No Backward Glances

by Filhound

It has been more than two decades since the famous disaster. Erik and Christine have relegated one another to the distant past, with ancient anger and resentment towards one another still lingering. Unexpectedly they collide, causing both of them to glance both forward and backward. Will the fires of resentment still consume them? Or can they make peace at last.

37. Chapter 37

A few of you did not comment about the last chapter either I have lost you or you have been as busy as I am. Sorry about the slowdown in updates. They will likely continue for the time being. I have a lot going on right now. Will thank some of you in the next chapter. This chapter is the 'end of the wedding trilogy of chapters. BTW I am likely going to start posting my next story before I end this one. Raoul will be a protagonist along with Erik and Christine. I hope that that fact does not alarm you too much.

Chapter 37.

As the barge floated down the river, the couple enjoyed their new status as a married couple. Erik touched his new bride most gently and lovingly, and she smiled into his adoring green eyes. Both would have remained quite content to let that very moment reign forever. But time never does simply stand still, and not every moment in life can be perfect, at least not as perfect as the one that they were enjoying. Not a single shadow of their earlier discord, particularly that which had resulted from Raoul's incursion into an otherwise perfect wedding, was present to destroy the harmony of that moment. Eventually the barge slowed and then stopped, and the couple quickly re-dressed themselves and prepared to exit. Christine stood on the deck of the barge and stopped for a moment and looked around, taking in the beauty of the picturesque countryside.

The Welsh hills appeared to be closer yet, and Erik confirmed it. "We are near the village of Llanymynech right on the Welsh-English border, the town itself straddles both sides of the border."

"What did you call the town?" Christine asked in amusement.

"'Flani mi nij'. It is a Welsh name. They are a completely different people than the English; they predate them here by hundreds of years. Their language is incomprehensible to most outsiders, although I have learned to speak it." Erik told her. "There are many Welsh speakers in the area, and they are not too fond of the English, although they have lived among one another for more than a thousand years."

Christine laughed, "Is there anything that you don't know Erik?"

Erik smiled sweetly and his silken voice caressed her ears, "How to hate you. I can never do that no matter what sort of effort that I might make to do so."

"Do you wish to make such an effort Erik? I hope not." Christine teased.

"Not anymore. I was never terribly successful at hating you anyhow." Erik admitted. "Even when I saw you again that night my first reaction was that I wanted to take you into my arms, until you screamed."

"Will you ever forget that Erik?" Christine asked playfully.

Erik laughed, "I already have, love. But it doesn't mean that I won't use it against you whenever I can. I need to maintain my edge. A husband must rule over his wife, so I will need all of the tools at my disposal to keep you in line."

Christine slapped him in mock anger, "Is that so? Here I thought that you were so evolved compared to other men."

Erik eyed her lewdly and teased, "I have no choice, my love, and you have bewitched me completely. A man must retain his dignity."

Christine smiled, "There is no one more dignified than you ange, even when you submit to our love. You have never relinquished your power over me; I am in as much awe of you as I was as a girl, probably more so. I have never seen someone transform himself so successfully from a self described outcast to a confident man at the heart of his family. You are the glue that will seal us all together, but you do not need force, just the dynamic nature of your own personality."

The boat docked and Erik reached out an elegant gloved hand to help her descend off of the deck of the barge, he helped her into a very plush waiting carriage, rebuffing a finely dressed servant's attempts to do so. He wanted no man to handle his bride on this day, perhaps he was greedy but it was how he felt. He loved the trust that she unintentionally bestowed upon him by leaning into him for support. So different from the past, when she had viewed him as a monster, even distinct from earlier when she had thought that she had seen a shadow. He loved being a husband once again. Someone actually wanted him once again, and was willing to claim him as her own. He was suddenly grateful to his creator that he had been given not one, but two women to love, and to be loved by. He had come so far from his terrible and lonely past where he had been scorned and discarded by humanity as a freak of nature. Love was intoxicating and seductive, like his lovely bride. Christine admired the green rolling countryside once again.

Erik remarked "I have brought us here for this one special night to enjoy our new found alliance alone without any one to bother us. There is a small coaching Inn that has been here for hundreds of years, I know the owner quite well, as I helped him add an extension to the inn, some years ago. It is in that part of the establishment that I have arranged for us to have both the best room, and to enjoy some much needed privacy as well. No children or Persians afoot to spoil our time alone. No prying servants either, just you and I this night my lovely, Lady Montgomery."

