Erik gently stroked Christine's back. She lay across his chest, running her hand lazily up and down his stomach. She'd not tarried on the places that had been lightly bandaged, he'd said he would tell more of it when he was ready.
Though the sun tried desperately to peek around the edges of the curtains, Erik and Christine paid it no mind, they'd let nothing disturb them. They'd been caught up in the moment, enraptured by their love. There was something special about being in that room, under the pretense it was night. It was a guilty pleasure that none would admit to, but enjoyed beyond words. Neither had cause to rise, nor would they.
Erik began running his fingers through Christine's long chocolate brown tendrils. They were as soft as the petals of newly blooming roses. Erik lifted a handful of them to his face, inhaling the heady fragrance.
Christine smiled. "Erik, you spoil me entirely too much." She said as she slid up from his chest, nestling her head on his shoulder, kissing his chin, his cheek.
Erik smiled, running his hand along her shoulder. "I've no idea what it is that you refer to my dear. I can promise you, there is nothing that you could ask for that I shan't give you. I shan't call that spoiling, when in fact it is you that I owe everything."
Christine laughed, "whatever do you mean Erik? How is it that you've provided everything I might need, even the food that I now have in my stomach, and yet you say that you've not spoiled me? I shan't want for anything, you've thought of every detail down to the fragrant oils that now adorn my hair."
Erik laughed a bit, sliding down further beneath the covers until he came to rest on the pillow next to her. He looked into her eyes, as he ran his hand along her cheek, her chin. Leaning over to kiss the tip of her nose. "My dearest Christine, how is it that you cannot see that you've given me everything but the very breath of life itself?" Erik's eyes held Christine's in a serious but loving gaze. He put the palm of his hand to rest along her cheek.
"Christine, I shall never cease in reminding you how you saved me from a certain demise. A lonely existence, full of nary a thing but loathing and a hunger for vengeance. My heart was cold, hard, and full of hate. But for the fact that I'd a pulse, I was as good as dead already."
Christine looked at him with such compassion. How could one so passionate, so intense, so strong, feel as though he were dead, when he was more alive than anyone she'd ever known? She smiled at him sweetly, and though his words humbled her, made her blush, she could not look away. He was feeding her deepest desire to be loved completely. It was the sweetest nectar for the heart she could ever imagine.
Erik slid ever closer to her. They both lay on their sides, looking deeply into one another's eyes. He ran his hand from her cheek, gently, tenderly, slowly, down her neck, her shoulder.
Christine shuddered, closing her eyes for a fleeting second. Her reaction causing Erik to smile. It was one thing to love another, but to see the pleasure in their eyes at your touch, was exhilarating. His hand continued its' descent to her collarbone, the center of her torso, until it came to rest just below her navel.
"And now, you carry our children….OUR CHILDREN Christine." Erik said it with such emphasis, it nearly undid her. "I never imagined I'd have a family to love…to care for…to head." Erik's lips quivered. "There will never be words sufficient enough to describe my gratitude, my love for you for willingly giving yourself to me Christine. Love was but a vapor, an elusive dream, one I dared not venture into lest I go completely mad for the lack of it." He ran the finger from his other hand along her jaw. "Christine you'll never know from what depths you saved me. Darker than one could ever imagine… a time and place far worse than hell itself."
Erik blinked. He'd not cry…he'd not cry… So much of those memories he'd repressed, and yet every day in recent months, he'd fought with those emotions. It was as if that which were dead inside of him cried out to live.
"Christine, do not ever doubt that if I should live to be one hundred that even that would not be long enough for me to repay my heart's debt to you. How is it that you cannot see that I would do anything for you, provide anything for you, when you've given so much of yourself…your very life to me?" His eyes hungrily searched hers for some recognition that she'd accept that he was in her debt, not she in his.
Christine put her index finger to Erik's lips. "Shhhhhh…my dear Erik…shhhh…." His lips began to quiver. How could she tell him he was wrong…in his heart he felt it right, just as she did in hers… Christine's lips were trembling. How could she tell him that she was the one that felt blessed? That he'd given her the seed of his love that she might produce the greatest evidence to the world of her love for him? She would try….
They lay looking a long while into each other's eyes. Then, Christine began. "My dear, precious, Erik, this will no doubt be an issue upon which we shall have to agree to disagree. Your words, though true, do not tell of the feelings in my heart."
