Ten

My Man

AN: Briefly, 'My Man' was written by somebody and first performed by Fanny Brice in her show as a Ziegfield Folly. I have not written it. In it italics are the sung parts.

5 Years Later

The air was unusually thick this afternoon, fogged and warm, almost tangible. But little Julien and Juila payed no heed as they ran about the backyard of their parents Strasbourg home, laughing gleefully as they played a little game of tag. Julia zapped behind a tree, her mass of thick brown curls swinging over her shoulders. She laughed as Julien almost caught her and ran off again, past her parents who were sitting on the terrace under a table umbrella, sipping tea and talking.

Julien, tall for his age with thick dark hair and appealing blue eyes smirked and swung around the tree, tagging his older sister and running off, he had been healthy after his difficult birth, much to Christine and Erik's relief. Julia frowned slightly but sped off after him, drawing a chuckle from her father's throat.

Christine turned to him, smiling softly. She laid her hand down on his and asked. "What's so funny?"

He chuckled slightly and replied with a soft smile. "He's tricky, that Julien. But she has my determination to win."

Christine smiled. "And your sneakiness to do so."

"I am not sneaky," Erik laughed. "Not when I don't have to be."

Christine smiled and sighed, lacing her fingers in with his. "I'm so glad everything worked out."

Erik smiled and moved his chair closer to hers so he could smell her hair. "Did I not promise it would?"

Christine sighed. "Mmm-mmmm." She hummed an 'I don't know' and shrugged. "It doesn't matter, look at them! Was I not just holding them in my arms for the first time?"

Erik smiled, tightening his grip on his wife's hand. "I was once told that that is the greatest joy about raising children, they grow so quickly and yet you're there for every moment of it. I'm so glad we got the chance."

She nodded and smiled, standing and clapping her hands together. "Why don't we go inside and see about some lunch, children?"

"Ok, maman!" The twins followed her inside and before he followed Erik took one last look over the yard, grinned and went in after his wife and children.

Christine sat at the piano in the sitting room, randomly running her fingers over the ebony and ivory keys. Finding a melody she played it once more and smiled, a song that she had known for some years.

"Oh my man I love him so;

he'll never know.

All my life is just a spare;

But I don't care.

When he takes me in his arms

The world is bright.

All right.

What's the difference if I say

I'll go away

When I know I'll come back.

On my knees some day.

For whatever my man is

I am his

Forever more!

Oh my man I love him so!

He'll never know!

All my life is just a spare;

But I don't care.

When he takes me in his arms

The world is bright.

All right.

What's the difference if I say

I'll go away

When I know I'll come back.

On my knees some day.

For whatever my man is

I am his

Forever more!"

Pausing to catch her breath Christine felt hot tears on her cheeks, tears that expressed her love and undying devotion to this man which had promised the world, then laid it at her feet. She sobbed softly a moment, heedless as her husband's arms came about her. She turned and cried into his chest and murmured, half in song. "For whatever my man is, I am his, forever more!"

Smiling softly Erik kissed her forehead, brushing his fingers through her hair. "I know, darling. I know."

She calmed and took a deep, shuddery breath. "Do you really though?" She sighed. "Will you ever know how much I love you, Erik?"

He smiled more and held her closer. "If you love me as I love you, ma petite, then yes, I shall."

With a soft smile she brought herself back from him and smiled. "I'm going to go check on the children, I'll be right back."

He nodded and watched her climb up the stairs, then began to sing softly to himself.

"Oh my girl I love her so

She'll never know.

All my life was such a spare

But I don't care.

When she takes me in her arms the world

Is bright

All right!

What's the difference if I say

I'll go away

When I know I'll come back

On my knees some day.

For whatever my girl is

I am hers

Forever more!"

Ok, I'm dry. Ideas welcome while I go see if My man can give me some inspiration. Review please!