Chapter 13

"Erik, are you planning on sleeping all morning?" I hear Marie say softly in my ear before she presses her lips to my cheek.

"If it means that I can remain like this I believe I would have to say yes to that," I say sleepily as I pull her body against mine more tightly then slowly begin to caress her silk covered back.

"I would like to remain like this forever, Erik, but, it is almost nine and Charles will be waking soon," she says practically. "And besides, we have a lot to discuss and plan today," she adds with a bright smile as she glances at the gold ring I had offered her last night.

Catching sight of the ring I realize that what had transpired last night was not a dream but a glorious reality. I had asked her to marry me and she accepted! She wishes to be my wife! With this realization I cannot help but return her smile and pull her closer to me. "I love you, Marie," I say softly before pressing my lips to hers in a deeply passionate kiss. When our lips finally part and we catch our breath Marie is the first to break the silence.

"And I love you, Erik," she says happily as she gazes lovingly at me while she gently caresses my cheek. "Can we begin planning the wedding today?" she asks eagerly as she throws the covers aside and gets out of bed.

"Of course, my dear," I reply indulgently as I get out of bed and put my robe on. "Provided I am permitted to dress first," I say with a laugh, feeling more at ease than I have in the past few days she has been sharing my home with me. She has yet to put her robe on and I cannot help but devour her with my eyes. She looks beautiful in that skimpy thing and I realize that she looks beautiful in everything... and in nothing at all, I think wryly as I recall that first night when I had been forced to undress her to care for her wounds.

"What are you grinning about like a fool?" Marie asks slyly as she dramatically grabs up her robe and quickly wraps it around herself before retrieving a pillow from the bed and throwing it at me.

I deftly catch the pillow and toss it back at her gently. "I was just enjoying the sight of my soon to be wife," I say lightly as Marie ducks and the pillow barely misses her shoulder.

"And you find that thought amusing?" she asks indignantly as she throws the pillow at me once again.

I catch it again quite easily. "That is not why I was grinning," I reply slyly.

"Then what were you grinning about, Erik?" she questions as I toss the pillow at her once more.

As she narrowly misses being hit in the other shoulder, I say lightly, "I was just thinking of how beautiful you look in everything you wear... and also when you are wearing nothing at all."

"Erik!" she exclaims as her face turns a bright shade of red. I cannot help but smile even more at the sight.

"What?" I question innocently as I find myself thoroughly enjoying the sight of her blushing face.

"You told me that you did not look beyond my wounds," she says shyly as she makes sure her robe is cinched tightly.

"I most certainly did not say that I never looked beyond your wounds. I stated that when I was placing the nightgown on you I allowed myself to look beyond your lovely face," I say truthfully as I recall the conversation we had when I changed her dressings that first time.

"You also begged my forgiveness for taking liberties that only a husband should have. But since we are to be wed I do not see why you should not be enjoying the sight of your future wife," she says slyly as her shyness disappears and she slowly removes her robe.

"I see your point, Marie, but do you not think that now is not the right time to be doing this?" I ask as I find my eyes locked on her movements. As if on cue, Charles begins to cry.

"I appear to be out numbered since Charles seems to agree with you," Marie says with an amused look on her face as she closes her robe once more before going over to the crib and picking him up.

I am rather relieved that he woke up when he did for I do not believe that I would have been able to resist her advances any longer and I do wish to try to wait until we are wed before we take our relationship to that next level. "I shall go warm Charles some milk," I say as I quickly turn to leave the room. I do not wish for her to see the obvious signs of what her words and actions have done to my body.

"Thank you, love," Marie says softly as I approach the door.

"I shall be back shortly, my love," I say as I leave the room and hurry down the hall to the kitchen. After putting some milk on to warm I return to my own room where I wash up and get dressed. When I return to the kitchen I prepare the bottle and return to Marie's room.

"You have perfect timing, Erik. I just finished changing Charles and I believe he is ready for that bottle," she says as she smiles up at me before placing Charles in my arms. "While you feed him I will bathe and dress." With that she makes a few quick selections from her new wardrobe and disappears into the bathroom. I cannot help but notice that she did not lock the door.

