My Angel of Music

Annabel Lee

I was sitting by the window, staring at the rose bush, now covered by white snow.  flakes fell down, as if they were reluctant to touching the ground.  Suddenly, I heard my name being called urgently.  I recognized Erik's voice and rushed out of the room to find him.  I traced his voice to the library, where I would often find him.  My white and dark blue lace gown ruffled across my legs as I walked through the door. "Oh, my dear."  Erik greeted.  He was standing byb the window, holding a blood red book.  'Yes?"  I asked.  

"I have something to show you."  He whispered.  He gestured me to sit on the divan, and I obeyed.  I smiled at his eager face.  "You know, we should do this outside."  he suggested.  I giggled.  "But it's freezing!"  I cried.  He chuckled and strode towards me.  I felt his fingers twirl a curl around.  "Get dressed more warmly, darling."  He said.  I nodded with a warm smile on my face.  I quickly strode out of the room and bacl to my bedroom.  

After I was dressed in a fur coat, and earmuffs with gloves, I was ready.  I skipped out of the house and into the white snow.  It fluttered around my head and I stuck my gloved hand out to catch one.  I marveled at the crystal masteroiece of God.  I sparkled in the sun, but was gone before I could memorize it's features.  "christine."  A voice made me jump and twirl around.  I gasped but started to laugh.  "Erik, you startled me."  I cried.  He chuckled and planted a warm kiss on my cheek.  "Come, walk with me."  He offered his arm and I took it.  "So, what is the occasion?"  I asked sweetly as I stared at the long-dead roses, now covered in snow.  

"Must there be an occasion for me to escort my wife around the park?"  Erik joked.  I blushed and rubbed my gloved hand over my cold cheek.  "It's freezing."  I muttered.  "Winters in the South are not as bad as in Paris, though."  He commented.  I nodded in agreement.  "That's for sure."

I heard Erik clear his throat and I looked up at him.  He was glancing around the garden, as if looking for something.  "Is something the matter?"  I asked.  He jerked his head around to face me and smiled.  "Yes, well no.  I mean, I do have something to show you."  He stuttered.  I giggled inwardly and followed him to a snow covered bench.  He brushed the snow off with his white glove and sat me down beside him.  I stared at him, waiting for whatever it was he wanted to show me.  He glanced at me before removing a worn piece of paper from his coat.  I squinted my eyes, trying to read it, but he turned the paper around before I could read the title. 

"I know that you've already picked a name that you like, but I want to show you this."  He said, before bringing the paper to his face.  

"It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea, that a maiden there lived, who you may know, by the name of Annabel Lee."

I listened intently throughout the poem, savoring each word.  The poem's words, combined with Erik's hypnotic voice, moved me to tears.  I blinked them back, but to my dismay, they spilled over my lids.  Erik didn't stop, though, he kept going as if his life depended on this poem.  Each word dropped from his mouth like a music note, like he was singing.  His reading voice had almost the same effect on me as his singing voice.

"For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams, of the beautiful Annabel Lee.  And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes, of the beautiful Annabel Lee.  And so, all the night tide, I lie down by the side, of my darling-my darling-my life and my bride.  In her sepulchre by the sea.  In her tomb by the sounding sea."

I quickly wiped away the tears that had fallen onto my cheeks and smiled up at him.  "Erik....That was....Breathtaking."  I whispered.  He smiled down at me and put a hand to my wet cheek, noticing the leftover tear stains.  To my relief, he ignored them.  "It was just for you, my darling."  He whispered back.  I giggled and placed my hand over his on my cheek.  "So, the name....Annabel Lee.  Do you like it?"  He hesitantly asked.  I took a few moments to answer, rolling the name over my tongue, thinking it over.  "Well....Annabel Lee....I think....Well, I think I do."  I finally answered.  Erik smiled and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek.