I can maybe stretch four or five more chapters out for this story...but I don't see much more than that...we'll see...

Enjoy my lovlies...

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 29

"Hey there, Pip Squeak, what ya up to?" Erik chirped as he walked in the door.

Meckenzie was getting her shoes on and Christine was picking up the items from around the room, cleaning up a bit.

The child grinned in the direction of his voice, hopped down off the bed, and enfolded his waist with her tiny arms.

"Karen and Vince just left, not fifteen minutes ago…they had to go get ready for the radio show tonight and run some errands. They said they would come by or call later." Christine said.

Erik picked Meckenzie up in his arms and admired the sticker she had on her shirt.

"I Survived a Hospital Stay at Grace Memorial." Erik read aloud. "Are we sure you don't have any lasting problems from being here?" Erik teased.

He began examining her for holes by poking her ribs gently and making her giggle with delight.

"No holes there, how about here?" He poked the back of her knee and the soft padding of her belly, and she again squealed with joy.

"No holes there, either…yep, you seem to be no worse for the wear." He teased again.

Christine just shook her head at the scene they were making…Erik was a natural father, it showed in everything he did and said in regards to Meckenzie. She loved him with all her heart…how much longer was it going to take him to move this relationship to the next level?

He sat her back down on her feet and she finished putting her shoes on.

"I'm going to slip next door and talk to Ruby…I'll be right back."

Christine watched him leave, asked Meckenzie to sit quietly for a few minutes, and followed him.

"I'm going with you." She said as she took his hand.

He smiled down at her and continued toward the closed door. He knocked quietly and waited for an answer.

A young woman answered, and immediately recognized him. Ruby must have told her about the events of yesterday.

"Is Ruby Collins here?" Erik asked.

The young woman smiled and nodded, opening the door to them.

Erik and Christine proceeded into the room and spotted Ruby sitting in the corner, knitting. She looked up and smiled brightly at them,

"Ah, my Erik…I am so glad you came to see me." She stated, "This is my granddaughter, Emily, and the little girl sleeping in the bed is her daughter and my great-granddaughter, Chelsea."

Erik and Christine nodded at Emily then turned their attention to Ruby.

Erik pulled the gift from the confines of his leather coat and presented it to her…watching her reaction as she accepted it.

"What is this for?" She asked, amazed.

Erik smiled and kneeled down beside her.

"Consider it an, 'I wish it could have been', gift…open it." He urged with a bright smile.

Once the package was opened, Ruby could not hide the tears that flowed down her cheeks.

"Oh Erik…it's so wonderful…thank you."

She pulled him to her and hugged him deeply.

"He was as handsome in his later years as he was when I knew him." She muttered, not taking her eyes off his image and gently running her fingers over the face staring back at her.

She lifted the picture and saw the note Erik had written…

Grandmamma Ruby,

Things happen in life that leave us wounded and hurting; and often, ready to give up. But you persisted, against all odds, and tried to save a love that was everything to you; you have inspired me to do to the same.

Thank you for helping me to remember what I have so long forgotten; I was and am, loved; and I represent my family in name and deed...a role I proudly assume; I never thought to have a legacy...it's nice to know that I was wrong.

This is my grandpapa, Alan Bastian Trudeau, shortly after the death of his wife, my grandmamma Isabel. I never knew what the echo of light was that danced in his eyes…now I know it was an angel…an angel named Ruby.

He never forgot you nor stopped loving you…neither will I.

Yours Always,

Erik Thaddeus Trudeau

Ruby quietly lifted her eyes to meet Erik's eyes. She would cherish this memory for as long as the Lord allowed her breath.

"Oh, you dear boy..." Her voice was soft and emotional "…you have no idea what this means to me."

Erik couldn't take his eyes from her, "I think I may have some idea."

"I shall cherish it always."

There wasn't a dry eye in the room, save the little girl who slept through the entire scene.

Erik leaned over and placed a kiss on the wrinkled, sweet-smelling cheek of Ruby Collins. She accepted it gladly and turned to him with a glint in her eye.

"Don't turn love away because you think you're not worthy, that's not for you decide." She whispered and then glanced at Christine. "It's for her to decide…and it is obvious that she has already done so."

Christine was busy talking to Emily, so she was unaware of Ruby's words.

Erik nodded, "I know…."

"Erik you are a very handsome man, inside and out….don't ever forget it or doubt it."

Erik smiled at her words and stood up.

"I won't." He whispered back.

She admired him with her eyes and then reached down and handed him a piece of paper she removed from her purse. Erik unfolded it and smiled as he read her address and phone number.

