Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom clan, I do not own them, Sam-I-Am. I do not own the lyrics here, I do not own them, have no fear! I thank the writers, yes, I do…I thank them, see? That's done now, whew!
Chapter Thirty-Two
Erik and Christine had finished their supper and sat gazing at each other, holding hands across the small table. "Christine, I have been meaning…to ask you something." Erik shifted nervously in his chair, and Christine suddenly felt as though her heart had become lodged in her throat. No…he isn't…he couldn't, yet…could he? What will I say if he asks me to marry him so soon? Yet she knew in her heart what her answer would be. She tried to calm her breathing, which had increased slightly in anticipation of the moment. She was both relieved and surprised when Erik's question came at last.
"Mon amour, you know that my heart belongs to you…and I know now that you love me as well. What I want to ask you is…well, what I am trying to say is…" he stammered, unsure of how to phrase his question. She squeezed his hand in reassurance. He smiled at her. "I will understand if you refuse, but I need to know…if you will allow me to court you for the purpose of…of marriage." He gulped, and thought that he had sounded entirely too formal. I don't want to ruin everything that we are building upon…but I need to know that we are truly committed to one another, he thought, glancing shyly at her like an anxious young schoolboy.
I would marry him tonight, for heaven's sake! The thought of him as her husband made Christine's mouth go dry. He is being so gentlemanly and respectful. Perhaps he wants us to start out properly this time…as a man and a woman, rather than an Angel of Music and a lost little girl. "I would be honored, my beautiful Angel. I want nothing more than to become your wife one day…when God wills it." She smiled at him and he wondered if his ears had deceived him. Did she truly say yes? She wishes to one day become my wife? My wife? "Oh, my beautiful, beautiful Christine…did you just say what I think you said?" He searched her face anxiously and she laughed at his expression of disbelief.
"Erik, yes!" She smiled at him, and then shyly added, "I…I hope that it will not be a…long courtship." She felt her face growing hot, and touched the back of her hand to her cheek.
Erik's stomach tensed at the thought of Christine's desire for him. She wants a brief courtship, he thought. Dear God, I would marry her tonight! But no…she deserves something more proper. He felt a blush upon his own cheeks, and he chuckled at himself. "Whatever you wish, mon ange. If it is a brief courtship that you desire, then you shall have it." He stood and stepped to her chair, grasping her hand gently and lifting her to stand. "Come, I want to show you something."
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"How much time do you think you'll need, Monsieur?"
"I can't say for certain, Viscomte," came the reply. "It could take quite some time, or it could be a mere handful of days. But…if I could hire a man or two to help me, then that would move the job along more quickly," he cocked his head at Raoul, hoping that he would take the hint.
"Very well. If it is more money that you need, then it can be arranged. Time is of the essence. I cannot stress this enough."
"I understand, Viscomte. I shall see to it right away," Monsieur Thibedeaux replied.
"I want every piece of information delivered to me immediately," Raoul emphasized. "That will be all. Francois will see you out."
The man in black practically slithered from the room and out to the foyer. Raoul sighed in relief at the man's departure. If not for Christine, then I would want nothing to do with that dreadful man, he thought sullenly.
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"I know she doesn't look very grand, but she has a lovely sound," Erik beamed, running his hand along the wooden top of the church organ.
Christine grinned at him. "So…you couldn't resist playing her while you were here?"
Erik sighed. "I thought that I might never play music again, after that night." He glanced at her, and her smile had faded. "But I was wrong. When I realized the truth about my past…about God's love for me, I felt hope again. I have yet to compose anything new, due to the fact that I have no violin or piano at the guest house…but one day I plan to create new and beautiful scores once again." He smiled warmly at her, and took her in his arms. "Sing with me, Christine. I need you," he breathed into her hair. She closed her eyes, reveling in his touch. "What would you like to sing?" she asked timidly.
Erik slowly released her, seating himself on the bench. "Help me make the music of the night, mon amour," he replied breathily, a twinkle in his eye. He began to play, and she felt the music beginning to envelop her…coiling around her like a serpent, seducing her, bending her to its will. When Erik began to sing, she nearly dropped to her knees from trembling. She allowed the strong, vibrant tones to penetrate her very soul, until he paused, waiting for her to sing the next line. She swallowed hard, and began:
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you;
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind; let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight,
The darkness of the music of the night.
Erik joined her then:
Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be;
Only then can you belong to me…
Christine quieted, listening to his voice, swaying slightly to the music:
Floating, falling, sweet intoxication,
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation…
She stepped behind him, gliding her hands along both sides of his face, and leaned down to kiss the top of his head gently.
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night
She joined him in song once more:
You alone can make my song take flight…Help me make the music of the night.
Their voices floated together in the air, fading out to a soft whisper, and he turned around on the bench to face her. He reached for her hands, pulling her down onto his lap gently, and claimed her soft lips with his own. She flung her arms around his neck and they remained locked in each other's embrace for several minutes before breaking the kiss and catching their breath.
