A New Beginning

Chapter 32

(Erik's POV)

Raoul arranged a beautiful dinner at the beach the next t day, since I could not be in the sunlight. She was very surprised when she saw the table set up with candles and everything, but insisted on putting them out so that I would not be bothered by the light.

We talked all night and enjoyed each other's company. We sat by the sea on the sand as I held her in my arms, something I had not done in a while and I knew she had missed.

The next few weeks we spent mostly arguing. I wanted to work while she wanted me to rest. She did my paperwork for me, but I paired up with Raoul to hide it instead. I had convinced him when I mentioned Christine being pregnant and how she would most likely stress out about wanting my papers to be perfect just like they always were.

It was only a little bit before her due date that something went wrong with Raoul. He had not drunk in almost a year now but on that particular night, he did.

I was taking a bath and Christine was reading just outside as she waited for me. I finally walked out and she buttoned my shirt for me, though she would not let me wear a tie yet.

"How about you sing something for me?" I asked her with a smile.

She agreed and we walked out of the room. I told her to wait for me in the parlor while I fetched the music. I walked into my music room and the smell of alcohol filled my nose. I immediately felt dizzy but walked over to a puddle on my desk. Whiskey. Whiskey was all over my desk and dripping on the floor. I looked closer and found paper under the liquid. My 'Don Juan'.

I burst out of the room looking for the boy. Christine grabbed my shoulders and tried to calm me down but I would not.

"Erik, love, what's wrong?"

"I will kill him, I swear I will kill him!" I yelled.

She tried to hold me back but I was much more stronger than her so I walked past her and into the kitchen.

"Vicomte!" I yelled as I forced the boy on his feet by the collar of his shirt.

He stared at me with a blank expression.

"Erik, please," Christine begged as he took my hand and I let go of the boy. "He didn't mean it. I am sure you can rewrite it," she said as she took both of his hands and stroked them gently.

"Rewrite it?! I have spent almost my entire life creating it!"

She smiled gently, "I know love, but do you remember when you taught it to me?"

I slowly nodded, "I loved those lessons."

She started leading me to our room, but I wasn't aware of that at that point.

"I loved them too."

She took off my shirt and put my nightgown on me as she hummed and I got lost in her voice. Soon, we were both lying down in bed. I was resting on her shoulder while she stroked my hand and held me close. I started crying.

"Shh, it's alright my love," she whispered as I sobbed.

"My Don Juan," I repeated over and over.

She turned my face to look at her, "Do you remember when we sang it?"

I nodded, "It was beautiful."

She smiled, "That night I realized how much I loved you...still do."

That is the last thing I remember she told me before she hummed to my musical masterpiece and I fell asleep in her embrace.