No Backward Glances

Chapter 6: The First Holiday

December 25th, 1882
{Erik's P.O.V}

I wake up to feel Christine gently kissing the deformed side of my face.

"Good morning, my love." I say, shifting my laying position from my back to my side.

"Good morning, darling." she responds.

We share a sweet & gentle kiss. Christine pulls away & softly murmurs "& Merry Christmas." against my lips.

"Merry Christmas. Come, let's go to the parlor so I can give you your gifts!" I say rather excitedly as I hop out of bed.

"Wait one moment, darling. Let us get dressed first." she tells me chuckling.

I feel my ears turn red. "Oh, yes of course. I'm sorry."

Christine walks over to me & plants a kiss on my nose then goes to her wardrobe to change.

As we both get dressed, I can't resist looking over my shoulder. When I do, I see Christine beginning to pull off her slip. I quickly turn back around for I know I won't be able to control myself if I see any more of her gorgeous body.

After we're both changed Christine says "Alright, Erik. Now we can go into the parlor."

"I'm just a little excited." I explain bashfully.

"No need to apologize." she says sweetly as she takes my arm & skips into the parlor.

I realize before we even get out the bedroom door that I am awful at skipping. Christine & I laugh as I continue attempting to match her pace.

I accidentally trip over my own two feet & fall to the floor. This only causes us to laugh harder. After about ten minutes, we finally made it to the Christmas tree.

We both sit down cross-legged on the rug.

"I can always get you something else if you don't like it, Erik." Christine says nervously as she hands me my gift. My first Christmas gift. Given to me by the one I love most in the world. It couldn't have been any more special.

"I don't care what it is, mon ange. I will love it no matter what because it was given to me by you." I say. I see her smile at me but I know she's still nervous.

I feel tears come to my eyes as I tear away the last of the wrapping tissue & open the box.

Inside the box is a violin. Not just any violin, though. It is the most beautiful violin I have ever seen. The wood is perfectly smooth & shiny. As I take the instrument out of the box, I run my fingers over the fine wood & notice that there is something engraved in the back of it's neck. It reads, To My Angel of Music. Thank you for giving me the honor of being loved by you. I will love you forever. ~Your Christine.

I look up at Christine to see her staring at me anxiously. "Do you like it?" she asks shyly.

"No," I answer honestly. I see her face fall. "I don't like it. I love it." Christine picks her head back up & I reach over & kiss her with all that I have.

"Thank you, Christine. Thank you." I say as a few tears escape my eye. She wipes my tears & smiles happily at me.

"I'm so glad you like it, ange." she says.

"Alright, Christine. You open yours now." I tell her handing her her Christmas package.

I grow nervous as she begins to tear away the wrapping paper. I wanted the first Christmas gift I gave her to be perfect & unforgettable.

Christine gasps as she opens the box & pulls out the white wedding dress I had made her over the corse of these past two days.

I pull her up to her feet & get down on one knee. I take a deep breath & get ready to give her the choice that could promise me an eternity with her.