"Oh Christine, My Christine

Yes you fled from my face once before

But Christine, what we shared even you can't ignore…"- Excerption from the diary of Erik.

Erik's POV

Over the next few days, I laid in bed trying to get better. When my new braces finally came in, Christine hooked them to my legs and tried to help me walk. I was still itchy when it came to others touching me, but it gradually began to pass. Though, I was still recovering, I wanted to do something nice for Christine. I knew she wanted to marry me, and so I decided to make that my next task. It was extremely hard for me to get back into working, but what else was I to do? Tasks needed to be completed and unfortunately I was the owner. Because of my frightened attitude, Christine had not slept with me, which for a while was perfectly fine, but I began missing it. Though, I know she would have joined me if I asked, but I was afraid of hurting her and not even knowing it.

One morning I was laying there staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Deciding to get up, I reached over for my braces and locked my legs into them. Afterwards, I stood up from bed and latched onto the wall to help me walk across the room to get to my desk. It took a while for me to be able to stand again, but with Christine's patience and help, I was able to do it. Walking on the other hand was something that was going to take time. When I made it to my desk, I took a seat and began working on sketches for a casino I wanted to build on the other side of the park.

I had finished sketching it, and was about to add some color to my drawing when I felt a hand touch my shoulder. The instant feeling caused my body to flinch and drop my pencils.

"I'm sorry…"

I turned to spot Christine apologizing to me over and over again. She was dressed in her robe, and by the disheveled style of her hair it was obvious that she just woke up.

"Christine, it's my fault. I shouldn't have flinched."

"And I shouldn't have touched you."

"You have every right to touch me."

"What are you doing out of bed?" she asked. "And how did you get out on your own?"

I turned back to my drawing, and picked up my pencils.

"I have my ways."

She pressed a kiss to my neck, and smiled.

"Really….Well then, why don't you come out into the kitchen and get to making breakfast."

"I'd rather not." I teased. "It might take me hours to get to the kitchen."

"Right, I'm sure it would. I guess I'll make it."

"I feel terrible for you having to sleep on that couch." I said switching the subject.

"Erik, it's fine, really….Besides, you need the bed more than I do."

"Are you afraid of me, Christine?"

Christine spun me around, and placed her lips against my own.

"Erik, never…."

"Come back to bed with me. I miss you so much, Christine. Your Erik would behave himself….or at least try to do no harm by you."

"I miss you too, Erik."

"Does that mean you'll sleep beside me again?"

"Of course."

When Christine left to make breakfast, I flipped my pages and began to jot down notes, notes and ideas about my wedding, our wedding, the one I would give to Christine. I wanted to marry her, and so I would. Yes, people still talked about how horrible I was throughout Phantasma, but I no longer cared, I was going to marry the woman I loved. I would make this wedding a surprise, one that she and I would remember for the rest of our days. Let them call me a rapist, and a monster…Christine loved me and that's all that mattered.

A little while later, Christine came walking into my room and helped me into my robe. Afterwards, she lifted me up to my feet and helped me to the kitchen where Eudora and Dimitri were already sat.

"Morning, papa."

Oh, hearing that wonderful phrase instantly warmed my heart. It felt wonderful not having to wear my mask around the flat anymore.

"Morning, little one."

Then I looked at the boy. As much as I hated the fact of him living with us, I knew I needed to get used to it, because he was most likely going to be staying for an extremely long time. I didn't know why I disliked him, but maybe it was the fact that he looked exactly like me….without the facial deformity of course. Though, he was quiet, and hardly ever said a word, which was comforting.

"How are you feeling today, papa?"

"Alright, I guess." I replied, sipping on my juice Christine had sat down in front of me. "Better than yesterday."

Having Eudora treat me like a father felt wonderful. Breakfast was the best one ever due to the fact that it felt wonderful to be called by "Papa" and not Erik. When breakfast was over, I was helped back to my room where I continued jotting down my ideas for our wedding. But there was one problem, how was I supposed to get everything together with the condition I was in? I couldn't….And I knew if Christine saw me leaving the flat she would most likely stop me or follow me, which would ruin the surprise. I wanted to marry her in the chapel I had built years ago, the same one she and I married in before the eyes of God. I wanted everything to be perfect, roses lining every inch of the chapel, a beautiful gown, a service, I wanted everything.

