Chapter Text
Christine sat in the chair next to the window inside Amelia's room at her mansion. She smiled down as she looked over the wedding décor that was in the beautiful gardens that made up the backyard. Blue and gold reigned as the colors of the wedding of choice, as blue was Amelia's favorite color and gold being Omar's family crest color, both going well with each other. It had been a year and a half since the battle with Bashonarnawa.
Since that day in Bashon's lair a year and half ago, Omar and Amelia had started dating, and he had purposed to her about six months ago. Erik and her had married three months after the final battle and after they were legally pronounced alive by the French and US government, both given a duel citizenship. However, after speaking and discussing their feelings and thoughts about their time locked away in the opera house and the events of what had happened in Bashon's lair, both Erik and her had decided to move in with Amelia at her mansion in the Midwest. She and Erik had both finally putting their past in France behind them as the nation brought back too many mixed or bad memories. Cecelia, along with Amelia's help, was able to move the portal to the Realm of the Dead to a hidden corner of the high maze in the gardens, effectively keeping it a mystery and secret to all.
As Christine watched the rest of the staff finish up the touches on the decorations, the guests started to arrive. She smiled thinking back to the day that Omar had purposed to Amelia, which Amelia had recounted to her later that same evening. As told to her by both Amelia and Omar, and Amelia's closest friend Sarah who had recorded the whole incident.
*Flashback*
Amelia walked hand in hand with Omar to the vineyards she had planted a few years ago at her farm which was vast here in the Midwest. They were in full bloom, providing a boom crop this year to which she would then gain a huge profit later in the harvest season. Amelia sighed, relieved to finally be done with her masters program before starting her PhD. Omar had transferred to the States, easily finding a job in Minnesota near Amelia. Omar stared around in awe at the fields in wonder, "So these fields of yours will yield much wine, Amelia? How much exactly?" He asked her.
Amelia chuckled, thinking, analyzing, "More that 70 barrels worth if we get a boon. However, if I want to create a world renounced wine, about 45 barrels. Then I will create a blend and test it against several other wine's that I developed last year. Eventually creating 50 barrels. This is where I keep my secrets, Omar." She smiled at Omar, who chuckled at her in amusement.
"Fine, keep your secrets, woman." Omar replied, rolling his eyes. He looked over the fields as the workers placed on netting, "What are they doing?" He gestured over to where the men and women secured the netting.
"Birds and wild animals like to eat the grape clusters, blossoms, and the leaves as they're tasty and consider the grapes and the vines as a good food source. Especially if they eat the clusters before the clusters are ripe, causing a lose in profit. Other ways my workers and I deter wild life that's low cost is using a type of soap bar, the scent of the soap is hated by the wildlife," Amelia explained, proud to see her employees were doing their jobs correctly. When she turned around back to Omar, he was kneeling, causing her to gasp, her hands going to her mouth.
"Amelia Honsdotter, we've known each other for a long time and have gotten each other in some pretty weird and dangerous situations. With you being a Keeper of Fire I have no chance to keep up with your caliber. For I had to sneak away to ask your father. Would you, Amelia Honsdotter, do me the honor of marrying me and becoming Amelia Dessan?" Omar asked, nervous and a tad pale.
Amelia looked at him in shock before nodding vigorously, "Yes." She whispered.
"Yes! I will marry you Omar Dessan! Yes I will!" She shouted as she hugged him, causing both of them to land on the grass kissing.
*End Flashback*
Reminds me of when Erik purposed to me and our wedding. And now look… 15 months later and we have a beautiful three-month-old daughter. Christine smiled down at her daughter. My beautiful baby girl... Deanna Arnawa Moriean... Named after both Cecelia's sister and her mother's middle name. Cecelia had cried when they had announced her name. She smiled, yet she sighed as she remembered her own wedding then.
*Another Flashback*
Christine wrung her hands yet again, nervous as a lark, though also beyond happy, beyond excited. She was getting married today. To Erik. Amelia and Julia had planned the entire thing with their mother. Phoebe had many ideas and had put many of them into motion as well. Her favorite color was green and Erik's was gold, making the decorations lovely. The bridesmaids had deep green dresses that were floor length, and have a beautiful bodice that had looked like a river. The sleeves were a beautiful leaf green mesh that opened up at the shoulder and flowed down to their wrists, giving the women access to show their arms.
