Music of the Night: The Phantom of the Opera Returns (Guile & Melody)

[Guile]

Erik laughed, pleased at how he had brought such a beautiful reaction out of Christine, before taking his lips off of her at last. He stood, taking the plate of food from her, with a satisfied grin on his lips at how he had gotten her to surrender. "Why, thank you, Christine. I very much appreciate this." Then, he raised a brow. "Oh, yes. I know...Raoul, the charming Vicomte." Erik was making a joke, for he was still smirking. "At the time I was heartbroken that you would go off with him. However, now that you're my wife, it all seems rather trivial...doesn't it?" His voice had gotten soft, trailing off slightly, as if he were asking himself the question. "You have no need to fret about it though, Christine. I believe we have already come to terms with how each of us feel, or felt, about what happened back then. I...I just don't want to go down that road again." Erik's voice sounded pained at the very thought of all those memories, but he did his best to hide it.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine was still with her hands on the counter, heart still going at a cheetah's pace. "You still do this to me, which causes me to dislike you." Christine told him, not able to smile because of her heart. To distract herself, Christine went to her baby and held him, just for something to take her mind from Erik. "Good morning, my sweet baby boy." She kissed his forehead, still facing the far wall. "You are such a good boy, Johnny." She hummed to him as he fed. "Your father is trying to convince me to have another baby, but I don't think you'd like that, now, would you?" She grinned, watching him. "I'm not certain that I want one."

 

[Guile]

Meanwhile, Erik had sat down to eat - content with the effect he had had on Christine. "Do not worry, Christine." He called out to her after a small laugh had escaped his lips. "You've the very same effect on me - still, to this day." Noticing that Christine was doing her best to distract herself, Erik grinned and shook his head before returning to his food. He ate in silence for some time, listening to Christine's soft humming across the room, before hearing her words. Erik raised his eyebrow at them, smirking as he did so even though Christine was turned away from him. After clearing away his own plate, he went up to her - staying a few feet back to keep a respectful distance between them, as she was feeding Jonathan. "You aren't certain, eh?" He laughed and crossed his arms, obviously teasing. "Was last night not convincing enough for you, my dear." Even as he said it, his cheeks flushed. Erik was still not used to such a lifestyle, to be comfortable enough with joking about such things.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine came out of her little daze, fixed herself again and held Jonathan. "Sweet little Jonathan Erik Destler, my gorgeous boy." She spun on her heel, causing her dress to flutter with her. Now facing her husband, she looked over his shoulder and saw Catherine slap her hands over Lilly's ears before her father could say anything 'damaging' in the presence of a child. Alistair had food in his mouth, all he could hear was his own chewing. With a single nod concerning the actions of her daughter, Christine shrugged. "Well, you've had better days, my dear." Her cheeks also burned.

 

[Guile]

Erik furrowed his brows, wondering what Christine's nod had been for. That's when he turned to look behind him and saw his children standing there. It seemed as though, thanks to Catherine and Alistair's chewing, the young ones had not heard. Still, that did not stop him from feeling rather ashamed of himself as well as embarrassed. Erik longed to apologize, but to mention it would only make him embarrassment deepen. That's when he noticed the flush on Christine's cheeks. "I see...well, then." He cleared his throat nervously. "I suppose I shall have to start trying to convince you with words then." Erik let it at that, hoping that he would not be patronized too much for his carelessness..

 

[Saiyan Princess]

When her father's words had been toned down, Catherine felt that it was safe for her to take her hands from Lilly. "Ah, I see that , not only do you have no need to keep things clean, but you show no need to keep them child friendly." Christine was a bit upset by this, but answered him anyway. "Maybe you should." She sighed again as she opened up her wardrobe to look at the most divine wedding dress that she had ever seen in her life: her own. "Erik, what are we going to do without Catherine with us all the time." She looked very solemn. "I truly don't want our daughter to leave."

 

[Guile]

Erik knew that Christine was far from pleased with him. It made him guilty, seeing her upset with him. He could not respond, as he was ashamed with himself. That is, until he walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders as she stood in front of the wardrobe. "I am sorry, Christine, forgive me. I shouldn't have said such a thing. I truly didn't know that the children were there." Looking at the wedding dress brought back beautiful memories of the night that they had been wed - it was truly Erik's greatest day. He treasured it with all of his heart. "I know you don't want Catherine to leave, but you must remember how much she loves Andrew. She will never stop coming to see us, and she will always love her parents, I am sure." Erik placed a comforting kiss on his wife's cheek. "She must do this, if it is what she wants. She will be happy with him, I know. Catherine is a good girl - she would never leave us entirely."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine sensed her husband behind her. Knowing immediately how Erik's touch would make her feel, though he wasn't trying, she braced herself for the impact. And, oh, how wonderful it was! Christine could feel her spirit escape her as she spoke to Catherine. "My dear, y-you must come and put this on." She wanted to go ahead and start before she changed her mind about letting Catherine marry her ex husband's cousin. Catherine put William on the ground and obeyed Christine at once, taking the dress with her behind curtain that separated her room from the rest of the home. "Now, I believe you said that you would do something for me." Christine chuckled, speaking to Erik. "What was it?"

