Okay, I have managed to stretch one more chapter out of this. I will write an epilogue. More loving for Erik and Christine in this chapter…so ready the cold shower.
Enjoy, my lovlies!
THE DAWN THROUGH THE NIGHT
Book VI: Wherever You Go…I Go
CHAPTER 30
Erik paced outside the door, resembling a caged panther in his graceful, yet apprehensive stride. He felt completely out of control, and he did not care for the helplessness that washed over him. Tears stung his eyes as the worst thoughts went though his mind.
The hallway was deserted, for the most part; the ball and celebration was still going strong just a wall away, but Erik could not bring himself to care. He put his back against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, allowing his tears to stream down his face.
He did not hear his mother silently exit the room and come to kneel beside him. He longingly looked over at her as she knelt beside him, took him in her arms, and allowed him to cry into her shoulder.
"Oh Erik, don't fret…the doctor doesn't think it's anything serious." Madeline crooned, as she soothed his hair and rocked him in her arms.
"I can't lose her…I'd die without her." Erik murmured.
Madeline lifted silent prayers to heaven, pleading with God for the life of the young woman in the other room. Life had been so hard on Erik, and he had finally found peace and joy…two things he had never thought to have.
"He was still examining her when I came out to be with you…Brigitte stayed with Christine."
Erik released her and moved away enough to be able to look at her. "She loves me mother…I never dreamed that a woman could love me as a man; as a mate…" he closed his eyes as tears stung them again, "…but she loves me as a husband and passionately shares her body, her mind, her soul…everything…" he looked down at his clenched hands, "…with me."
Madeline reached up and gently caressed the wayward strands of dark hair that always rebelliously hung in his eyes, "I know, love…but you are everything a woman could want in a man…Christine sees this..." Madeline lifted his chin and stared into his somber green eyes, "…and something tells me that she's not ready to give it up."
The door opened and Erik shot up, the doctor and Brigitte came out, shutting the door behind them.
"Gaston…how is she?" Erik asked the doctor, trying to keep the terror out of his voice.
Gaston Thoreau looked up into the questioning eyes of the man he had known for almost a year. He had come to admire him for his courage and undeterred strength of character.
"She got overheated and overexerted; I have talked to her about her diet and health habits." Gaston stated, as he placed his hand on Erik's shoulder in an assuring manner. "Overall, she is very healthy; maybe a few more pounds on her bones wouldn't hurt, but she's healthy."
Erik's face noticeably relaxed, allowing him to smile slightly at the doctor, "So what do I need to do?"
"Make sure she eats properly – plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, she needs to drink less tea and more water." He instructed, with stern eyes.
Erik shook the doctor's hand and knocked on the door as Doctor Thoreau headed back toward the gala.
"I'm going to take her home." Erik said as he went through the door.
Madeline and Brigitte stayed in the hallway, as Erik closed the door and approached the reclining figure of his wife.
Christine smiled a beautiful but weary smile at him as he drew closer, tears still glistening in his jade eyes.
He knelt down on the floor in front of the chaise lounge on which she was lying, he leaned over her, caressed her forehead, and kissed her gently.
"I've never been as completely terrified in my entire life…as I was when you collapsed into my arms." Erik admitted.
She pulled him to her for a warm, loving hug, kissing the soft flesh of his ear as he nuzzled against her.
When he pulled away, she was smiling a radiant smile and tears were in her eyes. His quizzical eyes rested on her as she chuckled lightly.
"There's something I have to tell you, Erik." Christine stated with a smirk in her tone.
Even the smirk in her tone didn't calm his distraught nerves. "What do you need to tell me?"
She looked deep into his wearied, stunningly green eyes and smiled, "We are going to have a baby."
It took a few seconds for the words to sink in, as Erik had not even considered that possibility…he didn't know why; they had made love, at least once, every night since they had confessed their love for each other. Somewhere, deep down inside, Erik had always assumed he could not be a father.
"Say that again." He whispered, as the shock began to wear off.
"You're going to be a father, Erik." She emphasized.
His only response was to pull her off the couch and into his lap, embracing her completely in his arms.
He rocked her in his lap and shed tears of pure joy into her softly scented hair. Christine held him to her and poured her love for him into his ear with words she had held back for so long.
"There could be no happier man on this earth, than me…you have…." He fought for the words that would express the deep, emotional bond he felt with her, "…completed me."
They sat there for a few minutes, just enjoying the silence and each other. Christine began nuzzling and kissing his neck; Erik chuckled seductively.
"I think I shall take you home, my bride…" his tone suggested his intentions.
Christine smiled impishly into his eyes, "That's how I got this way in the first place."
Erik's body was on fire. He ran his thumb over the curve of her breast, feeling her immediate response to his touch, even through her silky gown.
