Love will still remain

Chapter 12

Gwen's POV

After I'm done packing up all my drawing supplies and half of my dresses I prepare myself for the long day ahead of me. My dads and I are eating lunch before I go to coney with daddy. Having two dads is going to get so confusing.

"Gwen, before we leave Paris I want to find you a ball gown. I'm hosting a masquerade next week and you need a dress. I was thinking Raoul could come and help find one." Erik says as we finish up lunch.

"I-I have to go?" I ask timidly.

"You want me to go all alone? I would much rather have you with me." He says sweetly.

"I-I don't know how to dance..." I say, a little embarrassed.

"We could teach you." Raoul says with a gleam in his eye. It's so nice to see my dads getting along.

"Alright then." I smile "let's find me a dress!" We hop into a carriage and go to town to find me a ball gown.

The first shop we go to is filled with beautiful gowns and dresses, but they are all to big for my small body. I'm hard to find dresses for, I have a tiny frame, yet I already have grown into nice curves. We find a dress that will fit and I try it on.

"I like it." Raoul says, not even paying attention.

"What are you talking about?" Erik shoots back. "my daughter will not be wearing that dress, she looks like a prostitute!" I bust up laughing. The dress was horrible. There was way to much cleavage, the bright pink color was atrocious and the back showed half my butt. Don't even get me started on how shear it was. I go back to try on other dresses. The same thing went on for hours. I would come out in a dress, one dad would say yes, the other would say no. God, who knew dress shopping with men was so difficult! Finally after several dresses and corsets and slips, I finally found a combination I loved. I thought it was so beautiful. It was black and strapless and showed of my curves quite nicely. it had silver beading strategically placed on the skirts and the top portion. I felt so beautiful in the dress and before I went to show the critics I said I silent prayer, hoping they would like it.

I walk out and both of their mouths drop open. I smile and spin around so they can see all of it. "I love it!" I exclaim. Erik smiles.

"You look beautiful my little angel." My smile grows bigger.

"How are we going to keep the boys away from you?!" Raoul says playfully. We all laugh.

"I think this is the one." Erik says nodding.

"I agree." Raoul chimes in and I squeal in excitement. "Why don't you go get changed and we'll get the dress." I nod and rushed to get changed. When I came back out everything was already paid for and ready to go.

Once we return home we all go the den, where the grand piano is. I smile at the sight of my only friend in this world. Erik follows my gaze to the piano and smiles. "Shall we dance?" He asks and glides over to the piano. He plays a few notes and looks pleased. "Perfectly tuned." He says. I smile with pride. I always kept my piano in top condition. Raoul comes over to me and tells me to place my right hand on his shoulder and my left hand goes in his.

"Alright, let's start with the box step." He quickly teaches me the steps, then Erik plays a simple melody and I successfully complete the dance, only it's missing something.

"Wait" Erik said standing up. He takes Raoul's place as my dance partner. I have to stand tip toed to reach his shoulder. "When you dance, feel the music. Just like when you play piano you have to move with the music." I nod and we begin to dance again, only we dance to the music in our head. I make sure to move with the music. We good across the floor, both with long graceful strides. I smile when we finish. My dads are great teachers. This goes on for another hour or so. Raoul would teach me the steps, then Erik would help me to flow with the melodies. It's so much fun having two dads, only I wish mother was here. We all decide to eat dinner together before Erik and I depart. Half way through diner I decide to ask something I've been wondering for a while.

"So.. um, what should I call you guys? I don't want to address you by your first name... but I can't call you both dad." I ask. They both look at me kind of shocked. I decide to speak again. "Well, I could call one of you dad, and the other father, that way there's at least a difference?" I say, more as a question.

"You can decide on whatever you like." Erik says. Raoul nods in agreement.

"Ok." I think for a second. I turn to Raoul. "I've always called you father, so I think I'll leave you with that name," I turn to Erik. "So that leaves you with dad." I say with a smile. They both smile back.

I was exhausted after a long day of dress shopping and dancing and the sun had already begun to sink. I barely stayed awake during the carriage ride to the ferry. I say goodbye to Raoul and board the ferry, falling asleep on Erik's lap the second we depart.

"Gwen, angel, it's time to get up." I'm gently shaken awake by my dad. I look around to see that we are in a carriage, and it looks like it's late.

"Where are we?" I ask sleepily.

"Home" he replies. I give him a confused look and he points out the window. I direct my line of vision there, and see a spectacular manor built on one of the cliffs of Coney.

"Whoa." I breathe as I gaze at the approaching manor. "T-that's home?" I ask excitedly. Dad laughs.

"Yep, I think you're really going to like it." He says.

"I'm already in love with it!" I exclaim causing us both to laugh. This was it. This is to be my new life. I can't wait to start it.