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled as he heard Christine order Catherine to try on her dress. Oh, how lovely it would be - at the same time, bittersweet - to see Catherine in her mother's wedding dress. It was as Catherine was changing that Christine spoke to him. Her question brought another blush of embarrassment to Erik's cheeks. "I have said a lot of things, Christine. I...I seem to have forgotten this particular one, dear. As you continuously remind me - I am getting older. Age does that to a person, you know." He chuckled, hoping she wouldn't be too upset with him. "Now, what is it that I must do for you?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine laughed out loud. "I thought you of all people would remember that I am still young enough, but, it seems that you are far too old to know what I'm talking about anyway. It's a shame too. I was hoping that you would understand that we've been married for quite some time now." She looked him accordingly. "You at least know that much, don't you? Erik, how long have I been your wife now?" She pinched the sides of his face with her thumb and forefinger. "Answer that correctly and I may consider your earlier offer."

 

[Guile]

"Hmm...how long? How long..." Erik tapped his chin, playfully exaggerating his thought process. He acted as though he knew and was simply pretending that he didn't, but, in all honesty, he had no idea. It was so hard to tell down there, how many days had passed. Besides, he always hated counting days. Erik preferred to live in the moment, and enjoy the life that was given to him. "You know, Christine, I feel a lot of pressure right now. If I get this wrong, I will officially be the world's worst husband." He grinned, teasing. "Well, it seems like we've been married forever! With your constant nagging and endless comments about my age I feel as if we're already acting like we've been married for twenty years! But...that can't be right now, can it?" Erik chuckled, wrapping her in his arms, desperately hoping to distract her from the question.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

The teasing air had disappeared from Christine's face. She was truly hurt by this. At least Raoul remembered our anniversary. Truthfully, she felt stupid, though it had only been 13 months (Jonathan was conceived on their wedding night, and is four months now). Yes, oh, yes! How time flies when you're madly in love. "Well, I understand if you cannot remember, after all, thirteen months isn't an important time in a marriage." She didn't return any of the affection that she was given. "It's not important, Erik." Bile built up in her throat as she tried not to break down. "Don't worry."

 

[Guile]

Erik saw the tease leave her and become replaced by pain and disappointment. He couldn't believe that she was trying to blow over the situation for him, as if it truly were no big deal. "Oh, Christine, every day that I spend married to you is important." Erik turned her around to face him, so that she could see the truth in his eyes. "Forgive me for being so heartless. You must understand that it is not because I do not care. I care more than I could ever express in words, darling." He held her hands in his for a moment, before letting them go as he closed his eyes and cursed himself. "God, I am a horrible husband. I..." Erik opened his eyes again to look at her. The pain in her eyes caused his heart to break as he caressed her cheek softly with the back of his hand. "Let me make it up to you, Christine. Allow me to take you out for dinner tonight, and then we will go any place you wish to. Let us celebrate our thirteen months together. I have truly been a monster...please, I want to see your beautiful smile again, though I don't deserve to." Erik's eyes pleaded with her, and he silently prayed that she would accept his offer.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine's lips wanted so badly to turn upward in a smile. She couldn't get over how pitiful her husband looked right now. It wasn't his fault. There was no form of a calendar down here. There truly wasn't a need for one. Nothing had ever occurred that was so important that a simple thing like that was necessary. "I told you already, just moments ago that I'm alright. I was being silly, Erik." She plastered a thin smile to her cheeks. On the other side of her curtain, Catherine shook her head. You're losing points quickly, Papa. "There's no need for such things, Erik. I don't want to have you go out of your way to prove how much you love me." Christine caressed his cheek as well, the smooth surface blessing her knuckles. "But, if it means so much to you, we can do something small." Behind Erik's back, Andrew was shaking his head in disgust, a smirk on his face though.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled at Christine, but still felt guilty and quite determined to make this up to her. "No, you were being far from silly, Christine. I was being a bad husband. I should know things like this because it is important. I promise you that. And I am not going out of my way - I owe it to you." Still, Christine declined his offer. Not wishing to upset her more, Erik agreed with her. "It does mean that much to me. I wish to make it up to you. Now..." He took her hand in his and brought it from where is caressed his cheek, down to his lips. Erik placed a soft kiss on her knuckles before finishing his sentence. "What did you have in mind, my dear Christine?" He grinned as he wrapped his arms around his wife, waiting for her response.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine had finished getting into the wedding dress. She couldn't move at all. Her betrothed was still in the room. "Andy, darling. Go away." She called through the curtains. "I mean, please, would you mind going home?" Andrew looked teasingly offended. "Oh, you want me gone that bad, eh? Very well." He kissed William goodbye and left the Destlers alone. Christine sighed. "Hmm, well, you'll be sleeping in your chair tonight, if that's what you mean. But, I will allow you to come up with something on your own while your pretty little housewife attends to your daughter." She opened the curtains and disappeared behind them with her eldest. "Oh! My Catherine!" She exclaimed.

