Dear Faithfuls: It is my hope that you find that this is not trick, but rather a treat… The entire chapter is devoid of anyone except Erik and Christine, I hope that no one minds. It was simply too important for this issue to be considered without the distraction of any of the other characters in the story. Somehow I imagine, that no one will mind…enjoy.
Erik stood his arms raised above his head, palms pressed heavily against the wooden frame of the bookcase that lay at the back of the room. "I've told you of all which you needed to know…and this one thing I needed private…to myself…you wished to deprive me of?" Erik was trying to calm his temper, though inside he was a seething mess.
Christine could not speak, for what plausible explanation could she give that would not betray the fact that Misty had noticed him in the drawer? If she told him as much, Misty would be swiftly removed from the house, and for no cause of her own. She'd done nothing more than answer Christine's questions when she was searching for a book. No, this was her responsibility, and hers alone. She might well have searched for the drawer herself, Misty's information only drew her attention more swiftly to it.
Erik huffed, "have you nothing to say for yourself Christine?" He pressed his eyes tightly shut, inhaling and exhaling stiffly, trying, desperately trying to contain the rage that so easily swelled within him whenever he felt threatened. "Help me…..help me to understand why you'd have needed anything, anything at all from that drawer?"
Christine felt a sob rising in her chest. Erik moved to her taking her shoulders into his hands firmly. He lowered his gaze, and though a fleeting thought of pity crossed his mind as he looked into her fear-filled eyes, he could not stop himself. "What was it, what had I not given you freely that you would have needed? What brought you here to this room, to this desk, to this….to this betrayal?"
Christine's brow furrowed as she looked up at him. Her confidence suddenly returning, if however slightly….she'd not betrayed him. "Betrayal? How say you such a thing of your wife? I have been most trustworthy, protecting you at every turn, and now you've the audacity to think, after all of this, that I would somehow betray you?" Christine moved away from him, turning to look at him from a distance.
"I'd sooner lay my own life down than to betray you. I've given you all of me, my heart, my love, my innocence, my body, my very life….what good would it come to, for me to betray you? You Erik, should know better than anyone what was risked, what was given, what was sacrificed by not only me, but all those that care for you to allow us to be where we are at this very moment."
Christine stood looking at him, an injured man. One burned and hurt to the core.
He'd seen far more grief than a soul ought, and though he could be happy for a time, there was a rotting core that would have to be plucked and pruned before true happiness could invade, permeate his soul. It had been like adding fresh milk to a can of sour. Soon it would all become sour unless the lot of it was poured out, rinsed clean, and a fresh offering deposited into it.
"Erik, I've not betrayed you…yes, I shall admit that I did venture to open the drawer, but it was only to look for a book, something that I wished to read, to surprise you with my knowledge when you returned, to give me a bit of comfort in the presence of your great mind….it is that which I searched for, at least at first."
Erik turned furrowed brow looking at her. "I would be a fool, nay, a liar if I told you I was not perplexed, and then intrigued by the locked drawer, and it was that which drove me to the keys that you so adeptly found that I'd retrieved. But, you know as well as I that not one key on that ring will release that lock….so how is it that I could have betrayed you?"
Erik sighed, she hadn't figured out the lock…he was relieved. "Erik, I concede I tried the drawer, but it did not open. I've come to regret it. I had supposed it was something that you overlooked, having shown me all the other hidden things in our house Now that I have knowledge of it as something you wish as private, I shan't ask you…I shan't ask again." She inhaled slowly, swallowing….mustering her courage….it had to be said. She looked at him with all the seriousness she could manage, "Someday if you are willing to spill out that which spoils, nay threatens your happiness, and allow me to love you, to fill your soul as you have filled mine, I shall be here, but until then I shan't ask of it again. I've no desire to intrude on what you'll not share…I've only desire to love you Erik, and some day you'll understand that…if, and only if, you can ever believe that I love you with all of my heart…" Christine could hold her confidence no longer, she began to cry.
