Disclaimer: Alas, I don't own Phantom. Author's Note: Classes are over for the week, so I have some time for a few days. I want to get this story done fairly quickly, and updates should be quite frequent until it is. (This isn't that long, but I might post more tonight) Much love and many thanks to all my reviewers, and do enjoy the phanphic! Feedback: Please! *Christine's POV* Erik did look extraordinarily tired as the Persian made his exit. I turned to him, and he leaned his head against mine. "A few more days like this," he sighed, "and I fear I shall go completely into exhaustion. Somehow, I think, it would be worth it, too." I smiled, and kissed him lightly on the cheek. I pulled him closer, and impulsively, I asked, "Erik?" "Hmmm, my dear," he replied wearily, dreamily. "When shall we be married?" I asked, biting my lower lip. He jarred slightly, and pulled away so he could look at me as we talked. "To be honest, I believe I should leave it up to you," he said in a suddenly renewed, melodious voice, "I am ready whenever you are, and I certainly don't wish to rush you, my dear." "In that case," I said, bluntly -perhaps too bluntly-, "I believe tomorrow would be perfect. Any further delay seems terribly unnecessary, mind you." Erik nearly fell off the chaise as he processed what I had said, and he leaned heavily on his hands as if he was overwhelmed. He glanced down at the floor for a moment, and then turned towards me, all smiles. "If that is what you want," he said soothingly, "than I shall certainly make it so. Otherwise, what kind of a gentleman would I be?" I embraced him tightly, never wanting to let him go. Of course, he had gone at least a full day without sleep, and apparently, tomorrow was to be a big day. "Erik," I said finally, unwillingly, "perhaps we should go get some sleep." "Of course," he said standing up and offering me his arm in a sweeping gesture, "we can't have you falling asleep at your own wedding, now can we?" I shook my head with a small laugh and took his arm. When I was on my feet, I reached up to run my fingers through his hair, and I kissed him on the lips, holding him to me as if he was about to disappear. He broke the kiss after a long time, and he leaned against me. Out of breath, he whispered, "And what was that for, Christine?" "I wasn't aware," I answered coyly, "that I needed a reason." He stifled a small laugh, and said, "You never have, and you never will. I am nothing if I am not completely yours; you must know that." "Yes," I answered, closing my eyes, "I do, but, sometimes, I fear that you don't understand that I feel the same way about you." There was a moment of comfortable silence as we stood there in each other's arms. Finally, after some time, he answered my challenge with a tender kiss. He wrapped his hand behind my head, and leaned his forehead against mine. In my soul, it felt as if we were one being with the same emotions and thoughts echoing around us. Surely, if we were not one, then we were at least alone in the world; in that moment, my world consisted entirely, exclusively, of him. "Come," he bade huskily after what seemed like a small, pleasant eternity, "let's get you to bed. Tomorrow shall be a hectic day, and we both could use some rest." "Of course," I said happily, if sleepily, "but I mustn't let you pretend you are completely indefatigable." "Of course not," he yawned, as we walked into the bedroom. "Goodnight," I whispered, my eyes closing instinctively the moment my head hit the pillow. In the distance, I heard him make some reply, but in the haze of encroaching sleep, it was lost to the ages. To be continued. . . |
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