The days after the ball were some of the happiest days in Christine and Erik's lives. They had spent nearly every moment together, going to fancy dinners, going on strolls, dancing and singing. Nadir had decided to take his woman on a weekend holiday to Paris, giving Erik and Christine plenty of time to themselves.

Unfortunately, the weekend didn't last forever.

As the Monday morning sun rose, Erik and Christine sat up together in Erik's bed. Erik held his love close to him, resting his forehead against hers.

"I wish we didn't have to hide this, Christine," he said softly, his golden gazing into hers.

Christine sighed and gently touched his cheek. "I know, Erik. Just a little longer, I promise you. I will soon have enough money of my own to stop working, then we can be more open about it."

Erik kissed her palm as it caressed his cheek. "But you know you don't need to save up money. I have more than enough funds to support us both for the rest of our lives."

"But I want to this, to prove to myself that I provide for myself if I need to. I promise, it won't be much longer," she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

Erik knew he couldn't argue with her. He simply nodded, giving her cheek a soft kiss. "Alright, my dear. You should go get dressed before Nadir returns home. He'll be back any time now."

Christine nodded and got up from Erik's lap. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before grabbing her dressing robe from the floor.

"I love you," she said softly, giving him a small smile. Erik gazed at his angel as she padded over to the doorway.

"I love you, Christine," he smiled.

The young girl's small smile turned into a grin as she disappeared into the hallway. Erik got up out of bed, picking his night clothes up off the floor. He tucked them away in his wardrobe, pulling out new, clean clothing for the daytime. Erik slipped into his breeches and trousers, wondering where he left his mask.

As he tucked his shirt into his trousers, Erik felt as though he was forgetting something. He slipped on his waistcoat and began to button it, his mind busy trying to remember something.

He spotted his mask on the piano, going to it and covering up the deformed half of his face. Suddenly, he could hear a knock echoing through the hall.

Erik turned to the clock, noting the time. It was about ten o'clock in the morning, far too late for mail and too early for any advertisers.

'That damn Persian, always forgetting his key,' Erik thought, grumbling as he exited his bedchamber.

"I've got the door, Christine," Erik called as he passed her room. Surely she was still dressing, so he would allow himself to let the Persian in.

As he strode to the front hall, he couldn't help but notice the knocks were different then how Nadir usually knocked. His knocks were usually slow and heavy, and almost always followed by him yelling, "Erik, let me in!"

These knocks were quick and light, and as Erik approached the door, he noticed the silhouettes of two people outside his door through the glass. He furrowed his brows and slowly opened the door, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

Outside his door stood none other than Antoinette Giry and her daughter.

Erik panicked. That was what he forgotten! He had scheduled a meeting with them to discuss their employment at his new building!

"Forgive me, but I need just one moment," he said, quickly closing the door on them. Erik dashed down the hall. He couldn't let Christine be seen, and he certainly couldn't let her see the Giry's! This was a disaster waiting to happen!

Erik quickly opened Christine's door, finding her standing before her bed in just her undergarments and petticoat.

"Who was at the door, Erik?" she asked, turning to him.

Erik fought for the right words, wanting to keep her hidden from Antoinette and Meg. "Ah… it's nothing important, Christine. Just… don't come out of your room until I receive you. Thank you, my love!" he said, quickly closing the door behind him.

Christine stood in confusion and began to worry. "Erik?" she called, tilting her head to the side.

Erik did not answer her, for he was already back in the front hall. He reopened the door, finding the two woman still standing there, confused looks painting their faces.

"Ah, my apologies. Do come in," he said nervously, gesturing for them to enter. The two women entered his home, following Erik into the parlor.

Erik had known Madame Giry for nearly twenty five years. After all, she was the one who brought him to the Opera House. He had trusted her with his life and all of his secrets, and so far he had no reason to not trust her. But oh, if she saw Christine in his home, he didn't know what would happen!

The masked man took a deep breath. They were here to discuss business, not the girl he was hiding down the hall. He had the Giry's take a seat on the sofa while he sat in an armchair.

"Erik, I must say, you seem very… nervous," Antoinette noted, raising an eyebrow at him. "Is this a bad time? I hope you realize we've had this meeting planned over a month in advance."

Erik shook his head. "No, Madame, I am fine. Now, we have business to discuss," he said, changing the subject. "As you know, my Opera House is opening in a few weeks and I promised you and Meg positions in the building. I was thinking that—"

"Erik?"

His eyes widened as he was interrupted. Christine's voice echoed through the empty house and Erik's heart raced. He looked over at the Giry's, finding Antoinette's eyes nearly as wide as his own. Meg's eyes were widened a bit as well, and Erik could tell she knew that voice was familiar.

"Please excuse me," he said, quickly getting up from his seat and disappearing from the parlor. He raced down the hallway, finding Christine standing fully dressed outside of her room.

"Erik, what is going on?" she asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

The masked man silenced her with a kiss, pulling her close and filling Christine with passion and desire. He felt her body relax as he ran his hands up and down her back, feeling the soft fabric of one of the gowns he'd purchased her.

Erik broke off their kiss and began to quickly make his way down the hall once more. Christine's eyes opened wide and she gazed at her lover.

"Erik, where are you going? What on Earth is going on?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips. He could tell she was getting extremely irritated, but he didn't have time to make her happy. He had to finish his business with the Giry's.

