Disclaimer: Must we go over this again?
To my wonderful reviewers ^-^:
Vicky Vic: Hey girl! Thanks for your review!! **Smiles innocently* I hope I keep updating this.
Snowstar: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! So the poem IS a Sarah Brightman song?! OIC now! Thank you for that and for you review! Hehe.
Draegon-fire: I hope Christine can still love him too… **Grins** we'll just have to see won't we? Thanks for the review!
Angelic Lawyer: Oh! You look familiar! ^-^ I have seen you around quite a few of my stories! Thank you very much! I'm glad the idea hasn't already been done!
Erin: Thanks! **Sings** under the sea… ^_~
Phantom Aria: I love the idea of Christine just loving Erik as well, but this idea popped into my head when I had a fever, hehe and I just HAD to use it! Hehe! Maybe I should have fevers more often! Thank you for your review!
Saranha de Angelo: Hurray for mysterious magical women! :-P Thank you!
Irene: Thank you for your review! I hope they can remain together to… what new surprises lie in store?
Chapter 3
"Amid the gloom and travail of existence suddenly to behold a beautiful being,
And instantaneously to feel an overwhelming conviction
That with that fair forms forever our destiny must be entwined
... This is love."
I loped into the kitchen, the thought of breakfast on my mind. For quite some time, I had never had an appetite for food, only eating what little I needed to survive. After that devastating night, I did not even care to survive.
However, now was different. Opening the cabinets, I seized few ingredients and snatched several eggs. As I prepared breakfast, my thoughts drifted. She was so beautiful! When she had emerged from her room… oh, her eyes! How they glistened with adulation and… love. As I permitted the food to cook, my hands rested on the counter. This is how it felt to love… and be loved.
((A/N: how did they cook back then? Hehe, just a thought… **blonde moment**))
Unexpectedly, a small hand is placed delicately on my shoulder. Delightful warmth travels through my body, appearing to originate from that hand alone. Turning my head to some extent, Christine lifted my mask slightly and pressed her sweet lips to my pitiful excuse for a cheek.
"What are you cooking?" She inquired, leaning over the food in order to breathe in the aroma.
When she leaned closer, I mirrored her actions… but only to catch her wonderful fragrance. Her hair was still moderately damp from the bath as it dangled a considerable amount past her shoulders. She had slipped on one of the dresses I had indeed bought for her. It was a long-sleeved crimson dress, somewhat low-cut, but not to an immodest point.
"Bacon and eggs, my dear." I declared, depositing the food on her plate.
Pulling back a chair, I allowed her to sit first, placing the plate in front of her. Choosing a plate for myself, I sat across from her.
"So, my love…" I lifted my utensil, but was cut off by her melodic voice.
"Are we going to pray, Erik?" Christine questioned, her hands sitting idly in her lap, her lips curling into a smile.
Dropping my fork, I cleared my throat. "My apologies, my dear…"
The room was silent for a moment as I stared downwards at my hands. My eyes traveled up to her face. Her head was bent, and her eyelids covered the glowing radiance of her blue orbs. I took a breath, realizing she was awaiting a prayer from myself.
"Oh…" I murmured to myself; but then my voice became louder, resounding in the dining room, "Dear God. Thank you for this breakfast…" I awkwardly began. I had never actually prayed before, and I was aware my uneasiness was blatantly shown in my voice. My breath hastened as I set my eyes on Christine once again. "And thank you for the company in which I am sharing it with… and thank you for creating such a marvelous woman for me to love…" I ended, truth flowing in every single word that escaped my lips. "Amen."
Christine raised her head, a light pink rising in her cheeks. "Amen…" She whispered, not even aware at how grateful I essentially was. When breakfast came to an end, I cleared the table.
"Erik, what time is it?" Christine called softly from the drawing room.
Alas, I had not been conscious of how early it was in reality!
"Early enough to catch the sun rising, my love!" I exclaimed, fastening on my cloak. Placing my fedora on top of my dark hair, I grasped her cloak as well. Slipping it over her shoulders, I permitted my poised hands to rest there for a moment, my fingertips tracing her fragile neck.
She shivered.
A small smile tugged at my lips. Christine still shivered at my touch; however, it was not a negative feeling. I led her to the roof, her little arm closely clutching mine.
When we ultimately reached the roof, we sat down beside one another, my arm securely around her shoulders. Christine gently rested her head on my chest as our eyes were locked on the scene before us.
The sun gradually peered over the horizon, its light growing brighter. I could hear Christine sophisticatedly catch her breath as the glorious colors reflected in her gemstone eyes. The dark sky glowed, at first, softly with a yellowish-orange color; but soon it dazzled luminously, the vivid colors extravagantly pleasing to the eye.
"It was… beautiful, Erik…" She murmured quietly as I helped her up.
"As you are, my love…" I softly replied, smiling.
Although the mixture of yellow, orange, purple, and blue vibrantly painted the sky, Christine was much more breath taking and stunning. Her azure eyes flickered with joy and childish wonder as the various colors reflected in her eyes.
Reluctantly, we made our way back inside, away from the glorious sight and into the darkness of the cellars. As I had done so many times, I led her back into the house upon the lake, resting her cloak, as well as mine, upon the coat hanger.
My eyes befell the barren fireplace, maintaining its black ashes and dust. Walking over to it, I lit another fire, motioning for Christine to come closer.
She did.
Elegantly selecting a particular book I discerned to be Christine's favorite, I sat on the antique Persian rug before the warmth of the fire. Comfortably, she took a seat beside me, nestling in my arms. Opening the book, I began to read.
"The black nightingale fell in a deep love with the rose… Although their two worlds were completely different…"
My voice resonated throughout the small room, picking up every syllable in each word. I could feel her sigh, as if calmed by the sound of my voice. My voice enveloped itself around her, as did my reassuring arms. The fire crackled tenderly, as thoughts of the inexplicable woman and the fact I only had four days with my cherub slowly drifted away…
