Author's Note: Enjoy, my beautiful readers ;)
Chapter 17-Gift
The nearly overwhelming delight Christine felt for having her best friend sitting directly next to her was unfathomable and she found herself overcome with tears. She truly hadn't expected Erik to allow Meg to visit her due to the danger of their situation, but perhaps he had found enough trust to sanction at least one visit. Whatever it may be, she would be sure to tell him how eternally grateful she was for the wonderful gift.
Christine spent several minutes listening to the happenings of Meg's life over the past few months, and she learned that both her and her mother were struggling to find work. The only jobs they were able to take on were sewing and dancing in small productions, though it had only been enough for rent and food. It frustrated Christine that they were living in such a way, especially since it had been because of Erik and her. She would need to ask him if he had enough funds to assist them.
"Tell me, what is your relationship with Erik?" Meg asked suddenly, completely dropping the topic of the restoration of the Opera Populaire.
A flood of heat rushed over Christine's face and she was forced to look away from her friend to conceal it, but Meg was persistent and started tugging on the sleeve of Christine's dress while bouncing up and down on the lounge.
Christine looked towards Meg slowly, rubbing her arm and smiling, "We are engaged to be married and I couldn't be happier."
Meg gasped and her eyes dropped to Christine's hands, "Let me see the ring! Oh, please, show me!"
With her left hand outstretched to show off the ring Erik had given her, she spoke again, "He proposed after–" she stopped. Oh, she almost said too much, she couldn't admit to premarital sex. What would Meg think of her when, for years, she swore to save herself for her husband? Her only hope was that Meg wouldn't question any further.
But, of course, to her dismay, Meg pressed the matter, "After what?"
The fire returned and was almost unbearable, turning Christine's cheeks, neck, and chest into the color of a ripe tomato. She looked down and wrung her hands in her lap, biting her lip and praying that her friend would be ignorant to the fact that she had turned such a color.
"Christine! You aren't married, you broke your vow!" Meg cried in a hushed whisper, her eyes wide and filled with confusion.
A sudden bout of anger came over Christine and she couldn't help what she said next, "Oh, like you cared when you snuck around the opera house with Jean! Did you allow him to bed you?"
Meg's eyes widened even more and her eyes darted towards where Madame Giry and Erik had disappeared to, almost as if fearing they could be heard. She snatched up Christine's hand and in a hushed whisper, she spoke urgently, "How do you know of us? Oh, I'm begging you, don't tell mama. She will be so angry with me!"
Christine glowered at her, then she burst into laughter as she knew she had struck a nerve with Meg, which she rarely did when they were children. Soon, Meg joined in her laughter, albeit her shaky breathy chuckles seemed to be forced out of nervousness.
"A lady never reveals her secrets, and don't worry yourself, I won't say a word if you make the same promise," Christine offered, taking her hand back from her friend. "Would you like some tea?"
Her throat was sore and dry from laughing and she hadn't had anything to drink since leaving the brothel. A glass of water would surely do her some good as well.
Meg nodded, "Yes, please."
Christine led her past the bedroom and to the kitchen where she noticed the table was still pushed against the far wall, the chairs toppled over and the plush rug folded in half. She smiled at the remembrance of the vehement pairing she and Erik had on the table and walked over to the sink where she filled a glass with water and chugged it down. It tasted slightly metallic, but she didn't mind as most of the water in the opera house had always tasted that way.
"Would you like some water?" she asked Meg, gesturing to the sink.
"No, thank you," Meg answered as she leaned against the wall near the stove, crossing her arms and looking around the kitchen.
On the small stove sat a worn golden kettle, which Christine filled with water under the watchful eye of Meg. She placed the kettle on the stove and grabbed the matchbox that sat on the counter before opening the hatch to light the stove.
"You haven't answered my question yet, my dear," Christine muttered as she struck a match and held it against the wood until it caught fire. Afterwards, she peeked up at Meg who was shifting uncomfortably against the wall. "Did Jean ever bed you?"