Erik came toward her, already feeling contrite. She raised one hand, "no", she said. She dipped her hand into the pocket of the robe Erik now wore, handing him the envelope, the letter that she'd written for him. She looked up at him, and said the few words that stung at Erik's ears, "If you doubt that I love you after you read this, then this entire marriage, these past months, these past years have been nothing but a glorious lie." She turned and ran from the room, quickly taking flight to the second floor, she ran down the hall to their bedchamber, closing and locking the door behind her.
Christine threw herself once more on their bed, just as she had the day before, sobbing from the depths of her soul. She was equally as mad at herself as she was at him. She shouldn't have pried, he shouldn't have assumed….she wanted to love him, but until he was ready to rid his soul of the putrid memories, her love and affections were nothing more than a façade over a soul that held such torment. She had been foolish to think that a man so wounded could ever be healed in such a short time.
There was much to love him through…yes, she would be there, through every step of it, though it shan't be easy. She ran her hand along her stomach, perhaps the new life, flesh of his flesh, would convince him he was a man redeemed, no longer beholden to the debts of his past, only the future to look forward to, to plan for, to be loved in.
Erik had waited, briefly assessing her words before he silently pursued her. Reaching the door, he found it locked, and heard her as she sobbed pitifully moaning. His tears of self hate for doing this to her, such a precious soul….flowing freely down his chest. His head hung low, his palm on the door as he began to cry…he should be holding her, apologizing, begging her forgiveness…how could he have doubted…why had his anger gotten the best of him…twice in the last day… He stood there palms against the door until he heard her begin to sniffle and then there was silence. No doubt she'd fallen off to sleep from the exhaustion.
Erik looked down at the envelope in his hand. "My dearest Erik" inscribed on the face of it. He pressed his eyes shut. She did love him… He slid his hand from the door and wandered to the room next, the one that would one day, not many months from now, be the nursery for their children. He walked in, first tendering a fire to warm the room, then he sat down in the large rocking chair that lay in the center of it. He began to gently rock back and forth. As the fire grew it began to light the room.
Soon there was sufficient light for him to read. He held the envelope to his lips kissing it. Whatever it contained, his Christine had written it…the very first she'd ever shared her written words with him…he would cherish it, whatever it was, for the remainder of his days. He slid his thumb beneath the seal, depositing the contents into his hand. The envelope lay in his lap, he opened the first of the sheets…he began to read…
My dearest, dearest, Erik,
I'm finding myself entirely alone at this moment, thinking of only you. Watching the storm outside has proved to be an unworthy distraction as it too makes me think of you. The brave soul that you are having gone out in it in hopes of saving a woman you barely know.
The snow is deep, and the skies grow dark, and I realize I shan't be seeing you again before morning light. As I sit alone in the room that only hours ago provided shelter for our passions, I am reminded of you yet again. It makes me miss you terribly. To that end, I hope you'll not mind that I've borrowed, however temporarily, several garments that belong to you. Your nightshirt, your robe, even now take the place of the arms that I long to hold me.
I was speaking of you to our children today. Speaking of your bravery, your compassion. That I've never known a man such as their father in all of my life. For truly, there are none like you.
In the months since our marriage, so very much has happened. I know I need not recant the details, for you know them as well as I. What my heart aches to tell you is how very loved you are, and how very loved I feel. I fear my words may not contain the eloquence with which you yourself write, but they are straight and true, I pray you'll understand.
You have been the wind in my sails, the very life blood that flows through my heart, the air that rushes in and out of my lungs with each living breath. When first I came to the Opera House, I was a frightened little girl. Alone, and deeply saddened by my father's loss. I cried myself to sleep in the middle of the night. I was alone…and then you found me.
There was a voice, whispering to me in the darkness, calming me, reassuring me. It was not long that the mere sound of your voice calmed my senses, soothed my soul. Soon, I found myself talking to you, though you did not reply, I knew you were listening.
