Chapter 12!! Thanks for the reviews sooo far!!! I'm keeping this in original format of my RP so sorry if there's errors in it! Long I know but I didn't know where a good place was to stop it at!!!
Chapter 12- He's Still Alive?/It Does Matter!
A dark haired, brown eyed beautiful young woman let out a yell in pain as she pushed her last and final push; hearing the baby crying loudly. "It's a baby boy Mrs. de Chagny," she heard the doctor say as she let out a breath of relief. Yes this was Christine Daae, well now Christine de Chagny. The doctor soon handed the child to Christine and when Christine looked down at the child she saw small dark hairs sprouting on his bald little head, but what really caught her attention were the child's eyes, Erik's eyes. "Oh no," Christine said softly to herself as she looked up watching the doctor motion Raoul and Olivia into the room to see the baby.
Olivia had been allowed the day off so that she could see Christine's baby. Boy, was she in for an unpleasant surprise when she sees the baby. Olivia had left a note for Erik since she had to leave early with Raoul and did not want to awaken Erik besides they had yet another argument this week, and it might get worst now once she see that the child is Erik's. Oh well, when she finds out it'll literally put her on the edge.
Raoul was at his wife's side in an instant, hardly listening to the doctor talking as he clutched his wife's hand and obliviously smoothing the boy's hair back. He was nothing but proud; insanely, boastingly proud of this boy with wide, alert eyes and red skin and the dark hair.
"Christine." He whispered this, tears in his eyes. "He's beautiful, Christine. Dear - what's wrong?" he asked, suddenly realizing his wife had reacted negatively upon seeing the child. He examined his first son, seeing nothing immediately wrong. "Is something the matter?"
He turned to Olivia, smiling gently. "He's beautiful, Olivia. Come see him - and ask Christine what's wrong," he added, concerned for his wife and his son.
He was oblivious to the eyes - the eyes of his mortal enemy, the man who had haunted him in dreams.
Olivia came over drinking in every feature about the baby, but once Olivia's bright blue eyes met the boy's eyes her whole body paled. No...No it can't be, Olivia thought her whole body seemed to be froze. Yes the child was beautiful, but it wasn't Raoul's couldn't he see that? "Yes...He is beautiful Raoul, but it's getting late so I'll return to the Opera House visit me whenever Christine gets better," Olivia said in a shaky voice as she gave Raoul a hug, Christine a soft kiss on her cheek and a kiss on the baby's forehead before leaving; heading straight to the Opera House.
"Raoul...Raoul please you must understand..."Christine said in a soft but shaky voice. Suddenly she turned her eyes to Olivia and seeing Olivia that pale made Christine realize Olivia knew something; though being polite Christine didn't say anything about it. "Good bye Olivia have a safe trip back," Christine said trying to give a small smile.
(Right after Olivia left for the Opera Populaire!)
When Olivia was gone Christine let out a sigh looking at Raoul, "Raoul, my darling, look at the baby's eyes who's do they remind you of?"
Raoul beamed at Olivia, not noticing her pale features or her shock. "My son," crooned Raoul, sitting now beside Christine on the bed and looping his arm about her shoulders while his other hand touched the child. He didn't, in all honesty, notice Olivia's leaving. He hardly heard the 'you must understand' issuing from Christine's lips, such was the joy in having a boy. He forced himself to listen to her, however, after Olivia left.
"Who do they ... remind me of?" He was blank for a moment; then such fear and anger as he had never felt rose in his veins. "Christine, you didn't," he thundered, leaping from the bed and from the boy. His hands were shaking. "Oh, God, Christine, please tell me you're just playing a horrible joke. Oh, no, no, no ... No! It can't be his!" he screamed suddenly, flattening his back against the wall as if threatened.
"Raoul please I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen," Christine said her eyes becoming tear stained. "It's just that I did when I was under his control." Christine let out a sigh as she looked down at the child, "The child is his, Raoul's I'm sorry. I though for sure it was going to be yours."
Raoul clenched his fists, trying hard not to strike at the woman in the bed. He ended up having to jam his hands in his pockets and clench them on his legs. "Please," he snarled. "Don't bother with excuses. Don't bother telling me you were under his control. If it were hypnosis he wouldn't still affect you." He was crying now, shaking with grief. "Did you care that little for me? I have done nothing but love you, Christine," he cried, "nothing but love you! This is how you repay me!"
With that he sank back against the wall and covered his face.
