Hello There My Lovelies:

There are only two more chapters (one of them an epilogue) after this. I have enjoyed writing this for you and hope those who read it received a blessing in some way.

My next story will be EOW/1876 - France, England, India

Synopsis: "Dance by the Light of the Moon"

With the whole of Paris thinking him a murderer, Erik escapes as the Opera Populaire burns. Proven innocent over time, those who once feared him, await his return – but Erik does not come back.

The managers of the newly restored opera house desire his musical genius and unique gifts – knowing that it was his hauntingly beautiful music and his alter ego that kept the opera house so popular; but Erik's whereabouts remain a mystery.

Four years pass, and the only person who can find him, summons him. A forgotten promise from his past brings him back to Paris and all he never thought he would have, is laid at his feet; unwillingly.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 46

Although they weren't a Thomas Kincaid picture of peace and tranquility, nor a Norman Rockwell painting full of family bliss and harmony, the next three months proved to be milestones in Erik's life.

He spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, and his blessed wife; it was a first for him – as far as he could remember.

Thanksgiving had been especially memorable, as Erik learned much about his mother and father to which he had been oblivious for so many years.

"My father was particularly cruel in his discipline and affection, he never praised me or gave me any reason to look up to him…and I had no idea how to be a father to anyone – especially a little boy."

Lucian was catching up on lost years, and was making an effort to help Erik understand his horrible treatment at the hands of his parents.

"In those days, sons were meant to follow in their father's footsteps…take over the family business and provide for everyone…" his green eyes were keen and bright, still holding the mysteries of his childhood, "…I had no desire to go into banking like my father."

Erik had never known his grandparents, both sets had been dead several years before he and Evie had entered into the picture.

"I suppose that I had such a horrible relationship with my father that I materialized that inadequacy and loathing into my relationship with you."

"We both made mistakes, Lucian, I didn't know the first thing about baby boys…I had been raised with six sisters – and the only man I knew was my father when I was growing up."

Elise took her husbands hand and gave it a slight, loving squeeze; then, she turned her eyes to Erik.

"You were so beautiful, Erik…more than I had ever thought a baby boy could be…dark eyes, dark hair, and the sweetest disposition I have ever seen in a baby."

She then turned her gaze to Evie.

"You had the beauty, Evie…but you were sickly as a baby…less manageable." Elsie glanced between them, looking at Erik first, and then at Evie. "…I turned all the loving attention I had been giving Erik, onto you – hoping to fix whatever was wrong with you. I grew to despise Erik's perfect giggle and sweet smile; all I wanted was a baby girl to live my dreams and be what I could never be."

"None of it matters now, I told you both…" Erik interrupted, after he saw how much the subject was upsetting his mother and father. "…the past is gone – all we have is the here and now…" he smiled at them both, and Elise held her breath – he was still so beautiful, "…we aren't promised tomorrow."

The rest of the evening had been spent making new memories and getting to know Christine and Julius.

Julius was a big, mushy teddy bear. As soon as he knew that his wife was ready to forgive and forget, he was hugging and caring for Elise and Lucian…he had lost his parents several years back and was ready to accept Evie's as his own.

Christine was hesitant at first, fearing getting close to Lucian and then having to face losing him, but she could not help the love she soon developed for the man who reminded her so much of her husband.

His mother was a little harder to accept, but Elise made an effort to be what Christine needed her to be – a mother figure.

It took a month or so, but Elise and Christine finally shared some personal time – just trying to know each other.

"I'm so happy for you and Erik – he is completely devoted to you."

Christine looked at Elise and lifted the corner of her mouth in a tender, sideways smile.

"He has come through so much and still maintained his faith in God and his love for mankind."

She lifted her hand to sweep away a few stray tears, "If all that was left of him was his smile and his index finger…" her eyes took on a very serious depth, "…he'd still be more of a man than anyone I have ever known."

Elise caught the whimper that was rising in her throat. Had she ever loved that deeply? She wasn't sure that she ever had…but she longed to experience it.

♫♫♫

Shortly after the New Year and before spring began, Erik and Lucian took a trip to Colorado. Lucian had mentioned how much he missed ice fishing and camping in the great outdoors – something he had savored as a child…so Erik made it happen.

