Hi everybody! I had a lot of fun with this chapter. A lot of sappiness, but our lovely heroine gets a bit of a wake up call. But that's for you to see. Enjoy!
Chapter 17
Rory led me to the porch that evening, and I was sad that our night was over. He held me in his arms, holding me close.
"Thank you for the lovely evening." I whispered
"Of course, sweetheart. You deserve it." He pressed a kiss to my hairline
I straightened up, to look into his eyes. "I had a great time."
"As did I." He tilted my face closer to his.
His face was dangerously close to mine. My heart was pounding. Was he going to do what I thought he was? I could feel his breath on my face, his heart beating against mine. I closed my eyes. Just then, Erik's face flashed in my minds eye. Those adoring eyes, the soft smile, the scent of his cologne. I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't do this to him.
"No" I gasped, pushing myself out of our embrace. "I can't...do this." I looked into Rory's eyes, recognizing the hurt there.
"I understand." His tone was comforting, but I could hear his pain.
"I'm sorry." I whispered, still feeling Erik's presence around me.
"It's alright, dear. I get it." He kissed my cheek. "I should let you go. Sleep well." With a squeeze of my hand, he left.
I sighed, the weight of everything bearing heavily on my heart. I sniffed, keeping the tears in. I was hurting for Erik, not Rory. My sweet, dear Erik. What had I done to him?
I choked back a sob. I leaned against the wall, trying to collect myself, forcing myself into the happy-go-lucky girl I was 5 minutes ago.
I took a deep breathe and stepped into the house. Maggie catapulted herself of the sofa and grabbed me by the arms.
"How'd it go? Where did you go? What did you do? Did he kiss you?" She drilled questions at me with all the force of a machine gun
I sighed, forcing a smile to me lips. "I had a great time."
She smiled "You should have seen his face when you came in. He was stunned."
Mom came in, wrapped in her fuzzy bedtime robe. "Hi sweetie." She pecked my cheek.
"How was it?"
"Amazing." I sighed. It really had been a great night.
"You don't seem that happy." Maggie said, concern in her eyes
"I am." I nodded. " I'm just tired. It's been a long night."
Maggie nodded understandingly, took my hand and proceeded to drag me upstairs. "Night, Mrs. D." She called behind her shoulder without looking back.
I gave an apologetic glance to my mother, unable to free myself from Maggie's grasp. Once upstairs, I threw myself across my bed.
"Okay." Maggie crossed her arms, "What happened?"
I lifted my head up. "What do you mean?"
"You lie like a rug, my dear." She sat beside me
"It was...fine. Everything was fine." I began to unpin my hair.
"Fine? Honey you are lying through your teeth." She placed her hands on her hips
I sighed "Maggie can we talk bout this later?" I shook my head, loosening my hair so it hit my shoulders.
"No. We. Can. Not." She grabbed my shoulders, staring me in the eyes. Before I could say a word, her green eyes widened behind her frames and her mouth dropped open.
"Wh...what?" I spluttered.
"It's your Phantom, isn't it?" She said in shock.
"How did you know?" I asked softly
"Kirsten, I can see the hurt in your eyes." She sat beside me, wrapping her arms around me. "Tell me what happened."
I was no longer hold back the tears. "I saw him."
"Who? Phantom dude?"
I sighed. "His name is Erik. I saw him in my mind. I was going to kiss Rory and bam," I snapped my fingers, "I saw him, looking at me. I can't hurt him, Maggie."
"But don't you like Rory?" She gave my a puzzled look.
I shook my head. "I realized tonight that I can't move on with Rory...Erik and I have something far more precious. I can't hurt him. I...I..love him." I faltered
She sighed, "I believe you. Be careful sweetheart." Maggie smoothed my hair.
I nodded, wiping the tears away. "Enough of that." She bounded off my bed and tore open a duffle bag, spilling DVDs all over the floor. "Movie time!"
I chuckled at my friend's silly antics. I hurried into the bathroom and slipped out of my dress and into some flannel jammies. As I changed she called, "You wanna watch Aladdin or Little Women?
