Chapter 168 Beautiful Souls

Christine listened carefully, at the mere sound of Erik's breath, rushing in and out, methodically to his lungs. No doubt one day it would be something she would take for granted, as one often does the simple things in life, but this night, nay, this budding morning, she reveled in it. Erik lay resting in her arms. She couldn't recall just when he'd fallen off to sleep, but she assumed it had not been more than an hour before.

Erik had stoked the fire well, for it burned brightly even still. Erphan had peeked his head in the room just minutes before. Departing with a smile, and a look of utter relief on his face when he saw that Stephan had arrived safely from whatever it was that had brought them to the City in the middle of the night.

Christine's one hand remained in motion, caressing Erik's shoulder and neck. Her other, was tightly intertwined with his that now lay over her mid-section. She had so much she wanted to know. Not of his past…for that she had promised not to ask of again, lest necessity bring it to the fore-front. No…she wanted to know of the past several days. She smiled as he sighed, nestling his cheek against the warmth of her flesh. He was utterly relaxed, and utterly at peace.

Erik had barely slept, and when he had, it had been disjointed and not for any long stretch in order to bring a body its full recovery. Christine rested easy in the knowledge that Nadir and Meg were safe, for Erik would not have returned in such a manner if something had happened to either of them. No, he'd either found nothing, or he had been able to successfully intervene before anything had taken place. It had been the look of sadness she'd seen in him when his eyes had first met hers, and the mumblings he'd made as he fell off to sleep that concerned her.

Though they'd not exchanged a word since he'd reclined, other than undying devotion and thanks to be once more in one another's company, she sensed he'd much to tell her. Her childish heart and mind wanted to wake him. Ask him what he'd found, if all was well. Of how he'd thought to bring her the seamstress house, of what had happened in Chauesser, who's blood had been on his clothing. She wanted to know if Nadir had delivered Sara to her final disposition, and if he had, where it might be so they could pay a proper visit before they left Paris. She wanted to take him to the room with the paintings, ask him about each one…express her heart-felt respect and gratitude to a man who had patiently loved her all those years. But more than all of those things, she wanted to gaze into his eyes….those deep mesmerizing eyes, and have him tell her he'd leave her side no more. That they would return to the winter house, go about decorating the nursery, picking out names, having the proper dinners with their staff as he'd suggested.

She wanted things to return to a calmer, more settled pace while they finished the months of waiting until she delivered their children. Though she longed for a promise, she'd made up her mind, she'd not make him promise not to leave her side. It would come to no good for them, as he surely would not be able to make such a promise and keep it. In making and then breaking such a promise, it somehow diminished his word…no, she'd not think that to be fair at all. He'd never left her side other than when he'd felt she were in no danger, and only then when he'd felt there was no other choice. Making him promise would only cause his soul injury. She knew that he loved her, and would treat her with as much attention as he could manage. He was a man of honor, and his actions were always purposeful. She had to remind herself that she was not the only person in his life that he cared for…though truly…he often made her feel as if she were.

Erik inhaled, exhaling sharply. Smacking his maw, his tongue venturing out, wetting his lips. Christine smiled; no doubt he was thirsty. She'd no knowledge of when last he'd eaten or drunk anything. He'd seen to taking a proper amount of sustenance for the lot of them when they left the winter house, but to her knowledge he'd not partaken of any of it, and he'd certainly not taken any with him when he'd left the sleigh hours before.

Christine leaned forward, placing a delicate kiss on Erik's temple. Slowly she slipped out from beneath him, putting him to rest on the pillows and bundled blankets. She smiled as she watched him nestle down into the comfort of it. She pulled the covers over his shoulder, running her hand once more through his hair. He'd had a very difficult evening there was no doubt of it. His locks were matted and tousled this way and that. For Erick, perfection in grooming was tantamount to respect for the others who were in one's company. If he'd returned to her in this way, she smiled, it was because he was finally beginning to understand. Understand and embrace her unconditional love for him.

