Choices 2

Chapter 29

Erik, what is-Raoul!" Christine gasped, opening the door when she heard something slump against the door. Raoul was on his knees, cradling his jaw, where blood poured from his mouth. Erik, my some miracle, was standing but she could see the blood staining his bandage. She crouched down next to Raoul and took his hand, looking up at her husband with an accusing stare. She knew exactly what had happened to her friend and she was angry.

"Are you alright, Raoul?" Christine asked, anxious. The handsome man nodded and Erik's scowl deepened, he really should have hit him harder.

"I am fine," he grumbled, standing up with Christine's help. He glanced at Erik but said nothing. His reaction to his words just confirmed Raoul's thoughts, he did not deserve Christine.

"Are you sure you are fine?" Christine asked when Raoul winced in obvious pain.

"Yes...perhaps I could talk to you later?" he suggested.

"She will be detained," Erik snapped. Christine glanced at him but ignored him. She nodded at Raoul.

"Of course, go and get something for your jaw, alright?" Christine suggested. Raoul simply nodded and with a final glance at Erik, left the room. Christine whirled on her husband.

"What happened?" she demanded. Erik did not reply but turned and slowly made his way back to bed, his energy completely spent. Blood had begun to make its way from the bandage that was not completely soaked and blood stained his skin as he lay down. Christine went to him and slowly removed the bandage. She muttered several things under her breath when she saw that his stitches had snapped.

"I wish you were not injured right now," Christine informed him.

"Really, why is that?" Erik asked.

"Because I would give anything to smack you upside the head!" Christine sighed. Erik hid his smirk.

"Why did you hit Raoul?" she asked as she cleaned the wound. Erik was slipping back into unconsciousness because of overexertion and Christine could tell. But she wanted him to answer her first.

"Let it suffice that he needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut," Erik replied. Christine shook his head, knowing that Raoul was not the only one that should keep his mouth shut at times.

xXx

Erik woke up several times during the next couple of days but it was only for brief periods of time. But each time Christine was always there. Several times he had woken to hear her singing softly, in a voice he had not known she possessed. The sound of her voice was soothing and it calmed him and he always managed to slip back into sleep, even when guilt plagued him about not being able to help Christine when she had been in trouble.

"An angel walks beside me,

I feel him everyday,

he helps me through life's ups and downs,

and whatever comes my way.

He guides me down the road of life,

and lights the darkest roads,

he picks me up and carries me,

when I can not bear the load..."

Christine gently pushed a lock of hair away from Erik's face as she sang softly to him. This song was something her mother often sang to her when she was a small little girl. She had always imagined that the 'angel' spoken of in the poem would be a man who fell in love with her. The lines were saying all she wished Erik could do for her. He had been unconscious for several days thanks to his argument with Raoul and she was worried about him.

"He helps to ease the pain I feel,

he mends my spirit, too,

he holds my hand, and shelters me,

and gives me courage and strength, too.

He speaks to me with words of love,

and he listens to my pleas,

he was sent here from the lord above,

to guide and comfort me..."

Surely God had had a purpose in sending Erik to her? Did He not work in mysterious ways? But she could not explain what purpose there had been in having the two of them wed. They were so completely opposite from one another. She could hardly have a conversation with him without arguing. What had God been thinking putting them together.

"I know he's always watching,

though his form I can not see,

its a peace I feel deep in my heart,

that leads me to believe.

An angel walks beside me,

I feel blessed everyday,

that the presence of this angel,

will never go away..."

"Emma..."

Christine's eyes snapped to Erik's face when he softly spoke her mother's name. She felt a lump form in her throat at the thought of her mother. Had Erik truly loved her like a brother? If so then why had her mother never mentioned him? Surely if they had shared a close relationship wouldn't her mother have wanted them to be introduced? Or had something happened between them and they had stopped talking?

"No...Erik, it is Christine," she said softly, caressing his cheek. Erik's brow knitted into a grimace.

"Christine..." he said, his voice sounding hoarse and raw. She softly sang the song to him again, holding his hand softly in her own. She hoped he got better soon because whoever wished them dead might find out that Erik is vulnerable to a threat and they might take that opportunity.

"Christine?"