Erik tried to protest, but Christine silenced him with a tender kiss before she continued.
"Erik, you've no idea how a woman feels when she is loved as I am loved by you."
Erik looked at her with such inquisitiveness. He'd never thought what it must be like for her to be loved by him. A monster turned monsieur, specter turned flesh, angel turned lover.
"Erik, all those long years that you loved me….all that you risked to be with me…abandoning the only home that you knew….willing to leave that life behind to embrace a new one…so that we might exist above the cellars that had become your comfort, your domain. I know you'd have preferred to stay there if it had been only your own concern…I know that you left there only for me. It was a great sacrifice, it was your kingdom. And I've no doubt that you miss it bitterly."
Erik's eyes were full…how is it that she'd come to love him so? That she understood him so? Could it be possible…he'd nearly felt like he was dreaming, though she'd told him hundreds of times that she loved him.
Christine's hand slid from Erik's cheek, down his breastbone, along his abdomen, and then gently to rest over his hand that still lay protectively over the lump that grew within her. "I would not be true to my heart if I did not tell you how it joys me beyond comprehension to carry your children. To feel them growing inside of me…" She paused, knowing full well that her next words would elicit his greatest protestations.
"Erik, the very honor, the privilege of baring the children of such a genius, a soul for the ages, my husband, my lover…is but a dream come true for me. It is you that have blessed me with this privilege Erik, bestowed upon me the honor of being your wife, the mother to your children. I owe all that I am now to you."
Erik's mouth tried to move beneath Christine's finger, she shook her head. "This will be a point to which we will have to agree to disagree my darling…I feel this so passionately in my heart…I love you my darling…" she kissed his lips, "I love you my husband," she kissed his jaw, "I love you…father to our children," she kissed his cheek, "and to that point you cannot deny me."
Erik sighed, his lips quivering as Christine lifted her finger from them.. "And now," she ran her other hand down his chest, joining their hands on her abdomen, interlacing their fingers, "I consider this to be the highest honor…to return your love…" A tear escaped Erik's eye, running down and pattering quietly on the pillow.
"I can only imagine how difficult it is for you understand Erik, but it is an honor to carry the children of someone so intense, with such talent, such brilliance….how could a woman with a love for music such as mine not want, nay long for such a mission?" Christine's voice faltered.
At first it was a silent tear. Then a quiet sob. Before long their tears were intermingled as Erik pulled her into his arms, protectively wrapping his arms around her drawing her into the safe expanse of his chest. The pair loved one another, so completely that they were of one mind, both believing in the depths of their heart that they were the blessed one.
They lay a long while drinking in the silence that was so loud it was deafening. Christine heard the water drip from the spout in the bathroom. She looked up at Erik. He smiled at her. The first time he'd joined her, it had been under different circumstances, in a much different place. This communal bathing had become something that provided comfort and pleasure to both of them.
Christine rose first, slipping from beneath the sheets. Her robe was tucked neatly in the wardrobe. She smiled playfully at Erik, tugging at the sheet that still lay on the bed, the singular cover that lay over his skin. At first he grabbed at it, but Christine quickly snatched at it, pulling it off the bed wrapping it about her middle.
Erik gave her a pained playful scowl. "I'll catch a chill…"
Christine smiled at him. "Then its best that you follow me quickly." Christine said, as she wandered over to the table picking up the tray carrying it toward the water closet. She sheepishly looked over her shoulder smiling at him….that infernal smile…..
Erik let out a low growl. The woman was toying with him yet again. Oh, how happy he was to be home. The other thoughts of the last day being pushed aside, in favor of savoring the sweetness of being home. Tomorrow would no doubt produce many opportunities to speak of such things, but for today, he'd focus on his reason for living, and that was already splashing about in the water beckoning him to join her.
XXXXXXXXXX
Raoul pulled several large blankets from beneath the seat on the sleigh handing one to Madame Giry and one to Meg, though he doubted she'd need it. Meg donned more fur than a bear. It was a bit cooler than he'd thought it would be, considering that the sun shone brightly in the sky. They'd ridden listening to the sleigh bells clattering. They'd tried to enjoy the scenery of the large fields that they drove through though the sun made it difficult. The glare off of the pristine white was nearly blinding.
It was not until they'd come to a large gathering of pines, pushing through the snow under the canopy of the branches, that they'd actually been able to look about.
Meg's eyes grew wide. "Raoul, it is so beautiful.