 

[Guile]

Erik looked playfully offended by this comment and crossed his arms, displeased with Christine's idea. However, he waved her off and let her go attend to Catherine. As he began pacing, thinking about what he could possibly do for her, Erik heard Christine's exclamation. He jumped, quite startled. "Dear Lord..." he mumbled jokingly under his breath, "what gets women so worked up about dresses?" Though, he understood quite clearly.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Absolutely stunning, my dear. Very, very beautiful." Christine kept saying as she had to move things around to help Catherine out of the dress. "Hopefully your husband will remember your anniversary a year from now. I am going out to do something on my own for mine tonight. I will leave my wonderful husband here with you whilst I make him pay, literally, for my own happiness." She whispered, knowing that Catherine could keep a secret. When they came out, both wore evening gowns. "Did you think about what you'll do for me to make it up?" Christine asked, shutting the room behind her. "If you didn't, I have plans tonight anyway, with Meg, of course."

 

[Guile]

Erik was beginning to get nervous. He continued pacing back and forth, searching for anything that he could possibly do to make this up to Christine. I could sing for her - out on the stage, because it's her favorite spot - but...I've done that so much throughout the years. I don't think that is fair trade for forgetting your anniversary. Could I play something for her? On her father's violin. No, no. I must do something more than that. Perhaps I could buy her something...and play for her. No, that isn't good enough. Oh, think, Erik! That was when the two women reappeared. Erik ceased his pacing immediately and smiled at Christine. "Plans?" He asked, furrowing his brow and looking rather confused. "When did you and Meg decide on this?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, just recently, actually, when a certain man that insists that his means so much to him actually forgot their anniversary and still waited two months before even having it cross her mind, though she remembers that she had gotten herself to a point where she looked rather inviting." She explained with a slight glare toward Erik, though she, in her right mind, wouldn't be acting in such a way. "I can't recall what he thought was so very important, though." She smiled at him. "But, I don't think I'll try so hard if there is a two-year anniversary." She took a sack of coins from Erik's desk and left. "Ciao!" She went above to disappear with Meg.

 

[Guile]

Christine's words stung rather sharply and her glare couldn't have hurt him more. Still, as Erik watched her leave - not caring that she had taken a sack of money from his desk - he knew he deserved it. "Oh, what have I gotten myself into?" He ran his hands through his hair and sat down in his chair, exasperated. She knows how much I love her...doesn't she? I only hope she comes back happy - whatever she does tonight with Meg, wherever she goes, I just want her to be happy. Erik sincerely regretted not putting a calendar in his home now.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine shook her head. "Oh, my poor, poor, absolutely pathetic father." She smirked, gripping his shoulder. "What have you gotten yourself into?" She tapped her own chin in an uncanny imitation of the man. "I mean, you've only been with Mother her entire life, married her fourteen months ago still you have no shame." She smiled, knowing something that could work, but decided to make him squirm. "So, how do you plan on cleaning up this rather awful tornado you've created for yourself, my father?" She hugged him. "Do you know that she isn't angry? She understands what happened."

 

[Guile]

Erik groaned, obviously not pleased with Catherine's teasing at the moment. Still, he looked up at her and tried to throw her a smirk. "Yes, yes. I know, I am a horrible husband. In my defense, I am not used to this whole thing yet. I've never had to keep track of dates and anniversaries before. How do I plan on fixing this? God, I have no idea. My head is too full of regrets and worry to come up with something. Nothing I have come up with is special enough anyway." He sighed, rather tired. "Are you sure she isn't angry?" Erik couldn't have appreciated Catherine's hug more than he did then. "She seemed rather upset. After all, it was quite dreadful of me to forget such a thing. Your mother means the world to me. Oh, how could I forget our anniversary?" He seemed to half-ask, half-curse himself.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Alright!" She backed up, hand still on his shoulder. "I'm going to put this as easily as I can." She was starting to get as frustrated as Christine. "What exactly is going on within twenty-four hours? Hm, a wedding?" She laughed, kissing his cheek. "Why not try a vow renewal? That might work." She threw her hands up in surrender. "You heard nothing from me."

 

[Guile]

Erik could sense his daughter's frustration and sighed, feeling even more guilty. "I am sorry, Catherine. I am just at a loss right now." Though, the kiss she placed on his cheek did cheer him up a bit. Then, his heart sank again when she mentioned this vow renewal. "A what?" For as unfamiliar with society as Erik was, he had done rather well over the years with keeping up on knowing certain things about the life that he was shunned from. However, vow renewals had not been on his list of 'customs I need to learn a thing or two about.' The poor man had never even heard of such a thing. "My dear girl, you seem to forget your father was never exposed to the married life, or even married couples. The wedding itself was a bit bizarre to me, though I hardly took notice, seeing as I was far too distracted by your mother the whole time. How on Earth would I go about doing such a thing?"