In case you all haven't realized, I'm not in school anymore therefore I have much more time to update, I am sorry for neglecting the story for most of the school year but I promise to make it up to you all.

-Margo

Chapter 30 –

Elizabeth stepped off the stage and sat in her seat as little Andrew stepped onto the stage. He saw his parents smiled and waved slightly before realizing he wasn't allowed to do that.

The organ began to play in the background and the boys voice was heard. From the moment the show began Elizabeth could not keep a smile off her face.

During her solo in Cinderella, Caroline's voice cracked on one particularly long note, and Elizabeth could see the girl was horrified but she saw Elizabeth give a reassuring smile and she continued the song beautifully.

Andrew and Jennifer Billings were adorable as Hansel and Gretel and the music sounded great. The orchestra class played short five minute intervals between the shows. In Sleeping Beauty there was a small problem with one of the instrumental students dropping his sheet music, but it worked itself out. Jimmy managed to steal the show in his solo before he woke up the sleeping princess.

The ballet in the Frog Prince looked beautiful, and although Elizabeth heard murmur before it started about there only being two singers, it was a great success and the two were given a standing ovation after their duet at the end.

Hattie as the Grandmother in Little red Riding hood was amazing and Elizabeth was so proud of her. Emily was adorable and Elizabeth reminded herself she needed to let the girl keep the red cloak, it was so sweet.

In Rapunzel, Brianna and Frederick, even with the obvious age and height difference we a very sweet duet and Elizabeth caught Erik's gaze for the first time of the night and gave him a huge smile.

Finally in Snow White which also contained the entire ballet class the Applause was amazing and the students were beaming. The music students stood up and the crowed cheered again. When Elizabeth was expecting them to be ushered off stage they remained.

Caroline and one of the older ballet students stepped forward. "Before we finish tonight, we on behalf of all the students would love to thank the people who have made this all possible." One of the instrumental students had also joined the two on stage. "Jeffery?" Caroline said to the boy.

"We have spent the entire year with the most amazing teachers. The instrumental class has had an amazing year and we awe that all to our beloved teachers Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Colvin." He motioned toward them. "Could you please come up on stage?" The two men did and they thanked the crowd. "These two men have done an amazing job with us all, many of us have had very little experience playing, but these two men have made us so much better. Thank you." He turned to the ballerina. "Madeline?"

She stood forward. "This year was the first year for our new ballet mistress. Madam Hartford is an amazing and talent dancer and teacher. We are forever in her debt for what she has done for us. We are grateful that she has chosen to teach us when we all know that she could easily still be dancing in opera houses all over the world." Meg had made her way up to the stage. "I am sad that I am leaving next year, but I know that you will do an amazing job with your students next year." Meg hugged the girl and Elizabeth watched her husband and an older woman who could only be the her mother stood up and clapped for her.

Now it was Caroline's turn. "The vocal class this year has had many ups and downs, but the best thing that has happened for us was the introduction to the greatest teacher any of us have ever had. Mr. Erik, has been an amazing accompanist tonight, and has done just as well for us since he arrived in December. Not only did he play tonight and teach us the music, he wrote a large amount of it with the school headmistress. I will be leaving this year, and I am jealous that my classmates get more time with him, but I am grateful for what I had." She looked toward the organ where he was still sitting. "Mr. Erik, come here!" She called to him. When he didn't she went over to him and drug him onto the stage. "Thank you." She said quietly and hugged him. He lightly returned it.

The three students kept their teacher on the stage. "Finally before we let you depart for the night we would like to invite the person who has made this all possible, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, to the stage." Everyone on stage and off stood and clapped for her.

"Miss Bennet has made it possible for all of us to be here, she had put her heart and soul into this school and we are all so grateful for it. We love you so much Miss Bennet and we will never forget what we have learned and experienced here at your school."

Tears filled Elizabeth eyes and her smile never shone brighter. She pulled all three of the students into a big hug and then hugged her four teachers. Erik held her for a split second longer than anyone making her much more confident that everything was perfect. "Thank you all for coming tonight, I just want to thank all of the talented students for attending my school, and all the parents for allowing them to attend it, also. In addition I would like to thank my entire staff, these four amazing teachers here as well as my academic teachers sitting two rows back, and my overnight, and kitchen staff who make everything possible in this school. Thank you all, I promise there is nowhere else on earth I would rather be." The crowd all stood for a final time and the curtain finally fell.

Elizabeth could feel Erik's reassuring hand on her waist as he could tell she was going to cry, and she did.

Before leaving that night she spent a minute with every student sin the school, and she made sure everyone had gotten a hug. Erik waited patiently for her. She finished and sent all the students upstairs, or home to their parents. "Are you ready to go?" Erik asked.

"Yes." She smiled and he put his hand on the small of her back and lead her forward. "You did amazing tonight."

"Thank you." He replied simply.

"Did you have fun?"

"Of course, everything went beautifully."