The deeper they went into the grove, the larger the pines became, so tall in fact that one could barely see the tops, and save a bit of light that could venture through the branches, it nearly blocked the sun. The lower branches of the pines had become barren for lack of light. Raoul's staff had already been out early that Spring trimming and pruning providing ample room beneath the trees to move about.
Raoul looked up at the trees, and then down at Meg. Her eyes were wide and sparkling blue, full of wonder. The white fur fluttering in the gentle winds. She looked like what he imagined of a snow angel. "Beautiful, yes…." He said as he stared at her….he couldn't have agreed more.
"My grandfather said that the trees were large here when he was a small boy, and that was at the turn of the century. His father used to drive his team of horses around this grove on his way into Paris. It is in part why I'd bought this bit of earth." Raoul looked around thoughtfully.
"He loved it so. He'd told me stories of when he was a young boy how he and his brothers, and their friends would come to this very grove because it was so unusual."
Madame Giry cocked her head, "unusual?"
Raoul smiled, "yes, you'll see what I mean in a few minutes." Raoul looked at Madame Giry, he needed to tell her. "I'm so glad you agreed to join us today, it wouldn't have been the same without you here."
Madame Giry returned his smile. She'd been pleased that he'd included her, as he shan't have had to.
Meg was still staring up at the tops of the trees, and around as the snow became lower and lower until they'd nearly reached dry ground. The sleigh stopped. The driver looking back at Raoul who nodded in turn.
The man came back lowering a stair for the ladies. Raoul immediately escorted first Madame Giry, and then Meg down to the earth that lay just inches below the small covering of snow.
"We shall go the small distance on foot. I'm afraid the sleigh shan't be able to travel beyond here." Raoul smiled as he extended his left arm to Madame Giry and his right to Meg.
They were walking through a group of trees, and some heavy dead vine. It appeared as though someone had chopped away an opening in the wall of tangled vines. They'd have to travel through single file.
"Madame Giry, if you do not mind," Raoul said as they came to the entrance. "May I allow Meg to enter first?"
Madame Giry smiled at him, he was always properly considerate. "Of course." She said.
He smiled at her in gratitude. Raoul stepped through looking around and then extended his hand to Meg.
She took it, the smile on her face was so wide it tugged at her cheeks reminding her of her stitches, she'd need to be careful. As she moved from one side to the other, her eyes grew in enormity, she'd never beheld such a thing.
Raoul smiled, it was obvious that Meg was duly impressed. He reached through the opening extending his hand to Madame Giry who joined them. There on the other side of that tangled briar, was a grotto. A soft spot of earth, the size of several parlors, a small cave looking as if it had spontaneously erupted from the earth. Large trees had grown together forming a nearly impenetrable canopy over the site. There was but a small coating of snow that lay on the ground there.
Meg glanced over to the left, a gentle flame catching her eye. Someone had ventured before them, building a fire in a stone enclosure just off to the side of the cave. Around it, they had placed several small log benches, each adorned with a thick horse blanket so as to provide cushion and warmth.
Raoul extended his arm to Madame Giry, and took Meg by the hand leading them over to the fire. The women sat down, the warmth of their clothing and that of the fire made it very comfortable.
"Has it always looked like this Raoul?" Meg inquired, trying to take in every inch of it with her eyes.
"My no. I must say it has been a bit of a project, a labor of love for me since my grandfather's passing. He'd told me what he'd envisioned of this place, and I've taken great pains to honor his wishes." Raoul paused, looking around at the haven. It truly had taken shape this last year.
"He had been so pleased when I'd told him that this was the property that I'd decided on. Truly my father thought me to be insane for living so far from Paris….but my grandfather understood, and in fact it was his final act of intersession on my behalf with my father before he died." Raoul smiled, a tear glinting in the corner of his eye. He sniffed.
"He'd been so pleased when I'd brought him out here on what would be his last visit to see me. I'd not had everything done properly yet, but the mere fact that I was working towards it gave him great pleasure."
Raoul was smiling. It was obvious to all that he'd loved his Grandfather DeChagny very much. "He told me so many stories of this place. As a boy they'd built a fort in that tree over there."
Meg and Madame Giry glanced over at the tree. A few scrappy boards still lay a remnant of the original. "I'd not the heart to take them down though they do look a bit shabby. Someday perhaps my son will be able to make use of them and rebuild that which his great-grandfather had built."
