An update so soon? Yes! I couldn't bear to have them mad at each other any longer. Thank you for all of your reviews and welcome to the few new subscribers! I am honored that I have such loyal people still reading my story and excited for any new readers!

On and on she went deeper and deeper into the opera's underground. When the passageways would split, she would choose as wisely as she could and pray her decision was correct. Eventually she lost all sense of direction and was beginning to grow fearful. All the turns were much more complicated than she had anticipated. Christine tried to take comfort, however, in the fact that she was still unharmed and hadn't encountered anything too dangerous. The sound of music echoing through walls interrupted her thoughts. "Erik!" she cried and started moving her feet faster. So concentrated was she on reaching her husband she failed to notice the floor giving way beneath her. Screaming, Christine frantically searched for something, anything that she could find to prevent her from falling. As her body started to sink with the floor, she reached out desperately only to feel her outstretched hand suddenly grasped by another. Erik held on tightly as she dangled helplessly in the air.

"Christine," he commanded, "Hold on tight! I've got you angel."

Christine was more than happy to oblige. She reached her other hand up and gripped Erik's wrist. Slowly she felt her body being raised and pressed tightly to her husband's chest.

"Christine!" he roared savagely "You little fool! What were you thinking coming down here?! I've warned you before, you could have been seriously hurt!" He continued to cradle his wife, indifferent to the tears now streaming down his face.

Christine had begun to weep as well. "I'm sorry," she sobbed over and over. They both clung to each other unwilling to break apart. Christine sunk herself deeper into the refuge of Erik's arms. As long as he was holding her, nothing could harm her. Erik, on the other hand, could only replay the sounds of her screams. He shuddered remembering what could have happened if he hadn't gotten to her in time. Finally, much, much later, after the tears had dried and fear had dimmed, Erik spoke first.

"Are you hurt?"

"No..." she stammered, "I..I don't think so at least."

Erik stood and scooped Christine up in his arms. "We should get you somewhere warm and safe."

"So I take it I guessed wrong?" Christine joked, attempting to lighten the mood. Erik, however, didn't seem amused and continued walking.

Christine had lost her flashlight in the pit below so Erik was now guiding them both in complete darkness. She marveled that he could have any idea where he was going.

Eventually the light pierced the darkness and the passageway opened up. Christine breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Erik's lair. Erik carried her over to a comfortable chair and set her down gently. He looked her over until he was satisfied she hadn't been hurt and then took her hands in his own.

"Now," he said, controlling his emotions, "what are you doing down here?"

"How did you know where I was?"

"I have alarms positioned all around those passages. You triggered one and then I heard you cry out my name. Thank God I got there when I did. None of my traps will kill anyone but that pit is deep," his control slipped and he spat out his next words, "Christine, you could have hurt not only yourself but our child."

Christine winced at the malice in his voice.

"You're right," she admitted. "I was a reckless and foolish. I didn't think about that. All I thought about was you."

"Me?" he asked incredulously .

"Yes, you," she answered, exasperated that he still doubted her love for him

She sat up straight and took his face between her hands. "You ridiculous, adorable, infuriating, man. I love you more than my own life." She took a deep breath, "Yes, I am pregnant and yes I kept it from you. I was scared, but not for the reasons you think." She hesitated for a moment, wanting to get the words out right, "I know your mother died from childbirth and I'd never heard you speak of children. When you spoke of our future it was always just the two of us. I thought maybe..." her voice faltered, "I was scared you wouldn't us."

Erik let out a cry and crushed her to him. "You silly girl, of course I want you," he growled fiercely "both of you!" His lips found hers and he kissed her deeply. His arms tightened around her possessively as he claimed her again and again with his mouth. Christine accepted his embrace gladly. They really had to learn how to resolve things a little less dramatically she mused as she positioned herself more comfortably in Erik's lap. Between kisses, he murmured words of devotion and adoration. She threw off her jacket and wrapped her legs intimately around his waist, rubbing herself restlessly against him . When she felt him start to slowly unbutton her shirt she broke her mouth from his.

"We should stop this," she panted "before we get carried away."

She felt Erik's lips form a wicked grin, "That was precisely my plan."

Playfully she pushed away from him. "We need to finish talking."

Erik groaned. He knew she was right but made a silent vow to finish what they had started later.

"Alright," he said, attempting to calm his body down. "First off, I will need you to sit back in your own chair, otherwise, talking will be impossible for me in my current state."

Christine blushed, "Oh, yes, sorry Erik." She untangled herself from his form and re positioned herself in the seat across from him.

Christine took a few moment to recollect herself. How should she begin? The first word that came to mind was honesty. That is all he had ever asked from her and recently she hadn't done a very good job giving it. "Erik," she started, "I am truly sorry I kept this from you. You asked me at our wedding for honesty and I broke that promise. All I can do is tell you again how much I love you and how I never, for a moment, feared not loving our child because he would take after you. I would be proud to be the mother of your child, just as I am proud to be your wife."

"But Christine," Erik argued, "you can't understand how hard it was for me to grow up with this," he motioned to his face. "I can't wish that on anyone, especially my own child."

"Erik," Christine said forcefully, "the only real deformity in your life was having such a monster for a father. That was your real adversity, not your face. Our child will never have that. He or she will know the love you should have had, the love your mother felt for you. I will love him or her with everything I have, just as I love you."

Erik shook his head, wanting to believe it could be that simple. "The world isn't as blind as you Christine."

"There are things the world will never fully understand, it doesn't make them any less beautiful." She sank to her knees and looked up at him, "Erik, would you give up my love for the love of the whole world?"

Erik didn't hesitate, "No."

Christine smiled, "See? Our child will feel the same way."

Erik shook his head, "You make it sound so easy."

Christine chuckled, "Raising a child won't be easy," she touched his face, "but loving him or her will be. I need you there beside me, Erik."

"You were really afraid I wouldn't want to be?"

She nodded and Erik rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. He reached down and placed his hand tenderly on her stomach. Christine fought back tears as she watched the fierce emotions cross her husband's face.

"I swear to you and our child right now Christine, I will give you both everything I possess. I would gladly give my life for both of you. I promise to be a better husband and be the best father I can to our child."

Christine rested her head on his chest and sighed. She believed every word Erik vowed. She grinned as the worries from the past few weeks faded away. She was finally able to relish in the joy she felt. She was pregnant! Pregnant with the child of the most incredible man she had ever met. She was the luckiest woman in the world.

Awww they made up :) Haha, up next (finally you may scream) is dum dum dum the return of Raoul...and he has a new friend. I can't wait for you to all meet her again...haha any guesses? Oops I just gave a little clue.