I began to wonder if it had all been in mind, a grand illusion, the longings of a grieving girl, lost in the depths of her sorrows. In a short while longer, you began to sing to me…oh how my heart fluttered when I heard your voice! My father had conveyed his affections as much by music as by touch and word, and in my heart they had all become one in the same…a great love from a father to his daughter. When you sang, my mind was floating and I was taken far from the cruel reality that had settled upon me.
I still recall with great fondness, the first time I sang with you. A song you'd sung to me so often. It was not intended, nor planned, but a mere act of adulation, genuflection. I thought I heard a tremor in your voice as if you'd begun to cry. My tiny voice was no match for yours, but I could not refrain, it was as if there was an unspoken invitation woven into your music, beckoning me to join you.
You were so gentle and kind, encouraging me at every turn. It wasn't long before our encounters each evening began with a lesson…and ended with your voice, wishing me well, bidding me to rest, to care for myself, and my favorite…that which warms my heart still…that you'd be watching over me…my angel. Those years you loved me, guided me, taught me. You led me down a narrow path that was in utter accord with that which Madame Giry was telling me of a life of a proper young woman. Little did I know then of your relationship with her…I'd not know for years.
I blush, at the thought of a long overdue confession. It is now that I must tell you, though it seems frivolous and moot considering our subsequent marriage vows, but I'd had an admiration for you. A fascination far beyond that of your voice; since first I realized as a small girl what love could be. I wanted to believe so badly that angel could become flesh, specter could be tangible. In my own small naïve way…I'd fallen in love with you.
How can one love what they cannot touch? I could not say, but I knew only that in my heart I truly loved you. As time passed and our lessons became more numerous, I learned how to respect you, not out of fear, but out of unmitigated esteem of your skill. You only expected the best from me. I in turn, wanting to please you, expected no less of myself.
As I grew into a young woman, not far in age from the woman I am now, my heart ached. I realized I'd grown to love a soul that I could never touch, never possess…it grieved me deeply in ways I shan't be able to mention until now. I could never have imagined leaving you, and yet I knew one day, I'd be wanting for a family, a home, yet my soul forbid me to even think of it…I could never leave my angel.
I knew you sensed my distraction. My lessons became rather abrupt, you feeling a bit distant to me toward the end, just a bit distant…I knew that you cared for me. It was almost as if you were preparing to let me go…. It was then that I started to hide in the gardens behind the Opera House, crying. I could never leave you, never. You'd been there for me for so long. Nurturing, protecting, and loving me in every way that was possible for you. I'd wonder in the moments that I cried in the gardens, if you were an angel, why could you not go with me, wherever I went? Then could two worlds actually be possible for me? But lo, I knew not. For even if I should find a suitor, I shan't be able to love him, for my heart had already been given to another. Would that be fair to some worthy man? I knew it shan't.
In all of this time, and things that we've been through together since first you revealed yourself, man of flesh and bone, man I could touch, kiss, love, I knew my heart and mind were sound, I could never have loved another. You had my heart, you had my soul…no one else could have possessed me, for you had already.
A new fear grew within me. A fear of being able to touch what I'd longed for, knowing of your truest existence, your anger, your passions….somehow that frightened me. So very strange, that which I'd hoped for, nay, longed for, once arrived, frightened me to no end. For a brief moment of pure insanity, in my fear, I'd thought about leaving all I had behind, to live a life of an aristocrat. But deep in my heart, even as I uttered those words to the poor unfortunate, would-be suitor, I knew it was him I deceived, as well as myself. I could no sooner have gone with him than I could have lived without the beating of my very heart…and that I had given to you and you alone. There was so much confusion. I'd hurt you…I'd hurt him…and I was driving myself mad.
It is to that end, that my gratitude for your actions will forever be undying. In your courage, or what you've confessed as desperation, you pushed me to make a decision that my heart had already made, but my mind had refused to accept. In that moment, when at the top of the bridge during Don Juan, we joined bodies, you laying your hands on me for the first time in the acceptance of my returning affections, I was alive. Though as good as being brought back from the dead. There was no room for question any longer, not in my mind….I had only one thing left to do, and that was beg your forgiveness for my actions. It is a matter of course we know how things traveled from that point forward.
