The next day Jenna called her father, who had racked his brain trying to find a way to make his daughter happy once more. He was so happy for her; he had never pried into her affairs. He didn't know what happened in France that caused his oldest daughter to come running home, but he hadn't be oblivious to her unhappiness. His paternal instincts told him that she had fallen in love, and that love kept her in France. He only hoped that she was happy and her man was treating her properly, though deep in his heart he knew she was well cared for. He of course agreed to ship her things back to her when she told him she was remaining in France.

Three weeks later, Erik was still recovering though he had been up and out of bed for two weeks. Jenna kept a careful watch over him, guilt still haunting her for his condition. He had tried time and time again to assure her she had no part in his attack that he was entirely to blame it still didn't help.

Jenna had cleared away Erik's old suite and refurnished it. Erik stood in the doorway; looking around the room feeling a wave of guilt as he remembered the night he tore his rooms apart. Jenna laughed and told him she wouldn't tell anyone if he wouldn't.

Jenna had originally tried to move back into her old room, but after finding her entire wardrobe in the second walk in closet in Erik's room she realized he wanted to make his room 'their' room.

After discovering her things moved to Erik's room Jenna remembered the box of Christmas gifts she hadn't yet given to him. She approached him one evening after dinner in early February.

"Erik?"

He looked up from his book, setting it on his lap "Yes my dear?"

She sat down next to him, setting the box next to the sofa. "I found your Christmas gifts this afternoon. I know it's February and they are a bit late but…" she paused watching his reaction.

Erik sat up in surprise; he had never received a gift before…

She bent down and opened the big box. She pulled out the first gift and handed it to him. He took it hesitantly, carefully tearing the paper off it. She heard his breath catch when he saw what it was.

He stared down at the painting of Paris from the roof of the opera, just as it looked the evening he took her up right after they had met. She had painted it from memory, it was spectacular.

"Jenna…I…" he faltered, feeling the tingle of tears behind his eyes.

She bit her lip "So you like it?"

"Yes, very much my dear" he responded, his voice full of emotion.

She smiled, very proud of herself, she reached into the box and pulled out another gift and handed it to him.

Again he carefully pulled the wrapping paper off. He set the box down on his lap and pulled the lid off. Inside was lined staff paper, but in the corner in elegant script was

Compositions by Erik Deveraux

"Thank you my sweet. This is wonderful" he managed to whisper.

"Alright, one more left" she said as she pulled out one last gift. This one smaller than the others. She handed him the parcel and watched as he opened it. He smiled as he pulled out a collection of Mozart's greatest works on CD. Even though he had one of the largest CD collections she had ever seen she thought he would appreciate this one.

"Thank You Jenna…these are wonderful," he said a few moments later, tears still shining in his eyes.

Jenna scooted closer to him "Merry Christmas Erik" she said smiling.

He kissed the top of her head as he pulled her to him. Jenna snuggled closer to him "I'm glad you like them Erik" she said softly.

"Indeed, they are wonderful. Thank you"

She grinned up at him "You're more than welcome"

Erik paused; did he dare give her the Christmas gift he had so lovingly designed for her finger? He glanced down at her, seeing her smile up at him with all the love in the world filling her blue eyes. He extracted her from his person and got up, silencing her protests with a gentle look. He returned a few moments later, the ring hidden in his pocket. He pulled her to her feet, ignoring her questioning looks. He took a breath before kneeling on the floor in front of her.

He took her hand in his, looking up at her. Realization dawning on her, her eyes filling with tears, she looked down at him.

"I've lived in solitude my entire life, which has been sadly a very long time. Until you entered my life. I watched you from the moment you walked into the Opera House, I was determined to slink back into my prison, never to see the light of day ever again. But you fell into my life, and changed everything."

He saw the tears sliding down her cheeks. "You brought me out of my prison, into the light. You have given me hundreds of reasons to live; you have challenged me to be a better man. You have loved me, trusted me and guided me. I love you more than I think I've ever loved anything on this miserable planet. I don't want that to end, ever. I want you to be at my side for all eternity. Jenna, would you please honor me by becoming my wife?"