She retrieved her robe, slipping into it, venturing to the doorway, silently passing through. She'd go to retrieve a pot of tea, and perhaps a few morsels he could nibble on when he'd woken. She only hoped it would not be hours, for she wasn't certain she could suffer to wait that long.

Christine made her way down the dark, chilly passage to the woman's rather humble, yet functional kitchen. As she passed the woman's workroom, she glanced in. The woman was humming softly. Fabric of every sort tossed about on the table. Some were shades of the finest royal blue, emerald green, and a rich scarlet silk so thin that Christine could see the glow of the fire through it as it hung over the rack the woman had put on the table. No doubt the woman had other work to do. After all that is how she'd cared for herself all these years, to put shelter around her, and food in her stomach. Christine smiled, there was no need to disturb the woman. She'd made it abundantly clear that she wished for Christine to feel at home there, and to treat her house as her own, using whatever she'd have need for.

Christine walked down to the kitchen, lifting the simmering kettle from the stove, pouring a small pot full. She'd put the tea ball into it when she returned to the room where Erik now lay resting. Retrieving a plate from the cupboard, she took a few savories from the basket that Erphan had brought in from the sleigh. Misty had been rather diligent in packing all those things that she knew to be Elizabeth and Stephan's favorites. Christine smiled as she filled the plate. Balancing it all on the tray, she was once again in motion…she would return to Erik.

XXXXX

Erik had rolled several times. His deep exhaustion making real sleep rather elusive. He rolled to his back, feeling about with his hands before he'd even opened his eyes. Christine was not there. His mind was so very tired, his thoughts as thick as morning grog. He'd almost forgotten where he was. As he opened his eyes slowly blinking he gasped. For a split second he'd had a flash. That room… years ago, after he'd finished it, he'd nearly ripped every bit of fabric from the walls, wanting to start over again.

That room, nay, a tent just like it, brought back bitter memories of an evil creature who'd wanted so desperately to posses him, that she'd gone so far as to have his food tainted with a drug causing him to enter a forced sleep. He'd woken only to find himself in a room just like this one. Truly it was beautiful, fit with all the luxury a sultana would require. There had been no need for fire in that tent, for in that place even the nights were warm.

He shook his head, a pain searing through it. She'd had it in her mind to deprive him of his honor. It had been one of the final times he'd rejected her before she'd subjected both he and Nadir to the unthinkable. Relegating them to carrying out her every evil whim. He wondered what had caused a soul to be so vile, so evil, to think of such things? The woman had lived a life of privilege, never having to have want of anything she could not possess. Surely she'd not seen any hardship, no treachery to cause her to be such a wretched soul. Perhaps it was as Nadir had surmised; she was the embodiment of evil, possessed by something so heinous that she herself could not fight it. For they both believed that souls were not born evil, nay, they'd all been created to be good.

He shook his head yet again. He'd not thought of it in a long while. He'd tried to purge all thoughts of that woman from his mind, though she'd seemingly found a way to haunt his mind even still. With what irony he paused on his thoughts. What had tried to desperately possess him, and what he now possessed in his beloved Christine, were two polarized ends of a spectrum. The Sultana was the epitome of evil….Christine was the personification of goodness. Perhaps the heavens did indeed smile upon him at last.

He closed his eyes…would he ever be rid of the beast…or the fear that one day she would find him…depriving him of everything he held dear? Suddenly he shuttered, sitting straight up. He'd hit upon it! The thing that had haunted him so…he was afraid! He'd embraced the fear she'd tried to plant within his mind so long before. For indeed he was afraid, but not of the life he'd now face. Rather the threat his past could be to his future…for if ever that beast did appear….no…he simply would not allow himself to think of it. He was far from Persia, and certainly, after all this time, even that despicable creature would have relinquished her search.

