Love is an Art

Chapter 9

---A/N---

Ok, I just now found out that when I went back and rewrote the story I didn't update every new chapter, that's why so many people were confused, but I fixed it now. So go back and read the other chapters and let me know if that helps. Sorry guys, my mistake!!

-Kate

I do NOT own The Phantom of the Opera.

Erik threw the covers off of his body and ran down stairs; he threw open Christine's door, prepared to kill anything that was causing her terror. He rushed to her bed, where she was thrashing about, screaming. He pulled Christine into his embrace.

"Christine, wake up my angel." Once she had awoken, she buried her face in Erik's chest and cried. "Shh, it was just a nightmare, love. I'm here."

"Oh, Erik." She cried. He just held her and rocked her back and forth, all the while whispering soothing words into her ear.

Erik had never seen Christine like this before, and wondered what she had dreamt of. Then to sooth her even more, Erik started to sing.

"Nothings gonna harm you; not while I'm around. Nothings gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around. Demons are prowling everywhere now a days. I'll send the howling I don't care I've got ways. No ones gonna hurt you. No ones gonna dare, others can desert you, not to worry whistle I'll be there. Demons will charm you with a smile for a while, but in time, nothing can harm you not while I'm around."

Once he finished singing Christine said, "Please don't leave me, Erik. Don't leave, please."

"I will stay as long as you want me, Christine. Just sleep, I will be here to guard you." He said.

Christine and Erik got under the covers and fell asleep, but not before Erik said, "Good night my angel."

0o0o0

The next morning Erik woke up very early, he looked at Christine and smiled. Does she always look like an angel? He thought to himself. Yes. He was very curious about last night. What was her dream about? He hoped he wasn't the cause. As he felt her stir and wake, he smiled.

"Good morning." He said.

"Good morning." Christine replied.

Nothing was said. They just looked at each other. Erik moved a lock of Christine's hair behind her ear. She smiled.

"I suppose it was rather forward of me to ask you to stay with me. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but I didn't want to be by myself." Christine said.

"Christine, you don't have to explain yourself; but I want you to know, that I am here anytime you need me for anything. If you want to talk, I will not judge you. You can trust me." Erik said, holding her close.

"I do trust you Erik, it's just…well…I don't know. I don't want to be sad or angry, I just want to be happy, and I feel like there is a brick wall in the way of my happiness." She said.

"Maybe telling someone will help bring the wall down." He replied.

"Maybe…" There was a pause before Christine told him everything. "The nightmare I had last night, was about they day my parents died. I remember, I was sitting in the living room watching cartoons, and my parents came out of their room dressed, my mom came to me and said, 'Christine, your father and I are going to the store, we will be back soon.' She smiled and kissed me. Then my father said, 'I love you princess, I'll see you in a little while.' I looked at them and said, 'Be safe.' Then they left, I watched as their car turned the corner. Then later when they were still gone I remember thinking, they have been gone for a long time, I hope they are being safe like I told them too. Then about an hour later a woman came to the door, she was dressed in a business suit and had a briefcase in her hand. She told me that she was here to tell me something very important. I told her that my parents weren't home, and that they had gone to the store. She then told be that both of my parents had died that afternoon." Christine was in tears and Erik's eyes were filling up fast, but she didn't stop, "I looked at her and I said, 'You are wrong, I told them to be safe, so they are okay.' I remember her shaking her head and saying, 'No, honey, they were in a car accident, a very bad one. They died instantly.' I shook my head, not wanting to believe her, I ran to my room and closed the door, hoping that she would go away, but she didn't. She didn't know me and I didn't know her, but she came into my room and sat on my bed with me, and hugged me. Not only that but she cried too. Mrs. Clarity, which was her name. She took me to an office somewhere, and told me that I was to go and live with my closest relative. My uncle, lived not far from where I used to live. I only lived with him for a month; he would hit me, and tell me I was ugly, and that I deserved to have my parents killed." Erik was appalled at this revelation. No one would ever touch her again. He would see to that. This angel did not deserve to be treated like that. She went on, "but I didn't have any other living relatives, so I went and lived with Mrs. Clarity and her husband. I was the best thing I could ever ask for. They were sweet, compassionate people. I think of them as my grandparents. They live here in San Francisco, I see them every week, but this week I haven't been able too lately. I think that I'll give them a call later."

