MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 36
Christine covered her gaping mouth with her hand and almost shed tears of joy. The dress was prefect…in every way.
"It's made of chiffon, so the material is light and breezy – allowing you to move freely…." Evie was circling her with proud eyes, "…you'll notice the halter bodice that pulls around your neck…" Christine turned slightly in the mirror to concentrate on her back, "…these same straps loop and cross in the back, securing the dress."
Christine was in complete awe of the dress, it was everything she wanted it to be, and more.
"It has a mermaid skirt with a sweep train and the color is diamond white."
Evie stood back and enjoyed the vision before her. Christine's deep auburn tresses accented the dress perfectly, as did her very feminine curves.
"Oh Evie…it's perfect…"
Christine's face had a look of utter joy all over it and Meg and Evie knew that she was very pleased with the results.
"I told you it was taken care of." Meg teased.
"Yes…yes you did."
They hung the dress up with its protective covering and then sat down and had some hot chocolate.
"By the way, little sister, Erik LOVES hot chocolate…so just be ready for his demands."
Christine smiled provocatively over the rim of the cup.
"Believe me; I am ready for his demands."
That said, the girls all made whooping noises, clanked cups, said "cheers", and continued to enjoy the evening.
♫♫♫
Meg and Rafe left the next morning. He had already taken over in Sam's place and he seemed to know his job fully and completely.
School remained a priority, filling her days with activity and the love she had for her students.
"You're off in la la land, my love…what are you thinking?"
They sat in central park enjoying the beauty that was New York, if one just took the time to see it.
Christine lifted her eyes from the small lake and looked into the eyes of the man she loved with all her heart.
"I was just thinking about how wonderful it's going to be to be your wife."
Erik sidled up to her and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
"It's I who am blessed…" he leaned in and placed a gentle, lingering kiss on her forehead. "…and don't argue."
He pointed his finger at her and feigned authority; which only succeeded in making her giggle.
"So, did you find your dress?"
"Oh yes! Evie designed the most exquisitely simple, but elegant dress…Erik, I've never seen anything so perfect!"
He chuckled at her enthusiasm, "Yes, she has a way of doing that…just taking matters into her own hands – never mind the consequences…"
He was pretending to be upset, but Christine saw straight through him.
"Don't even try it, Mister…you're just like her, except you may be a bit less impetuous."
He looked stunned and then shrugged his shoulders and conceded, "We may be a bit impetuous, but life will never be boring with the Argeneau twins around."
The air was getting chilly and the sun was going down, so they walked – arm in arm – to where Erik had parked his car.
"Christine, I found us a house…about fifteen miles due north of the city…."
Christine looked at this profile as he drove, his mask was secured firmly to his face – and although she understood his need to wear it – she still preferred his uncovered features.
"It's not huge, as you requested, but there is plenty of room for expansion."
She knew he referred to children and the thought brought a smile to her face. She wanted children, and was eager to get started on that…she wasn't getting any younger.
"I mean…I know we haven't discussed it…" he chanced looking at her for a few seconds. "…but I do want children, at least two."
Her warm fingers curled around the hand that rested in his lap, and a calm came over him.
"Two is a great number, Erik…but four is even better…" she gently teased the outline of his ear with her fingers, causing Erik to squirm – just a little bit – in his seat. "…four beautiful babies that look just like you."
Erik laughed as they pulled in front of her house and parked.
"If you want beautiful children, my angel, they'll look like you."
Christine scoffed and then swatted his arm playfully, "Stop it, you're beautiful…and everyone sees it but you."
He tweaked her nose and then pulled his coat around him, preventing the rain that had started falling from getting his clothes all wet.
"Why don't you come up for some tea?"
Erik considered her offer, and everything in him desired what she offered…but….
"Angel, you know how hard it is to have you in my arms at this point and know that in four days…I don't have to let you go…." He bent his tall frame and placed an anticipated kiss on her puckered lips, "…but now, I do; and being up there with you and engaging in some mind-boggling, toe-curling kissing will only make things more difficult."
