Well, I guess I decided to continue this. So, here goes chapter two. I'm sorry it took so long, but i really actually had no intentions of continuing the story, Hoewever, i got good feedback so i figured, what the hey? so, here it is, please enjoy, and i'm really sorry if it takes me a while to update again. (this is written in slightly different format than chapter one)
Time in the Girys' cottage passed slowly, but blissfully. Madame Giry would spend her mornings practicing ballet with Meg, while Erik slept in or composed. Then, in the afternoons, they would all lounge in the small library near the fireplace. When dusk came, Erik and Meg would take a walk around the grounds and get to know one another.
"You know Erik," she said to him one night, as they walked past the lake, "I'm really glad that I've had this chance to get to know you better."
"I'm glad too Meg," he replied quietly. And it was true; he was very glad to have Meg's companionship. In the past months here, they had grown very close, and even occasionally confided in one another. Never in a million years did Erik ever think that he would befriend Little Giry.
They stopped and sat down beneath a large tree to look at the moon. Meg leaned against the trunk and sighed happily. She was finding herself liking the now gentle masked man more and more as the days passed. He was kind and somewhat attentive to her needs. She knew that he was a good deal older than she, but she couldn't help feeling something more than a friendship growing between them.
"Erik?" she asked him.
"What is it Little Giry?" He turned and looked into her soft blue eyes. He could not deny that she was lovely, though perhaps not in a conventional way. He wondered what she was going to say to him.
"Well," she said, turning from his gaze, "I'm not sure exactly."
He smiled, "What do you mean?"
She sighed and sat up straight. "I am just very confused."
"Whatever about?" he asked concernedly, taking her small hand in his own.
Meg decided that it would be best just to be honest and straightforward with him. "To be perfectly honest with you…I think that I am falling in love." She looked down at her lap and her eyes began to water. She instantly regretted telling him this, and mentally kicked herself.
Both were silent for several moments, which to Meg were pure torture. Finally, Erik spoke. "I see," he said. "I have to be honest with you as well then…I too am falling in love." The two turned to face each other, and stared deep into each other's eyes. Meg smiled at him and then leaned her head onto his broad shoulder. He put his arm around her and pulled her closely. Neither spoke, but at that moment words were not necessary. They sat silently in the moonlight for nearly an hour, just enjoying each other's company.
…
The next morning, Meg awoke to find herself still leaning against that tree and in Erik's arms. She stood up quickly and panicked.
Mother! She will not be happy when she finds that I have spent the night with Erik!
She shook him awake and explained what had happened and he too began to panic. They both made a running start through the wood to the cottage and dreaded the reaction of Madame Giry once they arrived. Sure enough, as they approached the cottage she was pacing in front of the door, and did not look happy.
"Where have you two been all night? I have been worried to death!" Madame Giry gave them a fiery glare that sent shivers down their spines.
"I'm so sorry mama!" said Meg, rushing to her. "We fell asleep against the old oak last night, and neither woke till but a few moments ago. We did not mean to cause you any grief!"
"That is no excuse, now go to your room Marguerite. Erik, come with me please…now!" Meg quickly scampered off to her bedroom and Erik tentatively followed the angry woman. "What were you thinking?" she asked, shutting the door to the kitchen behind them.
"I wasn't thinking, it was an accident Marie and I apologize."
Why is she so mad? Nothing happened…well, nothing that she thinks anyways.
"It is no excuse. I knew that I should not let the two of you wander about at night. Erik," she glared icily in his direction, "what are your intentions with my Marguerite?"
I knew I had to choose my words very carefully or I would have to face the wrath of Marie. And I knew from watching the ballet rehearsals at the OP that it was not a wrath to be reckoned with.
Erik took a breath and composed himself. However, seeing the look in her grey eyes made him lose his confidence and he suddenly blurted out, "I'm in love with Meg!"
Oh my, what have I done?
He could not read the woman's expression, and feared what she would say. "I suspected as much," she finally said, her glare softening ever so slightly. "Well, I suppose then that there is not much I can do about the matter."
"I suppose not, but Marie, I promise that nothing other than slumber occurred last night."
"I know Erik, I was just worried when neither of you returned last night," she paused, "Well Erik, does Meg feel the same about you?"
"Yes, we confessed our feelings to one another last night before we fell asleep."
"You have my consent," said Marie, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"Your consent for what?" Erik was hopelessly confused.
What on earth could she mean? Except…
Suddenly it dawned on the poor fellow just what Madame Giry was implying. "My consent to ask for her hand in marriage. That is what people, who are in love do, you know," she smirked.
Erik smiled shyly, and then headed off to find Meg. He knocked gently on her door, and she answered quickly. "Hello Erik," she said.
"Hello Meg, I have come to ask you a question."
I wonder what he will ask. I hope that mother did not get too angry with him. He looks so handsome right now…
"What question might that be?"
Erik suddenly got down on his knee and took her hand. "Will you marry me?"
Meg gasped in shock and smiled brightly. "Of course!" she said without any hesitation whatsoever.
"I have no ring to give to you now Little Giry, but I will get one as soon as I can." He stood up and pulled the blonde girl into his arms. "I love you Meg Giry," he whispered into her ear.
"I love you too Erik," she whispered back.
