I apologize for the delay in posting this chapter- I was traveling for the past six weeks, so I didn't have a lot of time to write. I'm back now and there's definitely more to come with this story.

Chapter 11

It surprised Christine how normal life with Erik felt. Erik would play music for her, Christine would sing for him, they would cook and clean, and Christine would go to work. The only difference was that when she came home every evening, Erik would greet her at the door with a kiss. And Erik seemed so much happier. Occasionally, Christine would catch Erik looking at her with a look of pure contentment that made her feel warm inside.

One afternoon, Monsieur Reyer released Christine from rehearsals early because he was focusing on the chorus for the rest of the day, so Christine arrived home far earlier than usual. She entered the apartment quietly and as she removed her boots she heard Erik's soft voice coming from Aunt Alice's room.

Quietly, Christine crept to the door and took in the scene of Erik sitting beside Aunt Alice's bed reading to her. Such a simple moment of human connection filled Christine's heart. Eventually, Erik sensed her standing in the doorway and looked up. He smiled a simple, relaxed smile. Christine crossed the room, put her arm around his shoulder and kissed him on the lips.

Alice looked as though a hippopotamus just waltzed into the bedroom in a tutu. It was then that Christine remembered she had yet to inform Alice about the new development in her relationship with Erik. Christine glanced at Erik, whose eyes were wide with terror.

Christine laughed uncomfortably. "Oh, yeah, so that," she stammered.

A massive grin broke across Alice's face. She looked thirty years younger. "Finally!" she exclaimed before breaking into fits of laughter. Erik caught Christine's gaze and shrugged before joining into the laugher.

It took a few minutes for the room to calm. Once everyone had caught their breath, Alice asked, "so how and when did this happen?"

"Well that's a long story," Christine said and perched on the arm of the chair Erik was sitting in. He casually placed a hand on the small of her back and launched into the tale. The story he wove for Alice was far more lighthearted than reality. He somehow created a comedy with the appropriate amount of romance. If Erik had written this as a novel, the women of Paris would never stop talking about it.

"And now, here we are," Erik said. He looked into Christine's eyes and gave her a quick kiss.

"I'm so happy for you both," Alice said. "Now, Christine dear, would you mind fetching me a cup of tea?"

Later that afternoon, Christine and Erik were in the sitting room, Christine reading and Erik playing the violin. He paused, looking at the composition in front of him.

"Erik?"

"Hm?"

"So what did Aunt Alice want earlier when she sent me out to get her tea?"

Erik put his violin down on the table and looked at her with a solemn expression. "She told me if I hurt you she will hunt me down and kill me."

Christine busted out laughing. Erik's solemn expression did not change.

"Erik, are you scared of her?"

Erik averted his eyes. "A bit."

Christine moved to sit beside him on the couch and took Erik's hand, weaving her fingers through his.

"She doesn't trust me, does she?" Erik asked, his voice cracking.

Christine placed a hand on his cheek and turned his face towards her. Erik refused to meet her gaze.

"She does trust you. I trust you, too. She said those things because she loves me and wants to protect me. I'm like a daughter to her. And if my father were still here, it would have been him to say those things to you instead. I'm sure she had the same conversation with Raoul."

Erik looked up at the mention of Raoul's name. "But she would have preferred if you stayed with the Vicomte."

Christine shook her head. "No," she said softly. "I think she was proud of me when I broke it off. She wants me to be happy."

"Are you happy?" Erik asked. The way he said it, Christine could sense Erik's insecurity.

She let go of Erik's hand to take his face in both her hands. Locking eyes with him, she said, "I am the happiest I've been since my father died."

She kissed him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and deepened the kiss which made Christine shiver. She then broke off the kiss and pulled him tightly against her, breathing in his fresh scent of nighttime.

"Are you happy?" she asked into his neck.

Erik laughed, ending the embrace to look at her. "This is the happiest I've been. Ever."

Just two days later, it happened. It was nighttime when Christine heard a wail. She leapt from her bed and raced to Aunt Alice's room. Erik was on her heels.

"Auntie!" Christine cried.

Her aunt was curled into fetal position. "I. Can't. Breathe," Alice gasped.

Christine pulled Alice into her lap so she was sitting up. "It's okay, Auntie, it's okay. Can you take a breath for me now?" She spoke to her aunt like she would speak to a child. Christine's own voice felt so far away. Alice wheezed and coughed.

Christine looked up at Erik desperately. He stood at the doorway, watching Christine with terrified eyes.

"She needs a doctor," Christine said.

Erik nodded.

"Will you stay with her while I go fetch the doctor?"

"No, Christine. You stay here with your aunt. Tell me where his home is." Erik's voice and expression were focused and intense. Christine nodded and gave him the address.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he said. He took Alice's hand in both of his and locked eyes with her. "Please be here when I get back," he pleaded. Alice responded by curling up into Christine's chest as she shook with coughs. Erik squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, kissed Christine's forehead, and ran.

Christine held her aunt to her chest and rocked her back and forth. "The doctor will be here soon. Erik is getting him," she repeated over and over.

"Christine," Alice wheezed.

"Auntie, don't talk. The doctor will be here soon."

"No," she mouthed. "You must hear this. I am so proud of you."

Alice started coughing again. The coughs became wheezes. Alice struggled for breath and Christine sat there, holding her, feeling helpless. Christine watched as Alice's face went from pink to gray. She watched as Alice struggled for one last breath.

She felt Alice's last heartbeat beneath her hands.

"No!" Christine cried. "No!" She burst into tears. "No, Auntie. Wake up! Wake up!" Christine knew, though, that Alice was gone. Christine had been there when her father had died. It was the same.

She bent over her Aunt's body and cried. "I love you," she sobbed. She was thirteen again, holding her father's hand willing him to wake up as the sense of complete loneliness enveloped her.

A hand touched her back. Erik was standing over her, maskless and wigless. Beside him was the doctor. Christine fell against Erik's stomach and cried. He pulled her close, lifting her from the bed into his arms.

Erik carried Christine to her bed and wrapped her in the blankets. "I'll be right back," he whispered.

It felt like ages before Erik returned. Christine had just about cried herself out by the time he returned and knelt down to eyelevel with her.

"Oh Christine," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "What can I do?"

"Will you stay with me?"

Erik nodded solemnly and crawled under the covers beside her, pulling her close. Some part of Christine was aware that this was the first time they were sharing a bed, but right now all she felt was broken. How could Alice be gone? How could it have happened so quickly? These thoughts brought fresh tears, which were soaked up by Erik's shirt. He held her close, whispering in her ear that he loved her and that she was not alone. She couldn't be sure, but she thought the felt wetness on Erik's cheeks, too.