His head turned, his ears deeply keen to the sound of water sloshing in a pot, the gentle sound of soft fabric brushing against the marble floor of the hall outside. He smiled, no doubt Christine was returning to him. He let out a deep, even, sigh. He could barely wait to gaze upon this woman, to have her flesh touch his. This room, this set of shaded fabrics and painted cherubs would behold a different creature entirely. Perhaps, one-by-one, she could replace memory after memory until he'd no room in his mind for anything but the good that she embodied, and the life he would live for the remainder of his days.

The gentle footsteps came to a halt outside the curtain. A small ivory hand, containing a ring he knew well, ventured in, pushing the velvet curtain aside. She came in glancing at nothing more than the tray whose contents she was intensely focused on. She was smiling, a slight hint of flush on her cheeks. She carried the tray over to the table, submersing the tea ball into the water, the vapors of steam rising in the air. She arranged the tray carefully before she turned round to glance at Erik. Her face suddenly changing from the small smile of pleasure it had just contained, to a full smile…one which greeted properly, her husband who was now quite awake, and now quite aware of her stirrings.

Christine went to Erik, accepting his invitation of open arms. She slid in next to him as he sat up on the divan, taking her into the fullness of his arms, guiding her head to his chest with the hand he'd run up the length of her back and now rested behind her neck. He leaned his head down, kissing her temple. "Good Morning my darling Christine." She squeezed his middle, nestling her head into his chest.

"It gladdens my heart to see you stir Erik. I'd no want to wake you, but in truth I could scarcely wait to look into your eyes." She said as she turned her head upward taking in the beauty of the very thing she described.

He gazed into her eyes with such affection that it nearly undid her. "And how I too longed to see your bright eyes Christine."

She smiled, leaning forward to place a tender kiss along his jaw. The sensation made Erik shudder. "Erik?" Christine said, a bit of concern in her voice. "Is all well?"

Erik smiled at her, running one hand along her cheek and beneath her chin, gently guiding her lips to his. "It is now my dear….. it is now." He took her lips fully into his, kissing her tenderly. He scooped her up into his arms, resting her in his lap. Their lips parted as he ran his arms around her, his head buried in the recesses of her neck beneath her abundant curls; his hands wandering her back, massaging her shoulders and neck. She was stiff and rigid, no doubt from the worry. Under the warmth of his strong hands, his reassuring touch, her tense repose slowly began to diminish. "All is well Christine," he whispered into her ear.

She smiled. She knew his words meant that Meg was safe, Nadir was safe. "That is wonderful to learn Erik," she whispered in return. "Do tell me of it.." she hesitated, "if you are ready."

Erik smiled as he turned her head once more so that he might gaze into her eyes. "My darling Christine, I've so very much to tell you, so much indeed." His eyes glancing toward the door and then the wall that joined their room to the next. "I've much to tell you, but I fear it may have to wait until we've returned home, for I know not of who might hear our conversation."

Christine felt a small twinge inside. She was so very eager to learn of every detail, but once again, Erik's wisdom shone through. "I see," she said, a hint of displeasure in her tone.

Erik sensed her disappointment in her words. "Do not worry my dear, I've full intention to speak of everything to you, I shan't leave out even one detail." She smiled at him. He leaned over kissing her cheek. "I've much to tell you of Chauesser as well my dear. I do wish for you to know everything as I do even now." Erik hoping his words of assurance would alleviate, in part, Christine's impatience. He knew she'd no want to wait, indeed her impatience, and the way in which she tended to pout, was a bit endearing to him. It was part of the childish quality he'd come to love about her. She was always obedient, but her eyes, in fact the very way she held her shoulders, betrayed her true feelings.

Christine was turning herself to look at him fully so as to convey her understanding to him, when they heard whistling coming down the hall. A small pair of shuffling but even footsteps quite audible. They smiled at one another. It was the woman, and it was quite obvious she wanted her approach to be noticed.

The whistling paused outside of the room, a small voice calling out "Monsieur Courtland?"

Erik cocked his head, looking at Christine.

