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Erik leaned back on his hands and sighed to himself as he watched the performers on the stage in front of them. They were...adequate at best, and that was being kind. He had purchased tickets to this outdoor symphony, wanting to just enjoy the outdoors and listen to music, but it seemed that his hopes that the music would be good had been asking too much of the local artists. They were already an hour into what was a two-hour program and he wasn't completely sure how much more he could take. The singers lacked technique in what should have been obvious areas, there were a few too many sour notes and incidents of scrambling to play the right chords for his taste; he was used to far more professional performances at real opera houses and music halls, or even his own skills! This was amateur hour, it seemed.
Even still, he tried to smother his irritation when he looked to his left and saw the content look on his wife's face. He knew that Christine was also very aware of the imperfections in these performances, but she had always been good at seeing the best in people; they wouldn't have been married if that weren't the case. That being the case, she hadn't complained once throughout the performance. She had applauded politely for every single artist that crossed the stage, quietly humming along to the songs that she recognized. Erik had sat in more stoic silence, observing and trying to ignore the twitch in his eye, but he was glad that his wife was enjoying herself.
"So you're intent on staying for this entire thing, are you?" he asked, looking over at his wife and giving her a small, somewhat forced, smile.
"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't we?" Christine asked with a pensive frown as she looked over at him.
"Oh, no reason. No reason at all," Erik said, trying to shrug nonchalantly as he glanced down at his program—a simple little thing with cover art clearly taken from Google Images—and tried to stifle his cringe at seeing how many performances were left. "Not a single reason whatsoever."
There was a moment of silence before he heard Christine say: "You hate it, don't you?"
"No!" he exclaimed, even though she was completely correct - he was miserable, but she didn't need to know that. "I...I don't hate it."
His wife gave him a knowing smile. "You do, I can tell," she said softly. "I know they're not the best, Erik, but...they're trying. Some of the younger ones did a good job, considering their age and the stage fright factor."
"Yes, I suppose I will give them that," Erik replied with a nod. "Everyone has to learn somehow. That doesn't excuse the adults that seem to have no clue what they're doing, though."
"No, of course it doesn't," Christine said, rolling her eyes playfully. "We can go if you really hate it, Erik. I just don't want you to feel your money has gone to waste."
"I already feel that way, my dear, quite honestly, but it's alright," Erik replied. "C'est la vie."
Christine said and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Can we stay for one more song? Just to see how it goes?" she asked. "If you hate that one too, then we can go out and get dinner early, okay?"
"Alright, I can cope with that," Erik replied, gently kissing her forehead as they looked back at the stage, clapping politely as the current performer finished his set and took his bow. "That was the worst of them all."
"It was, yes. I will agree to that."
The couple laughed quietly at that, and Erik reached for his wife's hands, running his thumb over her engagement and wedding rings before interlocking their fingers. "I will say, though, that if I have to listen to bad music with anyone, I am glad that I am listening to it with you. Your presence makes it enjoyable."
"Well, thank you. I'm glad I can be of service," Christine replied. She lifted her head then and pressed her lips to his, kissing him gently and distracting him completely from the thoughts floating around in his mind of poorly played music and out-of-tune instruments. She had always had that sort of power over him, though. From the very first time he saw her in the audition room of the Opera Garnier, singing for a part in the chorus despite her voice being destined for the greatest leading roles, she had a complete hold on his heart and soul and he wouldn't give that up for anything.
The kisses continued, soft and gentle, but after a few moments, Christine slowly pulled away and turned towards the stage as the first notes of the next musician's set began to play. "Erik, listen," she said softly, looking up at her husband as a smile started to cross her face. "Listen to the song."
Erik obliged her despite his reservations about the quality of the music, but he found himself pleasantly surprised at the rather beautiful sound when he finally tuned into the song being played. As he listened, he quickly caught on to what his wife was referring to, what was making her smile. "Our wedding song," he said as he glanced back at her, a smile on his own.
Christine nodded excitedly as she wrapped her arms around Erik's midsection and leaned against his shoulder again, her head tucked in the crook of his neck, as the notes of the song they had had their first dance to at their wedding—Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love With You—seemed to fill the park, the female vocalist's singing a vast improvement on all the rest. It brought him back to that day and how perfect it had been - how beautiful Christine had looked, how it felt to hold her in his arms knowing that she was now his partner for the rest of their lives and that she would always be there for him.
His heart swelled at the memories and he rested his cheek against his wife's forehead, an arm wrapping around her waist and squeezing her gently. "All of this miserable music turned out to be worth it, huh?" he heard Christine ask, which made him smile.
"It did, yes," Erik said softly. "You certainly know how to make sure that I get the best out of life despite my grumpiness, my dear. Thank you for that."
"Any time, my love. It is my pleasure."