The Lady Or the Beauty

The Past Is Present

Christine POV

It is about midnight and the only light in my room is a small lite candle. Thunder is rolling outside and rain is hitting the window. The shadows seem menacing and the air seems colder. I huddle in the blankets terrified. I cannot sleep. I can't take this any longer. I creep out of my bed and head downstairs to where Erik's room is. I carefully open his door and tiptoe in. I am suprised to see that Erik is actually asleep. I tiptoe to his bed and slide uder the sheets. I automatically feel comforted.

"Christine, what are you doing?" Erk mutters sleepily.

"I'm scared..."

"This is highly improper" he says more awake now.

"I don't care. We are going to be married in a few days anyways...." I snuggle in closer.

"Christine...you should get to your own bed..."

"No"

"Christine" he growled and pulled away

"What?" I reply playfully. Suddenly the mood changes. I see something under Erik's pillow. It's an old photo. I pull it out before Erik can stop me. "Erik what is this?"

"Give that to me Christine. It's none of your concern." he tries to pull it away. I hold fast to it. I stare at the picture. I am drop dead shocked. It's my father and mother and Erik in a photo together. What? What was going on? Erik looked considerably younger in the photo, but it was still Erik. He still wore a mask. My parents are smiling and I notice Erik is holding a baby...Could it be...me? I am shaking. My entire body is shaking.

"Erik...."

"Christine...I'm sorry."

"Erik what is this? Who are you? How old are you? How are you in this photo?" questions are pouring out of my mouth.

"Christine calm down. I am Erik. I am me."

"H-how old are you?"

"40"

I am utterly suprised. I am going to pass out.

"Christine, let me explain. I was 23 in the photo. I was there when you were born. In fact I delivered you."

Did I just mention I was going to passout? I'm definitely going to pass out now.

"Your mother was going into labor, and I was nearby and your father asked for help. He had no idea how to deliver a baby. I did know how to. I had read many books on it. Your mother let me hold you. I fell in love with you right then. You were so small and I made a promise to watch after you, and I have kept that promise for 20 years now." Erik was crying. I was crying. Erik wrapped his arms around me and we cried together.

"Christine, I am so, so sorry"

"Don't be. I'm the one who is to be sorry."

"I love you"

"I love you too"

We then curled up together and fell asleep in eachother arms.