Those next days and hours after our departure from that world, are memories that will warm me to the depths of my soul until my dying breath…the most tender moments a soul should ever be blessed enough to have. Our love, your love for me, my love for you, I cannot imagine anything stronger, nor truer, nor more potent and intoxicating.
Now, as I sit here in this room, the fruits of our love growing inside me, I think back with such sweetness on the years that you loved me, and the years that I loved you. I shan't ask for anything more in all the world than for you to be home sharing in the comfort of my affections. Truly home is in your arms, so neither of us, at this moment are at home. I am wishing for Godspeed and mercy to carry you back my love, my dear precious husband…my angel.
With all of my heart, Christine
Erik let the pages fall to his lap. He began to cry without hesitation. He felt as if his heart was a million shards sprinkling from his spewing soul in a shower of sorrow. She loved him, she trusted him with everything that she was, and more importantly, more poignantly with everything she would ever be.
How could he not let her love him, help him? Perhaps it was his own fear, no horror, at facing that which threatened to pull him into the depths once more… He didn't know if he would ever have courage to face them….those horrid memories of the unspeakable…of his disregard for the sanctity of life….oh how it haunted him, and try though he might to ignore it, it threatened him at ever turn when he tried to revel in the joy and happiness of his present circumstances.
He was a new husband, to the most angelic creature any man, yes any man…could have hoped for. She carried his children, the seed of their love inside of her….she was his future…. He had to relinquish his past…though he felt ill equipped to do so. He had always been the teacher, the leader, the strong one…the thought of the vulnerability…of not being in control…terrified him. She loved him so very much…so very much.
The tears flowed so freely down his cheeks that he wondered if he would ever run dry, they seemed to have no end. Then he heard it… At first he thought it was his imagination…then he watched, and his eyes knew that he saw movement. "Christine?" His voice wavered.
The door between the rooms slowly opened. She peeked in just a bit, her own face red and puffy. Erik rose, "Christine…"
She opened the door fully, running to his arms. He embraced her, and though he tried to be strong he could not, he sobbed openly, freely…..and so did she. "I am sorry Christine…how foolish could one man be…to doubt….after all this time…."
Christine put her arms as tightly about his middle as her arms would allow, running her hands up and down his back. "Erik…I shall not pry…I am sorry….if you shall never tell me….I will love you….I shan't ask….I am sorry…I shan't know the pains of your past….I only know the love of your present, the love of your future…I shall hold fast to that…and that alone."
Erik pulled Christine up into his arms, nestling his head into her neck. "I love you Christine…I am sorry, for ever doubting…for being angry…"
She ran her arms around his neck. "you may tell me anything that you need. I shall trust that I am in your heart…I don't understand…there are times that I shan't know what you need, what causes you pain…but I will be here for you….whatever you need, if it be an ear, let me lend it, if it is the silent warmth of my arms, let me extend them to you, if it is the passions that we share, let me give them to you freely, if it is understanding without question, let it be so."
Erik's eyes showed the bareness of his soul…he'd given her the key to his heart…she had unknowingly possessed that for years. Now, she had taken it, refashioning it within her own heart, and used it to unlock the very depths of the darkest parts of his soul.
An indescribable gratitude filled him. So overwhelming in truth, there were no words to describe it; truly it transcended description. It was a feeling of intensity, of the sweetest, purest, form. He looked into her eyes, she was never more beautiful, nor more desirable to him than she was at that moment.
He kneeled, lowering Christine to the ground on the soft pile of blankets that lay off by the fire. She looked at him with such longing, it was unspoken, though she desired him with so much of her it made her tremble at his touch. She'd never made it to dressing in the dress of sapphire that lay on the divan. The simple nightgown she now wore, proved to be of little trouble as he quickly removed it exposing the tenderness of her flesh.
