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Hello! Now remember, there was a slight mix up with the FF site, (some got linked to chapter 33 instead of chapter 32) thus prompting me to post three days in a row, so if you missed a chapter, go back and read them in order. 32, 33, and now 34.

No skipping any or you won't know what is going on. ha ha.

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Onward!

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Chapter 34

~X~

After a few more minutes of visiting, Meg and Christine were required to head back down to the stage area to check in with their professors. There was a fancy celebration planned for the performers afterwards, and while Meg wanted to stay and celebrate, Christine simply wished to go home. This was fine with Erik, for even though he would have stayed if that had been her desire, he was not exactly the party type.

Thus, as Gerald brought the limo around, Christine said goodbye to her father at the curb, waiting for the Leathwood van to come pick him and Susan up.

"Thank you, Papa," she whispered into his ear, before kissing his cheek. "Having you here tonight, and knowing you are getting better was the best gift you could have ever given me. I promise to come by first thing in the morning and talk with Dr. Mills about your progress." Once more she leaned over and wrapped her arms around him in a long embrace. "I love you."

"Here's our ride," Susan announced, watching as the little van with wheelchair accessibility pulled up. A kind looking man hopped out and quickly lowered the automatic ramp for them. "Thank you again for the wonderful evening. I had the best time, and I can pretty much guarantee that Charles did as well. We'll see you soon!"

"Yes, you will," Christine laughed, still riding high on the night's excitement. She watched as they got her father settled in the van, bracing his wheels so he would ride safe all the way back to Leathwood. "Good night!" she called, waving as they drove away, unable to wipe the smile off her face.

"He moved his fingers Erik! He moved his fingers!" she all but squealed, grabbing hold of his hand and giving it a squeeze.

"He wanted you to know how proud he was of you tonight," Erik nodded, knowing just how much this small action had meant to her. Just like her taking hold of his hand right then had meant to him. They were making progress… slowly perhaps, but progress nonetheless.

"Well, I better catch a cab if I want to get home before the sun comes up," Antoinette laughed. "I told Meg I would leave the car for her, that way she can leave the party whenever she wants."

"Nonsense," Amir stated, a frown on his face. "There is plenty of room in the limo with us, we can drop you off."

"No...really, I don't want to be a bother," she objected, unsure of what Erik might have to say about Amir's generous offer.

"You're no bother, Antoinette," Christine assured her linking her arm through the older woman's as she pulled her along. "We'd be happy to see you home safely…wouldn't we Erik?"

"As my diva commands," he told her with a smile. Christine could have suggested they drive Mrs. Giry to Florida that night and he would have happily agreed.

"Very well, then," Antoinette agreed, once more shocked by her boss' generous spirit that evening. "I accept."

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The ride home was full of talk and laughter, with Gerald keeping the privacy screen down so that he and his girlfriend could join in the conversation. They ended up dropping Charlotte off first, since she lived in the city, then Antoinette – with Amir kindly offering to walk her to the door…for safety reasons, of course. Then it was back to the mansion, where Gerald let them off at the front door, before saying goodnight and heading to his little cottage among the trees.

"It was an evening to remember, Christine," Amir told her with a wink. "Erik was correct…you do sing like an angel." Then tossing his jacket over his shoulder and suspending it by one finger, he headed for the guest house, humming a happy tune as he went.

"I'm glad he's your friend, Erik," Christine mused, watching the man disappear into the darkness.

"Friend is a rather strong word to describe my relationship with Amir," Erik scoffed. "I would say he is more of a pain in my…"

"ERIK!" Christine rebuked, cutting him off before he could finish.

"Neck…I was going to say neck," Erik countered.

"Right, sure you were," she chuckled, taking him by the hand and heading inside.

"I was!" Erik continued to insist, only to receive a dramatic eye roll from his wife.

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Once they were inside, with the doors locked and the security system back on, Erik suggested they head upstairs. It was nearly midnight by then and even if they had no place to be the next morning, Erik knew at some point Christine wanted to go visit Leathwood and speak to Dr. Mills.

His exuberant wife kept up a steady stream of chatter all the way up to the bedroom, describing how things had gone behind the curtain that night. Erik listened with rapt attention, loving how animated she was. It had been a red-letter night for both of them, and even he couldn't stop grinning over all that had happened.

