Christine awakened, alone and cold, in her bed. She had no concept of time in this place, and only assumed it was late morning. She could hear Erik pound at the keys of the organ, a fury and passion that she dare not interrupt. Creeping slowly and sleepily from the bed, she went to the small bathroom. An inviting tub was waiting for her and it didn't take long for the water to warm. Erik always kept the water warm for her, which seemed to be a tedious task down here in the freezing vaults.
She removed the blankets she had carried with her to cover herself. She wanted to laugh at the thought of hiding from Erik. He had seen her unclothed, why should she hide now? Although it was the proper way to move about in your husband's house, there was no propriety here. Just love…passion…and music.
Sinking into the warmth of the bath, a sadness spread over her. What if Erik didn't live? What would she do? How could she live? She knew now that she did love him…He was everything to her and more! She tried to shake the thoughts from her mind, taking the sponge from water and running it along her arm. The scented soaps Erik had provided her easing her tension a bit.
There was a knock at the door and it startled her.
"Y-yes?" She said sinking further under the water.
"May I come in?" Erik said, his angelic voice muffled behind the door.
"Yes…" She said, her heart racing just in anticipation to see him.
Erik turned the knob, not opening the door all the way and slinking his thin form inside.
He noticed the warm blush that enveloped her cheeks, or was it the temperature from the water?
"I thought you were busy working…so I decided to have a bath…" She said timidly, lying her head back against the porcelain.
"I was, my love…but…I am finished…as I said I would be…" He whispered, smiling, kneeling at the tub. He gestured for her to turn around so that he may sponge her back. She did as he wanted, feeling the soft sponge and warm water instantly. She dropped her head down and took a deep breath, feeling his hand now rather than the sponge.
"What will you do now?" She asked quietly, feeling his ungloved hand run along her spine. She shivered, bringing her hands up to her arms in reply.
"Retire…" He said with a laugh.
"But you won't perform it? I mean…let the opera perform it for you? It's your life's work!" She said, now turning around to face him. His hands remained at the side of the tub.
"No, Christine…this work is not to be performed…it is very dangerous music…it is from within the very hellish depths of my soul…the dark corners of my horrible mind…and besides…do you really think the opera would perform it if they knew it was from me?" He said sternly, rising.
"They wouldn't have to know…you could submit it…anonymously…" She suggested, her heart sinking in disappointment as he stood and reached for the door. What did she want him to do for god's sakes?
"I don't think so, my dear…The only way I could get them to perform my work is to…well…threaten them as I used to do…" He said with a faint smile. "I'll leave you to your bath…"
"W-Wait, Erik…could you…hand me my towel? I am finished…" She said, not really being in the water that long.
He obeyed her, handing her the towel at a reasonable distance, as if he was now concerned with seeing her nude.
"What's the matter?" She said, standing and wrapping the fabric around her.
"Nothing, my dear…" He whispered, helping her out of the tub. "I am still not used to…being around you…this way…"
"You must get used to such, husband…" She smiled, playfully her hand still in his.
"I still can't believe…that you are mine…" He whispered, turning into her to caress her reddening cheek. He leaned forward and kissed her lips, letting go of her slowly.
She stood silently, only looking up into his eyes as he left her lips.
"Come, Christine…you'll freeze to death if you don't dry yourself soon…"
She tore her gaze away, embarrassed. He still sent that shiver down her spine…that tinge of mystery, danger…but also an adoration that she had never felt with anyone.
She let him lead her back into her bedroom. Slowly he turned and bowed his head to kiss her hand.
"Get dressed my love…I'll make you something to eat…" He whispered, letting go of her hand and leaving the room quickly, shutting the door.
"It should be me taking care of you…" She whispered in reply, though he was already half way into the kitchen.
Erik stopped amiss his cooking in the kitchen. The woman he loved, mere feet from him getting dressed in her bedroom…their bedroom. He never thought in his miserable lifetime he would have such happy and pleasurable thoughts throughout an entire day.
As soon as he had awoke, naked in her warm arms he couldn't help but render his passion elsewhere, quickly dressing and sitting down at the organ. He was going to finish this work, even if it killed him!
Alas he had finished. A mere three hours and he had completed his life's work. Ironically he thought to himself how the end of Don Juan was really the end of him. He could now die in peace…being with Christine…her loving him in return…
As he stirred the pot of porrage a new pain in his heart ate at him. I have everything I've ever wanted…and now I am to die? What a cruel God, indeed.
