Chapter 19: Reconciliation
A bright beam of light illuminated Christine's face as she wearily blinked open her eyes. The tears shed from the previous night made her eyes dry and burn as she tried to blink away her sleep. The bedroom was flooded with warm, yellow light as her vision came into focus, suddenly realizing the sleeping form in front of her. She glanced down hesitantly to find, much to her relief, she and her companion fully clothed but hands and fingers gently entwined. She stared curiously at her sleeping companion's long fingers, calloused from the strings of his violin. A gentle, deep sigh broke her gaze from their hands to the disfigured face of an awakening man. She watched his eyelids fluttering sleepily open, locking onto hers, his eyes widening with panic as he ripped his hands free from her grasp and began cowering away. "Hush, shhh, hush, stop, no Erik, stop, stop, please…" Christine frantically whispered and she reached out to him, grabbing his hands and used her grasp upon him to anchor herself closer. She gently placed her hand upon the misshapen deformities as Erik's breath caught in his heaving chest. "Be still, my angel, be still," Christine continued to whisper.
"I am no angel, Christine. Angels do not look like this. If anything at all, I am truly a demon from hell."
"No, Erik, that's not true. Beauty is underneath. People like Kevin are truly the ones birthed from hell, not you. I've seen and experienced this at the hands of the beautifully evil. To me, you are simply beautiful." She shifted her lips closer to Erik still sensing his reluctance. Her eyes remaining open, she moved to kiss him, refusing to lose his gaze as if to reassure both Erik and herself about her actions. Her lips met his, as they watched each other closely. Erik slightly opened his mouth to speak but Christine took that moment as a chance to explore him. The soft glide from the tip of her tongue found its way to Erik, open-mouthed kisses in a beautiful duet as their tongues lightly danced. Erik fought for self-control, feeling an urgent rise of desire and temptation knot his insides; his hands tingling with life as long fingers ghosted the length of Christine's exposed neck. "You're beautiful," Christine whispered as their lips parted and Erik again felt Christine's small fingers lightly caressing and holding his deformities in her hands.
The smell of coffee wafted its way up the stairs and filled the bedroom. Christine smiled shyly as she propped herself up to glance at the clock. Erik couldn't help but notice the subtle curves of her chest underneath her tank top and quickly looked away to hide his heated blush. "I suppose it's time to make an appearance downstairs," Christine said quietly as she moved off the bed and grabbed her cardigan and handed Erik his mask. Erik sat up, uncomfortably aware of his growing arousal. With a steadying breath and with careful readjustment, he walked towards the bedroom door as Christine grasped his hand and said with a smile, "Good morning." Oh how perfectly warm her smile was, and to think she was smiling because of him.
Erik and Christine were greeted in the kitchen by the reluctant smiles and acknowledgements from Meg and Raoul. Of course everything would need to be discussed, but it could wait. In her resolve to move on and start this odd beginning of a new chapter, Christine walked to Meg and Raoul and brought them into an embrace, hugging them both tightly. "Thank you, for everything; thank you for being there that night," she said as she loosened her grip, only to be shrouded in Meg's arms in an encompassing hug, whispering teary apologies.
"I'm sorry, Christine, I'm so sorry. I should've told you, I know I should've. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."
"It's ok, you did what you thought was right. Your intentions and heart were in the right place."
Erik and Raoul looked at Christine and Meg, realizing a mutual understanding. "I'm sorry, too, Erik," Raoul said as the two men quickly hugged but were interrupted by the most obnoxious growl. "Babe, you and that stomach of yours need help," Raoul chuckled and everyone laughed.
Breakfast was consumed in mostly silence outside on the screened-in porch, the storms from the previous night leaving crystal water drops on the grasses and leaves, a welcomed cool breeze light rustling the leaves and shaking off the raindrops. It wasn't until Raoul and Erik began cleaning up when Meg looked at Christine suggestively. "So… what happened last night with you and Erik?"
Christine blushed. "We didn't… I mean, nothing happened. I, um, we… kissed."
"And that's all?" Meg prodded further, then added carefully, "I've never, well, we've never seen him."