"We had to tell her our sir-name, we assumed she would have known it." She looked at Erik, hoping it did not meet with his disapproval. Courtland had been the name tossed about by many in his employ, she could only hope that it had been safe to use here.

"I see," Erik said, running his finger along Christine's jaw. She sighed in relief, he'd not minded. "Do come in dear woman, I'd like to introduce you to my wife!"

The curtain moved to one side as she came in, bearing a small bundle in her arms. "Why yes, I've already made the acquaintance of this lovely creature sir!" She said smiling as she stepped a few meters into the room.

Erik smiled at Christine who was blushing heavily. "Dear woman she is the one that…"

"Yes, I know." She said, interrupting him, as she walked over to the chair in the corner, unfolding what she'd carried into the room, then turning to face the pair. "She is the faceless girl in the portraits, the one you spoke of so fondly, hour after hour when you painted."

Erik blushed himself. That had not quite been what he'd expected the woman to say. "She is the one that I spoke of yes." He managed as he looked a bit embarrassedly toward the ground.

"She is as lovely as I'd imagined her to be sir, a lovely heart as well as a lovely face." Erik glanced at Christine. No doubt the pair of women had spent some time in conversation.

"Yes, we'd made a bit of conversation over the painting in the parlor. My dear, I never knew you to be such a prolific artist!" Christine interjected, a bit reservedly. Of course she knew the words were a bit hollow, as she'd seen much of his work at Courtland Manor, and the winter house as well, she simply did not know what else to say.

The woman turned toward them. "I'm afraid that I've need to retrieve a few supplies so that I might finish some," she paused, "some commissioned work. I hope you do not mind, but the two young men you've brought with you are even now having a bit of breakfast, and have agreed to take me out to the several shops that I've need to visit. I'm afraid the delivery services have not yet ventured out of doors since the storm." The woman's face turned toward Erik, and though her eyes gazed in his direction, they were without use, yet hauntingly focused.

Erik glanced at Christine. He knew in part it was his requests of this woman that caused her to go out, and he felt a bit guilty for it. Surely no messengers had come for her daily correspondence, so she'd have need to venture out to find one. Indeed, it would provide him with time, to at least in part, have conversation with Christine in utter privacy.

"It is very well that you suggest it. I think you will find that the pair are quite capable. In fact, please feel free to extend your travels for whatever you are in need of dear lady. It might be some time before deliveries of all sorts return to normal. You've no doubt need for many things having been several days without."

She smiled, in truth she could use a bit of assistance, as she'd no fresh milk, nor eggs, nor meat. Her other supplies had also waned. "If you do not mind.." she began.

"Dear lady, I do not mind, in fact I insist. It is the very least I can do for you in return for extending such courtesy to my wife and carriage men."

The woman smiled, grateful for the favored return. "We shall depart once the young men have finished their breakfast. I've no idea what it is they've been eating, but there is something in that basket that they've been feasting on. I offered them some pickled eggs and biscuits, but they declined. I suppose their palate is a bit different than mine!"

The three of them laughed. Christine could only imagine Erphan's face if he'd seen the boiled eggs in a jar of brine. She herself had only seen them once before, and that had been at the Opera House. Madame Giry on occasion had several jars in her room that seemed to disappear overnight, though she doubted the woman ever ate them. She glanced at Erik, perhaps they had been for him! He smiled knowingly at her.

"Yes, the young men do have different tastes than ours dear lady!" He replied with a laugh. "I'm quite certain that they are busily eating the lox and creamed cheese!"

He took Christine's hand, leading her over to the woman. "Now, it is a bit awkward, doing so quite after the fact, but I'd like to introduce the two of you." He took the woman's hand, placing Christine's hand in it. "This my dear lady, is my wife, Elizabeth." He turned to Christine, a bit of hesitant humility in his eyes, "this Elizabeth, is a fine woman whose acquaintance I'd made some years ago. She is a most kind and generous soul, and has tolerated my presence on a number of occasions." He said smiling at the woman, a touch of humor in his tone. The two woman shaking one another's hands in gentle acceptance of friendship.