Christine looked down at her own dress… her wedding dress. It was a beautiful white with a flower design on the bodice. Similar to her bridesmaids' dresses, it had more of a ballroom design. It also had emeralds, rubies, and blue sapphires embedded on the bodice. Her bouquet was made of red roses and white daisies. Cecelia, Amelia, Julia, and Phoebe would be holding smaller bouquets with three roses surrounded by white daisies.
In less than a half hour, her father would be walking her down the aisle. "Hey Chris! How about we finish your veil and get you to the foyer? The wedding is to start in 15 minutes." Amelia took Christine's hands, effectively pulling her from her thoughts.
"Uh… sure. Thanks Ame!" Christine nodded, smiling a nervous smile.
Cecelia came over and placed a comforting hand on the bride's shoulder, "Relax Christine. There's nothing to be nervous over. Just think! After the wedding and the reception, you and Erik will be heading to New Zealand to see the world there! You both deserve it!"
Christine blushed, nodding her nervousness and anxiety decreasing somewhat, but still hovered there slightly, "But what if something happens and we're separated or captured again?"
Phoebe came over and helped Amelia to finish pinning Christine's veil in place, saying as she did so, "Don't be so worried Chris! Omar had some friends who work with the New Zealand government, and he reassured me and everyone that they'll have people keeping a close enough eye on you both as you're both there. Not too close because it is your honeymoon time."
Christine finally let go her breath that she didn't realize she was holding, nodding in realization that she truly had nothing to worry about, "Thank you. Thank you all."
Julia laughed, "You're welcome Chris! Besides, put that out of your mind! You're getting married in 10 minutes! Come! I just heard your father approaching." Amelia, Phoebe, Cecelia, and Julia led Christine to the door, her father waiting outside.
"Wow… You are as beautiful as your mother Virginia on our wedding day, my daughter. Ready? Erik is awaiting." Charles smiled, offering her his arm which she gladly took with a slightly shaking hand.
~ At the Alter…~
Erik shuffled back and forth on his feet. He was nervous. Omar was there to his left, along with Johann, Jason (Amelia's and Julia's older brother), and John (Omar's friend from his police work). He had cursed several times at Omar's snarky, yet humorous comments while getting ready, but he was grateful for his friendship, just like his friendship with Omar's ancestor, Amir Dessan, so long ago.
Suddenly the music came, the doors at the back of the church opening. In order, Amelia came down the aisle, then Cecelia, Phoebe, and finally Julia, taking their places to his right as the bridesmaids. Soon Christine, on her father's arm, came walking down the aisle, beyond beautiful.
Her dress, similar to the bridesmaids', was beautiful and made for her. Also, it was much more modern and fashionable to date. His mouth hung open, tears running down his face. He smiled though, and he leaned over in awe. His reaction caused everyone to smile, knowing he truly loved her. Christine smiled at him, causing him to smile wider in return. When Charles arrived with Christine, he handed Christine over to Erik, "Take good care of her, Erik. She is precious beyond measure to me."
"I will Charles. On my life." Erik nodded, promising.
The ceremony flowed well and went beautifully. Once the preacher stated, "Erik you may kiss your bride." Erik preceded to take her in his arms and lean her down in an impress display of PDA, even though he wasn't normally comfortable doing so. Everyone cheered and whistled, happy for the newlyweds.
The reception was held at a local high end hotel and it was beyond fun. Christine talked with her father as they danced the father-daughter dance. "So father, will you be saddened when Erik and I are in New Zealand?"
Charles chuckled, a sad smile appearing on his lips, "I will not lie, Christine, yes I will. But I know that you two will have the time of your lives there. I have been there myself and it is beautiful. The tramping tracks down there and the wildlife are amazing. I will give you both a list of things to do while down there."
Christine smiled, but soon it was replaced by a wondering frown, "What did you and Erik talk about when you two were closed up in Amelia's personal study?"
Charles frowned, knowing she'd ask sooner or later, "Let's just say there were words and some... blows... that happened and we came to an understanding afterwards. He's now been set right in his ways."
"Father! Why!" Christine exclaimed louder than normal, a shocked expression on her face.
Charles laughed, a smile on his face, "Christine, it's natural. Most fathers I know would do the exact same thing if it came to that. Besides, he agreed with me that it had to be done. He now understands. Everything."
Christine sighed, "Fine. I give you that father." The music came to an end and Erik came over.
"Can I have this dance, Christine?" Erik asked, bowing to her.
"Of course." Christine agreed, smiling. Charles sighed, handing her over. They danced to Ed Sheeran's duet with Andrea Bocelli on his song "Perfect". The rest of reception, Christine and Erik were inseparable, barely ever more than twenty feet apart. When the guests started to leave, Christine and Erik decided to take their leave as well, to prepare for their honeymoon to New Zealand.
