I tossed and turned the whole first night Erik and I were in Paris; my body wasn't used to the time change and I had found that more than once I was up pacing the floor of the large room or exploring the mansion in the complete dark. Erik however, slept like a baby and was unaware of my state of distress. I often found myself enter the library at various times throughout the night, grab a book and start to read it before I decided it wasn't the one for me.

And somewhere between Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, I fell asleep.

"Christine!" I heard a voice in the distance, and on top of the hillside a man appeared riding a white horse. He was dressed in black pants and a open faced pirate like shirt "Christine!" he called causing me to run towards him "Jesus Christ! Where could she be?" The man said as I got closer, his hair growing long like Fabio's, blowing in the wind in such a style. "Christine!" The man on the horse smiled at me slightly, reaching his hand out ready for me to grab it. "Ah! Christine!" He smiled and pressed his lips against mine, the cool leather touched my face "Christine, wake up." The man on the horse said as he pulled away from our kiss "Christine!"

I jarred my eyes open only to be met by the mask free face of my husband. I put a hand to my forehead before I let out a shaky laugh "Sorry, I must have really been dreaming!" I looked around and stretched, my back stiff and my neck sore.

Erik kneeled in front of me and gently rubbed my knee through my silky pajama bottoms "What in the world are you doing in here?"

I shrugged and winced slightly. High backed chairs were not the best for sleeping in "I was reading. I couldn't sleep at all last night so I took a tour of the place for myself in the dark." I laughed slightly "I found the wine cellar!" I chided "then I found my way back up here and instead of finding the room the first time, I found this. I came back to the room and tried to go to sleep." I cracked my back in one swift motion and sighed with relief "I laied there for hours, so I came back here, found a few books and I must have fell asleep." I shrugged "last time I checked it was four in the morning."

Erik laughed and started to rub my shoulders, it was an awkward position but it felt good all the same "Well, the staff seemed to think that you ran off." He chewed his bottom lip, something that I had found insanely sexy "Actually, I thought that you ran off because of… You know."

I looked at him and gently cupped his face in between my hands "Erik, I told you yesterday on the plane, I wouldn't run away. I stay true to my word." I leaned back in the high back chair after I let go of his face and smiled slightly "So what are the plans for today?"

The first stop of the day was brunch in Luxembourg Gardens. Erik and I had sat on the edge of one of the many fountains that decorated the garden munching on our midmorning snack we had bought from a cart before we came in. I had thought that it was lucky I dressed in my vintage fifties dress with tiny red roses all on the fabric. I fit in perfectly.

After Luxembourg Gardens Erik and I caught a afternoon show at the Moulin Rouge, which was by far one of the best shows I had seen in a long time. After the show we made our way to Laduree to munch on their famous macarons then went to the Ritz for High tea. It was a fabulous building where Erik and I were surrounded by sparkling crystal, priceless antiques and our silver was polished to where my reflection could see its reflection.

"Erik," I sipped my tea and took a Macaron out of the box "what are we doing for tonight? More exploring?"

He shook his head and put down his cup of tea "No, actually I thought we'd catch an opera at the Opera Populaire." He leaned in and looked around mysteriously, his mask adding to the mysterious man he was trying to be "Legend has it that back in the eighteen hundreds there was this beautiful girl who was a dancer in the ballet, who had a tragic upbringing. She was orphaned at the age of seven and sent to the Opera Populaire to dance with the company. Well, while she was there she met the Angel of Music. In fact, he wasn't an angel at all. He was a man that lived in the catacombs of the opera house. He taught her to sing and I believe he fell in love with her as she got older." He shrugged, sipping on his tea hanging me in anticipation "Well, she landed her first role in Hanibal, the show that's playing tonight by the way, as the lead and this pleased the man more. She was exceptional and at the end of the performance a young man met her at her dressing room. He had known her from her time when she was a child, he was a very wealthy man that held a prestigious title." He shrugged taking a bite of a macaron "his title changes depending on the story. Anyway!" he took a drink of his tea "he left her in her dressing room to get changed, stating that he'd be back for her. Of course the man who lived in the catacombs didn't approve. He stole the girl for the night, taking him to his lair. Come to find out he was the mysterious phantom of the opera."

