There have been so many reviews for this story and I am completely overwhelmed by the response. Thank you, each and every one of you, for each review you write and for the advise and suggestions you give. I use them all to feed my imagination - and thus, my story.

This is, what I like to refer to as, a "teaser" chapter.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 38

The reception was simple, with only light appetizers and champagne; planned and orchestrated by Christine's co-workers at the school.

Everyone at the wedding attended, and Erik and Christine spent the early evening hours greeting and speaking with those who meant the most to them.

Luke happened to find the courage to approach the newlyweds and accepted the handshake that Erik offered.

"Hi, young man….thank you for coming."

"Hello, Mr. Argeneau…Mrs. Argeneau…"

Luke greeted them both and then looked back to Erik.

"…I heard about the art competition you are sponsoring and the wonderful opportunities if will afford the winners." He smiled shyly and shuffled his feet, trying not to sound corny, "I appreciate that you broke it down into categories – especially as there are not too many hopes that some of us will ever get to college."

Erik put a reassuring hand on the boys shoulder and drew his attention.

"That's why I divided it; digital animation is a fast moving, vastly growing, highly demanding field – and it deserves as much attention as those forms of art that have been in existence for centuries." Erik's smile eased the boy's nerves and he finally smiled. "There will be winners in each category – and those winners will all get cash prizes. There will be one 'Best Overall', and that person will get a full scholarship to the university or school of their choice."

"Thank you, Mr. Argeneau…this means so much to us."

"Thank you, Luke, for being a lover of the arts and for listening to your heart – many would have sought an easier road."

They shook hands and Luke's smile lit up the room.

"And Luke…" Erik stated, as the boy was walking away, "…I look forward to seeing more of your work."

Luke nodded in enthusiastic awe and simply smiled.

Christine wrapped her arm around Erik's waist and leaned into his strong frame.

"That boy worships the ground you walk on."

Erik frowned playfully and looked down at her.

"Silly me, I thought it was you he worshiped."

Christine giggled and they both went over to open gifts.

♫♫♫

"So, where are you taking my best friend?"

Meg and Rafe had finally gotten the opportunity to talk to Erik and Christine – just when things were winding down.

Erik shook Rafe's hand then accepted a hug from Meg.

"Well, since she has never been anywhere, my options were many…" Erik teased, giving Christine a playful wink. "…but I think she will be happy with my choice."

All three, including Christine, were riveted to his words, thinking he would reveal where he was taking her for their honeymoon; but Erik was too smart for that.

"She'll answer any and all questions upon our return in a week."

"Fair enough…" Rafe said, "…than I won't tell you where I plan to take Meg on our honeymoon."

"Fair enough."

Erik responded in the same tone that Rafe had made the statement, and both men laughed.

"Tonight, we will be spending in one of the Liberty Suites at the Ritz Hotel in Battery Park, we leave tomorrow morning."

Julius and Evie approached as Erik was finishing the last remark; both of them had uplifted brows and daring eyes.

"Wow, that's not far from us…shall we drop in for a visit?"

Erik shot Julius a warning glare and narrowed his eyes in a scathing look.

"If you want to live to see tomorrow, I suggest you not."

That statement made everyone around them laugh.

Christine took his arm and squeezed it, feeling the nervous energy pulse through her as she thought about the Ritz and what would happen once they got there.

The gifts were opened, even though they had requested that none be bought; there were, as there always are, those stubborn few who don't listen.

Towels – always a popular choice; picture frames, espresso machine, cappuccino maker – so many things – and all that Christine and Erik wanted to do, was get away.

Of course, it was almost 9 pm when they finally got the chance to leave; Christine had asked about packing for their trip and Erik assured her that it had already been taken care of.

"Evie and Meg packed your luggage and Julius and Rafe packed mine…you needn't worry about anything."

"I've never heard of such a thing before…" Christine gushed. "…you think of everything."

Erik shrugged his shoulders and smirked, "I wish I could take credit for the idea, but Evie actually suggested it."

"So, she knows where you're taking me."

"She does…" he squinted his eyes at her and lifted his brow, "...and she's very loyal to me."

Erik cocked his lips up on one side and stared down his nose at her.

Christine giggled and swatted his arm.

"I'm sure she is – under threat of death."

Evie and Julius helped them exit the church and get into the limo that was waiting for them.

"Everything you need is at the hotel and your luggage has been sent to the airport – all you need to do is get on the airplane."

Julius made sure that Erik understood everything and then winked at Christine. The door shut and the car headed out – and Christine was alone with her new husband, at last.

She scooted over next to him, as close as she could and allowed his body to wrap its warmth around her. She had put the coat on that Erik had purchased for her, and she still had her gown on underneath.

"Erik, thank you for everything…the wedding was beautiful, everything I wanted it to be."

He lifted her chin with his forefinger and thumb, barely brushing her lips with his breath.

"I did nothing, angel, Evie and Meg took charge of the whole thing – I merely relayed messages concerning your likes and dislikes."

He was charging her senses with his touch and she felt her body readying itself for everything he would teach her tonight…a splinter of fear jolted through her and she knew she needed to tell him.

"Erik…" she looked deep into his sea-colored eyes, "…tonight…when you…" she dropped her eyes in embarrassment, "…when we…"

Erik pulled her closer to him, if that was possible, and sheltered her as she spoke – he wasn't sure what she was trying to say…but he had an idea. Just hearing her attempt to tell him, caused new trepidation in his heart - he feared hurting her.

"I'm a virgin."

The confession was made so quietly that Erik was certain he had imagined it; but the trembling in her lip and the uncertainty in her eyes, confirmed what he had heard.

He swept her forehead with his lips and tenderly turned her face up to be draped in the moonlight beaming through the back window of the car.

"Ne vous inquiatez pas, mon doux ange, j'aimerez ce cadeau que vous me donnerez ce soir." (1)

She had no idea what he said, and neither did she care. The French rolled off his tongue like the creamiest, smoothest, and most expensive chocolate, making her blood race and her heart pound.

He knew she did not understand him, but when he spoke to her in French, Erik could see the surrender in her eyes. He nuzzled her, and barely skimmed over the long, willowy column of her neck with the tip of his tongue.

"Say something else with that seducing French tongue of yours."

His smile curved only one side of his luscious mouth, and his eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight.

"Donnez-moi cette nuit pour vous apprendre par coeur... votre sourire, votre contact, votre parfum ; alors il n'y aura jamais un temps où vous n'êtes pas avec moi." (2)

She trembled from the wave of passion that claimed her inexperienced body…his voice alone made her yearn for the unknown pleasures that awaited her.

The car halted and the driver came around and opened the door.

They had arrived.

TBC

French translations:

1) Do not worry, my sweet angel, I will cherish this gift you give me tonight.

2) Give me this night to memorize you...your smile, your touch, your scent; then there will never be a time when you are not with me.