A New Beginning

Chapter 23

(Erik's POV)

During the next week, Raoul and I came up with a plan. I had thought about what he had told me and it was true, Christine didn't deserve to have to be dealing with that silly attitude of mine. While she went out, Raoul would help me walk again.

Two weeks later, she had gone out as usual when Raoul and I decided that we would tell her that day that I was again able to walk. When she came back, I was standing behind the high table at the kitchen.

"I'm back," she said as usual. Her voice sounded tired, but she smiled nonetheless.

I smiled and walked over to her, "There is my gorgeous wife."

She covered her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. I hugged her tightly and she gladly returned the hug. "I love you so much," she said. I kissed the top of her head and smiled, "I love you even more."

I scooped her up in my arms and kissed her with all the love I possessed in my body. I carried her up the stairs, sat her down on the bed, and kneeled in front of her. I took her hand in mine and kissed it, though my eyes were locked on hers.

"Love, we are leaving this place," I told her softly.

She looked at me confused so I continued, "We are going to America."

I explained all the details to her. We would be leaving that same night, so we started packing all we could even though all I really cared about were my music scores. After a while, we left. Christine pretended to be Raoul's fiancée while I snuck in the ship.

We arrived two days later, and we didn't know how dangerous it could be for me to walk out just like that, so Raoul dressed up as a police officer and tied my hands together, something I was very reluctant about, but Christine had convinced me. When we walked out, everyone stared at me, and the massive crowd in front of us split up, making a path for us.

Raoul grabbed my arm and pulled me with him. As we walked toward the carriage, the people, who I personally think were more like animals, yelled at me and attempted to hit me, but some policemen held them back, afraid they would hurt Raoul. I tried to keep my composure, so I gritted my teeth and would often growl under my breath. One of the men suddenly spat at my face, but I managed to remain calm, or at least as calm as I could be. Raoul, however, got incredibly mad and started yelling at him, "Show some respect, will you?! He is still a man, unlike you, filthy rat!" The man nodded nervously and ran away, and Christine gave Raoul a smile, thanking him, while I gave him a slight nod.

When we finally reached the carriage, Raoul apologized to me, but I told him he had nothing to apologize for. Christine looked at me worriedly, as I had tears in my eyes. She extended her arms and I let myself fall into her embrace. My tears fell on her shoulder until she cupped my face and laid my head on her lap. She petted my head and occasionally kissed my cheek. When we arrived I had managed to stop crying, so I helped my angel out of the carriage and carried her into the house. I pecked her lips and took her upstairs.

She changed into her nightgown while I went down to the kitchen to get a bottle of champagne. When I came back upstairs, I handed her a glass and filled it with the amazing liquid I had brought with me.

She looked at me confused, "Why are we drinking champagne? Are we celebrating something?"

I kissed her and raised my glass, "To our new life together, here."

She smiled and did the same thing, but soon, we found our glasses were empty. "It doesn't matter, I wanted something better than that anyways," I said, looking at her. Just when she was about to question me, I crashed my lips on hers.