To say that Erik and Christine were blissful after their recent coming to terms would be an understatement. Christine felt like she was on cloud nine from morning until night. Whenever she turned towards Erik, he met her with a smile. He kissed her good morning, good afternoon and good night. They had a lot of missed time to make up for after all. Christine loved his kisses. His kisses were light and cheerful, sometimes peckish. Erik hadn't kissed her with burning passion as of yet, but she knew it was coming. Christine figured that they should take it slow anyway. Well, her brain did, another part of her wanted him that way, to be able to touch him and see him...nude. Christine blushed as she sat up in bed. She wondered what his thoughts were on the matter. He was a man, she figured, so he must have some thoughts along those lines. She looked up to see him coming through the door. He had a breakfast tray with him. The past week, he had been bringing her breakfast in bed. She had protested at first, but had begun to enjoy the pampering.

"You will spoil me, you know," Christine said, as he placed the tray across her lap.

"I've hardly even begun," Erik said, leaning over to kiss her forehead and then her lips. He smiled as he stood back up. "Did you have a pleasant sleep? Pleasant dreams?"

"Yes, well, I don't recall my dreams. I hardly ever do. Did you have any?" Christine asked, taking a sip of tea.

"Yes, I did, but I don't wish to discuss them," Erik said with a note of finality. Christine sighed. Though they were happier than they'd ever been, there were still many topics they couldn't or wouldn't address. Mainly, it seemed to Christine, that it was Erik holding back. Did he think she couldn't handle his demons? He probably did. He saw her as some sort of perfect angel. Christine thought about pressing the issue, but didn't want to destroy the progress they had made. If she was patient, he would come around.

"Thank you for breakfast," she said. She looked at him standing there. He always stood. "Won't you sit down?" She gestured to the side of the bed and inched over a little to give him more room.

Erik approached a little, then hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, of course. It's no different than the couch. We've sat there beside each other before."

"It's a little different. This is your bedroom, your...bed."

"Technically, it's your bedroom...your bed," Christine reminded him. It reminded her, as well, that she had no idea where he slept. "Where do you sleep?"

"The couch. That is if I sleep, I've found I need very few hours of rest. I...wander."

"You do? I never would have known. I sleep the whole night through, like a log," Christine said, laughing.

"I know. I've peeked in before I leave and when I come back. I hope that doesn't...displease you."

"No, no. I appreciate it, I suppose. But do sit down," she said, this time patting the mattress. She swallowed her nervousness and continued, "you'll be in this bed soon, anyway."

Erik let out a low gasp. "Please, Christine, you shock me!"

Christine blushed and it took her a few seconds to figure out he was joking. "Oh, you!" she exclaimed when he broke into a grin. She loved his face when he smiled. He was so handsome. She could never think him ghoulish or fearsome. She wanted to see him without his mask on, there was no denying it, but she also knew he wouldn't let her anytime soon. "I love when you joke with me, and play around."

"Good to know, Christine," he replied, sitting down gingerly on the bed. His leg touched hers and she delighted in it. "Also, it's good to know you...imagine such things." He avoided her gaze and played with a thread on the sheets.

"Such things?" she asked, still thinking about his leg.

"Me...in bed, in this bed with you," he explained. "Some day. After the wedding, of course, I would never try anything before-"

Christine interrupted him. "Oh, I know. You've been a perfect gentleman, I know you will always be. I'm not...worried about that. And it's a...relief, actually for you to bring the subject up. I also know that it doesn't really get talked about between husband and wife, or well, husband and wife to be. I think it should get talked about. There shouldn't be any topic that we can't discuss."

"I agree, Christine," Erik replied. "Some topics are difficult however. I can tell you are at least slightly annoyed with my resistance to be open about certain things. Please be patient with me. I am trying...for you. I want you to know all of me."

"Oh, Erik, I want that too! I want you to know me the same way. You know, maybe you might need some patience when dealing with me as well. I can be...trying at times."

"I won't disagree, Christine," Erik said, smirking, earning himself a push on the shoulder. He laughed. "I like your...wildness, for lack of a better word."

"That's a good word. I like the idea of being wild, unpredictable, fun," Christine said, realizing it was true. Her mind trailed back to their earlier conversation, about being in bed together. "Erik...you said you wouldn't try anything."

"Yes...you know what I mean, I trust?" Erik asked, cautiously.

Christine blushed. "Yes, I know about that. I was just surprised by how you said it. You said you, emphasis on you, wouldn't try anything...so, that must mean that you've thought about it and expect it to happen...after the wedding."

"I...certainly didn't mean to offend you, Christine. I don't have any expectations involving our relationship. It's so new and foreign to me and will be for a long while, I imagine. I never thought about how it would be, if we got to this stage, being engaged, I mean. I didn't know if we would ever hug, kiss or...otherwise. I still don't. We're happy right now, but we're still taking it one step at a time. As for thinking about it...if you could read my mind, Christine..." Erik trailed off, letting her fill in the blanks for herself.

Christine blushed harder. "I see. We're both thinking about it, then?"

"Seems like it," Erik replied.

"So, it's probable that after the wedding..."

"We'll be like any other couple, in that regard," Erik finished for her.

"Well, good," Christine added, giggling.

"I'm glad you think so," Erik joked.

The important morning conversation over with, Christine ate the rest of her breakfast while Erik watched, reassuring her every so often that he wasn't bored. He stepped outside while she dressed, then she joined him in the main room. He was standing before her music stand, flipping through the pages. "Time for practice?" she asked.

"I could be persuaded," Erik answered, grinning. Christine approached the stand and started doing warm up exercises. They sang together until they both felt satisfied, then relaxed on the couch. Christine rested her head on Erik's chest and he wrapped his arm around her waist. The position felt so comfortable, so right.