My Angel of Music

Memories are Deceptive

"Erik?" My head throbbed as I painfully opened my eyes to the bright light coming from the open window. I heard footsteps come towards me and when my eyes adjusted, I saw Erik's figure standing at the table, a plate full of food in his hand. "Good morning, Love." He greeted warmly. I squinted my eyes and blinked in confusion.

My heart dropping as I saw the men beat and kick my Angel. A kiss as I woke from my slumber. The feel of the ocean lapping over my feet. A ring slipping onto my finger. The sound of Erik's voice speaking vows to me.

These memories suddenly popped into my mind, sending another signal of pain through my head. I winced and and grabbed my head. "Christine? Are you okay?" Erik's voice sounded. I nodded gently, still cradling my head. I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my head there. I felt a hand on my back, but I didn't react, instead i just moaned. "I remember." I groaned. i could hear Erik get excited. "That's great-" I cut him off. "But it hurts. I don't like this." I said, my sentences worded like a childs. I was suddenly pulled gently from my position and held against Erik's chest. He laid us both down and held my head to his chest as he gently massaged my temples.

The horrid pain lasted for hours, but it was worth it. To remember the joy of finding Erik in the liar. Of the kiss we shared as I woke the next day. Of the grass beneath my bare feet as we joined together in marriage. Even the bad memories were worth it. Of getting taken by those evil men. Of watching Erik get beaten as I stood, helpless. Of seeing Joanne kiss Erik passionately. Of the arrow sticking out of Erik's body.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of throbbing, my head pains ceased. My eyes flew open and I smiled. I playfully toyed with Erik's limp hand. "I remember there was mist, swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake." I jokingly sang. Erik chuckled and tossled my hair playfully. "There were candles all around and on the lake there was a boat. And in the boat there was a man." I sat up and gave Erik a seductive half smile. "Who was that shape in the shadows? Whose was the face in the mask?" I sang lightly. My hand found Erik's cheek and I caressed it lovingly. His eyes closed in pleasure at my touch.

I then gently removed his mask, and quickly threw it to the nearest chair. Erik was used to me removing his mask by now, so he didn't react, only stayed with his eyes closed. My face drew nearer to his and I could feel his hot breath on my mouth. "Just like I remember." I whispered. I put my hands on both of his cheeks and felt his twisted flesh beneath my damp hand. I rested my forehead on his, and closed my eyes. I could hear him breathing, and feel it against my cool skin. We stayed like that for a few blissful moments, until the closeness became too much for us to bear, and he hungrily crushed his lips against mine.

I reacted by pulling his rigid body to mine and wrapping my arms around his neck. He slid his hands from my neck, to my shoulders, and all the way to my waist, slowly and seductively. My mouth moved against his and I had to stop after a moment to gasp for breath. But, it was if we were drawn to eachother again. We again, collided with considerable force, into eachother. Gasping for air, Erik grabbed my shoulders and pulled away. I sighed and smiled at his fiery eyes staring at me. I blushed and looked away while tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"First, horrid memories that plague me in my sleep. Then, when I wake, I don't remember anything but them. What a week." I joked. Erik laughed and put a hand to my face. "Were the memories really that horrid?" His tone became serious, and the question made me blush and duck my head. But it made me think. Were they really that bad? I remember being happy when I heard my ANgel. And, though I was extremly surprised and confused, I was happy that he had a human form. I looked at him and smiled. "No, they weren't all horrid. Just the ones without you in them." I said softly. suddenly, I was caught up in his forceful embrace, being kissed continusly. I laughed and tried to get away but he held me fast.

"Erik!" I cried. He growled and began to mercilessly tickle my sides. I howled with laughter. I tried to demand that he stop what he was doing, but all that escaped my mouth was a muffled howl of laughter.

***

The weather got cooler, and the leaves to fall from the tall, orange trees like ashes from a long forgotten fire. Meg came home one evening, crying uncontrollably. Erik was the first to spot her, so he responded the fastest. He jumped from his seat next to me and rushed to her, taking his hand in hers and crinkling his brow in worry. "Meg, what is the matter?" He asked as I struggled to rise from my seat. She didn't answer, but shook her head as her sobs rose. I brought my hand to her back and sowly led her to the seat that I had previously occupied.

We both gave her a few moments to gather her wits and dry her tears before she coughed up the story. Erik held her hand in his and I stroked her hair away from her teary cheeks. Her dress was a pale pink and the silk was tear stained and pretty much ruined. Her honey colored hair lay, tangled and wild on her shoulders. "Honey, what is wrong?" I asked quietly as the servants scampered from the kitchen. She sniveled, then looked at me and Erik before looking back at her lap. "Luke.....Luke." She choked out two words.

My head spun at these words. Oh God, was he dead? Had he broke his ties to her? What was wrong? Then, her next phrase set my thoughts straight and made me smile in joy. "He asked me to marry him." She whispered with a small smile on her face. I giggled and clutched her shoulders in my hands. "Oh Meg, that's wonderful! Then, why are you crying? Oh, did you say no?" Questions popped out of my mouth before I could even think about them. Meg smied, as her tears ceased. "I said yes." She chirped. I smiled and turned to Erik. He was staring at her, a blank expression on his face. "Then why were you so upset when you walked in?" He asked in monotone. She blinked and looked at him, confused.

"Well...I....I'm not sure. Don't all girls cry when they are proposed to?" She answered a question with a question. Erik knitted his brows together and looked at me. "Did you cry when I proposed?" He asked. I laughed and thought about it. "Yes, love. I cried when you sang to me, remember?" I answered, remembering the beautiful beach and the sweet words. Erik didn't answer, but shook his head and sighed. Meg and I laughed and she returned to her story as Erik sat back and listened quietly.

***

We all help plan for Meg's wedding, which was to be in May, and since it was now November, we had plenty of time to think about it. But, not as much time to think of names for the two babies due in less than a month. "Ariel! Name her Ariel!" Meg's chirpy voice sounded one morning as I sipped my coffee, and Erik nibbled on a pastry. "What kind of name is Ariel?" Erik growled. I chuckled in agreement. Meg had been hounding me with name ideas for weeks, but none sounded right. We had already decided if one was a boy, he would be names Gustave after my father. And if there were two boys, the secound would be named Edgar, after our favorite author. Erik played with the name Annabel Lee for a while, but I refused, so he let that die.

"Meg, when the time comes, I will find the perfect name." I assured her as she paced the length of the kitchen. "In the mean time, stop being annoying." Erik suggested. I laughed but Meg stuck her chin up and sauntered out of the room. "You know you're going to have to apologize for that, right?" I giggled. He sighed and nodded.  

Meg was a type of girl who needed attention and the right kind. "I've been thinking, Christine....I haven't been in society for very long so I'm not very familiar with names. But, there was a book I once read and I read a name....What about Meredith?". Erik stuttered.  

I glanced at his hopeful face. It was the first name he had suggested. I thought about it and played the name on my tongue. "Meredith." I whispered to myself. It was a modern name that I had only heard a few times. "Well, I....It's a nice name." I mumbled.  Then a name I had been playing around with came to mind.  "I've been thinking Calette."  I blurted.  Erik looked at me as he thought the name over.  His face was deep in thought for a few moments, and then he spoke.  "It's a pretty name as well."  He muttered.  I nodded.  "What about Meredith Calette?"  I asked.  He considered it, then nodded.