Erik smiled, "Christine, you can do what ever you want here. You can have anything you want. Anything you need, tell me and it will be done."

"I just want to be happy." Christine said.

"Then happy you will be. What do you want to do?" Erik asked sitting up. Christine also sat up.

"Well, I am starving, let's go eat breakfast." Christine and Erik got out of bed and went downstairs to the kitchen.

When they got to the kitchen, Nadir was in there having toast and coffee. Erik and Christine made their breakfast, and then sat down at the table with Nadir. He looked up and smiled.

"Good morning." He said.

"Good morning." Said Erik and Christine.

"Is everything alright? I heard the screaming last night." Nadir said.

"Yes," Christine answered, "everything is fine."

"Nadir I would like you to call the staff and tell them that they also have tomorrow off. If any of them ask why tell them personal matters have arisen." Erik said. Nadir nodded and returned to his meal.

After Christine and Erik finished breakfast, they cleaned up. Erik grabbed Christine's hand and said, "Christine, please come with me to the music room."

She smiled and followed him.

They sat at the piano. Erik played a little tune and Christine smiled.

"Meg gets released from the hospital tomorrow." She said.

"That is very good news. We will need to prepare a room for her today. She will still be on the mend when she returns. I told Nadir to give the staff another day off, as you heard." Erik replied.

Christine nodded, "How much staff is there?"

"Well we had four people; but then my personal assistant quit, then you came into my life, so I have four as of right now. You will love these people. I have three people that work for the business: Andy, Marvin, and Beth. Andy takes care of the business's money, if something is too expensive, or we have been cheated, he knows and tells me. Marvin chooses our vendors, but I have a say in everything, because I am the owner and founder, but Marvin is very important. Beth answers phone, replies to e-mails and such. You, now do anything I ask you to, with in reason. Also, you can use your computer program to create 3D rendering. Also, we can open a new department for RA because you are an interior designer. So you are also an interior designer for the business. I, do the house designs, and confirm anything and everything the company does." Erik explained.

"Oh, okay, what about the other person that does not work for RA?" Christine asked.

"She is the sweetest old lady you ever did meet. Her name is Mrs. Lovett. She does house work, and is around a lot. You will love her, she is the mother I never had." He said.

"You never had a mother, Erik?" Christine said.

"I was put up for adoption, my mother hated my face." He responded.

"Oh, Erik." Christine said.

"I am glad she hated me. I think it has made me a stronger person." He said.

"And it has. I think you are the most wonderful, attractive, intelligent, romantic man I have ever met, and there is not one thing I would ever change about you."

"Truly?"

"Truly." Christine leaned over and sealed it with a kiss. Erik put his arms around her and kissed her deeply. Christine moaned and put her arms around Erik's neck. Erik's kissed traveled down her cheek to her neck. Christine buried her hands in his jet black hair. Erik pulled away panting.

"Christine, go to dinner with me tonight." Erik said.

"You know I will, but I don't have any clothes." Christine pointed out.

"That would be a problem." He chuckled.

"Yes."

"Well, I have an idea. You know the way to and from the manor right?"

"Yes." Christine replied.

"Well, you can take any car you want and go buy something to wear, maybe for a few days to. Nadir and I will set up Meg's room."

"Okay, sounds like a plan. How many cars do you have?" she asked, curious.

"About five, anyone you choose is yours." Erik said.

"Erik, I can't have one of your cars." Christine protested.

"Yes you can. You need a vehicle and I have more than enough. Go get dressed in the clothes from yesterday, I will meet you in the garage in fifteen minutes." Erik said standing up. Christine stood and went to her bedroom to dress.

When she came down, she remembered that she didn't know where the garage was. She opened a few doors and didn't find the garage. As she turned a corner she bumped into Nadir.

"Nadir, I am lost." She said.

He chuckled, "Where is it that you are trying to get to?"

"The garage." She answered.

He laughed and pointed to a door. She smiled and thanked him.

As Christine opened the door she gasped. He said five cars, not five cars that coasted more than her life!

A/N---

Well, sorry it took so long, I have been busy with classes, stuff like that, but here it is. I hope you liked it. In the next chapter we will get a bit more Erik and Christine action. Meg will also be introduced to the manor, then we will meet the staff, and….someone else???? STAY TUNED!!!! Oh and also look out for my new story Love is my Shield. Until next time!!!!

-Primadonakate