Meg groaned and rolled her eyes, "I thought you had forgotten about him," she uncrossed her arms and clasped her hands in front of her, "No, I wanted to, but he never let it go any farther than–oh, it's too vulgar to say, but nevermind that, tell me of you and Erik."
"What is too vulgar? Sex is vulgar, so I'm sure what you and Jean did wasn't too bad," Christine smiled, and peeked at Meg out of the corner of her eye as she closed the hatch to the stove.
"You first, then I will tell you," Meg pushed.
With a defeated sigh, Christine stood up straight, thinking of Erik and how he was an exceedingly virile lover. A faint ache formed at the thought and she blushed, "Oh, I can't, I shouldn't."
"Fine, then you will never know of the vulgarity of what I have done," Meg said sarcastically, huffing as if she were disappointed.
Christine found herself wildly curious to know what Meg and Jean had done that was so promiscuous, so with a nod, she agreed, "Alright, but pick up the chairs and move them to the table, then we can talk."
Without hesitation, Meg righted the chairs and pushed them towards the table while Christine kicked the rug back into place. Meg sat quickly and straightened her back, looking at Christine expectantly.
Premarital affairs aside, Christine was finding it hard to keep her giddiness at bay. Having been tucked away in the cottage for months, she never had the chance to gush about Erik to anyone and she was excited to finally have the chance. She took a seat next to her friend and fought hard to keep herself from bouncing up and down in the chair.
With a deep breath she started, "Meg, he is perfect and I couldn't ask for a better man to share my life with. He really is a different man than the one who lived under us for so long. I feel being away from here has helped him immensely," she blushed then and bit back a giggle, "And, oh Heavens, he is a salacious lover and he is so gentle and giving and–and I love him."
"Details, Christine! Please, oh I have never, I need to be prepared!" Meg pushed, her eyes boring into Christine's with a burning intensity.
Christine gasped and playfully smacked Meg's hand which was resting on the table, "You are absolutely perverse!" She shifted in her seat, trying to combat the ache between her thighs, then continued, "If you must know, he took me several times and in many different places." Her eyes fell to the table, focusing on the spot on the table where Erik had her only hours before. She glanced up at Meg who was staring at the table as well, her face slowly twisting with disgust.
The chair Meg was sitting on toppled over and Christine looked up to see her friend scowling at her with crossed arms, "On the table! Why would you have me sit here?"
Christine tried in vain to hold back her laughter but it overcame her, shaking her body and echoing through the kitchen and out to the main cavern. She clutched her abdomen and attempted to bring some control back over herself, though it was proving to be rather difficult.
Meg's expression relaxed and she started laughing as well, her high pitched voice mingling with Christine's to make an oddly pleasant sound. Christine missed laughing with Meg, she missed her more than she had ever missed anyone before…besides when she believed Erik to be dead. Meg picked her chair up and moved it back towards the table which she jokingly looked over before sitting down.
"I apologize, it slipped my mind that–" Christine started.
"Don't worry yourself, I was only surprised," Meg interrupted, then she scooted her chair closer, "Did it hurt the first time? Mama always said it hurts worse than our menses."
"It hardly hurt at all, it was unpleasant at first, but nothing I couldn't bear. Besides, the rest of it is rather pleasurable," she answered, feeling a sense of embarrassment come over her. She had never thought that she would be telling anyone of her sexual endeavors.
A sigh of relief came from Meg, "Thank Heavens, I was so worried," then she moved even closer and whispered, "Have you–have you given him the gift yet?"
Gift? Was this what Meg was speaking about when she mentioned doing something vulgar with Jean?
"Whatever do you mean?" Christine asked.
A wide mischievous smile spread on Meg's face, "It's been months and he hasn't asked you? Oh my, he is quite the gentleman then, now isn't he?"
"Asked me for what? Tell me, I beg of you," Christine pleaded. She needed to know what she hadn't done for Erik and if it was something that would please him, she had to do it immediately.
