.

Why the early post? You have fisheep423 and all my readers from China to thank for this one. It is my way of saying thank you for their readership and perhaps a slight bribe to tempt them into reviewing...hee hee. So enjoy!

.

Guest Reviews

.

Melstrife: Oh no, out comes the frying pan again! Well, Erik deserves it. I think Christine did a pretty good job of making him think long and hard about that kiss while he is hunting! Oh good idea...use the frying pan on Joseph! Nice guesses as to how Erik got injured. You will see if you are right later. You know we could have an easier kind of conversation if you would just get an account and sign in, ha ha. Looks like both you and I will not be going to the 'ball', us poor Cinderellas. :( As for your dark suggestion of Erik's wounds being self inflicted...nope, couldn't be farther from the truth. Oh and you asked why sometimes the guest reviews don't show up right away? ...well, that is because I am lazy. Your wonderful reviews come directly to my mail box and I read each and every one of them right away. But unless I physically go into my FF account and click on the "send up to the site" button, all guest reviews are held back for two days until they automatically get sent up. I guess I need to be more pro-active in doing that. I really do appreciate every guest review I get! REALLY!

Guest: I am glad you think so and I thank you for your kind words.

.

Now lets see what Christine will do once Erik is off hunting. What COULD she find to occupy her time...what could it be? hee hee.

.

Chapter 21

.

.

Christine stood there for quite some time, even after they were long gone, thinking about what had just transpired between her and Erik. Little by little she found herself not only learning to trust him…but to care for him as well. Yes he had his oddities, the mask and his aversion to baring his flesh to her being at the top of her list. Yet even with that, Christine knew she was developing feelings for her husband. She had not expected this when they had wed, thinking that she would be bound to a loveless marriage, one of loneliness and solitude – and at the time that idea had almost appealed to her. But now…now she wanted more and it appeared that Erik was willing to give it to her, if she only asked.

She looked down and watched as Robert and Amy ran around in front of her, having grown bored with her silent contemplations and were now chasing a little white butterfly. Christine could no longer imagine her life without Erik and his two amazing children, the very notion now inconceivable. She had miraculously found happiness here, a sense of purpose…a home. However, thus far, it remained a surface joy. Yet with the speaking of a few words Christine knew she could have so much more. Many married couples had managed to find love, even those brought together under similar circumstances as she and Erik. Amir's parents being an example of this. Why couldn't she have that as well? Why couldn't her feelings grow and blossom into deep affection, resulting in not only her own happiness, but perhaps offering Erik a measure of joy as well. Yes, she would take this time apart to build up her courage and when he returned, she would inform him of her decision – that she would like to become his wife in every sense of the word.

"Christine," Robert's voice broke through her thoughts. "Can we go see the horses again? Can we please?"

"Yes, we can," she smiled, making the boy jump for joy. "But first we must all go in and eat breakfast or Madam Giry will be cross with us."

This delay was met with some words of complaint but without too much trouble the three of them were soon seated around the dining table, enjoying a morning feast. Christine did her best to lavish the children with her full attention, realizing that in Erik's absence, she was now their primary caregiver and role model. She never wanted them to doubt her love and commitment to them, to always know they were accepted and wanted by her, just like their father.

After they were finished eating Robert immediately reminded her of the promise she had made to go see the horses, and so out they went. While Amy was still pleased with the novelty of the large animals, it was obvious that little Robert was now obsessed. He asked so many questions about the horses, many of them Christine had to admit not knowing the answer to, proving that this was not a subject he would quickly tire of. She found that she hoped Erik would indeed see fit to get the boy his own horse as soon as possible, for until then Christine feared there would be no peace at Summercrest.

They spent most of an hour in the stables, petting Angel and feeding her handfuls of oats before Amy got bored and insisted they do something else. Robert protested, saying she could leave but he intended to stay, which almost caused an argument to ensue. Christine was able to step in and offer a compromise, suggesting they search out other forms of entertainment with the promise to come back once more to watch the horses get fed their evening meal. This pleased Robert very much and he was then quite amiable to exit the stables.

However as they were leaving Christine was brought up short by the sight of Joseph entering through the two large doors, his arms laden down by the saddle he was carrying. She had purposefully been avoiding this man ever since the arrival of Angel and she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand straight on end as he drew near.

"Well this is a rare treat, indeed," he drawled, his yellow teeth showing as he gave her that unnerving smile of his. "What brings the mistress of the house here to the stables while the master is away?"

