A/N: R&R PLEASE!


10. Reconciliation

It had been an hour since Christine sent him out and an hour that Erik had been playing his violin. At first, he played an angry tune and as his mood saddened, so did the song. He started playing 'Wandering Child' but caught himself and stopped. His anger diminished and he soon found that his violin was singing 'Forever Love', his promise.

He hoped that she could hear it. He had never sung it with the violin, but to his own surprise, he was able to play it as if he played it his whole life. He thought about the things that went on in the last two hours, and felt the strong urge to throw himself at her feet, not to grovel, but to ask for forgiveness.

Therefore, he put down his violin and picked up a single rose. He made his way to her room, checked his mask (out of habit), and knocked. He waited, but no reply.

"Christine, please let me in. I wish to speak with you." He still didn't hear a reply and tried again. "Are you alright? Please say something so I know you're ok…"

Nothing.

He was beginning to get panicky so he tried the knob. It was unlocked, and he silently went in. Erik walked quickly to her side of the bed and saw her eyes closed.

He managed to breath out, "Christine…?"

She was asleep, he realized. He relaxed tremendously, and put the rose on the nightstand so that it was out of sight. He turned back to her, dropping on his knees so that he was level with her face. He put his arms on the edge, and lay his head on the crook of his arm, watching her sleep. He couldn't resist lightly rubbing her cheek with the back of his fingers. He looked at her adoringly while doing so. Erik practically worshipped her, and hated himself for causing her pain.

He tore himself away, appalled that he let himself get close to her. He looked back at her and his heart of stone turned into warm, beating flesh. He was determined to get what he came in the room for, so he gently placed a quick kiss on her forehead and put a large hand on her arm.

He whispered, "Christine, I need to tell you something. Please listen to me."

Erik slipped his hand in hers and she slowly opened her eyes. She saw him and turned the other way, remembering their fight. New tears formed, but she didn't let them fall. He knew she would still be angry with him.

He said softly, "I know I hurt you earlier, and I'm deeply sorry. I truly am! Please don't be angry with me anymore, I know what I did wrong…please forgive me."

He walked to the other side and lay down beside her. She turned on her back and looked towards the nightstand, away from his gaze. He deftly reached out to cup her chin and turn her head towards him.

"I love you with every fiber of my being, and even more so everyday. How can I hate you? It is me that I hate for hurting you at all. Don't you see? I am madly in love with you, and I want our future to happen, I really do!"

She looked in his eyes and saw nothing but truth. She still did not say anything. Convinced he wasn't going to have his way so easily, he sighed and walked to the nightstand. She turned on her side, watching him. He picked up the rose, which had been out of view, and gave it to her.

"See this? It is beautiful, yes, but your soul and your beauty far surpasses it. It is merely a flower that represents our love and my promise. I give this to you in asking you to marry me."

This time, she couldn't hold in the tears and he frowned. He tenderly wiped away her tears, on the verge of tears himself at the sight of hers. "Mon amour, please don't cry! I want us to get married tonight, in celebration of…of…you! Do you still want me?"

At his words, she only cried harder and before he could walk away, she pulled him in a long, forgiving hug. He held her until she pulled away.

"Erik…I cry out of joy! Of course, I still want you! I too find myself falling madly in love with you, and this argument has only strengthened us."

Erik was so full of love, he hugged her again, awkwardly, as she was sitting up and he was standing. When he let go, she did not. She held him arms length and really looked at him. He sat down on the edge and pulled her to him once more in his embrace. He nuzzled his cheek against hers, kissing her temple before letting go again.

"I missed you so much!" he said quietly. She agreed and they sat in silence looking in each other's eyes. Erik inched closer; she turned her gaze to his lips then back into his eyes. Christine inched closer, the same thing on her mind, and lifted her chin slightly so he could touch his lips to hers. He moved in again, now just a breath away from her lips. Before he could kiss her, he lowered his head and backed away, just as she leaned in.

So she wouldn't feel stupid, he placed a kiss on her cheek shyly. She wanted his kiss, but she knew why he didn't kiss her. They wouldn't be able to control themselves. They would have to wait until they exchanged their vows.

She sighed in frustration, but asked, "Why do I still have stitches?"

He looked down at his closed hands and said, "Madame Giry said that I could take them out within this week or so. I was going to do it today, but you woke up. I can take them out now, if you wish."

She thought for a moment then nodded. "Will it hurt?"

He gulped. He hadn't thought about that until she mentioned it. "Depends. If you are awake, then yes. If I put you to sleep, well, then no. I think I will, I don't want to cause you anymore pain." He got up and left the room.

Erik returned with a shot of purplish liquid. He handed it to her, and she drank the bitter stuff without a word. She squinted and stuck out her tongue like a cartoon character. He laughed at her expression and she soon laughed with him. They quit laughing and he started to sing to quicken the effects. He stopped singing when he felt her hand go limp.

He quickly folded down the comforter, pulled up her chemise, and replaced the blanket to preserve her modesty. Erik then took small tongs and pulled out the stitches. When he was done, he tossed the tongs on the table and left his home. He went to get the marriage license and decided that they would have a ceremony later.

Erik walked back into her room and saw that she was still sleeping. He ran to her side and gently shook her awake.

"Christine! Christine! Look! We're married, see?" He held out the license and suddenly wide-awake, she squealed in delight. She sat up quickly, he picked her up, and they laughed in joy. He sat her back down and got in on the other side. He found her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I know you want a ceremony, so we'll have it later, alright?"

She nodded and pulled his hand so that he was pulled into her embrace. She lifted her head from his shoulders and put her lips to his ear.

She whispered seductively, "You may now kiss the bride."


A/N: Just to let you know, nothing happens after she says that...because anything that does...happens next chapter! ; )