"…and then when it was time for us to go on, Tammi nearly tripped over someone's violin case and her shoe came off and skidded so close to the curtain that we were afraid it would slip under and everyone would see it," she was saying, laughing at the visual it would have created for the audience. "But she got it back on just in time and we made our entrance perfectly."

"And I wouldn't have expected anything less, Christine," Erik told her with pride. "You are a professional, through and through."

"Well, I don't know about that," she admitted, turning the handle to enter the bedroom. "I mean I thought for a moment I was going to freeze up."

"But you didn't, and that's what counts," he assured her.

Yet when Christine walked into the room she gave a gasp of surprise. For every surface in the room was covered with vases of roses. Red ones, yellow ones, pink ones and even an exotic purple. It was a veritable flower shop!

"Oh, Erik!" she squealed, racing over to bury her nose in the closest bouquet. "When did you do this?"

"After I dropped you off at Juilliard," he admitted, quite pleased by her reaction to his efforts. "I wanted to bring some to give you after your performance, but apparently Gerald's girlfriend, Charlotte, is allergic and I couldn't have kept them with me or in the limo…so I figured this would have to do. Do you like them?"

"Like them?" she questioned, her eyes darting from one side of the room to the other. "I love them! I can't believe you did all this for me!"

"I would do this and so much more, Christine," Erik insisted. "And after tonight, you deserve each and every blossom."

"Tonight was perfect, Erik…absolutely perfect!" Christine gushed. "First the recital, then my father moving his fingers. I can't tell you how happy I am right now. And it was so wonderful being on stage like that!" she said, spinning around with her arms open wide. "It was such a rush! I don't think I'll sleep a wink all night! All I want to do is dance, and sing, and then dance some more!"

Yet as she said this, her heel caught on the carpet and she stumbled forward, nearly falling on her face, but Erik reached out and caught her before that could happen. Pulling Christine close to him in order to steady her, he stared down into her bright blue eyes, feeling his heart beat wildly at her nearness.

"Well…perhaps I'll stick to just singing…and leave the dancing to Meg," she stammered, apparently also being affected by how close they now were.

"I thought you danced divinely tonight," Erik told her, his voice now deep and husky, as one of his hands reached up to stroke the back of his fingers down the side of her face. "The way your graceful body moved tonight had me…riveted."

Christine could hear the desire in his voice, and as a shiver of excitement ran through her, she realized she wanted to hear more. Yet, speaking was not what Erik had in mind, and before she had a chance to think clearly, his lips were on hers and she no longer cared about anything else. The last time they kissed, it had been wild and frenzied, done in the heat of the moment. While this time…oh, it was sweet and tender, with an underlying hint of passion. Christine allowed Erik's lips to explore her own, tasting, nipping and making her want even more.

Erik was her mysterious, confusing, irritating husband…who could also be the most generous, thoughtful, and supportive man when she needed him to be. He had made her dream of attending Juilliard come true, offering her constant encouragement and inspiration. Christine had entered this marriage with little to no hope of compatibility, but day by day, Erik had allowed her to see more and more of his true self. And while she knew that given time, she might indeed be able to care for him, perhaps even develop deep and abiding feelings for him, Christine still felt the need to hold back. Erik was still keeping so many secrets from her, that she was unable to let go of her hesitation and give herself over freely.

Thus, when she felt his fingers slip around to her back, searching for zipper that might free her from her dress, Christine pulled back. Oh, she could feel the lust still surging within her, and she could clearly see it reflected in Erik's eyes as well. But when Christine gazed up at her husband of only three and a half weeks…she knew she was not ready to take things any farther. Yes, she appreciated him, and was more than grateful for all he had done for her father…yet, gratitude was not a strong enough foundation to base a physical relationship on. She wanted…well, love.

"I…I think we should turn in now," she told him, stepping backwards as her fingers played nervously with her wedding ring…the constant reminder of their rather unorthodox marriage.

"Christine," Erik whispered, stepping closer - unwilling to see this moment end. Yet he stopped when she held up her hands, palms out, demanding him to halt.