But first, I needed a date. I needed time to get myself back in shape, and able to walk down the isle on my own. It was already the middle of summer. I knew if I worked at it, I'd be able to be married within a few weeks. I chose the date of August 15th, and began writing a letter to Mr. Squelch. He was my most trusted employee, and I knew he would get everything ready by that date. I sealed the letter explaining everything I wanted, and called Eudora into my room.

"Yes, Papa?"

She poked her head into the room, and smiled widely.

"I need you to take this letter to Mr. Squelch."

"Really?" she gasped in excitement. "What's inside it?"

"Nothing." I told her. "Just take this to Mr. Squelch and don't stop until you give this to him."

I handed her the sealed letter, and she kissed my malformed face; something that stopped my heart and instantly warmed it all at the same time.

"Yes, papa. I'll see you later on."

"Yes, little one."

"I love you."

I paused, and watched her approach the door.

I smiled.

"I love…I love you too."

And with that, she left.

Eudora's POV

I skipped through the crowded streets of Phantasma as Dimitri came running after me. He had been taking an extra long time with getting dressed, so I left without him.

"Eudora…wait up."

I stopped, and turned to wait for him. When he finally caught up to me, I realized that he was still trying to finish dressing himself.

"You left without me."

"You were taking too long." I said buttoning his shirt for him. "Papa wanted me to take this letter to his employee, Mr. Squelch."

He eyed the letter in my hand, and reached for it, but I pulled away.

"What are you doing?"

"I want to see it."

"Papa said I'm not supposed to stop until I give it to Mr. Squelch."

"But what if it's a map, like in the story you read me?" he gasped. "The one about Black Beard?"

I laughed.

"Dimitri, that's only a story. Things like that don't really happen."

"But what if your papa really buried a treasure in Phantasma and that's the map?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Dimitri…..I really need to stop reading you stories. They're going to your head."

"But what if it's true….please open it."

"No…."

"Please, Eudora."

I knew Dimitri wasn't going to give up until I did it, so I stopped near Nathan's hotdogs to open the letter.

"Just a peek." I assured. "Only to prove that it's not a treasure map."

I went against my father's will and opened the envelope just enough to pull out the folded letter. I unfolded it, and looked down at my father's scratchy handwriting. As I read it, my eyes widened. No, this wasn't a treasure map, it was a letter with a list of instructions, instructions that were to be followed, instructions for my papa's marriage to my mother! My papa was going to marry my mother!

"So what's it say?" Dimitri asked, trying to look at the letter.

"It's not a treasure map, Dimitri, it's a list of instructions for my mother's wedding."

"Wedding?" he curiously questioned.

"Yes, my papa is throwing my mother a secret wedding."

"What's a wedding?"

I folded the letter into my pocket, and pulled Dimitri along.

"Come, I'll show you."

"Where are we going?"

"To the chapel."

I raced all the way to the beautiful chapel that mother loved so much. She often took me when ever she went to pray for my grandfather. She always bragged about how badly she wanted to be married in it, and I was excited to know that she would.

"What's this place?"

"A chapel." I said, pulling Dimitri past it's whitewashed doors. "My papa built it for people to be married in."

"You're still talking about this marriage thingy. What does it mean?"

Dimitri was so innocent that he didn't know about most things. Explaining them to him was even harder so I always tried used examples from the books I read him.

"Well, do you remember the story I read to you a while ago? The one about Cinderella?"

He nodded.

"Yes, the one about the glass slipper and the ugly step sisters."

"Right. So do you remember the part about living happily ever after?"

Once again he nodded.

"Well, that's what happens when you get married. You live happily ever after."

"If your mother is going to live happily ever after, then why didn't we see her step sisters? And how come your papa didn't try to fit the glass slipper on her foot?"

I giggled.

"Dimitri, you're confusing yourself again. Happily ever after is marriage. I was only using the story as an example."

"So how exactly does one live happily ever after?"

"I'll show you."

I gently pushed him towards the alter, as I stayed back towards the doors.

"Go and stand at the alter. You'll be the groom?"

