Trmo77: One question gets answered and the others will be answered in time, I promise.

Phantomfan10: No, it doesn't.

Phantom Serenity: Indeed they do. I had fun with this chapter.

anc3210: I did it as soon as possible.

NoirCiel: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Shadow of the red rose: Congragulations!

Chapter Ten

Everyone gasped at her as she continued. "This is your grandson! Your only heir and you treat him like he's dirt under your feet!"

"Who do you think you are?" the grandfather said. "How dare you talk to me like that?"

"That's Christine!" carol spat. "The woman he thinks he's in love with!"

"The babysitter? Erik, you're sick! How dare you bring that kind of woman into this house!"

"No! You're sick!" she said. "Sick in the heart and head!"

"How dare you!"

"Erik is a good man and God has answered Erik's prayer."

Erik's heart lifted. Was Christine saying what she think he hoped she was saying?

"I've heard about you." The grandfather said. "You saved my son's life, but that doesn't mean I'm letting you get your fingers in his pocketbooks!"

Christine laughed, "I don't give a….hoot about his pocketbooks! I care about your grandson! He's a good man and I'm upset that you're blind to his qualities. He's kind, gentle, smart, funny, caring, strong, and generous." Erik could only stare at Christine in amazement! She was a little firecracker and he'd never seen this side of her before! "He has a temper and can be inconsiderate at times, but everyone has their faults! He's a grown man and he can take care of himself! Besides, what does he need with your money? He has his own fortune! You and I both know that the real reason you're leaving Erik your fortune is because you know it'll be put to good use and not squandered on himself."

Erik stared at Christine. Oh he thought he was falling in love with her. he now knew he wasn't. he was in love with her and falling for her more and more each second.

Christine inhaled and tried to control her emotions. "I don't even know why he'd ask me to court him. I'm nothing, I know that! I can't give him my virginity, I have no fortune and I'm not beautiful like carol is. But I do know, he wouldn't ask me unless he loved me and was certain I was the woman to make him happy all his life."

"love." His mother said, finally speaking. She shook her head in disbelief. "you're in love with him."

Christine didn't blink. She simply turned towards him. "yes." She nodded. "I believe I am in love with Erik." Erik jumped up out of his chair, knocking it down. He didn't break his gaze from Christine until he rounded the table and stood beside her. he stood beside her, his hands on her waist. "Both sides of him. and I don't care if he's rich, he could be some man out on the streets for all I care. As long as he's Erik."

Erik reached up and removed his mask. "prove it Christine." Erik said. "prove it to everyone, that you care about me, for me."

Christine nodded and she leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth in front of his family, the butlers and the children without a moments hesitation! Everyone gasped and murmured among themselves. Erik pulled back and kissed her forehead. He felt her tremble, but he knew it wasn't with disgust. He looked down into her smiling face.

He looked at his mask and dropped it on the ground. He stamped on it and it broke.

He turned to Christine who was smiling. "I don't need that anymore." He held out his hand, "come on."

She took his hand and turned to the children who were all ready up and ready to go. Anita squealed and hugged his leg, "is she going to be our mommy?"

"aunt!" Janice corrected.

Erik laughed and rubbed her hair, "we'll see. Christine and I have a lot of talking to do in the next few days." Erik turned and held out his hand to the woman he was certain was going to be his. "coming with me?"

She didn't hesitate, "yes."

"now hold on here!" his grandfather said. "Erik, if you marry her, she'll make your life miserable! She's got a mouth on her, which I don't mind, but if she has no respect for her elders, she'll have no respect for you!"

Erik laughed and rubbed her shoulder, "Ahh, but there you're wrong. Beside, Christine and I won't be marrying for a good many years!" Erik kissed her forehead. "let's go, I've been hiding long enough!"

Christine inhaled, oh, this all really just happened? Erik tapped on her door and she came out. "yes?"

He held out his hand, "talk?"

She inhaled and glanced at the clock with a smile. "all right. But not too long."

Erik nodded and she gripped his hand as she followed him out to the living room area of the suite. She sighed as they both sat down on the couch together.

Erik ran his finger down her cheek, "is this a dream?" he asked. She shook her head. "God has answered my prayers, I've been praying for you Christine ever since I was eighteen."

"Erik."

He leaned forward and kissed her nose, "you're everything I've wanted. I love you so much. I can't believe you chose me, in front of my whole family."

"I love you Erik. But," she hesitated. "Can we take it slow?"

"indeed." Erik said. "I know I love you, but I don't know you. I want to know everything about you. Also, about the man who gave you a child."

She inhaled, "Erik, it's not a pretty story."

"my face isn't handsome, but it's part of me. if you love me, then you'll love that side of me. the same applies to you."

She sighed, "all right."

Someone knocked on the door and Erik groaned. "come in!"

Charles came in with a strange look on his face. "miss Christine. I've received such disturbing news!"

"speak." Erik said, holding her shoulders

"is it my mother?" she asked.

"no." he said. "its Raoul de Chagney had been admitted to the hospital yesterday for third degree burns to his body. They've been trying to reach you all night."

for a while, the only sounds heard were the clocks ticking.

Erik was the first to speak. "how'd that happen?"

"he removed his mask to help an old woman breathe. He protected her as a falling beam struck his face, he's still not conscious."

"oh dear lord." She breathed looking heavenwards. "please dear lord! No more hurt and sorrow."

And Christine heard Him say, I am with you my daughter. Listen to me.

Sorry about the delay again. Enjoy!