Christine felt ice run through her veins at the sound of his voice, as well as the way he had purposefully mentioned the absence of Erik, putting her on edge. Without realizing that she was doing it, she gently pushed the two children behind her, the protective instinct of a mother bear defending her cubs coming to the fore. But not sensing the danger like she did, Robert side stepped her urgings and spoke up boldly.

"We came to visit the horses," he told the man, seeing no reason for him to be wary of a servant hired by his father.

"Did you now," Joseph asked, looking down at the boy with a measure of surprise and curiosity. "And who might you be, young fella?"

Christine placed her hand on Roberts shoulder, doing her best to pull him back without appearing alarmed – even if she was. Yet the boy would not be silenced.

"I am Robert," he replied proudly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Robert," Joseph nodded, then turned to the little girl who had the good sense to be hiding behind Christine's skirts in the presence of the questionable man. "And what is your name, little miss?"

Amy never had a chance to respond, for at the utterance of the man's last words Christine suddenly became very light headed, everything began to spin and she felt as if she were about to faint. She did her best to not let it show but her vision began to narrow and all she could hear was a loud ringing in her ears. Moments before she felt her knees give way she reached behind her and grabbed hold of the first thing she could find to steady herself. As if from a distance she could faintly hear both Amy and Robert calling her name, their tone revealing deep concern for her sudden turn in health. Yet out of nowhere, a pair of hands grabbed hold of her, offering the stability she needed to remain standing. But the idea that those hands might belong to Joseph made Christine desperately fight her way back to lucidity.

"My lady, are you not feeling well?" the voice of the one holding her up asked, pulling her attention towards his face. When she was able to focus at last, she saw that it was not Joseph holding her after all…it was Peter. "Do you wish for me to go fetch one of the ladies from the house to assist you?"

"No…no, I am fine," she assured him, her vision returning to normal and the ringing in her ears beginning to fade. Joseph was still there, standing in front of her with an even more quizzical look on his face, the saddle still in his hands. Peter had come from nowhere and saved her from taking a fall. When she was feeling better Christine would make a point of thanking him properly but right now all she wanted to do was get out of there as fast as she could. "I must have become overheated is all," she lied, doing her best to regain her composure. "Once I am back out in the fresh air I will be just fine."

"Would you like me to escort you, my lady?" Peter persisted, the genuine concern in his eyes was touching.

"Thank you again, but no," by now she was feeling much better, the young man's presence being just the buffer she needed to stem the tide of unease she had been feeling. She looked down at the children and took their hands, willing them to follow her. "Come, I think we spoke of taking a walk in the gardens?" And with a final nod of thanks to Peter, they left the stables and her unease behind.

The further away they got, the better she felt, until whatever it was that had caused her to become faint was just an unpleasant memory. Thankfully the children were an easy distraction and soon she was laughing once more, enjoying the day and their company. Their stroll took them towards the walled-in garden Erik had showed her a few days ago and she was eager to share it with Robert and Amy. As expected the children were fascinated by the fairy tale garden with all the little stone statues and especially the rope swing. She of course forbid them to use it, showing them that it was far too old and would not hold even their slight weight should they attempt to sit on it. But their interest in the garden gave her an idea. Leaving the two children to safely explore, she exited the garden and looked around, quickly spotting one of the gardeners pruning nearby. Calling him over she took him back inside and began the long conversation needed to ascertain what could be done to fix up the neglected area.

Within no time the one man had called in some of his associates and they began to clear out much of the dead brush and overgrown weeds. Robert and Amy entertained themselves with scraping off moss and leaves from the stone rabbits and mushrooms that were scattered around for decoration. Each time a new little figurine was found, the two children would squeal with glee and quickly clean it off. This went on for some time before the children lost interest and wished to do something else, leaving the three gardeners to continue their work undisturbed. They promised they would have the dead things removed as well as the rope swing replaced by the following day, also agreeing to locate some flower bulbs at Christine's request. She had always enjoyed gardening and thought perhaps allowing the children to plant them personally could foster the same love for growing things in them. With the promise to return the next morning, Christine took the children and headed back inside the manor, wondering what she might entertain them with next.

Once inside Madam Giry informed her that lunch was almost ready and Christine asked that it be brought to the children's room since both of them were showing signs of needing a nap. Despite their adamant insistence that neither one was the least bit sleepy, once their tummies were full, they both settled in quite peacefully for their afternoon rest.