"The broom?"

Once again I giggled at Dimitri's innocence.

"No, silly, the groom…..also known as the husband or in your case, the prince from the book."

"Ohhhh….ok…"

When Dimitri was standing at the alter, I began slowly walking down the isle.

"I'm the wife, or the princess….She'll walk down the isle and people will stand."

"Then what?"

When I was at the alter, I took Dimitri's hands in my own.

"We join hands and the ceremony starts. Someone will be up here to help us recite our vows."

"Vows?"

"Yes, It's another word for keeping a promise."

"What promise?"

"That I Eudora, take Dimitri to be his loving wife through sickness and in health until death do we part."

"You do?"

"No, not really, but that's what my mother would say…."

"To me?"

"No, to my papa…."

"Well, then what should I say?"

"The same thing I just said."

"Can I try?"

I nodded, and Dimitri cleared his throat before trying.

"I Eudora take…."

"No, no, no…." I laughed. "With your name."

"Oh….I Dimitri, take Eudora to be her loving prince through sickness and in health until death do we part."

"Good…."

"And then what happens?"

"The man pronounces us prince and princess, and then you get to kiss the bride."

"What? Ewww….Kiss?"

"Yes….kissing is how you know you really love someone."

I was about to break hands with Dimitri, when all of a sudden, his lips pressed against my own for a quick kiss. It was wet, and sort of gross, but I kind of liked it. We instantly broke away, and looked at each other, too embarrassed to say a word of what just happened.

"Um….race you to the arcade to find Mr. Squelch." I replied.

"Ok, let's go."

And as we raced, I could only wonder if that's what love really felt like?

Erik's POV

I worked on my casino all day long, drawing sketches of the inside, coloring every detail the way it was meant to. Christine had left me alone mostly, never bothering me for a single second. It wasn't that I didn't like being undisturbed, it was just that…..I missed her.

"Christine?" I called her name, deciding to take a break due to my hand cramping from how much I had sketched out.

"Yes, Erik?" she poked her head into the room, with an open book in hand.

"Could you open the window, please? It's a bit stuffy in here?"

"Yes, of course." she bounced over to the window, and opened it, letting the warm breeze flow inside. But Christ, I was treating her like my slave.

"How's your work coming along?" she asked.

"Um, just fine."

I was actually feeling cramped, and my bottom was beginning to get a little sore. It had been sore ever since Jefro…..I stopped, dreading the thought of the horrible memories.

"Erik, are you ok?"

"I'm a little sore." I confessed.

"Would you like to lay down for a while? The doctor said you should nap at least twice a day."

A nap did seem nice, but only if Christine would do it with me.

"Would you lay with me?"

She gently lifted me out of my chair.

"Anything for you, mon ange."

When I was placed in bed, Christine unlocked the braces from around my legs, and placed them aside. It felt wonderful being free from the contraptions, and she even massaged my legs.

"Is that where you're sore?" she asked.

"A little."

"Where else?"

"Everywhere."

I closed my eyes to relax myself, only to feel Christine's lips gliding across my collar bone. It felt so wonderful, so wonderful that I even groaned. It had been so long since I last experienced such a feeling. But when I felt her begin to suck at my neck, I gasped loudly, and clutched the bed sheets within my fist.

"Christine…..oh, mon ange…."

"I've missed you so much." she gasped in between kisses. "I've wanted you for so long."

I laid there completely helpless and in such bliss. Her hands wandered around my body, caressing my chest and neck ever so lovingly as her kisses became more fierce.

"Make love to me, Erik."

Her plead for me to make love to her burned throughout my body. Yes! Yes I wanted to make love to her, but I was afraid….afraid the feeling of her body against my own in such a way would set me off into a violent fit. I would never be able to live with myself knowing that I hurt her. My angel was already unfastening her dress, as if I had agreed. She didn't know the abuse that came my way the whole time I was with Jefro. But how could I tell her? I sat up, and gently clasped her hands within my own to stop her from undressing. Her chest was heaving a mile a minute, so anxious for us to become one again.

"Christine, please, don't be in such a rush."

"But I am, Erik. I want to make love to you again. We both need this."