*End flashback*
That's when I suspected that I got pregnant with our daughter, Deanna Arnawa. Christine smiled down at her beautiful, perfect little three-month-old daughter. Deanna had brought so much joy into her and Erik's life. And she didn't inherit Erik's birthmark fortunately. As it happened, with the huge medical advances of the modern day verses their original time period of the late 1800s, Erik agreed to do DNA testing. Tests revealed his face was the way it was due to alcohol use during pregnancy and not related to any genetic mutation. Thus, Erik was over the moon to know his children wouldn't be disabled like him, or 'cursed like himself' as he put it.
She looked down to the guests arriving, beyond happy for Omar and Amelia to be marrying this day. It was beautiful out. Just like at her wedding Ed Sheeran's duet with Andrea Bocelli for "Perfect" would be played for their first dance, but she and Erik would be singing the duet both in English, French, and Italian. Sighing contently, Christine rocked her daughter back and forth, as adorable as she was.
Deanna brought unending joy to her father Charles, who seemed to have come alive more. Erik, proud father and husband, seemed to finally learned to live life normally after their marriage, many accepting his face as normal, even though he still naturally wore his mask just to keep the stares down. However, he had become overprotective father and husband, annoying her to no end. Christine sighed, but when someone clears their throat behind her, she turned to face them.
Christine smiled when she saw Cecelia standing next to the full-length mirror. Amelia, Julia, and Phoebe were there looking over at her, smiling. Cecelia smiled, "What's wrong Christine? That's the third time you sighed since you sat down there ten minutes ago to feed Deanna," Cecelia mentioned, a wider smile forming at the reference to her sister.
"Nothing is particularly wrong, Cecelia. Just annoyed with Erik. He's been beyond overprotective since Deanna's birth. But I was also thinking of when Omar purposed to you, Amelia. Still as romantic as it sounds," Christine explained.
Amelia nodded, smiling, "Yes. Omar was quite the romantic at the time. Once we are done with our wedding and the reception here, Omar's parents insisted they would throw another wedding in their culture's standards for us. It's been rather… interesting… to interact with them. Let's just say there have been some… compromises… to say the least and at its best right now." She paused and looked around thoughtfully to say it correctly before continuing, "If I remember correctly since I heard the story about his former love and with Phoebe's return, they've become much more open to my marriage with Omar. Well... his father. His mother Hannah couldn't care less if I was a Tibetan shepherdess. And she is elated that he's even getting married at this point, and she and I have gotten along so well. She's even given me advice on how to approach Omar's father."
Phoebe stood, her bridesmaid dress flowing behind her as she came over to Christine. She had a knowing smile on her face as she leaned against the chair, "Aside from my mother's and Amelia's great friendship, let's just say I've also had a large part in changing my father's mind to being more open to their marriage." A Cheshire smile coming to her face as her eyes changed to her Medusa ones.
"Wait… don't tell me... you didn't turned into your Medusa form…? Did you?" Julia asked, perplexed and worried.
"Whoo! Heavens no! I did not, but I did threaten to leave for good if he didn't loosen his standards some. There is much I learned about the world since my time with Bashon and after I was freed. So, I just did some threats as I was and am under Federal protection here in the USA and the European Union." Phoebe stated, smiling in victory.
Christine chuckled, but looked down to Deanna when she started to fuss. She turned away from the window as she stood to go nurse her daughter in a more private setting. Afterwards, Christine was able to hand off Deanna to Amelia's parents who would take great care of her during the wedding. Soon she was dressed and prepared with Phoebe, Cecelia, and Julia. Amelia was dressed and ready to be walked down the aisle by her father.
Soon the wedding commenced. Erik looked handsome in his suit that he had bought a few months back. So did Johann, Julia's fiancé. Omar had his good friend John from the police force escort Phoebe down, where Jason would escort down Cecelia. As the preacher married Omar and Amelia, Christine cried, happy to know her two friends were so in love with each other, they were made for each other. Everyone laughed, cheered and whistled as Omar dipped Amelia down into a deep abiding kiss.
At the reception Christine sang with Erik as the band played, though they did have time to dance with each other and others as the reception went on. Soon Amelia and Omar decided to take their leave for Persia so to appease his parents for the Persian wedding. Phoebe would go with them to see that her and Omar's parents... their father specifically... made good on their promises.
