Well, I'm back. I hate being without Internet. This story is drawing to and end soon. But I do hope you will stay tuned for my works in progress.

Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me through these trying times.

CHAPTER 27

Erik sent all of the next day in town purchasing what he needed for the house. There were

not a great deal of furniture items needed, the house was furnished. The couple had redecorated and put in all new furnishings to sell the house, and they were all included in the sale price.

Erik bought a grand piano for the conservatory, along with a plethora of other instruments; some he knew how to play, other he wished to learn. He also purchased an ivory chess set and the table to match to display in the alcove of the library.

He had spent a great deal of the night designing the stables he wished to have built, and so he went to several horse breeders and inquired about purchasing a few mares and a stallion. He had a good eye for horses and felt he had made some wise decisions.

Erik was through with all the business he had wanted to accomplish on this day. He was walking past a bakery when he heard his name.

"Erik!" a female voice said, rather loudly.

Erik turned toward the sound and saw Demi walking toward him. She had been buying fresh baked items for Michael; he tended to have sweet tooth.

Erik smiled at her as she approached, "Hello, Demi."

She smiled up at him, "So, have you bought out the whole town?" She asked in jest.

Erik laughed, "Can I buy you a cup of coffee?"

"Sure." She said, as they walked into the coffee shop on the corner.

"I took care of the purchase of the house today," Demi announced, "That house is beautiful Erik, where did you hear about it being up for sale?"

"I didn't hear about it…I read about it being for sale in the newspaper." He replied.

Demi nodded her head, "There is so much being put into the newspaper now, before you know it, you'll be able to do word puzzles and read gossip columns in the newspaper…imagine that!" Demi jested.

Erik laughed at the exaggerated expression on Demi's face, "So true…oh the horror!" Erik jested back.

They laughed together; both needed the release. The waitress came and refilled their coffee cups, and gave Erik that "I'm interested" look, which he – of course – completely ignored, being completely unaware of her interest.

Demi noticed, but chose not to say a word. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Erik was in love with Karlie, and Demi did not wish to clutter his mind with inconsequential details, such as how attractive he was to the opposite sex.

Karlie had no such qualms about admitting her love for Erik…the woman was a complete lost cause. She had come back to Demi's last night, talking about the house Erik had bought and the lovely couple that was selling it.

She cried as she spoke about Erik moving out of the opera house, and her not being able to see him every time she wanted to.

"Karlie had fun helping you choose a house yesterday, Erik." Demi stated.

Erik smiled at the mention of her name, "I'm glad…I had a good time, too."

"Why did you suddenly feel the urge to move out of the opera house?" Demi asked.

Erik did not answer right away; he took a sip of hot coffee, "It is not proper for me to under the same roof as the woman I am courting."

"Karlie is not happy with the prospect of your moving out." Demi warned.

"Why is that…I wonder?" Erik mused; completely baffled at the knowledge that Karlie missed his company.

"Erik…you can't be that imperceptive…" Demi started. Then she remembered that Erik had no experience with women. "Erik…she is in love with you….surly you can decipher that from her kisses and caresses."

The look Erik gave her would have been funny, if Demi had not known that he did not want to accept and admit that a woman loved him, as a woman loves a man.

"Erik, why don't you just admit that you love her, tell her you love her, and the two of you decide on a wedding day." Demi instructed.

Erik looked aghast at the suggestion Demi had made, "Demi…be realistic…I have no doubt that, for some unknown reason, Karlie is infatuated with me; but that hardly suggests love on her behalf." Erik said. "For me to admit loving her is not a problem, but I will not make the mistake, again, of assuming that love is returned."

Demi shook her head and smirked, "Erik, what is the woman going to have to do to convince you that she is in love with you?" Demi asked, "Can't you feel it in her kiss or her touch?"

Erik sat silently, not sure of how to respond, finally he shrugged his shoulders, "Demi, I have no idea how to determine how someone feels towards me." Erik admitted, "All my life, touch has been associated with pain and suffering…when someone touched me, it was because they wanted to hurt me."

Demi was appalled at what he was telling her, she had deduced that he had been abused, but she had not known the details.

Erik continued, "I was locked up and marred by my father at the age of three until I was nine; I was captured, starved, sexually molested, and physically and mentally abused by the gypsies, until I was eleven; and then I was rescued by Audrey and given the only life I choose to claim.

"I don't think I ever felt love until Christine blossomed in front of me; and then I lost my heart." Erik paused, choking back his emotions, "You know what happened there…"

Demi reached over and put her hand over his, letting him know that she understood, "Erik, don't make the mistake of thinking that all women are like Christine…just because she did not return your love as you wanted her to, doesn't mean that another woman would do the same thing." Demi smiled and sat back, "Believe me, I know a woman in love when I see one."

Demi looked up and saw the time; she really had to be going, "I bought all of these baked goods for Michael, and by the time I get home, they won't be fresh anymore!" She jested.

Erik stood to his feet and watched her go, he sat back down and thought about all the she had said…Demi and the older couple he bought the house from; what was it with everyone thinking he should marry Karlie. He had no problem with that idea – but she might have a few things to say pertaining to that suggestion.

