There will only be one more chapter after this one. I just don't like a great deal of life content in my stories, once I have brought Erik into the light. I like my readers to use their imagination in creating a life for my Erik.
Enjoy, my lovlies!
THE DAWN THROUGH THE NIGHT
Book VI: Wherever You Go…I Go
CHAPTER 29
Two days later, Erik and Christine stood on the shores of Igoumenitsa, Greece. Erik had loved the sea when he lived in Spain, the air always had a fresh breeze and the marine life was stunning to behold.
Christine hadn't been near the sea since she was small child, traveling with her father to various places as he played the concert violin. She had forgotten just how much she loved being near it.
"Do you suppose that we will ever live by the sea?" Christine asked, one night as they stood under the broad midnight sky and watched falling stars.
Erik smiled down at her and pulled her into his embrace; her back molded to him and he had his arms around her waist.
"We can live anywhere you want, by love…anywhere." He whispered into her ear.
She giggled as he tickled her, so she broke loose from his grasp, and set out running down the beach. It was completely deserted, with only the light of the moon to illuminate their path.
They had made love each night, and this night was no exception; except tonight, they made love under the stars on the beach.
To Christine, it was the most sensual and exciting thing she had ever done. The soft breeze caressed her skin in all the places that Erik's hands did not; the sound of the crashing waves played a symphony against the solid mass of the rocks…she would never forget this night.
Erik took her in wild, frenzied lust and then he repeated the act in soft, pulsating erotica; Christine would never grow tired of him, never.
They visited ancient ruins and modern museums; crystal clear beaches and green, lush gardens. There were few places that they did not see in the two weeks they spent there.
Erik had thought there was no possible way he could love Christine any more than he already did, but he was proven wrong. Each day, as he watched her face light up with the sheer joy she derived from sightseeing, or the wondrous depth of the ancient myths surrounding Greece…he fell more deeply in love with her.
They bickered over Erik's resistance at being seen in public places during the day, he still was not comfortable around strangers; but Christine had convinced him that it did not matter what others thought or said…he belonged with her, and she was at his side.
Erik was fascinated and impressed with the ancient and modern architecture in Greece and studied it intently. It resembled Persian architecture, with its flowing lines and curves, but Greece was in a category all its own.
Another wonderful thing about Greece; was the food. It resembled Italian in its texture and visual preparation, but the spices were very unique. Erik and Christine both enjoyed it, agreeing that they would have to find a Greek restaurant in Paris.
They danced and laughed their way through two weeks, and before they knew it, it was time to go home.
In the carriage, on the way home, Erik finally broached the one subject they had avoided during their honeymoon festivities.
"I've decided not take Raoul's offer." He stated, knowing this was what Christine wanted, even though she would never say it.
"It would allow him too much access to our lives and I do not fully trust him," Erik stated; then he shrugged his broad shoulders and added, "call it gut instinct."
Her eyes looked up into his, thanking him with their earnestness. Erik kissed her forehead; holding her close to him for the remaining ten minutes of the trip.
They had no more than stepped out of the carriage, but that Grace was bounding into her fathers arms and reigning kisses all over his face as he laughed at her antics.
Jean Luc was running toward them, trying to catch up with his longer legged sister, but he was unable to. He settled for ambling up to them and grinning.
Erik picked him up in his arms as Grace moved on to Christine. Once inside, Brigitte and Madeline joined them, and they talked girl talk about the sights and sounds of Greece, with Grace giggling through most of the conversation.
"Oh Christine, I'm so happy for you…you are absolutely glowing!" Madeline exclaimed.
Brigitte shook her head in agreement, "Yes, it's true…you do appear to be glowing from the inside, out."
Christine chuckled, "It must be the Greek sun, still dancing on my skin."
OOOOOOOOOOO
Life returned to it normal routine, for the most part. Erik went back to the site and found they had completed it and the contents were being moved in.
Three weeks later, they had the groundbreaking ceremony for the Destler Museum of the Arts; a project Erik had been working on for years. Many of the display pieces and articles were from Erik's personal collection.
Erik and Christine readied themselves for the gala, dressing in all their finery for the ball that would follow. This was a night to remember. Erik's future as an architect was secure and everyone, who was anyone, wanted to be around him.
Although Christine was jealous of all the women that seemed to flock around him at social gatherings, she was also proud of the fact that they now recognized what an attractive man he was; and he was all hers.