Christine replied lovingly, "If you have chosen this place it must be special. Paul and I took off right away and went to the Cote d'Azur, where we had a seaside home. It was quite beautiful but this will be so much better. I did not love him, as I love you. I never have loved anyone as I do you, my husband."

Erik kissed her on the forehead, "You are sweet, mon amour, 'Il n'y a qu'un Bonheur dans la vie, c'est d'aimer et d'etre aime.'(There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved). The horrors of the past have finally been expunged; in loving me, you have given happiness back to me once again. This once wretched monster has become a husband and you my willing living bride."

Christine smiled, "Most willing, and very much alive. You own my heart completely husband," she added placing her hand in his and lacing her fingers between his.

A short carriage ride brought them to an old inn, in an old and charming mining village, which was partially located in England and partially in Wales. The Inn was on the Welsh side of the border, not far beyond the village, but still off on its own enough to imbibe it with a sense of rural charm.

The very obsequious innkeeper, who clearly was an admirer of Erik's talent, greeted Christine, "You must be a very special person to have engendered Sir Erik's love." He turned to Erik, "I have arranged for everything just as you wanted it to be Sir, I am glad that you have finally agreed to take advantage of my standing invitation to enjoy what you helped to create."

He gushed to Christine, "Your new husband is a man of great genius and talent but of course you know that already."

Christine smiled and agreed, "Of course I do."

"My wife has prepared you a sumptuous supper, and of course your favorite dessert, one of her trifles, she remembered how much that you liked the last one that she made for you." The proprietor told him.

Erik smiled broadly, "She is too kind, please thank her for her kindness. Perhaps it is wise that I have not taken you up on your offer of hospitality until now, I would no doubt be as fat as a sow."

The innkeeper looked at Erik, "We are honored that you chose to spend your wedding night here with us." He looked at Christine, "Your husband is a most generous man, kind of heart and spirit. This inn was falling down and we did not have the funds to save it although it had been in our family for more than two hundred years. He generously loaned us the funds to remodel it, and even drew up the plans to do so, all without any expectation of anything in return."

Erik shrugged and told her, "My horse had lost a shoe and I could go no further, and this man was the only one in the area who would take care of a masked man without turning him away in suspicion. I was very grateful for his kindness."

The innkeeper turned to Christine, "My wife was angry at me as well for helping your husband, she too questioned his respectability but when I pointed out the quality of his dress, and elegance of manner she relented a bit and let me attend to him, although she pointed out that some notorious highwaymen looked just like that and were even more dangerous. I trusted him because no highwayman would wear only a half mask. I served in Kandahar in '79 and observed to my wife that he might have been wounded in one of our many colonial wars. She relented and let me help him, and then he overpaid us in gold sovereigns. He spent the night, and that was where he tried one of my wife's trifles. I have never seen a man enjoy such a thing with such great pleasure as he did that night. Can you imagine that he had never had a trifle until then?"

Christine laughed, "I have never had a trifle even now."

The man smiled at her, "Well you are in for a treat. Are you from France then as well? I reckoned that you were not from these parts."

"No from Sweden originally but I have spent most of my life in France." Christine told him.

"Ah, well, you have found yourself a true gentleman for a husband. My rival innkeeper that blasted Sais, Townsend from the other side of town still rues the fact that he turned your husband away that day. His inn remains unrestored, he does not even have running water or electricity." The innkeeper told her. "But his wife does not make a very good trifle at all compared to my Louisa."

Erik gave him an impatient glance and the innkeeper apologized, "I can see that your husband would like me to show you to your room, follow me."

They were shepherded into a beautiful room on the top floor of the Inn with a large set of windows, and a set of French doors opening up to a rooftop balcony, with a sweeping view of the Welsh hills. Christine could see Erik's influence on the room. Like everything else that he had a hand in it was beautiful.

"Creoso I Gymru," Erik pronounced, after carrying her over the threshold and gently laying her down on the bed.

"Welsh is certainly a strange language, what did you just say?" she asked laughing.

"I simply welcomed you to Wales. We have crossed the border." He told her cheerfully. "Offa's dyke runs right through the center of town, so we had better be careful on this side, since I now am perceived to be a 'Sais'."

Christine laughed, "I heard the innkeeper speak that word as well. What is a Sais? Is that worse than being a Phantom?"

