Chapter 17

"Erik? Are you going to sleep all day?" Marie calls softly, drawing me from my slumber. "It is almost noon."

Reluctant to wake just yet I wrap my arms around her tighter and say softly, "I would much rather remain like this."

"But Erik, there is still much to be done before the wedding tomorrow," Marie whispers as she snuggles closer against me.

"All the arrangements were seen to yesterday," I argue, still reluctant to wake. "What more can there be?"

"For one thing, we need to write our vows," she says thoughtfully. When I still refuse to open my eyes she pushes me gently onto my back and whispers slyly, "If you do not wake up this minute, Erik, I will be forced to persuade you otherwise." With that said she eases on top of me and presses her lips to mine in what promises to be a very passionate kiss.

"Alright, alright! I am up," I say quickly as I carefully roll her off of me and climb out of bed, not allowing the kiss to reach its true potential.

"I know," Marie says teasingly as she smiles brightly before glancing knowingly at my crotch.

Following her gaze, I quickly turn away from her and retrieve my robe from the foot of the bed, trying to hide my embarrassment. "I am going to my room to get dressed. I suggest you do the same," I say evenly as I hurry from the room without looking back at her.

"Erik, wait," she calls from her open doorway as I quickly retreat into my room and close the door securely behind me, making sure to lock it.

"Oh, Marie, why must you torment me so?" I say softly as I lean against the door, angry with myself for not having more control over my body. I had always been able to control my body in the past but now the simplest contact sends my pulse racing and sets my blood to boil.

"Erik, please open the door," Marie calls softly as she taps lightly on my door. "I am sorry, I did not mean to embarrass you."

Unable to resist her pleading I open the door reluctantly, glad that I have calmed down. "There is no need to apologize. Your forwardness simply caught me off guard," I admit softly.

"I do need to apologize, Erik. I know that my actions seem like a form of torture to you. But, once we are married and you no longer feel that you need to resist my advances you will realize that it is you that is torturing both yourself and me by fighting that which is most natural," Marie says sincerely.

"You have such wisdom for someone so young," I say after pondering her words for a few moments.

"So I've been told," she says with a smile before turning and leaving the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

After locking the door once more, I retreat to the bathroom and prepare for the day ahead of me. Once finished, I dress quickly and make my way back down the hall to Marie's room. As I approach I notice that the door is slightly ajar. I know full well that I should simply knock and wait to be invited in but I cannot resist the urge to glance through the small opening. The sight that meets my eye is enough to steal my breath away and I must have gasped for Marie, whom only moments before was standing before the open armoire completely naked, turned suddenly to face the door. I am frozen in my place even though every part of my logical brain is telling me to run... to hide before I am discovered. As she quickly wraps her robe around her I find my feet and quickly yet quietly make my way the short distance to the kitchen. Once there, I quickly busy myself preparing a bottle for Charles and try to calm my raging body before Marie can confront me about what I just did.

"Erik, where you spying on me?" Marie asks casually as she enters the kitchen a few minutes later, fully dressed in a pale blue dress.

"Of course not, my dear," I force myself to lie to her while keeping my back to her, hoping that she cannot see the redness that has just crept into my face as a result of the forced lie.

"Are you sure?" she whispers. "You know I will not be mad at you if you were," she says softly as she wraps her arms around me from behind and rests her head against my back.

"I would never do such a thing," I say softly, hating to lie to her but preferring it to admitting my weakness to her.

"But you have done just that once before," she says slyly.

"That was different. You where hurt and I was caring for your wounds," I say defensively.

"But when you were finished with my wounds you said yourself you looked," she argues.

Leaving out a long sigh I turn to face her. "Alright, I confess... I did look earlier. I know that I should not have but I simply could not resist," I say softly as my face turns redder.

"Erik, do not fret so over it. If I had not wanted you to look I would have shut and locked the door," she says with a sly smile.

"You mean to tell me that you planned that?" I ask in shock, taken aback by her bold admission.

"Yes," she answers simply. "I have done that on more than one occasion but this is the first time you seem to have noticed."

"I have noticed in the past but I had fought such temptations," I say softly, remembering the time she left the bathroom door open slightly while she was preparing for bed and how tempted I was to look.

"I am sorry to have made you so uncomfortable, Erik," she says as she wraps her arms around me once more. "I forget that you are not used to such things and I must remember that what we have shared in my dreams have not yet happened here in reality just yet."

"I do not know if I will ever get used to you," I say teasingly as I wrap my arms around her.

"Oh, you will," she says sure of herself. "You'll see," she adds before pressing her lips to mine.

