Saturday Morning rolled around, with Jenna and Erik both lazing about in bed till past 10am. After washing and dressing for the morning Erik told Jenna he had business in Paris and he would be back for dinner.
Jenna used the time to clean her room, and Erik's study. After she finished with her cleaning she wandered about the manor for some time, unsure of what to do. She passed by the music room, looking in at the shiny Grand Piano sitting along the wall majestically. She walked over to it, letting her fingers rest on the ivory keys. She closed her eyes, imagining Erik playing. Watching his fingers caress the keys, making them sing weaving a wonderful spell around her. She opened her eyes once more and sat forward on the bench, finding the foot pedal and placing both hands on the keyboard, closing her eyes once more as she began to play on of her favorite pieces.
Erik walked in the door sometime after 3:30, immensely pleased with himself at his selections of gifts for Jenna. He handed his coat and hat to Henri who took them and hung them up. Erik was about to ask where Jenna was, when he heard the sweet strains of Mozart's Sonata No.16 coming from the music room. He nearly ran up the stairs and burst into the music room to see who was producing such beautiful music. He stopped right outside the door, and watched enraptured as Jenna continued to play hunched over the keyboard. As the last note died and Jenna straightened herself out she became aware of his eyes on her. She stood up startled, nearly knocking the bench over as she did.
"Where did you learn to play like that?" he asked awed still by her gift that he had not known about.
She blushed "I…I've been playing since I was 5…" she answered suddenly very embarrassed.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked as he approached her.
She shrugged "Well You never asked, and I was a bit intimidated"
"Intimidated by what?" he asked, stopping right in front of her.
She looked up at him and sighed "By You! I mean you're well you're wonderful at anything musical and I didn't want to tell you and have you insist I play and then have you be disappointed in my horrible playing…"
He looked at her in amusement at her little rant; he took her hands and sat down with her on the piano bench. "My dear, you have quite a gift. I've not heard such exquisite playing in a very long time…how could I think of anything you do as less than perfection?"
She looked down at her lap "I know, I know…it was stupid. I know I'm good…I know. I mean I had scholarships in music to 2 different universities. And my tutor was furious when Music wasn't my major in college. She said I was being silly not to invest in my talent, she said I could have been a hell of a concert pianist…so I know that I'm good…but you. You have a talent that I could NEVER dream of, and I was intimidated by that"
"Why didn't you pursue music in University?"
She shrugged "I love drawing more than I love music…I just felt that I had to follow my heart which was art…I would love to continue with my music…I've missed it while I was at school." She frowned "I honestly don't know why…none of those are very good reasons I know…" she sighed taking his hand.
He kissed the top of her head "Play something else for me?"
She nodded and smiled "Of course…what would you like me to play?"
"Play the last piece you learned before you stopped lessons"
She took a breath "Alright, but I Don't think I have it memorized anymore…"
"I have the sheet music to nearly every classical work done…what was it?"
"Beethoven's Moonlight sonata…3rd movement"
He raised an eyebrow but disappeared behind her for a moment, before coming back and placing the music in front of her. She took a breath and positioned herself before she began. She barely looked at the sheet music, her fingers remembering the notes they were supposed to play.
Erik watched her in shock and amazement and love. Listening to her play was like a drug to him and his high was incredible! It filled every part of him, surrounded him like a blanket, his heart racing. He wanted her, then at that moment. But he wanted her music too. He waited until the last note died away before he dug his hands in her hair and pulled her to him, kissing her passionately and urgently. Her arms circled around his neck pulling him closer to her. They fell off the bench in a tangle of arms and legs.
Jenna smiled as she rolled over on the floor to look at Erik who was basking in the pleasant glow of their lovemaking. She began to look around for her clothes, not wanting anyone to stumble across them like that. Erik chuckled as he watched her on her hands and knees looking for her pants and shirt.
She turned around and glared at him "What's so funny?"
"Just you my darling" he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him, kissing her.
She laughed, "I'm glad I entertain you" she replied.
He released her and let her continue on her hunt for her clothing. He too gave in and began to hunt for his clothes. Finally with both of them dressed once more, they stood in the music room looking at the piano for a second before he led her out of the room, downstairs and to his study.
She curled up on the sofa and leaned against him as he sat down as well. "I wish you had told me you could play the piano so marvelously"
She looked up into his eyes and saw the mild hurt within their golden depths. "I am sorry Erik…It wasn't meant to hurt you. I just was insecure, I mean you're one of the greatest musicians I've ever heard and I just wasn't sure how I would measure up to that…"
He cupped her jaw and kiss her gently "You have a marvelous talent, never before have I heard someone play so wonderfully…and believe me when I say I am the harshest critic you will ever face. You have a remarkable gift that I would love to help you mold and make stronger. Your tutor was quite right…you have the making of a gifted and wonderful concert pianist. You just need some guidance…"
She smiled "Maybe I just need an Angel of Music" she said joking.
Pain stabbed through him at the title…never again would he be an Angel of anything. He never was to begin with. Jenna saw the pained expression on his face as he though about the past. She leaned up and kissed him, bringing him out of his reverie.
"Erik, I didn't mean to upset you. But I like the name, because that's what you are to me…lord knows you sing like one"
He nodded and rested his cheek on the top of her head, holding her to him. She drew circles on the back of his hand idly before entwining her fingers with his. She smiled as he squeezed her hand gently.
"I accept your offer of tutelage…teach me" she said as she turned around in his arms, her blue eyes staring into his golden ones.
His only response was a kiss.
After an hour spent in silence, enjoying each other's company they were called to dinner. As they sat at the dining table Jenna mused how wonderful it would be to fill up the table…she would love to entertain guests. Erik saw the look in her eyes and set his wine glass down a bit louder than he needed to, she turned her head to look at him. "You Look lost in thought my sweet. What's on your mind?"
She bit her lip "I was just thinking how cool it would be if we had a dinner and filled up this huge dining room table…"
His fist clenched tightly on his knee, the thought of strangers in his home, his sanctuary…no, it was not possible. Jenna saw his jaw tighten, his eyes narrow slightly behind the mask. She knew he would never allow it, and she wouldn't want it if it would bother him so much.
She reached out and touched his hand "I was just thinking…it wasn't something I truly want. It was just a random thought…that's all"
He nodded shortly and stood up "If you'll excuse me my dear…I have some work that I must finish" he reached down and caressed her cheek with his fingers lightly before walking out.
Jenna sighed Way to go Jenna! Next time you think you might have a thought…just let it go and save both of you the hassle that nasty voice in the back of her head hissed at her. She finished her solitary meal and retreated to her room, she turned on her stereo and decided to surf the net for a bit.
Normally around 11, Erik would find her and lead her back to his rooms. It was now 11:45 and she hadn't heard one peep out of him since dinner. She dressed and got ready for bed and slipped into her own bed for the first time in nearly a month. One tear managed to escape and slide down her cheek to the pillow before sleep took her.
Erik resurfaced from his music around 1am; he left the music room a disheveled mess. He walked into his bedroom and stripped off his clothes, pulling on his pajama bottoms and walking over to the bed. He expected to see dark blue sheets and a mess of honey colored hair on his pillow. He was shocked and hurt when he didn't find Jenna in his bed. He crept into her room to find her tangled about in her sheets, as though she had been tossing and turning. He sat down next to her, and brushed a stray curl away from her face. She stirred but didn't wake up. This would not do for him, he hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should risk waking her to move her to his room or simply sleep in her bed tonight.
His mind made up he slid in bed behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him. She relaxed against him almost instantly, her lips curling into a smile, her hand resting on his. He lay down and let sleep overcome him.
