I moved away from his shoulder and looked at him, a bewildered expression on my face "pardon?" I said breathless.

"Marry me." He repeated.

I felt heat rising to my face "it's a little rash, a bit sudden…" I put a hand to my face "I—I don't know what to say."

He grabbed my hands and kissed them "I know Christine, It's a bit rash and completely sudden but it just feels right. I don't have much to offer you but I can promise you that I'll be by your side forever, I would never hurt you, just say yes, I promise you'd never regret it."

I looked at him and laughed slightly "well then yes!" I laughed and clasped his face between my hands squishing it slightly and kissed him "a thousand times yes." I smiled and placed kisses all over his face. "Tomorrow."

Erik looked at me, it was his time to be confused "come again?"

I looked at him and let out a small laugh "Tomorrow, let's get married tomorrow. After the church service."

He looked at me and clasped my face in his hands "You're crazy you know that?" he laughed slightly and kissed me.

I laughed "So I've been told."

He laughed "but we haven't any rings."

I looked at him "We don't need them, for now at least." My eyes searched his waiting for a decision

"Tomorrow then" he smiled.

"Tomorrow" I whispered and we kissed.

Erik and I made our way from the stern of the ship and back to his cabin. It was warm and welcoming and I had noticed someone built a fire in a fireplace I wasn't aware of. The warmth tickled my cheeks which were close to being frozen solid. Erik led me to the couch that was stragically placed in front of the fireplace, unlike my stateroom where there were no seats next to the fireplace at all. A blanket was wrapped around me and a body sat next to mine. I looked over at Erik and studied his face. The fire from the fireplace danced across his face and he looked gorgeous. I bit my bottom lip and then leaned up to kiss him.

I smiled up at him, and kissed him again, this time I had decided to be bold and I straddled his lap, which seemed to be a good move on my part as Erik welcomed the risqué move with a slight smile. I pulled away from the kiss and looked at him "I can't promise that I can take the pain away" I gently kissed the scar on his bottom lip "I can't promise that life would be easy like this all the time." I kissed the bottom part of the long scar on his face "But I promise that I will always be there for you." I kissed up the scar which was smooth as the rest of his face "and I promise I'll be the best wife I could possibly be." I made my way further up the scar, near the tip of his nose "and that I'll always be by your side" I made my way to his eye "And I'll never, ever hurt you." I kissed at the top of the scar that started above his eyebrow "I promise." I looked at him and smiled slightly "I love you, Erik." I smiled widely, it had been the first time either of us had said it.

"I love you too, Christine." He whispered.

I smiled and pressed my lips against his, within minutes they became passionate. I knew where this was going and I was going to let it happen, before the eyes of God, to consummate our marriage before it even happened and before I knew it, the blanket I had on my shoulders was off to the floor, Erik's hands fumbled with the buttons on my back.

I laughed slightly "I'm sorry." I pressed my forehead against his and laughed loudly "I'm so sorry!" I said breathlessly and felt my face get hot.

"Turn around" He said breathlessly and took me off his lap, putting me on the floor, I sat on my knees and Erik kneeled behind me and worked on the buttons. He pulled the ribbon out of my hair and kissed the back of my neck and as he worked on the buttons some more, he kissed down my shoulder and back up to the side of my neck. I leaned my head in the opposite direction, granting him access.

I felt the dress slip off my shoulders a short time later and I couldn't help but laugh as I heard a grunt from behind me "damn thing." He started working at the corset that was bound tightly, as if it didn't want to let me free.

"Erik…" I looked at the dress heap on the floor. He grunted a reply "I'm so sorry." I busted out in laughter "It seems as if they didn't want people to do such an act." My face turned red and I heard Erik laugh slightly.

Erik worked tirelessly on the laces for what seemed like hours. I felt the corset's tight grip around my waist and hips release me, I could have turned around and kissed Erik right there, thanking him for taking the dreadful thing off me. He stood up and I slowly stood up too, now just in my chimesy and my knickers. I breathed lightly as I turned around to face Erik, trying not to blush and trying to keep calm.

I had given Erik my all; my everything and for the first time in my life, and that night, we made love.

Hours later, after Erik and I had stole a shower together; he helped me get back into my corset and dress. My hair was now hanging loosely down my back, not put up in the sophisticated style I had it in earlier. Erik looked disheveled and unkept but his eyes danced with excitement and passion.

"Do I have to leave?" I mumbled as I was once again pressed against him. Our bodies shielded by clothes and we both protested to this many times over.

He nodded "I will see you in a short time, my dear." He broke apart from the hug and twirled me around slightly "For the church service and the service of our own." He smiled.

I looked at him and couldn't help but smile wide "Our own." I giggled slightly and looked at him "Please walk me back to my stateroom?" I grabbed his hand and smiled "I think it wouldn't look so suspicious if was walking around the ship with First Officer Erik Holloway as it would if I was walking by myself. I'm sure some of the men are still up, but I wouldn't want to take the chance to run into someone I know."

Erik nodded "Yes, of course." He tucked in his shirt and pulled on his jacket, buttoning it up. I grabbed his hat and as soon as we exited Erik's cabin, I plopped it on his head. He smiled and gave me a wink and walked me up to where my stateroom was located.

"Tonight was lovely; I would like to thank you for taking me star gazing." My eyes danced with unspoken the unspoken deed, my smile held the biggest secret of all. The star gazing wasn't what had made the night so wonderful.

He smiled and nodded "I knew you'd like that." He reached up and played with a curl. "You must get some sleep, do what the nurse told you to." He winked.

I smiled and nodded "Yes, of course. Good night." I opened the door and stood there for a second "I'll see you in church tomorrow, won't I?" I winked.

He laughed quietly and nodded "Of course."

I smiled "then I shall save you a seat."

He nodded and I blew him a kiss before shutting the door.

I looked at the clock that ticked carelessly away on the mantle. It was midnight and all was well.

Author's Note: In the current situation that just came to light about about their sexual explicit content I regret to take down the scene where Christine and erik "Do it". If you'd like to read the original chapter; sexual content and all then please email me at setudor7 I am doing this because I'd be so disappointed if this story was taken down and I'd have to re-post it. So as I have said before please email me if you'd like to read the original version! Thank you!