Alas, Chapter 13; thank you for the reviews.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.
I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.
Character portraits:
Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)
Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)
Meckenzie -Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)
Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)
Karen -Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long, brown hair)
Ms. Jennison-Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)
Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)
All other original characters, you can use your imagination.
Enjoy.
CHAPTER 13
Sunday morning was church and it went wonderfully. The church was full of young adults and married couples with children, so Christine felt very welcome.
Lunch was spent at home with tuna fish sandwiches and potato chips. Christine was pretty good at making sweet tea, so she made some fresh brewed tea for them and then they played some "Go Fish" with a wonderful set of Braille playing cards that Karen had purchased for them.
Meckenzie won three games and Christine only won two…so that made Christine jestingly ban the game from the house, which of course made Meckenzie laugh – which was Christine's reason for living.
After the games, Christine decided to bake some cookies, and Meckenzie was more than willing to volunteer to help. Chocolate chip and peanut butter were the two types they made, and 12 dozen cookies later, they were all smiles and more than ready for a break.
"What do you say we go to the new Target that just went up over by Vince and Karen's?" Christine suggested.
"That sounds great…" Meckenzie chimed, "…can we visit them, too?"
Christine had been worried that Karen plan was not going to fall in place so easily, but all seemed to be coming to together nicely.
"Sure, we can ask her if she wants to go with us." Christine added, with a smile.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Meanwhile, Erik had arrived at Karen and Vince's house at 5:30 for dinner, he was prompt, as usual and dressed casually in a dark green, lightweight sweater with the sleeves pushed up, and gray wool pants.
Karen had purposefully made a dish that would take a while, so dinner was not ready until 6:30, at which time, Erik and Vince felt as though they were going to pass out from hunger.
"What on earth took so long?" Vince harped, making Karen smile from the tone in his voice.
"Oh, stop your whining…you sound like a simpering old woman." Karen teased back.
"Did you hear that?" Vince whined, looking at Erik for support and only finding a smirk. "The woman wounds me…wounds me!" He whined again, this time with a wink.
Karen giggled as she set the table and smiled when Erik offered to help.
"You can pour everyone a drink and we'll be ready to eat." She replied to his question.
They all sat down at the table and began to eat when the doorbell rang.
Karen sighed and rolled her eyes, "Salespeople, they always know when you sit down to dinner…"
She got up and walked toward the front door, planting a smile on her face as she past the view of the men.
Erik and Vince exchanged looks as they heard some female voices chattering back and forth, and then some female giggles…and they were headed in their direction.
Erik didn't have time to panic before Christine rounded the corner and touched her eyes to his; she had seen him – and there was no going back now.
"Christine came by to see if I wanted to go to the new Super Target that just opened down the road." Karen announced, "Have you eaten?" She asked, turning to Christine.
If he had been thinking, Erik would have known to expect her to drop in at any given moment; after all, she was a friend of theirs.
"Where are my manners…" Karen gasped, looking at Erik.
He pleaded with her with his eyes, but she continued on, ignoring his protesting looks.
Karen smiled and continued, "Christine, may I introduce my nephew – well, he's actually Vince's nephew, but I claim him – Mr. Erik Trudeau."
Erik stood up at his introduction and bowed his head in her direction. The look of surprise on her face was mixed with appreciation.
So, this was Meckenzie's "Mr. Erik" in the flesh. She tried to keep the open ogling down to a minimum, but he certainly was beautiful to behold.
"We meet again, Mr. Trudeau." Christine finally spoke. "It's good to finally see you."
Karen looked at Christine with a stunned look, waiting for the explanation.
"Meckenzie and I would be honored to have dinner with you." Christine cajoled, "We were going to some fast food joint, but this will be much better."
Erik's stomach lurched…this situation was going to be excruciating. He couldn't hide, he couldn't run – all he could do was expose this poor woman to his ugliness for the duration of the evening.
"It is good to see you again, Ms. Daae." He responded; none of the panic in his heart was heard in his voice, and he was very thankful for that.
'His voice certainly created a perfect image of the rest of him.' Christine thought, remembering how she had reacted to the deep, intoxicating, timbre of his voice; the familiar timbre in his voice.
Meckenzie followed the sound of Erik's voice and stopped directly in front of him; looking up at him and smiling brightly.
Squatting down in front of her, Erik smiled and the beauty of that gesture reached his voice, "Hello Meckenzie, you are looking quite splendid this evening."
"Mr. Erik, you're Ms. Karen's nephew?" She asked with excitement.
Erik chuckled, leaving Christine breathless, "Yes child, I am. Mr. Vince is my late father's brother…they are both very dear to me."
Meckenzie smiled, reached to where she anticipated his hand being, and took a firm, child-like hold and led him to the table.
