Chapter 10

Erik quickly brought his hand up to cover his face. "Selena..." he said as I walked over to him. I stood directly in front of him now. His one eye was red and puffy from crying; the normally neat black hair atop his head was now sticking out all over the place. Erik watched me as I brought my hand up to the one he hid his face with. My fingers wrapped around his hand and gently pulled it away, Erik's eyes shutting tightly as I did so. The flesh on his face was torn in places and he had an excessive amount of it underneath his eye. Patches of red covered the entirety of the deformity, while the skin that wasn't was a very pale white. Erik's eyes shot open when I brushed my fingers over his deformed cheek. He was about to say something, but I hushed him by wrapping my arms around him.

He tensed as I hugged him, but relaxed and awkwardly returned the hug. I laid my head against his chest, listening as he took a breath in to speak. "Don't say a word." I said and he kept quiet. This all seemed so surreal, like a dream. If for even a second I stopped clinging to Erik, I felt that he would disappear and I'd wake up in my room. My mind wandered to what he might be feeling at this moment. It had been many, many years since he had last touched, let alone seen a real person. Was he ready for the freedom I brought him? A thought suddenly hit me—would he want to return to Idaho with me or stay here? "Erik, you can talk now."

"Selena..." Erik whispered, drawing back from our embrace. He looked deep into my eyes and a smile lit up his face. "You have no idea of the happiness I feel at this moment. I have waited for this day for far too long and no one has ever, ever looked past this monstrous face. How can you not fear this repulsing face?"

"It's you and I know that there is nothing to fear because of that fact." I stared at my feet bashfully. Erik's face wouldn't scare me, even if he wanted it to. His heart was what I looked at; that's what I had been taught since I was little. "What are you going to do now that the curse is broken? I mean, I completely understand if you want to stay in Paris, it's just that Chey and I..." A hand brushed the hair out of my face and tuck it behind my ear. I looked up in surprise only to find Erik's nose inches away from mine. We were so close that I could feel his breath on my face. Slowly, Erik leaned forward a little more and placed his lips against mine.

Sparks exploded in my head and I felt as if my soul was on fire. How many years had I dreamt of doing this? His lips were soft as feathers and I just couldn't bring myself to stop him from continuing. Erik lifted me off the ground and spun the both of us. When finally we broke the sweet kiss, I stumbled backwards only to be caught by Erik's strong arms. I looked up into his gorgeous eyes and instantly knew what was coming. "Selena, I don't think I could find as nice a home in Paris than I did in your own with Cheyanne and the fact that I don't think I could stand to be without the woman I love. That is, of course, if you'll have me." A blush painted my face at his words. He loves me. Erik, the Phantom of the Opera, loves me!

"Yes..." I said, a bit unsure, but that was quickly pushed aside. "Yes, Erik."

...

"I think I know how uncomfortable corsets were for women now." Erik grumbled, still trying to get used to the pair of jeans I had bought him. I didn't want him parading around with his regular attire because he'd get swarmed, so I decided to buy him some modern clothing. "How do men wear these damnable things?"

"You're going to have to get used to it, Erik." I said as I continued to read my book. It had taken a bit, but I finally had gotten Erik onto the plane. He seemed reluctant to board the giant flying piece of metal, but I assured him that it was perfectly safe. Even then, I still had to get him a passport which I'd go into detail about, but if I did, I might find the FBI on my doorstep. Yes, it was a bit of shady work, but I managed to get it done. "We hopefully should be landing soon."

"Thank god..." Erik sighed. I rolled my eyes and shut my book. We were almost back home and I couldn't wait to be back in my own bed for once. Not only that made me happy, but now I had a boyfriend of sorts. Wow... How am I going to explain this to Cheyanne? Or my parents?

A/n: Sorry for the short chapter, but I promise the next one will be of average length. I also apologize for making you guys wait, but softball called. We won our first game of the season yesterday so I am pretty happy. Review, my lovelies!