"Erik…please," she all but begged, the panic rising in her voice. "I…I'm not ready yet. You said a month or two…it's only been three weeks. Please, don't ask it of me…not yet."

Erik's back stiffened, his hands slipping behind him as he entwined his fingers, his jaw now tight and tense.

"I see," he nodded, his tone quite unreadable. "Forgive me, Christine…I apparently misread the situation." He then took a deep breath and stepped back. "I will not pressure you any further." Erik abruptly turned and headed for his side of the room, slipping out of his jacket and tugging sharply at his bow-tie, unwilling to even look in her direction.

"Erik, please don't be upset with me," she pleaded, hating to see him this way. "We had such a wonderful evening, let's not ruin it now. I can't help it if I'm not in the same place you are…at least not yet. I know I must come to terms with it soon, but…I…I'm frightened."

At her words, Erik spun around, a near look of panic in his eyes.

"Frightened…of what? Me?" he asked, sounding aghast at the idea. "Whatever for? Have I done anything to cause you to be concerned, Christine? Tell me what I have done."

"No…I'm not afraid of you, per se," she quickly clarified, realizing that he must now fear her crying foul and demanding the contract to be voided. "Well…in a way I am, but not because I think you might harm me. But…but I'm not some naive little girl, Erik. I paid attention in health class, I know what's involved when a man and a woman sleep together. And yes, the act of physical love scares me a little. I can't help that."

"Oh…I see," Erik nodded, visibly relieved that her fear did not stem from him alone, but more from the unknown aspects of sexual intercourse. "Yet, if you are indeed familiar with the concept, you must also realize that the act can be very enjoyable as well…pleasurable even."

"Of course I know that," she stated, turning away as she blushed just a bit. "I mean, if it wasn't any fun, why would anyone do it…and with such frequency?" Here she paused just for a moment. "Other than for reproductive reasons, of course."

"Naturally," Erik nodded, having for a moment completely forgotten that part of the contract. The production of a child had been one of the stipulations, after all. Erik then walked slowly back over to her and reached out to take one of her fidgeting hands, pulling her gently to the wooden bench at the foot of the bed. Assisting her to sit, he took his place next to her, doing his best not to appear in any way threatening. "Christine…will you tell me exactly what it is that frightens you about us being intimate?"

"Tell you?" she repeated, looking shocked. "You want to talk about it?"

"Were you not the one who said you wanted an open marriage?" he pressed, using her own words against her. "That we should be honest with each other about the things which concern us both? And since it is obvious that the idea of making love is a cause of great concern to you, it in turn affects me. Do you not agree?"

"Uuuuggg!" Christine groaned, burying her face in her hands in sheer mortification. "This is more embarrassing than when my father had to take me bra shopping for the first time when I turned twelve!" Yet, after a few moments, she took a deep breath and lifted her head. Staring at the wooden double doors in front of her, she began to speak, though not daring to look in his direction. "Well, I know that it will be somewhat…uncomfortable the first time. And there's nothing you can do to prevent that, so don't even try and placate me on the subject. I'm not saying that I blame you in any way, but you can't fault me for being concerned."

"I would never want you to feel hesitant about expressing your feelings to me, Christine," Erik assured her. "Please, go on."

"And then there's the whole issue with us being…well, naked together," she continued her face turning redder with each sentence. "Since, other than a doctor or two, I've never been fully unclothed around someone of the opposite sex since…well, since I was old enough to no longer need my father's help to dress and bathe myself. Being that vulnerable with another person speaks of an intimacy that we have yet to achieve, and while I admit that I find you…well, desirable…I just don't know you well enough yet. At least not well enough for that." Then, almost shyly, she glanced up at him out of the corner of her eye. "However…I have to say…that kiss right now, and the one from the other night were…rather enjoyable."

At first Erik was stunned into silence over her words. He had feared bringing up the kiss from last night, and had begun to believe she had found the one they had just shared repugnant. Yet to now hear from her own delicate lips, that she too had been pleased by them, well that was enough to send him soaring once again.