"It is sad though isn't it?" Elizabeth sighed. "I am going to miss the older students so much.

"Did you know Brianna is not returning next year?" Erik asked her remembering earlier that day.

"Yes, her mother informed me yesterday. I tried to beg her to let her stay for her last year, but it was hopeless." He nodded. "But enough about everyone else, I want to talk to you."

"It is very late you know."

"Erik you have been avoiding this conversation forever, please?"

"Why is it that no matter how much I want to, I can never deny you what you desire?" She smiled triumphantly. "What do you want to know?"

"Are you going to stay here? No one really know whether you will or not."

"Of course I will stay; the fact that you are even asking this startles me."

"I don't know, like I told you, I can never see to think clearly with you. Another thing, what are we to do? You know I love you dearly, but I don't know what to do about our relationship. I understand that I do not have the reputation of a proper woman, in fact, you living at my house probably sealed the deal on that, but I don't think it would benefit either of us or the school if we have a relationship in public without the proper situations."

"Marriage?"

"I am not telling you to propose right his moment, in fact that is not even what is on my mind, I just think we should keep our relationship as quiet as possible until we are ready for that. In the summer I am sure we will have time to breathe and discuss all this, but that doesn't mean I want us to not have an intimate relationship. I assure you that I do, I really do." He laughed at her tone. "It's not a joking matter Erik, I know what I want and you have been keeping me at arms length this long and it is not an enjoyable experience." He pulled her into and intimate embrace and they continued to walk home. They had left Dallas at the school deciding a walk in the cool night air would be much more enjoyable.

After walking for about five minutes Elizabeth felt it begin to rain. "Dammit." Erik said annoyed. "Now we cannot be angry at the two children."

"Of course we can, we are grown adults who make our own decisions, Caroline and Daniel must listen to the adults in their lives." He pulled her closer and wrapped her in his cloak with him sheltering her from the rain.

Thankfully they were not far from the house and as soon as they arrived they both went to their respective rooms and changed into warm robes. Erik hurried back to her room and found her curled up in a chair next to the fire. She stood up and they both sat together next to the fire on the rug.

The two were exhausted and although Elizabeth could feel the heat radiating from his body both were too tired to do anything about it. They both fell asleep soon afterward. Elizabeth woke up to find Erik pressed tightly against her back and never felt more comfortable. "Good sleep?" He asked.

"Do you ever sleep?"

"I slept for about a half an hour, I was much more content to feel you breathing next to me." She sighed and rolled to face him. She kissed him lightly at first, but he pulled her closer. "This is going to progress farther than we…"

"Erik, if you object to this again I will kill you." He laughed, knowing she was probably telling the truth. She liked the feel of him laughing as she kissed him.

"I still will not take your virginity Elizabeth." He stated and she pulled back he couldn't read her expression.

"Why not Erik? Why will you not just give in to what we both want?" She was hurt, and angry, and he knew what he was about to say would hurt her more.

"Because you deserve better than that Elizabeth," He sat up and looked away from her. "Since I have arrived here I have tarnished your reputation probably beyond repair. Your own staff spreads rumors of our relationship, I am sure of it, if I were to take your virginity and heaven forbid get you with child before we ever married it would reflect at the academy. I will not let you lose your precious students just so that we are satisfied for one night."

"I am pretty sure we will not be a one night affair Erik." She replied. "I understand what you are saying but it is hard. I do not believe I have ever wanted something this much, and you of all people know that I hardly ever am denied what I want."

"We must use some of that self control we both have very much of and keep this as mild as possible." He kissed her again. "I think it best we both remain fully clothed." He kissed her tenderly for a few minutes trying to get her to calm down, and not completely hate him forever. "Marry me Elizabeth."

"Erik, jumping into marriage for the sole purpose of sexual relations is worse than what I want."

"I am not only suggesting this because of this conversation my dear. Earlier today, when I ran off during lunch I went to see the jeweler."

"Oh Erik." She was more shocked than anything.

"Unfortunately I have no idea of your ring size and was not able to get the one I wanted sized, so I am just praying it will fit. It is in my own room, I can go get it."

"I don't need a ring Erik."

"I know, but you deserve it."

"How can you afford a ring on the salary I pay you?" She asked, being only partially honest.

"I have not needed to spend any amount of my salary since Christmas, I've been saving for something special, and today I knew what that was." He replied happily.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure Elizabeth; I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't. Now say yes."

"He orders, and yet I hold all the control." She giggled.

"You sound like one of your students." He pulled her closer and she settled between his legs. "Now, my dear, say yes and make me the happiest man on earth."

"Yes." She whispered as he pulled her mouth up to his.

"Good." He replied. "Now I shall return to my own room."

"What? Erik!"

"I want my bride to be begging for me by my wedding night." With that, he left the room and Elizabeth sat staring at the door in disbelief as she sat on the floor. She wanted to seek revenge on him, but they both knew he was right, she would most likely be reduced to begging, and she also knew that there was no way they would be having a long engagement.