The look of sheer joy on his face at the child's acceptance of him, was something that Christine would never forget; tears filled her eyes as she realized Meckenzie had found in Erik a man she felt comfortable around, adored in every aspect, and could learn from; and he seemed to cherish her, as well.
As they ate, Christine was enjoying the view. He was everything Karen had said he was, and very attractive, too. His eyes were what held her – they were a seafoam green, which would probably appear blue on occasion and green at other times.
Long, dark lashes extended past the beautiful shade of green and dressed his eyes in the most beautiful way…they were gorgeous.
His mouth captivated her next. He had the most succulent lips she had ever seen; full and kissable; she found herself drawn toward him and had to force herself to stand her ground.
His dark, wavy hair was layered and rested just above the collar of his shirt. He was spectacular to look at. It had been several moments before she realized he wore a white mask over the right side of his face. She deduced that the mask hid the disfigurement she had heard so much about.
Erik resisted the urge to turn from her questing eyes. He attempted to smile, accomplishing a half-smirk which, unbeknownst to him, caused Christine's heart to flutter rapidly.
She was so beautiful, which caused Erik's self-preservation mode to kick in. He could not allow himself to get lost in her violet eyes or succumb to her ivory complexion and soft speech…she was venom to his system, just as any other woman would be.
If Erik were being honest with himself, he would say that she intimidated him with her perfection. What man, in his right mind, would leave a woman who loved him, especially one like this? Her ex-husband must have been a fool.
Various subjects were discussed over the course of the meal. Erik said very little, but his intelligent, inimitable eyes showed his interest in the subjects discussed.
"Mr. Trudeau, tell me about your school." Christine finally asked, drawing him into the conversation.
"Please, call me Erik." He finally replied, trying to sound less distant than he felt.
There it was; that smile he had been trying to avoid; the one that wrapped him around her finger and made him want what he couldn't have.
"Then you must call me Christine." She purred, pulling him in with her eyes.
Erik cleared his throat, confused at the look in her eyes, but forging on with her request.
"The school was something I felt strongly about after witnessing a new kind of prejudice against the blind in the music field." His eyes took on a passionate glow as he spoke of his school.
"I studied many things at the universities, wanting to bury myself in books and papers, but I found that those who were gifted with wonderful voices or magnificent skill in instruments were passed over in many of the music programs…it was inexcusable and obtuse.
"I had the means, the time, and the desire to change that. I founded this school, made sure it received accreditation and solicited at the major universities around the country to have my graduating students accepted into their curriculum in the areas of their interest, especially in the field of instrumental performance
"Don't get me wrong, many of the universities already had programs in place, I just helped them expand them and make better lesson studies for the students; lesson plans which centered on the needs of these uniquely gifted students.
"My initial investment in the school has been returned to me ten fold, but I did not go into it for money or recognition, I simply wanted the best for these kids."
Karen took advantage of the pause and added to his words, "Erik is being modest…he has a doctorate in psychology and human behavior. He is a published author with his books being used in the major universities as textbooks and study guides and he has a doctorate in the visual and performing arts."
Karen looked at Erik and saw that his head was bowed and he was not making eye contact with anyone. He never promoted himself and was embarrassed when his accomplishments, gifts, or skills were the focus of a conversation.
Christine knew of his reputation as a genius, but she had never heard about his accomplishments. She had never known anyone who was as intelligent, and yet, as unassuming as Erik.
"It seems you have accomplished a great deal in your life, Erik…you should be on the front of GQ or Esquire, or even the Wall Street Journal." Christine observed.
Erik scoffed, not meaning to sound so jaded, "I avoid photographic images or any public exposure." He tried to hide the bite in his tone with a smile, "I may break the camera."
Although his words were self-deprecating, Christine smiled sweetly; she immediately retorted, "I doubt that, that is something they say about ugly people." she brushed his words off as having been said in jest, not letting him know that she knew of his insecurities.
Karen cast him a warning glare; she wanted no more of his self-condescending words or phrases.
"Karen, are you still up for Target?" Christine asked, wanting to keep up the façade.
"You bet your sweet bippie, I am!" She chimed back.
'Mommy, can I stay here with Mr. Erik and Mr. Vince?" Meckenzie asked, complete unaware of the shocked look Erik had on his face at her words.
Christine and Erik's eyes met, each displaying mixed emotions. Erik nodded his head to relent to the child's request, if her mother would allow it.
"You may…but we won' be long." Christine answered, seeing the smiled light Meckenzie's face.
Erik came forward and lifted the little girl into his arms; he truly felt as though she wanted to be his friend. "Don't worry; we'll have a great time." He confirmed.
Christine walked out with Karen; and for the first time, felt like she really needed a new man in her life…Erik.
TBC