Author´s note: This is the part that has the implied sexual activity Be aware.

Part 3 -- Fulfillment

Because right now, I don't dare to breathe.

Erik

The festivities over, Erik and Anna began their journey to the French countryside. It was the place where Meg and Henri had spent their honeymoon, and according to Meg, it was like paradise. It was dark some time later, when they arrived at a quaint little Inn, the idyllic nature of the countryside not quite possible.

Anna wore her hair in the same style as that morning, but had left her wedding dress at the Chagny estate, to keep it clean and well-preserved for a lifetime. Even in her mode of dress, she had become more comfortable with what she wore, and felt more like herself in anything she wore. Was this what it felt like to be an adult? If so, it was lovely.

Those were the last thoughts to pass through Anna´s mind before, a bit tired from the day´s events and the champagne, she had fallen asleep on Erik´s shoulder in the carriage. Erik had simply stared at her as he had, off and on, ever since she walked towards him that morning. He hated to wake her, but it had been a rather long journey, and was now the middle of the night. "We´re here, angel."She had such a blissful smile on her face that Erik wondered if she had been dreaming.

She responded with, ¨No, I just knew what waited me on waking. You´re better than a dream.Anna´s giddiness had lasted her through the day, happily gliding along, intoxicated by love.

Anna

The innkeeper´s wife met them at the door, had their bags taken to their room, and then showed them to the room where they would be spending their wedding night. The woman knew they were wearied from the road and brought them some hot tea to help them relax before they went to sleep. And then, as quick as she had helped them, she was gone to her own part of the inn.

It was when she faced the prospect of going to bed that the bliss of the day faded and another mood replaced it, worry. Out of all the moods she could have, worry was her least favorite. And why?

Anna trusted Erik, heart and soul. Her body, however, she hesitated to give over. It wasn´t for lack of love or passion for her new husband, but merely nervousness or fear of the unknown that lay beyond the point of no return. It was a big step, and though Meg, in one of their private conversations, had reassured her that the act of lovemaking was just an extension of the love two people shared, the Englishwoman still feared. Would it hurt? What if she were no good at it? Would Erik be disgusted with her? Again, the worry and anxiety that had so plagued her life as she began employment as a governess returned, but it was of altogether a different kind. And it was just as strange and uncomfortable as that past worry.

Erik

That treasured time spent alone with Anna was now whenever he wanted it! What joy filled Erik´s heart at the realization that they belonged to each other now, truly, in the eyes of God and everyone else. It had been their nighttime walk that had first kindled a friendship between them, more times spent together that ignited a passion within them, and had kept their love strong through the time they had known one another. At last, it was finally accepted, even expected, that any waking or slumbering moment, he could spend with her.

The day, spent together with so few, had passed happily. But in truth, it was the promise of a lifetime together with his charming young wife by his side that really caused him to glow with happiness. Erik´s happiness was more of a glowing ember than a flame, but it was in the carriage that his passion for Anna ignited. He had thought of it this way. What a joy was the promise of a lifetime! But what of tonight? The prospect made him tingle with anticipation. Consummation of a marriage was expected on a wedding night. He had thought of it before, when his dark desires had risen within him, imagined the way she would feel under his hand, the way she would kiss him.... however, now, those promised sensations seemed attainable, another way to experience his soulmate. And it was for that reason that he did not feel any nervousness. Anyway, they had a lifetime to perfect that type of intimacy.

Now why did Anna seem so unsettled all of a sudden?

Anna

She didn´t mean to be so uneasy, but it was visible in her face that she was worried. Another thing that annoyed Anna about herself was that she was such an open book. Erik, so close to her in so many ways, was especially good at reading her moods and feelings. Sitting at a small vanity in one corner of the room, she busied herself with her toilette, brushing her hair.

"Dearest?" Erik´s voice was so soothing that her expression softened.

"Yes, Erik?" She turned around to see her husband with his white shirt unbuttoned, and a facial expression of concern.

