Erik tied the silk scarf around her head and lead her carefully to the side of the lake and helped her get into the boat. As he pulled them along he would cast glances backwards rhythmically to check that she still had it on and wasn't peeking, he thanked the gods that she couldn't see the look of utter nervousness that lined his face, his heart beating furiously in his chest, sweat starting the break out on his brow.
The journey passed mainly in silence, only once or twice did Christine raise a question as to where they were going and why he had denied her her sight for the journey - he had silenced her with the immortal words "Good things come to those who wait my love", he was slightly surprised at the eveness of his voice seeing as his body was betraying him. Never before had her ever been so nervous, even with his mother's rejection, the beatings at the hand of his former guardians were nothing compared to the sheer emotions that ran through his body at what he was about to do.
Finally they had reached the other side, he had everything taken care of, he just needed to keep his nerve. Extending his hand he guided hers into his and grasped her body to him, trying to will himself to stop the shakes that ran within. He walked her slowly up the long stairwell and to where he had first saw Chrisine - the mirror which was a blessing and a curse. Flipping the mechanism the mirror swung open and they stepped out, the mirror closing quickly behind her. It was nearly 11:30pm and the opera was silent, even the mice seemed to sleep as they slipped out as quickly as shadows passing in the night.
Like clockwork a carriage was waiting outside, the brown horses still in the moonlight that shone above, casting light on everything, giving it a glow which seemed to calm Erik slightly - a doorman stood straight, waiting for instructions, tipping his hat as he saw Erik and Christine. "You know where to go" Erik said quietly, the doorman nodded, tipped his hat and got on board, ready for the journey. Erik, guided Christine into the carriage and shut the door, banging on the roof sharply which was the signal to move off. Almost immediately the carriage driver gave the command and the horses started forward with a sharp jolt which caused them both to gasp involutarily. Soon the carriage established a gentle rhythm and Erik was able to collect his voice - his planned speech going completely out of his head as he tried to think. Christine picked up on his unease which had grown since they left the liar and whispered quickly; "Are you okay my love?"
"Y...yes of course, say no more mon ange" he stuttered, caught unawares by the voice that brought him out of his thoughts.
He gazed over at her and his heart swelled with love, she was beautiful. He had told her that they were going out and that she should dress appropriatly but nothing else but what she wore now took his breath away. A dark red dress hugged her form almost perfectly, flaring out at the bottom as velvet joined lace and ran right down to the black shoes that she wore around her ankles. Her dark brown soft against her features, he had been careful when tieing the scarf round not to muss it up. She was his angel in every sense of the word - his love, his life, his soul and saviour and he would surely die if she were to leave him.
Suddenly he was aware of the coach slowling down and he knew they were close. Patting his pocket he made sure he had everything. Taking one last deep breath to steady his nerves - he couldn't back out now, he loved her more than life itself and he thank the gods again that they had chosen him for this blessing. Rising up to standing he lowered himself out of the carriage before reaching his hands out to grasp hers and pull her to him, embracing her firmly but tenderly, he placed a small kiss on her lips before taking one hand in his own and guiding her along the moonlit path, to where a small lake surrounded by tall trees stood. Taking another deep breath the calm his rising heartbeat, a lump forming in his throat as it hit him that this really was the point of no return, for him, for them.
Pulling her close to him close to her again he snaked his hands around to the back of her head and hesitated momentarily, thinking of the right words. "Christine... I... you are everything to me, you are my heart, my soul, my song. When I'm with you there is nothing but me and you, the whole world could fall tomorrow and I would die happy because I have tasted heaven and I..." he undid the scarf, letting it fall to the floor before bending down, onto one knee, reaching inside his pocket and produce a small, blood red box.
Looking up from where he knelt, a look a sheer terror evident in his eyes know, he felt like a little boy at the feet of a goddess. "...and I..." he started again, swallowing to get the moisuture back into his rapidly drying mouth; "I would be honoured if you would do me the honour of being mine forever and a day" he finished quickly before the tears started to fall. He quickly lowered his head, staring at the dark pavement, the moonlight bouncing off the top of his head brilliantly, he braced himself for the answer, his whole body bunched up, life and death rested on this answer and they both knew it.
"Erik" Christine whispered softly. He lifted his head slowly, so afraid to look into her eyes, the tears still falling down his cheeks, catching the moonlight and making them seem like diamond. "I love you, I have always loved you and I will love if you would do ME the honour of being mine forever" she grinned broadly as he got to his feet and swept her off hers, spinning her round in the darkness, laughter breaking forth through his tears as it hit him just what she had said - she would be his, forever and a day she would be his.
Kissing her passionatly he placed the ring on her finger, the silver setting off the onyx which was as black as night - not unlike his own that which he wore on his little finger. He kissed her again, took her gently by the wrist and together they walked up the rest of the path, taking in the moonlight, the gorgeous surrounding and the feelings of being irreversbily in love.