"It's not my place, Meg, and I won't betray the vulnerability he blessed me with last night."
"Oh no no, I would never… I wasn't asking for details, Christine," Meg quickly clarified. "And I would never ask you for details. He'll tell us or show when and if he chooses to do so."
Erik and Raoul reappeared onto the porch with Erik looking rather annoyed. "I just got a call from the rental truck place. They don't have any trucks available even though I made the reservation weeks ago."
Christine looked at Erik and offered, "Well, I have my truck. Can your stuff fit?" And four of them glanced over the bushes at Christine's truck sitting in the driveway.
"It should; Erik's the perpetual minimalist. It's amazing you actually own a dining table," Raoul chuckled.
"Then I guess it's settled. You can use my truck," Christine said and smiled at Erik.
She's too perfect and good. This can't possibly be real. Within an hour, everyone was getting dressed and prepared to load up Erik's belongings into Christine's truck. Christine dressed and came out of her bedroom and noticed Erik's door slightly cracked. Without meaning to peek in, her eyes caught sight of the tragically thin creature in the midst of taking off his shirt and she released a choked gasp and quickly brought her hand to her mouth to stifle the sound. His back, oh God in heaven, what happened to his back? There were perfect round scars littering his back, they were a nauseating ashy grey color splattered across his back like a connect-the-dots game, with puffy, white welts and scars connecting the round scars together. Christine felt the contents of her breakfast rolling in her stomach threatening to spill out. A quiet whimper escaped her mouth as she huffed out a breath she didn't realize was stuck in her chest and uneasily made her way down the stairs.
Within an hour, all of Eriks' stuff was loaded into Christine's truck. Raoul was right: Erik was the perpetual minimalist. One oversized chair, a small dining side table and mismatched chair, a worn out old writer's desk and chair, and boxes upon boxes upon boxes of sheet music. There was no bed frame, no mattress, no bedroom furniture. Where does he sleep? Does he actually sleep? What about his family? Who are his parents? Wait, WHERE are his parents? Siblings? Grandparents? I don't know anything about him… The panic started setting in, but they were completely valid questions. Who was this man, and how could she have permitted him to sleep beside her all night long? Oh no, Nadir is going to kill me! What will he say? What am I going to tell him? All these questions raced through her mind as she glanced at her phone, hesitant to even send a text to Nadir. How could she even start the conversation? At some point, she would need to ask these questions to Erik himself, but the biggest one remained: would Erik tell her everything, or anything at all?
"Erik can ride with Christine, we'll follow behind," Raoul's voice sounded as the truck's tailgate slammed shut, breaking Christine from the fog of questions she had been starting to ask herself all morning. Erik glanced up at Christine and offered a shy smile as the two got into the truck.
As Christine turned the key in the ignition, the old pick up truck choked to life and an embarrassed chuckle escaped Christine's throat. "Can't quite bear to depart with this Frankenbeast. This is my dad's truck…"
"Understandable. And I like the name Frankenbeast… seems fitting for your passenger," Erik glanced in the side-view mirror through the passenger window, but felt Christine's fingers gently brush over his hand resting on the seat.
"Erik, please don't say those things. I think you're… I mean, I fell in lo-..." Christine abruptly stopped. You don't know him; you can't possibly be in love with him. You felt this way with Kevin and look where it got you. Shut up, Christine - turn it off. The pair fell into silence as the truck backed out of the driveway, with Meg and Raoul following behind. "Probably a little late to ask, but where is your apartment? Where are we going?"
Erik chucked, "All things considered, it was the last thing on my mind last night for obvious reasons." Christine blushed as her mind replayed their gentle kiss from the night before and then replaying the feeling of waking up beside him, staring, studying. "I'm renting a place off North Barnard street."
Christine huffed out a chuckle, "Wait, did you say Barnard Street?" Erik nodded. "Don't tell me it's 186."
"Yes, but how did…?"
"Perhaps another thing Raoul and Meg forgot to disclose? I live in the first floor apartment..." Christine asked, glancing at Erik who noticeably tensed. "It's ok, I mean, it's not like it was done on purpose. There was a lot happening yesterday."