He took her lips into his, caressing her neck as he lay down with her. Their love quickly grew into passions so great; they loved each other with abandon. Looking at one another in those moments knowing the physical act of their passions was of but a perfunctory purpose, for their real love was communicated by the intangible essence of their souls. It was something no man could lay hands on. It was a mingling of spirits…and that had no need for flesh.
They loved in the shadows of the fire for a long while. It was the most passionate of times they had ever shared and there was no doubt in either of their minds that no love was ever greater between two people than theirs.
Erik finally came to rest next to Christine, the essence of forgiveness fresh upon their lips. He pulled the blanket over them as they lay on the floor trembling. Christine nestled into Erik's chest, kissing it as she gasped, trying to catch her breath. The pair were nearly too warm to be covered, and Erik pulled the covers down to their waists. He ran his hand along Christine's shoulder, she was covered in a glistening sheen. He raised his head slightly blowing on her flesh. As the moisture evaporated with his breath, she closed her eyes taking in the tenderness of it. She smiled. "Erik…" she gasped.
He took her into the fullness of his arms, caressing her back. "Christine…mon cheri…" She began to run her hand along his chest mindlessly…she never wanted to leave that moment…never….
Erik held Christine in his arms so tenderly. She was far more than his wife…he could never quite remove the description of the Greek Philosopher Plato from his mind. He had described it perfectly…she was his split-apart…the half in the universe that made him whole. He looked down at her, into the depths of her eyes, it was magic.
As with any element in nature, there was a complicated dance which took place before fusion was actualized. Their merging of spirits, of souls, was no different…it was elemental. As strong as any bond that nature could produce. It was the very essence of living…not merely existing without purpose, but living within the beauty of it. How truly blessed he was to hold her in his arms…truly blessed. Time after loving time, her presence assured him he was not damned as he'd always thought, had been told he was. He was worthy of love…but it took a pure soul to convince him…she was truly heaven sent.
Christine had felt his love, his presence with her many times before. There was something so entirely different about this encounter, this exchange…was it because of their quarrel? Was it because it had been so unexpected? She couldn't describe it, but it was a mutual surrender…how else to described it…she knew not. She'd promised him, she would not question. Bit by bit she secretly hoped he would let down those walls. Let her help him…but she had a lifetime to do it, and she…she would learn to be patient with him, as he had been with her all those long years. A lesson finally learned in her heart. She smiled. Everything good in her life she had learned from him.
She shivered. Erik thought of pulling another blanket over her, but realized she would be much more comfortable in the warmth and comfort of their bed. He rose to his knees, scooping her up into his arms. She clung to him, the blanket draped over her billowing as he moved with great agility to their bedchamber. He carried her through the door back to their bed. As he laid her down and came to rest next to her, he pulled the covers over them, extending his arm to her. She nestled in to her favorite place.
Neither could fall asleep, for tired, they were not. "Tell me of it Erik," Christine said.
He smiled, "tell you of what my dear?"
"The piano…there is a story is there not?"
He nodded his head, rubbing her shoulder with his hand. "Why yes my dear there is…yes there is."
Author's Notes:
Captainoblivious: Sorry to hear of your recent misfortune. I hope the swelling has gone down by now. So…do tell…what happened to Pat? Did the Patmobile take him to far off places never to be seen or heard from again? Or…did Rob scare him off? Hmmmm something like an Erik/Raoul going on my dear? LOL! Perhaps Rob will have to be Erik…no perhaps he is Raoul…something from your childhood…anyway, it could all be rather complicated.
Though I did miss you, I am glad to hear that you were appropriately focused on those mid-terms. They are very important, its sort of where the "rubber-meets-the-road" kind of thing. Its where you find out if what you think your professor has been trying to teach you is what he thinks he's been teaching you! I found in college that those two ends did not always agree! LOL! Hope they went well for you.
Now as for buffing out the ring….it cannot be so…and Erik would not be that easily tricked. Besides, a bit of a fight could not destroy a relationship like theirs! It in fact makes it stronger when they realize that they may not always agree, that they may on occasion feel disappointed or angry, but it doesn't change the fact that they love each other….it in fact helps their relationship to grow even deeper….hard to believe that it would be possible isn't it? They do love each other, and I think this chapter may have said it all….
