Seeing Elora's amused grin, Emma's palpable anxiety, and Emily's flickers of corruption, Erik exhaled slowly, a commanding presence in the unfolding drama. "Let's all take a moment," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "Elora, enough with the teasing."
While Elora pouted a little, she did seem to listen to him. Meanwhile, Emma voiced her doubts. "Miss Elora… Didn't you just say you wanted this, too?"
Elora nodded, now having lost her grin as she looked serious instead. "That's true, but if you're going to join our little family, then I want to be sure you actually love him. In your case specifically, I want to make sure your feelings are based on more than just the fact that he saved you."
While Elora explained, Erik stepped closer to Emma and reassuringly put his hand on her shoulder, causing much of Emma's anxiety to disappear. "I know it may seem a little unfair, but this is the foundation Elora and I have agreed on.