He only offered a clipped, "Perhaps." The rest of the way was in silence. What are we doing?
The long, tree-lined street greeted them as they turned at the stop sign. The late morning sunlight filtered and danced through the heavy, green-leafed branches, casting golden pots of sunlit gold. Christine pulled up alongside the curb, Meg and Raoul pulled up behind. Meg emerged from the passenger seat with a nervous laugh as she was approached by Erik, "Probably should've mentioned this a little sooner… sorry." Erik mumbled something under his breath as he opened the truck bed door.
It only took a little over two hours to unload all of Erik's belongings and get his things situated in the apartment. An awkwardness descended into Erik's apartment as Christine stood to the side as Meg and Raoul said their departing goodbyes and headed back out to their car. The awkwardness turned into a sad reality that these two were indeed complete strangers. Erik made to speak, but Christine's phone chimed obnoxiously As Erik turned away to put whatever dishware he owned into a cabinet, Christine turned to the window and pulled out her phone. Nadir.
Hey kid, I hope your night with your friends was fun. Was thinking about coming out your way if you wanted to grab dinner. Thoughts?
The evening was a lot of fun. Well that was a dramatic understatement. I just got home a little bit ago. She paused. What was she going to say? A nauseating idea popped into her head. Would both of them be upset? Dinner sounds great. I have ground beef in the fridge so why don't I make lasagna?
Lasagna - what's the occasion? You usually don't make that unless it's either Christmas or you have some big news. Crap, he was right. What was she going to say? Stretch the truth a little bit now, and come clean later?
No reason, just don't want the ground beef to go to waste. Does 6:30 work?
See you then kid. I'll bring dessert. Love you.
Love you too. See you tonight.
And now the plan went into motion. "So," Christine said quietly, "um, do you have any plans for dinner tonight?" She walked slowly towards the kitchen where Erik stood with his back turned from her. His body held in a strange pose, some kind of odd energy pulsating from him. "I have ground beef in the fridge and was thinking of making some lasagna. If I eat alone, I'll be eating leftovers for a week." No response. "I mean, it's ok if you don't want to. I know you have a lot to focus on, and you just moved in and you probably want some time alone. And with everything from last night I understand if you want space to think things through." The words coming out in a panicked frenzy. Why wasn't he acknowledging anything she was saying. Awkwardness turned from sadness to anxiety to crushing regret. Was everything that happened last night nothing but a mistake? Did he regret staying with her last night? Was she too forward? "Um, ok, I understand. I guess we'll see each other later…?" She quickly turned and headed out the door. Before she was even halfway down the steps, Erik's long stride echoed behind her. "Christine, wait." She didn't want to stop, she wanted to go home and lock the door behind her. Her hands were shaking and her heart achingly throbbed in her chest. She reached her door, fidgeted with her keys and somehow managed to unlock the door. Before she could close it behind her, she saw Erik standing before her under the threshold. "Christine, wait…" his voice quiet with defeat. Christine opened the door wider, staring at the ground.
Erik stood there, awkward as ever, his heart pounding. He didn't know what to do. He'd never been in a situation like this before, let alone ever having a woman INVITE him to have dinner. That's not true… Liliana. He looked at Christine crumbling inward before him, and that's when he saw a glistening tear streak down her face. She was trembling, her breathing ragged and unsteady. He slowly brought his hand to her face and gently thumbed the tears from her cheek. "I'm sorry. Christine, I just… I'm sorry. I don't know…" he whispered. Without thought, he brought his forehead to hers every so gently. "I'm not good at this. I've never," his voice trailed off as he felt Christine's arms wrap around his waist. Dinner. Accept the dinner invitation, Erik. "Dinner would be great. What time?"
Christine whispered into his chest, "6:15?" Erik's heart skipped a beat as he watched the sincerest, hopeful look cross over Christine's face as she glanced up at him. He cautiously brought his face down closer to hers and placed the lightest kiss on her cheek. "See you in a few hours then. And thank you for the invitation." And the two parted ways.
