Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Lol Anyway so this is my late Christmas gift to all of you lovelies hope you enjoy and update for all of Instagram followers who haven't heard I was having trouble with my account so I had to change I'm now "Phantomslover98" just FYI ... so now on with the show ...
"Mama." The little Christine said crawling under the covers. "Do you have to go back tomorrow?" She asked as her mother came and sat next to her.
"I'm afraid I have to Mon ange." Her mother replied lovingly stroking Christine's hair. She smiled sweetly "But don't worry, it won't be long until we're all together, and nothing will tear us apart."
Christine smiled "Promise?" She asked.
Katelyn smiled and laughed a little. "I promise. Now get to sleep. And behave yourself for your father while I'm gone." Christine nodded.
"Mama?" She called taking Katelyn's hand before she could go anywhere. "Will you sing to me?" Katelyn nodded and asked what song Christine would like to hear. "Our lullaby."
Katelyn nodded again and climbed onto the bed next to Christine holding her close. Christine closed her eyes and everything was dark and all she could hear was her mother's voice. "Goodnight my angle time to close your eyes, and save these questions for another day." Christine opened her eyes to see her mother again but she wasn't there, Christine was her nineteen year old self again, but she wasn't in Erik's room she was in a giant green field and she could still hear her mother's voice as if she was right next to her." I think I know what you've been asking me, I think you know what I've been trying to say. I promised I would never leave you, and you should always know, where ever you may go no matter where you are I never will be far away." Christine looked around then heard something, a little girl's laugh. She turned and saw a girl off in the distance. A little black haired girl. Christine got up and the girl giggled and started to run off into the nearby woods. Katelyn's voice was still ringing in Christine's ears. "Goodnight my angel now it's time to sleep and still so many things I want to say. Remember all the songs you sang for me when we went sailing on an emerald bay and like a boat out on the ocean, I'm rocking you to sleep, the waters dark and deep inside this ancient heart you'll always be a part of me." Christine followed the little girl not knowing where she was being led to. Christine was almost certain this would end badly but something told her to follow the girl and with her mother's voice singing out she didn't fear anything. "Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream, and dream how wonderful your life will be. Someday your child may cry and if you sing this lullaby then in your heart there will always be a part of me. Someday we'll all be gone but lullaby's go on and on, they never die that's how you and I will be." As Katelyn's voice died down Christine finally found the little girl under a weeping willow. She sat up against it her knees touching her forehead and her dark hair covered her arms the little girl laughed again as Christine drew closer.
"Are you lost?" Christine asked.
The girl looked up and smiled laughing again. "You found me!" She said not containing her giggle. Christine studied the little girl and she was beautiful.
Christine laughed a little and nodded. "Yes, I have."
Christine knelt down to the girl's level. The girl looked at her with a sly smile and a look in her eyes as if daring her to do something, it was a look Christine often had when she would tease Erik or Maya. The girl had the same bright yellow eyes as Erik's but Christine never thought they could get brighter than Erik's but this girl's was. The girl looked out into the woods as birds flew away from the trees. She looked back at Christine a little sad "I was told to come here and wait if anything bad happened." Christine looked at the girl concerned. She looked back out into the woods in search of something. Then her head snapped in the other direction. She jumped up and ran.
Christine got up "Wait!" She called. Christine looked behind her and saw nothing she ran after the girl. She ran until she found a garden and saw a manor. She saw the girl go into the manor and she ran after her. When Christine went in it was a party. Everyone was dressed so fancy and when she looked down she was dressed the same. She saw the girl with a very handsome man on the staircase. The girl laughed and ran up the stairs. The man came to her and smiled. He never said anything he just bowed and took her hand leading her to dance. They danced until Christine spotted Erik. He was so handsome, much more handsome than the man she danced with. He looked at her with a small bit of jealousy in his eyes and smiled looking at her adoringly. Christine blushed and closed her eyes.
She was in Erik's room. That's where she woke up. Not in a field, not under a weeping willow, or even in a strange mans arms, but here in Erik's room. It somewhat disappointed her that she didn't wake in the manor with Erik at her side. It disappointed her that she was still in Persia. It had been nearly two months since the incident with the Shah and she was so ready to get out of Persia. She blinked a few times then sat up looking around the room. She found Erik in his chair next to the fire place reading, then he looked up at her and smiled. "Good morning sleeping beauty." He said jokingly. Erik set his book aside and went to her kissing her head and sitting next to her.