Elise had protested, of course, but Lucian had won out in the end…whatever time he had remaining on this earth was going to be spent doing the things he loved to do with the people he loved the most.

Erik bought the newest and best camping and fishing gear, plenty of electric heaters, a large generator, and everything else he was certain they would need – and probably a few things they would never need.

Christine had gone with him to pick everything up and was amused at the childlike manner in which he approached the task. She had never seen him so enthusiastic about shopping in her life…but then, they hadn't really done a great deal of shopping together.

"You're adorable, did you know that?"

They stood in the checkout line, and Erik was still looking over the items in their cart to make sure they had everything.

He smiled at her words and winked.

"I'll bet you say that to every man."

She sidled up to him and wrapped her arms around him; she planted a kiss firmly on his mouth – not caring that they were in public.

"Only the one's that I consider drop-dead-gorgeous!"

He kissed her back and smiled.

"Are you going to miss me, my angel…I'll be in the cold mountains…but I need only think of you and I'll be as warm as Florida in August."

They had teased each other all that day; buying everything for his trip. They finally wound up at home, making love in front of the fireplace. Their muffled moans filled the house and made the heat in the room shoot up several degrees.

Their joining was slow and languid, as Erik cherished every smooth inch of her skin and marked his territory with moist kisses and talented sweeps of his tongue and teeth.

When he finally slid into her, she was in front of him, as he filled her with long, jarring strokes. He cupped her breasts in his hands and leaned over her back, kissing up the curve of her spine as he removed himself from her warmth and then plunged into her again – deeper and more forcefully than he had before.

Their intermingled bodies cast shadows on the walls and Erik watched the erotic images dance in the firelight…it added another realm of sensual pleasure to their love, and Erik deepened his thrusts.

He felt her coming before he heard the loud cries that signaled her climax. Her body convulsed around him and Erik poured into her as they both shared a rattling orgasm.

They slept in the warmth of the fire that night – never reaching their bedroom. It would be a several weeks down the road before they would know that their love that night had resulted in the conception of twins – a boy and a girl.

♫♫♫

The next day, Erik and Lucian were preparing to leave when Elise cornered him; Erik promised his mother that Lucian would be cared for in the best possible way…and that if anything arose, he would contact them immediately.

The mountains were a majestic, pure white in the midst of the clearest blue sky Erik had ever seen. Crisp mountain air and the eternal trickling of mountain brooks were the most spiritual peace that Erik had ever been a part of; he felt closer to God in His natural cathedral than he ever had in the synthetic beauty of the Vatican.

They fished and drank too much coffee, talked about anything and everything – and Erik finally saw and knew the father he had always desired.

"I'm so proud of you son, everything you have accomplished and become – I wish I had been there to see you become what and who you are."

Erik went over to where his father rested upon the cot…looking tired and exhausted in body, but rejuvenated and young at heart. There was still a slight French accent in his father's words – especially as he grew tired.

"No regrets Dad, we promised each other that we wouldn't do that."

"I know….but I wanted you to know….Erik…." Lucian succumbed to a fit of coughing and then finally continued – looking deep into Erik's concerned eyes, "…take me home to France and bury me…please."

Lucian's tired smile touched Erik's heart and he leaned over and placed a kiss on his father's forehead. He whispered his response.

"I will…right next to my first wife and your first grandchild."

Lucian closed his eyes, feeling the pain that invaded his heart at the loss of his first grandchild – a loss he felt deeply.

Erik held his father's thin body and pulled the blankets further around him. The heaters were going full force and the tent was toasty and warm.

Lucian wept…tears of a man who had come to terms with his own mortality and finally could cross over without fearing the regrets he had lived with for so long.

After a few minutes, Erik lay Lucian back down on the cot and took his place on his own cot. He breathed in the fresh mountain air and closed his eyes in peace.

"Sleep dad, tomorrow we go home."

As the minutes passed and the night faded into the mountains, Erik was almost asleep when he heard his father's whispered words…and his world stopped spinning.

"I love you, Erik…always remember that."

TBC