Christine opened her mouth but then fell silent. She did love Raoul she did, but still there was that part of her that did somewhat feel love for Erik still. Christine let out a sigh before turning back to Raoul while she breast fed the baby. "Raoul I care so much for you I truly do. You must believe that," Christine said in her soft voice wanting to stand up and hug Raoul but she felt too weak to stand so she just reached her free arm towards him.
Raoul found himself sobbing against the wall, wanting to wake from this horrible nightmare. Hesitantly he gave Christine his hand, no longer able to even look at the child. I did believe it, he told her, his jaw trembling as he valiantly tried to keep his hand in hers.
When Christine felt Raoul's hand she gave it a gentle squeeze. "Raoul please I am sorry. We'll get through this I know we will," Christine said in a soft voice as she handed the baby to the nurse that just walked in then turned back to Raoul. "Raoul it is late and I'm deathly tired, we'll talk about this in the morning. But I want to ask you one thing. Why did Olivia suddenly look pale and sick before she left?"
Raoul nodded his agreement, relieved to see the child go. "Let's get you into a clean bed, then," he told her comfortingly, no longer seeing the woman who'd betrayed the ultimate trust by making love to his worst enemy, but seeing only his wife - his wife who needed attention and care.
"All right Raoul, but I don't think I could move much. This whole thing was very exhausting. And you have yet to answer my question. I am Olivia's aunt now and even though she is older than me I am concerned about her well being. This child had shocked her quite a bit yet you never answered why. Or do you wish to speak of it in the morning?" Christine asked looking up at Raoul as she wrapped her arms around his neck lovingly.
"It's all right, I'll help you." He gently pulled her into his arms, trying to help her stand up. "We'll move you into one of the guest bedrooms for now, until we can get our bed cleaned up."
His face became drawn and pale at her questioning. He took a deep breath, shrugging and trying to smile. "I'll tell you in the morning, my sweet," he said, trying to sound light and nonchalant. "It's nothing to worry you about right now."
"All right Raoul you do not have to tell me at this moment besides I'm really in no mood at all to truly talk or get surprises thrown at me," Christine said softly as she leaned against Raoul to have some support. "You'll sleep with me won't you Raoul? Please say you will," she asked after he told her she was going to be sleeping in a guest room until their room was cleaned. She wanted to sleep with him anyway, with her husband the man she chose over Erik, over her Angel of Music.
Raoul nodded. "I know you're not in the mood, honey. That's why I won't tell you now. It can wait 'till tomorrow, certainly. I will sleep with you," he added, and kissed her forehead gently. "Here, we'll take the one across the hall, my dear." He smoothed her hair back, guiding her across the hall and to the bed. "Just let me get you some clean nightclothes," he whispered, kissing her ear and escaping back into the bedroom.
"Thank you Raoul," Christine said with a smile as she watched him leave the room. Christine sat down on the bed letting out a soft sigh. She was still wondering about Olivia's reaction but Raoul did promise to tell her in the morning so maybe she should wait until then.
Raoul returned quickly in a nightshirt of his own, one of Christine's clean ones over his arm and a pitcher and basin in the other. Wordlessly he sat on the side of the bed and handed it to her. "Do you need help with that?" he asked, smiling honestly at her. "Here, wash your face. I bet you need that."
Christine smiled back at Raoul. "Thank you Raoul, and I think I do need help with it," she said with a nod as she took the cloth and washed her face gently. The water felt good against her sweaty face, making her relax easier. "Yes I did need this," she said about washing her face. When done she began to get dressed not really minded that Raoul was around, they were married after all, plus she did need help with the buttons in the back; which he always does for her anyway.
Raoul moved behind her, doing up the buttons, and then removed the basin and pitcher to the other side of the room. Slowly he lay beside her and gathered her into his arms. "Whatever that child turns out to be - whoever he is - I will always love you," he whispered in her ear, taking in her scent. "I just ... wish you'd have told me, Christine. I wish you'd have told me when you knew that it might have been his ..."
"And I love you Raoul. I kind-of figured it was Erik's earlier on but wasn't sure until I got a full evaluation on the doctor when I was 7 months. I though I was 6 but he told me I'd have been smaller if I was 6 so he said I was probably around 7 to almost 8 months pregnant. I didn't tell you Raoul because even though you are kind and loving to me I thought you would have rejected me and stopped loving me," Christine said with a sigh as she laid her head against the crook of his neck. "I'm glad you have not stopped loving me Raoul even when you found out."