"Shouldn't you be at the site?" She asked not wanting him to get into any trouble with the Shah.
He shook his head. "I'm revising some of the design so I'm staying here today." Christine nodded but still had that far off look in her eye that Erik noticed had a little bit of disappointment in them. "Unless that's a problem."
"No!" She said hurriedly. "No," She said again with a smile taking his hand. "It's wonderful. I like watching you work." She said smiling wider.
Erik returned the smile. "Then what was the look? You looked disappointed, why?"
She sighed. "I dreamt we were away from here. I dreamt you and I were at a dance somewhere far away in a manor. But before we could dance I woke up." She looked down at their hands as a tear rolled down her cheek. "It all seemed so real for a moment." Erik wrapped his arms around her and she did her best not to cry.
He rubbed her back and shushed her. "Christine," He began pulling away holding her arms. "I'm going to get us out of here. I don't know when and I don't know how but I will. I promise." He smiled touching his forehead to hers "And I promise we will have our moment just like that. I'll take you in my arms and I won't let you go until the next morning." He whispered making her smile and blush a little.
Christine kissed him and she could feel him smiling. He pulled away and told her it was best she get dressed. She smiled and got up glancing to the sofa she saw two bags. "Erik?" She called looking at the bags.
He looked at the bags then back to her. "Every year the Shah goes away for this month only. Don't know why, but he does. Nadir normally went to see his son considering the time of year."
Christine's head shot to Erik. "Time of year? It's December?" Christine never really kept track of the months, but she always knew when it was December. She always knew when it was Christmas.
Erik nodded. "Yes. Nadir has invited us to his home for awhile since the Shah will be away. I thought you would enjoy a change of scene."
Christine smiled "I haven't celebrated this time of year since I was very little."
"Well I haven't since I was a teenager." Erik said and she laughed. Christine knew there was an age difference between them and that was the part she found funny that fact that she was falling for someone older than her.
After Erik received words from Darius a few days later telling him that the Shah was gone Erik gathered their things and took Christine down a secret passageway to the stables where a carriage awaited them driven by Darius. "How far is Nadir's home?" Christine asked.
"It's on the other side of the mountains." He replied. "Darius said it was looking clear when he came back and it should stay that way. He will get us there quick and in one piece." He said making her laugh. He put his arm around her and kissed her forehead.
"What's it like Erik?" Christine asked.
"What's what like?" he asked in reply.
"Paris at this time? What's it like?" She asked looking up at him.
Erik smiled and sighed a little. "Beautiful. Breathtaking. There's always snow on the ground, people trying to get out of the cold, then some out enjoying it. It's not really something you describe; it's more something you have to see to believe." He said and she smiled.
"I can't wait to see it." She said trying to imagine it.
As expected it took hours to get to Nadir's house but it was worth it. Christine insisted on having the curtain of the carriage windows open once they were out of the city. She wanted to see everything, and she adored being in the mountains. She loved the sight of the snow on the trees and she loved how the cold air felt on the face. Once they arrived Darius took the carriage to the stables then Erik and Christine climbed out. The door leading from the stables to the inside of the house opened and Maya came out. "Christine!" She called embracing her niece.
"Oh my God! Maya what on earth are you doing here?" She asked laughing so happy to see her.
Maya smiled wide and pulled away. "Like I was honestly going to miss the chance to see you." She said giggling. "Besides we haven't had Christmas together since you were an infant. I thought why not have one with the family we have now?" She said glancing at Erik.
Christine smiled wide loving the thought of Erik as family. "Maya, I like the way you think." They laughed for a moment then Maya took Christine's arm and led her inside. Christine glanced back at Erik and saw the same hint of jealousy that she had seen in her dream. She loved it when he had that look it let her know that she was his for the moment and she loved it.