"I know, Christine, but I'm afraid."

She cupped my cheek.

"Of what?"

"Hurting you. I don't want to be set off and strangle you or…..oh, God, it's horrible."

"I'll be gentle and slow with you, Erik. You've been through a lot, and I promise not to make you uncomfortable."

She then laid down, and pulled me on top of her. She teased me by pulling the remainder of her gown down inch by inch. I kissed her chest, letting the joyous feeling of tasting her body return to me.

"Erik…."

I felt her fingers prying away my robe, exposing my back for her hands to roam upon. I felt her fingers tracing the lumpy scars scattered throughout my hideous body. It had been a year since I've had a release, and her beautiful body was making it hard for me to stand it any longer. Her hands were now working on my trousers, pulling them down with all her force, making me kiss her neck like a rabid animal. When I felt Christine's fingers clasp around my member, I sighed so loudly that it caused Christine to do the same.

"Oh, Christine….you're driving your Erik mad."

"Then I shall have to take care of that." she teased, flipping me over onto my back. My chest was heaving as she discarded her dress and climbed up onto my body, aligning her self with me. Then slowly, inch by inch, she lowered herself onto my hardened member. I arched my hips against her own, causing her to become completely sheathed over me. Our hips moved against one another's as our hearts pounded to create a symphony. Just the image of her riding me was enough to drive me completely wild. I was already so close to finishing, but didn't want it to end this way. I flipped her over onto her back, and thrust into her with all my might causing her to call out my name.

"Erik…..Yes…..Don't stop…."

"I don't intend to." I gasped, kissing her ear.

Christine had finished before me, causing my climax to occur straight after. We lay there still connected, our hearts pounding against each others.

"Erik?"

I placed my face into her soft curls, and sighed.

"Yes, Christine?"

"You were breathtaking."

I smiled.

"Yes, I know….I myself am finding it hard to breathe."

"Erik…." Christine giggled, and kissed my bare shoulder. I then fell asleep, with Christine laying beside me. I still had a lot of work to do on getting better before the wedding, but for now, I was exhausted. When I woke from my nap, Christine was gone, but Eudora was sitting at my desk doing god knows what! When I sat up, I noticed that I was naked beneath the covers.

"Hi, papa…."

I pulled the blankets up to my neck to try and cover myself from my daughter.

"Where is your mother?"

"She and Dimitri went out for some groceries."

When I tried to reach for my robe that was scattered around the floor, Eudora handed it to me.

"Thank You."

I wrapped it around me, and began locking my bare legs into my braces.

"Mother said you're supposed to stay in bed."

"Well, I have to go to the bathroom."

I grasped the bed frame, and used the wall to help me to the bathroom.

"You're very wobbly." she observed. "How are you ever going to walk down the isle with mother?"

This stopped my heart. I should have known she would open the letter! But I trusted her!

"Ooops…"

I turned to face my daughter, and crossed my arms.

"It was Dimitri's idea." she blurted out. "He thought it was a treasure map."

"Eudora, I told you not to read it."

"Sorry, papa….really…"

"Does your mother know?" I growled.

"No! I swear! I didn't tell her!"

"And the boy?"

"He didn't either. I promise to keep it a secret."

"It better stay that way. I don't need your mother knowing."

"Knowing what?" came a familiar voice.

I popped my head up to see Christine walking inside with a curious smile across her face.

"Um…..that I'm up and about." I lied.

"And why are you up?" she questioned.

"Papa had to go to the bathroom." Eudora told her.

Christine approached me, and grasped hold to my arm to help me into the bathroom.

"You shouldn't be up, Erik."

"I had to piss, Christine."

When I was in front of the toilet, Christine turned her back to give me my privacy.

"I would have expected to wake up with you beside me."

"I needed to go to the bazaar to buy some vegetables for the stew I wanted to make for dinner."

And while Christine was busy with dinner, I sat at my desk, working on the wedding I would soon give the love of my life…The hardest part was going to be keeping Eudora quiet….

Ok everyone, please review! Oh, and if you haven't already, check out my new story "Cloaked Under the Night." Some of you have already tuned into that one. Thanks! I shall be updating that one as soon as this one comes to a close, which isn't much longer.