Good to hear from you my dear. Keep up the hard work at school. One day you will be ever so thankful that you embraced your education…for truly that is the best part of life…adding to who you are…a little every day! For if we stop learning, we stop living.
Phantomsrogue: First, let me say I have not forgotten my promise…I will return that e-mail. Second, and it has begun to make me wonder about how you and I found each other, truly. My sister and I, some years ago had a difficult patch, we hardly spoke for over a year. (How strange that you'd have something similar happen). We missed several holidays together, and generally it became a more painful experience as time went on. Neither she, nor I would concede our point, as both felt correct, and justified. I'd tried writing her a letter, which only made matters worse for a time. Then, one spring day, I was walking out of my office, and there she was. "Have you eaten?" Those were her first words to me since Christmas the year before. Slowly, we began catching up on things. Our first lunch was a painful one, awkward to say the least. Then it led to a lunch a week later, and slowly, we came to a point where we decided, we would not forget, nor would we be able to agree on what had caused us this separation. But, we simply had to forgive and get beyond it, because being sisters was far more important than either of us being right. We've had quarrels, sometimes heated ones since then, but we've vowed never to let it get to that point again. Life was simply too short to spend parted from someone who knows you and understands you likely better than most other people in your life. Now, I am not trying to give you advice by any means, but it is all too strange that we would have this too in common. Just something to think about my dear.
Now as for the title of the third chapter…yes, I rather fancy it. We will have to get to writing that soon, it is rather starting to grow a life of its own already! LOL!
Our dear Erik, and poor Christine. Erik has made much progress, so very much, but what he has done, as Christine so adeptly points out, is that he's put on a cloak of happiness, hiding all the putrid, rotting, destructive memories inside. He wants, needs, to be healed, but until he rids himself of those terrible memories, everything else he does only strengthens the exterior…it does nothing for the core of him. I think he is finding out that in order to be truly loved by this woman, he must clean out that which HE even fears to face. How, oh how does one face down such things with the help of a person whom you've vowed to protect? He has never been good at being vulnerable, indeed he's fought that his entire life…how indeed! Yes, you do just want to wrap your arms around Erik the little boy, tell him he's loved, tell him its o.k., tell him that all is forgiven. Reassure him that he deserves to live, to be happy, and that you are desperately waiting to see him use the talents he's been given, because you see so much potential in him….so much potential…. ahhhhh….sighs that is what I see!
I had planned to rent 'American Psycho' this weekend, but it never turned out quite the way I planned. Last night I quite unexpectedly had an invitation to this great Italian restaurant in the City. It was quite lovely, the décor, the ambience, the food, and of course the company. It was a most pleasant distraction from a busy weekend! But now, tonight, after the trick-or-treaters have gone on their merry way, (did I mention I'm going to be blaring POTO on my stereo? My neighbors will no doubt think it is just my usual state of affairs! LOL) I shall sit down and watch the movie, though I admit I am a bit apprehensive myself. I shall let you know how it goes.
Oh, yes, as for the last stocking, I too would have to go with Depp….he is pretty darned good…dark and brooding…ooo, la, la! I can hardly wait to see the next two installments of 'Pirates'!
On another side note, I finally made it to the theater to see 'Flight Plan'. The performances were good, though the plot was not developed well enough…I've rather been disappointed with movies lately in that regard. If the plot isn't plausible, how in the world are you going to care if it turns out? Anyway, I did get to see a few previews…I am now looking forward even more, to 'Casanova', 'Memoires of a Geisha', and 'Pride and Prejudice'. I think I shall be spending some quality time in the theaters during the coming months!
Le bon jour mon âme-soeur, ma soeur !
WriterMuseoftheNight: Thank you for the compliment…could you just see Erik getting mad? Yes our dear little Christine was rather naïve to have done what she did! Erik needs to be a bit more patient, but he's never really learned to fully trust, not anyone, as we saw chapters before even with Nadir, his oldest friend.