"Good morning, Charles. Are you hungry?" I ask before sitting on the sofa and offering him the bottle which he begins to suck on greedily. "I will assume that is a yes," I say lightly feeling happier than I have ever felt before. Just then I feel something grabbing at my pant leg. "Good morning to you too, Pandora. I suppose you are wanting some attention?" I ask as I swiftly pick up the little kitten. Her only reply is a timid meow as she settles next to me on the sofa before she begins to purr. With this little kitten curled up along side me I cannot help but recall the events of yesterday. My head is feeling much better today though and I hold no resentment towards this precious little kitten. I am not quite sure why but I feel that I should be thanking Pandora for some reason. If not for her I would not have been in that alley and hit over the head, nearly being killed in the process. Marie would not have killed my attacker and I probably would not have realized just how much Marie loves me nor would I have had the courage to propose to her last night. When I was shopping yesterday and I saw that ring I immediately bought it without giving it a second thought. I knew it would fit her ring finger perfectly and that it would be her engagement ring if I ever got up the courage to ask her. I still do not know why I put it in my robe last night before going to her room. I do know that the sight of her in that black silk nightgown was entirely too much. Going to the study was the only thing I could think of that would get me out of that room and away from that bed. If I were to have gotten in bed with her just then I would not have been able to stop at just holding her in my arms as we drifted off to sleep. If not for Marie's encouragement and the dull pain at the back of my head I do not believe that I would have had the courage to go through with the proposal. She accepted! She wishes to be my wife! Oh, how I have always wanted to hear those words spoken to me and after all these years I had given up hope of ever hearing them! But this precious child who has dreamt of me since she was a little girl has given me the greatest gift of all... love. She is braver than anyone I have ever known for she does not fear me nor does she hate me because of my face. She grew to know me through her dreams and when she was older she was afforded a look at my face and it did not terrify her. She fell in love with me through these dreams and she risked a severe beating and possible death just to meet me. She must be an angel sent from heaven above to be able to accept me and love me regardless of my past and my face. She has even killed a man for the sake of saving my life. She truly wishes to be my wife. I can hardly believe that I will never be alone again. We shall begin planning the wedding today. I would like Nadir to be my best man for if it was not for him I would have perished in Persia long ago and would never had known the simple pleasures Marie has introduced into my life. What is taking Marie so long? I wonder as I gaze down at Charles who has finished his bottle and is now playing with a button on my shirt. Pandora is sleeping beside me and I hear her purr occasionally. Just then the bathroom door opens slowly and Marie immerges wearing a lovely lavender dress.

"Shall we go to the kitchen and have breakfast before we begin planning our wedding?" she asks as she enters the room. Stopping in front of me she gently removes Charles from my arms and carries him to the crib.

"That sounds like a splendid idea. What would you like for breakfast, my dear?" I ask as I rise from the sofa and join her next to the crib, placing my arm around her waist. Charles is playing happily with the string of bells.

"Bacon, eggs, toast, and orange juice would do nicely," she says as she turns her smiling face towards mine.

"Then that is what we shall have," I reply indulgently as I guide her to the door, feeling completely at ease.

"Do you have a date in mind for the wedding?" Marie asks thoughtfully as we enter the kitchen.

"No, my dear, but I thought we were going to discuss the wedding after breakfast?" I say lightly.

"Yes, I suppose I did suggest that, did I not?" she answers with a small laugh and an impatient look on her face and I find myself joining in on her laughter.

"Yes, you did," I agree as I begin to prepare breakfast.

"Why do we not just get married today and be done with it, Erik?" Marie asks more seriously than not.

"As we both agreed last night, this is something that will only happen once in our lives and it should be perfect," I say just as seriously. I find it rather touching that she wishes to be wed so soon.

"Yes, I do wish for everything to be perfect," she says with a sigh of resignation as she sets two glasses of orange juice on the table before sitting down.

"Then we shall discuss the wedding when we are finished with breakfast," I say as I place a steaming plate of food in front of her before fixing my own plate and sitting down across from her.

