Learning to Love

A POTO/Erik Story

By: Katie Sheridan aka GerrysLittleMissSunshine08

Disclaimer: I own Erik!! Hahaha I wish.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who sent ms tshe a hrbsreview. It means a lot that people are still interested in Erik and Katie's adventures after disappearing for two years. And I shall keep my word, I had a reviewer give me some great advice about editing chapters and I promised that Erik and Gerry would kiss and hug her so--Cairo Sinclair, here ya go! (pushes Erik and Gerry into the room)

Erik: Alright just this once (hugs and kisses Cairo's cheek softly)

Gerry: Thanks for helping, Katie was driving us nuts lassie (hugs and kisses Cairo's other cheek)

Me: Yeah yeah you two big flirts. Enjoy the chapter or I'll have Erik drop a chandelier on your ass. Just kidding.

Erik: (puffs out chest) And I will too!! Don't mess with me because I am a bad ass!

Gerry: (snorts with laughter): Don't forget that I played Leonidas in 300!

Erik: At least I didn't die pining for my wife.

Gerry: Hey at least I had a wife…

Erik: (glares) You suck Butler.

Gerry: Hey you stole my last name, you're lucky I didn't sue you. They gave me fake money in the movie.

Me: Oh shut it both of ya! Happy Reading everyone!!

Chapter 16: Secret Doctor Visit and a Birthday

Two months later….September 14th 2005

Katie sat in her bed smiling at a peaceful Erik sleeping next to her and in his arms was now her five month old nephew who was also sleeping. Elijah had grown so quickly that Erik and Katie couldn't believe that it had been almost two months since they had adopted him and since Erik had an official last name, he mentioned legally adopting Elijah if they ever got married and her smile widened at the thought. Elijah changed both her and Erik's lives dramatically.

She glanced down at the journal that she had kept for over two years that she rarely wrote in until Erik and Elijah arrived. Now she wrote in it almost every day and most of them were about her love for both men.

9-14-05

Dear Journal,

Tomorrow is my twenty-seventh birthday and I have a weird feeling that Erik's going to do something for it. I told him a long time ago that I didn't want to do anything except to spend time with him and Elijah. But when does Erik listen to me? Not a lot. He's his own person and that's one thing I admire most about him.

Amazing. If I had to describe Erik in one word that would be it. I always thought that I would be alone for the rest of my life. And there was a point in my life that I was okay with it. But now I couldn't imagine my life with or without Erik and Elijah.

But tomorrow is my doctor's appt. I really hope everything comes up negative. I don't want or need another scare like last time. Erik has no idea and unless the tests show positive, then I won't ever tell him. I feel terrible lying to him, but I don't want him to worry if nothing is wrong. Chris thinks I need to tell him, but I'm not.

Erik started classes at Indiana State University (ISU) about three weeks ago and so far so good. He has a bunch of work to do, but no matter what he decides to do with his life, he will excel in it. One of his classmates Hayley is a friend of his and I have quickly become friends with her also. She is married and has a daughter Angelina who is around Elijah's age. They are both majoring in Music Education which Erik will be a wonderful teacher.

Elijah's starting to wake up. So happy birthday to me…

Katie Turner-Black

As soon as she placed her journal in the drawer attached to her nightstand, Elijah started whimpering in Erik's strong arms. Katie smiled at her young, growing nephew as she picked him up and held him close to her. She kissed his head full of blonde hair and he gave her a happy smile in reply.

"Should we wake up Erik little man?" She asked him curiously and Elijah closed his mouth and stared at her.

"No need for that," a voice replied and both Katie and Elijah turned to see Erik staring at both of them with an amused look on his face.

"Good morning sleepyhead." She said as they both leaned over at the same time and their lips met. Elijah began talking wanting some attention as he pulled off Katie's glasses.

She pulled away suddenly and then Erik began snickering as he reached over and took her glasses that were looking straight for Elijah's mouth to be tasted.

"Nice try mister," he said to the baby who smiled innocently as to say, who me? The elder man laughed and handed the pair of glasses back to Katie who was shaking her head at the baby's antics. Elijah's personality was so much fun to learn about. Erik and she learned something new everyday about Elijah. The baby was very much like Erik, quiet and reserved until he wanted something and if he didn't receive his bottle, food or diaper fast enough, then he would let the entire world know. But Erik observed that Elijah was also very much like Katie, always wanted to be held and smiled a lot. He was definitely a flirt, smiled at anyone who would give him attention.

