MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 35
It was a couple of days following the football game when Meg and Christine met up for lunch at their favorite deli.
Meg was going to be out of town on a photo shoot for the next few days and Christine had found out that Rafe was going with her.
"So, what does this mean…exactly?"
Meg shrugged her shoulders and Christine watched as a slow, glowing smile filled her face.
"It means that Rafe and I mutually agreed that we would get married – sometime within the next year."
Christine jumped to her feet and moved to her best friend's side. She wrapped her arms around her neck and gave her a big hug.
"Oh Meg….that's wonderful!"
The grin on Meg's face never ceased and Christine had never seen her look so happy.
"I know…" Meg's blue eyes became misty and reflective and Christine knew that Rafe had said all the right things. "…he said he would never rush me into doing anything. He would be patient with me about certain things – but that he would never stop trying to persuade me with his masculine wiles."
Christine giggled and wrinkled her nose in amusement.
"I know all about those 'masculine wiles', Erik just has to flash that golden smile at me and touch his gorgeous green eyes to mine…and I melt!"
"Christine, you're dream guy is finally here, and mine has emerged from a man that I was just seeking refuge in…what a strange and wonderful turn of events."
Christine smiled and gave her another hug.
"Yes, well…that is what makes life worth living."
"So, when is the date?"
Meg leaned in and asked the question and Christine gnawed on her bottom lip a couple of seconds before enlightening Meg on the details she and Erik had settled upon.
It didn't take long after Meg found out the date, for Evie to find out. The women immediately went into "bride" mode, and there was nothing left for Erik to do but bury his head in his hands and watch them flutter about like hummingbirds.
He did find many things to do that would occupy his time, one of which was sign the contract, which had come in the mail a few days ago, and deposit the bank check that had come with it.
He made an effort to eat lunch with Christine most every day. They always went to the diner not far from the school and enjoyed their time together until they could spend the weekends almost entirely in each other's company.
Erik had insisted she start attending church with him and Christine found that she enjoyed it immensely; she found another kind of peace entirely when she walked through the doors.
She also found that there were several young women in the church that had hopes of developing a relationship with Erik (unbeknownst to him), and now found that dream thwarted; but they didn't seem to resent her at all. They accepted her into their family and made her feel completely at home.
"Christine, I know you don't want to leave here, but how do you feel about living a little further out of the city?"
Christine took his hand as they sat at the table eating lunch. She smiled assuredly and squeezed his warm fingers gently.
"As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter where we live."
That brought a grin to his face and he continued with his thoughts.
"I was also thinking about having a chateau built in the south of France…for the summer months when you're out of school."
Christine mouth dropped open and she could have sworn that her heart stopped.
"Erik…that's so extravagant….I don't need you to do that."
Erik smiled, the gesture making him even more breathtaking.
" France was my home for many years…and although it holds memories – some bitter and some not – I love it there."
She reached out and grasped his hands, feeling their strength and their passion in one single touch.
"I'll help you make new memories there…one's that aren't painful or bitter."
Erik smiled again; this woman was his lifeline and he would never fail to tell her show her that.
He arched his dark brow and the look in his eyes was sultry and suggestive.
"I look forward to that."
♫♫♫
The next couple of weeks past quickly, for everyone involved.
"Meg, I need to find a wedding dress. We are being married in a simple ceremony at the church – I don't want anything overly fancy or lacy…just simple..." her eyes lit up with a mischievous glint, "…and maybe a little more revealing than what I normally wear."
Meg rolled her eyes for the hundredth time, making Christine blush and drop her eyes.
"I told you, the dress is already taken care of; as are my dress and Evie's dress…"
Christine was a worrier, that fact had already been established; but the wedding was only a week away and she hadn't seen one stitch of her dress.
"What's it going to look like Meg…I mean, I want to see it."
"Come on, doll face, Evie called and said that it came in – let's go try it on."
Christine's face lit up and she grabbed her purse as she headed out the door. Of course, Meg just found the whole thing quite amusing.
"Meg…you coming?"
Christine stood on the threshold of the door, with her hands on her hips and an anxious look on her face.
The laughter that followed soon filled the air and Christine could do nothing but role her eyes and walk out the door.
"I'm driving"
"Of course you are; I don't have a car…remember."
Meg giggled and got behind the wheel.
"Point taken."
Christine was unusually quiet during the car ride and Meg was beginning to be concerned.
"Chrissy, are you alright – you were ecstatic before we got in the car…what's up?"
Christine was on the verge of tears and really had no idea why. Her insides were twisted in knots and she couldn't keep the fear from coming to the surface.
"Meg…what if I disappoint him?"
The question was almost inaudible, but Meg heard the terror in the whispered words.
"What are you talking about…" she looked at Christine with unbelieving eyes, "…Erik loves you…more than anything in this world."
The tears crept down her creamy cheeks and Meg felt her heart squeeze the air out of her lungs.
"Chrissy…don't..."
"I can't help it, Meg….he loved Loraine and she was taken from him – what if…"
"STOP!"
Christine jerked from the harshness in Meg's voice…she seldom raised her voice – especially at Christine.
"You're being ridiculous, and you know it."
Christine sat quietly until they arrived at Evie's apartment building. They rode up the elevator in silence and Meg knew that Christine still wasn't comfortable with the situation.
"HI!"
Evie greeted them at the door with a huge grin and sparkling eyes. She looked so much like Erik at certain times, even though they weren't identical.
"Do I have the most beautiful dress for you, little sister…I designed it myself – with you in mind."
Evie started walking toward the bedroom and turned around, inviting them to follow.
Evie noticed the quiet, brooding mood that Christine was in – it was so unlike her.
"Christine…do you need to talk?"
"She's worried about disappointing Erik in some way."
Evie sighed and wrapped her arms around Christine's trembling form.
"Tell me about it, Christine…there's no reason to hold it in."
They sat on the edge of the bed, talking to each other as if they were back in high school and the captain of the football team had just asked one of them to the prom.
"It terrifies me, Evie…I've never been with a man – in any way." Christine was finally getting everything off her chest. "I mean, Erik is the first man I've ever felt this way about and the only one who makes my toes curl with just a brief glimpse…let alone his drugging kiss."
Christine paused long enough to take a deep breath and then looked Evie square in the eyes.
"He loved Loraine so very much…and they were going to have a baby…"
"Yes, he loved Loraine, as well he should have, she was his wife…but the last chapter of that phase of his life has been read and the book is closed…" Evie was talking softly, but firmly, "…Erik has finally reached a point in his life where he is ready to move on and has given his heart fully to you."
She lifted Christine's chin with her finger and smiled gently.
"I know my brother…very well…there is nothing that you could do that would disappoint him…nothing."
"But what if I don't please him…you know…sexually."
Evie lifted the side of her mouth – looking every bit like Erik at that moment – and cocked her head in amusement.
"He's a man, Christine…he'll take the lead…and believe me, you'll please him…" Evie leaned in and gave her another hug, "…and he'll please you."
"He pleases me must by being near me…he's so….beautiful."
Evie patted her knee and stood up. She went to the closet and pulled out a huge box.
"Now, stand up and let's try this dress on…you're going to look stunning."
Christine was instructed to strip down to her underwear and close her eyes. Meg and Evie maneuvered the dress onto her and laced her up…Christine could feel the material on her and knew the dress was beautiful.
It took a few minutes for them to get the look they considered perfect. They played with her hair and then told her it was time to open her eyes.
TBC