Christine hissed passionately at the strong sensation his touch was giving, "My body is so attuned to you…more so than usual." She breathed as her eyes closed with desire.
Erik kept his hands where they were and continued to stroke her to a mindless, passion-filled haze.
"I love how your body comes alive at my touch…" He purred, "…your eyes get black with desire, your body blushes and moistens, readying itself for me."
He bent his head to her ear and torpidly sucked her lobe into his mouth, running his tongue around the edge of her ear.
"Take me home, Erik…make love to me." She breathed as her body jerked with unreleased desire.
"Christine, you've just had fainting spell…are you sure…"
"Don't argue with me, Erik Destler, or I shall have to punish you, soundly." She teased.
Erik arched his perfect brow as he lifted her into his arms, "You'll have come up with some other threat, my love…I would enjoy being punished by you..."
Christine looked aghast at him and then broke out in a blush, "Erik!"
Erik's melodious laugh was heard all the way down the hall and into the ballroom, as he proceeded to carry her out the door and into their waiting carriage.
"What about Mother and Brigitte?" Christine asked.
"They know I'm taking you home." He assured her, "I'll send the carriage back for them."
OOOOOOOOOOO
Erik's hand rested on the tiny swell of Christine's abdomen. He had not yet made love to her; but had been basking in the joy of knowing his baby rested safely and lovingly in Christine's womb.
"The idea of our child being inside you…" he smiled seductively, "…makes me burn even more to be buried within you."
He leaned over her and placed a kiss on the place where he was certain the baby rested; then he began the passionate trail up her belly and ribcage, finally taking a swollen, aching nipple into his mouth.
Christine sighed, as the sensation of his mouth on her sore breasts relieved the pain. He was relentless in his pursuit, working her flesh with his mouth and tongue; pulling her engorged breast into his mouth and sucking her into a state of ecstasy.
He lathed at each nipple as she watched with avid eyes, enjoying the added visual stimulation of watching his tongue work her taunt peaks.
He rolled her over and suckled the flesh of her shoulders, shoulder blades, spine and lower back; biting and sucking as he went.
He reached the soft, plump swell of her backside and tenderly nipped at it, leaving pink spots of all over her. He spread her legs with his hand and worked her sex with his fingers, feeling her arousal against his palm.
Christine moaned from the exquisite, expert attention that his hands were giving her. She was certain he could bring her to climax with just his hands on her body, not even on her sex.
Erik moved over her until his hips rested in the juncture of her legs, he spread her legs wide over the sheets, reached his hand under her abdomen, and lifted her backside slightly off the bed.
He slowly eased into her, pulling her legs up and around his thighs, giving him easy access to her.
"Ohhhh….myyyy…." Christine moaned, as he filled her completely.
He slowly began gliding in and out of her, creating the most awesome friction, and building the fire within her.
Christine had never experienced anything like this…her body was alive with thousands of goosebumps covering her flesh, as he moved in her.
Erik leaned over her, put his arm around her, and pulled her to him with her back against his chest. She had her legs wrapped around his hips and each foot curved over his calves.
Erik rested his body over his thighs and sat Christine on top of them, his engorged cock still moving in and out of her. She moved over him, bouncing off his thighs as he thrust into her.
He put his arms around her and covered her breasts with his hands, working the nipples with his fingers as she writhed and moaned in his arms.
He moved one hand down to her sex and found the swollen flesh of her desire. He moved his fingers tenderly over it, causing quiet whelping sounds to come from Christine.
She bucked into him as she began her climb into climax. Erik laid her down on the bed, pulled her backside up to his hips, and drove into her even more deeply.
Christine screamed from the force of her climax, and Erik followed her into the world of bliss. He milked every drop of his seed into her, and then took her in his arms as he lay beside her, wrapping his body around her.
Holding her in the afterglow, Erik nuzzled into her hair and drank in the scent of her. He pulled her even closer into the haven of his body.
"Promise me we'll always be this happy." He whispered into her ear. "I mean, I know there will be tough times and bickering…but, promise me you'll never come to bed angry at me…hit me, scream at me…whatever it takes, but don't come to bed angry."
Christine turned in his arms and raised her hand to the wave of black hair that hung in his eyes. She pushed it back and then rested her forehead against his.
"I promise." She breathed, "Now, you promise me that you won't hide your deepest concerns and thoughts from me…that you'll never again allow yourself to sink into despair…no matter what." She stared earnestly into his gentle eyes.
He smiled, took the hand that rested on his cheek, and kissed the palm. "I promise."
Sleep found them both as complete contentment and joy glowed on each face. Erik held Christine to him until the dawn came through the night.
TBC