Meg glanced towards the entrance of the kitchen then back to Christine before leaning in and whispering, "Fellatio."
"Fellatio," Christine repeated, pondering the new word. She had never heard it before so she had no idea what it meant. "Whatever is it? Is it–is it the vulgar thing you spoke of?"
Silence fell over them and Christine started regretting asking such a silly question, she should be the one who knows of such things, after all, she was the one who had given up their virtue. She berated herself for lacking so much knowledge in the subject and vowed to search for the books Erik spoke so highly of so she could read them.
Finally, Meg nodded, "Quite vulgar, it's the greatest gift you can give a man."
"How do we do fellatio? Does it hurt?" Christine pressed, worried that it would be something she wouldn't be able to do, but Meg did it so she was sure she could as well.
Meg leaned across the table and whispered, "it's when a woman takes a man into her mouth."
Christine looked down at the table and furrowed her brows in concentration thinking of how she could take Erik into–
Oh, oh.
She continued staring at the table and debated the idea of pleasing him in such a way. Would it be able to fit? Surely not the whole thing, but she could try. She never thought of using her mouth in such a way, but if a man could do it to a woman, then she saw no harm in attempting it. Then, she thought of her dream and the image of Erik's face working between her thighs flashed through her mind, prompting the ache to burn even more. If she gave Erik this gift, would he reciprocate without her having to deal with the embarrassment of asking?
Suddenly, the kettle started whistling, grabbing Christine's attention, but just as she stood, booming laughter echoed from outside the kitchen. Erik's laughter. Her heart skipped at thinking of how close he was to her and she turned to Meg who had gotten up and was already at the exit.
Christine took the kettle from the heat and set it aside, abandoning the idea of tea, and joined Meg who was standing with Madame Giry and Erik. Christine looked up at him and saw that he was staring at her with hungry eyes. She knew he hadn't forgotten about the comment she made in regards to when their guests left so she returned the intensity and bit her lip while looking away from him. From the corner of her eye, she saw him shift slightly and tug at his collar and part of her felt naughty for tempting him in such a way in front of their guests, but she didn't care as much as she would have months ago.
"It's settled then, I will start my search in the morning," Madame Giry announced, smiling at Christine. "We decided on a small chateau. Erik seemed to think you wanted hundreds of rooms, but I convinced him otherwise."
Christine turned towards Erik again to see he was staring at her but when their eyes connected, he quickly looked away and cleared his throat, "I appreciate your willingness to be of assistance, may I offer an escort back to your apartment?"
Madame Giry nodded, "Yes, but as we discussed, I need a list of supplies you two will need. I will purchase everything with the money you gave me and it will all be at the stables by ten in the morning. Did you need anything specific? Toiletries, wine–"
"Stockings!" Meg shouted.
Christine's eyes widened and she looked at her friend who had her hand clasped over her mouth and seemed to be holding back laughter. Oh, God, they had heard her speaking to Erik of his thievery! Why hadn't she waited to bring up the subject until they were alone? She peeked up at Erik who was looking at Meg with mortification.
Bright red flooded the unmasked half of his face and he shot Christine a glare before turning and quickly walking towards the mirror exit, never once looking back. Suddenly, a bellowing voice overtook the cavern, "Let's be on our way!"
Meg moved her hands and mouthed an apology to Christine, while moving to pull her into a hug. The girl whispered quietly, "I promise to come see you soon, as long as Erik permits it."
"Of course, you are always welcome," Christine tried not to laugh, "Please, do get me stockings. I don't have a single pair."
They both giggled and Meg nodded, "I will choose some nice ones."
"Thank you," Christine said, releasing her friend.
Madame Giry approached her then and pulled her into an embrace, "I've missed you, my dear. I am happy that you are happy, but if you are ever in any danger, do not hesitate to come to me."
Christine knew she would never need to, not with Erik protecting her, but she agreed regardless, "Thank you, for everything. For taking me in when my father passed, but mostly, for allowing Erik to be my teacher."