By the time 5:45PM came around, Christine was a ball of nerves. She had set up a plan for Erik and Nadir to come face to face, to finally meet, and it was a plan she had begun to slowly regret as the afternoon quickly ticked by. In less than an hour the two men in her life would come together, and only God knew what would happen. With unsteady hands Christine assembled the lasagna and stuck it in the oven and set the timer. Perhaps a hot shower would calm her nerves.
Upstairs Erik paced like a caged tiger. Is this a date? What was he supposed to wear? Shouldn't he have offered to bring garlic bread? Or a salad? Dessert? What was to happen after dinner's over? Another repeat of last night? He glanced at his unpacked suitcase and eyed his clothing - everything was either black, dark charcoal, or navy. He settled on a pair of dark charcoal trousers and a black, long-sleeved dress shirt and folded up the sleeves exposing only a small glimpse of his wrists. Black socks to match his perfectly polished dress shoes. His slender frame paused briefly as he passed the bathroom and glanced at the mirror, adjusting his mask accordingly. You look ridiculous. On the contrary, he cut a dashing figure. He found his newsboy hat on the kitchen counter and tucked parts of his wig under it, attempting to have some resemblance of a whole, normal man. He had only 30 minutes before he was to meet Christine for dinner, nerves coursed through his veins when he heard it… the longing echo of her voice.
Christine certainly felt a little relief after her shower, and as she glanced at the clock on her nightstand, she had only 20 more minutes until Erik was to arrive at her front door. With the windows open in her bedroom, music tickled at Christine's throat and she began to sing. Her voice bounced off the brick walls from the neighboring townhouse and echoed right into Erik's room. For Erik it felt like old times of him and Christine listening and singing to each other in their adjoining practice rooms. His nerves immediately calmed as Christine's voice charmed him into submission.
Erik felt a renewed confidence as he walked down the stairs and knocked on Christine's apartment door. It was no surprise that as soon as Christine appeared, she took Erik's breath away. The intoxicating scents of lavender filled Erik, reminiscing of the lingering scents of her within their corridor of the music building. Tonight she wore a simple navy blue skirt pattern with daisy flowers, accompanied with a subtly fitted white v-neck shirt; her hair gently pulled back into a loose bun. Erik's heart raced at the sight of her before him as she said a quiet greeting. "You look incredible," she smiled and Erik flushed. Christine welcomed Erik into her apartment and he immediately felt at home. Anywhere with her would be home. He looked around and immediately went straight for the piano resting next to the fireplace. "May I?" Erik inquired.
"I would welcome your music and your voice anytime, Erik," Christine responded honestly and went into the kitchen to check on the lasagna.
Erik sat at the piano and immediately began playing a melody Christine had never heard before. She found herself somehow singing along with a smile on her face.
Nadir pulled up into a vacant spot a little ways past Christine's apartment. "Parking's always a premium in college towns," he mumbled to himself as he barely squeezed into a spot. It was a beautiful evening, a slight breeze rustled through the leaves. As Nadir approached the apartment, the sweetest of sounds echoed from the apartment. It had been so long since he heard Christine sing, almost two years. And the piano she was singing along to… what was that song? An elation of happiness filled Nadir whenever he heard Christine sing; but there was something different about right now. Her voice sounded happy, alive, and, for the first time before Gustav's death, hopeful. Nadir smiled, so very much looking forward to sitting down with his beloved goddaughter and finding out what was the inspiration bringing her voice back to life.
The knock on the door startled Erik as his fingers fumbled and jumped off the piano keys. "Are you expecting someone, Christine?" Erik asked as Christine opened the door.
Erik watched as a pair of old arms wrapped around Christine. "Hey kiddo, good to see you. Dang that lasagna smells ama-..." Nadir's voice trailed off as his eyes locked onto Erik. It can't possibly be…
Christine backed slowly out of Nadir's embrace, her eyes moved frantically between Nadir and Erik. "I, uh, I know… I don't, um, ok…" her breathing heavy, unsteady, panicked. Ok, ok, just do this. You can do this. You planned this… shit, what should I say? Um, ok, think Christine, think… think. "Uncle Nadir," she said with a steadying deep breath, "I'd like for you to meet Erik Destler. Erik, this is my godfather, Nadir Khan."
