A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! I am so sorry for the delay in updating (I feel like I've said that almost every chapter)! Work and preparing to leave for university have made my life kind of hectic. As always, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! I'm so glad that you all are enjoying this story. Without further ado, here's the next chapter!

Erik's POV

Christine arrived bright and early at the theatre the next morning, just as she had promised. She headed for the managers' office first, and I followed her, moving silently through passageways that only I knew of. There, I could listen to what was said completely unseen.

"Good morning, Miss Daae," the managers greeted Christine when she knocked on the office door. "Have you had a chance to think about our proposal?"

"I have thought about it," Christine said, "and I've decided that I would like to perform."

The managers' smiles grew wide as they no doubt thought of the large amount of money they would make off of this performance. They quickly congratulated Christine on her choice, saying what a triumph her return to the stage would be.

Christine smiled politely. "Thank you," she said. "I would like to call a press conference, though, to make the announcement myself – I'm sure that we can expect a great many rumors, and I want to dispel what I can right away so they don't interfere with preparation for the performance." I smiled slightly, proud of how well Christine was already handling this; maybe she could make this plan go smoothly.

"Of course, Miss Daae," Andre said quickly. "We'll plan on tomorrow afternoon."

Christine nodded her appreciation. "Thank you. I plan on working in my dressing room today if that's alright, selecting music to sing, and I would really appreciate not being interrupted by anyone."

Again, the managers were eager to comply. "Of course, Miss Daae. We'll see to it that no one disturbs you."

Christine left the office a few minutes later, and I was waiting for her by the time she got to her dressing room, closing and locking the door behind her. "You definitely know how to make demands, my dear," I chuckled.

Christine laughed. "Well, it helps that they were already drooling over the money I'll make them." Still giggling, she crossed the room to embrace me, standing on the tips of her toes to press a kiss to my lips. "You look a lot better today," she said.

"I feel a lot better. And you look beautiful, as always," I told her, and she smiled at me, her entire face lighting up. Seeing her happy made me feel infinitely better; just two nights ago she had looked so drained and frail. Now she looked even more radiant than the Christine I remembered.

"How did you get in here?" she asked.

I smiled. "Allow me to show you, my dear." Christine looked confused as I slid away the mirror and led her to the wall that blocked off the passage. "This is really just another door," I explained, pulling a magnet from my pocket and sliding it along the edge of the wall until there was a barely audible click. The wall slid aside just enough for someone to get through, and after a moment it slid seamlessly back into place. I handed the magnet to Christine. "In case you ever need to get down there," I told her.

"Could we go now?" she asked. "Please, Erik? It's been so long since I saw your home down there."

I agreed, and Christine slid the magnet along the edge of the wall just as I had. The wall slid aside and I took her hand, once again leading her into the darkness.

Christine's POV

Erik led me down to his home, and I had to smile slightly as I thought of the last time he had taken me down these dark halls. I had been naïve about so many things, but even then I knew how much I needed him. I was so scared by the darkness and mystery that surrounded him despite how long I had known him; I was scared by my own feelings. How different would things have been if I hadn't removed his mask the morning, or if I hadn't cowered in terror of him? I shook the thoughts from my mind as we approached Erik's home – all of that was in the past, and what mattered was that I was here with him now.

Erik's home was just as I remembered it, and the familiarity was comforting. Erik sat down at the piano and I stood just behind him. I reached to remove Erik's mask and he flinched slightly when it came off, and I knew that he must have been thinking about that day, too.

"I'm sorry for that day, Erik," I said softly, pressing a kiss to his marred cheek. "I'm sorry for hurting you."

Erik turned and pulled me close to him. "I know," he said. "That feels like ages ago, doesn't it?"

"We've come a long way," I agreed. "I love you, Erik."

In answer, Erik captured my lips in a slow, languid kiss that removed all other thought from my mind. Despite everything we were dealing with, for now there were only the two of us in the world, and that was a wonderful feeling. We pulled apart slightly, and for a quiet, peaceful moment, neither of us moved.

"Erik," I said softly. "We don't have to work on music today – there will be plenty of time tomorrow to choose music for the performance."

Erik smiled a little. "Just what are you suggesting?"

I pressed my lips to his in a teasingly short kiss and quickly stepped back out of his reach, smiling at the disappointment on his face. "Of course, you were very recently near death," I said. "So if you're not feeling well enough yet, I would understand."

Erik's eyes flashed playfully. "You underestimate me, my dear."

Before I could react, Erik caught me up in his arms and carried me into the bedroom, laying me down gently on the bed. I giggled and pulled him to me so I could kiss him. Our clothes were quickly cast off and Erik paused, pulling back to look at me. The bruises from my fall were nearly gone, but I knew by the look in Erik's eyes that he saw them as clearly as if they were new. He opened his mouth to speak but I stopped him.

"Please don't apologize again, Erik," I told him, gently tracing the scars and cuts on his chest with my fingertips. "It isn't your fault."

Erik nodded, though I could tell that he still didn't believe this entirely. "Are you sure you're… ready for this?" he asked, running his fingers across my stomach.

"I'm completely sure," I said firmly. "I've missed you, Erik. I've missed my husband. I want nothing more than to be with you again."

With that, Erik lowered his head to kiss me, and no more words but breathless 'I love you's were uttered.

It was exceedingly difficult, later that day, to leave Erik. I would have been more than happy to have remained dozing off peacefully in his embrace, but it was getting late, and Mrs. Giry and Meg would wonder where I was if I stayed for much longer. Erik took me back up to my dressing room, where we reluctantly parted after I promised several times to return at the same time the following morning.

"We will actually have to select some pieces for you to sing tomorrow," Erik said with a chuckle.

I shook my head. "I already know what I want to sing," I said, and continued when Erik looked at me questioningly. "I want to sing your music," I told him, watching as his smile grew.

Erik kissed me on the forehead. "I'll see you in the morning, then. Sleep well, my love."

And even though I hated having to be apart from Erik and see him in secret like this, I had to admit to myself as I walked down the dim streets towards home, looking out at the city lights, I was happy.

What do you think? Unfortunately, this story will be coming to an end soon (I estimate roughly ten chapters), but that also means that hopefully I'll get it finished before I leave for university so you all won't have to deal with even more massively long waits between chapters. Review to get the next chapter faster – the final chapters are going to be action-packed!