and tried again. The tempo of the song was slower than you'd usually hear for it, but he could still remember how his fingers used to flow across the keys.

His hand didn't quite move right, and he cringed at the wrong note, stopping.

"Pretty good for having not played in a long time. What was that piece?" Charlotte asked.

"Sonata No. 16 by Mozart. It's still an earlier one to learn, but it is harder than Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

"Considering that was your first shot at it, I'd say you'll breeze through that song in no time." Charlotte rested her hands on the keys. "How about you teach me a basic one?"

"I can do that."

"At your accelerated rate, you'd surpass me in no time," Eric pulled her in for a hug after they practiced for a long while.

"No way!" Charlotte hugged him back. "But I think teaching me this way is helping you get used to it again. One last time at the same time?"

"Okay."

Grumble.

Eric froze, a blush forming on his cheeks.

"I guess we should stop for supper, shouldn't we? Timo's probably going to come looking for us soon."

"We'll do this one last time, and then go for supper," Eric set his hands on the keys again. "Ready?"

"Yes!"

Eric counted down, and they played together.

"You're sounding good, but I thought you bought it for him to use, not for you," Timo had come in while they were playing, but neither of them had noticed.

"I did, but there's nothing wrong with learning to play, too."

"I suppose not, but—"

"Timo."

"Yes?"

"Don't butt in on this."

"Yes, Charlotte," Timo sighed. "By the way, dinner has been served in your room, if you care to eat anytime soon." He left without another word.

"Uh, I'm not sure he liked that," Eric's brows furrowed as he stared at the empty doorway.

"He'll get over it."

"I don't think antagonizing the person who is such an important part of your life is a good idea. And knowing Timo, he'll find a way to take it out on us..."

"Ugh, you're right, but I liked having you teach me. I didn't think he'd be against it."

Eric thought for a moment. "Can Timo play the piano?"

"Oh no," Charlotte's eyes widened and she face-palmed. "Why didn't I think of that? I guess I know why he's upset... but this is still our time together." Charlotte hummed and tapped her chin as she thought.

"What is it?"

"If he's an expert, maybe he can help teach you."

"I... I don't think that's a good idea. He's a great teacher, but he's terrifying, and part of this is getting the proper mobility back into my hands. Physiotherapy would probably be the best, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to play expert songs, or play for long." Eric stared at his hands, opening and closing them a few times. "I think anymore and it'd take too much of a toll on my hands. If Timo teaches me, I might end up pushing it too much."

"He'd learn your limits and know not to push it that far."

"I think the problem would be with me," Eric chuckled and scratched his cheek. "I wouldn't want to admit it to him that I should stop. Ha..." Eric sighed and stretched out his arms. "Thanks again, Char; this is an amazing present." Unable to fight back anymore, Eric wrapped a hand around the back of her head, and an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "I love you, Char," he kissed her.

"Oh! Mmm..." Charlotte melted into him and wrapped her arms around him. "Ha..." She could feel her body flush with heat.

"Sorry," Eric whispered. "I couldn't help myself." He kissed her again. How I'd love to— No, Eric, she's not ready for that. He pulled away as the door opened again.

"Are you two going to eat dinner or make out all night?" Timo huffed. "Your food is getting cold."

Charlotte let out a soft sigh. "I wouldn't mind continuing with this..." she muttered.

"What was that?"

"We're coming, right, Char?" Eric stood and held his hand out to her.

She puffed her cheeks out and she pouted, not wanting to leave yet, but the moment was broken. She took his hand, and they went to eat dinner.

I guess everything's back to normal now. Well, my new normal. Eric sat in his room after dinner and looked around. I don't even know what to do with myself anymore. Not that I did much while I was away, other than look up news on Charlotte and watch TV.

Knock, knock.

Oh no, what'd I do? "It's open," Eric said and glanced at the door.

"I hope you don't mind me showing up again," Charlotte peeked into his room at him.

"Of course not. You're always welcome here."

"Well, you rushed off after dinner, so I wasn't sure what was going on."

"You and Timo were busy talking, and I just wanted to relax, that's all."

"So I can relax with you? Maybe watch TV, get comfortable together... and..." Charlotte trailed off as she looked away.

"Come on over," Eric patted the spot beside him on the couch, oblivious to her intentions. He didn't notice her attire until she cozied up to him on the couch. "Y-you're ready for bed already?"

"Well, I wasn't planning on going back to my room tonight."

"Uh, as much as I loved sleeping with you in my arms... I'm afraid I might need a cold shower before going to bed... and possibly after you've fallen asleep," Eric looked away, reaching for the remote to avoid looking at her.

"What if I said you wouldn't be needing those cold showers?"

"What?" Did she just say...? He turned back to her in time to be pushed down on the couch and he dropped the remote on the floor. "C-Char... Are you sure about this? I can wait—"

"I'm sure. I've never been so sure about someone before, and I don't want to keep holding back. I worked hard so you could return home, and I have no intention of prolonging the distance between us. And don't worry; there won't be any more interruptions," she leaned in to kiss him. "You're mine tonight."

"Funny, I thought I was always yours already."

"Oh, you know what I mean!"

Eric chuckled. "Yes, I do," he wrapped his arms around her and couldn't help but notice her heart was racing as much as his was. "How about we take this to the bedroom, then?"