"Congratulations! I'm so happy for you." Meg squealed. "When's the date?" She asked bumping Christine's arm with her elbow.
Christine bit her lip and clasped her hands behind her back, "a week." She smiled blushing with excitement.
"Woah! He doesn't like to wait."
Christine shook her head, "and neither do I."
Raoul plowed through the door, "I heard from a little birdy that you are getting married!"
Christine smiled at the old friend nodding excitedly, "the birdy told you right."
Raoul wrapped his arms around her squeezing tight, "Congratulations Christine. I hope he makes you happy."
"Eric! You did not!" Nadir laughed slapping Eric on the back.
"I did, should I not have?" Eric asked his face turning pale.
Nadir rolled his eyes, at how low Eric's communication skills were. "Im happy you did."
The color turned back into Eric's face as he relaxed. "Nadir I'm nervous." Eric mumbled "what if I'm not who she wants me to be?"
"Friend listen to me," Nadir encouraged, "there is going to be hard times but you two have already face more than normal couples, you will work out any problems you face."
Eric smiled a bit, "Thank you, I should go see her."
Eric showed himself out and walked down the snowy street humming a tune.
Quickly he trotted up the steps to the Smiths house. "Daddy!" Little Rosa squealed making a pitiful attempt to run to him.
Eric picked her up swiftly swinging her around before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"I didn't expect you home this early." Mrs. Smith commented exciting to kitchen to greet him.
"Have you seen Christine lately?" Eric asked putting Rosa on the ground to play.
"She mentioned going over to the de Chagny." Marge said with a smile while drying her hands on her apron.
Eric swore under his breath and the thought of Christine still making company of them.
"Eric don't hate the de Chagny." Marge begged moving towards him.
"I don't mind Meg." Eric grumbled sitting down.
"Please at least try to be civil with Raoul." Marge asked, "I think you had something up your sleeve to tell me."
Eric bit his lip, looking up at her cracking a smile. "Christine and I are getting married."he smiled his rich sing song voice bubbled with excitement.
"Oh Eric! I'm so happy for you!" Marge gleamed wrapping her stocky arms around him.
They talked for a bit, Eric stood up stretching his arms with a groan. "I guess I should go see Christine." He smiled picking up Rosa to leave.
"Damm fop." Eric mumbled to himself walking up the steps to the de Chagny home. Reluctantly he knocked on the door, Eric could hear the sound of Christine and Meg's laughter as the fop told them stories.
"Uncle Raoul!" Rosa squealed beginning to bounce up and down in Eric's arms completely overjoyed.
"Dear God not you to." Eric grumbled to Rosa, he saw no reason for everyone to be excited over the Viscount.
"Eric." Raoul gasped as he opened up the door.
"I told you de Chagny we are not on a first name basis." Eric hissed through his teeth pushing the man out of the doorway and welcomed himself in.
"Hi Eric!" Christine smiled skipping over to Eric wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I'm happy to see you haven't hurt Raoul yet." She joked looking over to the Viscount. Eric felt himself grow red.
"I hear a congratulations is in order." Meg announced sensing Eric getting tense.
Eric gave a slight nod and smile.
"Cookie!" Rosa cried trying to wiggle out of Eric's firm grasp.
Meg and Christine giggled, "well how about we can have some tea and Rosa can have her cookie." Meg invited before offering to take Rosa.
Eric didn't really want to stay but he agreed within minutes Meg was pouring tea for everyone. Raoul stood up, "do you take brandy in your tea Eri... Monsieur Destler."
Christine shot Eric a warning glance, "be nice." She mouthed.
Eric was tempted to roll his eyes, "please de Changy."
Eric was in a slightly better mood with his alcohol fix, the girls talked about weddings and dresses, while Raoul tried to make conversation and Eric desperately attempting to avoid it.
Eric really wished it could just be him and Christine. There was so much he wanted to talk to her about. Such as, what she wanted from him as a husband. What her plans were. There was so many questions and concerns going through his mind.
"Are you nervous?" Raoul asked suddenly disturbing Eric's thoughts. Eric jumped a little and glared at the man.
"Why would you care?" Eric spit back at the man.
Raoul looked hurt and frustrated his face growing tight. "I'm trying to mend the friendship that was broken."
Eric choked on his tea from laughter. The two girls grew silent and Raoul immediately knew he spoke wrong.
"Your idea of friendship is much different than mine." Eric mocked his eyes growing dark and cold glaring at Raoul.
Christine sensed that Eric was about to explode, she gave Meg an apologetic glance.
"Eric." She whispered carefully so not to set him off, "I think we should go, I need to get some things before the store closes."
Eric nodded not letting his challenging eyes leave Raoul. "I agree." He growled bitterly strutting to the door.
Christine grabbed her things. "I'm sorry." She whispered to Raoul, "I'm working on his temper and social skills."
Eric was waiting outside the door wringing his hands mumbling to himself. "What was that all about?" Christine asked her voice cold and sharp.
"What was what about?"
"You know what I mean! You were quite rude to Raoul, he's just trying to make amends." Christine scolded harshly standing up straighter to try and reach his height.
"I can never forgive him." Eric grumbled.
Christine closed her eyes, "Eric I understand why you are upset, but he is a friend of mine. I will always love you but I can't accept you hatred towards him."
Eric looked down when she continued. "I know he has hurt you in more ways that you can forgive and you don't have to be a so called friend but please try and be nice."
Eric gave a slight nod, "Ok, I'll try."
Satisfied Christine smiled standing on her toes to kiss him.
"I love you." He whispered softly.
Our story is coming to a close just a few more chapters.