Christine floated down the stairway toward Erik, and he thought he was seeing a heavenly being. Her dress was of the deepest, purest blue with white lace overlays, a sweeping neckline, and lace sleeves. She had on black, velvet gloves, and around her neck was the exquisite black diamond necklace that Erik had purchased for her just two days before.
In her hair, she wore black and blue ribbons and her ears were studded with the earrings to match the necklace. Erik just dropped his jaw and studied her as she glided toward him.
Of course, Christine thought Erik was the heavenly being. They had coordinated on purpose for the event. He had a deep blue suit, white shirt, black vest with blue accents, and a black cravat. He wore a black mask and a devilish grin; Christine almost lost it right there on the stairs.
She came toward him with a come-hither look in her eyes, "There can't be another man as handsome as you are…you look magnificent, Erik." She complimented as she devoured him with her eyes.
Erik bowed at her flattery, and kissed her open palm; sweeping his tongue gently over the heated surface. A flush of desire raced through Christine as he pulled her into his embrace.
"You, my dear, have stolen my breath…" he kissed her deeply at this point, drawing her deep into his mouth and feasting on her, "…as well as my heart."
Christine fanned herself as she he pulled back from the kiss; her eyes sparkled and she adored him with their intensity.
"If you are aren't careful, my love, we'll never make it to this celebration…and you are the guest of honor."
"We're the guest's of honor, wife." He grinned down at her, "Now, be a good girl and stop accosting me…we must be going."
Christine grinned back and playfully shoved him, "Oh behave, you beast, you know you want me."
They walked, arm in arm, out to the waiting carriage, picked up Madeline and Brigitte along the way, and made their grand entrance at 7 pm.
Handsome older men approached both Madeline and Brigitte for the evening of dancing. They never ceased being on the arm of a man, but as the evening passed, it was not hard to see that they had both found a man each, that was as interested in them as they were in him.
Erik kept a close eye on his mother; all her life, she had been taken advantage of by men …he wasn't going to let it happen again; but, he also knew she was lonely, and enjoyed the company of men. So, he stood back and watched her be the graceful, elegant woman he knew that she could be.
The museum was a resounding success and everyone raved about the quality of the displays and the elegance of the layout; they could not stop talking about it.
Christine and Erik rarely left each other's side. He held her to him throughout the evening, whether they were dancing or talking. He included her in every conversation he was in and never failed to acknowledge her.
Many of the people who had been in the opera house when Erik was known as the Phantom of the Opera, were present at this gala. They gingerly approached him, but found him to be a gracious host and brilliant conversationalist. His intimidating days were over, and he had become a vital, important part of humanity.
Monsieur Reyer, the conductor, came up to Erik and vigorously shook his hand.
"Monsieur Destler, it is an honor to meet under these circumstances."
Erik dipped his head, "Thank you, Mr. Reyer."
"I'm curious," the aged man asked, "do you still compose?"
Erik chuckled at that, why did everyone think you could just stop doing what was in your soul?
"Yes, I still compose."
A smile lit up Mr. Reyer's face, "I would be interested in seeing your compositions, I am part owner of the opera house in Rome, and your operas are just what we are looking for."
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small card, "Here is my local address, please come by anytime so we can discuss the possibility of working together."
Erik took the card and nodded as the man walked away. Erik had always respected Mr. Reyer, he was a get-down-to-business man; a trait which Erik found admirable.
Erik turned to Christine and they both shared a shrug, life was certainly anything but boring.
"Would you care to dance with your husband, my lady?" Erik purred as he bowed low.
Christine curtsied back, "I thought my husband would never ask."
They swirled over the dance floor in perfect unison; everyone marveled at the way they complimented each other.
The dance had not quite ended yet when Christine suddenly stumbled into Erik. He stopped and looked down at her.
"Christine?" he held her chin up to look into her eyes. "Are you alright?"
He had barely gotten the words out, when she collapsed in his arms. Bile rose to his throat as panic set in. He laid her on the floor and began fanning her. He could see her breathing, but it seemed very shallow.
He picked her up in his strong arms, carried her out of the ballroom, and into a private parlor. Madeline and Brigitte followed in haste.
Erik turned to his mother with panic-stricken eyes, "Get the doctor…he's out there somewhere."
Madeline nodded and immediately went to look for the family doctor. Thankfully, word travels fast, and Dr. Thoreau was already headed toward the room.
He followed Madeline into the secluded alcove and observed Christine's color and breathing. He asked that Erik leave the room, wanting only Madeline and Brigitte to stay for propriety's sake.
TBC