She was interrupted from her thoughts by a pair of soft lips touching hers. She squeaked in surprise as she suddenly kissed Erik back. He pulled away smirking as he took Elijah from Katie's arms and the family went into the kitchen to begin dinner.

The Next Day…September 15th 2005

Katie smiled softly as she watched Erik sleeping in his bed the next morning. It was almost eight o clock in the morning and she knew Erik had class at nine. She hated to wake him up, he looked like he was finally at peace. He also was going to drop Elijah off at the daycare that was at the university. Her doctor's appointment was at eight thirty and her first appointment of the day was at eleven-thirty. She was not sure of how long the testing would actually take.

She then leaned down and kissed Erik's lips softly. His eyes quickly popped open and he relaxed when he saw Katie's smile looking down at him.

"I'm sorry to wake you up, but you have class at nine and it's almost eight. And I need to be at the hospital at eight thirty." She told him quietly and he nodded slowly sitting up in his bed.

"Good morning and happy birthday my dear," Erik said to her softly as they kissed once more.

She groaned, "You remembered…"

"Of course I remember your birthday. And when you get home, there will be a surprise waiting for you." He replied.

She then groaned again as she buried her head into his shoulder as he placed his mask back on his face, "Erik I thought I told you no surprises."

He snorted, "Like that's going to stop me planning a special evening for you….wait why are you going to the hospital?"

"I have a quick appointment this morning." She replied as she stood up from Erik's bed and picked up a now awake Elijah.

"For you?" He asked surprised as he grabbed a pair of jeans and a black polo shirt.

She sighed quietly as she placed Elijah on the changing table, "Yes it's for me. It's an annual physical exam for me. It's required for all doctors, plus they want to check my leg since it has been two months since the accident," she replied as she quickly changed Elijah's wet diaper and grabbed a blue onesie for the baby.

"Oh okay." Erik's response was as he quickly went and took a shower as Katie finished getting Elijah and his diaper bag. She really hated lying to Erik, but she knew that he would be frantic and want to come with her. But he needed to attend classes; she knew how important classes were. Plus Erik was enjoying himself even if he thought some of the students were clueless about music.

Soon enough, Erik grabbed his bag full of books and supplies for school and they soon dropped Elijah off at daycare, Erik at the Performing Arts building for his music theory class and Katie soon found herself driving to Terre Haute Regional Hospital where Dr. Jack Phelps was waiting for her.

"Hi Katie, how are you?" Dr. Jack Phelps asked and she smiled at her old colleague. They hugged quickly and then Jack stood at the countertop with her file in his hand.

"I'm great thanks, wow I miss being here sometimes." She replied glancing around the small hospital rooms.

Jack nodded, "Well Jon definitely misses you. He's always complaining that he lost one of his best doctors, but as long as you're happy, then that's all that matters. But we're not here to talk about this are we?"

Katie sighed, "No I'm afraid not. About three years ago when I was in medical school, I had a cancer scare. All the tests were negative, but about three days I noticed what I think is a bump. Breast cancer runs in my family on my dad's side. So I just want to check it out."

Jack nodded as he continued to write things down, "Does Erik happen to know what is going on?"

"No and I don't want Erik finding out either. He already has enough to worry about and this does not need to be number one."

"Katie no matter what the tests say, I really think you need to tell Erik. He's your boyfriend, he needs to know what is going on." He recommended her, but she shook her head.

"Not now, so what do we need to do? MRI? Mammogram? What?"

Jack rolled his eyes at the changing of subjects, she was notorious for being good at it, "Mammogram first and if something shows up, then we'll do a MRI." He replied as he handed her a hospital gown which Katie scowled at.

"Sounds good, let's just get this over with." She commented as she sighed thinking about Erik. Maybe Jack's right, maybe she should tell him…but not now. Someday.

"Well Katie, I've got some great news. Mammogram looks great, you're cancer-free for the time-being. Now do you maybe want to think about taking Tamofixin? As you know already, for women already at very high risk due to family history, risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by about fifty percent by taking Tamoxifen for five years. Tamoxifen has some common side effects like hot flashes and vaginal discharge, which are not serious and some uncommon side effects like blood clots, pulmonary embolus, stroke, and uterine cancer which are life threatening. Tamoxifen isn't widely used for prevention, but may be useful in some cases. Would you be interested?"

