Rest easy, my lovelies!

A major bridge gets crossed and then burned in this chapter.

Thank you for the reviews; and again, to Mlle.Fox for her beta talents.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 30

The look in his eyes had her concerned about what was on his mind. He seemed subdued and reflective, but she sensed no despair – but still she fretted.

"Erik, what is it…you're worrying me."

Erik lifted the side of his mouth, presenting an impish smirk that served to settle her nerves, but Christine still wrinkled her brow at him.

"For almost six years I have hidden the pain of losing Loraine and Jean-Marc – not wanting to face the demons that were attached to it."

Erik didn't lift his eyes, but focused on her hands as he ran his fingers deftly over their soft surface.

"I locked my grief and hurt behind a door of solitude and loneliness and then wondered why I was so miserable.

"What I couldn't hide behind those barriers, I hid behind different masks – unable and unwilling to face the visible reminder of the betrayal of a man I had looked to as a father figure."

Erik smiled wearily, but finally touched his eyes to hers – making her heart speed up and her stomach turn to knots.

"I want to make a life with you Christine, but I can't – not until you see what I really am."

He heard her sharp intake of breath and knew that she was thinking the worst.

He reached up and removed the mask that covered the right side of his face, exposing what he deemed unbearably ugly, to Christine.

"This is me…the ugly truth." he murmured, painful acceptance lacing each word.

True, it wasn't a pretty sight, but burns never were. The right side of his face was melted flesh melding with deep scars left from the surgeries he had endured. His eye, lips, ear and lower jaw were the only parts of the right side that had not been affected.

There was nothing repulsive or disgusting about it - just pure, unadulterated sadness. Christine could only imagine the pain he had experienced; finding the wife he loved and the unborn child he cherished burned unrecognizably – then dealing with the painful recovery process. After all of that, facing the enemy he had thought of as a father.

Christine felt him moving from her and immediately pinned him against the side of the couch, officially blocking him from getting up.

"Do you honestly think that a few deep scars on your otherwise perfect body would change the way I feel about you?"

Erik didn't move, giving her the chance to fully examine the monstrous vision before her. He didn't believe for an instant that she found what sat beside her attractive.

"I love you, Erik…there is nothing that will change that."

She leaned further into him and finally pressed her lips against his, shocking him into finally responding.

"You really don't care, do you?"

His tone was relieved and Christine knew that he had anticipated the worst and got nothing close to what he expected.

"I really don't care…you're beautiful…" She caressed his marred cheek and felt him turn into her touch, "…in so many ways."

Erik chuckled quietly as tears streamed down his cheeks. He leaned against the side of the couch and pulled Christine against him, with her back to his chest.

Her head rested on his shoulder and her face turned in, to nuzzle the crook of his neck.

"I promised Loraine that I would take care of you and make you happy."

"Did you?" Erik squeezed her tightly and leaned his cheek against the side of her head.

"I did, and I intend to keep my word."

He smiled and kissed her cheek, "How do you intend to do that?"

Christine returned his smile and giggled lightly, "I'm sure I can find a way."

Erik laughed with her and then passed serious eyes over her features.

"Why me?" He asked, not understanding, "You have made it known from the first time we met, with your body language and eye contact, that you were interested in pursuing a relationship with me."

Christine saw the sincere, unyeilding doubt enter his eyes; she reached up and stroked both sides of his face. She watched as his eyes wafted shut from the sheer joy of human touch.

"I knew, the moment I saw you, that I already loved you…your voice was in my head, your smile was on my heart…and when your eyes touched mine – I was home."

Erik relished the poetic sound of the words she spoke – words that settled the savage beast of self-hatred and self-doubt.

Erik leaned in and kissed her, releasing all the years of neglect and denial into her waiting sanctuary. He stood and pulled her along with him; he walked her to her bedroom door and kissed her again.

"Good night, Christine…sweet dreams."

She smiled lazily and caressed his imperfect side with cherished tenderness.

"Good night, sweet prince…you are my dreams."

♫♫♫

The next morning was Monday, and Christine was so thankful she didn't have to work today; teacher's work days were wonderful things.

They were packing up to head back to New York and Christine didn't want to leave. Maine was a beautiful place and her heart yearned to stay longer.

The car was loaded and they bid the weekend farewell as the driver headed back toward reality.

