834Folks, here it is! The last chapter to a story that has been a part of my life since March 2014, Wow. I wish to humbly thank those of you who have read, favored, followed and especially reviewed over the last year and a half. I try to take our super couple on an adventure each time I write a new story and I hope you have enjoyed the ride.
So what's next? I did speak of updating each story to include a song listing and that will start up soon. Who knows? Maybe it might get some of you to read my previous tales. LOL
I do plan on writing a fourth story, entitled, "A Gentleman's Agreement." I hope that you will join me on the next Erik and Christine journey. Look for the new story sometime in October. Until then, be well, be prosperous, be happy and above all else, be E/C fans for life!
Note- Erik's vows are taken from the poem, "I carry your heart" by E.E. Cummings.
Erik stared at Nadir with his mouth gapping open. He then shook his head to regain some clarity and spoke.
"I… Our? But this is… How? I don't even have a license for Italy!"
Nadir laughed. "I know." He pulled a document out of his pocket. "I already took care of that. Our resident priest here was most helpful."
Erik took the document, looked up at the priest and saw him kindly nod. He then turned to Christine.
"Angel, I….. Everything happened so fast yesterday. It's not that I didn't want to ask you or plan to or…." He then took her hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes. "Will you marry me, Christine? Here in front of God and all?" He smiled a little when he remembered that he had asked her that very same question when they reunited at the Opera House.
Christine couldn't believe her eyes. Was this a dream? Could her foster mother and Nadir have actually been planning her wedding all along? The church was decorated just as she would have liked. She was getting married before a priest and although, she knew that she didn't need to marry before a priest to have a holy marriage, she was deliriously happy to know that she and Erik didn't have to sacrifice a thing. Their union was blessed and accepted by all. It was a sign to her that moving forward, she and Erik would no longer have such a struggle.
Thank you, Papa. I love you. Christine then nodded and answered back to the love of her life. "I will marry you, Erik before anyone and everyone. For I am forever yours and you will always be mine."
Erik grinned in delight. "Then let's get on with the ceremony."
The priest took the document from Erik and then looked at both the proud groom and blushing bride.
"I understand that this has been a long time coming."
There was laughter from their family and Erik and Christine couldn't help but join in and agree.
The priest opened up his book but before he could begin, Christine motioned for him to stop.
"Father, please wait." She then looked at Erik. "Angel, I want to marry you today. Your true self, just as we did that night at the Opera House. Will you please remove your mask?"
Erik froze. After all this time, everyone had seen him at one point without any mask, whether it be white, black or flesh. Yet he couldn't help but worry. What if the priest saw his face and refused to marry them?
The priest looked at them rather oddly. "Mask?"
Christine took Erik's hand. "My angel was born with a birth defect, Father. I have seen it many times and so has our family. It matters nothing to me, for I love him completely. You see, his true face brought us together. For I am sure if he had not been born with it, we never would have met, let alone allow him to take such an interest in a gawkish girl."
The priest smiled at the courage and faith Christine displayed and it was obvious she loved the man dearly. "My son, if it pleases you, please do so. Don't make your future wife upset. It is one of the cardinal rules of matrimony" He chuckled.
Darius leaned over and whispered to Meg, "Where did your mother and Nadir find this priest? I have never seen anyone like him before."
"That's why he was the perfect choice to marry them." She then placed her finger on her lips to keep them both quiet.
Erik was overwhelmed. "Are you sure, Christine?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do it or I will?" She giggled.
Erik smiled but was still hesitant. However he wasn't afraid. Christine loved him and she wanted him exactly as he was. This was her way of telling him that she claimed him and the world can either accepted it or leave them in their bliss. He nodded and kissed her hand, before he took his flesh mask off. He bowed his head and after a few seconds, he didn't hear anyone gasp or scream or utter anything relating to disgust.
He then felt Christine place her hands on his face and slowly brought his head up to meet her eyes. "I see before me, the only man I have ever loved." She turned to the priest. "I'm ready now to marry the love of my life."
The priest was in awe by the deep love this couple had for one another. "I was prepared to preform our traditional vow exchange but after seeing the love and affection you have for one another, I feel that these words would not do you both justice. Would you two rather recite your own vows?"
Erik felt a lump in his throat but still answered the priest. "Father, our hearts have been husband and wife for years. I don't know what words I can speak to express my feelings for this amazing woman before me, who might I add, was never, ever gawkish."
Christine giggled as she held Erik's hand tighter. "My precious….."
His eyes never left hers. "However I know my wife has always wanted to marry in a church and my sole mission is to make her happy." He grinned and looked up at the priest. "And you said it was a cardinal marriage vow."