I gasped slightly and I found my self leaning in almost off my seat "Tell me more!" I gasped.

He laughed "Well, after that night she was returned and he demanded that she would play lead in every opera that they produced. Of course the Diva didn't approve of this, she threw a fit and was cast as the lead role in the next opera. He didn't approve of this, just like the Diva didn't approve of the ballet star taking over her lead roles, so he frogged her. You know, made her sound like a frog." He shrugged "the young ballet dancer and her secret fiancée decide to run off but return to the opera house that night. Then, on new years eve the phantom of the opera came down the stairs as Red Death, told the owners of the opera they wanted them to produce, his very own opera. This too often changes to what it was, but that's not a part of the story. Anyway, a few months later they put on his opera, where at the climax of a song, he kidnaps her again! Straight down into the catacombs of the opera house!" he threw his arms up before he pulled them down slowly, a waiter came over to the table and Erik shook his head no "So, the young ballet stars fiancée goes down to save her, gets caught up himself. She saves him by professing her undying love to the phantom, kisses him and he ultimetly lets her and the boy go. After that it's a mystery."

I leaned back in my seat "Fascinating," I whispered "Do you think we could get a tour of the catacombs tonight?" I smiled.

Erik shook his head "probably not, there's a lake down there and who knows if they have a boat or not. Besides, before the opera tonight we have dinner reservations at Vin Chaud on the Seine." His eyes glittered with excitement "It's beautiful there, you'll love it!" he laid a foreign bill on the table and stood up "You're looking extremely tired Chris, why don't we go home and we can relax before our big night tonight?"

I laughed slightly, nodding "Yes, I'm exhausted. Luxembourg Gardens is superb but so large and the museums around there," I shook my head "beautiful and of course the Macarons and the high tea! It's all too much!" I stood up as he pulled my chair out away from the table.

Erik and I made our way out of the Ritz and into the car that had been waiting for us. We slipped into the car together and made it half way down the road before Erik pulled out his phone and instructed the driver to pull over.

"Something came up," he looked at his iphone and then back at me "I'll have the driver drop you off at home, he'll come get me after the meeting is over." He scratched at the back of his neck and kissed me quickly "I promise, I'll be home as soon as I can."

I looked at him "Okay…" I said uneasily, could he have been cheating on me? In paris? The thought was absurd as I realized that the man had been with me since the night before we got on the plane. I watched him slide out of the car, his phone pressed to his ear. Whatever it was, it was important as he looked confused as he shut the car door behind him. He turned to me and gave me a wave before we drove off and I gave him a small wave back.

I woke up from my nap a few hours later feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the night. I jumped from bed as the absence of Erik was very prominent and it was very lonely. I sighed as I looked at the spot where he normally laid, I was unsure how I went without him for four long years. I shook my head and made my way into the bathroom where the bath was already drawn. I smiled slightly and leaned on the wall looking at it; Erik was home. I undressed and slipped into the warm water.

I let my eyes close as my mind drifted to thoughts of Emma. I wondered if she was having fun, if she was meeting all her favorite princesses and of course Prince Charming. I smiled and realized how much I missed her and how homesick I actually was. I opened my eyes and wiped the tears from them quickly. I wasn't going to cry; not here in Paris. My daughter was with her grandparents in the happiest place in the world and I was with Erik, in Paris, my favorite place in the world. I was sure I'd hear all about her trip when she got home, and I was more than excited to hear about it.