I too feel for Meg and Nadir. It would be entirely sweet if one day they could have everything out in the open, though there are so many potential complications, and I fear one day they shall come to the precipice and have to decide.
Yes, I do think that Nadir will be needing to get to that family tree…but there are a few things that will distract him in the coming chapters….oh…I can say no more!
Do take care. I hope that this chapter put your anticipation (at least somewhat) to rest, if only for one night! LOL!
Phantomlover05: Glad to hear you liked it. It just seemed to be something that Erik, nay, the Phantom would have done….always prepared for whatever he might need. Makes you wonder doesn't it…what might be hidden at Courtland Manor? Hmmm…..
I hope that you are relieved to find that they are no longer angry with each other…in fact quiet the opposite! Did you really think Erik could stay mad at HIS Christine?
Have a good night! Don't eat too much candy!
NordyGirl: Laughs, laughs…I can just imagine you doing the jig that Tivia did while you were composing these verses! You do have a creative mind! "Rocks my Sock?" laughs and shakes head simultaneously Have a great night…
Phantomphorever: Thank you for the reassurance in regard to Christine and Erik's continuing adulations. Yes, you are very perceptive, there is something brewing on the horizon, but not a storm…unless you think of it as a metaphorical storm…something is going to happen that will forever change the way the Phantom sees himself….yet another cat out of the bag I'm afraid…
You are correct, Christine does have much anguish, and I think you've found in this most recent chapter, that Erik did too. They both want the same thing from each other, but neither have the experience of previous relationships, and both have carried much hurt with them from their pasts, complicating things even further. Perhaps I over use the term "great love" but I do not know how else to describe it…for one can only imagine having a love as strong and intense as this couple. I think, as you suggest, Erik would be more easily led to forgiveness knowing that Christine chose to respect him over her curiosity, though she didn't have the opportunity to actually make that final choice as she couldn't have gotten the drawer open. I am afraid she might have been as curious as Pandora and opened the drawer without realizing what she would be unleashing…so it's a good thing the lock did not reveal its secrets!
And alas, thank you for the compliment. It seems silly to say it in this way, but I get so very excited when I am finished with each chapter, and put it out there for critique! I appreciate that you are enjoying reading it….and this chapter is yet another page in our journey!
Faeriecatcher1: Your friend is going out as Erik? I am a bit worried about going out myself tonight because if I see anyone dressed up as the Phantom, I am likely to get arrested! LOL! Not really, but it does make you wonder…if the Phantom was to go out to a costume ball…who would he go as? Hmmmmm….
You are correct, every couple has their quarrels, even the nearly perfect ones! They love each other, that is what keeps them together, no matter what rain may fall in their lives.
Thank you for your comment on the paragraph describing the tea. I am a tea lover, in all its various sorts…so I just imagined what Erik might be thinking as he watched it brewing. He is so reflective, such a deep thinker…I think that is perhaps why has so much respect for Walden…he too was a great observer, and would likely have liked what Erik thought of the tea leaves…darn…I've gone and made it more complicated haven't I. LOL! Alas, I think that is simply my nature….
Have a good night tonight! Hope you enjoyed our little treat!
Phantomfan13: Yes, truly, Erik could not stay mad at Christine, especially after he read her love letter…sighs dreamily. As for Meg and Christine…it would be nice if the two friends could see each other again…and I'm sure Meg would be thrilled to learn of Christine's news. Ahhhh, but who knows if this shall ever come to pass.
Scary movies are fun, but sometimes they are a little over the edge and frighten us to the point of becoming irrational! It sounds like that's what happened to your poor friend Sarah! You know, I've seen only one of the movies in the series 'Scary Movie'…not really sure what I think of them… I have not seen 'Sleepy Hollow' though I really should because I rather imagine it would give more life to the chapter, way back when, when Nadir was being chased through the woods by the wolves…hmmmm.
Sounds like a good choice of costumes…something warm is always good when you are outside this time of year. Have a good night…and don't eat too much candy!