"I don't know Jack, should I?" She asked curiously.

"You want my professional and personal opinion?"

"Of course I do Jack, I don't want to. But if I have to, then I will."

"Well I personally don't think you need to, but if you want to then I can write you a prescription. But you're still young, you will be alright if you do or do not take it." He replied and she let out a breath of relief that she realized that she had been holding for a few seconds.

"Okay I'll say no for right now, thanks for everything Jack. Have a great day." Katie said as they hugged quickly once more and then she left for her office stopping by Jon's office and they talked while he examined her leg and he said everything looked great and the leg healed very well.

Later that afternoon

Katie walked into the apartment and saw that it was dark inside the apartment. She then glanced at the clock and it read five thirty-five in the evening. She yawned and then closed the door behind her as she found that candles were lit around the apartment in various places and she found a note with her name on there. She raised an eyebrow, dropped her bag and took it from the coffee table.

Katie,

Yes we are alone my dear and before you ask, Hayley's watching Elijah for us tonight. That's right love, all night long.

I know you did not want a big surprise for your birthday, but as our first time celebrating it, I wanted it to be special. So thank Hayley, Chris and Donny for helping me.

Now go inside the bedroom where your first surprise awaits you.

Love,
Erik

She curiously walked into the bedroom and saw a black dress with black shoes laying on her bed. She gasped as she examined the v neck tank dress that stopped at her knees and she felt the material which she loved and smiled at the blue sash bow in the front. She then saw another note in Erik's elegant handwriting next to the shoes. She picked it up and read it to herself.

I hope you like the dress, I certainly can not wait to see you in it my dear. And maybe with it off too. I just did not want to take you to dinner in your doctor's uniform.

Yes dinner and it's fancy. Go get ready and you will see your next note in the dining room.

Love,
Erik

Katie laughed as she imagined Erik's face while he wrote the first section. She smiled as she quickly changed out of her scrubs and into the black dress that fit her perfectly. She then put her shoes on and quickly curled her red hair. She then looked at herself one more time in the mirror and shrugged. She looked really pretty, she had to admit to herself.

She then went outside into the dining room and found a single red rose with a black ribbon tied around it with a note attached to it. She picked up the rose, smelled it with a smile and then read the simple note attached.

Turn around.

I love you.

Erik

No sooner than she turned her head, she felt Erik's lips crashing down on hers. She groaned in surprise as his arms went around her waist as he pulled her close to him. She quickly kissed him back as her arms went around his neck. He moaned softly as he felt her lips opening a bit and he took his chance and plunged his tongue inside. She then placed her tongue inside his mouth and they dueled one another in pleasure. Her hands went into his wig and ran them up and down massaging his head gently. He groaned in pleasure as one of his hands stayed on her waist while the other touched her cheek gently. They pulled away reluctantly and found themselves catching their breaths.

He smiled a few seconds later, "Happy Birthday my love."

Katie moaned in content as she kissed him once again, "Happy Birthday to me indeed."

He laughed as she saw what he was wearing and he looked amazing. He was wearing a black suit with a blue button-down shirt under his jacket. She was looking at him so intensely that she never noticed that he pulled out a silver jewelry box and opened it for her to see.

She gasped in shock when she saw a blue sapphire necklace in the jewelry box that her beloved was holding.

"Oh Erik." She could only say as he smiled at her response, took it out of the box and turned her around so he could place it around her neck. She touched it gently and turned around when he was finished, she leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. He smiled and kissed her back just as soft.

"Thank you so much Erik, I love it. You are an amazing man, do you know that?" she asked and he shook his head.

"I'm glad you love it, I figured you would. Now are you ready for your birthday dinner?" he asked holding out his arm for her to take.

She smiled and hooked her arm through his as they headed towards the door, "Yes as long as there is no one going to sing to me at the restaurant and make me wear a funny hat."

He raised an eyebrow as he handed her her purse, "What?" he asked confused.

Katie glanced at him and then shook her head while giggling, "Never mind, let's go Erik and have a wonderful evening."

Erik grinned evilly, "We shall indeed…just wait until dinner is over. I do have a dessert prepared for you." He told her as they closed the door behind them.