Her presence startled him, as he felt her come behind him in an embrace. He felt her slide against his back as she tiptoed up to kiss behind his ear.
"It smells delicious, Erik…please eat some with me?" She said, her arms still around him.
"Yes, perhaps a little…" He said only to please her.
The sat awkwardly at the small table, Christine hungrily spooning the meal.
"You are watching me eat, again Monsieur…" She smiled, edging his bowl towards him.
"As I've told you…it is a habit I cannot break…" He smiled in return, ignoring his bowl.
"Oh, Erik…please eat…if not for you then for me…" She said concerned.
"For you…" He said calmly, lifting the spoon to his malformed lips.
After they both had eaten Erik arose from his chair and took her empty bowl.,
"No, Erik…let me…" She stood, taking her bowl back and then taking his.
"You don't have to spoil me, Christine…" He said playfully.
"I am only trying to be a good wife…" She said in reply, placing the dishes in warm water.
She felt Erik behind her in an instant, pressing himself to her back. "You don't have to try….you are a good wife…" He said lovingly, kissing her neck.
"Erik…" She said his name, the only reply she could think of as a shiver took her.
"Christine…" He whispered, wanting to smile. "After all this time…I still make you tremble when I touch you…"
"Yes…but it isn't from fear…you…understand…" She closed her eyes, leaning back into him as he continued down to her collarbone.
"It once was…wasn't it? You must forgive me for ever frightening you…"
"It is the past, Erik…all we have now is the present…" She turned, flustered in his embrace. He still held tight to her, now pressing against her front.
"You are quite the forgiving wife, aren't you…" He said as a statement, both hands resting on her waist.
"Yes…" She said, a faint smile drawing her pink lips. "I told you…you'll always be an angel to me…"
He leaned forward in reply, claiming her lips, feeling her warm hands run up his chest, holding his cursed face. He broke the kiss suddenly.
"What's the matter?" Christine said horrified as Erik clutched his chest.
'It's nothing…" He inhaled a sharp breath, leaning against the wall.
'Sit Erik…please!" She led him to the small couch by the fire, easing him down into its cushion.
'Christine…" He said almost annoyed.
'Hush! Now lie still while I bring you some water…" She said, her eyes brimming with tears.
He sighed, the pain subsiding. She ran back into the room, pressing the cup to his lips.
"Thank you…" He said, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
She sat close to him, taking his hand. Her lips trembled and her eyes watered, holding back the urge to cry.
"Are…you alright?" She finally said, swallowing a sob.
"Yes…" He opened his eyes, finding her face red and trembling. He didn't want to tell her not to cry…he knew it would upset her more.
"It happens now and again…it's gone now…don't worry…"
"How can I not worry?" She said near breathless, "Erik…I…I can't bear you sick like this…I…couldn't bear losing another person so close to my heart…"
"Christine…" He lifted her face to meet his, her eyes now spilling silent tears.
"What?" She swallowed, looking into his eyes, her voice quivering.
"I promise I won't leave you…"
"How can you promise such a thing? You cannot control when death takes you…My father…he said the same thing to me!" She said, her heart beating faster.
"Death and I have a bargain you see? I have carried out his work for many years…He won't let me die just yet…"
"Oh, why are you always so morbid? And speaking of things that do not exist! Angels, ghosts…now death himself!" She cried out, sobbing against his chest.
"You once believed in such things did you not? It was that belief that brought me to you…" He said gently, knowing Christine was very upset…he couldn't lash out on her now…not when he was so close to eternal sleep.
She nodded silently against him, her sobs making her tremble. "Erik…please don't die…" She finally choked out, her hands clutching to his shirt.
"I am here now…alive…don't cry over such things…I am here…breathing…holding you…can't you hear my heart? Feel my warmth?" He whispered to her, his one hand sliding up into her hair to comfort her.
"Yes…Yes I can hear it…I can feel you.." She trembled, taking a relieving breath and clutching to him still.
"Christine…this place…it alone can make you somber, depressed…perhaps we should…go above…" He said sweetly into her ear.
"Above? Where would we go?" She sniffed, whispering.
He rose slowly from her embrace, going over to the small desk in the corner. He picked up his keys from his pocket. Opening a secret locked compartment he drew out a file of papers.
"I…wanted this to be your wedding present…" He handed the papers to her.
She looked up at him confused, taking the papers with a trembling hand.
She scanned them quickly. "Its…a deed…"
"Yes…for my mother's house…"