"I don't want you to disappear from my life after I have just found you." Ruby stated.

Erik hugged her gently and thanked her, "I'm not that easy to get rid of." He teased.

Christine walked over to him and took his hand, smiled down at Ruby, and then looked back up at Erik with adoration in her eyes.

After she finished, Ruby winked at them both and smiled, then her eyes returned to the picture in her lap as she continued lovingly caressing the image of Aleron Trudeau.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"That was such a sweet gesture, Erik…you made her very happy." Christine remarked, as they headed across the hall to Meckenzie's room.

Erik just shrugged his shoulders as though he hadn't done anything special. Christine smiled, knowing he hated to be complimented or praised in any way.

"Hey there, Pip Squeak, you sure do look like you're ready to go home!" Erik announced as he walked through the door and toward Meckenzie.

"I am!" She exclaimed.

He picked her up in his arms, picked up her overnight bag, and the discharge papers the doctor had left, and they headed down the hall and out the door.

"Aunt Karen wants to see you, "Kenzie, do you feel like spending some time with her and Uncle Vince?" Christine asked.

Meckenzie shook her head vigorously.

"Good, because I think they have a special treat planned for you."

Meckenzie turned her unseeing eyes toward her mother's voice and smiled, "What kind of special treat?"

Christine chuckled, "I have no idea…they didn't tell me a thing, they just said they had to get some things ready for tonight and then they wanted to see you."

"Knowing my uncle…" Erik piped in, "…it will be something he'll enjoy doing also."

"Oh, like you won't enjoy Disney World or swimming with the dolphins?" Christine stated with mock sarcasm.

Erik feigned shock at her insinuation, "I had Meckenzie's desires foremost on my mind when I booked that trip."

"Mmmmmm…." Christine sounded.

"I did!" Erik echoed.

"I believe you."

They reached the car and Erik placed Meckenzie in the back seat. He had purchased a car seat for her use; he placed her in it and strapped her in.

Once Meckenzie was securely fastened in, Erik allowed Christine to double check the restraints. After she was satisfied, she shut the door and started to enter the car through the door that Erik had opened for her.

He put his arm out, preventing her from completing her intended task.

"You owe me an apology." He smirked.

"Do I?" She teased.

The twinkle in his eyes told her that he had just the method in mind for her to "apologize" to him.

He drew her to him and held her close, allowing her to hear the beat of his heart. She breathed in the scent of him and knew she would never tire of it.

He pulled back slightly and lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. He stared deep into her eyes, seeing in their violet depths something he had never thought to see anywhere at anytime – and especially not from such a beautiful woman.

He saw love.

Dare he risk it?

Dare he risk telling her of his love for her?

He brushed his lips against hers, softly at first, but she eagerly asked for more.

He opened to her searching tongue and invited her into his warm mouth, if only for a few seconds.

Christine moaned quietly, not wanting to alarm Meckenzie, but she was finding it difficult to keep her knees from buckling from the pleasure of his kiss.

They both reluctantly ended the kiss, allowing their foreheads to touch for a few seconds before totally relinquishing the touch.

He smiled down at her with desire in his eyes, "Well, I suppose I'll accept that as your apology." Erik smirked and began to walk around to his side of the car.

"OHHHH!" Christine teasingly exclaimed. "You are impossible!"

Her smile told him that she was playing with him and he cherished these moments deep within his heart…the moments when he felt like a man – a full, complete, whole man.

They drove to Vince and Karen's, singing a round of children's melodies, something that Christine and Meckenzie always did in the car and something Erik knew he would always enjoy.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Why don't you two go have fun for a couple of hours, Vince and I want to take Meckenzie to the ice cream parlor and then we thought we would just hang out home and watch some Disney movies until time for Vince to go to the studio..I'd kind of like for her to spend the night." Karen asked.

Christine nodded her acceptance of that, knowing that Karen loved having Meckenzie with her.

Karen was looking expectantly at them, awaiting an answer pertaining to her suggestion about their plans.

"Sure, we'll find something to do." Erik said, looking at Christine with a broad smile. "Actually, I'm taking Christine to the ballet tonight."

"Oh! That sounds wonderful!" Karen exclaimed.

"Oh…" Vince announced, "…the garage called today, Christine's car is ready whenever you want to pick it up, but he recommends a new engine as soon as possible…it won't last much longer."

Christine had known it was coming. She had been driving her trusty Olds for seven years now; it was bound to give out sooner or later.

"We'll worry about picking it up tomorrow." Erik stated, nonchalantly.

A lot can change in twenty-four hours.

TBC