Christine understood and smiled – she didn't think there could possibly be another man as chivalrous and controlled as Erik.
"I'll call you when I get home."
Erik kissed her one final time, and then ran toward his car with eager steps; the rain was really coming down.
♫♫♫
Evie and Meg were congregating on the couch of their hotel room. Rafe was in the room next door – sound asleep.
The photo shoot had gone well and Evie's designs were once again the rave about town. They had ordered Chinese take-out and were enjoying a quiet evening before they headed home tomorrow morning.
"Meg, I know that you and Rafe have made plans to marry…why didn't you tell me?"
Meg shrugged her shoulders and ate her chow mien noodles; she didn't answer quickly, but quietly contemplated over the best words to use.
"I don't know, Evie…I just didn't want you to think that I was going to put my career on hold for marriage…that isn't what Rafe wants."
"I know that, Meg…I know what kind of man Rafe is."
Evie chuckled lightly when Meg lifted her brows and stared at her with curious eyes.
"He's already made it known that he supports you – one hundred percent – in your career endeavors; he's taken on the responsibility of being your agent – and he will soon be your husband…." Evie smiled and jabbed her fork into the box of pepper steak, "…I know what he wants for you, Meg, and he is doing everything in his power to make it happen."
The younger woman dropped her eyes and put her food down on the end table beside the couch.
"He's a good man – too good for me at times."
Evie scoffed and shook her head.
"There is no such thing; what happened in your past was out of your hands…you know this..." she lifted Meg's chin and smiled, "…I know what you're worried about and don't…it will come and you'll be ready for it when it does."
Meg finally giggled lightly and Evie saw the change in her blue eyes.
"He said he has confidence in his masculine wiles….isn't that adorable?"
"Believe me, they do exist…Julius and Erik both have them down to an art form."
Evie closed her eyes and reflected on the man she loved with every fiber of her being. There was news to pass to him as soon as she got home…news that would change their lives – for the better.
"How long have you and Julius been married?"
"Six and half years…and they haven't all been sugar and spice…" Evie dropped her eyes and turned her head toward the balcony door. "…I fought with Julius over his decision to give up his law firm and follow me around the world. I didn't want him to give up his dream.
"But, as men are in the habit of doing, he didn't listen to me and did it anyway. He decided to help Erik with his business and his ambitions – they became fast friends and I am so thankful for that.
"Julius was a Godsend to Erik when Loraine was killed, and the events that followed, and has kept him sane for all these years. I have disputed with him over his soft approach to Erik's darker side – I didn't want to stand by and watch my brother sink into a black hole.
"We argued almost every night for about a year, as Erik became a virtual stranger to me. I was jealous of Julius' carefree friendship with Erik and I wanted my brother back. Eventually, Julius' insistent and quiet approach broke through and Erik began recovering – at least as much as he could at the time."
Evie wiped away a few tears that had strayed down her cheeks.
"It took Julius a little while to realize that I was hurting, too – Loraine had been my best friend for a couple of years and she had been his sister – well, half-sister, anyway.
"They shared a mother. Julius' father died when he was five and his mother remarried a year later…Loraine was the quick and precious result of that union."
Evie reached out to Meg with her green eyes and her aching heart.
"Marriage isn't perfect, Meg – you can't expect it to be, and neither does Rafe. There will be roads that suddenly appear out of nowhere and you have decide whether to go down them or not – when you do – you must face the highs and the lows with equal fervor and determination; they both have lessons within them that will equip you for future highs and lows.
"Intimacy will come and you'll decide together when the time is right – Rafe is willing to wait, allow him that privilege - and when it happens – it will be all the sweeter because of it."
Meg embraced her with fervor and they shared a few more tears. They were both anxious to get back and enjoy the events leading up to Erik and Christine's wedding - and the wedding itself. It was going to be simple – but beautiful.
TBC