"I often regret the latter, my dear, but I see you two are finally happy together so I will leave it be," she whispered, placing a light kiss on Christine's cheek.
The words hurt Christine more than she would care to admit, though she knew what the woman had meant. After all, Erik had told her about the horrors she suffered over the years and how regretful he was of his actions. She then thought of what would have become of her if Madame Giry had never agreed to let Erik teach her. Would she still be a chorus girl waiting for her prince? Raoul would never have noticed her, though she didn't care for him anymore. Without spending time with Erik, he never would have fallen in love with her.
After a few more seconds, Christine pulled away, staring into the eyes of the woman who cared for her for ten years, "We are getting married and it would please me immensely if you and Meg would join us when that time comes."
Madame Giry nodded, "Erik told me and I would be happy to attend."
"Thank you," was all Christine said before turning away from her and escaping into the bedroom.
Tears quickly fell from her eyes as she thought of what her life would be like without Erik. She would be nothing, a mere dancer with no family, no voice, no home. The blessing that God gave her so long ago, the blessing of Erik, was the best gift she had ever received. Nothing would ever amount to that.
Christine sat at her vanity to compose herself, swiping her tears away and attempting to control her breathing. There was no use crying when she had everything she dreamed of right in front of her, a doting fiance, the promise of a new home, and the opera house, which she would be able to perform in again one day.
When she was certain that she wouldn't cry any longer, she stood and left the bedroom, returning to the chaise lounge where she laid back and stared at the ceiling of the cavern. It was mesmerizing to see the wavering of the water mixed with the candlelight glinting off the rough stone and it soothed her.
Her mind wandered to Erik and the gift Meg told her of. Would he truly desire such a thing from her? More importantly, would it lead to her receiving the same in return? It was a lecherous act, but one she was sure wasn't any more carnal than what she had already committed.
It would be done, she would…she would please Erik.
It was only a few minutes later when she heard approaching footsteps, ones that echoed through the cavern, then the rustling of fabric. He had returned and her body responded to him with a rush of heat, though she was unsure if it was from lust or the nerves of the act she was going to perform.
The blood in her veins was boiling by the time the footsteps stopped and she knew Erik stood directly behind her. She could feel his heat along with his slightly overbearing presence, and God, she wanted to turn and rip the clothes from his body and do what she wanted to him. Her increase in libido was truly starting to become a cause for concern, but Christine didn't care, she had a man that needed pleasing. But, she would need to be gentle, after all, it was her first time pleasing someone in such a way and she couldn't chance hurting him if she was rushing herself.
Erik was the first to cut through the silent tension in the room, his dark sultry voice stirring the ache within her, "Christine, may I have permission to take you back to bed?"
She took a deep breath, attempting to feign some semblance of control, before sitting up on the lounge, "Actually, I was hoping that you would take a seat. I–I have something for you."
Silence hung over them again then he moved into view, sitting on the bench of his organ and leaning back so his elbows were propped against the wood, his legs spread widely. A few keys were lightly pressed, causing Erik to glance over his shoulder for a moment and adjust his arms. When he looked back towards her, she caught his gaze with her own. His eyes were blazing with want.
Mustering all of her courage, Christine stood from the lounge, walking over to stand between his legs. She reached for his face, slipping her fingers under the edges of his mask and removing it to reveal the face she had grown to love. The face of the man she was going to attempt to please in a way she was unfamiliar with. Erik took the mask in his hand and reached back, placing it atop his organ before returning to his relaxed pose.
Slowly, very slowly, she dragged her fingertips from his knees up to the top of his thighs, watching intently as his fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. Much to her delight, he sucked in a deep shuddering breath, a tell-tale sign that he was aroused, though she was sure he had been fighting it since he left her to find Madame Giry. She looked at his face, seeing his jaw clenched as he held a stoic expression.
"What are you thinking of?" she asked, as she knelt between his legs, pulling her skirts up to her knees so they would instead, connect with the plus carpet below her.
