Sweet Seduction

Chapter Fifteen: One Love, One Lifetime

Christine snuggled up against Erik on the couch, hearing his heart beat softly beneath his shirt. A few weeks had passed since that incident at the Opera and it was now the fifteenth of December. Christine sighed happily, for she and Erik were finally able to rest for a short moment in front of the crackling fire. What Christine didn't know was that Erik had placed that afternoon's newspaper beneath the firewood and it was now reduced to ashes. Their was a feature story about the Vicomte Raoul de Changy trying to kill an asylum employee for "not doing the job right" and something about "the wrong man", only to find later the same employee had comitted suicide. Erik had a sinking feeling that the Vicomte was behind the mishap with the fixture a few weeks ago, but he didn't want to worry Christine for nothing. But, fortunately, the accident with the Eros fixture had amazingly only set the Opera House back a week in schedule, and the workers were now busy stringing together crystals and lighting wires for the chandelier. Erik had brought home two spare crystals Georges had given him for himself and given them to Christine instead, who immediately sewed them onto the bodice of her wedding dress.

Georges was fully recovered from his sprained ankle and he and Erik were now more busy than ever with press conferences and meetings and decisions to make. The Opera House would open on New Year's Eve, with a grand Masquerade Ball to celebrate the re-opening and its first performance on New Years' Day. Christine had already been informed she was remaining the Prima Donna and would be playing all the opera's lead female roles. And Erik, of course had already started reviewing some vocal lessons with her again in preparation. They had both been so busy the past few weeks, it seemed like neither of them had actually stopped to rest for a moment, between business meetings and newspaper interviews, and singing lessons.

"Erik, you did remember to give that wedding invitation to Georges didn't you?"

He sighed "Christine, yes, for the tenth time today, yes I gave him the invitation. And, even if I didn't, I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to come anyway"

"Well, at least we finally settled on the date"

"Finally. I thought you'd never make up your mind"

"Well, you were the genius that came up with the solution" she said, laughing. Erik finally pointed out to Christine a few weeks ago that the anniversary of her debut at the Opera, December sixteenth, would be coming up soon. She had completely forgotten.(And to think she was worried about Erik forgetting their wedding anniversary!) She remembered it so fondly: Singing for the first time in a beautiful stage gown, looking out at the thousands of audience members listening and most importantly, knowing that he was down there, listening to her at her debut. She had sighed

"Oh Erik, I wish I could do it all over again. It was so magical"

"I do too. That was one of the best days of my life, listening to you up there"

"It was so special. I just want to...preserve it somehow. But how? How could you preserve a day in your life like that?"

"Christine, why don't we just get married on December sixteenth?" Erik suggested jokingly "It would solve the wedding date crisis!"

She had whipped around as soon as he said that, hugging him "Oh Erik, it's perfect!" she cried

"What is?"

"Your idea! Why not get married on December sixteenth? It would be enough time to print and send out the invitations and we could have a short honeymoon and be back in time for Christmas and the opera's re-opening" she said, details flying through her mind

Erik chuckled "Why not? It could be as double anniversary and it is a very special day."

So, the invitations had been written (painstakingly for four hours with Meg and Jacques' help, since over three hundred people were attending) and sent out, the church was booked and everything was set in place, waiting to happen

"Can you imagine? This time tomorrow, we'll be married!" Christine sighed happily

"Well, technically,at this time tomorrow, we'll be in the marriage bed." Erik said boldly

Christine started to gasp at the boldness of his words but stopped, and then, feeling a little bold herself responded

"Then we'll really be making the Music of the Night"

Erik chuckled "Touche, Mademoiselle Daae."

"I think I'm going to miss that" Christine sighed

"Miss what?"

"Well, tonight will be the last time you or anyone else can ever call me Mademoiselle Daae again. Tomorrow it will be Madame Destler. I'll never be a mademoiselle again. It will just take a little getting used to, that's all"

Erik smiled "Madame Destler. I like the sound of that"

She nodded. She wondered what tomorrow would be like. Was this how it felt to know you were leaving your childhood and your name behind? Excited but nervous, almost a little wary yet ready to burst from happiness? She almost felt confused. Of course, these had to be the second thoughts. She scolded herself mentally. What was she doing? Erik was the perfect man and she loved him. She couldn't imagine going a day without him. She loved him more than she had ever loved anyone before. She just never realized how much could be lost in marriage, but then again, there was so much more that could be gained.

