My Blue Rose (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 18 - Blue Roses

Carly's POV:

I straightened my hair and looked back at the note Erik had sent me. He had asked me to meet him in one of the parks and to be dressed in my nicest dress. I wondered what he was thinking. We had been courting for about a year now and I had my suspicions about what he was up to. I tugged at my blue dress and looked at myself in the mirror. It looked like it would pass for what Erik might have in mind. I hurried down the stairs and hopped into my car to drive to the park. I had been told to meet him at the nearest gazebo. I walked up and gasped. Erik was standing in the middle and holding a bouquet of blue roses and in his nicest tuxedo. I realized what he was wanting to do. There was no doubt about it. I lifted my skirt and blushed as I realized how wide his eyes were. I guess I surprised him. I walked up to him and planted a kiss on his lips. He pulled me against him and held me close. I pulled away slightly and whispered,

"Why am I here?" He smiled that characteristic smile and said,

"Well, maybe because I asked you to come and you agreed?" He raised an eyebrow. I smiled and hit him lightly on the arm.

"What is the real reason?" He pulled away and handed me the bouquet of blue roses. He took my hands in his as he said,

"Carly, when I first saw you in the church choir I knew that I wanted our lives to be intertwined. You might say I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. My love and desire to have you with me caused me to kidnap you. I don't know how you managed to love me through it but you did and I will never understand it. Two years after that incident, you came to find me. I thought I would never see you again after that night that the police took you. But here you are, still claiming to love me. Carly, you accepted the face behind the mask and found a man where only a monster had been. I am asking you to do me the greatest honor you could and," Here he choked up a bit and, pulling out a small box, dropped to one knew, "marry me. Would you be my wife?" I stared at him and then felt tears start to run down my cheeks. I was grinning and blushing all at the same time.

"Oh, Erik. I would say 'yes' for forever if I had to. Of course I will marry you. I love you." He removed the ring and slipped it on my finger. I stared at the large blue sapphire. I could just imagine it was a rose. I looked up at my blue rose and smiled.

"Its beautiful." He laughed and pulled me against him. A moment later we were locked in a passionate kiss. Then something shattered my happiness into tiny pieces. I pulled away slightly and Erik saw the look of horror on my face.

"Carly, is something wrong?" I nodded. He placed his hands on my shoulders and said,

"What?" I sighed and looked into his eyes.

"Erik, I love you and would gladly marry you. But there is a problem. Are you a Christian?" He frowned.

"Is that all?" I nodded. He laughed.

"Carly, don't worry. I am. Those two years had their place. I had no one to turn to. I was alone. Your father had given me a Bible and took to reading it. I came to know Jesus through it. Trust me, when I asked your father if I could marry you he made that stipulation. I knew you would stick to it." I gasped.

"You have asked my father?" He nodded.

"Yes, I have. I asked that night that we had dinner at your house. Once he knew I was saved, he said that in a few months I could. He wanted to get to know me before I became his son-in-law." I laughed and hugged him close. I was so happy and couldn't get over it.

"Erik, I could spend eternity telling you how happy I am right now." I leaned forward and kissed him soundly. He chuckled and I felt the rumble in his throat. He pulled away for a moment then said,

"We have the rest of our lives." He leaned down and kissed me again.

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Author's Note:

Dear Readers,

I understand that all who read this book aren't Christians or even favorable to Christianity. I am a Christian and will stand by my faith. I hope this hasn't offended you but this is my personal belief. And considering that Carly is the daughter of a minister then I believe she should hold that same belief. Again I hope this hasn't offended anyone. I hope you are enjoying it so far. Lots more to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sarahlet2999