He then looked back at Christine. "I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart. I am never without it. Anywhere I go, you go my dear and whatever is done by only me, is your doing, my darling. I fear no fate. For you are my fate, my sweet. I want no world. For beautiful, you are my world, my true and you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing, is you. Here is the deepest secret nobody knows. Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life, which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide. This is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart. I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart."
Bets and Aaron held one another while both of them had tears in the eyes, as they heard Erik's words of love.
"The man is so romantic….."
"Hush now, Bets, he's spoken for, remember?"
She hit his arm but then kissed his cheek.
Christine couldn't control her tears and try as she might, she couldn't get any words out when the priest asked if she had anything to say to Erik.
Erik wiped her tears and kissed her nose. He then addressed the priest, "I don't need needs words, Father."
In that moment, Christine placed her hands on Erik's chest to get his attention and then began to sign her vows to him.
You have been so many things to me over the years. A mentor, a guardian, a maestro, an angel.
Erik was starting to tear up but he kept his focus on her.
A friend, a teacher, a husband and so much more. We have had days of endless wonder and nights of endless pleasure…..
Erik's face turned red and Meg asked what Christine was saying but this time it was Darius who hushed her.
There were moments when I thought I would never see you again and I felt as if half of my soul would never return to me. And even during the times when our love was tested and we both made so many mistakes, there wasn't one day from the age of seven that I didn't love you. I spent a long time cursing myself for not knowing my own heart sooner or not having the courage to stand up to those who doubted us, including you. She eyed him knowingly and then smiled, feeling her heart beat faster when his eyes fixated on hers. My Erik, I love you and we are finally where our hearts have always been.
They held one another closely, as their tears fell.
The priest was very moved by their display. "I'm not sure what was said but from what I can see, there isn't a dry eye in the house. You must have a way with words, my dear. Now are you both able to repeat after me?"
The ceremony concluded with "I dos" and rings and as soon as the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Gustave ran up to the couple.
"We're married!"
Erik picked up his son proudly. "That's right, Gustave. We are now and forever more married!"
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After a whirlwind reception, Erik and Christine were going to check into a private villa for their wedding night and Meg and Annie argued over who would stay with Gustave, since both wanted the boy to spend the night.
"Mama, Darius and I need the practice!"
"Exactly, you are not trained as I am. He needs someone older and wiser."
Gustave felt so loved but he secretly wished he could go with his parents. He hugged them both for a very long time and then looked at them with all sincerity.
"Please, come back soon."
His words, melted Christine's heart. "Gustave, I promise you. Your father and I will come and get you in the morning."
"Really?!"
Erik kneeled down and cupped his chin. "Gustave, your mother and I made legal vows today and it wasn't just to one another but it was to you too. We are married, right?" He winked.
"That's right!" Gustave hugged them both and then proceeded to let Meg and Annie fight over him.
Christine giggled as she wondered how many future women would be fighting over her son. She sighed, for she didn't want to think about it so soon.
"Come, Madame Dexter. We have much to do!"
Christine's body started to react, as she anticipated all of the things Erik had in store for their wedding night.
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Things were not exactly as Christine had in mind once they arrived at the villa. Although there was a lovely fireplace roaring, along with chilled champagne and a luxurious feather bed awaiting them, Erik seemed to have other things on his mind.
"So we should plan a concert duet, angel. I admit the rehearsal schedule will be aggressive but we need to take advantage of the success from the other night and get you back on the stage, where you were meant to be."
"Erik, that concert was your success. I think they public will want to see you. Now why don't you come to bed and…." She tried to reach for his collar but Erik moved away, lost in thought.
"Nonsense! I will use the next concert as a way to promote La Daee. I don't want to perform. I want to compose and be behind the scenes. The stage was meant for you, my dear."
"Erik, we can discuss this later. Don't you want to focus on other things tonight?" She started to roam her hands up and down his back.
Erik looked at her funny but then his eyes widened. "Of course! Oh Christine, forgive me. I am sorry."
She laughed. "I'm sure you will find a way to make it up to me." She purred as she finally was able to play with his collar and loosen his cravat.
"We need to decide on where to live!" In his excitement, he pushed her out of the way, as he paced and talked at the same time.
Christine realized that this was going to be a longer night than she had planned. "Erik, we don't need to decide that tonight, do we? I mean it is our wedding night." She eyed him longingly.
"Angel, this is precisely why we need to know where we are going. Long ago, you spoke of Italy. I know it will be different without Tobias or Viviane but Meg and Darius reside here now and with their baby coming, I don't think Annie will wan to miss a moment of being there for her and her grandchild. I also know how you have missed your dear friend."