"Which version of Little Women?" I shouted back
"1994, of course." Was her reply.
"Play it!" I shrieked.
For the next two hours Maggie and I laughed at Jo's silliness, swooned over Christian Bale's Laurie, cried at a denied proposal, and everything in between. We stuffed ourselves with popcorn, chocolate, and Twizzlers. Around midnight we finally decided to hit the hay. We had a big day tomorrow. Maggie would probably drag me all over God's creation at the mall, trying on these shoes, that dress, and window shopping...
I opened my eyes to see a large, empty ballroom around me. Large, ornate paintings stared back at me and glowing chandeliers made the gold crowing around them gleam. I felt a weight around me. I looked down to see that I was wearing a large, red gown. Not just any kind of gown, a gorgeous, full skirted ball gown. Where was I? Suddenly, a door opened. I pivoted to see Erik, in a tuxedo with a rose in lapel. He opened his arms to me, adoration in his eyes.
"My sweet Kirsten. Your beauty is beyond compare." He kissed my gloved hands
"Oh Erik. You are beautiful. You take my breath away." I whispered
He pressed a sweet kiss against my forehead, wrapping me tighter in our embrace "You praise me too much."
An angry roar stopped the words set on my lips. "Well isn't this sweet?" A sickeningly familiar voice shattered the tender atmosphere.
Erik's eyes narrowed turning to face the voice, my eyes following his. "Rory." I gasped.
"Seemed surprised, sweetheart?" His tone was anything but kind. "You know I'd been after your precious Phantom sooner or later."
Erik's arms locked me to his chest, keeping me there. "Keep away from her!"
Rory chuckled, making my stomach turn. "Ahh so the monster speaks."
At those words, I fought to free myself from Erik's embrace, ready to launch at Rory. "Don't you dare speak to him like that!"
Rory ignored me. "You think I'm here to harm her?" He stared at Erik. "Why would I harm my angel?" He came close to us, brushing a hand through my hair. I cringed at his touch. Erik took a step back, taking me with him. Suddenly, his arms dissolved around me, leaving me standing between the two men. Both their hands were outstretched.
"Kirsten," Rory said, pain in his eyes, "why did you push me away? Why didn't you kiss me? I thought we had something special!"
"Kirsten." Came Erik's tender whisper, "why didn't you tell me about him? Why did you lie to me? I thought you loved me!" A tear ran down his cheek.
They grasped my hands, screaming and tugging me. "How could you? How could you? HOW COULD YOU?!"
I gasped, throwing myself upright. I shivered, covered in a cold sweat. "Just a dream." I whispered, trying to catch my breath. I glanced at my phone; it was 3 in the morning. I laid back down, trying to relax. Suddenly, my phone buzzed beneath my pillow. Who would be calling me at this hour? I grabbed it.
"Erik?" I answered, swinging my legs over the bed.
"Kirsten! Are you alright?" His tone was urgent.
I hurried to the bathroom, locking myself there. "I..." I choke back a sob, "No...how did you know."
"I guess I had a bit of a premonition." He hurried through his words. "What is it, darling? What happened?"
"Bad dream" I sobbed.
"Do you want to talk about it.?" He asked carefully.
"No...no. I just want to hear your voice...your sweet voice." I sank against the bathroom wall, sitting on the floor.
"Ssssh sweetheart, I'm right here." Came his tender voice
I pressed the phone closer to my ear, trying to be near him. "Never leave me."
"Of course my darling. I will always be with you."
"Erik?" I whispered
"Yes, my love?" He replied
"Sing to me? Please?" I begged
"Only for you, my sweet girl." Was his answer
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
That's all I ask of you
"Say you love me." I whispered.
In the most gentle tone Erik, my angel , whispered "You know I do.."
So, what do you think? I love Little Women, by the way. Fantastic movie! I tweaked All I Ask of You, and I don't own the 's dress in the dream is on my profile. I pictured Rory in what Hadley wore in the finale of Phantom 25th. Hope you guys liked it! Review!