You all are too much! I'm so grateful for everyone's love for this story; it keeps encouraging me to keep writing! I'm in awe of the response!

OK, I'm trying to keep the story moving somewhat quickly while still hitting the good stuff. They are going to kind of fly through "moving day", hee hee hee.

Recap:

He lay down, falling asleep almost immediately, hoping to dream of his future's beginning with Christine. For the first time in his life, he slept with a smile.

Erik woke with a start, hearing a strange noise in his home. He jumped up, grabbing his lasso ready to strangle whoever would dare to disturb his home. As he came into the doorway, he stopped, his heart thumping wildly at the unfamiliar yet wonderfully welcome sight.

Christine was working in his admittedly sparse kitchen area. He watched, absent-mindedly dropping the lasso as he saw her pouring tea into cups she had already placed on the table. She then turned to take something off the makeshift stove, portioning it onto the plates. She looked up at that moment, and smiled as she saw Erik. "Good morning, Erik!" she said cheerfully "How did you sleep?" He smiled as well, moving closer to her. "Very well, actually. Until I woke up to the unfamiliar sound of someone making me breakfast, that is." He came up to the table to see what was there. "It looks wonderful, dear. Thank you." He whispered, as he pulled her close for a kiss. "Well, don't say too much till you taste it." She joked, "I haven't cooked for anyone since Father died. And I had to, well, improvise a bit. There wasn't much here." She finished with an unasked question about how things would be in the future.

Erik made a mental note that their new home would have a well-stocked kitchen with all the latest modern… well, whatever kitchens are supposed to have. He would need Nadir's help on that. 'I'll get her all the supplies she needs to cook everyday if it will keep that beautiful smile on her face. I wonder if she would ever dare STOP THAT RIGHT NOW YOU LECHEROUS BEAST!' They sat down together, and he raised his tea cup. "To our first breakfast together, dear. The first of many." Erik said joyfully. Christine's eyes sparkled as she raised her cup. "The first of many, my love." She agreed.

After breakfast, which Erik repeatedly assured Christine was delicious, they cleaned up the few dishes. Erik knew there were still several hours till Nadir's carriage would come for them. "Christine, is there anything above in your room that you want to take with you? If so, we should make arrangements to gather those before nightfall." She thought for a few moments, and spoke quietly "Maybe a few dresses, and the picture of my father. But if I go up there, someone will see me, maybe the managers even. They may try to keep me up there, away from you. They may try to find you." She looked down, frowning as she thought of what might happen. "Erik, I want to stay with you. I don't want to chance someone keeping us apart ever again."

Erik thought quickly, then hugged her tightly. "Darling, I can sneak around the Opera House still. If you will describe the dresses you wish for, and where your father's picture is at, I will gather them for you. You could stay here, maybe packing up any necessities or items you wish for from your room. I won't be long, I promise." He assured her, smoothing her hair back from her face. "Erik, are you sure it would be safe? What if someone sees you? They all saw your face last night when I…" she trailed off, embarrassed by her actions.

Erik smiled; glad he could surprise her yet again. "I suppose this would be the time to tell you of something I have been working on. I have invented a mask that makes me look like anybody. People will not even turn round in the streets when I have it on. I will wear it up into the Opera House, and no one will be the wiser."

Christine's face brightened "Oh Erik! That will be perfect!" she squealed, clapping her hands together. She quickly told him the dresses she wanted, along with where the picture was kept. He assured her he could gather them quickly, and then showed her some of the things around the lair that should be packed as well. He quickly put on the new mask, and then walked out to where Christine was packing. "Hello my dear." He whispered. She whirled around, and almost screamed. Then she looked closer. "Erik? Oh my goodness, I can't even tell that it isn't your skin!" she said in a soft voice. She was amazed. Even though she was used to seeing Erik without his mask, she couldn't help but notice that this new mask turned him into, well, a very handsome man. He was right. Wearing this mask, he could walk around town, attend church, and go to the market like any other man.

He kissed her gently, then whisked away on his errand. While he was gone, Christine worked around the lair, straightening up the music that had been knocked over, packing up the little bit of food that was there, and the clothes Erik had for himself as well as what he had for her.

He kept his promise, and was back quickly. When he walked in to where Christine was finishing the last bag, she saw him, and ran to his waiting arms. "Oh Erik I missed you." She whispered, softly kissing his cheek. Then she started giggling. "My dear, why would you laugh after kissing me?" Erik said, trying to act wounded although he was chuckling as well. "I'm sorry," she said, still laughing. "I'm just unused to the feel of that false skin when I kiss you. It felt strange on my lips! You must promise me that when it is just you and I, or even when Nadir is with us, you will not worry about wearing this." Erik at first couldn't believe what she was saying. 'Isn't this what she should want? A handsome husband that she will feel proud to be with?' Christine saw the doubt in his eyes. "Erik, I love you. I know you think this mask is what you need, but I don't want anything false between us. And that mask is false, it isn't truly you. I'm glad you have it so that you will not feel so self conscious around others. But Nadir is your friend, you said so yourself. I will be your wife. Unless we are going out among others who are less kind and understanding, I want to be able to see you, the man I love."

Erik stared at her, disbelief plain in his eyes. His own mother couldn't stand the sight of him, but this girl was demanding that he show his true face to her at all times? 'Nadir better find us a home quickly, for I cannot wait too many more days to have her as my wife.' He pulled her close, kissing her, knowing that was the best way to show his love and gratitude for all that she had done and was willing to do for him. They kissed intensely, needing to reaffirm that this was no dream, but the beginning of a new life filled with hope.

Ok, I meant to have a small bit in there about how Erik has "arranged" things as far as the Opera and the Managers, but Erik and Christine insisted on having that sweet little scene put in about not always wearing his mask. I tried to argue, but they weren't listening, plus Gerry took their side, the sentimental silly man.

Oh, and to be clear, the mask was actually talked about in Leroux's novel. Chapter 22, "In the Torture Chamber" shows Erik talking about a mask he had fashioned that would make him appear normal. I pretty much used the quote as is.

Gerry is hoping you give him more song requests for while he's cooking. After the last two, I keep having him sing random goofy songs like "Love Shack" and "If I Had $1,000,000". Meanwhile, his cheesecake is ready, along with blueberries, cherries, and strawberries for topping. He said more Lemon Bars are on their way.

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