Christine and Erik had been awake for hours. Never having been able to fall back asleep. They lay comfortably in one another's arms. The warmth of touching skin blending as one. Erik had asked her to tell him of her childhood, and her sweetest memories of her father.
This was nearly Christine's favorite subject. She talked and talked about their long walks by the sea, her father playing the violin for her while she was falling asleep. She spoke of bed-time stories, candy treats tucked in her pockets, and secret notes tucked inside her schoolwork. Her father had loved her greatly, and she no doubt adored him. Erik was content to have her lying on his chest, tendrils of soft brown hair flowing down his side, running through his fingers.
Christine had started drawing objects on Erik's chest with her index finger, as she was telling him about how she and her father would draw pictures in the sand by the sea on their sunset walks, and how they would eagerly go out the next morning at dawn to see what the ocean had made of them. Usually, they would find the sand soft and smooth, with no traces of the work they had done the evening before. Christine sighed. "That is when my father would tell me, no matter how one day goes, when the sun falls, and the world sleeps everything is renewed, we start each day with a new slate, making of it what we will, drawing a new picture each day for us to enjoy." Christine smiled up at Erik. "Today, that is what we are doing." Erik began rubbing Christine's back. "Indeed we shall." Erik replied.
"Erik?" Christine said. "What is it?" Erik mused. "I've been thinking while we talked, if you wouldn't mind…." "Yes, Christine?" "When we are blessed with our first son, could we name him after my father?" "Christine, we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves aren't we?" Erik said with a slight laugh in his voice. "I know, I know." Christine replied, snuggling even closer to him. "It is just that I think he will have all of your talent, and my father's too, and since he honored us with a reply on our wedding night, it seems fitting." Erik stroked Christine's hair. "Their wedding night." How sweet that sounded rolling off of her tongue. How could one man be so fortunate to be blest with such a siren. "I think it is just right…when the time comes."
Christine smiled and pulled herself to rest on her elbow, looking Erik in the eye. "This is our first day as husband and wife, what shall we do now?" Erik blinked several times, not knowing how to reply. Christine started running her fingers through his hair, caressing his cheek. "I know we have much to do, and danger still lurks around every corner, but I refuse to let that spoil our happiness. We will not be robbed of these sweet memories." Erik nodded his head in agreement.
Erik pulled himself up to a sitting position, covers up to his waist, and Christine now sitting at his side. "I must take you someplace so you can be warm, and fed." Erik said reaching over, brushing the curls away from Christine's face. "I know of several places where we might go, but it will require waiting until nightfall. It is certain that the search will continue in fervor for many days, until they are satisfied that we have gone or perished." For the first time in many hours, a darkness fell in Erik's eyes. His concern returning in the furrow of his brow.
"Christine, it is entirely possible that you may never see those you've grown up with again. I regret that this may come to pass." Erik averted his eyes from Christine. Christine looked down too, saying under her breath "Meg…Madame Giry…" She hadn't really thought of that consequence until now. "Erik, I must admit that this saddens me, as I am certain it does you…but one day we would have all been parted if not by marriage, then death….nothing lasts forever."
Erik looked at Christine, marveling at her wisdom for such youth. "My father loved me….but he could not stay forever….this does not diminish the love I have for him…or my wonderful memories of him and our time together….so it will be with Meg and Madame Giry…" She looked up at Erik, who was staring at her now.
"Christine, your wisdom astounds me more often than not. How blessed I am to have such a compassionate wife." He loved saying wife…it was quite literally music to his ears. He smiled at her, pulling her close, placing a tender kiss on her lips.
There the two sat, wrapped up in the blankets, and in each other's arms. They knew not what the future held, or where tomorrow might find them…they only knew that they would face it….together.