A couple more chapters and this one will be in the history books…(yeah…I wish!) anyway…this fic is drawing to a close.
I hope you have found it to be an enjoyable one. I look forward to bringing you my next installment soon.
CHAPTER 34
The next day was full of activity for Erik and Karlie. They made it over to Demi's in the morning, knowing that Audrey and Meg were staying there for the duration of their trip.
Karlie had not more than stepped into the house when Demi noticed the ring on her finger.
"Karlie!" She shrieked, "That ring better have been given to you by a tall, dark, handsome man; who owns the Paris Opera House, and is filthy rich; and who happens to be my best friend." Demi stated with her hands on her hips.
All Karlie could do was grin and raise her hand up for all the squealing women to see.
Erik hadn't even come in yet, he was still outside talking to Roland and Michael.
"I am going to have to delay the continuation of practices for 'The Magic Flute'". Erik stated.
Roland saw the look of wonderment on Erik's face and wondered what was going on. Is everything alright, Erik?" he asked.
Erik grinned and chuckled, "Everything is wonderful, Roland, I…" his next words were interrupted by a loud squeal coming from every female in the house.
Roland's eyes widened and he put his hand to his heart, "I wonder what got into them?"
Erik bowed his head and shook it. He continued to chuckle, and finally looked at Roland and Michael, "I asked Karlie to be my wife."
Roland took a moment to realize what Erik had said and a huge grin filled his face. He slapped Erik on the back, "It's about time that some man grabbed Karlie by the horns and calmed her down." Roland jested, "that girl is a handful."
Michael held out his hand, "Congratulations, Erik…it couldn't happen to a better man."
"It will be a quiet ceremony of just our friend's tomorrow night at 'The New Community Church'." Erik stated, "It is the church her best friend attends and where we will begin attending."
Erik thought it strange that he was going to be going to church. He had always shunned anything that would lead him back to the church, but he was not going to shun Karlie and she wanted him in church.
The men headed into the house, only to have Demi, Audrey, and Meg, clutter around Erik and give him big hugs. Audrey was crying, and said to him in a stern voice, "Erik Clairvaux, I never thought I would live to see the day when you proposed to a woman and got married…but it appears that I will live to see it."
Erik hugged each woman, but his eyes were searching for Karlie. She came up from behind him and circled his waist with her arms.
"The ceremony is tomorrow night at 'The New Community Church', just on the other side of town going East on the main road." Karlie informed them, she saw that Audrey started to object at the quickness, "Audrey, we have both waited long enough to enjoy the gift of marriage; we do not want nor need a large wedding." Karlie insisted. "My best friend, Allie Waterford, will be the maiden of honor, Roland will give me away, and Audrey," Karlie's eyes caught hers, "I wish to honor you as my adoptive mother."
Audrey was surprised at the honor, but she eagerly accepted, "I would be honored, Karlie."
Erik turned to Demi and took both her hands in his, "I know this is highly irregular…" he smiled coyly, "…I have discussed it with Karlie and the minister…" He was stammering, something that irritated him immensely. "…Demi, would you stand by my side as the best man would do?"
Demi looked up into Erik's pleading eyes and felt tears coming to hers; he wanted her by his side as his best friend, supporting him and encouraging him in this next phase of his life, "I would not miss it for the world." She said through her tears.
Erik chuckled lightly, he took her hand and placed a kiss atop it, "Thank you for all that you have done for me Demi…I would not have had the willingness to pursue my attraction to Karlie it you had not been there to urge me on."
Demi raised watery eyes to her best friend, "It doesn't even begin to compare with what you have done for me," she admitted, looking over at her handsome, smiling husband. "Giving Michael back to me was…a true act of sainthood."
Erik leaned in and kissed her cheek, "If it is within my power to do something for one who is willing to be my friend, than I am going to do it." He stated, without haughtiness or conceit. "Besides, all the saints I am familiar with are dead…I don't intend to make that accommodation just to be sainted." He said through his smile, and turned to find his bride to be.
