Thank you everybody for all your reviews on the last chapter! It is highly appreciated… This chapter will be short, but there will be phluph… sorta.
"All right, Christine," Erik said, leaning forward and setting his empty mug on the table. I sighed nervously and smoothed my skirt out.
"I want a future with you, Erik, but I don't know if I can with-"
"With my face?" Erik said somberly.
"No... Without you letting me see it," I confessed. "I can't marry someone without truly knowing them."
"You've seen it already, Christine," Erik said painfully, "Twice."
"But not with your consent. I don't want to disrespect you like that again. And if you aren't ready to show me, then I'll wait, but not forever." I stared down at my skirts, and it was quiet in the house for nigh on an hour.
During that hour, Erik and I sat in silence, I in patient waiting, and he in utter turmoil. I rubbed his back gently for a time, and then I held his hand, all without reaction on his part. He just sat there somberly thinking, and digging deep within himself.
"Do it," Erik said tremulously. "Take it off, Christine," he whispered. He turned to face me very slowly, and his eyes were screwed shut. I looked at him tenderly and touched both sides of his face delicately—masked and unmasked. I found the top of the white, porcelain false-face and peeled it off gently.
My breath hitched slightly when I saw his face, but I touched the uneven terrain of his disfigurement lovingly. I was overcome with a sudden urge, and I leaned forward slowly and kissed his disfigurement in different places: his cheek bone, his temple, and just above his missing nose.
Erik began to tremble. "Oh, Christine," he murmured, "Thank you."
He hugged me for a few moments, rocking back and forth, and then sank down off the couch and onto one knee.
Again, I'm sorry this was sooooo short, but I hope the happy/tenseness of it makes up for that… Please hit the review button, and I'd love thoughts on what you'd like the proposal to be like. Input is welcomed! And don't forget to review. The more people review, the sooner the next chapter comes out. There's a direct correlation there. And I know that more people are reading this than review. I see things. I know that there are probably about 20 people reading this story. So, if you want Erik to propose and not have it to your satisfaction, hit the review button.