Chapter 460

"Pearl. Pearl are you awake?" Erik tapped on her door.

"Erik, it's the middle of the night," Pearl said as she opened the door, wiping her eyes.

He smiled. She was so adorable, standing there in her nightgown, sleepily like that.

"I was wondering if I might have the honor of your company?" Erik looked a bit of mess.

"Erik, are you drunk?"

He held up his fingers indicate a small amount.

"Just a little. Just a smidge. I was at a stag do and drank a 6 figure scotch. But that's not why I'm here or why you must join me." He stomped his feet like a toddler.

Pearl laughed at his incoherent gibberish and adorable demeanor. Pearl reluctantly grabbed her robe and took Erik's hand. He clumsily lead her down to the garden entrance and covered her eyes walking her to the most open area between the large shrubs and the wildflower field.

He stopped and lifted his hands and excitedly said, "Look up!"

She did and saw the most amazing sight she had ever seen. A bright, pink full moon was positioned high above the palace, illuminating the gardens as flashes of light and stars moved downward across the sky.

"It's the Perseids. A meteor shower." Erik held his arm up, showing her. She put her hand on her mouth in awe. It was breathtaking.

Erik leaned over and hit play on the Bluetooth speaker he had set up. Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" began to send it's gentle guitar into the night breeze.

Erik offered her his hand. "Dance with me."

She smiled and took his hand, as he twirled her into his arms.

"When a man loves a woman

Can't keep his mind on nothin' else

He'd trade the world

For the good thing he's found."

He pulled her close to him and rocked her in his arms. She remembered how incredible of a dancer he was all those years ago.

"Marry me." He whispered.

She smiled but didn't respond.

"Marry me or I shall die. I shall wither and fall into the abyss, a broken and lovelorn fool."

She laughed as he twirled her around again. The meteor shower filling the sky above them.

He looked into her eyes.

"I love you, Nightingale. And I wish I could leave you alone. I wish I could stay away so you could stop fighting and have some peace for once." She touched his cheek gently.

"If you left me alone, I would be the broken one." He smiled a little and nodded. "I had peace. But I didn't have you. Erik, it's been a beautiful fight. Still is." She smiled, quoting Bukowski.

"Marry me." He was not letting it go. He got down on one knee and took her hand.

"Marry me and be my wife again. I can't live without you and I want to be in your bed, every night, I want to hold you and love you. I want to be the one to help you throughout the day. I want to protect you. Anything. Everything. I want to call you mine and I want to be yours. Marry me. Marry me and take away all this pain."

She fell to her knees as well, at his level.

"Yes."

He smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Perfect. Wonderful!" Erik spun her around.

They stood up as "Unchained Melody" played. Pearl listened to the words and began to cry.

"Woah, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

And time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?

I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea, yeah

Lonely rivers sigh

"Wait for me, wait for me"

I'll be coming home, wait for me…"

He pulled her into his arms and rocked her tightly. They danced under the moon and meteors, knowing their love had endured more hardship and pain than any love could ever outlast. And yet, here they were. And what a beautiful fight it truly was, indeed.