"I too found the kisses we shared extremely pleasurable, Christine," Erik replied, a thrill going through him as the memory of the event flooded over him. "And I would like to think that further expressions such as those might lead to you feeling more comfortable with the idea of us being intimate. For I would very much like to kiss you more often, if you would allow me." He then reached out and took hold of her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I must confess, that while I have had physical relationships before, never have I been someone's first. Thus, I fear that I am unqualified to offer you any assurances or guarantees about what you might experience. I can only promise that I will be as gentle and patient as you need me to be, in order to make it as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. I only want you to be happy, Christine, and I am willing to do anything to see that you are."

"Even…even waiting up to two months?" she questioned, her eyes full of hope.

"Yes, Christine…even waiting up to two months," here he gave her a reluctant smile, knowing it would be hell on him to do so, but he would wait as long as it took. "Now, as you said, we had a wonderful evening and there is no sense in seeing it end on a sour note. So tell me, Christine, what might I do, right now, to make you smile again? Would you like a dish of ice cream? Or would you wish me to buy you a fur coat? Maybe fly you to China for some eggrolls and noodles?"

The absurdity of his suggestions made Christine laugh, which had been his ultimate goal, but he was still deadly serious about his offer. He would give her the world on a silver platter if she but asked.

"Well, it's a bit late for sweets," she began, tapping her chin as if in deep thought. "And I'm against cruelty to animals, so the coat would have to be fake fur…but with summer coming up, I don't think I would use it much. And after Stacy's little bout of food poisoning from eating sushi…I think I'll pass on the Chinese food for now."

"Then what can I get for my little songbird?" Erik pressed. "You must ask for something, for I will not rest until I have atoned for my thoughtless blunder tonight. Now…please, ask me for anything."

"Tell me what happened to Antoinette's husband," she blurted out, her lips apparently working faster than her brain. When she realized what she had just asked, Christine's hand flew to her lips, clamping over her mouth in shock. Oh, no…what had she just done? "No…I take it back. Please, forget I said anything, Erik. Oh, I'm such a blabbermouth!"

"Antoinette's husband?" Erik repeated, obviously ignoring her request. He pulled back just a bit with a confused look in his eyes. "How do you know about him?"

"I…that is…well, Meg and I were talking…" she stammered, not wanting to get anyone in trouble, but knowing that Erik would see through a lie in seconds. "And then…well, that night that Antoinette came over to deliver the pictures, she and I kind of…well…"

"She told you about her past?" Erik appeared sincerely surprised by this. "She must feel very comfortable around you indeed, Christine, for Antoinette is not one to share her secrets lightly."

"And in retrospect, she probably shouldn't have either, because here I just blurted out what she had asked me to keep between just the two of us," Christine moaned, wishing she could just crawl in a hole and die. "Please, please, don't tell her I said anything, and I would just hate myself if you got upset with her for doing so. She meant no harm, it was just that she needed to get things off her chest, and we were talking about Amir, and one thing led to another…and well, it all just came out."

"Amir? Why were you two discussing him?" Now Erik did sound upset.

"Well…because…" Christine paused and swallowed hard. In for a penny, in for a pound, or so they say. "Because I believe that Amir fancies Antoinette. And she confided to me that she, well…likes him back."

Erik stared at her in silence for a good thirty seconds before he was able to respond.

"Antoinette likes Amir?" he asked, wishing to clarify her meaning. "As in, she has some sort of emotional attachment to him?"

"As in if he passed her a note in class asking her to check yes or no…she would check yes," Christine stated.

"Check yes? I don't follow." This was all too confusing for him.

"You know, Amir gives her a note that says, 'Check yes if you want to go out with me, check no if you don't," Christine explained.

"And people actually engage in such foolish ways of expressing their desires to socialize?" This was madness as far as Erik was concerned.

"Yes…some do," she giggled, suddenly enjoying her husband's obvious lack of knowledge on the subject.

"What a completely inefficient way to go about things!" he huffed.

"As opposed to your well-organized and straight forward approach of proposing marriage to me?" Christine asked with a sly little grin.

"Exactly!" Erik nodded, looking rather smug. "And I believe my results speak for themselves. For here you are…my wife. While if what you say is actually true, Amir has spent the past ten years pining away for my legal counsel...and her for him."

"Looks to be the case," she shrugged.