"I believe I had better finish preparing the bottle," I say as I reluctantly pull away from Marie after hearing Charles begin to cry from down the hall.

"Yes, my brother does seem to have impeccable timing," Marie says as she eases out of my arms and steps aside, allowing me to return to the bottle. "I will go see to him while you finish up in here," she says as she makes her way to the door.

"I will join you shortly," I say over my shoulder as I test the milk to make sure it is not too warm. With that she leaves the room and I turn my thoughts to what she has just admitted to me. She has left the door open on purpose, wishing for me to look in on her? Why? And what exactly has she been dreaming of in these dreams of hers? The sound of Charles crying from down the hall draws me from my thoughts and I hurry from the room with his bottle. When I arrive at Marie's door, I knock softly and wait to be invited in.

"Come in," she calls softly and I slowly open the door. "You know, Erik, there really is no need for you to knock," Marie says after I enter the room.

"And why is that?" I ask as I cross the room and settle next to Marie on the sofa. Taking Charles from her arms I offer him the bottle which he accepts greedily.

"Because, Erik, we will be wed tomorrow and there will no longer be a reason for you to knock before entering this room," she says softly as she leans against my side and rests her head on my shoulder.

"That may be so but until we are wed I will continue to knock like any gentleman would," I say as I wrap my arm around her.

"As you wish," she says reluctantly, as if realizing that this is one argument she will not win.

"Please do not look so sad, my dear, after all, it is only for one more day," I point out gently.

"I know," she says softly. "I did promise to be on my best behavior until we are wed. I really am sorry to have put you in several awkward situations. It is just that while growing up, you have always been a part of my life. As I grew older we grew closer in my dreams. My feelings for you had grown from admiration and childish infatuation to that of true and incomparable love. I knew from the beginning that we were destined to be together and that we would meet one day when we were both ready. In the past year my dreams have become more intimate where you were concerned and I knew that the day we would finally meet was drawing near. I suppose that once we met I allowed my dreams to influence my actions a bit too much. After realizing that you have not shared those same dreams all this time I knew that you were not yet ready for me to pick up in reality where we had left off in my dreams. I must keep reminding myself of that fact and as you have already noticed I have not done a very good job of it."

"My dear," I begin reluctantly. "When I met you a mere week ago I initially wished to have nothing to do with you besides nursing you back to health so that you could be on your way. Mind you, I said initially," I point out as she opens her mouth to protest. "That night when I was caring for your wounds and had cleaned and sutured your face I began to feel something for you that I had never felt for anyone before. These strange feelings confused me and I tried to push them from my mind. Then, when you allowed me to hold you in my arms without showing any fear of my bare face I realized that you were different than anyone I have ever known. And with that realization came the glimmer of hope... hope that perhaps you could grow to love me over time. Little did I know that you already did. Since then you have introduced me to so many wonderful feelings that I have gone my whole life without even knowing existed. I know now that what I had felt for Christine was not love but merely infatuation. What I feel for you is a thousand times more intense than anything I have ever felt compelled to love in my entire life. I must admit that I have fallen in love with you rather quickly but then I seem to have been drawn to you since I first laid you upon that bed to care for your wounds. It is true that when you first met me in reality I was not yet ready to pick up where ever it is your dreams have left off but I can assure you that after we are married tomorrow I will be quite ready to give into your relentless seduction. After all, I believe I have waited long enough and perhaps I will even try my hand as the seducer," I add with a sly smile before pressing my lips to hers in a passionate kiss. This woman is truly unbelievable.

"Perhaps I should put Charles in his crib," Marie says softly after we reluctantly ease our lips from one another. Without another word she removes him from my arms and carries him over to the crib. He immediately begins to play happily with the bells. "Shall we go to the study?" she asks as she stands before me.

"I was thinking more along the path of going to the kitchen to prepare lunch. After all, I do believe it is a bit too late for breakfast," I say as I glance at the clock before I rise from the sofa and take her hand in mine.

"I suppose that two in the afternoon is a little too late for breakfast," Marie agrees with a soft laugh as I lead her from the room.

"Yes, I dare say it is," I agree as I join in her quiet laughter. "What would you like for lunch?" I ask as we enter the kitchen.

"Do we have any steak?" she asks as she leans over and begins to search through the icebox.

"Yes, there should be some in there somewhere," I say as I stand back and enjoy the view.

"I found them," she declares as she straightens herself up and turns to face me. I quickly avert my eyes.

"Good," I say as I take them from her and walk over to the coal stove. "What would you like with your steak?"

