Erik was at a loss for words as he stood beside his wife. What could he say? What could he have said that would have told Sabine about Christine and still kept their future open? He sighed if he put it all in a nutshell; Christine was an old girlfriend and that was all. But that would be a pretty small nut. What would they do when al of them met face to face for the first time. . .

"You're quiet." Sabine said pulling his thoughts back to her. "What's taken you so far away from me?"

"Thoughts of the past."

Does it haunt you so?"

"It did today." Erik said heaving a great sigh.

The silence between them grew. Sabine wanted to approach Erik on the subject of this Christine Chagney. She had never seen anyone or anything affect her husband this much. Did he ever love her? Was she someone who loved him? Or did she destroy him? What was it about her?

Erik was beside himself and yet a million miles away. On one hand he wanted to beg Sabine to ask him a million questions about Christine so he could tell her everything and have it all out in the open. So he could stop lying to Sabine. But on the other hand and the one a million miles away, he was wondering how o earth he was ever going to face Christine. She would be happy for me right? I'm married I have a beautiful daughter. Or would she even want to speak to me again? I probably still scare the girl out of her wits. Who am I kidding? She probably won't speak to me.

When Sabine and Erik finally decided to talk they did so at the same time.

"You first darling." Erik said brushing a lock of hair away from her face. She leaned up and kissed him.

"That's a hell opening sentence." He said with a chuckle. "Would you like a reply now or later?

"Now and later." Sabine said. As Erik bent down and gave her a toe curling kiss (the kind that make you feel loved and alive a the same time).

'Now that we have that matter attended to. You said I had a stuttering is-ss-sssue y-you wanted to h-help me with."

(A/n: no offence to people who actually stutter I know how frustrating it is)

"Mais oui did. But that can wait for a moment. I want or that is I would like..."

"You would like to know about Christine?"

"Among other things."

"Christine, is or rather was, well that is I mean to say she." Erik sighed, " I don't really know what she was that was a really confusing time in my life."

"Was she someone special?"

"I guess. It's just really . . . hard to explain."

"You tell me she isn't yet you're worried about meeting her again."

"Must you always read my thoughts?"

"They were written in your eyes. So what is the truth?"

"My belle Sabine." Erik said slipping and arm around her again and pulling her to him. " Christine was something I wish I had handled better but if I had I would never have come here and I would never have met you. And I don't like that thought. Je t'aime Sabine."

"Je t'aime Erik. " She said resting her face against his chest.

"Now she is the past and a memory." Erik whispered, "And as much as I probably should go and help Helene pick out an audition piece I would really like to investigate this sudden stuttering issue."

"Well our daughter most certainly needs to do this on her own." She said running a finger down Erik's ruined cheek and kissing it. Erik swooped her up into his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Erik turned and kicked open the kitchen door and headed up the stairs to their room, He gently laid her on the bed and she pulled him close. He kissed her neck and trailed kisses down her collar and as he undid each button of her blouse. She returned the favour amazing herself all over again with the myriad of muscles and scars. Her eyes met his and she kissed him. . . .

Mean while in the music room Helene is searching for the perfect audition piece. She couldn't believe it a Prima Donna to help her sing! She knew of course that it was important to Pappa that she does this. But sometimes she wished that he would teach her. He was so smart when it came to music. She knew he loves her she understands that but still she wishes. Oh but how exciting to be going to Paris, she thought as she pulled a dusty leather bound folder out of the back of the shelf written in red ink. . . . . . .

See you next time,

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