"Are you all right, Anna?"

¨Yes, I am.¨

He finished untucking his shirt and walked until he was behind her. He gently put his hand on her soft shoulder. She turned to look into the mirror at the two of them, realizing that he still had his mask on.

¨Are you happy?¨

¨Yes, very. Our day went very smoothly, and I am so glad we are married now.¨ But her words could not change what her face and manner said.

¨I am going to be frank with you, darling, so I hope you don´t mind. Do you feel as if this night is an unmasking for you, Anna?¨

A blush spread across her face, and after her breath returned to her, she nodded. ¨You´re very astute. That´s exactly how I feel.¨

Erik did something that he had never done before then, kneeling in front of his new wife and taking her soft hands in his own. "You know that nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you. "

"I know that. But it doesn´t stop my nervousness. I want to please you, and I am not as confident in this area of myself....as it is so unknown to me. "

"Remember how I felt the night I removed my mask for you. A necessary step, and remember how close we felt that night. I want you to do something for me. Take off my mask."

How many times had she done this? Whenever he wore the mask and they were alone, she insisted on removing it and kissing him from chin to brow. The red, deformed part of him was now a rather familar sight, which she no longer treated with suspicion, fear, or even sorrow, but which she accepted. Every scar on his body and soul made him the man he was, the man she loved. "You really are the most extraordinary person I´ve ever met. "

"As are you." Gently, he eased his weight off his knees and leaned up to give her a soft kiss. He was pleased at what followed, that ritual they had built together, the slow, gentle kisses on his face. She moved especially slowly and gently tonight, and with each kiss she whispered, "Love you, love you, love you...."

For a long moment they gazed at each other, and then, unconsciously, both rose to their feet. Then, affectionately moving towards her, rubbing her shoulders and neck and covering them with kisses, Erik whispered to her, "Come to bed, my love."

In that moment, Anna´s mind was wiped clean of any apprehension, and for a moment she thought to when she would listen, transfixed, by the sound of his voice. No longer did there exist any fear in her, as the voice and the man behind it had convinced her. His touch and kisses spoke with the same reassurance and pure love and it was all she could do not to burst into tears of affection.

Anna

The first day of Anna´s new life as Erik´s wife dawned as she became aware of the hint of the sun´s first rays coming through a crack in the drapes. Rubbing her eyes and slowly adjusting to the waking world, Anna felt as if she had slept as does a baby. Completely rested, with only the promise of joy, love, and happiness on her mind.

Having been aware of his figure next to her, she focused her vision on her husband. Erik still slept, his head reclined on a pillow, facing her, and seeing him so vulnerable made her heart beat quicker. In sleep, he looked at peace, completely content with what life held for him. One´s sleeping expression did not lie.

All at once she shivered, and became aware that she was rather cold. All at once her state of undress was apparent. But surprisingly, she didn´t care. Snuggling up to his chest, she replayed the scene from last night in her mind, her toes tingling at the very memories. How could she ever have been nervous about making love, in the hands of such a gentle lover as Erik? How tenderly had he laid her on the bed, removing her lace nightgown with a delicate hand and caressing her skin and ear with soft touches and words. How much attention had he given to each inch of her...awakening feelings within her she hadn´t even known existed.

Anna, not being an expert in matters of the bedroom, nonetheless judged that he had been very pleased. She was also very aware that Erik had made her pleasure his primary concern. He moved slowly, so as to cause her the least pain possible, and as they went on, Anna lost her temerity and began to act less passive in the act. When they finally fell asleep, the last thing she remembered was a light kiss, a tight embrace, and shared words of affection.

A smile on her face, Anna took note that she had started to drift off when the movement of his body let her know that he was waking.

"Good morning, love."

"Good morning." Erik´s voice in the morning sounded much deeper and grittier than normal, but his actions quickly belied the harsh quality of his voice when he pulled her close to him for a kiss.