They hadn't gone far when Erik turned toward her and opened up his thoughts.

"Christine, I want to get involved in your art classes somehow…those students have real potential."

Christine looked at him with surprise and approval; she had not expected this.

"How, Erik…what would you like to do?"

He shrugged his shoulders and hesitated, hoping that she would like his idea.

"I was thinking that I could have an amateur section in my gallery…just for the students of the local school systems."

Christine's face lit up and she smiled in approval.

"Go on."

"We could have an annual competition, recruit a panel of judges, and the top ten entries would be displayed in my gallery, and the top student would have a full scholarship to the University of the Arts London, or any art school of their choice."

She had thought it was impossible to love this man any more than she already did, but she had discovered another facet of him that completely captivated her…his generosity and need to help others.

"Erik, I think that is a fantastic idea…these kids need so much guidance and sometimes, their art is their only outlet."

Erik grinned; loving the fact that she thought it was a good idea.

"How would the funds for the scholarship be available?"

"Believe me when I say that money is not a problem."

The rest of the ride was spent discussing the details surrounding the gallery project and Erik seemed genuinely eager to get involved.

Christine couldn't wait to let her students know about the competition when everything was ironed out. Luke, especially, deserved a chance to have the education needed to advance in his field of preference.

♫♫♫

"Erik, this weekend was like a dream and I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself so much."

Christine was not looking forward to saying good-bye to Erik, even if he would be in the same town – several miles away. He had unloaded her luggage and made sure she was comfortable before she walked him back downstairs.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself…so did I."

He took her into his arms and his lips descended onto hers, making her melt against him. His tongue gently entered her sweetness and Erik felt her immediate response to his probing.

She pressed against him with urgent need, moaning his name when they came up for air. He covered her mouth with warm, toe-curling kisses that made Christine feel the need of him to the very core of her femininity.

Erik felt his own reaction growing in urgency and knew it was time to part. He kissed her one final time.

"I have to go to Montreal for the next few days…I'll be back on Friday afternoon."

Christine felt the ridiculous sting of tears at the thought of him being away from her.

"I'll be on my cell, just call – anytime."

He noticed the moisture in her eyes and smiled at the prospect of her missing him.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Erik…" She finally muttered.

"Darling, listen to me…" he pulled her into his warm embrace and kissed the top of her head while winding his fingers through her hair, "…I'll be back before you know it…and don't think I won't miss you every bit as much as you miss me."

Christine tightened her arms around him and drew in his scent, her eyes closed – hoping to ward off the tears, but it didn't work.

"Can I go to your apartment and clean it…if I promise to put the music in some sort of filing system?"

Erik chuckled as he pictured her sorting through the mess that was his home.

"You can certainly do your best…but with any luck, I won't be living there much longer."

That statement caused her heart to lurch and she pulled out of his embrace to examine his features.

"What?"

He smiled again, endearingly – as usual, and pushed the hair back from her face.

"Don't always assume the worst, my angel."

"I can't help it, it's in my nature."

Erik chuckled, once again and turned to head back toward the limo. He stopped at the car and turned around.

"Friday night…do you have any plans?"

She laughed at that…but she actually did have to attend a school function that night.

"Actually, I've been asked to sing the National Anthem at the football game Friday night."

Erik's smile was roguish and sexy – two attributes that caused Christine to melt.

"That's perfect…I haven't ever been to a football game." He announced. "This will be my first."

Christine brushed an imaginary chip off her shoulder, "Now, it's my turn to teach you a thing or two."

Erik grinned again, "Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm only doing this so we can make out under the bleachers."

He saw her eyes go dark and luminous and he knew she wasn't completely against the idea. She advanced on him, stopping just in front of him and fixed an unexplainable stare on him.

"No I'm not; I'm going because I want to hear you sing…making out with you would be a bonus."

She swatted him on his well-tailored arm and then swiftly kissed his lips. She could see some sort of plan forming in his mind and knew he was up to something.

"Alright, but no fancy cars and no fancy clothes..." Christine insisted.

Erik acted wounded and then grinned brightly.

"Yes, dear." Erik mumbled; managing to look completely befuddled.

"Be here at 5 p.m., I'll fix hamburgers and French fries..." She watched his eyes light up with joy. "…and something chocolate for desert."

TBC