"Alright, Erik," Marie says as she picks up her fork and takes a bite of bacon. The rest of the meal is eaten in companionable silence and goes rather quickly for it seems we are both anxious to be finished.

"Since you are so anxious to begin, why don't you go to the study and write down your ideas for the wedding while I clean up in here?" I suggest with a smile.

"Will you be joining me?" she asks, seemingly unsure as to whether I will be helping her with the planning.

"I will join you shortly and then we can begin the planning," I say reassuringly as I place a soft kiss to her lips.

"That sounds wonderful, Erik," Marie says happily as she makes her way to the door. "Do hurry," she calls over her shoulder before leaving the room.

Ten minutes later I silently enter the study. Marie is sitting at the little desk in the far corner where I often have sat and worked on my opera. She seems to be completely absorbed in what she is writing down. "Have you many ideas for the wedding?" I ask softly as I cross the room and come to a stop beside her.

"Oh, Erik, I did not hear you come in!" she states as she stops writing and turns to look at me with a startled look on her face.

"I am sorry, my dear, I did not mean to startle you," I say as I gaze apologetically down at her.

"There is no need for you to apologize. I was simply caught up in writing down my ideas," she says sheepishly.

Gazing over her shoulder I see that she has a rather long list started. "I see you have a few ideas," I say teasingly as I pull a wooden chair up next to her.

Blushing, she replies softly, "Yes, I suppose I do."

"Shall we discuss these ideas or would you prefer to complete your list before we begin the discussion?" I ask as I sit down beside her.

"We could begin now and add to it as we go," she suggests as she sets the quill into the inkwell.

"That sounds like a splendid idea, Marie. May I see the ideas you have so far?" I ask curiously.

"Of course you may, Erik," she says quickly as she carefully hands me the sheet of paper she had been writing on, not wishing for the ink to be smeared before it has the chance to dry.

As I look at the careful handwriting I notice that she has a very elegant style. Looking at the numbered ideas I decide it best to discuss each one in order. "You wish to be wed on a Monday... is there any particular reason for such a request?" I ask curiously as I wonder why it would matter what day of the week we are married.

"If you will recall you found me early Monday morning. I wish to be wed on a Monday for that is the day which my dreams became a reality," she says matter-of-factly. "Please say that we can be wed on a Monday," she requests hopefully and I cannot help but smile at her simple request.

"A Monday it shall be, my dear," I say indulgently as I retrieve a clean sheet of paper and put it in writing.

"Thank you, Erik," she says softly in my ear.

"You are quite welcome, my dear. Now... what is the next idea?" I say as I retrieve her list and look at the next idea which is so elegantly written. "You wish for the ceremony to be held at the Notre Dame Cathedral? I believe that can be arranged," I say indulgently as I write that after the day on the other sheet of paper.

"Oh, Erik, that will be the perfect place," she sighs happily and I recall just how beautiful Notre Dame is. Yes it will be the perfect place I think to myself and smile.

"Well, what is next on the list?" I ponder as I refer back to her list. "You wish for it to be a small ceremony?" I question her. I would have thought she would have wanted a large ceremony.

"Yes, Erik, a small ceremony with just a few people," she says softly.

"But why, Marie?" I question in disbelief. "Surely you have many friends you wish to invite."

"No, Erik, you are my only friend," she says sadly. "I do not even have anyone to give me away."

"Surely you have someone to be your bridesmaid?" I prod gently, finding it hard to believe that someone as lovely and outgoing as her could not think of a single person to be in her wedding.

Looking up at me sadly she replies softly, "no. I have no one, Erik. I was never allowed to have friends when I was staying at home. My father made sure that I had no time for them. The few friends I had known at school would not even give me the time of day since my father's business investments went bad and we went into debt."

"What about your relatives?" I ask as I think of possible solutions to remedy this problem.

"None of my relatives would take Charles and me in when we needed their help. I am not about to invite any of them to my wedding. I wish to never see any of them again," she states firmly.

"Well, then, I suppose it will be a small ceremony. Do not fret over a bridesmaid or someone to give you away. I believe I know who can fill those positions," I say as a thought comes to mind. Yes... they would do nicely.