"Extraordinary," Erik mused, mulling over this new piece of information. And here he thought it was Amir and Mrs. Murphy he had to worry about. "It could explain the long line of women he's dated over the years, without a decent one in the bunch. And all this time…I never even suspected."

"Well, that was the general idea," she stated. "I think they both felt that you might disapprove."

"Of course I would disapprove!" Erik said sternly. "Antoinette could do so much better than that pesky Persian!"

"Oh, you stop," Christine scolded, giving his knee a playful slap. "Amir is a fine man and you know it. And we should be happy for them…if they ever get the nerve to speak their minds to each other, that is."

"I wonder what has been holding them back…besides me, as you say," he wondered.

"Well, Antoinette fears that since Amir knows all about her embarrassing failed marriage and how badly it ended, that he might think less of her," she revealed. "But I have no idea what's holding Amir back."

"Oh…I could guess," he said with a bit of a sigh. "Let's just say no one has a clean slate in this house." He then looked down at her. "Except for you, of course."

"Hey, even I have things in my past that I'm ashamed of, Erik," she argued. "Or don't you remember me telling you that my prom date cheated on me, forcing me to call my father for a ride home from the dance?"

"Which was hardly your fault," he told her emphatically. "That boy was an utter idiot. And still is, as far as I'm concerned."

"The point is, no one can boast that they have nothing to be ashamed of, Erik. And if they tell you they don't, well they must be trying to sell you something," she finished firmly. "So…that leads me back to my original question. What happened to Roger Giry?"

"I honestly have no idea," Erik admitted, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"What? How's that possible?" she questioned, unwilling to accept that answer. "Antoinette said she contacted you for help, and that he disappeared soon after."

"That is true," Erik nodded, apparently willing to confide in her about this at least. "I received her letter, begging for help, and as I stated earlier, there was a time in my life when I was not exactly a model citizen, and engaged in some questionable activities that would have been of use to her. Back then Amir was my front man, you might say, it being easier for him to be out and about in public. I sent him to meet with Antoinette and look into her situation, whereupon he uncovered the bargain her worthless husband had made with a certain man in order to spare him a much deserved beating. Yet, it was not I who ultimately dealt with the problem…but Amir."

"He…he's the one who got rid of her husband?" Christine was both shocked, and somewhat relieved. She lowered her voice and leaned in a bit closer as if afraid to say the words out loud. "Do you think he…killed him?"

"That is a possibility," Erik said rather nonchalantly. "Yet, I highly doubt it came to that. Roger Giry was so far in debt that a few well-placed phone calls was all that would have been required to see that he vanished into thin air. My guess is that Mr. Giry is still working off his debts in some marijuana field in a third-world country, and hardly worth our further concern." He then got a devilish look in his eye. "Yet, now knowing of Amir's feelings for Antoinette, I am willing to bet the scoundrel made the trip into oblivion with a few broken ribs and two black eyes." When Christine gave Erik a questioning look, he added, "Let's just say that Amir is no slouch when it comes to hand to hand combat."

"I see," Christine said in astonishment. "Well, now…that's very interesting."

"It is indeed," Erik agreed, still mulling over this new piece of information. "That does answer a few questions I long had surrounding her case. Like why Amir insisted on handling the entire thing on his own, as well as his encouragement that I hire her once I formed Phantom Industries. Granted, Antoinette has been invaluable to my company over the past ten years, yet had it not been for Amir recommending her, I would have never thought of offering her the position."

"So…her working for you was not her payment of the favor you requested?" she pressed.

"Favor? What favor?" was Erik's next question.

"Antoinette said that Amir told her that instead of money, you had only requested she do you some favor in the future," Christine explained. "When she realized who was offering her the job, she figured you had come to collect."

"A favor?" Erik now burst out laughing. "Oh, Amir and his bleeding heart! Trust me, I would not have requested a simple favor for my services. Cold hard cash was the only thing I took as payment back then. Yet, apparently our sappy Persian was not about to take a dime from Antoinette. And all this time I just assumed she had paid as usual. I might have to require that Amir compensate me for my share of that deal. For even if he handled it himself, it was my reputation he was working off of."

"Well, I think it's very sweet what Amir did," Christine told him. "I mean, the part about not charging her…not the part where he kind of made a person disappear. Still, I think Roger Giry got what he deserved!"