He didn't have to look far, as he walked over to her petite form and pulled her close to him. He bent down and nuzzled her ear, blowing gently into it and causing an anticipatory shiver up her spine.
"We need to be going, love. We are supposed to be at Beau's by 12:30, and you wanted to go buy a new dress for tomorrow night." Erik purred.
Karlie turned to Audrey once more, "Beau is my best friend's soul mate, although she doesn't seem to know that just yet." Karlie stated with a laugh, "But he is determined to win her hand…and I don't think he's going to have much of a fight on his hands once Allie sees the light."
They all giggled at that and Erik spirited her away toward Beau's flat. Erik was a little bit nervous about this luncheon. He was not used to keeping company with men his own age. If fact, the only example he had to go on, was Raoul…and that didn't turn out so well.
Karlie turned to Erik, "I think that all the women will go later to pick out a dress, if you don't mind." Karlie stated, "They asked me earlier…is that alright?"
Erik smiled down at her as the carriage pulled up in front of Beau's flat, "You know it is…you all have fun…" Erik said, pulling out his money purse, "…here is enough money to buy the dress and any other items you may find necessary."
They arrived at Beau's flat at exactly 11:28, and waited at the door for their knock to be answered.
The door was opened by an elegant, older, black, woman who smiled and nodded, "Can I help you folks?"
"Erik Clairveax and Karlie Bordeux to see Mr. Jackson?" Erik said, smiling back at the lady.
She nodded and stepped aside to let them in, "He's been expecting you. Please follow me to the parlor."
She led them to an elegant room at the end of the hallway; in the middle of that room, stood Beau adjusting his collar, and Allie on the settee fixing her disheveled hair. They both looked sheepish about something, casting wanton eyes on each other.
Erik was a little confused but Karlie grinned and asked Allie, "Will you ever change?"
Allie smiled innocently and said, "It seems you are always askin' me that question." She said, sheepishly, "But nope! I'm a lost cause! Like the South tryin' to win the Civil War!"
"Karlie." Beau greeted, smiling at her, "Erik, good to have you in my home." Beau said extending a hand for Erik to shake.
Upon taking Beau's hand, Erik saw a shade of red lip paint on his cheek. Understanding now, Erik politely gestured to his cheek and Beau took the hint and wiped off the makeup with his handkerchief.
After lunch, gossip, and the exchange of childhood antics, Allie exclaimed in an exasperated voice, "Well I can't believe the position ya'll have put me in!" Allie was genuinely perturbed, "A day and a half to plan a weddin'…" she moved her eyes from between Karlie and Erik, hoping one of them would come to their senses. "…seriously!"
Her voice pitch reached new heights, and she rolled her eyes in thought, "Well…we have tons of stuff to do!" Allie took complete charge of the situation. "Karlie, you an' I are meeting Demi, Miss Audrey, and Meg at the dress shop," Allie's face suddenly lit up with anticipation, "'cause girl, we've got to pick you out a gown..."
They both gave a high-pitched squeal as Karlie showed Allie the pile of money that Erik had given her to spend. Allie glanced over at Erik and gave him an approving nod and wink.
"Erik, you're going to meet Roland at the jeweler and pick out a pair of weddin' bands," she said with her finger to her lips in deep thought, "and then from there we'll all do what we have to do to get this weddin' ready!" She turned to Karlie, picked up her shawl, grabbed her handbag, and headed for the door, "Come on Karlie girl we've got to get steppin'!"
The gentlemen stood in their places with confounded looks on each handsome face, "Don't we get a say in this?" Erik asked in jest as Karlie pecked his lips goodbye.
As he sat back down, Beau joked, "Git use to it Erik." He said, shaking his head in wonderment, "From here on in, we just have to sign the check and wait with anticipation for the honeymoon!"
Allie promptly slapped the top of his head before walking out with Karlie on her arm, leaving the men to chuckle after them.
To be continued…