"Who do you have in mind, Erik?" Marie questions softly.

"You will see soon enough, my dear. Just trust me," I say as a plan forms in my mind. "We will be going out tonight."

"To where?" Marie asks suspiciously.

"You will just have to wait and see," I say with a laugh.

"Is Charles going to be joining us on this little trip of ours?" she asks curiously.

"Yes," I answer simply.

"Then we will not be going far," she states confidently.

"What makes you so certain of that?" I ask slyly.

"Because it will be cold out and Charles does not have warm enough clothing for a long journey," she says seriously.

"To the contrary, I took it upon myself when I was shopping yesterday to buy some warmer clothing for your little brother," I say truthfully.

"You bought clothing for my brother?" she asks skeptically as she tries unsuccessfully not to laugh. Apparently she finds the idea of me buying baby clothes somewhat humorous.

"Yes, I most certainly did," I counter indignantly as I quickly stand and leave the room. Hurrying to my bedroom I retrieve one of the packages I had purchased yesterday and quickly return to the study with it. Upon entering the room I place the package on the desk in front of Marie. "See for yourself," I say as I take a step back and fold my arms across my chest, waiting for her to open the package.

She unties the string carefully and then removes the lid. "Oh, Erik, you truly did buy him warm clothing," she says delightedly before laughing softly.

"Have I ever lied to you, Marie?" I question gently.

"No, Erik, you have never lied to me," she replies softly.

"Then why are you so surprised that I bought your brother some clothes?" I ask quietly.

"I did not mean to sound as though I doubted you. It is just that the sight of a mysterious figure buying baby clothes must have turned many heads for it must have been quite a spectacle," she says as she tries to fight another wave of laughter.

"I must say that I did not notice," I say as the image I must have presented plays across my mind and I cannot help but join in her laughter. "Buying baby clothes does seem to be a bit uncharacteristic of the Phantom does it not?" I ask as I laugh even more.

"Yes, I must say that it is a bit unlike the famous Phantom," she says as she laughs even harder at that thought.

I cannot remember laughing so much in an extremely long time if ever at all. I feel so at ease around this wonderful woman. I feel as though she has granted me a new life... a normal life filled with laughter and love. "Shall we resume our planning?" I ask after our laughter fades.

"But of course," she says excitedly. "Since you already have a bridesmaid and someone to give me away in mind we may skip the next two items on the list."

"Alright," I say as I remove the package from the desk and place it on an end table near the couch before returning to my seat next to Marie.

"Do you have someone in mind for a best man?" Marie asks as she looks at the next item on the list.

"Yes," I answer simply as I see that that was the next thing on the list.

"Well, that is good to know," she says lightly.

Picking up the list I read over the next item, "you would like for us to write our own vows?" I ask softly, wondering if I am capable of doing such a thing. It is true I have written many things. My wedding vow should not be too difficult.

"Yes, if that is alright with you, that is," she says hopefully and I know that I cannot refuse her.

"But of course, my dear," I say indulgently as I write it on the other paper.

"Thank you, Erik," she says happily as she kisses me softly on the cheek. Oh, I do so love to please her when I am rewarded with such treasures.

"You are quite welcome, my dear. Now, is there anything else on your list?" I ask as I pick up the sheet of paper once more and scan over the last item on the page. "You wish for it to be held as soon as possible?" I ask with a laugh. My, she really is in a hurry to be wed!

"Yes, provided that it is alright with you, of course," she says sweetly as she gazes lovingly at me.

"I will see if that can be arranged. Today is already Saturday and you wish to be wed on a Monday so that does not give us very much time," I say as I think of how I am going to pull this off.

"I wish only to be your wife, Erik. I do not want an extravagant wedding... only a simple ceremony with a few people and you by my side is all that I need," she says softly as she presses a soft kiss to my cheek as if trying to emphasize her words.

"I can hardly believe that this is actually happening to me," I say softly as I wrap my arms around her and pull her to her feet with me as I stand. She turns her face up towards mine expectantly. I lower my lips to hers and kiss her heatedly as I pull her body tightly against mine.

