My Angel of Music

Moonlight on the Beach

We had been riding for hours and hours, and my back ached with each jump of the horse.  But I hadn't complained the whole ride, I was proud of myself.  Erik sat in front of me, his back straight as a board and his head held high.  My arms were wrapped around his chest and my head rested on his back.  But when the horse stepped in a hole which caused us to bounce and my back bend unnaturally, I couldn't take it anymore.

"Erik?"  I called out, putting my head over his shoulder so he could hear me better.  He turned his head around to face me.  "Is everything alright, my love?"  he asked with a worried tone.  "Well, could we stop soon?  We've been traveling all day and I grow tired."  I asked with my eyes downcast.  I was still a little afraid of him, he still was the infamous Phantom.  He sensed my lack of comfort in asking him for things.  "Christine, you can ask me anything.  You needn't fear."  He smiled as he reached behind himself to pat my knee.  "But, we are almost at the inn that we will be staying at.  Just a mile or two to go.  Unless you need to stop for.....uh....to use the chamber pot."  Erik seemed uncomfortable.  

I laughed.  "No, love.  I can wait until we reach the inn."  I laid my head back on his chest and watched the scenery fly past.  We were near the ocean.  I could smell the salt in the air and hear the seagulls cry out.  My Father's house had been by the sea.  But I knew we were not close to it, for I did not recognize the tall, skinny trees that stood on each side of the dirt road.

We had not passed more than a hand full of houses from the time we left until now.  I figured Erik had wanted it that way.

Finally I saw the outline of the blue sea in the distance.  I breathed in the air and savored the taste on my tongue.  I felt at home.

We stopped at a little village not far from the rolling waters of the ocean.  The inn was completly empty and the owner was a blind man with only one arm.  I realized that Erik had also meant to stop here.  I sighed and followed Erik up the stairs to our bedroom.

My breath caught in my throat at the sight of the room.  It was plain but clean, but the thing that I didn't like about it was that there were two full size beds on oppisite sides of the room.  I didn't like that they were so far away.  I shook my head and put my bag on the bed, pulling out my nightgown.  "Marie, do not get dressed for bed quite yet."  Erik's voice startled me in the gloomy quiet.

"Why, my love?"  I was curious now, my eyebrows shooting up.  He chuckled.  "It is a surprise."  He took my hand and led me outside the inn and down the street.  "Where are we going, Phillipe?"  The name sounded dry in my throat.  "My sweet Marie, you will know in good time."  He smiled back at me.  I started to swoon at his smile but I shook my head and ordered myself to pout in the suspense.

I couldn't help it though.  Every time he looked at me with those piercing blue eyes, or any time his fingers brushed my skin, I would tingle all over and my heart would beat like a marching drum.  He just had that effect on me. And I knew why.   I was hopelessly in love with this man.  I loved him with all the power of my soul.  I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.  I loved all of him, all of his flaws included.

I was so caught up with my thoughts of love that I didn't notice Erik stop.  I ran into him, falling to the ground in surprise.  I slumped on the ground, my body shaking.  He stooped beside me and put his hand on my back. "Oh my God, are you alright, my love?  Where are you hurt?"  I heard Erik ask frantically.  But I couldn't answer because I was laughing too hard.  My head was bent down so he could not see that I was laughing, not crying.  He lifted my chin with his finger.  I started hysterically laughing at the sight of his confused face.

"Marie, what ever is so funny?"  Erik asked, looking hurt.  I put a hand to his face, peals of laughter still escaping my throat.  "It's...just so funny....that...I fell."  I gasped for breath.  He began to smile, but only a little.  "I don't see how that is amusing, my dear.  You could have been hurt."  he scolded, trying to hide the smile that danced secretly on his lips.