Raoul nodded, digesting her words. Would he have stopped loving her? "I don't ... think I would have rejected you," he said softly. "I think I suspected something had happened between you two - I just didn't know what." For a moment he paused, collecting his words. "I may have been angry but I love you, my dear, far too much to give you up. The question remains, though," he added darkly, "just what role I'll take in raising the child."
"Well...He is my child and the father of the child is most likely dead. Probably doesn't even want a child. Besides we're married. So would you like to raise the son like he was your own?" Christine said in a soft voice love being in Raoul's arms and hoping he would accept the role of being a father to a son that wasn't his.
Raoul was about to correct her when he decided just to leave well enough alone. He nodded, closing his eyes and settling closer to her.
"I don't mind playing the father," he whispered. "I don't think it would be good for a child to hear the kind of background he has. Besides, this whole Phantom thing's nearly blown over already, so it won't matter ... I hope," he added, under his breath.
"Good I'm glad Raoul that you accept to play that role. And yes you are correct on both accounts. He does not need to know of his father's background, and I must say no one is talking all that much about the Phantom anymore," Christine said as she too closed her eyes with a smile still on her face.
"Well, he needs a father." Raoul sighed, pulling the blankets over them both. "What shall we name him?" he asked suddenly, wide-awake. "A family name would be a direct lie, but we can't name him after anything to do with Erik."
"We can name have his last name be Daae...Use my maiden name so it's not yours and we aren't lying to your family or anyone else and it doesn't associate with Erik," Christine suggested, "What are your favorite boys names, Raoul?"
"Well, I guess he could take our name - no sense in cutting off the family line," Raoul chuckled weakly, "and he could carry on the name if nothing else. Still, I meant that he shouldn't use a name like Philippe or Raoul ... because that would sort of be a lie. How about Charles?" he suggested, his eyes opening slightly. "I don't mind Charles."
"Ah I see," Christine said with a nod. When Raoul mentioned the name Christine's brown eyes slowly opened. "Mmmm Charles? That's a wonderful name Charles de Chagny that's what his name will be Raoul. Thank you for such a wonderful choice, my love."
"Charles de Chagny," Raoul whispered, and smiled, settling down closer to her. "We'll have him baptized soon. Christine - " He paused, wincing. "Should we tell Erik?"
The moment that slipped from his lips he realized he had made a mistake - in revealing that not only was Erik not dead, but he had some way of contacting him.
Christine's eyes suddenly went wide. "Raoul? Erik's alive? He can't be alive! They said he was dead...Oh Raoul why didn't you say anything about this when did you find out he was still alive?" Christine asked in a shocked, frightened yet relieved voice a bit.
Raoul sat up, wincing. "Christine, I didn't think it would do anything but concern you. Please, my dear, don't worry about it." He put his arms around her, hoping it would calm her down. "I found out when Olivia went to the Opera," he whispered. "She found him, not me. Please, my dear, you need your sleep."
"Olivia found him?! Oh dear she, she isn't under his spell like I was? Under his tricks?" Christine asked worriedly. She then let out a soft sigh trying to calm down. Her teacher was alive still, her Angel of Music, well he use to be anyway. "I suppose you're right...We'll discuss this in the morning Raoul for sure," Christine said as she moved deeper into his arms liking how comforting they felt.
"She claims she's not." Raoul sighed. "I've seen the way she looks at him ... it's genuine, my dear."
Shit, he screamed inwardly. How much was he going to slip tonight? He hadn't intended to reveal Olivia's feelings for Erik until at least the next morning.
"What? Genuine. Oh Raoul you can't be serious. Olivia can't truly be in love with him. She's only known him for several months. Not enough time at all to know if you truly love someone. Besides no one is able to love Erik even he said so himself!" Christine said feeling a little bit more wide awake.
Raoul felt a strange need to defend the man who had protected and satisfied his niece. "Well, Christine, I think it is genuine," he said slowly, pondering his words as he spoke. "The way she looks at him is ... well, it's something. And with Erik - you feel when you're in his power, remember? I didn't feel that at all. And ... well, maybe he was wrong," he added lamely, unable to fathom just why he was defending his mortal enemy.
"All right Raoul, I'll listen to you about this for now," Christine said with a sigh now feeling far too exhausted again to argue with Raoul. Christine laid her head close to his on her pillow and gave Raoul a weak smile. "Good night Raoul."