When we finally pull apart Marie says softly, "just think... in a few short days we will be husband and wife and then you will no longer have to doubt the reality of this all for we will be joined together forever."

"It is all happening so fast," I muss as I think of how absurd the whole thing is. I will be marrying a woman I have only known for a week. But it seems that I have known her my whole life. How can this be? She, on the other hand, has known me through her dreams for most of her life and this all seems so obvious to her.

"Do you love me, Erik?" she asks softly as she looks up at me.

"Yes, of course I love you, Marie," I reply as I wonder where she is going with this line of questioning.

"And I love you, Erik. That is all that matters now. Not time, not age... nothing at all but a love so deep that it has connected us together long before we were ever to meet. Delaying our marriage would not reduce the strength of that love we share nor will anything else in this world. I will love you just as much a hundred years from now as I love you today. Why postpone something that is inevitable? After all, have we not waited long enough for someone to love us in return?" she finishes softly.

Thinking on her words I realize that she has spoken with a wisdom that is well beyond her twenty-three years. "You are quite right, my dear. I have wished for someone to love me as I am for the better part of my life. I have often thought of ending this misery called life but I have never been able to go through with it. Something at the back of my head would always surface and convince me that if I just hope a little longer and a little harder I would be rewarded with that which I have desired most in my life. That little flicker of hope is what has kept me alive all these years and has brought me to you," I admit softly.

"Then we will be wed on Monday?" she asks hopefully.

"I will see what can be done to arrange it that way," I say softly before pulling her close once more knowing that I will do what ever it takes to please this precious woman in my arms.

"Thank you, Erik," she says softly before pulling my lips down to meet hers in a passionate kiss.

"You should know by now that I would do everything in my power to make you happy, Marie," I say softly when I have regained my voice. "Now that we are finished with the initial planning would you like for me to play for you?" I ask indulgently.

"Oh, yes, Erik. I would like that very much," she answers happily as she eases from my arms and takes my hand as I lead her to the organ.

"Would you like to hear anything special?" I ask as I take my place in front to the ivory keys.

"Would you please play 'The Awakening'?" she asks softly. "I do so enjoy hearing that song."

"But of course, my dear," I reply as I begin to play her request. When that song is finished I ask, "is there anything else you would like for me to play?"

"I am sure that what ever you choose to play will be beautiful, Erik," she says with a smile.

"As you wish," I say as I begin to play a happy tune. We both become lost in the music as I move from one song to the next and before either one of us even realize it two hours have passed.

"That was wonderful, Erik, but, I think I had better go prepare dinner if we are to be going out tonight," Marie says as she rises from the bench and smiles down at me. "If you would be so kind as to check on Charles I am sure that we can eat and be on our way by nightfall."

"Thank you, Marie," I say as I too stand up. "I will see to Charles' needs before joining you in the kitchen." With that I kiss her lightly and retrieve the package with his new clothing.

When we get to the doorway of the kitchen Marie pauses and says, "I will put some milk on to warm."

"Call for me when it is ready," I say as I kiss her once more before walking the rest of the way to Marie's room.

When I enter the room I see a pair of bright blue eyes gazing in my direction. Upon seeing me Charles squeals with delight and reaches out for me to pick him up. I quickly place the package on a stand and walk over to the crib. When I pick him up he smiles up at me and makes a cooing sound.

"Hello Charles," I say softly as I retrieve a clean diaper from a drawer in the dresser where I placed them yesterday. I cannot help but smile when I think of what Marie would say if she knew I had bought them along with the warmer clothing. I quickly retrieve a basin of warm water and a washcloth. I then spread the blanket out on the bed and place Charles upon it and begin to change his diaper. When he is cleaned up and changed I dress him in clean clothes. "There, all finished," I say as I pick him up. "Are you hungry, little one?" I ask as I leave the room and take him to the kitchen for his bottle.

"You are just in time," Marie says with a smile, as I enter the kitchen. "I just finished his bottle," she says as she brings the bottle over to me. Pandora is lapping up milk from a bowl.