"Indeed, he was often quite a handful my dear," the woman began. "He can be quite serious. It took him a good long while before he'd begun to appreciate my chiding. I'd almost given up hope that he'd any sense of humor at all." The comment making th trio smile widely. "It was not until one day when I'd made comment about the woman who'd just left. She was a rather snobbish bore who'd not understood why she simply could not have three dresses made in one day. I'd made some disparaging reference when I'd come into the very room we stand in now. He was busily painting the ceiling as I recall. It wasn't until the woman herself stormed into the room that I realized she'd not actually left before I'd started my ramblings! Needless to say she never returned, but our dear man and I had quite a laugh over what a huff the woman was in when she departed!"

Erik smiled at Christine. Indeed he recalled the incident. It had been one of the many moments that he'd embraced the woman's humanity. He smiled at her with fondness. She'd taught him a great many things, not the least of which, was that it was all very human to laugh at one's self from time to time. Not every mistake one made was of the most grave nature, and in fact some were in truth quite humorous.

"Now, if you do not mind, I shall be on my way. It might take a long while to retrieve all that is needed, several hours at least." She'd made a point to mention it. Inside she smiled to herself hoping that he'd take the advice she'd given him. The pair needed time alone, and there would be the inevitable conversation and explanation of the paintings in the parlor. Yes, her home would provide the haven the pair required. She nodded, and was gone.

Erik smiled at Christine, putting his hand on her shoulder, rubbing the length of her neck. She closed her eyes. The warmth of his hand penetrated the layers of her skin, soothing far more than her chill. She turned to him, slipping her arms around his waist. And he….he embraced her.

"Now what say you we have a cup of that tea that you've brewed?" He said, sliding his hand down into hers, leading her once more to the divan, tucking her in. She'd tried to protest, be he wouldn't hear of it. He'd insisted that she was doing the most important job, he was a mere bystander. He could do nothing less than provide every comfort that he thought she might require. As he poured the tea, the aroma rose to tickle at his senses, "is that elderberry?"

She nodded. "She said it had been your favorite when you'd visited." Erik smiled, indeed it was. "She said that during the summer months, you drank it by the liter, and that she'd brew it the night before, chilling it in the cellar for you to consume the next day."

Erik was nodding. He wondered how much else the woman had shared with Christine. They'd only been together a few hours. Surely she shan't have had time to tell her every story, every detail of the times he'd spent there!

Erik returned to Christine's side, two cups and saucers in hand. He sat down next to her, pulling a bit of the blanket over his legs as he leaned back into the divan.

Christine sat in marvel of his magnificence. Surely to some he might have seemed an unkempt mess, his hair in disarray, his white shirt loosed and hanging casually open down nearly to his navel. But to her, he was utterly perfect. He was entirely handsome and entrancing when he was at his groomed perfection, no doubt the envy of a great many men. But, when he was as he was now, a bit muddled and relaxed, she found him the most desirable. She watched as he took his first sip of tea. The steam swirling around his cheeks as he closed his eyes, embracing the fragrance and flavors of the brew. He smiled. It had not been since he was last there that he'd had a cup of elderberry. He never drank it other than that place. Yes, he could have had anything he desired whilst under the Opera House, but that, he'd reserved only to be consumed there, and there alone. It was in part, what made it all the more special.

Christine sat staring at him. No doubt he was warm, a hint of sweat on his chest glistened in the light cast from the fire as his muscles moved on his upper torso when he turned to set the cup down on the table. She smiled. No doubt he was enduring the extra warmth for her sake.

"Are you too warm my love?" Christine said smiling at him.

Erik listened as a pair of footsteps approached the room. He glanced at Christine to make certain she was properly covered. "Do enter young man."

It was Erphan. "Monsieur, Madame," he said as he entered the room. "We are ready to depart. Is there anything that you might require in the City that I might procure for you since we are here?"