Erik stood as rigid as a Roman column, unrelenting, unwilling to move or even breathe. He couldn't breathe; it was almost like he forgot how. Dark spots began to dot his vision as he quickly realized he held his breath to the point of fainting. This felt like an ambush. Why didn't she tell me? I could've been more prepared for this! This isn't fair. Oh God, my mask…. Did I forget to put on my mask? His hands quickly shot up to his face to feel the rigid lines of the mask upon his face. He watched as Christine came immediately to his side, gently taking his hand in hers as she led him over to Nadir. "Erik, it's a pleasure to meet you, formally, finally… after all this time." A wrinkled hand extended forward as Erik startled at the sound of this older man's voice of cordial greeting.
"S-sir, Mr. Khan, sir, um, sir, it's… it's an honor to meet you, Mr. Khan, sir."
The timer on the oven blasted obnoxiously, startling the three, with Erik noticeably shaken. "At ease, soldier," Nadir chuckled lightly. "And it's Nadir. None of this Mr. Khan or sir stuff." Erik watched as Nadir's old hand reached up and patted him on the back. "That lasagna smells fantastic and I'm starving. Let's eat!" Blinking in confusion, Erik sunk into a chair at the dining room table, stunned, speechless. Was this planned? Why didn't she tell me? Did Mr. Khan know I'd be here?
With lasagna dished out and drinks poured, the three sat down to enjoy their dinner. "Grace?" Christine suggested as she offered her open hands to Nadir and Erik. She smiled as she felt Erik's fingers wrap around her hand and Nadir eyed the pair cautiously. "Heavenly Father, I thank you for this time to bring family and friends together. I pray we enjoy this meal together. Amen." The meal began in silence as Erik cautiously took small bites of the lasagna and only small talk existed between the three. However, as the main course began to come to a close and dessert was soon next, Christine realized the conversation needed to change. "So," she said, "I'm sure you're both wondering what's going on."
"I had a feeling something was up," Nadir confessed. "Erik, there's something you need to know about Christine - she uses her lasagna as either bribery or as a gateway to heavier conversations. But, I fell for her invitation because, well, I just love lasagna and anything I can do to help with this old man belly of mine is always welcomed!"
Christine laughed. "You know I don't appreciate the accusation. How dare you question my ulterior motives. And for the record, I'm never above using my lasagna as bribery for anything."
Erik watched in awe. These two were the epitome of family. Any exposure he had was the Girys and the de Chagnys, but it was different family dynamics. With these two it seemed more of a devoted friendship, of guardianship with a tinge of a shared sadness. Perhaps from Gustav's death? Perhaps more of everything that had happened in the past few years? Regardless of the circumstances, Erik began feeling a different level of "home." With these two, he felt like part of their most intimate circle of family. And there was something about Nadir - he was proper and formal on the outside, but once the barriers eased, he was warm and welcoming and assumed the role of adoptive father. Erik felt a content smile grace his face that he felt so welcome.
Dinner plates cleared and dessert served, the conversation moved from the dining table to the living room as the sun began to set and cast hues of purples and oranges throughout the apartment. "So, Erik, tell me more about your doctoral program?" Nadir asked. Now this was a topic Erik could easily spend a lifetime discussing.
"While I was on my fellowship with the New York City Chamber Orchestra, I was also composing. The program was originally supposed to be one symphony but unfortunately the new dean of the College of Music has changed my requirements. Three vocal pieces need to be composed and performed then the symphony. The performance will be next May. Everything for the symphony is composed except the last final movement. The vocal pieces, however, are proving more challenging."
"Sounds like a lot of work, Erik. Do you have any ideas for the vocal pieces" Nadir inquired. Christine sat entranced, listening and witnessing Erik come alive. Music gave him life, music was his life. He WAS the music and all she wanted was to part of it. Erik looked at Christine and answered, "I have ideas for one of the vocal pieces, and with all due honesty, the inspiration for it was because of her voice… I'm writing it for Christine." Christine sat stunned.