Erik replied in mock severity, "Perhaps so, it means Englishman. As such, I might even be perceived to be worse than a 'crimblis' or a changeling as they are known in English, but it is well worth the incursion here because this inn has the perfect honeymoon suite for us. I brought you here because it is a place of rare beauty. It reminds me of the rooftop of the Palais Garnier, in that the sunsets here are magnificent. Back then, it was a fantasy of mine to take you to the rooftop and watch the sunsets together. I used to spend a lot of time there all by myself. It was the only place in Paris where I could be outside, and feel safe from the torments of the world. There I often dreamt of basking in the light of the dying sun, with my face turned to the light fully exposed. I had hoped we could share our deepest secrets and dreams for a brighter future. At the time, I would often close my eyes and pretend to feel you in my arms, wanting me, as badly as I wanted you. But of course, back then it was pure fantasy, as you wanted no part of me as a man, just an angel. It's strange how, after all those months of longing, and later my years of trying to forget, it will come true after all. My arms will be full of you tonight."

"That is a beautiful dream, Erik. I too had dreams of you back then, when I still thought you to be my angel."

He pointed to the terrace, "Would you care to join me after we disrobe? In an hour, or so, the sun will set behind the mountains of Powys. Just as Joseph promised before, I can see that his wife, Louisa, has placed a bottle of champagne, a light supper and, of course, one of her trifles, outside for our enjoyment. As Joseph told you, trifle is one of my favorite English desserts. Louisa makes the best one that I have ever tasted. I want to toast our union properly, together with my beautiful bride."

She took his hand. "That would be lovely and this room is so romantic and breathtaking. But you do know that you are spoiling me. Can I expect you to be this romantic all of the time?"

Erik smiled warmly, "You can rely upon the fact that my most cherished goal will be to make you happy in any way that I can. In truth I am not the complicated man that I am made out to be. I merely express how I feel at any given moment. At this exact moment my life is full of love and beauty and my spirit is bursting with happiness. My face may look like that of a corpse, but I feel more alive than I have in years, and I owe it all to you."

"You are surely no corpse, Erik because a corpse would never pleasure me as you have. You continue to surprise me with the warmth and depth of what you give to me, and to your family," Christine told him.

Erik put a finger on her lips and corrected, "Our family, Lady Montgomery. My family is now yours and yours is now mine."

"Our stepdaughters have already begun to admire you, as Annette does. Thank you again for getting them here to be with us. You know that it meant a lot to me, to be able to celebrate our union with everyone who is family," Christine told him.

"I am sorry that I could not bring Meg here. I know that you and she were once as close as sisters. Cleveland is a little far, but Antoinette and I did send notice to her about the wedding. She is most pleased that you are back in her life again, and is eager to come and see us."

"Did Antoinette tell her who you once were? She was always deathly afraid of you despite the money that you gave her mother." Christine asked.

Erik smiled, "She was afraid of me, but she always knew that her mother and I had a bond. She will warm to us, just like our families did."

Christine observed quietly, "I have missed her, almost as much as I missed you. I have never had a friend as close as she was."

Erik looked at her sympathetically, "I know that you women need close friendships to share your worries and your dreams with. I am sorry if you missed out on that."

Christine smiled, "It was my fault alone, and I accept that. In the past, it was one of the few things in my life that went wrong that I did not blame on you. They offered to let me come to America with them, and I chose to stay behind. I do not know why but something drew me to remain here in Europe."

"Perhaps you wanted the fop after all." Erik told her smoothly.

"Perhaps I wanted you." Christine breathed.

"I doubt it. What could a dead monster mean to you?" Erik teased hoarsely.

"Everything." Christine breathed, "But you were neither dead nor a monster."

"My mistake." Erik whispered while caressing her, "Do you want me to rectify it?" Erik teased.

"Never, but see to it that you never make such a mistake or I shall sic my gallant husband Sir Erik Montgomery, Knight Extraordinaire upon you."

Erik gave her a mock salute, "At your service Madame. Would you care to step outside with your knight-husband and admire what remains of this perfect day?"

Christine smiled at her new husband, and placed her hand around his neck and began to loosen his cravat.

Erik arched his brow suggestively "I hope that this is the last time that I must wear this cravat for today."

"At least you do not wear a corset. Getting them on and off is a major headache." Christine admitted.

"Perhaps you should stop wearing one, I have never liked them. A woman should not have to imprison her body in a constricting garment, just to be a slave to fashion. I would rather not have all of these impediments to touching my wife in a way designed to bring her pleasure." Erik told her lightly.

