Christine awoke from a brief rest lying on top of Erik she kissed his cheek. Erik had been awake the whole time. He smiled at her gently stroking her hair. Christine looked at him lovingly and kissed him one more time then climbed off of him and proceeded to put her clothes on. As she struggled with her corset Erik came up behind her and finished tying it. She smiled as he bent down and kissed her shoulder, then she turned to him putting her arms around him. She kissed him slowly on the lips. "You know we don't really have to get back so soon." Erik said wanting to have her again. Christine giggled and kissed him. Then there was a loud knock on the door. Christine feared it was one of the children but it was worse. Erik put a finger over his lips then moved in to kiss her again as she giggled quietly.
"Erik I know you're in there unlock the door I need to talk to you." Called Meg's voice. They exchanged worried looks and Erik threw his pants on followed by his shirt.
"Give me a moment." He called back picking up his jacket and vest laying them on the back of his desk chair. Christine took her dress and Erik led her to a closet for her to hide in. He cracked the closet door and went to let Meg in. "Sorry I didn't realize I locked it." He said opening the door.
Meg came in and shut the door. "Gustave and Eliza are in the basement art room." She said.
"Are they now?"
"Yes, um, why exactly is Gustave here, Erik?" She asked.
"I promised to show him the island today and his mother and I had some business to discuss." Christine blushed at the type of business he referred to.
"Where is she?"
"I think she went to the bathroom. Either that or lost somewhere in the Manor." He said with a chuckle. Erik was very good at playing calm.
"Erik we need to talk about this." She said.
"Talk about what?"
"This! You and Christine! Erik you know that it will never happen again. Erik you are my brother and I do not wish to see you hurt again. I am saying this for not only your good but everyone else's as well."
"I don't know what you are talking about Meg."
She scoffed at him. "Erik she's marriedwith a sonand you have a nine year old daughter. I don't think I can be anymore clear. You can't do this again Erik. You need to think of how this will affect Eliza and Gustave. And most importantly Christine." She grew somber and Erik really didn't want to hear anymore. He knew it was all true but he knew that they could find a way. "Erik I know it was Mother's dying wish for you to find Christine and I have a life with her. But she couldn't have known that Christine was still married and with a child. I don't want to see you hurt again nor Christine or the children. Erik that's how this will end if you continue this. I'm sorry but you need to hear it from someone." Erik stared down not wanting to look at Meg. "At least say that you will think about what I have just said."
He nodded "You have my word. Now if you excuse me I have some work to do."
"Alright," And with that she left. Erik moved to the closet where he found Christine sitting in the corner looking sad and guilty. Erik sighed as she looked at him with those eyes. He hated seeing her like this. "Darling what's wrong? I hope you don't think anything she just said matters. We will find a way Christine."
She shook her head standing up. "No Erik she's right! We can't keep doing this. We are only setting ourselves up to get hurt again. After I sing I have to leave and I still can't tell Gustave or Raoul. Erik, we just can't do this." He knew it pained her to say such things. He knew that she and Meg were both right. He didn't know what to say but right now they had this last moment as lovers to spend together and Christine needed his comfort. Tears being to flow down her face. "I'm sorry." She said looking at her feet. Erik went to her and drew her into his arms. She needed him in this moment, and he wished that he could be there for every moment after, but it was clear that he couldn't.
Christine finished dressing and Erik wondered if she would ever tell Gustave his real identity or if she would just tell him he was another man's and not Raoul's. Christine must have seen the look on his face and known just what he was thinking. "I will tell him." She said looking up at him. "Everything. I don't know how I'm going to do it just yet but I will. My plan is not to tell him until he's sixteen I hope then he will be old enough to understand." Erik nodded. Christine sighed. "Please don't be upset with me Erik."
Erik looked at her. "I'm not. I understand why this has to be done. I may understand but I hate it."
"I know. I do too."
They went off to find the children in the art room located in the basement. Erik smiled at his children. He knew that was going to take some getting used to.
"Gustave," She called and he turned to her. "Come now it's time to go."
"But mother can we not stay for a few more minutes."
"No darling, we will see them tomorrow at the theater."
"But mother,"
"Gustave enough we are leaving. Now hurry up we have to meet Aunt Madison." He grew a very sad look and nodded then turned to say goodbye to Eliza.
Erik looked to his youngest. "Do you want to help me walk them out?" he asked.
She shook her head "No thank you Papa."
"Alright then," They walked up the stairs and Gustave ran out and into the carriage. "If you ever need anything," He said catching her arm at the door. "And I mean anything, you know where to find me." She nodded but he didn't want to let go of her in fear of losing her once again. He gently pulled her behind the door where Gustave wouldn't see and kissed her with all the passion he could spare. They broke away and as much as they both wanted to say that they loved each other they couldn't. Just the look in their eyes said enough Christine quickly turned out the door and to the carriage.
When Christine and Gustave arrived at the hotel Madison was already in their room. She gave Christine a break and helped a sleepy little Gustave ready for bed. When she entered the small living room again she saw Christine sitting on the sofa and went to sit next to her. "So, on a scale of one to ten how awkward?"
Christine thought for a moment "One,"
Madison was surprised "Alright then. On a scale of one to ten charming was it?"
Madison expected a low answer but not the one Christine gave. "Eight,"
Madison looked at her shocked "Ok I have one more question. How far did you two go?"
Christine looked guilty and tired to think of how to say this. "Eleven,"
"Oh God Christine!"
"I know, it was an in the moment thing."
"Did you tell him?" She nodded.
"That's how it started. He heard Gustave playing the piano and figured it out. He and I went to his study and we talked about it. For the first time I saw him as the man I once knew he could be. The man that I knew that I would fall so helplessly in love with. One thing led to another and before we knew it we were on the couch."
"Oh God you did it on the couch in his study! You see these are the kind of stories my brother wishes you would tell me but about you and him."
"Madison please shut up." Madison sighed and nodded. "We realized this wasn't going to work without people getting hurt. So the only thing he and I have to discuss is Gustave." Christine said trying to make it sound like she was over him and it was now strictly business between them.
"Do you still love him?" Christine just stared at the floor. "Christine, do you still love him?" Tears welled up in her eyes and she looked to Madison.
"Yes."
Everything is looking pretty interesting right now right?
Buckle up my friends we aren't down just yet (she said with a very evil smile) ;)