"I'm sorry," Raoul told her blankly. "I should have waited and I should have put it more gently. Do you still miss him?" he asked, suddenly unable to leave her alone. "I know you're tired. Christine, I know you need to sleep, but please, just tell me one thing: do you still miss him?"
"Raoul I do miss him yes. But I think more of as a friends, or as him like a father to me. He helped me through my time of grief and for the longest time I thought him as either my Angel of Music or my father's ghost coming to protect me. But that is all Raoul nothing more and nothing less," Christine said in a soft voice looking at Raoul hoping he understood.
"Nothing more and nothing less," Raoul agreed, gently smoothing her hair back from her face. "I believe you, Christine. I'm just concerned that this might be hard for you - to have his child and to have him with our niece." He sighed; how had this whole mess come about? "I'm going to see them tomorrow; I'll tell them what's happened, if Olivia hasn't informed Erik already. We'll figure out what to do about this."
(Happening all during Raoul and Christine's talk together!! All of it!!)
When Olivia got to the Opera Populaire, a couple hours later, she immediate went down to Erik's lair looking pale, sick and above all angry. Oh yes, Erik will surely pay for not telling her about this whole thing, or so she thought.
The sound of someone coming along the passage to his home made Erik jump from his bath, put on his black silk kimono and hurry to the front door. At the first sight of Olivia he calmed somewhat, but when he realized how shaken she was he was on his guard again.
stopping only to put on his mask he rushed out, meeting her at the shore. "What's wrong?" he asked, Christine's child having somehow slipped his mind.
"How could you Erik not even tell me that your relationship with Christine was sooo deep that you just had to make love with each other before marriage?!" was the first thing Olivia said in a loud, anger, and hurt voice when she saw him. She glared, her eyes like daggers, at Erik never ever feeling this much betrayed by him in the whole time she had been down here with him.
For a moment Erik could only stand and stare at her, his mouth gaping. "Olivia -" he began, then took a breath and realized he'd stopped for a moment. "I didn't know it would ever matter!" he bellowed back. How dare she put him on the spot like that! "You don't have any idea what I've gone through - I lived for nearly sixty years without ever touching a living woman! I have to take love as it comes, Olivia, because I never get any. I have lived for twice as long as you, easily, without knowing any love but Christine's, so of course I took it! Did you think I'd refuse? I'm not a clairvoyant," he said, suddenly weary. "I don't want to bother with this. If you can't understand then leave me alone."
With that he turned back into the house, now staggering and weak.
"It does matter Erik because the child Christine had wasn't Raoul's but yours...It matters to me Erik because now you have another opening to Christine once more. Raoul's probably already realized that the child isn't his and he's devastated I bet!" Olivia said following after him but stopped only in the middle of the first room watching him, "Plus Erik...Not saying anything to me about any of this hurts me. It pains me so much that you don't even trust me. You know I love you I say it every single day and still you don't trust me. What more do you want from me Erik?"
"It doesn't matter," Erik insisted. "I don't want a child, I don't need a child, and Christine probably thinks I'm dead by now, anyway! What does it matter?" He whirled, his eyes ablaze with violent anger. "Don't moan and whimper about how I've wronged you, Olivia, there was no way of knowing it would be mine! Do you think I'd rather this than Christine having Raoul's child now? Don't whine about me not trusting you! I didn't think it would matter, not at all!" He forced his hands into ugly fists, keeping them close to his body so as not to reach out and strangle her.
"But you knew...You did know. You asked how far along she was and then you panicked! I finally realized that you knew that nine months before now you had made love to Christine. You realized the child in Christine was going to possibly more likely yours. Yet you still didn't mention a thing to me! Not one thing even when Raoul left! Oh why or why did I get involved with this whole?" she said taking a step back from Erik becoming quite fearful that he might try to hurt her; still though her anger wouldn't die down not just yet anyway.
Erik was at a loss for words. He snarled, stomping into his bedroom.
"I had a suspicion," he said finally, firmly. "Just because I throw a fuck doesn't mean I'm going to get a girl pregnant. I didn't know it would come out like this! I've already told you, I hadn't the faintest idea at the time that I'd ever be touched - ever be loved. So excuse me," he added, blandly, "for not wanting to live past fifty-five as a virgin."
With that he slammed his door.