Christine pointed to some robes, in amusement, "Would you prefer that I just walk around wearing that? It would assure that you and I never leave one another's sides again."

Erik chuckled softly, "That would be a splendid idea, at least for the evening. Shall we change and then go outside to watch the setting sun?"

Christine replied softly, "That would be divine, Erik.

They undressed one another and then each dressed in the matching silk robes so neatly placed beside one another on the bed. When they were finished they stepped outside, and then Christine took a look around. She could immediately understand why Erik had chosen this place for them to spend their wedding night. The sun was beginning to set over the low mountains of Powys; the sky was arrayed in multiple shades of red, yellow, and orange. They stood on the terrace hand in hand and admired the brilliant sky together.

"The sunset is beautiful don't you think?" Christine observed in admiration.

Erik placed his arm around her and pulled her body close to his, she could feel his heart beat steadily in his chest as he stroked her hair lovingly, "I am holding all of the beauty that I need right here, but yes the view here is magnificent. The mountains look almost smoky in the light. A perfect union of darkness and light just like you and I. The sky has a gorgeous palette like a painting, but when the sun is gone, it will be very dark. There will be no moon tonight," he added in his rich velvety tone.

Christine replied softly, "That is a good omen for our marriage, ange. Our love was born in the darkness long ago, it is only fitting that we celebrate our new bond in the darkness, beneath a moonless sky."

Erik smiled obviously pleased with himself, "Then you wish to stay out here and admire the night. I knew that you would feel the same way that I do. This place is truly splendid. Tomorrow night there will be a new moon, that will begin a new chapter in that orb's cycle, and a new time in our own lives. But for now, let us sit here and listen to the crickets' chirping, and the other creatures that thrive in the night as well. If you crane your ears to listen to their melody, you will find that the night makes a special music of its own, in symbiosis to the music that you and I make together. The daytime is too harried for such a concert to take place, but the quiet night gives rise to its own sensual opera. Do you grasp it?" he asked fervently.

"I do, mon ange. I truly do," she replied, in wonderment.

"Would you like to watch the show for a while, whilst we enjoy our meal and champagne?" he asked softly added, "And of course our trifle."

She smiled, "Yes please I would love that."

Erik rose and went over to the bed and brought out the downy comforter and made it into a soft downy bed for them to settle onto.

"You are feathering our nest," Christine observed with a smile.

"That I am we might as well enjoy the view in comfort," Erik told her smoothly.

"Hmmm, I still feel a slight chill," Christine told him.

"May I warm you up?" Erik offered gently.

"Hmm, that would be nice. But I shall warm you as well," she replied and then slowly removed his mask revealing his hideous face to the cool but comfortable light of the outside air. Christine placed a reverent kiss upon his ruined cheek and then cupped his face in her hands, gazing upon its monstrosity as it were an object of great beauty, she stroked his soft hair gently and then kissed his brow. "You should really let your face go free more often Erik, it is as imprisoned by that mask as my body is by the corset. I shall make you a deal, no corset, if you promise me that you will keep your mask off around our home."

Erik looked at her and shook his head, "I am sorry but I cannot accept, if it were only you around the house I would comply, but the servants should not be exposed to my face, even if they have all seen it. It is a monstrosity, a humiliation, to be kept away from view, not something to place on display for all to see."

"There is nothing humiliating about your face my love. I just thought that since we are married that we should have no barriers, between either us alone, or the rest of our loved ones. I would hope that you would someday feel comfortable enough to even show your face to my stepchildren."

Erik sighed, "Perhaps someday Christine, but not yet. It is one thing to have your stepdaughters accept that you have married the infamous Phantom of the Opera, and yet a whole other thing to expect that they could see my face and not be disgusted by it all at once."

"They will not be disgusted once they get to know the man behind the mask. They will see you in the same light that I do, magnificent." Christine told him.

Erik smiled, "You really do love me, to speak of me so glowingly."

"You really should never doubt that, mon amour. The more that I get to know you as a man, the more that I admire you. It is clear that Joseph thinks quite highly of you. It was kind of you to help him remodel this place." Christine told him.

Erik smiled, "The Phantom has always rewarded those who would accept him to be a man and not a monster. He came to my aid, despite my appearance. It was my pleasure to come to his."

Christine whispered, "Which is exactly why I have come to cherish you so completely. It will now be my pleasure to reward the Phantom for his kindness to him, and to me as well.