While they slept, Christine sought out Madam Giry in hopes of discussing the following evening's dinner plans with her. Christine wanted to have a special meal prepared for the victorious hunters when they returned. While she did not doubt that Erik and Amir would acquire the desired game, she was uncertain if they would be able to partake of the meat so soon. Didn't such large prey need to be properly hung and then butchered? As a result, one of the servants was sent to the market to fetch a wild turkey; a meal that Madam Giry insisted would be fit for the conquering heroes.

Before she knew it, the children had risen from their nap and were once again looking to her for entertainment. Since both of them knew very little about the house, much like Christine herself, they found her suggestion to go exploring very intriguing. While Christine knew the one place that she would like nothing more than to poke her nose around, she instead let the children choose the direction of their adventure. Several rooms in the west wing fell victim to their investigation and yet failed to turn up anything of interest. It was not till they passed the stairs that led to the attic that Christine chose to steer the children in a direction she desired. Erik had not shown her the area when he was giving her the tour but neither did he forbid her to go there. He had only sited dust and clutter as the reasons to avoid the area and a little mess did not frighten her. So after locating an oil lamp, the three made their way up and pushed open the creaky old door, peering inside.

Erik had been correct, the place certainly had been neglected, with dust and cobwebs on every surface and corner. This did not deter the children however, as they scampered forward, looking at objects and pulling sheets off of long forgotten boxes and furniture.

When Christine discovered an ornate floor length mirror in the corner she took a moment to examine her reflections. Was it her imagination or did she appear to have matured since she last gazed upon her entire form? She wondered if Erik would mind her bringing the mirror down and placing it in their room, wondering why such a fine piece was hidden away in the attic. It then occurred to her that she knew of only two other mirrors in the whole house. There was a small one in their bathing room while the second hung over her dressing table. Yet nowhere could she recall seeing a full length one and upon further contemplation, the reason became painfully clear. Erik did not care for his appearance. While he was always impeccably dressed, his hair neat and tidy and obviously no stranger to soap and water, her husband did not enjoy looking at himself. Neither did he appear to want anyone else to stare at him either. His almost panicked state when she had felt the scar beneath his shirt that morning had attested to this. No, she would not ask Erik if the mirror could be placed in their room, she did not want to upset him further on the subject.

"Christine, come look!" Robert called from behind her, causing her to cover the mirror once again with a heavy sigh.

When she made her way over to where the boy stood she could see what it was that had him so excited. It was a large painting, the people depicted upon the canvas were almost life size. There was no doubt in Christine's mind of who she was looking at, the resemblance made it quite clear.

"Who are they?" Amy asked, tilting her head a bit as she studied the painting.

"It would appear to be your father when he was much younger and the two others are his mother and father – your grandparents," Christine informed them, reaching out to brush away some of the cobwebs that covered the work of art.

"That's Papa?" Robert asked in shock, obviously surprised at the notion that their father had ever been anything but the imposing figure he was now.

"Yes, once upon a time he was young just like you," Christine laughed, thinking that he looked to be eight or nine in the painting.

"But…where is his mask?" Amy inquired, never having known her father to be without it.

"He…he apparently did not wear one when he was younger," was all Christine could think to say. And it was true, for the boy in the painting had no facial defect, no scars or reason to hide behind a mask. Had Erik not said that an accident had occurred about four years ago, leaving him dependent on the leather covering in order to interact with others without shame? Squinting her eyes, Christine tried to imagine what this little boy might look like all grown up. Granted he shared some characteristics with his father, the dark hair, the same build perhaps but if truth be told, he seemed to favor his mother in looks. Especially the most noticeable feature…those captivating golden eyes. As Christine studied the regal looking woman standing behind her son, her hands placed lovingly on his shoulders, she could see why Erik remembered her with fondness. Her kindness and gentle spirit practically leapt off the canvas, making Christine very sad that she never had the opportunity to make her acquaintance. Where his father looked as stern and unapproachable as he had been in person, Erik's mother was all goodness and light. Her beautiful blond hair was coiled up in an elegant coif, her dress spoke of her flair for fashion and her smile gave evidence that she had loved to laugh. Yes she could certainly see why Erik missed her.

While Christine has been standing there examining the portrait, the children had continued to explore and soon they found something that once more prompted them to call out to her.

"Christine, can I have this?" Robert's little voice rang out, excitement bubbling over in his question.

"What is it?" she asked, turning away from the painting to look at him.

"A horse!" the boy cried, holding up a masterfully carved representation of the animal. "Can I keep it, please?"

Christine reached out and took the toy from him, turning it over in her hands as she inspected it. It seemed safe enough, no sharp edges he might harm himself on and it did appear to have been made as a child's play thing. Yet there was no way of knowing if it was some heirloom or item of great worth.