"Thank you," I say softly as I take the bottle from her and offer it to a very eager Charles before settling down in my usual place at the table.

"You're welcome. I thought that for dinner tonight I would make something simple yet filling," she says as she returns to her dinner preparations.

"And what might that be?" I ask as I watch her move gracefully about the kitchen completely mesmerized by her lithe figure.

"Roast beef and whipped potatoes with gravy," she answers simply without faltering in her movements.

"That sounds wonderful," I say still amazed at how the simple task of cooking can appear so sensual. It seems that everything Marie does is graceful and sensual. Why had I not noticed this before? There is so much about this woman that I have yet to discover and I cannot help but wonder if I am doing the right thing by allowing her to rush the wedding. I can hardly believe that in a matter of a few short days she will be my wife in every sense of the word. I know that she loves me and I love her also, of this I have no doubt but is that knowledge reason enough to be wed so quickly? She thinks that it is and quite frankly I know that I cannot remain a gentleman while sharing her bed each night for very much longer. She is correct... we have both waited for this most of our lives and it would be foolish to prolong it. She knows from her dreams that we are to be joined together forever and her dreams have yet to deceive her... I just hope that they do not choose now to start! From what she has told me of her dreams, fate has brought us together. As for getting to know her better... I have the rest of my life to familiarize myself with this extraordinary woman who has blessed me with the one thing I had thought was lost to me forever... love.

"I believe Charles is finished with his bottle. Would you please return him to the crib while I finish up in here? Dinner is almost ready," she says as she draws me from my thoughts. I am surprised to realize just how long I have been lost in my thoughts for Charles is now sleeping in my arms.

"But of course, my dear," I say as I slowly rise from my seat, taking care not to wake Charles. I then make my way down the hall to Marie's room.

"Dinner is served," Marie says as I return to the kitchen.

"It looks wonderful," I say softly as I pull out a chair for her. She smiles shyly and blushes ever so slightly in response to my complement. Once she is seated I take my place across from her and pick up my fork and knife. It seems funny that until Marie began cooking for me I could have cared less if I even bothered to eat but now it seems as though I am tasting food for the first time. "This is simply delicious," I say as I take a bite of the savory roast beef.

"Thank you, Erik," she says softly as her face turns red. Will she ever cease to be embarrassed by such simple compliments?

"You are quite welcome, my dear," I say as I take a spoonful of the whipped potatoes and gravy. She truly is a splendid cook.

"Where are we going tonight, Erik?" she asks curiously in between bites.

"You will find out soon enough," I say softly, enjoying the look of intrigue on her face and planning on keeping her in suspense for a while longer.

"I suppose I have no choice but to wait," she says in feigned exasperation and I cannot help but smile at her comical display.

"Patience my dear girl," I say slyly before resuming my meal. She follows suit and we finish the meal in silence.

"Are we going to be leaving soon?" Marie asks eagerly as she quickly begins to clear the table.

"Soon," I say softly. "Allow me to clean up while you go get your brother ready for the journey. I set the package on the stand inside the door. Be sure to dress warmly. I am sure you will find a warm enough cloak in the armoire."

"Thank you, Erik," Marie says as she hurries around the table and throws her arms around me hugging me happily.

"Are you sure that you should be thanking me?" I ask teasingly as I ease her away from me. "After all, you do not even know where we are going."

"But I am going with you so it must be someplace wonderful," she says innocently as she gazes up at me.

"Perhaps," I say simply as I turn back to the task at hand not satisfying her curiosity by revealing where we will be going.

Not allowing my secretiveness to deter her happiness she begins to hum my song before leaving the kitchen.

I make short work of the dishes and retire to my own room to prepare for tonight's journey. After finishing in the bathroom I retrieve my mask and hat. Once they are in place I wrap my warmest cloak around me and cross the room to the far wall where I trigger the mechanism that opens a hidden compartment. From the hole in the wall I remove some money along with my Punjab lasso and knife. After hiding the items on my person where they are undetectable but easily accessible I slide the stone back in place and leave the room.