"Fine be that way! I'm going back up! I don't need this," Olivia yelled as she turned around but she couldn't leave just couldn't. She fell to her knees and began to cry. Her face buried in her hands and sobbing quietly. She suddenly realized all that she had said knowing every word she said had been hateful and cruel.
Still though the jealousy and anger burned in her heart. Of course Christine was married and would probably never dream of returning to Erik but still Olivia feared that. Feared that if Christine came down here right at this very moment and said she wanted to be with him that Erik would chose Christine over her, Olivia.
Erik, in his bedroom, sank to the floor and sobbed softly to himself. He could hear Olivia threatening to leave; when she did he gave a long, loud wail, which sprang unbidden from his throat. It was like the cry of some mighty beast, reduced to dying ashes by the cruelty of man. He wanted just to sink into the floor and die.
At long last he unlocked his door, came out into the main rooms, and slunk to Olivia's side. He wanted nothing more than to be near to her, to hold her. He draped himself across her and clutched her tightly, never wanting to let go. "Please don't leave," he begged, tears slipping down behind the mask. "I need you. Please don't leave. I love you, you're my Angel now. I need you. I'll do anything you want me to."
Olivia's eyes went wide when she felt Erik's arms wrap around her and his body draped across her. What he said made her cry harder but she turned around in his arms burying her head in his chest. "Oh Erik I was utterly cruel by saying that to you. I was cruel since I've been down here I'm so sorry. Just this whole thing made me angry and jealous," she said through her sobs as her own arms wrapped around him so she could hold on to him.
She truly didn't want to leave never but still how long will this whole thing last? Olivia wondered as she stayed in Erik's arms.
He put a finger to her lips. "Shh ... Olivia, it doesn't matter. It was cruel but it doesn't matter now ... you were right. Please, just promise me you won't leave me. If you want ..." He choked on his words but forced them out anyway. "We'll have kids of our own if you want to," he forced, blinking back tears. It didn't matter that he didn't want kids - if it kept Olivia here with him, here at home, he would do it.
Shaking, he crushed her against his body.
Of course she wanted children every woman does, well almost every woman, and she wanted to have Erik's kids. "But you said you don't want children...Erik I don't want to force anything on you especially something you don't want," she said in a shaky voice. Ah yes Erik can create beautiful children Christine's child proves it, but in Olivia's mind she wanted to be the one to have Erik's first child not Christine.
"I'd do anything to keep you with me." He gave her a smile that somehow stopped just short of happy. "Besides, you deserve children." With that he stood, offering her his hand.
"Look, I know it's not proper," Erik said softly, and winced. "But I don't think I can be alone tonight. I'll let you have the bed, if you don't want to stay in it with me - but I need someone with me tonight." He swallowed, again trying to smile.
"Erik you can sleep with me if you want to...I don't mind really I don't," Olivia said as she placed her hand in his and stood up. When she did she looked up at him with her tear stained face and a small smile was starting to form on her lips, but soon it faded. "You know Erik I'm not the type of woman who would make love before marriage. Do not offer me anything Erik take your time with things like marriage besides we have only known each other now for now 7 months. I know I love you and no one else but I need some time before I allow myself to get married. You understand right Erik?" Olivia said this in a soft voice as she bit her lower lip.
Erik smiled, putting his arm around her waist. "I know, Olivia, I know you're not. Don't worry about that." Her next words, however, made him stop still, wincing.
"So I can't propose?" he asked, his face crumpling behind the mask. "I know you need time, but I don't have a lot of that, Olivia. You of all people should know that." His hand went involuntarily to his heart. "How much time do you need," he added, "before we could get married? I know you love me - and I love you too - and I want to show you ... I've ..." He paused, knowing there was no way to say this and sound reasonably intelligent; but it had to be said. "I'm willing to go into a church for the ceremony ... I just need to know when you'll be ready." Damn him and his quavering voice! He sounded like a spoiled, needy child.
"You could propose I wasn't saying you couldn't but we just can't get married right away after we're engaged...Plus, Raoul may not be so keen on the whole idea of us marrying. So maybe just being engage will be calm enough for him. Just we can't rush the wedding part of the whole thing. So maybe we can be engaged for like a month or two before going to the church...Hopefully that'll give me enough time, and Raoul enough time to approve since he has to be the fatherly figure of mine and has to accept the one who wants to marry. But either way if he says no I'll still marry you not really caring about Raoul's word but I do like to be somewhat traditional," she suggested with a smile as she press her hand on top of his that was on his heart, while her other arm was wrapped around his neck.
