A/N: HI! I MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH! I wanted to post so many times, but I never got the chance. Currently, I have writer's block, but that's not your problem right now, because I have written sooo much since I last posted, it's ridiculous that I didn't stop and post before I got behind on that! UGH! I hope you can forgive me! Well, HERE IT IS! R&R PLEASE!
Previously:
"Christine! Christine! Look! We're married, see?" He held out the license and suddenly wide-awake, she squealed in delight. She sat up quickly, he picked her up, and they laughed in joy. Erik sat her back down and got in on the other side. He found her hand and kissed her knuckles.
"I know you want a ceremony, so we'll have it later, alright?"
She nodded and tugged his hand so that he was pulled into her embrace. She lifted her head from his shoulder and put her lips to his ear.
She whispered seductively, "You may now kiss the bride."
11. Bittersweet
Erik smiled and Christine adorably bit her bottom lip. He leaned in slowly, again, just a breath away from her awaiting lips. He let his mouth open just a little so he could breathe, but didn't move any further. She inched closer and he retreated, unsure if she would want him. He wanted to kiss her badly, but he was afraid that she would leave him.
Damn it, Erik, just kiss her! NO! Push her away! Tell her to leave now; she will leave you anyway. Who would love a monster like you? Might as well save yourself the pain.
His mind argued with his heart and he looked at her lips, deciding that she would not have agreed to marry him if she didn't want him. He moved in and lifted her head tenderly before tilting his head and inching closer still. He touched his lips to hers, finally, and felt her kiss him back with the same gentleness. Erik soon felt her hands on his face, and tensed when he felt her small fingers slip beneath his mask. He put a hand over his mask to keep it on, and she broke the kiss.
"Erik, no! This mask is another person, another identity. Its face is cold and ruthless, but my Erik has a beautiful face and a beautiful soul. I don't want you to hide from me, I know what is there," She said softly. "When I'm around, you need not wear it." She traced a finger lightly down his masked cheek.
She looked at him, silently pleading. She saw fear and love all tumbled in one inside him…and something else…relief. Erik finally submitted and allowed her to gently, pry the fine leather from his "horrible" visage. (A/N: Remember: this is a Gerik phantom.) As soon as she turned from him, to put the mask on the nightstand, he put his hand on his marred side, terrified without his shield. When will I stop acting like a coward? It's not like she can see it anyway, it's dark and I'm on her right side. When Christine turned back to him, she looked at him sadly, and shook her head. She cautiously reached up to put her left hand on the one hiding his face, making him look at her. She brought his face just inches from hers and cupped the unmarred side, looking directly into his uncovered eye.
"I love you Erik. All of you," She whispered.
She slowly brought his head down to hers again, and closed her eyes as her lips touched his, in the most gentle, yet loving kiss she could give him. She nuzzled her mouth against Erik's, barely touching his lips, as she opened and closed her mouth in butterfly kisses between the nuzzling. His unresponsive lips worried her until she felt him kiss her back in the same way, producing enormous sparks.
Erik was so lost in Christine's kiss that he failed to notice when she slowly took his hand away from his face and put it on her heart, holding it there. It was only when he felt the soft and fast fluttering of her heart, and when she pulled away, lingering over his lips before opening her eyes to see his reaction, did he notice that his hand was somehow removed from his face. He stared wide-eyed at his hand, now entwined with hers, still resting on her heart. He whimpered and she took his head in both hands again, and kissed every inch of his marred side.
He couldn't hold in his tears of joy any longer, and as he cried, he held onto Christine showering kisses onto her chestnut curls and on her porcelain face.
"Oh Christine…My Angel…you will never know how much I love you, for the answer lies in Tongues; words that only God can speak."
Christine's eyes moistened and she whispered back, "Je suis touché, Mon Erik, Mon Pour Toujours Amour!" I am touched, My Erik, My Forever Love!
Erik and Christine held each other for a while longer, just happy to be in the room together. It was a wonderful moment until Christine's body tensed. Erik pulled away, and noticed that she had put an arm between them, cradling her stomach. He looked at her concerned, but leaned down to give her a small kiss. He made her lay back down and covered her with a heavy comforter.
