A Place in This World

Terpsichore314 : It was so nice to hear from you. I am hoping that you have continued to read.

Mlle.Fox: Thank you for your words. I am thankful that you like my story. I personally see nothing wrong with writing about a husband and wife making love. It is well within the range of normal and it is a God-ordained act – as long as it is within the confines of marriage. Thanks for reading and I will pay close attention to your series of stories.

Forgotten Sorceress: Once again, you know just what to say to make me feel special. You give me warm fuzzies! I am glad that I added a bit of spice to your life (smiling innocently).

OperaLover: Thank you for being faithful and letting me know how you felt. You have been a constant throughout, and I appreciate your loyalty. Enjoy.

angelaura76: Your words are always uplifting and encouraging. I am glad that you look forward to future writings from me. I am in the process of coming up with a feasible storyline in another "Phantom" fanfic; and I may have an idea for a "Dear Frankie" fanfic; although, I am not sure where I would put that on this webpage. Enjoy

Pertie: My faithful friend, you have been with me a long time and have kept me writing. Thank you for your words and look forward to hearing from you in the future.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN READING, ENJOY THE EPILOGUE.

"Do you have permission to shoot me Croft?" Terry asked with a challenging smirk.

"Anytime, for any reason." Lara replied with an equally challenging smirk.

Gerard Butler as Terry Sheridan and Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in Lara Croft, The Cradle of Life.
EPILOGUE

2 MONTHS AFTER THE WEDDING

The days following the wedding were full of laughter and love. Erik and A'awynn had taken two weeks and toured Europe. Erik showed her the remains of the opera house in Paris and the reception they received was overwhelming. Paris had not forgotten The Phantom nor the music that he composed.

Madrid, Rome, Munich, Crete; every city had a personality of its own and the couple enjoyed each equally. For the first time in his life, Erik felt welcome everywhere he went. He knew that his title and wealth had a great deal to do with it, but he enjoyed it none the less.

Upon returning to Caldwell, Erik and A'awynn found the castle had transformed into one of the most beautiful examples of architecture ever seen in Scotland; or anywhere, for that matter. Erik's designs modernized the features and colors and utilized the latest technological breakthroughs, as well as some original ideas of Erik's.

This morning was especially beautiful, it was approaching the end of August and the summer was coming to an end soon. However, A'awynn was not feeling particularly perky this morning. The past several mornings had consisted of queasiness and vomiting, making A'awynn very weak. Erik was concerned for her well-being and had consulted the doctor.

Dr. Sheridan McCaulkin finished his exam and sat down in a chair next to A'awynn. Erik had been asked by the doctor to remain out of the room and Brianna was with A'awynn during the exam.

He turned to her with fatherly eyes, "Lady Lauchlan, you are fine; quite healthy in every aspect. Your sickness comes from the little one you carry in your womb."

A'awynn did not catch the connotation immediately, but Brianna did, and her excited gasp spurred A'awynn's realization.

A'awynn lifted happy, teary eyes to the doctor, "I'm pregnant?" Her smile could not be contained; Erik had planted his seed in her the very night they wed.

The doctor chuckled, "Yes my lady, you are…about two months along I'd say…give or take a day or two."

A'awynn hugged him and then hugged Brianna. She could not wait to tell Erik.

Brianna left the lovers to discuss new discoveries, giving A'awynn a look of joy and wonder as she walked out of the room.

A'awynn walked the doctor to the door, with Erik following close behind, the concern on his face still furrowing his features.

A'awynn turned and regarded him with a glow that only comes from carrying a child. She went to him and pulled him down for a gentle, tender hug. Erik reciprocated and hugged her back.

With a strained voice Erik asked, "Are you alright A'awynn? I could not bear it if something happened to you." He caressed her tearstained cheek with this thumb; concerned, but not wanting to force the information.

She took his hand and led him onto the patio. They sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking in the beautiful scenes before them.

A'awynn's soft voice invaded, "You need not be concerned my husband, my condition is perfectly normal."

Erik turned to her with relief on his face, "I am so thankful." Erik thought about what she said and furrowed his brow; completely oblivious to any of the symptoms she was displaying, "Condition? What condition?"

A'awynn could not hold her grin much longer. She reached her hand up and caressed Erik's sculptured cheek, as her eyes filled with tears. Erik began to get nervous, thinking something was seriously wrong with her.

A'awynn stood up and moved to stand in front of Erik. She took his large, graceful hand in hers and placed it over her womb. "In a couple of months, you will be able to feel him move Erik…I am going to have your baby." A'awynn looked deep into his eyes, allowing him time to take in what she had just said.

Erik felt like a boulder was stuck in his throat and words would not come to him. With tears in his eyes and shaking hands, Erik dropped to his knees and pulled A'awynn in to his arms, wrapping them around her waist with his ear to her abdomen. He wept quietly for a few minutes before turning his lips to her womb and placing a kiss on the small swelling that was almost undetectable.

