Erik guided Christine back down the bowels of the opera house, back to his home. She seemed excited to continue their lessons, but something weighed on her mind. Erik wondered if he should have kept his mouth shut about the vicomte. Although, it was nice to hear Christine say that she had no interest in the boy outside the realm of friendship. In fact, it made his heart soar and pick up speed.

"Erik?" Christine exclaimed, surprised by his excitement. He shot a rare smile back at her, making her heart skip a beat. "What's gotten into you?"

"What indeed," he answered cryptically. Christine bit her lip as she tried to keep up. Soon, they came upon the boat and Erik released her hand. Just as she took a step forward, Erik picked her up by her waist before placing her inside the small boat. She yelped in surprise, but allowed him to put her down as she looked up at him.

"Erik-" she started before he smiled.

"I think tonight, we should celebrate," he replied, interrupting her.

"Celebrate?"

"Of course! We should celebrate your voice and your wonderful performance."

"And your teaching," Christine added enthusiastically, still unsure what had changed his mood so drastically. Erik smiled at her comment as he pushed the boat away from the shore.

"We'll celebrate all of it," he promised as they glided across the water. Christine stared up at him in awe, seeing his eyes dance. She could almost see hope in his eyes behind the joy. She wondered what he was hoping for, and decided to wait on that question.

Within minutes, they arrived at Erik's home. Christine noted that they made good time, and she assumed it was due to his impatience. He was floating on clouds, and she wished she could share in his reverie. He hopped onto the bank and helped her to her feet. Once on dry land, he took both her hands and stared at her. It wasn't an uncomfortable stare. Instead it was one of wonder and admiration.

"Erik," she whispered with a light laugh. It seemed that half the words out of her mouth were his name.

"I could listen to you say my name a thousand times over and never tire of the sound," he murmured. Christine raised an eyebrow.

"Are you drunk?" she wondered softly before chuckling. He seemed a little offended, and shook his head.

"Never in front you," he insisted as she laughed.

"Are we going to practice tonight?" Christine inquired. She wanted to show him her dedication to the role of Aminta and that she had practiced. However, to her disappointment, he shook his head.

"Not tonight. Tonight is about leisure and celebration," he answered before leading her deeper into the cavern to the small kitchen. Christine covered her disappointment with an ecstatic smile and nodded.

"What do you have in mind?" she wondered before he straightened, returning to himself for a moment.

"Only the finest for my Angel," he prompted before gesturing to the kitchen. "First some dinner and wine. After, we can do whatever your heart desires."

"Whatever my heart desires?" she smiled. With a nod, he looked at her expectantly. "What's for dinner?"

"It's… it's a surprise," he informed, realizing that he had no idea. Christine had a feeling that he hadn't gotten that far, but she appreciated the thought.

"Although, if I had known that we were celebrating, I would have worn something nicer," she lamented, looking down at her attire. After the opera ended, she had changed into a simple cream colored dress. It was easy to move around in, perfect for her underground excursions.

"Angel, you look beautiful," he reassured before ushering her out of the kitchen. "I did say surprise."

"What am I supposed to do all by myself?" she complained, looking back at him. A few suggestions ran through his mind, but he pushed them aside.

"Why don't you take a nap?" he wondered. The thought hadn't cross her mind, but the idea was appealing. It was exhausting to sing for nearly three hours straight, and Erik's sudden mood swing hadn't exactly helped. As she thought about it, he nudged her towards his room, hers when she stayed there. "I insist. I'll wake you when the food's ready."

"Promise?" she asked playfully.

"I promise," Erik informed before kissing her forehead. Christine nodded, feeling her cheeks grow warm. She at first wondered if she should take the couch out of consideration, but thought that it was better to avoid the disagreement and went to the bedroom. She laid on the bed and within a few minutes, she fell into the void.

Erik saw the door close behind her before he exhaled inwardly. He had completely lost himself in the fact that Christine had chosen him over the boy not once, not twice, but several times. When she mentioned that she didn't even see him as a suitor, Erik could have shouted to the heavens in praise and thanks. He had been so sure that she would leave him for the wealthy patron.

However, in his excitement and relief, he had been too rash. He did want to celebrate, but he didn't even think how he was going to celebrate. He hardly had any food in the pantry, but at least he did have at least two bottles of wine. At the very least, they could have that. It wasn't dinner, but it was celebratory.

He searched through his cabinets and realized that he hadn't left to get food in quite a while. He still had half a loaf of bread, a small cheese wedge, and some fruit. Nothing that would be worthy of a first meal with his Angel. However, he wasn't sure if he had much of a choice. It was either this or just wine, which would not end well.

With a dejected sigh, all the excitement left his body as he pulled out what remaining food he had left. Christine definitely deserved a better meal than this, and his mind went back to the vicomte. He had probably planned a beautiful dinner at a fancy restaurant, as most men did when they celebrated with their women.

Erik scoffed at himself at the thought. His woman? Christine was an eager student that seemed to enjoy his company. She never eluded to the idea that she thought of him more than that. Even still, he would have loved to take Christine to a proper dinner. Maybe one day, there would be an opportunity where he could. Where he could show her how much she truly deserved. However, for now, he would be content with where they were at. That was more than he believed he deserved.

Christine woke in a meadow surrounded by daisies. As she sat up, she saw a man standing not too far from where she was at. She stood and walked over to him, admiring his broad back. He had clasped his hands behind his back as he watched the horizon.

Without thinking, she stood behind him and rubbed his shoulders, letting him know that she was there. He turned around and Christine smiled, seeing her Erik. It was strange, but in the dream, she knew that he was her one and only Erik. She couldn't place the emotion she felt when she realized that he belonged to her.

"What are you staring at?" he asked her. Christine looked up, realizing that he had turned around. Her arms were at her sides as she looked up at him. She didn't have an answer. "Christine, what are you staring at?"

"You," she answered truthfully as he laughed.

"Me? But why would you be staring at me?" he whispered as he took off the mask. She watched carefully, unsure what to expect. As the mask descended, only a dark void filled the space. Christine stared, unable to determine what she was looking at. It was like a constant shadow across his face as he looked down at her. "What are you staring at now, Christine? Are you starting at me? Or the place that isn't me?"

"What?" she asked, confused. His now only eye was filled with worry and rejection. He turned away from her and put the mask back on.

"Do you stare at what you want me to be, or who I am?" he questioned. Christine walked to his front, but he turned away from her again. "Answer, Christine. Answer my question."

"Who you are," she answered before he turned to her. His lips didn't move as she heard his voice again.

"Who I am?"