AN: Hello my dears! I wasn't sure I was going to write another chapter or not, but I couldn't help myself. It's not as good as the other chapters in my opinion, but I still think that it helps in understanding a little about what happens through Christine's eyes at the end of Susan Kay's book. Enjoy!

fairlie.hartright.88: Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friendship. There are few things in life harder than losing someone that was as close to you as a sister. I pray every day that you will be able to work things out. I'm sure that she would welcome you back with open arms.

snapedreamer: I always love reading your replys. You make me feel so special. I really strive to capture Erik's true nature, both the good and the bad. It's not easy sometimes, but thanks for your support.

Xxx13 o'clock Erik xxX: Welcome to the story. Hope that you enjoy it, though I'm not sure if this will be the last chapter or not. I might write a couple more, but welcome just the same.

Thank you also to those who have read and not reviewed. I wish I could thank you all individually, but you are no less appriciated.

If grief for grief can touch thee,

If answering woe for woe,

If any ruth can melt thee,

Come to me now!

I cannot be more lonely,

More drear I cannot be!

My worn heart throbs so wildly

'Twill break for thee.

And when the world despises,

When heaven repels my prayer,

Will not mine angel comfort?

Mine idol hear?

Yes, by the tears I've poured thee,

By all my hours of pain,

O I shall surely win thee,

Beloved, again!

From: If Grief for Grief

By: Emily Bronte

I think I knew before the doctor was ever summoned, perhaps even the moment it happened. At first I was sure that it was just my loss of Erik that had my imagination wandering, but as the month drew out and Raoul's and my wedding date drew closer, I knew that I was not mistaken.

I told Raoul that I could not marry him the very morning that Erik had died. I asked him to wait a month for me, just to be absolutely sure that he could forgive me. He seemed confused, but agreed nonetheless.

I became increasingly ill and hoped that it was just my nervousness at being married that was the cause, but somehow, even then I knew otherwise.

My thoughts were confirmed not a month after our wedding when the doctor was finally called on about my illness. I still remember the overjoyed expression on Raoul's face when the doctor shook his hand and congratulated him. I had the strangest feelings of horror and dread mixed with elation and joy. A soft breeze blew through the window at that very moment and softly caressed my face.

Raoul hugged me tightly and rushed off to tell his family and friends about his good fortune. Tears filled and streamed down my pale face.

"Christine..."

My name was carried on the soft breeze and made me freeze in my place. Surely the wind could not have said my name. The idea was so outrageous that it was laughable. Yet I heard it just the same.

That night I must have fallen into a deep sleep, for I had the most wondrous dream. I dreamt that I was in bed, my eyes closed and limbs heavy from sleep. Gentle fingers were tracing the outline of my jaw and lips. I smiled, thinking of how thoughtful Raoul was. Yet when I opened my eyes, it was not Raoul that I was looking at. Rather, it was the stormy blue eyes of my beloved Erik. He smiled at me and I at him.

"Christine," he whispered, the words sounding just as the breeze had.

"Is this a dream?" I asked softly.

"Yes, little one. Forgive me, I could not help myself."

I reached out to cup his face, now perfectly flawless, and leaned to press my lips carefully to his. His thumb lightly stroked my neck and we stared at each other for a long moment.

"Erik, I'm pregnant."

"I know darling. I heard."

He must have found my puzzled expression amusing for he laughed softly. "I told you that I would always be with you, Christine. Never doubt my words."

I buried my face in the comforting wall of his chest and simply absorbed being in his arms. He sighed. "Christine, sweetheart, you have to wake now."

My arms tightened around him. "No. Erik, I don't want to leave you. I miss you so much. My heart aches without you near."

He tilted my chin upwards and placed a tender kiss on my lips and then on each eyelid. "I will be with you forever Christine, even if you cannot see me."

And then he was gone and I woke to find Raoul standing over me, his face etched with fright and worry. "Christine, are you alright?"

I felt odd but otherwise normal. "Yes, I'm fine. What happened?"

"You - you were shaking so badly. I was so worried."

I was confused, not understanding what he was saying. After all, I was only sleeping. He sank down next to me on the bed, looking exhausted.

"Christine, I think something's wrong."

Over the next few months of my pregnancy, things became steadily worse. I had no idea what my condition was, I didn't want to know. All I knew was those times when Raoul said I was at the worst, my time with Erik was at its best. Sometimes, we would even leave the room and go for a walk. It was strange, but I somehow knew that I was leaving my actual body behind on the bed, with Raoul watching carefully over me.

My belly was growing nearly as fast as my health was deteriorating. Erik would often press kisses to it and sing soft lullabies.

My waking world was a hell full of pain, but my dream world was heaven and full of laughter. I spent more time dreaming with Erik that I did awake with Raoul. And each time, I would find it harder and harder to leave Erik. It was so much easier to stay with him and forget about the pain.

One day, while Erik and I were walking by a lake on a summer's day, he turned me towards him and kissed me passionately.

"What's wrong?" I asked, already fearing that I knew what he was going to say.

"Christine, we can't meet anymore."

Tears instantly sprang to my eyes and I pulled away from him slightly. "Why?"

He gathered me quickly back into the protection of his arms, not seeming to even notice my enormous belly. "I've been selfish with you. You are Raoul's wife now and he needs you."

There was strangely no jealousy when he spoke those words. I suppose it was because he had been my husband first and knew that since we could no longer be together in the waking world, that at Raoul's side was the next best thing for me.

"I want to be with you, I need you, Erik."

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "As I need you, mon ange, but you are too weak for this to continue."

"Then let me follow you. I don't want to live if you cannot be there with me."

"I will always be there with you, you just won't be able to see me is all. You must go back, Christine, for the sake of your child."

I took his hand and placed it on my abdomen. "Our child, Erik."

He smiled sadly and placed a kiss to the swollen flesh. "Our child," he repeated.

We stood there embracing one another until he reluctantly pulled away. There were tears in his eyes as well. "You have to go now, my darling."

I nodded slowly, knowing he was right.

"I love you, Christine."

"I love you, too," I whispered as my world slowly went black and I returned to the world that I belonged to, to fulfill my duties as a wife and new mother.