Erik smiled, assured, and gently kissed her lips. "Good," he whispered. "That's not too long ... I think I'll be able to hold off," he added, and put his arms about her waist, kissing her again, firmly. With that he began to lead her towards his bedroom.
After a moment he spoke again. "Olivia, do you ever worry if I still think about Christine?" He turned to her slowly, licking his lips, and added quickly: "Because I know that ... it'll be strange for you, having my child as your cousin - and that child is Christine's son." He gave a rueful grin, and winced. "I'm sorry to bring all of this up. I know it must be really awkward for you to talk about ..."
He trailed off, opening the door of his bedroom and bowing slightly. "After you, mademoiselle," he told her, but his voice cracked slightly, not the lighthearted effect he was going for at all.
"You better hold off Erik!" she said playfully as she leaned into his kiss. This felt sooo right to be with Erik, to have him kiss her, and yet the thought of going further than the many kisses that they have shared made her slightly nervous. When he spoke though she turned her head towards him. "Well, I do fear that Erik. That you might still be thinking about Christine and imagining it was her you were kissing and not me. Yet, I think I know that you are imagining Christine when I with you. And yes it is strange having your son as my cousin." She let out a long sigh but soon when he opened the door her face lit up in a smile. "Why thank you, Monsieur," she replied as she walked through the door and into the room. "You know I love being here with you Erik." She walked over to the bed and laid down on it looking at Erik with a smile.
As he hunted through his drawers, looking for a lighter cloth mask so he could sleep without frightening her, he replied pensively, "you know, the first time I kissed you I really realized I love you, not her. Do you truly believe I'm still imagining her in your place? Can you believe I don't mean any of this?" He lay beside her momentarily, still fully dressed, and put his arms around her waist before kissing her lips gently, slowly gaining momentum with the kiss. At last he broke away and stood, now going into his wardrobe, having not found the mask yet. "I love having you here," he told her, his tongue poking out to lick his lips again.
"Mmmmm...All right I think the answer to both of your questions Erik are no," she said opening her eyes after he kissed her now her eyes were as dark as a pool of dark blue sapphires. She then turned on her side her arm holding her head up as she watched him with curiosity. "Erik what are you looking for?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Looking for my other mask," he told her, and turned back to her, smiling. "Just so I don't frighten you if you wake up before me ... or in the middle of the night ... it's for the best." With that he went to the bedside table and began to rummage again. "I just can't find it." He turned to her, drinking in the sight of her, captured by her eyes. The sight of them made him draw closer, and he couldn't resist kissing her again, before he pulled himself away and simply clasped her hands.
"Oh I see...That is fine," Olivia said when he mentioned about finding another mask. Soon though she saw him approach her and he kissed her yet again which made her heart soar. When he pulled away a soft sigh of pleasure escaped from her mouth and she felt him clasp her hands. "Do you think you mask is in the living room or the music room Erik?" she asked wanting to suggest a few places that he might have misplaced it in.
"I don't know where it is." Erik sighed, just laying down. "I'll sleep in this one ... it's fine." He smiled, not wanting to mention how uncomfortable it was or ask if he could simply sleep without one. He wrapped his arms about her and kissed the side of her neck gently. Everything about her - her voice, the way she sighed when she was happy, made him shiver with delight, and he reveled in the thought that the woman he loved so dearly would fall asleep in his arms.
She let out a soft giggle when he kissed her neck she was slightly ticklish there and plus just the feel of his lips on her neck made shivers of pleasure run down her spine. "All right, darling, if you're sure," she said smiling as she turned in his arms so that she could look into his mismatched eyes. Olivia was enjoying every moment with Erik and her face and eyes were lit up with happiness. "Raoul said he might come tomorrow to check to make sure I made it back all right maybe we can tell him then about us being engaged and going to get married in a month or two. How does that sound?" Olivia asked hoping Erik wouldn't mind besides it would be easier if Raoul came here instead of Erik going to the de Chagny manor.
Erik, loving the sound of her giggles, kissed her again and again, his lips searching every inch of her skin. "It's better than sleeping without one," he whispered, now stopping and moving so his face was close to hers. He stared into her eyes, his own mismatched ones glowing feebly in the half-light. His thin hand pushed into her hair, running through it as he cherished the heavy locks against his skin.