They walked in and Maya showed Christine to her room. Christine was sort of upset that she wasn't in the same room as Erik, but also didn't complain because it was her very own room. Maya left Christine alone to get settled and shut the door behind her. Christine smiled and looked around the rather large guest room. She had her own vanity mirror and she remembered her mother's mirror; when she was young she would sit in front of it and dream of one day being as beautiful and strong as her mother. She ran her fingers over the design on the vanity and smiled. She slowly looked into the mirror and saw Erik shutting the door and setting down her bag. She turned to him and gave a smile that he returned. With that she ran over to him jumping into his arms and kissed him. Erik held her tightly to him and kissed her back. When they pulled away Christine said, "We've only been away from each other not even ten minutes; is it a bad thing that I already missed you terribly?"
Erik smiled and rubbed his forehead against hers. "I don't think it is." He kissed her again setting her down. "I just want to know how we're going to survive without each other at night. I've gotten used to holding you while I sleep." He said stroking her hair.
"And I've gotten used to being held while I sleep." She replied with a smile.
Erik kissed her nose and said "My room is right next door if you ever want to sneak over." making Christine giggle.
"And you know where mine is." She teased. "Just remember I'm not all that easy." Erik laughed.
"Now that one dear, is very hard to forget." They laughed. Erik kissed her again, then with a regretful sigh he looked at her. "I should go before either of them come in. I'm pretty sure Maya would have my head if she found me in here with you." Christine laughed a little. "I'll see you at dinner." He kissed her and left.
Christine felt so good about feeling safe for the first time since she was very young. It felt so good to be around people and not have the need to hide or act; she could be herself and with the help of Erik she was learning who that was. Two weeks went by and now Christmas Eve was finally here. Nadir always threw a Christmas party for all the servants and whatever guests he had. Normally his guests were people from other parts of the world so he knew that Christine was safe. Christine loved to listen to their stories of their far off homelands.
In these past two weeks Christine was allowed to be the child everyone knew she was. At this time she was nothing more to these guests but a simple nineteen year old girl who wanted to see the world. That night she had yet to see Erik, and she was a little upset because she wanted to see him all dressed up like she was. Maya had found an old gown for Christine to wear for the party. It was a beautiful golden dress that went to the floor and bared her shoulders; Christine had put her hair up in a bun like her mother had taught her when she was young.
Then Erik finally came out. He had his hair pulled back perfectly, his suit so clean and crisp, his mask placed just right but Christine would rather it be thrown away. Then his eyes seemed to burn her as they studied her. She smiled at him and before she could say anything Nadir announced that dinner was ready. All throughout dinner they couldn't keep their eyes off each other and it didn't go unnoticed by Maya or Nadir. Hours later after everyone had gone off to bed Christine was still in the living room admiring the Christmas tree. Erik left Nadir and went over to Christine sitting on the sofa. She slowly looked up at him. "We haven't spoken all night." She said.
Erik chuckled a little. "I know. Why don't we remedy that?" He said stretching out his hand. She smiled and took it. Erik led her out to the gardens neither knowing about Maya and Nadir watching them until they disappeared behind the bushes. Erik studied her as she admired the roses and noticed she had no shoes on and laughed.
She turned to him "What?"
"It's just that, you look like a fairy tale." He said making her blush. "Then, I look at your feet." She laughed.
"I told you I don't fit into high class." He laughed, but stopped seeing her smile slowly vanish. She turned away. "I was never meant to be anyone of importance."
Erik sighed and came up to her. "You're important to me." He said and she slowly looked at him. "And I mean that." He walked a little closer. "I never thought I would ever meet someone like you. Someone that I'm honest with whether I like it nor not. After Italy I never thought," He stopped and laughed a little taking her hands. "Until you. You are my fairy tale Christine. You're my bare foot Cinderella." He said laughing. Erik reached into his pocket. "I don't want to imagine life without you Christine. I don't want to imagine Paris without you." He got down on his knee and pulled out a ring. Christine was struck in awe. "Marry me?" He asked.
All she could do was stare at him. She stuttered and try to find words any words, but the ones that came out weren't all expected. "Are you sure?" She asked.
Erik smiled and almost laughed. "Yes, yes I'm absolutely a hundred percent sure Christine." He replied.
Christine smiled down at him and nodded. "Yes." She whispered. "Yes." She said louder laughing. "Yes!" She yelled as he got up and she kissed him. "And I would say it a thousand more times if I could." Erik took her hand and slid the ring on her finger, then the clock in the house struck midnight. "Merry Christmas Erik."
He smiled. "Merry Christmas Christine." Then they kissed again.