DISCLAIMER: I own neither the pictures that these are inspired by nor Phantom of the Opera.

Sometimes he liked to stay awake a little bit longer than her. He liked to watch her dream. Sometimes she would smile. Sometimes she would giggle.

But some of the time she would scream. Some of the time she would writhe. These were her nightmares. Her nightmares were mostly about him dying, which he truly couldn't understand. Did she really not want him to die? She was his wife by her own volition, and she chose to stay because she wanted to. He hadn't forced her into anything. He would have been absolutely fine with letting their relationship remain as it had been when he was her teacher. Well, without her avoiding his every touch and answering his heartfelt questions with short, fearful answers. Just...friends, you know?

Well, she wasn't happy with that. She told him quite firmly, "I intend to spend the rest of my life at your side, and you want me to be just a friend?"

Of course, with her tone like that, he had to reflect on what they both wanted. The pair met for a discussion at length about their emotions, and it wasn't as awkward as some say it is. They both knew each other very well, and they both had the same way of thinking about relationships.

After being emotionally drained by their conversation, Erik tried to crawl back to his coffin to rest. But Christine wouldn't let him. She just about dragged him into her room and made him wait, standing awkwardly, as she changed into her nightgown. When she returned, she coaxed him to slide between the sheets of her bed with her. She had been about three months pregnant with Charles then. Now that he was born, as were his younger sister and brother Marguerite and Damien, he could hold his arms quite comfortably about her slim waist and hold her close. And he could watch her.

Tonight was a good dream.

These were his favorite dreams: where she was peaceful, with a contented tiny smile upon her lips, her hand curled delicately beneath her cheek.

He found his eyes drifting shut. He tightened his arms about his beloved and placed his face in her hair. Right before he fell under, he felt her arm come around herself on top of his.

He was smiling as he slept that night.