Christine couldn't help but find Erik's thoughtfulness endearing, even though it caused a slight delay to their evening.
"You really are a big softie, you know that?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"You don't want to leave our family."
"No, I just thought that you and Meg and….." He thought about it for a moment. "Family." He smiled. "I don't know why it's coming at me all of a sudden. I do see them all as family but I never….." He then looked at her as if he were eight years old. "You're right. I don't want to leave any of them."
Christine walked towards him and threw her arms over his neck. "Then let's not. I adore Italy and frankly, I want to start fresh with you and Gustave. France and Vienna….. They aren't right for us anymore."
He smiled. "I can deny you nothing. We'll stay with our family." He kissed her softly and they lingered like that for a few moments.
"Erik?"
"Yes, angel?"
"I love our family as it is but how do you feel about expanding it a bit?"
"What do you mean?"
Her eyes glimmered as she began to caress his chest and play with the buttons on his shirt.
"I think Gustave would make a wonderful big brother, wouldn't he?"
"I think Gustave could be wonderful at anything, as long as he practices…" He then did a double look. "Big brother?!"
"How do you feel about having more children?"
"Christine, I…" He began to feel giddy. "I would want that very much! A chance to be there from the beginning! Good God… You want more children with me…We never discussed the miscarriage and it obviously wasn't planned but…"
She silenced him with a long, lingering kiss. "I want us to have as many children as we were destined to have. I love you, Erik. Nothing would please me more."
"But what about your career…. I think….."
She silenced him with another kiss. "I don't think you are the type of man that would prevent me from my dreams, are you Erik?"
He shook his head vigorously.
"Well, my dreams are simple. Marry the man I love, sing with him often and be a mother to our children. Now, will you be the man that makes those dreams come true?"
He could only nod, as he was left speechless by her.
"Then I suggest monsieur, that you stop thinking about concerts and places to live for tonight and carry me to that bedroom so you can ravish me and maybe, just maybe we'll created something glorious."
"You will never cease to amaze me. I know I don't deserve you but I will try to work towards that from now until death takes me away from you."
"None of that talk, my love. Tonight we talk about life. Our life."
He proceeded to undo the buttons on her dress and kissed her long, pearly white neck. Then he moved them over to the bedroom door and seductively led her to the bed. He was about to kiss her but stopped.
"What is it?"
"I didn't carry you. Perhaps we should go back in and try again?"
She yanked his mask off and pushed him done on the bed, falling on top of him. "We can skip that part, as long as you ravish me."
And so began their long night of marital lovemaking.
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Six months later…..
Erik's career was stronger than ever and due to some crafty maneuvering on his part, he was able to showcase Christine's voice just as he wanted, which caused a stir of having the once famous Opera Diva grace the stage again. Erik happily switched places and maintained his glory in the background, while he managed Christine's career but there were occasions when the audience was able to hear both of them sing together.
Meanwhile, Christine entertained offers to perform in operas from Italy, Germany and Amsterdam but in the end she chose Italy, as she could not bring herself to be away from her boys for that long. Erik had told her he would honor her decision but was afraid she was limiting herself. However, Christine assured him she knew exactly what she was doing and had no regrets.
After an impatient nine months, Meg gave birth to an eight pound baby boy. Of course, Nadir and Annie were at the hospital, along with Erik, Christine, Bets and Aaron. They were anxious to see the new mother and child.
Darius was pacing the floor with worry but almost fainted when he heard he had a son. Yet both Aaron and Nadir reminded him that now was not the time to go soft. He nodded and eagerly went in to see his wife and new baby.
Christine laughed at the sight and was going to say something to Erik but found that he had wandered off into the hallway.
"Erik? What are you doing out here?"
"It isn't right."
"What isn't, love?"
"What is the meaning of this hospital to keep a man away from his wife at a time like this when she needs him the most? And what kind of a man is Darius to sit there and take it? When you were giving birth to Gustave, nothing could keep me away. Nothing! If that doctor hadn't listen to Antoinette, I would have found another way to be there…. And Darius just follows orders? What kind of man is that? Is he good enough for our Megan?"
"Angel, you seem to keep forgetting something that I have knowns for years but have been too selfish to reveal to anyone else."
"What?"
"I know you have only wanted to be normal but you are not like most men. You're extraordinary. Darius can't be blamed for following protocol. You, on the other hand…."
"Christine, what I did, what I hope to do again with you isn't special. It is justified. I could never leave you alone like that. The pain you endured. The fear…." He shook his head. "No, you will never face that alone. It's the least I can do. After all, I helped caused that pain."
"So in seven months, I can count on you being right beside me, come what may?"
