Erik sat at the grand piano in the parlor. Nine months had passed since Gustave was born and was growing into quite a smart, handsome young boy. He sat in Erik's lap, reaching forward and pressing his hands to the keys.
Erik smiled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Ah, I see we have an aspiring pianist," he said. "Watch this, Gustave."
Erik began to play a composition he'd wrote. Gustave watched his father's hands fly over the keys, creating a beautiful melody that filled the house. Gustave cooed, waving his small arms in joy and making his father laugh.
Erik continued to play, reaching the end of the song. "Here, touch this key, Gustave," he said, helping his son press the key, finishing the song. "That was beautiful, Erik."
He turned to see Christine standing in the doorway. She approached him and sat beside him on the bench. "You wrote that?"
Erik nodded, gathering the sheet music from the piano top. "Yes, actually. I wrote it before you came to my lair and found me…"
Christine's eyebrows rose up. "Can I see it?" She asked. Erik handed the papers to her.
'For Her'.
Christine recognized it immediately. It was the composition she'd picked up off of the floor of his lair all those months ago. Christine stared at the music, looking at the lyrics. "Erik…" she said, her hands shaking slightly.
Erik took the sheet music from her hands and stood, setting Gustave on the carpet with a toy. He went to Christine and took her hands. "I wrote it when I was missing you," he said, gently resting his forehead against hers.
Christine looked up at him. "You kept loving me, even after I'd left you."
"Of course I did, Christine. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Something appeared in her eyes. A spark of some sort. Soon, her parted lips smashed against his, taking Erik by surprise.
They hadn't kissed since the day after Gustave was born. They had been trying to take things slow, but they both knew that wouldn't work anymore.
The kiss was heated with passion. Christine's hands rested on his chest and cheek, while Erik's found themselves on her hips. He pulled her closer, pressing her body against his. He gently bit her bottom lip, then soothed it with his tongue. Christine came alive, grabbing onto his loose shirt with her small fingers and deepening the kiss.
Suddenly, she parted. "Oh my, we're terrible parents," she said as she looked over at Gustave. He was staring at them and sucking on the arm of a stuffed bear. Christine giggled and went to him, picking him up and kissing his cheek. "Let's put you down for your nap, my love," she said, winking at Erik and heading up the stairs.
Once they reached the nursery, Christine kissed Gustave and handed him to Erik. "Papa will tuck you in, my dear. I love you," she said. Standing on her tip toes, she put her lips to Erik's ear. "Meet me in our room when he's began to sleep."
Erik smirked and watched her leave. He laid Gustave in the bassinet and bent down to kiss him. "Sleep well, my child," he said, setting Gustave's bear in the bassinet beside him. The boy smiled and reached up towards Erik.
"Son… what is it? Please, Gustave, this is not the time to be fussy about a nap. Would you like a lullaby? Fine, fine, that's alright."
Erik quietly sang to the child, sending him into a deep, peaceful sleep. Erik smiled and turned off the lights, returning to the bedroom.
"Christine?"
Erik entered the room to find it empty and dark. There were three candles lit on the bedside table. "Christine..?"
Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and she emerged wearing only her white dressing robe.
Erik's body trembled.
"Is he asleep?" she asked, slowly making her way towards him. Erik nodded, remembering the last time she had approached him like this. "Y-Yes, sound asleep."
Christine smirked. "I guess that gives us a little time to ourselves." She began unbuttoning Erik's shirt.
"Christine… are you sure you want to…"
She stopped him. "Erik, it's been almost a year. We both know we can't go without each other any longer," she said, opening his shirt up. "And, you know, I think that tonight could be a great start to things going back to how they used to be." She winked at him and pulled him closer.
Erik couldn't control himself anymore. He claimed her lips, throwing his shirt to the floor and pulling her body against his. Christine's hands quickly moved to her robe, untying it and letting it drop to the floor.
His heart pounded in his chest. Christine was going to be his once again! He laid her down and quickly undressed himself, then rested over her.
Christine gently removed his mask, smiling when she saw his exposed face.
"Erik," she said, "If it is okay with you, I want you to not wear that as much around the house. You know I love your face and I want our son to love it, too."
He looked over at the mask, then back at Christine. He could see in her eyes that she truly wanted him to accept. How could he say no to her?
"As you wish, my love," he said, smiling back at her.
Her hand lingered on his deformed cheek, gently caressing the mangled skin. "Erik, do you know how beautiful you are?" she said, kissing his cheek. This girl, this woman, she was an angel! She thought him beautiful!
He nodded and kissed her cheek in return. "I do now, Christine. My beautiful Christine…"
The room was dark besides the three lit candles. It was cold, but the heat of their bodies was enough to warm them both. They lay like that, whispering words of love to each other for what seemed like hours. Finally, Christine ignited them again.
"Erik… I love you."
His eyes lit up and filled with joy. She loved him! Christine, his Christine, loved him! His heart fluttered in his chest, bringing his emotions to life.
"Oh Christine… you do not know how much I needed to hear that," he said, framing her face with his hands. "I love you more than you will ever know."
They kissed, letting their passion and desire take over and making love over and over that night. All of their lingering questions were answered and all feelings turned to nothing but feelings of love. They loved each other, and it was the strongest love either of them had ever felt in their whole lives.
When they had finished, Christine cuddled up to Erik's warm body. He caressed her chocolate curls and hugged her body tightly to his.
"Christine?"
"Yes, Erik?" she answered sleepily.
"I cannot believe someone amazing as you could be with me. God, I could stare at you forever and still feel like I haven't had enough of you! You are perfect, Christine. You give meaning to my life. I start my day with you on my mind and end my day with you in my dreams, and I cannot tell you how thankful I am for you. You are an angel sent from heaven above and I thank God for every day that I wake up beside you. I love you, Christine. Thank you for loving me and giving me the world."
Christine looked up at Erik, a smile so bright it could light up all of London sprawled across her face.
"Erik, you are the light of my world. I love you so much, my angel," she whispered, gently kissing his lips.
When they parted, Erik wrapped his arms around her as she drifted off to sleep.
Sweet dreams, my Angel of Music.
