Wow. I thought he was good looking before but, tonight he looked like a Greek God! (-snicker-) He was wearing what he had explained to me was his "Red Death" costume. Basically, a red outfit with black trim, long cape, and skull mask. Some people could refer to it as scary, I think its quite nice. wink

Meanwhile, while I was staring at him, he was doing the exact same thing to me! Even though he'd seen the dress before, he was looking at me as if he hadn't. We finally both snapped out of it, and attempted to compliment one another at the same exact time..

"Erik, you look.."

"Wow, Ember.."

But we were both cut off in mid sentence by the other, so we just laughed.

"You're beautiful."

Two words, you wouldn't think much of them would you? But just two complimentary words can end up meaning so much when the right person says them to you..

"Thank you.." I smiled.

We started walking down the hallway towards the ballroom.

"Erik, before I get distracted, I need to tell you something very important.."

"Uh oh." He laughed nervously.

"Well…"

I explained to him how I had to leave tomorrow and how the only way I'd be allowed to have my ticket would be if I didn't go to the Masquerade with him tonight.

He said:

"I see. If…if you don't want to go with me its alright, I suppose. I mean I'd understand, since you have to go home and all.."

"I'm not leaving, I don't want to! And I am going to the Masquerade with you! I don't care what she does, besides, if she takes Raoul, she'll have to deal with him having to get a passport, I mean come on! Are they really going to believe anything about when he was born? And my name is on the ticket anyway………..plus…"

I paused.

"What?", he asked.

"I wouldn't give this night up for the world."

This time we both smiled.

We looked at the clock hanging in the hallway.

"We'd better get there, its almost ready to begin. I hope your feet aren't tired, because there's going to be a whole lot of dancing!", he said.

"Don't worry, I'll make it."

We walked through the doors to find a bunch of people already there, awaiting the start of the program.

"Wait right here, I'm going to register us. It'll only take a second..", Erik said.

"Alright."

I looked around at the other costumes, some extravagant, and some plain, but all of them were colorful and it was a fun atmosphere to say the least. Then Christine came up to me looking disgusted.

"I can't believe I gave you another chance and you blew it, I should've known. He's changed you, Ember. And now Raoul will be going home with me.."

"Good riddance..", I mumbled.

"What did you say!", she said this menacingly through her teeth, but it didn't phase me. Nothing could take me out of the mood I was in. Not even her negative comments.

"Oh, I see he's entering you two in the competitions.. There's really no need though, there's no prize for being a freak.", she sneered.

I grabbed her hand and twisted it, hidden, so nobody saw.

"If you ever say that again, I promise you, I will track you down and kill you. Do you hear me? Do I SOUND like I'm JOKING?"

She just looked at me in shock, because I never stood up for myself.

"Maybe you're right about one thing, he has changed me…for the better. He taught me that there is much more to this life than to be pushed around by someone like you. Go ahead, then. Take Raoul back with you and don't even think of talking to me ever again. I'm staying here with Erik, and there's nothing you can do about it.."

She just looked at me, shook her head, and then said, "Fine. Stay if that's what you want.. But when you wake up in the morning, I'll be gone. And I won't bother coming back."

As she walked away I said, under my breath, "Again, good riddance.."

At about this time, Erik arrived back to where I was standing. He looked at me and said, "What happened? I saw you guys talking."

"Oh, nothing.. I almost broke her wrist, but nothing..nothing…", I smiled.

"Are you two officially no longer friends?", he laughed.

"Yeah, but its alright. I have you..", I joked.

He smirked when I said this.

Then we heard the music start and a few moments after that we were swept away in a torrent of swirling couples. Now, I'm not one to keep track of how long we all danced for but..lets just say it was a very long time.. By the time we slowed down and then finally stopped waltzing and twirling, it was already 10:30, and the event officially ended at 11:00..

So, that meant one thing.. Now it was time for the contests! This was what everyone was waiting for! The prizes that were being given out were for costumes, all in different categories. Erik and I were entered into the "Best Couple Costumes" category, as we assumed Christine and Raoul were also. The prizes, themselves, consisted of 1st and 2nd place ribbons along with other things such as prize money, gift certificates, and gift baskets. The air was tense and filled with anxiety while people waited for their category to be awarded. First came the regular categories such as "Most Scary", "Funniest Costume", and "Most Colorful". Then, before we knew it, it was time for the couple category..

The announcer was up on center stage along with the panel of judges. Now, he spoke..

"And now for our long-awaited category, the 'Best Couple Costume'!"

Everyone cheered.

He said, "2nd place goes to Mr. Redenbacher and Ms. Andrews!"

The couple joyously got on the stage and accepted their award.

This was the moment.. who would win?

The announcer then said,

"It seems that we have a tie for 1st place!"

Everyone whispered and started to guess who it was..

The announcer continued,

"The tie is between the two couples here up in front!"

Everyone looked about them to find out who it was, although after I looked I figured out who it was! It seemed the tie for 1st was between Raoul and Christine, and Erik and I! Erik looked at me, and I returned his look. We both smiled.

Meanwhile, Christine and Raoul just scowled at us as if we'd stolen something from them.

The announcer then continued:

"In the event of a tie, we let the judges take one final look at the contestants and then they'll decide unanimously who wins the first place ribbon!"

Everyone was whispering about who they thought should and would win. I overheard some people talking about us, but others talking abut them.. It was pretty much an evenly matched vote.

After an agonizing five minutes of anticipation, the announcer finally came back to the microphone and said:

"The judges have made their decision."

He was then given a slip of paper which everyone knew held the answer to our ultimate question, who had won?

"Ah, thank you. The winner of the 'Best Couple Costume' category and the fabulous prizes you see before you is…"

He unfolded the slip of paper.

"Mr. and Mrs. Erik Destler!"

Erik grabbed my hand and lead me up onto the stage. At this point, I had no idea what was going on! But then I remembered, when I met Erik, he kissed my hand and said, "I'm Erik Destler, pleased to meet you." I stood up there, all sound fading, and then it hit me..

Erik got down on one knee at my feet and looked into my eyes, which were tearing up.

Then he said the words:

"Ember, will you marry me?"
I was so excited, I was shaking.. I replied,

"Yes, Erik. Of course I will!"

His face lit up like I'd never seen before. And mine was obviously ecstatic and tear-streaked.

We kissed.

People cheered.

Christine and Raoul ran away, ashamed.

And about a month or so later, Erik and I were married.

I never really believed in love before, nor the fact that I'd ever get married. But from that moment on, love has been my absolute. Love, has been my miracle.