"Raoul?" Erik sighed; his truce with the boy was an uneasy one and he had a hard time keeping to it, when all he wanted to do was attack the man who had stolen what he had thought was his only chance at happiness. "Ah, I can tolerate it. I'll get something nice prepared for lunch," he suggested.
"All right good...Though I'm not sure how well Raoul will take to this. You know how he can be, but do try to control your temper, Erik. I don't want more blood on your hands then there already is," she said giving him a smile as she kissed him gently moving from his lips to his jaw line, and then pulled away once more. Being with Erik was something she loved, and she knew they'd both be happy once she was permantly down here, living with him as his wife.
"I'll try my best," he promised, and then started. "Oh, right."
Standing up again Erik began to rummage through his drawers. From one he pulled a small box, which was lined inside and out with blue velvet. To make it official he straightened his clothes, mask and wig and knelt by Olivia's side of the bed.
Opening the box he revealed his mother's ring. He could think of no better way to honor this wonderful woman than with the ring that had, apparently, been passed through his family for at least four generations.
"Olivia de Chagny," he whispered, looking up at her with adoring eyes. "Will you become Mme. le Fantome?" He gave a small smile and pulled the ring, with shaking fingers, from the box.
She looked like she was going to break down in tears as he knelt down in front of her. She was smiling still but her eyes were shining with unfallen tears. After he said that she nodded her yes while saying, "Yes Erik I will become Mme. le Fantome." He couldn't have made her any happier than how she felt at this moment.
Tears spilled from his eyes as Erik slid the ring onto her finger, then moved onto the bed and gathered her into his arms.
"Oh, my darling, I love you," he whispered, his lips against her ear. "I'll do anything you need me to - you'll see, I'll brighten up the house, we'll have a proper wedding in a church, we can even have a baby," he added, though he still loathed the idea. "I don't care what Raoul says. I'll be the happiest man alive, and you'll be the happiest woman, I promise you." With that he pulled back for a moment, his eyes still streaming tears, and kissed her firmly on the lips.
"I'll try to be normal," he added. "We'll take walks outside ..."
Olivia kissed Erik back feeling a few tears fall from her eyes and travel down her cheeks. "I know we'll be happy Erik! I just know it. No one in the world will be able to tear us apart," Olivia said with a smile, "And that sounds lovely Erik it truly does. Having a wedding, going on walks, and having a child. All of it, but also I should sacrifice some stuff for you, Erik. Just name anything and I'll try to sacrifice it just for you." She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck on occasion she would kiss him there gently and lovingly.
Erik rocked her gently, beaming through the tears that covered his face. "No one will tear us apart," he agreed, and closed his eyes, sighing contentedly.
"You don't need to do anything for me," he insisted, and then fell into a thoughtful silence. At last he whispered, "do you think - could I perhaps - just perhaps - take off my mask sometimes? When it's dark," he added, hurriedly. "I promise, only when it's dark ... so you can't see me."
"Sure...You can take off your mask sometimes. I don't mind really," she said with a smile as she lifted her face up to look at him. She then closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest. "Mmmmm I don't know why but I feel like I want to sing with you tomorrow. Could we, Erik?" she said now getting somewhat sleepy and soon right after she spoke a yawn came to her.
"Thank you," he whispered, and kissed her forehead gently. "If you wake up and my mask is off it's because this one's not comfortable to sleep in."
He reached over for the candle on his bedside, blew it out, and wrapped his body around her, his hands working through her hair. "Of course we can," Erik murmured to her, somehow not in the least bit tired. He reveled in the delicious weight of her against his body. "I will always make time to sing with you, my darling."
"It's all right Erik, take your mask off if you get uncomfortable in it. And thank you Erik...It's sooo nice to sing with you. You have such a beautiful voice, and you're the one who could truly bring the right emotions out of my voice. The first duet we sang together I imagined I was singing to you truly to you in that way. Those were my true feelings for you those two months ago," she said as she closed her eyes and fell to sleep in his arms loving how he made her feel safe and secure.
Erik sighed contentedly, completely satisfied for once with everything. After making sure she really was asleep he removed his mask, and then his wig, and spent what seemed only moment, but was actually quite some time, examining her face. He had a strange need to know every inch of her, every little imperfection that made her who she was.
At last, feeling content with the knowledge that he would awake with this loving, caring woman in his arms, he curled himself more tightly about his fiancé and fell asleep himself.
R&R!!! Please!!!!!!!