"A baked potato with butter would go perfect with it," she says as she retrieves two large potatoes and brings them over to the stove.

"Steak and baked potato it is," I say as I place the potatoes on the stove along with the steaks.

"Have you written your vows yet?" Marie asks as we sit at the table waiting for our lunch to cook.

"Not yet. Have you?" I ask curiously.

"Yes, I have written them but I would rather wait until the ceremony to surprise you with them," she admits softly.

"As you wish," I say indulgently. After all, I most certainly have surprised her enough yesterday to allow her to surprise me with her vows.

"Thank you, Erik," she says with a sigh of relief. "That means so much to me."

"It is my pleasure, my dear," I say smoothly. "Are you certain that once we are wed you will be content to continue living here?" I ask after a few minutes of silent thought as I look around the small kitchen. This is, after all, the smallest room in my entire house since food was the last thing I was interested in.

"Oh, yes, Erik! I would never think of living anywhere but here," Marie says sternly. "I told you before that I prefer this place over any other above ground. I wish for my brother and our children, to grow up where they will be safe from all the bad things the world above harbors that could harm them."

Did I just hear her correctly? Did she just say 'our children'? Does she realize what she has just said? "Who's children?" I ask in disbelief, wanting to be sure that my ears did not deceive me.

"Our children, silly," she says with a soft laugh, obviously finding my shocked question humorous.

"You mean you wish to bear my children?" I ask dumbfounded by what she has just confirmed.

"Yes, Erik, of course I wish to bear your children. Why wouldn't I?" she asks surprised by my question.

"Because if you have my child there is a possibility that it may be deformed," I point out seriously, feeling that she must understand the risks involved.

"I am fully aware of that, Erik," she says stubbornly. "And I can assure you that no matter what our child looks like I will still love it with all my heart just as I love you, Erik."

"You are certain?" I ask, astonished by her words.

"Yes, I am quite sure," she says matter-of-factly.

"How did I ever become lucky enough to have found you?" I ask as a tear silently makes its way down my twisted cheek. Her words have brought such joy to my heart for I had thought I would never hear such words from a woman.

"Fate has brought us together," Marie says softly as she stands and walks to where I am sitting. She then gently wipes the tear from my face and presses a soft, lingering kiss to my lips before whispering, "we are bound together by fate." She then goes to the stove to check on the steaks.

"Fate," I say softly, as I watch her movements. That one small word has brought me the inspiration I needed to write my vows. "If you will excuse me I must go to the study."

"Of course," Marie says with a glance in my direction. "Lunch will be ready soon but take your time. I will call you when it is served."

"Thank you," I say as I quickly get up and leave the room. When I enter the study I take a piece of paper and hurriedly jot down my vows. When I am satisfied with them I take the paper to my room and place it in the wall with my money where I know that Marie will not stumble upon them.

"Lunch is ready, Erik," Marie calls from the kitchen doorway.

"I will be there shortly, my dear. I was just on my way to wash up," I call, hoping to hide the real reason I am in my room instead of the study.

"Alright," she replies simply and I hurry to the bathroom to wash up before returning to the kitchen.

"It looks wonderful," I say as I enter the kitchen a few moments later and take my seat across from her.

"Thank you," she says with a smile. "Would you like some butter?" she asks, offering me the dish.

"Yes, please," I reply politely as I take the butter and spread some on my potato. "This is delicious," I say as I take a bite of steak.

"Thank you," she says as she smiles shyly and I can see that my compliments as far as her cooking is concerned still cause her some uneasiness.

"You are quite welcome, my dear," I reply before taking a bite of baked potato. "What do you have planned for today?" I ask after a few minutes of silence.

"I thought that perhaps after the sun goes down tonight we might go for a walk through that lovely park we rode past last night. If that is alright with you, of course," Marie says hopefully.

"But of course, my dear," I reply indulgently. "I will see if Madame Giry will watch Charles while we stroll through the park."

"Thank you, Erik!" Marie exclaims happily as she smiles brightly at me from across the table.

"You are quite welcome, my dear," I reply softly. "Would you like to visit with Meg this afternoon before we go for our stroll?" I ask, figuring it will please her.

"I would like that very much," she replies as her smile becomes even larger.

"Then it is settled. After we finish eating and see to Charles we will be on our way," I say as I take another bite of steak.

"Thank you, Erik," she says quickly before returning her attention to the food in front of her. The rest of the meal progresses in a comfortable silence and we are soon finished eating.

"I will clean up in here while you go see to Charles," I offer as I rise from my seat and begin to clear away the dishes.