It was late in the evening when the wedding ended and Omar and Amelia were off to Persia, and Erik handed Christine into their SUV after she buckled Deanna into the car seat. Cecelia, Julia, Johann, Charles, and the three of them lived with Amelia at her mansion. They each had a wing to themselves. Charles actually lived in a newly built cottage on the same grounds for privacy. Omar had Meg and Antoinette Giry moved over to the States to allow them to be close to him as his hired help. Meg had become a close friend with them all, having a gotten a master's in dancing and music. She had found a job at a popular and famous theater in the cities.
Her mother Antoinette had been hired at the same theater as the ballerina trainer, having been a famous and master ballerina herself years prior at several different famous operas and theater around Europe. And somehow, Antoinette and Charles fallen in love and married themselves, eloping in a trip to the Bahamas, and giving Christine a new sister and mother. Christine and Meg would help keep the residence up while her father and new step-mother were gone on their honeymoon.
And with Omar and Amelia gone, Omar's associates in France would up keep his residence so when he and Amelia went to France, it would be ready for their use. Their honeymoon would take them to Australia and the Pacific Islands once their Persian wedding had come to an end.
Erik drove the way to the mansion, having just legally gotten his license in the mail along with Christine's. It hadn't taken them long to learn about cars and to get used to modern technology in general over the course of the last 15 months. They both soon had their licenses and all necessary paperwork. Pulling into the quanset, or parking garage, Erik opened the door for Christine, "There you go my lady!"
"Thank you, Erik," Christine smiled as she got out of the car. "Would you please get Deanna out of the backseat, Erik? She was rather heavy when I placed her in it before we left." She asked as she reached into grab her purse.
"I will indeed, Christine, as my lady bids me!" Erik nodded. He unbuckled his daughter from the car, pulling her car seat out gently before backing up and closing the door quietly as Deanna was sound asleep. Offering his free arm to Christine, they walked hand in hand quietly to their rooms in the West Wing. Deanna's nursery was joined to their master bedroom via a set of double doors. Erik and Christine went to the nursery first placing Deanna down in her crib after changing her diaper and Christine nursing her. It was midnight now and she placed Deanna down in her crib.
Their room was in clean, the staff having prepared it for them to sleep once the wedding finished. The staff had done a wonderful job at accepting them and learning their likes and dislikes. All had seen Erik's face, and they simply dismissed it as a minor thing. None were bothered by his face, nor were any of them appalled by his deformity for any reason. And more often than not, unless they had company or had to leave the mansion for something, Erik would leave his mask off around the house and live like all normal people would. Without his mask on hand or within reach.
Christine looked down at their daughter Deanna, leaning against Erik who had placed a firm arm around her waist. "Even after three months, I still can't believe she's ours." Erik said quietly, peace and calm in his heart.
"I know. She is the product of our love and endurance to survive our ordeal with Bashonarnawa, Erik." Christine whispered, looking up at him, an awed expression her face. Erik nodded agreeing.
Once Deanna was sleeping peacefully again, Erik and Christine prepared for bed themselves, though they did spend the better part of a half hour in the shower doing a dance that all married people knew. Christine smiled, glad to have Erik finally trusting her to let her love him without his mask. It was simply Erik to her. His scars never bothered her anymore. They were Erik. Her Erik. She smiled into a deep, lust filled kiss he was giving her as they showered.
"What are you smiling about, my flower?" Erik asked as he pulled back from the kiss, a smile on the edge of his lips.
Christine blushed, "You Erik, my handsome husband."
Erik's smile withered, replaced by a confused frown, "Handsome husband?"
Christine softened her eyes, love therein, placing her hands on his cheeks, "I wouldn't say something that I wouldn't mean Erik. To me you are and will always be my handsome and genius husband." Her own scars on her face, that she had accepted.
Erik nodded, finally coming to terms with her total acceptance of his face. Resolve shone on his face, a smile forming. "Come, I can see you are tired, my rose and angel." Christine and Erik exited the shower and dried off.
They decided that they just wanted to hold each other as they went to bed, so dressing into sleep clothing, Erik and Christine got into bed with Erik holding Christine close.
Christine sighed, peace in her soul. Erik, hearing her sigh as he had closed his eyes, "What are you sighing about, my rose?"
"I still feel like this is all surreal Erik. As if we're in a wonderful dream... Yet I know... We are free. Free! Truly free from Bashon's grasp. We've been given new lives. A new beginning," Christine sighed, still in awe of it all.