Erik really hadn't thought of it, but he supposed it did make sense. How often had any of them been in Paris! "You are a thoughtful young man Erphan, that is most wise of you. We do have the rather large stow for luggage beneath the riding compartment. I suppose it does make sense to seize this opportunity." He rubbed his chin, turning to Christine. "My dear, is there anything you desire from Paris?"

Christine's heart leapt for joy, the though of having anything she wanted in all of the City, an offer such as this she'd never had before. She smiled, her first thought, and the one she could not get beyond, was the thought of seeing Meg and Madame Giry, if but for a few brief moments.

"What is it my love, what is it that you desire? Just name it, and it shall be yours." Erik said, running his hand beneath her jaw, tilting her down-turned head up to look into her eyes.

Erphan was looking away. "Perhaps I shall retrieve some parchment to make a list." He departed quickly, giving them a moment's privacy.

Erik leaned forward, kissing Christine's temple. "My love, I have funds for whatever it is you wish for…provided it is something we can carry home with us this afternoon!" He smiled at her, pushing the dark tendrils away from her face.

She swallowed hard. He'd asked her for whatever her heart desired, she'd be brave and tell him the truth. Her lips began to quiver as she looked up into his eyes. She stared into them for a few brief seconds, a lingering hope that he'd not find the request far too great.

"Christine?" Erik said, sliding his hand behind her back, gently embracing her. "Whatever is it that you are so hesitant to ask for? The world is yours my dear, whatever it is you ask of me." He leaned her back just slightly looking into her eyes.

"Erik….." she paused, "I'd like to see Meg, if only for a moment…I miss her terribly."

Erik sat back. Of all the things he thought she might ask for, chocolates, magazines, books, perfumes, she'd asked for something he'd not given thought to. He'd just penned a note to Nadir to be delivered by messenger, telling him of Christine's dream, and his intentions to move his household back to Courtland Manor once back in Chauesser. He'd asked for Nadir to arrange to bring Meg there in the coming weeks when he felt there was opportunity to do so without raising suspicion, and when the weather for traveling was more agreeable.

Christine immediately flushed with embarrassment. She knew the request was a great one for no doubt the arrangements would not be easy. She'd thought to beg his forgiveness for having been so bold, but she could find it in her to do nothing more than stare at the ground, fidgeting with the covers.

Erik's mind raced. How could this be done? Where… He sat silently for a moment and then rose.

Christine looked at him with a bit of concern in her eyes as he left the room without so much as a backward glance. She waited for what seemed to be a half-hour's time before she heard footsteps coming back down the hall.

Erik pushed open the curtain, coming in and pulling it closed behind him. He stood, facing the curtain as he listed to the door to the house firmly close. Then he turned to face her. Tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Erik?" Christine said, a bit of humble apology in her tone.

"Do not worry my dear, it shall be done for you." Erik said smiling at her as his tears fell glistening down his cheeks.

Christine nearly leapt from the divan into his arms. "I am sorry, I know that the request was great, but you asked for what I wanted, and all I that consumed my mind was…"

Erik embraced her. "Shhh….. it is alright my dear. My tears are not shed out of anger nor frustration." He leaned back looking into her eyes. "You are a beautiful spirit my love. Given all the world to choose from…" Erik swallowed trying to keep his emotions in, "all of Paris to choose from…and you chose friendship over all things material…" He ran his fingers along her jaw, smiling at her with such loving adoration. "She is right….you have the most tender, thoughtful soul of any I've ever known. I…I am a most fortunate man." With that Erik pulled Christine into a warm and loving embrace.

She began to cry. Not tears of sorrow, nay, tears of joy. She was loved, and she loved in return. She said nearly breathlessly, "thank you Erik, thank you….I love you" as she fell into his waiting, open arms.

Dear Faithfuls: There is a strong possibility that I may be away again on Friday. I won't know until after I've already posted this chapter. If you do not see an update on Friday, my sincere apology. I hope the cliffies are not far too great too bear! Bon Nuit!