"The horse does not belong to me, Robert, so I am really not the one to decide that," she told him, causing his little face to fall in disappointment, prompting her to offer a compromise. "Why don't we take it with us and put it on the shelf in your room, then when your father gets home you can ask him about it."

"Can we ask Papa if I can have this?" Amy also asked, holding out a stuffed rabbit with grey fur and pink ears. This too was found in the same trunk as the toy horse and Christine wondered if it had once been a beloved toy of Erik's as well. The rabbit appeared to be quite worn and obviously well loved, but from the looks of it, the stitching was sound.

"Of course," Christine smiled. "We can take both of them downstairs with us but they are not to be played with until we get permission from your father, is that understood?" She held out her hand and took the stuffed animal from her, tucking them both in the crook of her arm for safe keeping.

"Yes!" Robert and Amy agreed, excited about the prospect of having new toys.

As she watched the children explore a bit more, Christine did her best to imagine what Erik had been like as a child. It was obvious what he had looked like but what had been his temperament? She found herself laughing a bit as she pictured him just like Robert; happy, easily excited and tenacious as a hound when it came to something he wanted. Pretty much the same Erik she knew now, just…smaller.

She was about to inform the children that it was time to go when she heard the door to the attic creak open, alerting her to the fact that they had been caught. She knew she was not defying any of Erik's specific orders but she still could not help but be apprehensive about being discovered up here. Was she now in for a scolding?

"There you are, my lady," the kind voice of Madam Giry called as she came closer. "I had been looking everywhere for you three. Dinner is being served and you know how the cook hates to keep things on the stove too long."

Christine gave a sigh of relief that the older woman did not seem the least bit upset to have found them in the attic. She was glad to see that she had not overstepped her boundaries so soon after Erik's departure.

"We were just doing some exploring," she explained. "But I think we are quite finished for now."

"What have you found there," she asked, pointing at the toys in her arm.

"Robert and Amy discovered these in an old trunk." Christine held them out for her inspection. "I told the children that we must ask their father if they can have them before they are allowed to play with them. Do you think they were his?"

"Hard to say, I never knew the master when he was young," Antoinette confessed. "But I would guess that every little boy had the penchant to play with toys, even one as serious and moody as Master Erik."

Her assessment of him made Christine laugh, trying once again to picture her husband's traits sized down into the body of a child. He must have been a holy terror at times. Looking up at the small window near the pitched ceiling, Christine could see that night had fallen, the full moon and bright stars visible through the glass. She wondered what Erik was doing, was he thinking of her and the children, as they had just been thinking of him? Closing her eyes, she sent out a silent prayer that he might be missing her just as much as she was missing him.

.

.

Erik reclined beside the fire and sipped at the small flask Amir had just handed him. A handful of the men they were hunting with had opted for a night shoot, believing the brightness of the moon would offer a perfect opportunity to bag some more game. Amir had been all for the adventure but Erik had only come along in hopes of distracting his thoughts from Christine. If he had stayed behind at the hunting lodge with the other lords and gentlemen, he was sure he would have been climbing the walls with want to hurry back home. How did other married men do this, leave their wives for days at a time - sometimes weeks - when he felt a day and a half would surely kill him?

"How about handing that back, you have nursed it quite enough," Amir spoke up, reaching for his silver flask that had been in Erik's hand far too long for his liking. He shook it slightly upon retrieval, frowning a bit at how it now sloshed around quite freely.

"How much longer before we get going?" Erik muttered, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the fallen log behind him. This inactivity was once again allowing his mind to wander back to Summercrest and the breathtaking kiss his Christine has sent him off with.

"They are just waiting for the moon to rise over that last hill so we will have more visibility," Amir explained, sitting up and poking the fire before them with a nearby stick. "Just sit back and relax, it won't be long now."

Oh it had already been far too long, Erik thought as he shut his eyes and tried to get comfortable. The ground was too hard and every time he moved he felt a new rock or tree-root poking him in the back. Oh what he wouldn't give to be home right now, in his own bed with his beautiful Christine sleeping beside him. Perhaps he might even wake to find her laying on top of him again, her head resting gently on his chest with his arms securely around her, daring any and all to take her from him. But no, here he was, surrounded by men he hardly knew, out in the woods and miles away from the only person he wanted to see at that moment. This was excruciating!

"Erik?" came the most delicate voice. "Erik, where are you?"

Opening his eyes he scanned the area, searching for the siren who was calling to him.

