Love will still remain

Chapter 29

Erik's POV

I woke up to a strange weight on back. I was laying on my stomach, but something was on top of me. I turned my head and an arm fell into my face.

"What the-" I was cut off when the small hand from the arm smacked into the middle of my face, no doubt trying to cover my mouth.

"Shhhhh" I heard from above me. "Sleeping." I quickly shifted so I was on my back and the thing fell onto the other side of the bed.

"Gwen?" She opened her eyes a little.

"Morning." She then shut her eyes again.

"Why are you in my bed?" I questioned. She sighed and sat up, her Carmel curls falling over her shoulder. She pushed her wild hair out of her face, but she refused to look at me.

"Y-you were calling o-out m-m-moms name last n-night, so I just thought y-you might want s-some company..." she said quietly. then she did something completely unexpected. She grabbed my hand and looked up directly into my eyes. "I miss her too." She whispered.

I pulled her into my arms and held her close. We stayed like that for a while, and it felt so good to hold my daughter. I know neither one of us was good at affection or 'feelings' but this really was a beautiful moment. With a sigh Gwen finally pulled away.

"I-I'm willing to t-try-" she took a deep breath. "Voice lessons. I-I want y-you to teach m-me." She looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"Of course I'll teach you!" A smile broke across my face. I could finally share my music with someone who would truly understand its full potential. Gwen smiled up at me as well.

"Great! N-now put a sh-shirt on. We overslept." She stated, before heading out the room. I furrowed my brow and pulled out my pocket watch. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw it was almost 10 o'clock. I quickly threw on some slacks and a crisp white button down shirt. I skipped the jacket and started running from my room down the stairs. As I made my way down to the kitchen I rolled my sleeves up to my elbows. I saw Gwen was Already dressed and eating on a bar stool at the island. I adjusted my mask and slicked back my hair.

"You coming with me to work?" I questioned Gwen as she tossed me an apple.

"Yea." She slid off the stool and grabbed her bag. I grabbed my briefcase, we both hollered a goodbye to nadir, then we were off.

When we arrived at my office Gwen set up her sketch pad and set to work. I let out a heavy sigh and began going through my files.

Three grueling hours later I was ready for a break. I looked over at Gwen to see she was drawing and a small smile began to tug at the corners of my mouth. I hadn't sketched in so long, and I decided it was time I start again. I picked up my pencil and a sketch pad I kept at my office and instantly inspiration jolted in me.

I would draw my muse.

I carefully started drawing my angels beautiful face from memory. No matter how hard I tried the details of my drawing couldn't compare to the actual radiant beauty that my love possessed. Every curve of her face and body deserved to be exalted. All her features stood out at the same time, making it impossible to downplay any of them. They were all to magnificent that it would surely be a crime if I were to focus solely on just a few of the magnificent features that graced my angels face. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't quite capture the same brilliant sparkle that blessed her bright eyes. I could never capture just how lovely she looked, even when her hair fell into her face. Though I know it is just a sketch, I feel as though I deserve punishment for not doing her justice on this page. I suddenly became filled with a deep sorrow knowing that I couldn't see her for a while, until I remembered that although others may get the privilege to marvel at the work I had just created, only I could marvel at the real Christine, and that was all that mattered.

A low whistle broke me out of my trance. I noticed my hand was covered in led and that a slight sweat had broke out on my forehead.

"That is so realistic..." Gwen commented from behind me. I looked back at my work. Was the Christine I had drawn beautiful? Yes. Was it as good as my actual Christine. Hell no.

"Thank you angel." I smiled to myself knowing that my work was appreciated.

"I have some news." I announce, suddenly remembering what I needed to discuss with Gwen.

"Okay" she says slowly.

"A letter from Raoul came this morning." I say, watching her reaction carefully.

"What did he want?" She's trying to be calm but I can see she's upset about this.

"He wants you to come visit-"

"Does he now?!" She cuts me off and my eyes widen a little in shock. "Do you know how long it's been since we've heard from him?! I can't believe he thinks he can just write one letter and I'd go skipping off to Paris to be with him when he hasn't bothered to show any interest in me in months! How dare he! He doesn't care about me! I bet he's been drinking again and only now has sobered up enough to drag a pen across a paper!" She fumes. All I can do is stare at my daughter in shock. I have never heard her yell before. I could see the same fire in her eyes that were present in mine when I'm upset. What amazed me the most was that she didn't stutter.

Damn.

"Angel, you don't have to visit Raoul if you're going to be this upset about it." I say slowly.

"Oh great now you're just going to make me feel guilty then?!"

Damn hormones. I would kill to have Christine with me right now.

"No, I'm not trying to make you feel guilty." God it is so hard to be patient, I don't know how people can stand doing this.

"But we do need to go to Paris." I prepare myself for next tangent.

"Why do we possibly need to leave home to go to Paris? There's nothing for me over there anymore."

Deep breaths Erik. Deep breaths. The only reason I'm not getting upset is because apparently when my little angel is upset she doesn't stutter. This is progress.

"I think you'll actually like this trip."

"Why would I possibly like going back to my nightmare of a childhood?"

I don't respond but just hand her the paper laying on my desk.

"I don't want to read this." She says exasperatedly, while throwing her arms into the air. I sigh.

"It's the paper work for a new property I now own in Paris." I explain.

"And this effects me?" She questions.

"Well I would think so. Last time we were in Paris you were rather fond of my opera house.