Carly's POV:

I looked around the table and felt the discomfort of everyone. My parents still wondered if Erik had kidnapped me and I was nervous that I would have to tell them I loved him. I mean, my parents are the kindest people in the world but my father is super protective. He let me have a rather long line but was particular when it came to boyfriends. I wasn't sure how he was going to handle Erik and I being together. After all, come to think of it, I didn't even know if Erik was a Christian. He had to be if I was going to date him. Oh, this was a big mess.

I couldn't help but frown at the thought and Erik must have seen it because he shot me the are-you-okay look. I nodded slightly and he raised his eyebrows. He smiled and gave me the I-will-talk-to-you-later look. I giggled and my brother gave me a glare.

“I knew better than to sit at a table with two love birds. Are you two communicating through your heads or something?” I laughed then realized what he had just called us. Love bird. I saw my mother's spoon stop halfway to her mouth and Father froze as he was taking a drink of water. I wanted to roll my eyes but didn't. Erik stiffened but knew this was time for the unveiling of our feelings for each other. He looked at me and I looked at him then we both looked at my father. Father had set down his glass and was taking a deep breath.

“Did I just here your brother correctly say that you two are love birds?” I nodded and Erik did as well.

“Mark, how did you know that they are?” Mark smirked and said,

“I caught them kissing. I believe that I was love birds do.” I blushed redder than a rose and stomped on Mark's foot. He winced and shot me an angry look. Erik held his ground. This man had iron nerve. He wasn't even blushing. He leaned on the table and said,

“Mr. Richmond, your daughter and I are in love. You might say that she is the reason I came back. I missed her terribly. I hope you don't mind be courting your daughter?” Father thought about it for a moment then said,

“I want to talk to you alone. Erik, come with me.” Father led Erik to his study and closed the door. I sat at the table and looked toward my mother. She gave Mark a warning look and he left the table. Now it was just my mother and me. Not that I was worried but it made me blush. I had always been the slightly sensitive type when it came to my love life. The fact that my mother knew I was in love made me nervous.

“So, my daughter finally is in love! I am proud of you, darling. He is so handsome. I don't know what is under the mask but I think that the rest of him is so handsome. You're a lucky girl. I hope that you two stay together. I know it hurt when Jonathan left but I hope you are over him.” I sighed. I hadn't told Mom everything. To tell the truth I had lied about the whole episode. I never admitted that I never loved Jonathan like I did Erik and that it hadn't hurt when he was gone. I couldn't explain it without by accident giving Erik away. I dared not tell the truth. I could only smile at Mother and blush.

Erik's POV:

I followed Mr. Richmond into his study and took the seat he offered. Mr. Richmond leaned back in his seat and said,

“So you want to court my daughter?” I nodded. I loved Carly. I wanted to keep her forever.

“Yes, Sir. I do want to court her. I love her.” Mr. Richmond nodded slightly.

“Erik, let me speak plainly. I don't know anything about you. You have treated my daughter well as far as I know and I doubt she would love you if you hadn't. Okay, I will let you court her.” I had flinched when he mentioned that I hadn't hurt Carly. I had hurt her when I kidnapped her. I knew better than to believe that she had escaped unharmed. I still had trouble believing she could love me after all I had done. But she said she did and I would trust her. But putting that aside I was overjoyed. I was being allowed to court the girl of my dreams. Mr. Richmond and I started to rise but I had to ask one last thing before we returned.

“Mr. Richmond, would you be adverse to me marrying Carly?”