AN: I know it's been years, but I went back and edited the previous chapters and changed the ending a bit, but I fully intend to continue the story! I hope you like it! I appreciate feedback of any kind, thanks!

Chapter 16

Erik's large hand gripped hers tightly as they walked together down the crisp autumn street. Christie could hardly believe that they had just kissed for the first time. It was something that she had imagined happening a hundred times, but she couldn't have predicted how absolutely wonderful it actually had been. Her lips tingled from the kiss and she raised a hand to brush them lightly. She shyly looked up at his dark silhouette and blushed. She shivered in the cold, and he stopped walking. He quickly took the cloak off and swung it around her.

"You don't have to..." She objected weakly.

"Oh, but I do." He said formally and took her hand and continued to walk towards her apartment.

When they arrived at her door, she turned away to open the door, but he spun her back. He gently cupped her face in his hands. She looked at his exposed face. Such a different sight than the concealed visage he regularly maintained by wearing the dark cap and glasses. How many times had she stood saying goodbye to him on her front porch, wishing to see his expression? Now she finally could and it took her breath away.

He gently pulled her face towards him and kissed her delicately on the lips. Pulling away, only to go in again for a more urgent kiss, her lips parted and they kissed deeply under the golden streetlights. She didn't want to pull away, but she was getting short of breath. They stood and pressed their foreheads together. He gently rubbed his nose against hers, causing her to giggle softly. He pulled back farther and looked adoringly at her. She blushed and looked down. "Want to come inside." She asked breathlessly.

"Only if you want me to."

"I always want you to." She replied shyly.

He went ahead of her and opened the door gracefully for her. She walked through, her full-skirted ballgown brushing the doorframe on either side as she entered. She walked over to her bed and slid her long white gloves off. Laying them on her bedside table. She laid Erik's cloak across one of the bar stools. She then realized how uncomfortable her tiara was and she went into the bathroom to disentangle it from her hair. She undid the clasp holding her hair back and let it flow down her shoulders. She took off the tiara and set it down on the sink. She went back into the main room and saw Erik standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.

He had never really seemed awkward hanging out in her place before. "What's the matter?" She asked, slipping her shoes off. He sighed and sat on the corner of her bed. He smiled up at her and patted the bed next to him. Christie sat down. He turned to face her. "I love you, very much. I just can't help feeling like this isn't real, or that im going to do something foolish and drive you away again."

"Oh, Erik... I'm afraid of the same thing, but I'm not going anywhere. And I want to be with you too." Despite their pronouncements, everything still felt awkward and new to Christie. Not in the same way it had felt uncomfortable with Ralph, but still different.

He smiled weakly at her and pulled her in for a hug. "I just want you so fiercely. I'm afraid to show it." Christie felt butterflies when he spoke like that and she blushed again. "I want to make you feel comfortable. Want to change into some pajamas and watch Netflix?" He asked her cautiously.

"I might need some help unlacing this dress." Christie said, standing up. Erik stood up behind her and unclasped the top, he pulled the laces out, loosening the corset-like top. Her back was exposed to him and his fingers lightly brushed her skin. She immediately broke out in goosebumps and he chuckled. She hurried over to her dresser, grabbing her PJ's and heading into the bathroom. She washed off her makeup and changed. She came out and he had slipped off his shoes and was sitting back against her headboard, remote in hand, scrolling through her queue.

They spent the evening watching movies and cuddling. Partaking in the occasional kiss. Christie didn't even notice that her phone was getting several missed calls and texts. But that could wait for the morning.