"So, by answering your question, have I now been forgiven for my inappropriate behavior earlier?" Erik asked. "Or would you still prefer a bowl of ice cream?"

"No, you've more than fulfilled my request," she grinned. "And maybe someday you'll feel confident enough to tell me how you got that scar on your chest as well. But not tonight," she quickly added, as Erik's eyes took on a worried look. "For I think we've talked enough for now, and I do wish to be up in time to go see my father at Leathwood. Do you think Dr. Mills will be there on a Sunday?"

"I can almost guarantee that he will," Erik assured her, knowing that he would call first thing in the morning and make a special request that he come in just for them. "Now, I would say it's time to get some sleep."

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The two of them made quick work of getting ready for bed, slipping under the blankets as Erik shut off the light, plunging the room into darkness. Once more it took Christine a few minutes to get settled, at last finding her comfortable spot with a happy sigh.

"Good night, Christine," Erik said, throwing his voice into her right ear.

This caused her to jump, sitting up in bed as she turned and stared at him in the moonlight.

"And how on earth did you do that tonight while I was on stage, Erik?" she demanded, her tone one of sheer disbelief. "I could have sworn you were standing right beside me!"

"I will tell you in the morning, my inquisitive little wife," Erik laughed, enjoying how impressed she appeared to be with his skills. "Now, go to sleep, Christine." And with that, he rolled over, putting his back to her so that she couldn't see his wicked grin.

"Now who's the stubborn one?" she huffed, flopping back down with a not so quiet grumble. "Men!"

Well...now we know the full story behind Antoinette's x-husband...and who it was who actually took care of him. Amir is such a softie.

Soooo, how did you like the flowers, the kiss, their talk? Did Erik and Christine do good?

And wasn't Erik such a sweetie to stop when she asked him to? Even if he REALLY wanted to continue on.

And he will have to tell her all about how he throws his voice tomorrow. What a little tease he is.

Thanks again for all your comments and reviews. You make my day!

Guest Reviews:

Kristin: Oh yes, Amir likes her a lot...but he is kind of shy...or afraid...or both. She show went fine, as you already know, and Charles was probably just bursting with pride for his little girl. Glad that Charles met with your expectations, Christine is over the moon happy about it too. Raoul really does need to mind his own business...but as an FBI agent (desk jockey) he kind of thinks it IS his business. ha ha. Erik's does a LOT of things at Phantom Industries...but lately I think he mostly just sits at his desk and stares at Christine's photo. ha ha. Thanks.

Guest: No sweetie...unfortunately there was a glitch with the FF site, and now all have been posted in order...go back and check them out. 32, 33, and now 34. Cheers.

Guest: I liked your little warning to Raoul...I can just see you pointing your two fingers at your eyes and then pointing them at him..."I'm watching you...always watching." ha ha. Glad you enjoyed it. Charles is making progress! Next he will be walking, talking and kicking Erik's butt. ha ha. Which 'ship' is that? Thanks.

Cayla: Yes, Raoul is very concerned for his friend, since he thinks she married into the mob. ha ha. And for all we know, she did. He has matured...some. But he still has not learned not to try and take Erik's toys! Oh yes, we have NOT seen the last of Phil and Raoul. Nope. Christine really did good getting to sing more of the song, but I do feel bad for Stacy. Erik was sure smart to make her learn that whole song, right? Thanks.

Guest: I'm so happy you adored it, and that it made your day. Getting wonderful reviews like this makes MY day! I really hope you figured out the mistake and went back to read chapter 32. I bet things made a lot more sense then. ha ha. Yep, Charles is getting better! Thanks.

Guest: I'm not a tease...I'm just drawn that way. ha ha. (Rodger Rabbit reference) What will Raoul being there mean? That he has good taste and will get to see a fine show? Or maybe something more. ha ha. Thanks

Gummy: Ok, maybe I was talking more about MY older and sophisticated husband...not Erik. ha ha Erik does still have some childish tendencies...but at least he looks awesome in an Armani suit! And please don't make me picture Erik dressed as a school girl...please...no...*covers eyes* ha ha. You go girl, write that story! Thanks.