Her Story by GoldenLyre
Chapter 14
Previous disclaimer applies.
Erik and I remained in each other's embrace long after everyone had disappeared. For most of that time, I was simply staring at the ripples in the murky lake. The silence was broken when I murmured to Erik out of the blue, "I didn't know you were an architect too…"
Erik looked down at me, his beautiful eyes shining again with life before he replied with a small smile, "One of my many secrets, my dear…" A grin grew on my lips as I said, "I'll find them out in time!" He chuckled quietly before planting a small kiss on my temple. I let out a sigh in response and snuggled more into his warm embrace, never wanting to let go again.
As tempting as that sounded, it was getting very cold and I was getting very tired. A yawn escaped me, and drifted off to sleep on Erik's shoulder.
When I woke up, I was lying in the swan bed in a loving embrace. I looked up and saw Erik sleeping peacefully with a new mask in place. I frowned and gently removed it from his face. He sighed quietly and shifted closer to me. I smiled and tucked my head under his chin, just relishing his company.
"Christine… Why'd you take it off?"
I tilted my head up to look into Erik's sleep-glazed eyes which were currently twinkling in amusement. I smiled and said indignantly, "I don't like it. It feels too cold." Before I got the chance to snuggle up to him once more, he started tickling me.
The Phantom of the Opera, a man of composure and feline grace, was tickling me!
I laughed so hard I fell off the bed! I grabbed Erik's collar and brought him down with me. We landed on the worn Persian rug with a soft thud. We slowly stopped laughing as Erik propped himself up on his elbows, and our eyes met.
His beautiful eyes were soft and loving… A delightful warmth shrouded me at the realization that his expression was only for me.
Only for me…
I smiled and kissed him softly, and pulling back before he had a chance to respond. At his frown, I asked, "Don't you have designs to work on?" His smile returned and nodded before kissing me softly on the forehead and getting up.
I sat up and watched him work at his slanted desk, his hand moving in fluid, professional strokes. I walked over to him and watched him draw. I gasped – they were extraordinary! An extraordinary blueprint of the Opera House lobby lay before me. Scattered across the tabletop was similar blueprints of different parts of the Opera House.
Erik looked up from his work momentarily. Before I could meet his eye, he looked away with a smile.
I gazed at him a few more minutes, quite unable to comprehend that our happy ending had finally come. I walked to his bookcase to retrieve something that would entertain me while he busied himself with his work.
That had been almost a full year ago. Today, we were preparing for the grand reopening of the Opera Populaire and I haven't quite seen Erik so nervous before. His hands were shaking as they fumbled to slip on his black leather gloves.
He had fumbled to tie on his cravat as well, so with a giggle I had helped him tie it securely around his throat. He looked at me gratefully. I had already dressed in a gift that Erik had given me for the occasion. It was a beautiful scarlet gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves, a beautifully embroidered bodice in gold thread and a full skirt lined with black lace and more embroidery.
We made our way up to see a party in full-swing in the newly-built lobby, restored to its wondrous former glory, complete with golden statues and candelabras. We made our way down the stairs, and I mingled with people I used to work with when I was a ballet girl. Erik stayed close to me, quiet; replying only when he was being talked to.
I could feel discomfort radiating from him as Raoul approached us and gave me a friendly peck on the cheek. He congratulated Erik on his fine designs. He had said to him, "None of this could've been possible without you." For what must be the first time in his life, Erik felt embarrassed.
The party was highly enjoyable. So much so, it felt as if it were too perfect. By the end of the night when Erik and I were back down in the catacombs, I shared my discomforts with him. Erik was very much unlike himself and shrugged it off with a laugh, saying, "Don't jinx it, dearest."
I looked at him as if he grew another head. His character had changed so much since we had gotten… well, together. And more intimate. He seemed a lot happier, as if a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders. I smiled to myself, finding that I liked it.
Even more so when I was safely and comfortably snuggled in his embrace at night.
TBC
A/n: Hey everyone! There's gonna be the epilogue after this, then it's all done! I've grown really attached to this fic, and I don't think it would've been able to grow without you guys, my reviewers. So for that, cheers to every and anyone who's followed this fic from its first chapter :) Much appreciated!
On to thanking my glorious reviewers!
Number 356 : Well, you brighten my day whenever you review :) So thank YOU so much for that!
shamaho : Aww thank you so much! I didn't know I was on anyone's faves list, to be perfectly honest! Im really flattered, so thank you so much!
Rikku Ree : Well, don't mobs usually expect bloodshed? Hahahaa ;; I offer no excuse for that chapter, but only that my muse was drunk and made me write it weird. Also, I lack knowledge in the matters of French law. Thanks for reviewing, as always ;) All the ECness I write is for you! ;)
Razzy : Hahaa.. Yeah I didn't want Raoul to be portrayed as this nasty guy who deserves to be diminished – too many fics have done that :P And well, don't we all love to see Erik's many talents? Hahaha! Glad you enjoyed it! Here's the new one, hope it was satisfactory :)
SilverRose12 : (grin) Im glad to say that this chapter was chock-full of ECness for all the wonderful reviewers such as yourself ;) And I wanted to portray some hope in the previous chapter.. Im really not into the whole angsty "Erik's gonna die" kind of fics.. Theyre kinda depressing! Lol Hope you enjoyed!
tiny dancer : Thank you soo much :P I did want our dearest Erik to do something special, and that was just something I thought up in the spur of the moment. Im so happy so many of you guys enjoyed that! And like I said before, too many fics have gotten Raoul too out of character – hes a Vicomte! Surely he must've possessed SOME sense, right? ;)
phantomluver1000 : Hahaha! Thanks a lot!
LovingMemory : Hello! Im glad your invisible camels are at the EC Union's disposal :P And thanks for that compliment bout my Christine Im rather fond of her too as opposed to the wussy in the movie XD And Raoul? Cute? Well.. I did find this one nice picture of Patrick Wilson… Lol! But that's got nothing to do with my fic! Hahaha!
monroe-mary : Fantastic that you spoke your mind – I couldn't be more grateful! You've just given me an idea for a sequel! Well, if there are ppl who wanna read my rambles once more… :P And I offer no excuse for the chapter, only that my muse was drunk. XD She got me in a wonky mood and got me writing strange things. The bit at the end of this chappie is kind of a hint to the sequel, just so ya know ;) This chapter was just my way of showing my appreciation to all my reviewers by giving them ECness cuz this fic's about to end… :) just so that's cleared up! Thanks again for the review!
P/s : Over a hundred reviews! You guys ROCK! I love y'all heaps! Erik plushies & cookies for all!
Heaps of luve from your author
GoldenLyre / Kel xoxo