"I love you," Erik said breathlessly, "and I cannot wait for the day when you become mine at last…my wife, my darling, mon amour…" he kissed her jaw and moved lower slowly, pressing his lips to the pulsing area on her neck. She inhaled sharply, and he withdrew, fighting every one of his natural instincts. "I…I'm sorry, Christine…I don't know what came over me. I…we…should probably go back downstairs now. It is growing late, and we both must work tomorrow."
She nodded sadly, but then added, "Erik, you have no reason to be sorry. I love you and I want to marry you as soon as it is right…because I…I want us to have no limits between us."
Does she know what she is doing to my self control? he groaned inwardly. He stood abruptly, lifting her to stand with him, and pecked her on the cheek. "I feel the same way…and now, we really should be going," he spoke hurriedly. "Let me gather up the dishes from the storage room and we will be on our way." She noticed his nervousness, and it made her smile to herself. "I'll help you," she said, following after him to clear the table.
After they had cleared the dishes, they stood in the kitchen alcove, washing their plates and glasses in the small sink, laughing and talking about both of their new jobs and about their dreams for the future. "Erik…do you want children?" she asked suddenly, nearly causing Erik to drop his wine glass and towel.
"Ch-children?" he stuttered. "Well, I…I don't suppose that I had even…considered the thought before."
She stopped drying her glass and turned to look him directly in the eye. "I need to know, Erik. If we are to court with plans of eventual marriage, then I must know what your feelings are on this subject." She eyed him very seriously, and he wondered how he should answer. Does she want children? Or would she simply prefer to pursue her dreams of performing instead? What can I say to this?
He sighed. "Oh, Christine…I know nothing about children or babies. I do not know what kind of a father I might make. What would my child think of me, of this face? Would he fear me? Would he be frightened as all other children have been?"
She set her glass on the counter and stepped close to him, her hand on his cheek. "Erik, our children would love you…simply because you would be their father." She smiled. "How could they not love you? Aside from my father, you are the most wonderful man that I have ever known."
He stared at her, once again in awe of the love he saw radiating from her gaze. "Oh, mon ange, I will never, ever deserve your love." He embraced her tenderly and whispered into her ear, "If you wish, I will give you as many children as I am able…as many as the Lord chooses to give us."
She hugged him tightly around his middle. "I love you, Erik Durand. And I am the one who does not deserve you." She pulled back and smiled up at him. "You are my greatest blessing." Tears began to fill her eyes, and Erik's did the same. They stood for several moments in each other's arms, treasuring the peacefulness that surrounded them.
A noise at the alcove curtain startled them from their reverie. Father Michel stood there, blushing. "Oh, dear, I'm…I'm sorry! I thought that you both had left for the evening!"
Erik and Christine both laughed, breaking their embrace. "It's alright, Father," Erik replied lightly. "We just thought we'd take some time to clean up after our supper. Thank you for allowing us to use the church."
Father Michel waved a hand at him. "Oh, it was no bother, Erik. No bother at all." He glanced at both of them. "I-uh…heard you two singing this evening. It was quite lovely." He smiled. "Erik, I have never heard you sing before. Your voices are both more exquisite than any that I have heard. Perhaps one day I could convince you both to sing for Mass?"
Erik smiled. "Thank you, Father. We shall see." He laid a hand on the old priest's shoulder. "I will speak with you again soon. I need to escort Christine back to her residence now, and I have a pile of sketches looming before me at home. Good night."
"Good night, mon ami. And good night to you, Mademoiselle." Father Michel opened the front doors for them as they left. Things seem to be going rather well, he chuckled.
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Erik and Christine rode back to the shop in the Laurent carriage, which Erik had received permission to use for the evening. As they sat next to each other, watching the buildings pass by, Erik wrapped one arm about her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. She closed her eyes and snuggled up to him, and he wrapped his other arm around her, placing his hand on the small of her back. He kissed her curls and pressed his cheek to the top of her head. They rode in silence for the short distance. I don't have to prove anything to her now. I don't even have to speak…she loves me, and it feels as though our hearts are already as one.
The carriage jerked to a halt, and he sighed deeply, continuing to hold her for a few seconds longer. She raised her head and smiled at him sleepily. "Erik? Walk me inside?"
"Of course, mon ange." He escorted her to the door and asked when he could see her again. She chuckled. "As if you need to ask, my darling. I need to see you as often as possible." She smiled and reached up, pulling his neck down towards her. She pressed her lips to his firmly, and felt his mouth open to her slightly. She was emboldened, and she slid her tongue gently into his mouth. His tongue met hers, and they melded for several seconds. Erik could feel that the kiss was growing more heated, so he gently pulled away, pressing lighter kisses to her lips and resting his forehead on hers. "Good night, mon amour," he breathed, as she turned to step inside the shop. She turned around again and he was already gone. She locked the door behind her and leaned her back against it, breathing rapidly. Goodness, I don't know how long I can last before we are married! she laughed to herself.
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A/N: Honestly, if it were me, I know that the waiting would be killing me! LOL
Thanks to my readers and reviewers again. I'm typing into the wee hours of the morning trying to keep up here. I'm still hoping to post a chapter a day, but with my schedule getting busier, it may drop to every couple of days soon. Bummer, I know. I'll do my best, though, I promise! Erik smooches to you all!