"Well, flattery will get you everywhere, Erik," Nadir chuckled. "So, what about your parents? I bet they're very proud of your accomplishments."
At this Erik immediately tensed and crumbled. "No parents, and I prefer not to discuss this topic further, sir." Nadir made to apologize but Erik quickly interceded with a darkened tone, "Sir, do not ask of them again."
Christine offered quietly to help clear the air, "I'm sorry to you both for not being fully transparent of the invitation for tonight. Uncle Nadir, I need to confess that once you gave me all the files from the accident and the trial, I wanted to let you know that the Meg I've just met and became friends with, is Meg Giry. And her fiance, Raoul de Chagny. And last night, we cleared the air and it was a very long night. But I also, most importantly, wanted to bring you two together, to meet, to connect… it's just, everything hit me so hard the past few days and I just needed something stable. I just needed this to happen." Dessert resumed as the conversation again turned lighthearted. Soon night fell in the growing-sleepy town of Western Cypress, and soon Nadir realized it was time to head home.
"Thanks for dinner, kiddo. Delicious as always. Love you, Chrissie. Give this old geezer a hug."
"I love you, too. And thank you for coming by," Christine replied, and added in a whisper, "And thank you for welcoming him."
Nadir ushered Christine to the side and quietly added, "Always, sweetie, and you know that. Go slowly, get to know him. A lot has changed…"
"I know. He's different, and he's… so incredibly special."
Nadir placed a kiss on Christine's cheek and said goodnight. "Erik, up to walk this old man to his car for a quick chat?" Christine eye rolled Nadir. "Don't worry, kid, I won't rough him up too much."
"Yes, sir, yes of course."
Christine eyed Nadir skeptically as the two men in her life walked out into the summer night. She quickly turned to occupy herself and her ind with cleaning up from dinner and dessert.
The two gentlemen walked slowly down the brick sidewalk in silence. "You know, Erik," Nadir quietly began as he pulled out an old pipe and lit the tobacco, "Chrissie hates it that I smoke this old thing, but…" a white puff of smoke billowed from the small piece, "just can't seem to quit. One of my vices, I suppose."
"Yes, sir." Silenced reigned as they continued side-by-side down the sidewalk. The crickets began chirping loudly and a harsher breeze blew through the trees. Thin clouds broke away allowing the twinkling stars to litter the night sky.
"Was this all a surprise for you yesterday and last night, Erik?" The question seemed to catch Erik off guard.
"Indeed it was, sir." Erik stopped. "Mr. Khan?" Nadir stopped as well and turned to Erik inquisitively. "I… I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mr. Khan. I promised myself to protect her the first time we encountered each other, but… I failed her that night, Mr. Khan. And, sir, I failed you, too."
Nadir puffed out another cloud of white smoke from his pipe and sighed. "Listen, dear boy, you did absolutely nothing wrong. You did not fail me; and most importantly, what you need to realize is that you did NOT fail Christine. If anything, I failed her," and adding rather defeatedly, "and worst off? I failed her father. Gustav was more than my friend, he was like a brother. I've been in that young woman's life since the day she was born. I swore on Gustav's deathbed that I'd protect her, and all this mess with Kevin is just the biggest failing of my life." Nadir grew quiet, almost remorseful as his eyes slid close in regret. "But, you need to know this, Erik: Christine has never felt you were to blame. And I never felt you were to blame. The blame is on that scumbag and on him alone."
The two resumed walking and finally came up to Nadir's car. "Mr. Khan, sir, if I may ask your permission, sir, and I realize this is truly the first we've spoken and formally met, but may I have your permission to court Christine?"
Nadir chuckled at Erik's innocent sincerity and formality. "Erik, you don't need my permission but I sincerely appreciate you asking. Have you ever done this before? Dated, I mean? Of course it's none of my business; Lord knows I haven't in eons for that matter."
