Christine awoke to a soft tap at her door. Her head still throbbed from all the crying when she sat up and called out, "Erik?"
The door swung open, "No, It's just me my dear," Marie said. She carried a tray before her with a plate of food. She pushed the door shut behind her with her heel and set the tray down on the dresser with a clink of the china. "How are you feeling?"
Christine ignored her question as she pushed the hair from her eyes, "Is Erik back?"
Marie shook her head as she opened the curtains for her. "I haven't seen either of them before you ask about Raoul too."
Christine bowed her head and folded her hands together. "Do you think he will come back?"
"Well, if I know anything of men, he probably went off somewhere to nurse his hurt into a bottle, but considering the hour at which he left, it doesn't surprise me he didn't return to seek his bed yet."
"I hope he's alright," Christine worried. Her stomach rumbled as she smelled the food Marie brought up to her and she realized she had not eaten a bite since the picnic lunch she and Erik shared yesterday.
Marie propped the pillows up behind Christine so she could sit more comfortably while she ate, then brought the tray over to her lap and uncovered a plate of eggs, sausage and biscuits with jam.
"Thank you," Christine told her politely. She still didn't have the stomach emotionally to eat, but her body told her otherwise and she dove right into the food.
"After you are finished with your breakfast, come downstairs and have a bath. It will make you feel better, and then if you wish, you may come out with me to run errands. It will do you good instead of sitting around here thinking about things." Marie finished tidying up the room while Christine finished her breakfast then left to go start cleaning the other rooms downstairs.
Christine sat and munched on her biscuits after adding a liberal amount of jam to them. She felt better after eating something, but she felt dirty. She still had on the same clothing from yesterday that she had worn when she trained with Erik; when he removed her barrier to her chest and suckled her breasts hungrily. The memory lit up her face with the heat of desire then sadness smothered her as she realized that unless Erik returned, she would never again feel his lips on her skin. She finished her breakfast and wiped her mouth on the soft cloth napkin, then gathered up clean undergarments and another of the new and beautiful dresses Erik purchased for her.
Marie's maid was finishing drawing her bath when Christine went down to it. She glared at the woman, wishing she could slap the mouth that had betrayed information to Raoul about her supposed activities with Erik in her bedroom. The woman knew what she had done and exited the small room quickly, leaving Christine before the steaming tub. She sank into its deep water grateful for the healing heat to ease her sore muscles and tired mind. Her stomach was an anxious knot, not knowing whether Erik would come back or not. She knew how much she hurt him and regretted everything that she had done. Christine prayed he would be able to forgive her.
After bathing, she dried her hair on a towel and rang for the maid to help her dress. A glimpse out the window told her to expect rain later that day and she was tempted to return to her room for a different dress, but she felt the need to feel beautiful today. It bolstered her self confidence when she knew she looked good. After the maid left, Christine took out her knife from the pile of soiled clothing and lifted her sleeve to tie it on. She smiled and touched it thinking of Erik before she slid her sleeve back down to cover it. It surprised her how much a simple object could make her feel so bold.
When she returned to the great room to return upstairs to retrieve her cloak, she saw him standing there. Erik stood in the middle of the room by the fireplace. He had washed and dressed impeccably in a grey morning suit, his hair slicked back to his skull, and he wore his thin flesh-toned calfskin mask. Christine's breath held in her throat as she approached him. His posture did not reveal his temperament and she was apprehensive, waiting for him to speak. Her stomach turned to knots in the silence. After a moment, he gestured with a finger for her to follow him outside to the garden. With lead feet, she followed, knowing with a heavy heart that he was probably going to say goodbye; he was already dressed and had no doubt packed his belongings while she bathed. She felt she could no longer support her own body and slumped down onto the stone bench.
Erik faced her, "Christine," his voice barely above a whisper. He fell to his knees, "Will you forgive me for how I treated you last night?"
Christine was confused. "How you treated me?" she pondered. "There's nothing to forgive. I am the one at fault, Erik." She bade him to rise but he shook his head and remained as he was.
"I was hurt, so terribly by what Raoul said; by what you did," he shook his head. "I didn't want to believe you, but I know you are telling the truth."
Christine felt tears sting her already irritated eyes once more.
"I believe you," Erik said simply. "I know you love him, but you have been by my side regardless. I understand it is not the same love he feels for you." Erik nearly choked on the word 'love' but he managed to continue, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I was foolish for leaving you last night, but I didn't want to say anything to hurt you more." He reached for her hand, "Please Christine, forgive me. I forgive you."
Christine could not find her voice. Overwhelming relief at his words caused her to swoon. "Oh, Erik!" she cried and fell on her knees and into his arms. He gathered her up into his, feeling his immense love for this creature return in full force. Of course he forgave her for hurting him. Isn't that what people who loved each other did after a falling out?
She was suddenly kissing him, using her lips to say every word her voice could not bear to say. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Forgive me please. His mouth and tongue claimed hers over and over in a frenzy as the passionate force of her acceptance astounded him. Christine gripped the back of his neck, feeling the softness of his hair in her grasp as she pressed her lips to his deeper, exploring his mouth with her tongue.
She broke the kiss to catch her breath, pressing her forehead to his. She looked him in the eyes, so close were they that she saw her reflection in them. With a delicate caress she held his face in her palm and whispered, "I love you Erik."
Erik's eyes closed and he knew he had lived his whole lifetime for this very moment. Her voice rang sweetly in his ears with her confession. "Oh Christine," he breathed, "I love you so much." His lips held hers once more and he clutched her to him tightly. He broke the kiss and simply hugged her there on their knees in that garden. His mask brushed against her hair and his eyes squeezed a teardrop from them as his sudden realization of happiness came crashing down upon him. He felt lighter than air with elation, so much that he nearly forgot to breath.
Christine clutched him close, knowing with a certainty like no other that when she spoke those words, none had ever been truer. She repeated it to him, "I'm in love you. I've always loved you."
Very suddenly Erik stood and lifted her with him in a display of incredible strength that for him seemed effortless. He spun her around in circles, laughing in his euphoria. He set her down letting her slippered feet touch the grass beneath them, then ushered her back onto the stone bench.
"Christine," he began as he knelt down in front of her with tears shining in his eyes. "Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man who ever lived? Will you be my wife?" He almost fumbled in drawing a small box from his pocket, then held it up before her and slowly opened it. There, nestled inside the satin was a tiny ring; a single clear diamond encased in a filigree netting of white gold surrounded by the bluest sapphires she had ever seen.
Christine's heart overflowed and filled her up so she was unable to speak. She bobbed her head yes as the smile broke out over her face and tears of joy spilled down her cheeks. "Yes!" she finally shouted.
With trembling hands, Erik took the ring from the box and slid it onto Christine's slender finger. She jumped off the bench into his arms as he stood and held him so close to her that they seemed as one creature, breathing their impassioned exhilaration. Their mouths met again and they kissed enthusiastically.
Erik never knew it was possible to feel this much love for any one thing in the world. "I love you, my Christine. My fiancée," his mouth turned up into a smile at the words he spoke.
"I love you too," Christine repeated, loving the sound of that title.
"You're mine now," Erik whispered possessively. "Mine to have for always, my love."
"I love the sound of that," was her soft reply.