"Just stay there! I will return to you soon, I promise!" he said, turning his back towards her and racing back to the parlor.

Christine stood in her spot, confused and extremely suspicious. Who had come to the door? Why couldn't he just tell her what he was doing?

She began to get jealous. Had she heard a woman's voice coming from the parlor when she had left her room? Was he hiding another woman from her? Would he dare?

"M-My apologies…" he mumbled, trying to catch his breath as he took his seat once more.

Now both of the Giry's were staring at him with wide eyes.

"Monsieur… have we interrupted something?" Young Meg asked, one of her brows raised higher than the other.

"Oh, no, I just—"

"Erik, that was the voice of a woman. If you have unfinished business to take care of, we can could return at a later hour. Do not be ashamed that you have a woman in your home for you..." Antoinette pointed out.

Erik's heart raced again. "No, please, it's not—"

"Erik?"

The three people in the parlor suddenly froze at the familiar voice. All heads turned to the doorway, where Christine Daaé stood in shock at the sight before her.

"Christine?!" Meg and Antoinette gasped, staring at the young girl.

The young soprano's eyes suddenly fluttered closed and she collapsed to the floor.

Erik rushed to Christine's side, scooping her into his arms. He brushed the hair from her face and gazed at her pale skin.

"Christine? You've been hiding and sleeping with Christine?!" Antoinette exclaimed. Young Meg looked as though she was going to faint as well and took her seat on the sofa, staring straight ahead.

"No! I mean, I… no! You don't understand, this is not what it seems!" Erik said, shaking his head rapidly. "Christine and I are not sleeping together and I am not hiding her!"

Antoinette rose an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Erik? Because it seems as though you are doing just that! You were hiding her from us just now, and look at the marks on her neck! If it isn't you, then who gave her those? And her lips! They are swollen and red. Those are freshly kissed, Erik! You cannot lie about this!"

Erik's blood began to boil. "That is none of your business, Antoinette!" he barked. "Christine and I met by accident! I have not kidnapped her and I am certainly not hiding her from anyone! I only attempted to hide her from you because I knew this is how you would react!"

"And how can I believe that?" Antoinette questioned, crossing her arms over her chest.

Erik held Christine closer to him, suddenly feeling very possessive over her. "You can ask her yourself when she wakes. Now, keep your voice down. She does not need you startling her," he hissed.

Antoinette sat back beside her daughter angrily. She knew that it was possible Christine and Erik would cross paths while Christine was in Amiens, but she never thought they would be living under the same roof and sleeping in the same bed!

Meanwhile, Meg's mind was spinning. What had Christine gotten herself into now? She wasn't angry like her mother, but she was thoroughly confused. Meg hoped that she would get the chance to speak with Christine before her mother made her leave.

Christine slowly began to stir in Erik's arms, drawing all the eyes in the room to her. Her eyes fluttered open and she gazed up at Erik, suddenly feeling much calmer.

"Erik, wh-what happened?" she asked, her eyes locking onto his.

Erik gently touched her face. "You had a little accident, Christine, but you'll be alright. You just got startled when you say Antoinette and Meg…"

Christine suddenly turned her head, seeing the two women on the sofa. Her lip quivered as she began to worry about what they must have thought of her.

"I-I can explain!" she stuttered, quickly trying to get up. Erik pulled her back down, not wanting her to strain herself.

"Christine," he said softly. "I will help you, do not risk further injury." Erik stood up, carrying Christine in his arms. He brought her to the divan on the other side of the room, gently laying her down and sitting at her feet.

Antoinette Giry spoke up. "Christine, would you care to explain what is going on here?" she asked.

Christine sighed and sat up at a little. She told them of what happened when she first arrived in Amiens, about how she was mugged and nearly raped. She told them of how Nadir rescued her and brought her here, not realizing she was who she was. She explained how she lived in the house a month before either Erik or she knew each other was also living here.

"Erik has been nothing but wonderful to me. I went through a tough couple of days where my mind was not in the right place, and he nursed me back to health. And now… now we are becoming very close," she said, gazing over at Erik.

Erik was not shy. He took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"Close is one way to put it. My dear, how long have you been sleeping together?" Antoinette asked.

The masked man scowled at her. "Madame, that is absolutely none of your business!" he hissed.

"It is too my business!" she recoiled. "I know both of you very well and I know the way you act. Having you been taking precautions? Have you even thought about what would happen if she were to get pregnant?"

The question shook both of Erik and Christine's minds. They hadn't thought of that at all. Christine began to worry, her hands shaking slightly.

Erik gripped Christine's hands tightly, feeling her tremble in fear. He was afraid as well. There was no way she could ever get pregnant with a demon like himself! That would never, ever happen?

Or would it?

Madame Giry spoke up again. "I would like to speak with Erik in private about this matter. Christine, I'm sure you and Meg will have a wonderful time entertaining each other," she said, standing up and glaring at Erik.

For once, Erik did not argue. He simply placed another kiss onto Christine's hand and whispered an 'I love you' before following Antoinette.

Christine felt as though her whole world had been flipped upside down.

'Oh God, please do not let this be happening. Please grant me mercy…'

Author's Note: Uh oh. Looks like Erik and Christine may have gotten themselves into a little bit of trouble. We shall see!

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