Replaying Past

"This is just so sweet. I could eat a hundred more of them and just get fat!"

Erik watched, warmth growing in his chest for such a site that he should find...uneasy. Esme stood beside him, a plate in her offered hand, little cakes, diped in the richest of chocolate, or covered with the sweetest of cream, danced with glee in her other hand into her awaiting mouth. She stuffed herself as if he had straved her for months. But... He could not help but smile. Her sweet innocence. To not be apart of the Ton, or to act all high in class around others. Her little smiles and teases, her squeals of joy and moans of delight from sweets made him forget he was among strangers, surrounded by the very people would mocked him and wished for his very death. His gypsy made him forget..

"Have some."

His daze was snapped when a treat was placed before his face. Esme face glowed with life and pleasure, as she waved the chocolate treat before him teaseingly. "Tis delightful. Do have a bite." She cooed. His heart swelled a little as his lips pressed together tightly. He wanted her, not the damn treat. He wanted to take her back home, back into the darkness of his room and rip away her clothes and make her his again. Over and over in till the new year appeared. But for now.. Lifting his hand, his strong, rough fingers curled around her small wrist gently. He pulled her closer, lifting her hand. He watched with a smirk as her ceeks went red under her mask. His lips parted and slowly, he took the cake into his mouth. The touch of his lips upon her fingertips made her heart race. His tongue snuck out, licking at the melted dew of chocolate upon her skin. She could not breath, her air was stuck in her lungs. He made it impossible to act normal. But his hand let her go and she let it drop back down to her side. She did not know what to say, what she 'could' say. They've been through so much, yet he never told her.. fully out.. that he loved her. She pressed her lips as she shoved another cake into her mouth, her thoughts running wild. He did love her, she just knew it. He was just being stubborn, or perhap he was waiting for her to tell him... No, she sighed, shaking her head. He would not wait for her. He likes to take charge. A dream like state casted over her as her hand touched her warm cheek, at the thought of Erik telling her of his love. He would swing her into his arms, stare deeply into her eyes and tell her, that he could not live without her, nor would he ever try. A giggle came out from her as she trembled, squealing from such a thought. How romantic that would be!

She was truly.... A strange women.

Erik watched with more confusion then amusement as his gypsy trembled and giggled to her own dreams and sighs. What on earth was she thinking about? He mused. Pickng up his glass, he drank deeply from the wine inside. He enjoyed being with her... He thrived on every smile she casted his way. Staring down into the glass, his eyes narrowed upon his reflection, upon his mask. His grip tighted a little, his lips a snarl. His damn face.. It has caused him so much pain, so much regret and sorrow. And yet... Looking back up, he watched Esme stuff her face happily, giggling to her little dreams. His face gave him a women that could see him.. Past his effection and into his soul. It gave him a women that loved him, even after all he his done. The very thought of losing her. Made his heart sink.

Placing a side the drink he held, he moved. He needed to keep her, he 'needed' to have her at his side. To awake every morning to her smiling face, and fade intot he darkness of sleep with her in his arms. She would save him for the maddness of the night and shine the glory of the day upon him. He needed her... Reaching out, he touched her arm, causing her to stop her little giggled and stare back at him. Gently he took her plate and set it side. Her questioning eyes did nothing for her, as his hands took her shoulders, turning her to face him fully. So small... So beautiful... Bringing her closer, Erik pressed a kiss to her forehead, feeling her hands rise up to touc his chest lightly. Her voice wispering out his name. How he loved the sound. But holding her close, he whispered. "Esme... I must tell you something.."

Tilting her head up, she looked up to him, her heart racing. Was he going to tell her that he loved her? She squealed in her mind as her fingers curled into his chest. "These months... Of having you with me... I dont know how to explain it." She pressed her lips tightly, tryign hard not to speak. She wanted to hear him, wanted to finally hear those words she's been dieing to grasps. "You've givin me a new muse, to write and play music again. You... Made the impossible possible." He was struggling, how could it be? He had no trouble when he wrote tis down, but saing it to her, seeing her eyes glow wide with awaiting made him...H ell...damn it. He made him,

Nervouse.

"You've made me feel the things I thought I lost. The emtions I feared to touch again. Esme..." Bowing his head, he pressed his rough jaw into her forehead, his arms wrapping around her back, pulling her close to his body. He did not care if people were staring, he needed to hold her. "Esme... Do me the honor, and end this loneliness. Stay with me.. and be my wi-'

"My, arn't we just cozy this cold night.'

No! Esme mind screamed, her eyes wide. No no no! She wanted to stomp her foot and cry out in dismay. She felt Eriks arms tighten around her, she felt his muscles tighten under her touch. He was so close, he was going to ask her! He was going to ask her. She could kill the person whom dare ruin her moment. She looked up slowly, to stare at Erik. His face was dark, anger even. His eyes narrowed behind his mask. Esme's anger slowly went away as a new emtion took her.

"Miss Lonsdale. Are you going to introduce us?"

Her eyes kept on Erik, her body stiffin and trembling. That voice, she knew sooner or later she had to face it. But she did wished, deep down. It would have never happened. But slowly she turned her head, her face trying to stay clam. She faced them, and a weak smile graced her face.

"...Forgive... How rude of me." Staring dead on, she watched witn deep regret, as Raoul and his wife took their places before them. And by what she could see...

Raoul was not very happy.