Sweet Seduction
Chapter Six: An Evening to Remember-Part Two
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! In case any Wicked fans were stumped the line was Christine's/Glinda's "No, I couldn't be happier" from "Thank Goodness" in Wicked. O.K., getting off track here. Here's the second part to the shamelessly fluffy story, all your questions will be answered.
Well, they should be, and if they're not, PLEASE leave a review anyway!
Disclaimer: O.K., I don't own Phantom or The Producers, but I DO own Wicked! No wait, that isn't right either
Erik felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that always accompanied his fascination with heights. Although tonight, Christine was probably more excited than he was, which she had every right to be. After their dinner at La Petite Auberge and their not so silent displays of affection in the backseat of the carriage, the carriage had immediately departed for the Champ de Mars, allowing for Erik and Christine's visit to the brand new monument, the Eiffel Tower. As if the magnificent sight of the beautiful tower illuminated by thousands of lights overlooking the Seine wasn't enough, Erik informed Christine they would be going to the very top. He watched her eyes wildly darting around at all the sights and views she could see from the new elevator they were riding in. He, strangely, didn't care about the view or the heights at this moment. All he cared about was the small jewelry case in his pocket. It held a beautiful engagement ring Erik had treasured ever since the Masquerade Ball, when he had taken it from Christine's necklace as a rather personal souvenir. It was now kept safely in a velvet case, waiting to be opened at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Erik was proposing to her, tonight. He knew the time was perfect. Christine must have feelings for him. She had to love him, didn't she? Why else would she have agreed to stay with him and kiss him? Why would she have said it so long ago if she didn't mean it?
He dreaded and anticipated going to the top. He had to propose to her up there. Besides, he knew it had worked before. Christine accepted Raoul's proposal at the roof of the Opera Populaire. He was taking her to the top of the Eiffel Tower! Then again, if she didn't care for him that way, it wouldn't matter where he asked her, she'd still refuse him. But, what if he was fooling himself? She didn't care for him that way did she? But, what else could explain her behavior in the carriage? What if she really did love him? Oh, he wished this blasted contraption would arrive at the top already so he could ask her and find out, once and for all!
Finally, as if granting his mental wish, the elevator stopped and let them out onto the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. They both felt the nipping cold evening air rushing in as the elevator doors open. Erik's worries about proposing momentarily vanished as he and Christine gazed out at the splendor of Paris at night. Golden lights blazing all over the city, the maze of cobblestone streets in a darkened mist, the carriages and people far below them scurrying about looked like little ants. They could even see the remains of the Opera Populaire. Some of Garnier's brilliant golden architecture that hadn't been burned in the fire still stood, majestic and proud.
Christine giggled "I feel like a bird up here, with the entire city beneath us"
She walked over to the railing edge and rested her hands on top of the iron framework, sighing dreamily "Oh Erik, this is too good to be true. It's so enchanting up here. I never thought I'd see anything like this. Thank you"
He walked over to her, laying his hands lightly over her own " I agree, this is quite a view. It's almost magical"
She looked over at the distant figure of the Opera house. "I've never seen anything more beautiful than this city at night"
"Oh, truly? I have" Erik said nonchalantly
She turned around to face him
"You have? What on earth could be more beautiful than this?"
"The woman in front of me" he whispered in her ear as she blushed. He gently took her hand, leading her over to the other side, still gazing at the brilliantly glowing lights beneath them. She began looking out over the city again, but her interest didn't lie in the glowing city lights beneath her.
She felt the familiar, comforting feeling she always felt as Erik gently hugged her from behind. He wrapped his long arms around her own, trailing a few soft, light kisses down her neck. He exhaled lightly. It was time.
He gently twirled her around, out of his arms and looked at her, standing before him. She was the picture of innocence and truly looked like an angel with the lights of Paris glowing from behind her, illuminating her soft curls and radiant skin.
"Christine" he began, before clearing his throat. His voice sounded unsteady, even to his own ears. Well, this was it. No going back now
"I, uh, I brought you here tonight because, well, I needed to ask you a very important question."
"Yes?" she asked softly.
"Christine, I've known you for almost your entire life and I've always known that I loved you, since the moment I first heard you sing. But, you always saw me, loved me, as an angel. Not a man, and Christine, I need to know tonight if you truly do love me. I have always loved you and I always will. I cannot begin to describe how much I love you and care for you. I only want you to be happy and I wonder if you would be happy with me. You're a beautiful, kind, caring, intelligent, wonderful girl-woman, and I truly don't deserve you, but I can't help but love you."
She felt her heart melt at his words. He really did love her! All her hidden feelings she thought he wouldn't understand, he had shared, all this time. She gasped softly as Erik moved closer to her, running a hand down her smooth cheek and he began singing softly:
Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me from my solitude
Say you'll want me
With you here
Beside you
Anywhere you go
Let me go too
Christine that's all I ask of…
Before he could sing the final note, Christine had kissed him. She had thrown her arms around his neck and kissed him, the feelings of longing and love she had hidden for so long pouring out of her soul. She kissed him, savoring every small detail of that magical moment. He suddenly broke apart, almost wanting to laugh at her bewildered expression.
"Christine, forgive me, but I have to ask"
Letting go of her hands, he knelt before her on one knee, removing a small black case from his pocket
"Christine, I have loved you for so long, and I only hope you can return that love. That's all I ask of you. Christine, well, Christine
You alone can make my song take flight
Please help me make the music of the night
He snapped open the case, revealing the small, glittering diamond ring he had taken from her so long ago. She gasped softly, realizing at last that this was what she had wanted, imagined, dreamed of for so long.
"Christine Daae, will you marry me?"
And although this was probably the most important decision of her life, Christine had no thoughts or doubts in her mind as she replied joyously
"Oh Erik yes!"
He felt his body go numb for a brief moment. Did that really happen? Had she agreed?
"What did you say?" he asked in a momentary daze
"Erik, I said yes!" she squealed happily
And again, he felt a triumphant laugh emerging as she squealed with delight while he stood up. He gently placed the ring on her finger, their hearts both rapidly pacing, almost as one. She gazed at the glittering jewel on her finger, knowing that this nor anything else could ever compare to the worth of her true love. He picked Christine up and swung her around gaily for a moment, neither of them thinking about anything else but each other and the joy they held in that moment, both eagerly anticipating the many more happy times to come.
A/N 2: Yes, I know I've written in a major anancharisim in this chapter, since it's 1871 and the Eiffel Tower wasn't completed until 1889. It's only nineteen years, nothing that unforgivable and besides, it was a very romantic edition, non? -sighs dreamily- So, please don't flame, since I know I put that in there, please pardon me and if it bugged anyone that much, mention it in the reviews. Once again, please review and I'll try to speed up the next fluff chapter!