-1"How much longer is until we get home, ma cher Erik?" Evelyn asked excitedly, peering out the window of the carriage as it bumbled along the cobbled streets of Munich. Outside, people wandered about, some with shopping bags and carts, others were seeing the sights which included many zoos, shops, gardens and the like. Ladies with carousals and bright dresses walked with gentlemen in suits like the workhouse maids and cooks. Every building they passed were brightly colored and towering.

Arches housed sculpture gardens and studios filled with art. Rising to the sky like some great monarch was the clock tower, huge and majestic compared to the smaller, gamboling blocks. As she watched the clock struck eleven o'clock and tiny doors under and to the side of the gargantuan face opened. Life sized wooden statues came out on their metal rails, twirling and moving in a dance to the clock's chimes.

Utterly fascinated by the whimsical landscape and bright city, Evelyn practically leaned out the window, trying desperately to see every detail. Erik sat back, hidden in the corner of the carriage, away from the windows, his mask on and fedora pulled low. The last thing he wished for was for anyone to spot him yet.

"We will be there within the hour. The mansion is right beyond the limits of the city. S'il te plaît (please), sit back, ma petite fille, you are worrying me," Erik asked imploringly, indicating the way she was standing and hanging out into the streets.

Evelyn looked back inside at him, her midriff resting against the sill, jutted out of the fast-moving carriage. Underneath a pale green bonnet her red hair shifted as the wind blew, smelling of perfume, flowers and the bakery shops that lines the streets. Settling inside she smoothed out the wrinkles in her taffeta emerald dress.

"How big is our home, Erik?" she asked curiously, folding her white gloved hands in her lap, attempting to force herself to be calm. For a moment he thought, running a hand over his cleanly shaved chin.

He wore a dark blue vest over a white linen shirt, finished with a stylish black tie that streaked down to disappear into his clothing. With his nicely combed dark hair was his gleaming half-mask, pearly white from the sunshine that seeped into the window. Topping it off was a light fedora, covering the upper part of his face. Evelyn hid a frown under a patient smile. She really hoped he wouldn't wear that damned mask in the house.

"There are eighteen rooms, three parlors, a large dining room and a private one, a kitchen and a large veranda that faces a lovely lake in the back. It was all in the papers I received," he explained slowly, knowing there was something he had forgotten to mention. After a moment or two it struck him. "Oh, and they just recently built a gazebo within the gardens. I requested it for you, Evelyn, almost two months ago. We have a staff of ten and a working cook. There's so much more as well."

Evelyn nodded mutely, gazing out the window at the passing city. She felt somewhat disappointed. Having grown up in mansions and castles all her life, she was none too surprised. But it seemed too close to the life she had before and that was the last thing she wanted. Fumbling for a few minutes with her thoughts she finally cleared her throat.

"Erik? Don't you think that it might be…well…a little excessive?"

He stared at her in confusion and horror. Had he done wrong in having the gazebo made? Feeling a little foolish, he ran a hand over his hair, trying to think of what to say.

"I-I, uh, well, I just thought you might like it. Considering you always lived in luxurious homes, I thought you might want that again instead of a little cottage," he replied, suddenly unsure of himself and his actions. Evelyn looked at him with sincere apologies and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry, mon amour. I hadn't meant to upset you. Really, I hadn't. It's just that…do we really need all that?" she asked exasperatedly, standing quickly to sit next to him, gathering one of his gloved hands in hers. Peeling off the leather then her lace, she ran the pads of her fingers over the top of his palm. She peered up at him with a smile. "You know, I really don't need all that. I could care less if we lived in a shack! I just want you to be happy."

With a relieved smile, Erik kissed her forehead.

"I appreciate that, ma Evelyn. Believe me, when I say this: this mansion will make me excessively happy. For as long as I have remembered I have always had restrictions on where I could go and what I could do. I had my home under the opera but the stone there is so hard to express one's self with. This will open up an opportunity to have a home I can do anything with," he explained carefully, trying to express what it meant to him. It seemed a bit strange to hear but internally it felt right. "And now I have a wonderful woman to make this home a world of my own."

Evelyn smiled in content, her eyes shining. She gave his hand an understanding, loving squeeze.

"If it makes you happy, then it must be wonderful."

Settling next to him, she continued to chat lightly over all the extensive places she wanted to see in Munich. As she rambled on and on about needing to learn German and all the restaurants and so on and so forth, Erik paid intent attention on her fingers as they glided over his hand mindlessly. The almost non-existent touch tickled the hairs and raised the skin, sending electric shocks through his nerves to his heart and brain. He felt a sweltering fire within him, one that begged for him to get as close to Evelyn as he could. It made it even more difficult that she was so innocently unaware of what she was doing to him.

"The driver's slowing down. Is this it, Erik?" her excited voice broke through his desire-flamed trance, waking him and making him fumble with his words. Looking out the window he grinned and nodded.

"Yes, ma Evelyn. This is home."