"No, sir, never. I've never really received so much as an acknowledgement. I had all but given up any hopes until last night when she kiss-..." Erik immediately cut off his sentence and swallowed the hard knot in his throat. He started to stutter, "Sir, Mr. Khan, I'm sorry, please accept my apologies, I meant no disrespect, sir. Please forgive me."
Nadir wanted to chuckle at the absurdity of the whole situation, the awkwardness of this most dignified young man before him. Lord this is a stand-up routine for David Letterman. Nadir started laughing, "Erik, please, I told you before, you can call me Nadir. None of the Mr. Khan and sir business. And for crying out loud, stop apologizing." An awkward pause. "Anyway, it was really nice to finally meet you face to face, especially after so long. And, for the first time since that night," Nadir felt the sting of tears, "thank you, Erik, for saving my girl's life. If you weren't there that night, she wouldn't have… she might have…" and his voice grew quiet as he cleared the knot in his throat.
"Mr. Kh-, Nadir, she saved mine long before that. The honor and pleasure of this evening has been mine. Thank you, sir." And with a firm handshake, the two men parted ways.
The short walk back to the apartment felt lighter. Erik started up the front steps from the sidewalk and found Christine sitting on the front porch, her guitar nestled in her lap as she strummed the strings and quietly vocalized to Autumn Leaves. He paused and leaned against one of the porch posts and simply watched and listened. She was everything he imagined her to be and more. "Sing with me," she smiled up at him. Erik moved to sit next to her on the wicker seat and sang with her.
Nadir was slowly driving down the street with his windows down. And as he drove by Christine's apartment, he finally heard it. The sweetest of sounds his ears had ever heard outside of just Christine's solo voice. Their spirits and their voices in one combined to create an intoxicatingly beautiful lullaby. His smile grew larger as he heard the song Gustav sang to propose to Marie so many decades ago.
An hour later found Erik and Christine alone together in her living room, sitting together on the couch drinking hot tea. "It's getting late, Christine, I should go and let you rest."
"If we must," she offered, "but I do have one request."
"Anything."
"A kiss." Christine inched closer toward Erik, her breathing quickened as she felt his arms come around her, feeling his fingers ever so gently touch her face. Leaning down to her, Erik's lips met hers in a gentle earnestness. Their kiss was soft and innocent and lasted only a few seconds. "One last request," she whispered as they drew apart and watched Erik smile. "Another kiss without the mask." She brought her hands to Erik's face, lightly tracing all the contours of the white mask. Erik's breath hitched in his chest at her request.
"Oh Christine, you had your fill of this grotesque monstrosity last night and yet again this morning. How can you possibly want…?"
And before he could finish, Christine gently removed the mask from his face and again, like the night before, she held his face in her small, soft hands. Moving her lips closer to his, she whispered, "Erik, all or nothing at all." Erik wasn't sure what it was about the way she whispered his name in the night or the way her lips mouthed the words she spoke, or if it was the adoration he held for her in every single way, or the way she treated him as if he deserved to be a whole man. He lost control and dove for her lips, claimed them with such a ferocious passion of one tasting the sweet innocence of an angel from heaven. Erik felt Christine's knees inching closer and closer, her hands grasped the open collar of his shirt. God knows Erik wanted her in the desperate way she wanted him. When they finally broke away from each other, they were breathless.
"I should let you go before I change my mind," Christine admitted as they both nervously laughed.
"It's for the best. Thank you, Christine, for dinner and for introducing me and permitting me to finally meet your godfather. I hope you know how much he loves you." He placed a kiss on her hands before he opened the door to head upstairs. "Good night, Christine."
"Erik?" He stopped halfway up the steps and looked at Christine. "You don't have to leave. Stay… please?"
"Oh Christine, tonight you have inspired me, and tomorrow I will show you what you have inspired me to create. Meet me at the music building tomorrow morning at 10:00AM in room 217."
Christine smiled, "I'll be there. Good night, Erik." And she closed the door.
Erik went up to his apartment and sat in front of his computer, surrounded by blank staff-lined paper and his favorite pen and began to compose. The sound of Christine's voice forever ingrained in his memory as he wrote her song.
Tomorrow he would present her with the most intimate of gifts… the gift of his music for her.