Before he stood up, he couldn't resist tracing her jaw line and placing another kiss on her forehead, a simple act of love. He made to stand, but Christine held onto the lapels of his jacket. He searched her eyes for an answer and she pulled him down closer. She gazed into his eyes and leaned up, barely lifting herself from the pillow, and kissed him again, this time with a slow passion. Erik was shocked at her sudden boldness, but then upon feeling the air change, he kissed her back in the same passionate way.
Christine released the lapels and slid her hands on his shoulders beneath the jacket, pushing it off him. He broke the heated kiss suddenly, and plopped back into his spot beside her, both breathing unevenly.
She was about to say something, when he caught his breath and said softly, "No, Christine. You need more time to heal. You can't even walk yet!"
She frowned, "I haven't even tried! Let me get up and prove you wrong."
Erik chuckled at the thought of her saying 'Told you so!' and agreed to let her try. "Alright, stay right there for a second." He picked up his jacket and hung it on the back of the nearest chair. He went out of the room to retrieve some matches from a shelf built into the wall, and came back. Christine sat up, watching him curiously, while Erik lit some more candles. He turned around and went to her, pealing the comforter off.
She slowly turned so that her legs dangled over the edge. Erik took her hands and put them around his neck, then put his hands at her waist. He hoisted her up and off the bed, gently setting her feet on the floor and not letting go until she told him to. The feel of gravity momentarily disoriented her and she started to shake. She looked at him with confidence and leaned against the bedpost as she regained her balance. Erik backed up, giving her room to walk, but kept his hands outstretched for her.
Christine put her right foot in front very slowly, then shakily, the left. She walked towards him, or rather shuffled, and tried to pick up the normal pace. When she did this, her foot caught on a wrinkle in a rug and she stumbled. She lost her balance and fell forwards, letting out a small shriek. Erik caught her and she clung onto him for dear life.
She looked up at him, expecting him to be gloating in triumph, but instead he was looking at her with deep concern. She suddenly felt very tired and couldn't help but shakily lean against Erik. He swiftly picked her up bridal style and tucked her in, humming softly. She thought that he would be the most wonderful father and husband the world has ever seen. When he was sure that she was comfortable, he took off his boots and shirt then got under the covers. She rolled onto her side so that she was facing him.
"When will we have the ceremony?"
"Whenever we are completely healed."
"Oh. Alright, then!"
She closed her eyes in agreement, and started to lightly rub patterns and rhythms onto his scarred and bandaged chest. She opened them when she accidentally brushed against a wrap.
"I could hear you talk to me sometimes, but I couldn't respond," She said quietly. "That song…was the only thing that really kept me alive. That, and the fact that it was you singing it. I thought, 'If God will let me live, if only for a moment, I will get to see Erik!'"
Erik didn't know how to react to this confession, so he just found her hand and hoped that she did not hear the conversation between him and Mme. Giry about his health. To his relief, she didn't question any topic.
Christine lay there thinking about what it could be that he was hiding. She didn't want to ask about it now, another argument would not be good for her. She turned on her back and rested her hands on her stomach, a dull pain still present.
He sensed her pain with a sixth sense and scooted closer, still facing towards her. He startled her by putting a hand on the ones resting on her abdomen, and entwined their fingers. Such a simple act, yet so very loving. She smiled and opened her eyes, turning her head towards him. She kissed him slowly in return, instead of the quick peck on the cheek or the lips.
When she pulled away, he said casually, "Guess what?"
"What?"
"I love you."
"I love you!"
Soon, they both fell into a deep sleep with dreams, still hand in hand.
A/N: Aww! I loved writing this chapter! I hope you loved this one! It's called bittersweet because it isn't what you thought it would be. Sensually wise. Well, I guess some of it was, but you know what I mean. Oh yeah, and thank you all for being patient and for reviewing! Please review this one! Thanks, and Love you all!