Meg blushed….she'd been imagining their children playing there when he was speaking of it. Raoul smiled at he squeezing her hand. "Then as young lads, he and his friends would bring the books that their parents had forbidden them to read, and they'd store them in a tin inside the cave. They'd lost a few to mildew he'd said. Then as they grew and all went their separate ways, this place lay silent and dormant. It wasn't until he'd met the woman who would one day be my grandmother, that he'd thought about that place again." Raoul smiled coyly at Meg.
Madame Giry had been looking around at the trees and had not noticed his sheepish glance.
Meg smiled at him, "what was it that made him recall this place then?"
Raoul was glad she had asked. She'd played right into his hand as though she were scripted to do so. "When the young men were going off to college, they met here for a final farewell. Then and there during that night, they'd set around this very fire, and made a pact."
That last statement causing both Meg and Madame Giry to return their attention to Raoul's face.
"A pact?" Meg inquired.
"Yes, they'd said that if they were anywhere even near Paris, that when they'd decided to marry, that they would bring their intended here to propose, thus a suitable transition from their childhoods spent here, to the men and father's they would become."
Meg shivered…it was like they were sitting on hallowed ground.
Madame Giry glanced back and forth between Meg and Raoul. Meg was averting her eyes, and Raoul was smiling at her hoping she would return his glance.
"So what know you of the pact after that night Raoul?" Madame Giry said.
He turned smiling at her. "There were six men here that night that made the pact. Of them one was killed in the war before ever marrying. Two of the others, one having gone to school in London, and the other somewhere in the Americas, had found women there and married without ever returning to Paris. My grandfather, and the two others that remained, returned here, all kept their oaths." Raoul smiled.
"My grandfather took great pleasure in telling me of his proposal to my grandmother. It had been a special evening indeed when he'd brought her here." Raoul started to laugh. "It is a wonder my grandmother married him at all. That night, just after he'd proposed, they were sitting holding one another by the fire. A bear happened upon them spooking their horse. Thankfully he was tethered or they'd have had a very long walk home, and much to explain to their parents. He was able to shoo the bear away. He'd been more curious than hungry grandfather said."
Madame Giry watched with fascination how animated Raoul had become as he told the story. This young man, she'd decided, was very reserved, but a gentle playful soul rested beneath the surface of the proper young man he'd grown to be, and that made her very happy…very happy for Meg.
"As it turns out, they'd ended their evening rather early, wandering back to the horse on a bit different route, one that took them directly through a patch of poison ivy!" Raoul began to laugh heartily. "Grandfather had to explain this to his parents who chastised him for taking that young woman out into the woods like that, really, what would people think! It did not deter my grandmother, nor grandfather, they were married that very fall!"
Madame Giry smiled at Raoul. "That is a wonderful memory Raoul, thank you for sharing it with us. I can see why this place would be most precious to you."
Raoul looked around, sighing as he looked up at the tall canopy of trees. "I'd like to think he watches over me here. I've come to talk to him here whenever I've something important to decide in my life."
Meg felt a shiver, nay a tingle run up her spine, and it wasn't from the cold.
Madame Giry's face turned a bit serious as she looked at Raoul once more. What was he implying?
Meg's respiration quickened. But they'd decided just last night…they'd wait…they'd take time to think….to be sure…had he changed his mind? Meg couldn't breathe.
Madame Giry suddenly felt out of place. Though they neither needed her blessing at this point, as she'd nearly given them as much not long before in that small room in Raoul's house, she hadn't expected that he would move so quickly.
Meg could not look at him. How could she accept without talking to Christine first, to Nadir, to Erik….her head was swimming.
Madame Giry stood. "If you'd not mind, I'd like to retrieve my muff, I've left it in the sleigh." She didn't wait for their reply, she simply turned and walked back through the opening in the growth. The driver of the sleigh accompanied her back to it.
Raoul came to rest on the bench next to Meg, taking both her hands into his. "Meg," he said, lifting her chin with his hand. "Do not be afraid Meg."
She felt like she would faint. He leaned in kissing her tenderly on the lips. "Dear sweet Meg, you know that I love you."
She could do nothing more than nod her head in agreement.
Raoul swallowed hard, looking back into her eyes. "Then, there is something I must speak with you about."
Meg nodded, stating the only words she would be able to for the next while. "I am here Raoul, whatever it is, I am here."