"Christine?" he answered back, sitting up as he watched her slender form appear from nowhere, exiting from the shadows of the forest like the angel she was. She was dressed all in white, her steps light and easy as she gracefully approached until she was standing directly in front of his prone legs. "What…how did you find me?"

"I listened for the beat of your heart, my love," she whispered to him, easing herself down until she was now kneeling beside him. "It beats in time with mine…it called to me and I followed."

"But this is no place for you, not with all these…"Erik's words were cut off as he looked around, no longer seeing any of the other men, or even Amir. Where had they gone? Had he fallen asleep and they had left to hunt without him? Whatever the reason, he found he did not care, he was only glad they were gone, leaving him and his angelic bride alone at last.

"Are you glad that I am here?" she asked, leaning in a bit as she ran her hand up his leg, ending at mid-thigh, causing him to let out a torturous groan.

"Am I glad…?" he gasped, reaching out and taking hold of her by her forearms and pulling her down until she was resting directly on top of him. "I thought I would die from being without you a minute longer."

"I missed you as well, my dearest," Christine purred, the vibrations transferring to his own body and making him once more moan in pain. And yet this agony was one he hated to see end, and quick as a flash he had spun, pinning her beneath him as he loomed above. He sincerely hoped that the rocks and roots that had plagued him so in the last half hour were not cruelly digging into her sensitive flesh.

"Why are you here, Christine?" he asked, needing to know the answer before he took things too far. "What made you come all this way…why?"

"I needed you to know something," she stated, reaching up with her hand as she caressed his masked cheek, letting her fingers slide up the side of his head and lose themselves in his thick mass of hair. The sensation was unreal and caused Erik to close his eyes, drinking in the feel of her touch. "I needed to tell you that I have made my choice."

Erik took a deep breath and swallowed hard, attempting to remove the lump in his throat before he spoke. "What choice is that, my little daisy?"

"That I wish to be your wife, Erik. Your wife in all things." Her voice was just above a whisper but he heard every wonderful word. "I want to be yours completely and it is my decision…mine alone."

"Oh Christine," he murmured as his lips came down to meet hers, sealing this perfect moment with a long awaited kiss.

"Erik…oh Erik," she crooned as he rained passionate kisses upon her lips, her cheek and then her neck. "Erik…wake up!"

Erik sat straight up, his chest was tight and his breathing was coming in gasps…what had just happened? Where was Christine? He turned his head frantically, searching for his elusive bride but instead he only saw Amir sitting a few feet away, with a ridiculous grin on his face.

"So…" his friend began, as he leaned back on one elbow and crossed his legs at the ankles. "What exactly were you dreaming about just now?"

"I…I was dreaming?" Erik asked, a sinking feeling settling in his gut at the idea that her being there with him had all been a cruel fantasy. For even if her presence had been fabricated by his tired mind, his body still believed it to be fact.

"Well I certainly hope so," Amir returned, his wicked smile never fading. "Otherwise, seeing as I am the only one in your immediate proximity, your words might give me cause for concern. Thankfully, I do not answer to the name Christine." He then sat up and tossed the stick he had been holding into the fire and stared at his masked friend with sympathy. "It would appear, that you are hopelessly in love with your wife."

Once more Erik shot his companion a withering glare for his use of the word. Whether it was true or not, he had long since given up hope on such an idea. It would take a lot more time and convincing to change his mind about it too. Lust he knew, desire he understood, but love? He wished for nothing more than simply that but years of cruel words and looks of disgust – the majority coming from himself – had left him bitter on the subject. And yet…could he? Or more importantly… could she?

"Deny it all you want, Erik," Amir continued. "But if I know nothing else in this world…I know love. And you, my friend, are deep in it!" He might have said more, but there came a collective shout from the other men milling around the camp, announcing the full rise of the moon and thus their departure. Amir stood up and tossed a small bucket of water onto the flames, watching them sputter and die as white smoke rose from the pit. "Come Erik, perhaps the hunt will clear your mind for a bit…yet I highly doubt it."

Erik rose as well, dusting himself off and grabbing his gear. Yes, he would join the hunt, but deep down he knew his friend was right. Nothing was going to drive Christine…or his dream…from his troubled mind tonight.

.

.

Don't you just HATE those dreams you think are real? I know Erik does! Amir is having wayyyyyyy too much fun with all this.

So, do you think Erik IS in love? My money is on YES!

What do you suppose is Joseph's issue...or more to the point, Christine's issue with Joseph?

Do you think Erik will be happy about the whole 'kids in the garden' thing?

So many questions...hopefully the answers will come soon enough.