Erik opened his eyes and looked into hers, a peace dwelling there, "Well I feel that it's all surreal that I am married to you... And that we have a daughter of our own." When Christine said they were free, he smiled, a gasp escaping his lips, and they remained silent, basking in the feelings of peace and serenity. "Free. These new beginnings. Sounds like a great place to be Christine. Do you suppose we could begin a music school or perhaps we could go on tour with some of the operas that I have written? I have been feeling restless as of late."
Christine nodded, "Of course, Erik. I suggest you develop something new and put it out though and put Don Juan Triumphant to rest… We don't want people to suspect who we truly are unless you want unwanted fangirl visits…"
Erik groaned and placed a hand on his eyes, remembering Amelia's explanation on his fangirl page. "I agree with you on that. Heaven forbid they find where we live. I would rather go underground again and hide before that happens. Very well I will put out my opera relating to Beauty and the Beast." He put down his hand and smiled down at her, irony seeping from his voice. Christine rolled her eyes, yet her smile told him everything. She found that humorous.
Christine then thought out loud, "Why not start publishing your music as well, Erik? The industry would love it. Who knows… maybe you could get some good connections with some of the famous singers? Perhaps my father could help you. He would be ecstatic to help you in the process. Especially with his skill with the violin! Also with Omar and Amelia's connections, you'll be set for life."
Erik pulled her closer, nodding, "Very well. I will begin the process in the morning, my rose. And yes I am sure your father would be glad to help me."
Christine looked him in the eyes, adoration in her own for him. She smiled and threw an arm around his chest and snuggled into him. Erik hummed in turn, elation filling him as he pulled her closer. Within moments, Erik and Christine were fast asleep in each other's arms. Finally free.
~16 years later…~
"Dad! You're home!" Deanna, Wanda, James, and Nathaniel all shouted as they raced out of the mansion, down the lawn, and towards his open arms after he had gotten out of his car. Christine came down much more slowly at a walk, a smile gracing her face as Erik hugged all four of his children in a group and individually. Erik thought back to the last 16 years and his and Christine's perfectly healthy children.
*Flashback*
None of his and Christine's children had inherited his face deformity. Christine and Amelia had pushed Erik, with Omar's help, to get some DNA testing to see how his deformity was formed. Turns out his mother had too much alcohol in the first trimester and it ended with his face getting the brunt of the negative side effects.
Charles attested to this and later recalled to Erik and Christine privately after they mentioned the results to him that Charles told them something shocking. Charles had learned and mentioned that once Erik's mother found out she was pregnant, she sobered up and wanted the best for him. Charles knew her personally as a friend and she had confided in him. Erik's mother was named Mary Deborah McMullan and she had written a letter to her child for the future after she had given birth to him and lost him to the circus, having the foresight that she may not see him to adulthood. Charles took out Mary's letter from his portfolio and extended it to Erik, who looked at it in shock. Charles mentioned further that he had done a lineage on Erik's mother Mary and traced it back at least 500 years to Irish and Norse background, all of which was on paper to prove it. Erik had a huge extended family that wanted to meet him.
Erik had gone quiet with the news and the gift of his mother's letter, which at that point was over 130 years old. He grabbed the letter stiffly with light fingers, and he had gone off to his personally study. Christine sighed and stayed with her father for a half hour before seeking out Erik. He was sitting on the ground, leaning against the walled that faced the floor to ceiling windows that faced the vineyards. His eyes were closed and the letter rested on his lap. She approached him slowly and asked him hesitantly and quiet, "What did the letter say, Erik dear?"
He opened his eyes and looked at her as if he were a lost puppy. She sat down next to him, taking his free hand in hers as he lifted the letter and held it out to her to read. Christine nodded and gently took the old letter after he nodded that she could. She looked down at the words and gasped as she read its contents. The letter read, "My dearest beautiful son, Erik... If you're reading this, then you and I will never meet again. I... I am so sorry to know that my actions have caused your face to become the way it is, and I know that your face will cause you to have a rough future. For that, I am to blame. I haven't even a slight excuse to defend myself because of my actions. With these words, I hope that you have in your heart to forgive your mother who so foolishly drank while I was first pregnant with you.
Once I realized I was pregnant with you, I couldn't deny that I had to get sober and go clean for your sake if you were to have a future. I tried my best to get find a better life and get some funds for you during the later part of being pregnant with you. What little I saved, I placed in a bank fund over the later six months until your birth. Charles Daee helped to make sure that the bank fund would be protected and would gain interest over the years for you to use later in your life.