His words were barely above a whisper as he lifted his head and looked into beautiful turquoise eyes, "There has never been a time in my life when I have been any more blessed than I am right now…you have made me so happy." He pulled himself to his full height and planted a long, passionate kiss on A'awynn's lips. The thought of his baby filling her womb made his blood run hot and he spent the next couple of hours showing her just how much.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

September 3, 1872

Erik had never had a birthday party before, and A'awynn and Brianna saw to it that he turned 34 in style. A ball was planned and people from all over the country and Europe came to help celebrate.

A'awynn was barely showing, so she was able to wear a lovely gown with a slightly looser skirt. Erik had never seen her look lovelier. The glow that enhanced her features was nothing short of awe-inspiring and Erik could not keep his eyes off her.

It did not take long for Erik to realize that he felt younger and more alive at the age of 34, than he had felt at 20. He supposed that it was because he now had something worth living for…which oddly enough, was also worth dying for…eternal love.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

March 21, 1873

Erik paced the floor outside their bedroom and Lacey paced every step with him. It had been five hours and the doctor still had not come out. Brianna, Kaitlyn and Brietta were all in the room with A'awynn, leaving Erik and Alastair to conjure up images of their own.

Dr. Allen O'Leary was the family physician and had been the attending doctor at the birth of every grandchild of Alastair and Brianna's. He had extensively talked to A'awynn and Erik about the risks of childbirth and the options that could be implemented if need be. Erik had begun praying at that very moment that nothing would go wrong and the pregnancy and birth would go easily.

Lacey was scared to the point of tears, but kept them to herself, not wanting to upset her papa any more than he already was, but Erik, being the sensitive man that he was, could tell that she was upset. He knelt down and scooped Lacey into his large arms, and carried her with him while he paced, her quiet tears covering his shoulder with wetness.

Inside the room, A'awynn was exhausted but determined. Dr. O'Leary had warned her that having her first baby at her age was going to be difficult; it was obvious that he knew what he was talking about.

A'awynn spoke between contractions, 'I want Erik in here; he is worried sick." She spoke to Brianna with alert eyes. "Doctor, I want him in here with me."

Dr. O'Leary knew that he was on the losing end of this battle and finally agreed. Brianna left the room to get Erik

Erik jerked his head around and closed the distance between him and his mother. Brianna rested a reassuring hand on his chest and smiled, "A'awynn wants you with her in the last few moments before the baby is born…she wants you to witness the miracle."

That was all the encouragement Erik needed, he kissed Lacey on the cheek and gently handed her over to Alastair. He said with a soft, fatherly tone, "Papa will be back as soon as he can, honey…I need to be with mama right now."

Lacey shook her head and smiled a hesitant smile, not totally at ease with the situation.

Erik swirled into the room; demanding the attention of everyone, just as he always did when entering a room. He was at A'awynn's side in a flash, holding her hand and wiping the hair gently from her forehead.

She looked pale and worn, but the glow that emanated from her was still strong and her smile was brilliant. She pulled his warm hand to her lips and placed a kiss on the manly knuckles.

A contraction enslaved her and she squeezed his fingers unmercifully. Erik felt the tears pouring down his cheek at seeing his wife in so much pain.

"One more good push and you will be done…come on my dear…" Dr. O'Leary's calming voice beckoned her.

Erik climbed into the bed and lifted A'awynn's back, placing himself behind her as leverage. He placed her head on his chest and enticed her to push. Erik's hands were around her and she held on to them and pushed with all she had, digging her nails into his hands and drawing blood.

As Lord Erik Connor Lauchlan, Fifth Earl of Berwithshire entered the world, his father and mother cried tears of thanks and relief. He was placed in this mothers arms as his father looked over her shoulder.

A head full of deep auburn hair, a dimpled chin and cheeks; a straight, articulate nose and long musician's fingers – these were the prominent features that Erik and A'awynn observed about their infant son; he was breathtaking.

Papa Erik was in awe at the beauty of his son…HIS SON. He was beautiful, just like his mother. Of course, two-years down the road, it was obvious that Little Erik was his father's son – deep, emerald green eyes; full, luscious lips; aristocratic cheekbones; dimpled chin and cheeks…all accented by a head full of wavy, deep auburn hair.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Lord Erik and Lady A'awynn eventually stopped having children after the birth of their sixth in 1885. Four boys and two girls was the final count, not counting Lacey whose place in the family never came into question. It was obvious that her father doted on her, his eyes adoring her on every occasion.

Upon his death in 1930 at the age of 92, Lord Erik Bryant Lauchlan, Fourth Duke of Berwithshire, had seen the births of 37 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. He had written 103 operas and 513 songs and he was one of the most sought after and well-known architects in all of Europe. His funeral was attended by royalty from five nations; namely, King George V of Great Britain.

…and the world wept, not because of the pain his life had endured; but because of the beauty his life had inspired.

THE END