Chapter 9
Erik and Christine
They traveled for another hour, Christine growing more anxious by the minute. "Please Erik…" she begged him, pulling gently on the lapels of his jacket. He turned to look at her finally, chuckling at the desperate look on her face.
"It's not funny Erik!" she pouted as she playfully hit his chest. When it became clear that she was going to continue pestering him, he grabbed her wrists and pulled her towards him. He leaned in to silence her with a kiss, but instead only allowed his lips to graze her cheek, as if he had changed his mind.
Christine rested her forehead against his and took his hands in hers. "Why did you shy away from me?" she questioned him.
He turned his back to her and gazed out the window, his conflicting emotions obvious. "How can you bear to kiss this?" he asked hoarsely, pointing to his face. Wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head on his back she replied, "Because I love you, including the half of your face that lies behind that silly mask."
Slowly he turned around to face her, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. If he had ever loved her more than in this moment, he was not able to recall it. "I love you Christine" he whispered, placing a hand on either side of her face and kissing her tenderly. She smiled against his lips. "You have my whole heart Erik. I have never loved anyone as I do you. Always rest assured in that."
He kissed her again, this time a little more fervently than before. They broke apart moments later solely for lack of oxygen. It just so happened that at the same time, they arrived at their destination.
"Ah, we're here my dear", Erik whispered. Christine looked out the window of the carriage at a place she had only been once before; the port. She stared at Erik, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Where…" she began to ask, but was shushed by Erik's finger against her lips.
He handed her a ticket to read for herself. "America" she said breathlessly. "Yes, for two weeks. It is my wedding gift to you my love." Erik replied. Christine was speechless. She kissed him hard on the lips. Pulling back, she literally squealed with glee. Erik could only laugh happily at her excitement.
He stepped out of the carriage and then lifted Christine out, who wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Doing as he had done to her, she placed her tiny hands on either side of his face and kissed him softly. They stared into the other's eyes for a moment, taking each other in.
Reluctantly, he lowered her to the ground, helping her arrange her skirts. Seeing that the young boy who had come to take the luggage was struggling, he helped him unload it from the carriage. After all was said and done, Erik donned his black cape and fedora, successfully hiding much of his mask. He was not in the mood for stranger's funny stares and questions.
Suddenly, Christine, who had been watching the ships, felt a gloved hand curl around her own hand. She turned to see Erik looking expectantly at her from behind his coat and hat. "Are you ready?" he asked her quietly. She nodded, and so hand in hand, they walked onto the large, steaming mass that was to take them to America.