However... I doubt I will ever see my beautiful baby boy ever again. If in the case I pass before I meet you again, my son... my beloved son... Erik... Please know that your mother loves you to the moon and back and that you have a bright future and a fortune to look forward to. And I want you to know that I would give anything to make your face perfect. And since that isn't possible, I still love you regardless. I hope, pray, and wish that you have a wonderful life and that all good things happen to you, my Erik. My boy!
With all love and hope,
Love, your mother Mary."
Christine sat there crying as she finished Mary's heart-filled, loving letter to her son Erik. Erik sat there next to her crying as she did. Christine looked up to her husband, her heart bursting with love and sorrow for both Erik and his now long-lost mother. She whispered, "Erik, please... what do you think?"
Erik looked down to his handed and then back at her, breathing out his response, "I... I don't know... what to say... to see and read this letter... Much of my childhood is vague to me before I was six years of age... And to learn my mother loved me so thoroughly and without hate... It's overwhelming... To know I am this way because of her poor decisions, yet that our children are not deformed... My hate towards her is gone... I... I suppose I pity her." He paused, and then he smiled, "I am grateful she did everything to make it right to me."
Christine smiled, knowing he would eventually come to love his long-passed mother. She whispered encouragingly, "Erik... that's good to know... Come... let's go to bed with this good news... knowing we truly are blessed. The morning will bring much needed events to find your mother." She stood and pulled Erik to stand, who went with her willingly.
*End Flashback...*
Erik smiled at the memory and the following events that had happened. He and Christine, along with Charles and the rest, had found out that his mother Mary had passed away in 1949 at the age of 98 of old age, and she had been buried in a cemetery in Paris. The tombstone had been kept pristine for her, the words inscribed on it mentioned her singing, musical abilities and her skills with architect were phenomenal. Erik held a simple private ceremony for her among his friends and family. He smiled, coming back to the present, and he braced himself for the collision when his four children came racing, which nearly caused them all to fall to the ground. His children. He smiled as he hugged each of them. It had been a long three weeks without them and Christine while he was away.
Erik smiled, laughing heartily, as he opened his eyes and looked up to see a smiling Christine a few feet away. "Children! Children! Yes, I am home. Now let me go so I can hug and kiss your mother!" They all let go, garnering different reactions as he pulled Christine close into a tight hug and a deep abiding kiss.
"Welcome home, Erik, my angel. How was the trip?" Christine asked, still hugging him around his neck.
"It was good, quite intense, but good. The production team did a wonderful job giving my opera life I am sure it will go well in other countries around the globe. Now I only want you and our children and our friends here for a while." Erik said with a smile.
Christine smiled, taking off his mask. All four of their children had seen his face and just accepted it as normal. He was their father no matter what he looked like. The doctor, who Erik did agree to see, who met with him was gentle and personable, caring and had theorized that he had gained it from his mother's intake of alcohol during the first trimester of her pregnancy with him. Despite seeing the specialist, the doctor did mention even with the modern technology, he couldn't really do much to change Erik's deformity, but he could do a minor operation to make his face look less burned looking and add some hair to his skull. Erik agree, albeit with much reservation, but the results were stunning. And he didn't wear his mask as often as he used to. He and Christine laughed when they heard and watched as their children rummage through his things and discovered their presents.
He turned to Christine who cooed, "Come! Amelia and Omar prepared a feast for your return, Erik! Deanna and Wanda made dessert and James and Nathaniel composed a piece of music for you to listen to later."
"Sounds wonderful, my rose." Erik chuckled, the children snickering. "Children, your souvenirs in the trunk should be placed in your rooms when you're done showing each other. Go and see!" Erik ordered them, the children finished their digging and showed their mother, who cooed and fawned over all of them. After several minutes, Erik pulled Christine aside and they watched as their children played and figured out their new instruments and toys. As they did so, Erik did grab his luggage and turned to Christine.
Erik set down his luggage and closed the trunk, a Cheshire grin on his face as he stalked towards Christine slowly. Christine backed up, though she had a smile on her face. She giggled, "Erik, what are you doing?"
Erik's smile turned toothy like the Cheshire cat, "Coming after you, my angel. Now that we're free, I am chasing after you no matter what. For you are my love and I am yours." Erik declared. Christine shrieked in happiness as she turned, hands in the air as she raced away as Erik chased after her, growling. They raced into the beautiful field of wildflowers and wild grasses, their children giggling on in happiness. For Erik and Christine loved each other, free and having the time of their lives as new beginnings were just on the horizon to meet them.
The End!