"Of course! Nothing would…..Wait, did you just say in seven… Seven months?"
She traced the left side of his face. "Maybe." She then blushed. "Oh Erik, I can't keep it a secret any longer or I will burst. I didn't want to overshadow Meg's day but we're going to have another baby!"
"Christine, are you sure?"
She nodded proudly. "Oh yes, I am very, very pregnant, Maestro. Which is another reason why I wanted to stay close in Italy and not travel." She leaned into him. "Well? Erik, are you happy?"
He kissed her passionately. "What do you think?"
"I'm sorry, Erik. I think you will have to tell me again but slower this time." She let her lips be taken by his once more.
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As Meg and Darius happily received congratulations and well wishes for the birth of their son, Bets read a telegram that Tobias had sent.
"Dear Meg and Darius,
Congratulations but I still am not quite sure why you couldn't wait for Viviane and me to arrive to Italy next month for the birth."
"They are both coming into town?" Annie seemed surprised.
"Let her finish, Annie." Erik scolded and then continued to listen with an unreadable look on his face.
Meg looked at Erik. "Uncle Erik, what's going on? Do you know something?"
"Hmm? Me?"
Meg laughed while Bets read on.
"We are anxious to see all of you and can't wait to be home again. Love, Tobias."
Meg looked at Arron and Bets. "Well, what do you two know?"
"Not a thing!"
Erik then coughed. "Megan, you are so suspicious. I mean just because Tobias went to America a few months ago for a visit and happened to fall in love with its American charm, so to speak and just because he asked my advice on a wedding ring…" He then pretended to look out the window. "Again, you are awfully suspicious."
Bets and Aaron looked so excited. "Erik, is this true?"
Annie smiled and took Nadir's hand. "I am so happy that they won't be apart anymore."
Christine shook her head. "Erik, you are shameful! That was the children's surprise. Now I don't want anyone to spoil it for them. She glared at Erik. "Especially you, my precious."
"Christine, I can keep a secret. For example, I haven't told anyone that you are pregnant and….." He then looked at her and laughed whole heartedly.
"What?!" Annie and Nadir screamed at once.
Meg looked exasperated. "How could you do this more than once?"
Bets and Aaron came over and hugged them both. "Congratulations, you two!"
Christine placed her arms around Erik. "Erik! Whatever happened to my secretive Phantom?"
"He is long gone, my dear. The man before you is simply Erik. A man who is in love with his beautiful wife and child, thrilled to be a father again and have an opportunity to be there with you from the beginning this time. He is also a blessed brother, uncle and friend."
He looked around the room, knowing how far he had come since the mob attacked him after the night of his opera. Back then he felt lost and broken but here he was today, with friends, a family, a home and career. Most of all, Christine was there, beside him and desired to be nowhere else but near him.
She whispered in his ear, "You're a magnificent lover too."
He eyed her hungrily and whispered back. "I'll be sure to remind you of that this evening, my dear."
Later that night, after they had played with Gustave and Erik and Christine made good on Erik's many titles, they lay in bed, holding one another. They would have stayed like that until morning but Christine got up from the bed in a panic.
"Christine, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, angel but I forgot something. I bought you a present." She was out of the room and back before Erik could speak. She placed it in his hands. "Open it! I can't believe I forgot. I suppose with the birth of Meg's baby, it slipped my mind but you shouldn't have to wait a moment longer."
"Christine, you didn't have to buy me a present. What did you do?"
"I did so, it is your wedding present and I almost made a breach in etiquette regarding the deadline. My goodness, will we ever stop being rebels?" She giggled.
"Not if I can help it." He looked at the pretty wrapping. "I'm not used to this."
"I am going to remedy that, I promise."
"But I don't need anything. I have you and Gustave and the new baby." He placed his hands on her stomach.
"Just open it."
Erik chuckled, for Christine could hardly contain herself and desperately had to see his reaction. He tore the wrapping paper off and looked at the present and then looked up at her.
"It's the music box I had wanted to get you the first… well the second time we tried to get married. It was meant to be yours. Lift the lid, precious."
When Erik opened the lid, he saw a beautiful red rose in bloom but when Christine told him to turn the music knob, a secret door appeared and a little girl came and took the rose away.
"It's beautiful but I don't think I understand, Christine."
"The little girl is me and….."
"The rose is the one I would leave for you at the Opera House?"
"No, angel. The bloom on the rose that makes it so beautiful, that makes all the thorns worth it…. Is you. You are that perfect rose and you are mine."
"Only yours." He kissed her.
"Forever mine." She kissed him.
"Forever thine." They kissed each other.
"Forever ours." They kept on kissing.
The End