He walked out the door of the café and, almost of their own accord; his feet carried him next door to the jewelry shop. He stepped inside, having never been in one before, and was in awe of the beauty he saw displayed.

Necklaces, earrings, hair clips, bracelets, pins, and rings; everything under the sun was available. One ring, in particular, captured Erik's attention. It was a diamond in the shape of a teardrop. The diamond was about two carats, a single solitaire nestled in a 24-carat gold band; the wedding band was a simple gold band. The set was exquisite in it's simplicity, and the craftsmanship was unsurpassed.

Erik stood there contemplating the logic of buying an engagement ring. He knew he was in love with Karlie, but did she love him in that way? Did she love him enough to look beyond his obvious faults, and his not so obvious faults, and marry him?

He asked the jeweler to pull the ring out and Erik examined it close up. It really was a work of art, and…a one of a kind, just like Karlie. Erik bought the ring and had it inscribed; hoping he would have the opportunity, sometime during or after the New Years Ball, to present it to her. The couple from the house was correct, life is too short to go around wasting time on the things that are not important…Erik wanted Karlie as his wife, he had known it for weeks; now, he would find out if she was up to it.

He tucked the ring box away, down in his pocket. He was mourning the loss of his sanity, as he reflected on his actions. If Karlie did not accept his proposal, Erik was certain he would cease to exist, but she would never hear such things from him. He would not pressure her into loving him.

Erik arrived back at the opera house around 8 pm. He realized he was hungry, and not wanting to eat alone, he knocked on Karlie's door.

She answered, and her face immediately lit up, Erik was not used to that kind of reaction when someone encountered him. He smiled back.

"If you feel so inclined, my lady, I would be honored if you would join me in the kitchen for some sandwiches…I failed to eat a meal today, so my stomach is revolting against me." Erik stated.

Karlie gave him the evil eye for not eating, but then she smiled and reached her hand up to caress his cheek.

"I haven't seen you all day, you can bet I will jump at the chance to spend time with you…and I am a little hungry." Karlie replied, a teasing lilt to her voice.

They walked hand in hand to kitchen and ate while Erik enlightened her on his purchases for the house. He made her a part of every aspect of his day, and it made her feel so close to him, and they weren't even touching.

"Erik, what are you going to go as?" Karlie asked, not elaborating on her meaning. His baffled look made her reword, "To the masquerade party…what are you going as?"

Erik had almost forgotten about that ball, he had been so engrossed in his house. "I haven't really given it much thought…have you?" He asked.

Karlie shrugged her shoulders, "It is only the only time I have been invited…of course I and given it a lot of thought." She chastised, "Since we are a couple, we need to be coordinated."

Hearing her call them a couple sent a spark through Erik's body that was quickly working its way into a fire.

"I think you would make a wonderful Cleopatra, and I could be your Mark Antony." Erik suggested. "Or, you can be the goddess Diana and I will go as her lover god, Mars."

Karlie thought about that for a minute, but she already had an idea in her mind. They had some wonderful outfits to choose from in the costume department, and she had already started working on Erik's. He may be a bit hesitant, but she knew he would be impressive.

"I have an even better idea…I have been designing a costume for you since you asked me to accompany you…I love history, and one of the most fascinating, brave and bold men I have ever studied, was King Leonidas of the Spartans." Karlie hinted.

Erik raised his perfectly, sculptured eyebrow, "You do realize that he was beheaded and put on display in front of all the Persians…don't you?" He reminded her.

Karlie nodded and shrugged it off, "I know, but nobody is even going to care about that when they see you in this costume." Karlie purred.

Erik's interest was peaked, "What does this costume consist of?"

Karlie looked to the sky and pursed her lips, trying to look innocent, "Well, it has some leather, a shield, a wonderful, red cape; a helmet that covers your entire face, except from your mouth down."

Erik knew his history, "Exactly how much leather are we talking about?"

Karlie smiled seductively, "Enough to cover all the 'bare' necessities."

Erik wasn't sure he like the sound of that, "Karlie?"

"Don't be so uptight, it will be in good taste." She promised.

Erik conceded, but he had images swimming around in his mind that were causing heart palpitations, "Just whom will you be…my Gorgo?" He teased.

"Precisely." She stated. "Besides, I've seen you without a shirt…and may I say…I was most impressed." She said, looking him up and down. "You will be wearing leather pants that cover from the waist down…but I had considered just having you go in a loincloth looking piece."

Erik could feel his face turning bright red, "Am I of the understanding that you approve of my chest?"

"Oh yes, very much so…and your back, and your washboard abdomen, your tight, bulging biceps…" Karlie started fanning herself, "Is it getting hot in here?"

Erik pulled her to him for a sensuous kiss that left her standing on very weak knees. He played her mouth with his tongue like she was a priceless violin, whose music only presented itself under the magical hands of the master.

They walked back to their room, arm-in-arm, and Erik gave her a quick kiss, "Good night Karlie…thanks for sharing yourself with me tonight."

Karlie winked and yawned, "You're welcome…don't forget, we have to pick up Allie tomorrow afternoon, her train gets in at 1:32." She reminded him.

Erik nodded, turned from her, and walked back to his room. Everything was going so well with Karlie, the only hurdle he had to get over was her best friend; if he had her approval, there was nothing stopping him.