After my bath I decided to get dressed for the night Erik had planned. I giggled with excitement as I rummaged through my suitcase to find at least something to wear, and that's when I spotted it. A white bag was settled on the bed with a smaller white bag next to it. I peeked inside it and almost let out a laugh, it was a gown. Of course it was. I pulled out the ensemble it was made of a beautiful shiny navy blue fabric and was soft to the touch. I giggled slightly and after throwing on my undergarments I slipped the dress over my head, sliding my arms into the long sleeves that hug my arms tightly. I made my way to the full length mirror and looked at the long skirt of the empire wasted dress. Oh, it was beautiful. I looked in the bag again and noticed a pair of silver jimmy Choo heels. They were gorgeous as well. I laughed slightly; of course! I shouldn't expect anything less than gorgeous from Erik. I placed the shoes back in the bag and made my way into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

I decided that my hair gently curled would look the best, light make up and I was ready to go. I made my way back into the main part of the living room where I remembered the tiny white bag that was situated next to the larger one. I put my hand inside the top and felt the tell tale velvet of a jewelry box. I sighed, of course he would have also gotten me jewelry. I pulled my hand out of the bag and opened the large box to reveal its contents. A gorgeous set of earrings accompanied a diamond necklace and a matching bracelet. I fell backwards on the bed, staring at the set in disbelief.

"I had the same reaction." I looked up at the man who was standing in the door way, his hands shoved in the pockets of his suit.

I looked up at him, still gaping "They are gorgeous, Erik!" I looked back down at the set "I can't take this! It's too much!"

He shook his head "nonsence." He pushed himself off the wall and made his way towards me. Once Erik closed the proximity between us, he grabbed the jewels from my hand, the necklace from the box and made a circle with his finger in the air. I laughed slightly and turned around, grabbing my hair and pulling it off to one side. I felt his fingers gently play against my skin before the cold diamond necklace was placed around my neck. "There."Erik mumbled after a few seconds.

I turned to look at the mirror and gasped slightly as I saw my reflection. They were gorgeous; I had to say that they looked even better draped around my neck than they did in the box. "I'll need help with the bracelet."I held out my tiny wrist watching Erik intently as he grabbed the bracelet from the velvet holder "I really miss Emma."

He looked up from my wrist but then back down, he was having a harder time with the bracelet. His man fingers wouldn't copperate with him "I do too." He finally clasped the bracelet and looked back up to me "Which is why I got her…" he practically jogged to the dresser where he opened it and pulled out a box; how did he do all this while I was asleep? Was I really that tired? "…This." He walked back to me and opened up the box which held a beautiful silver charm bracelet with Cinderella's castle hanging off it.

I smiled and grabbed the box to give it a better look "oh, She'll love this Erik!" I smiled before I wrapped my arms around his waist "She loves jewelry!" I giggled slightly "What a perfect gift."

He wrapped his arms around my waist as well, kissing the top of my head "Well, I also got her a few other things."

I looked up at him then buried my face in between his arm and side "What else?" I mumbled.

He shook his head "Nothing expensive, just a stuffed animal I figured she'd enjoy. It's already being shipped home."

I sighed dreamily and looked up at him "Erik Holloway, you've come so far. You're the best daddy to Emma, so much better than what I thought you'd turn out to be in the beginning when you came back into our lives." I squeezed him tightly "I didn't think we'd be at this point," I closed my eyes and laid my head on his chest "ever."

Erik ran his hands through my hair before his large hands rubbed up and down my back "I didn't think we'd be here at this place, either. We're both too hard headed to see otherwise. In the same sence that my father destroyed our relationship, he also repaired it." I laughed slightly, he was slightly right. "I never thought that I'd accept Emma as my own. But after spending so much time with her, how could she not be mine? She acts—and looks-just like me."

I laughed slightly "she acts like you alright." I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly again "Why don't we finish getting ready. I'm absoutley starving!"

He laughed "I'm finished, just waiting on you m'lady."

I laughed and looked in the mirror, slipping the earrings onto my earlobes. I grabbed the silver handbag that I found in my luggage and turned to look at Erik "I just have to put my shoes on and then I'll be ready!" I grinned and made my way toward the bed and slipped on the shoes. "There!" I smiled and made my way out towards the front of the mansion.