"A penny for your thoughts" Erik said lightly, snapping her out of her thinking

She smiled, looking up at him

"I was only thinking if it weren't for your teaching, I would never have had an opera debut" she said quickly. She wasn't going to let on that she was having a few doubts and worries

Erik smiled. She was obviously nervous about tomorrow. He was too. He had no idea what he was supposed to feel like. Well, he'd think about that later tonight. He said slyly

"Speaking of which, why don't we practice your singing again?' he said, motioning to the upright piano in the corner of the apartment he had recently moved.

She groaned "Erik! More rehearsing? Come on, don't you think I've already had enough voice lessons this week? Tomorrow's our wedding! Can't we take a night-"

He silenced her protests with a swift kiss on her lips, running his hands down her body slowly, savoring the feeling of her fragile body pressed against his. She moaned lightly

"All right, one song. That's it"

He smiled, leading her over to the piano bench and sitting down beside her. He gently lifted the cover off the keys

"Now, tonight, I thought we might try something a little different. Close your eyes"

She looked at him skeptically. He persisted "You heard me Christine. Please. Just close your eyes"

She sighed and closed her eyes. He started playing a familiar introduction very softly

"Now, imagine yourself where you last heard this melody. Visualize every detail in your mind, and start singing when it's your turn" he said smoothly as he began singing

No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you

She saw in her mind the gray, cold rooftop when she'd last heard those words. She was standing there, shivering her too-thin cloak before he had wrapped his arms around her. Strangely, she barely even thought of Raoul standing there next to her or remembered how she tried to convince herself that was the man she loved when her heart knew she didn't, that she truly loved her angel. All she cared about now was Erik's sweet voice rolling over the familiar melody, as if he had been the only man to ever sing it to her. Well, a far as she was concerned right now, he was the only man she could ever imagine singing this to her.

Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you

His voice was so soft and low in her ear. The sweet familiar melody was comforting to her and she took a small breath before she began singing her part.

Say you love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you, now and always
Promise me that all you say is true

Erik savored the sound of her high, sweet voice gliding over the melody. She was the real Angel of Music in his life. He couldn't imagine how horrible his life could be right now if he didn't know of this sweet, strong, passionate love Christine had shown him. He listened to her finishing as their voices overlapped:

That's all I ask of you
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe; No one will find you
Your fears are far behind you

All I want is freedom
A world with no more light
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me

Erik gave up playing the accompaniment to the song and swiftly moved his free hand around her small waist, moving her closer towards him. Christine's eyes fluttered open gently as she looked at him beside her, the love and devotion in his voice obvious as he began nearing the climax

Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go to
That's all I ask of you

He listened to their voices briefly blended together in the duet. He couldn't believe how beautiful the music was they created together.

Say you'll share with me on love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me, each night, each morning

Christine looked up at Erik, still playing while looking at her lovingly. This was absolutely perfect. She knew this strong, pure love they both held for each other could never fade and knew the love and trust they spoke of in the moving duet would guide them the rest of their lives

Say you love me

She softly asked beneath the music. He responded in complete honesty

You know I do

Love me

That's all I ask of you

Erik gently kissed her and as soon as she felt the sweet taste of his lips gliding over hers, all music was forgotten as they embraced in their own sweet melody of passion and devotion. He stroked her hair gently, savoring the velvety curls beneath his fingertips. She stroked the cold outline of his porcelain mask, finally removing it as it fell freely to the floor. She traced the outline of his scars beneath her fingers hurriedly. They broke apart briefly, only to breathlessly finish:

Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me
That's all I ask of you

Christine smiled "I love you"

"I love you too"

She groaned "Oh, if every singing lesson was like that, I wouldn't mind"

He laughed "I thought you loved those lessons! Besides, you have an incredible teacher"

She smiled seductively "Why don't you show me how incredible my teacher is?"

"I'd be delighted" he growled. They spent the remainder of the evening sitting on the piano bench, kissing and declaring their obvious love for each other and somewhere during the course of the evening, both of the young couple's doubts and worried thoughts about marriage melted away along with the time as they both dreamed and awaited the following day to come.

Please forgive that shameless piece of fluff I called a chapter. But, good news: The wedding is up next! Leave a review for a fast update and more shameless fluff!