"That sounds like a wonderful plan," she says as she too rises from her seat. "I love you so much, Erik," she says as she closes the distance between us and wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her body to mine as our lips meet in a passionate kiss. I cannot help but wrap my arms around her and pull her even closer to me as I return her kiss.

Reluctantly pulling away from her, I say teasingly, "You know, if we keep this up we are not going to have time to visit with the Giry's before we go for a walk."

"I suppose you are correct," she says as she playfully presses a light kiss to my lips before turning to leave the room. "I am going to get changed and see to Charles. If you hurry with the dishes you may have time to sneak another peek," she adds over her shoulder before disappearing from the room.

I hear her laugh softly as she makes her way to her room. Even though I listen closely I fail to hear the door click shut and I have the sneaking suspicion that she was not simply jesting. I am sure that if I did venture to her door too quickly I truly would be afforded another glimpse of her getting changed. I decide to take plenty of time cleaning up, not wishing to have a repeat of what happened earlier.

Satisfied that a sufficient amount of time has passed I leave the kitchen and journey the short distance to Marie's room. I had been correct in my assumption for the door is not shut completely. I knock lightly on the door, taking care not to allow my eyes to stray to the opening.

"Come in," Marie calls softly and I cautiously open the door. "What took you so long?" she asks as I enter the room. Pandora immediately begins rubbing against my leg.

"I was cleaning up the kitchen," I answer vaguely, relieved that she is fully clothed in a lovely dark green velvet dress.

"I see," she answers knowingly. Could she possible suspect my real reason for lingering behind?

"The pan was very greasy," I say, grasping for anything that will remove that knowing look from her face. Pandora meows as I set a bowl of milk on the floor for her.

"Of course. Shall we go to the study for a few minutes before we leave?" she asks, changing the subject as she interrupts Charles' play and lifts him from the crib.

"As you wish. Would you like me to take him?" I ask as I join her at the side of the crib, relieved that she has changed the subject.

"If you'd like," she says, placing Charles in my waiting arms.

"Thank you," I reply before offering her my hand. She quickly takes it and we walk together to the study. "Would you like me to play for you?" I ask as we make our way down the hall.

"I would like that very much," Marie replies softly, releasing my hand as we enter the study.

"Is there anything in particular you would like me to play?" I ask as she sits down on the couch and I place Charles in her arms.

"Could you play that song I love so much?" she asks hopefully as she offers to take Charles. "Whenever I was frightened you used to sing it to me softly as you held me within the safety of your cloak. I cannot tell you how many times I have fallen asleep with that melody in my head," she admits with a smile.

"But of course I will play it for you, my dear. I am glad that it was a comfort to you," I reply smoothly as I cross the room to the large organ. Sitting on the bench, I begin to play 'The Awakening' which she is so fond of. As I play I glance over my shoulder at the contented look on her face and quickly decide what I am going to give her as a wedding present.

"That was beautiful, Erik," Marie says reverently as I finish the song.

"Thank you," I reply simply as I turn on the bench to face her. Glancing at Charles I see that he has drifted off to sleep. "He must have found it to be a comforting song," I comment, nodding in the baby's direction.

"Yes, I do believe you are correct," Marie says with a soft laugh as she glances at her brother's sleeping face. "I think he will be sleeping for awhile. Perhaps you should go get your cloak and hat," she suggests as she rises from her seat. "I will get mine and meet you here when you are ready."

"Alright," I agree as I rise from the bench and make my way to the door. We walk as far as my room before we part company. "I will not be long," I add over my shoulder as I enter my room.

"I shall be waiting," she calls as she enters her own.

Closing the door, I retrieve my mask and deftly put it in place. I then place my hat upon my head and wrap my heavy cloak about my shoulders, securing it in the front. I then retrieve my Punjab lasso and knife from their hiding place, along with some money and quickly secure them on my person and close the hidden compartment before returning to the study. Marie is waiting there as promised, wearing a dark green cloak that matches her dress remarkably well. However, this little detail does not surprise me since I am the one who had the cloak made specifically to go with the velvet dress that Marie is wearing.

"Charles is still sleeping," Marie says softly as I enter the room.

"So he is," I say in agreement as I join her beside the crib.

"Would you like to hold him?" she asks as she picks him up from the crib and offers the child to me.

"Of course," I reply as I remove him from her arms. As I take him into my arms he wakes. As he gazes up at me he lets out a squeal and smiles at me, reaching towards my mask. "Shall we be on our way?" I ask as I smile down at the baby and wrap the blanket more securely around him.

"By all means," she says eagerly as she places her hand in mine and pulls me from the room.