Jenna stared down at him for a moment, words escaping her. All she could do was nod. He pulled the ring out of his pocket and slipped it on her finger. He stood up; she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He could taste her tears, knowing they were mingling with his own. Never before had he known happiness like this.

Jenna felt his arms wrap around her, she buried her face in his neck feeling incredibly foolish for crying at a moment like that. It took a few minutes for her brain to process that he had asked her to marry him. And she had said yes! It was all finally coming to her, and thinking about it made her smile even wider. She felt a warmness spread through her starting at her toes and working her way up her body. She tightened her hold on him, kissing his neck.

After what seemed like an eternity Erik pulled away, looking down at her. He smiled as he wiped away her tears, kissing her forehead tenderly. Jenna looked up at him, her eyes still shining with tears. Jenna pulled away, rubbing her face trying to wipe away the last of her tears. She turned back to Erik, still in shock.

"You haven't said anything yet," Erik stated quietly.

Jenna laughed "It's just a bit of a shock to me that's all Erik. I hardly know what to say"

She walked back to him and took his hands, glancing down and starting when she saw the light from the fire dance off the diamonds on her finger. She had never seen a ring like it before. Three huge diamonds stared back at her, with a setting of amethyst on either side of the smaller diamonds. The band was white gold with small diamond flecks imbedded in it. She looked back up at Erik, again rendered speechless. He led her to the couch and pulled her into his embrace once they were both seated. He kissed her temple tenderly; this seemed to snap her out of the shocked stupor she had entered.

"I love you," she whispered after an eternity.

"I love you too" he replied, placing a light kiss on the top of her head.

After an hour of lying in each other's embrace they retired for the night. Waking up several times during the night, searching for the other in renewed passion.

Jenna woke up late the next afternoon; she rolled over surprised to feel Erik still lying beside her. She rubbed her eyes before opening them, she blinked away the sleep from them as they focused on Erik who was also awake and watching her intensely.

"Is something on your mind love?" she asked groggily.

He shook his head "No my dear" he said, reaching out to brush away a strand of hair from her face.

Jenna smiled, kissing his palm. "I've missed you Erik," she whispered.

His golden eyes darkened slightly "I've missed you too Jenna. Please forgive me, I never meant to…"

She placed a finger over his lips, to silence him. "Think nothing of it Erik. Please? I don't hold anything against you"

He nodded, pulling her to him and placing a light kiss on her head. "When would you like to get married?" he asked after a few moments.

She looked up at him "Well, perhaps this spring? If that's not too soon, I know that doesn't leave a lot of time to get everything done. But I don't want a huge wedding, I know how you hate crowds of people"

"If you wish, but I will brave anything for you" he said half-heartedly.

"Erik, I know how uncomfortable you are around people. I wouldn't want to put you through the stresses of a huge wedding. I'd be happy to be married here, with my family here of course."

"You would sacrifice your 'dream' wedding for me?"

"Dream wedding? Hardly, I've been to so many huge elaborate weddings that I wouldn't want the stress of it. I want our wedding to be small, but tasteful. I mean I would want the traditional trappings, flowers, a stunning wedding gown, a wedding party of some sorts…to deny my mother the pleasure of helping me plan this would be a horrible crime" she added lightly.

Erik grinned, "Do whatever you like, spare no expense"

"Erik, I'm sure myself and my parents can take care of the wedding expenses"

"Nonsense-" he was interrupted by a kiss.

"Erik, it's tradition that the brides family pay for the wedding. Though admittedly the bride and groom are taking on more of that burden these days…" she shook her head "I have sufficient funds myself but knowing my parents and how they love to spoil me there is no need for us to argue. After we are married you and I will share our expenses equally, until then give my parents this last chance to do something like this for me?"

Erik studied her for a moment "Of course my love, whatever you wish"

Jenna smiled at her victory, snuggling against him. "I can't wait to tell my parents, they'll love you," she said as she propped herself up over him.

"That is still up for debate my darling" Erik countered.

She kissed him "Trust me on that"

He managed a weak smile "I will try"

She laid back down against him, closing her eyes and smiling. She opened them once more, watching the light dance off her engagement ring.