He smiled at her leaning in to kiss her cheek. His hands trembling slightly. He sighed nervously. Exhaling once more he looked back up into her eyes. "See that is good news, very good news."
Author's Notes:
Dear Faithfuls: Thank you once again for allowing me to go off for a few days. If it helps, please know that I terribly miss writing and hearing from you every day! I've left you with one cliffie (ouch) and a bit of E/C fluff, so I hope all will be forgiven. In my absence, be thinking about a good first name for DeChagny!
Captainoblivious: Glad to hear Susie is going to the doctor, and that her "medical" bills will be taken care of. Nice to have a guy friend around…please say it's not the guy who named the "Patmobile"….though real Pat would probably be o.k.!
Oh, as long as you threaten our dear Christine and Erik with your multiple arsenal of weapons (which no doubt includes your beloved Pauly Shore gun), I shall have to stand in the way protecting them…something of a literary sentinel if you will! LOL! Have a great week, and may this next week be less eventful than the last!
PhantomsRogue: Yes, another "stocking stuffer", OH MY there is a whole story revolving around that, but let us just say that there are certain people I would not mind finding in my stocking come Christmas morning! Someday, I may confess the story, but today is not the day! LOL! Oh, do not mind that your e-mails are long. I shan't object to anyone who writes something long….just look at the length of our story…and its not near its end! Have a great week, and I shall look forward to hearing from you!
WriterMuseoftheNight: I do like the name Gustav, though it is Christine's father's first name, so it might end up being a bit weird, sort of like another Erik/Erphan thing. There are so many good choices out there that I just cannot seem to find one that fully describes or fits this man. Hmmmm….
I have to agree, the look on the store clerk's face if I brought 30 POTO DVD's to the counter would be good….though I fear that they'd call some people in nice little white suits to come and get me! Off to the nut house!
Yes, "Music of the Night" could get a plug in there more often if I didn't think the readers would object. Can you just imagine having him sing that to you….. I'm melting…I'm melting….."
Yes, our dear little foal has a purpose, and I am glad to see I have your mind working at a reason for its presence. Hmmmm you are a clever one! LOL!
The similarities between Nicole and Meg are a little startling aren't they. It is difficult to think of what girls during that day had to endure. Obligations, arranged marriages, or marriages of financial convenience were all the thing then…love sometimes had little to do with marriage, especially among the aristocrats! I do not think you need worry of that distant young man in Nicole's past…I've no intentions of giving him a name, which is a sure sign he shan't be causing any trouble for them….though wait…have I ever given a name to that Crawlings boy? Hmmmmm…… Laughs and wanders off to her computer
I did like your "past the point of no return" parlay…. That is how I feel about this story. Just when I think it is moving in one direction, it takes me in another, and the end keeps moving farther and farther off….but alas…I've given myself up to it…I too am past the point of no return! Have a great rest of the week!
Poetzproblem: Yes Raoul does need to be needed….he's rather needy that way….LOL! I do think he'd be one of the most patient understand men to be married to, almost akin to a doormat of sorts. He no doubt will lavish whomever he marries with everything, though he will want a considerable amount in return. Too strong willed, or self-sufficient a woman would not suit him well. He wants someone he can take care of, and likes to be taken care of. Yet another reason that Christine would likely have been too much for him to handle…she's a bit too independent for him! Have a great rest of the week!
PhantomLover05: I think that Meg is just realizing how handsome he really is to her. You know how that is. Someone can be handsome…but when they become "yours" they grow even more handsome? Confusing…? Sorry, I even get lost inside my brain sometimes….. Have a great week!
Batteredchild: Thank you for the compliment. I hope that this chapter provided a bit more fluff, and a bit of happiness, though I think I might be drawn and quartered for leaving such a cliffie! Have a great week!
NordyGirl: Welcome to the Phamily! We hope your stay with us will be a long and happy one. Thank you for the compliment on the story. It has been a great pleasure and privilege for me to share this with our Phamily.
Now, as you no doubt have read by now, it has become something of a tradition that I give one attempt at guessing the origins of your tag name. Most often I'm wrong, but it's fun anyway!
Hmmm…Nordy…I'm thinking Nordic…perhaps you are from the Netherlands….or perhaps some Scandinavian country? Or, perhaps you are an avid skier? If you are willing please do share. We always like learning a bit more about our newest Phamily members!