Erik chuckled, his facade of stoicism fading, "As of this moment, I am thinking that the floor is no place for a beauty such as yourself," he patted his thigh, "Come, sit on my lap, my love. I'm sure you don't need to be down there to give me a gift."
Christine shook her head quickly, "The floor is just fine and if you want your gift, close your eyes and don't open them." She felt silly kneeling between his legs, though the stance reminded her of praying at an altar, so she supposed it was quite proper to be a part of the worship of a man.
He stared at her for several seconds, then he closed his eyes, muttering, "Don't kill me, I have yet to fulfill all of my dreams."
Christine couldn't help the giggle that escaped her, then she reassured him, "I won't, I promise."
She stared at his belt buckle, it was so simple, all she had to do was loosen it and pull his trousers down, but she couldn't stop thinking of if she was making a mistake. Was this something he wanted, would he be mad at her?
No, he loves me, he wants this, she told herself, pressing forward and unclasping the buckle and working on the button that held his trousers closed. But, before she could get any further, Erik grasped her hands in one of his. She looked up at him to see wide darkened eyes staring down at her, his confusion completely dissipated. He knew what she was doing.
"My love, if you are attempting to do what I perceive you to be attempting, I thought I should first inform you that you are under no obligation to do so," he shakily said. He licked his trembling lips and Christine knew she couldn't stop, the reaction she was receiving was more than enough of a telling that she was making the right decision.
"I want to," was all she said before continuing her movements. Soon, he released her hands, very slowly, but she took the gesture as complete surrender. His head fell back and his breathing increased, and she hadn't even started her ministrations! Surely whatever happened, nothing that she did for him would be wrong.
A bout of confidence came over her and she worked faster, tugging his trousers down past his hips with his help as he lifted his bottom so she could pull them down farther. His erection was raging and rather intimidating and as she took the flesh into her hand, he jolted slightly. A quiet whimper came from the man that was bending to her mercy and she smiled, knowing she had complete control of him in the moment.
The sheer size of him was cause for concern as she was not certain if she could take him into her mouth fully, but she would do her best. Being so close to it, she was finally able to examine its full beauty, noting how there were a few veins that bulged out as he pulsed in her hand. A small bead of fluid leaked from the tip and she lifted her other hand to smooth the moisture away, causing his breathing to increase and even more fluid emerged.
With a deep breath, she leaned forward, sitting up on her knees so her head was hovering over his lap. Then slowly, she moved downwards, enveloping the head in her mouth, easing herself down until she wasn't able to take anymore. He tasted sweet along with a slight tang of herself from their previous endeavors, but not unpleasant as she was fearing. The velvet of his skin under her tongue was nearly as smooth as the silk sheets she had slept on at the cottage.
As soon as she took him into her mouth, he grasped the forearm of the hand she was using to loosely grasp his shaft, his hips lightly bucking up into her. She continued her movements, swirling her tongue around him, working up enough saliva to please him properly.
"Christine, please, oh, god, please," Erik begged, releasing her arm to take hold of her hair. His hips bucked a little harder and she could tell he was trying not to thrust into her mouth.
Not wanting to disappoint him, she continued swirling her tongue around him as she pumped her hand along the rest of him, assuming that by his reactions, she was using the correct technique. His strained gasps and moans pushed her to work faster and soon she found her rhythm, sliding his flesh from her mouth before swallowing him again, repeating the action over and over.
Erik tightened his hold on her hair, keeping his hand on the back of her head, a constant pressure guiding her movements. He gasped again and again, his musings spurring her on, "Please…goddess...angel…"
She attempted to take more, but the angle wasn't allowing it so she slid her mouth from around him with a loud popping noise, sitting back on her knees and stroking him relentlessly with her hand. She took him into her mouth again, the new angle slightly better and allowing her to fit more of him in her mouth. The head of him was pushing up into her soft palette, it was an odd feeling and she hoped it wouldn't ruin her voice, but she was certain that if it would, he wouldn't have allowed her to give him the gift.
She glanced up at him, her eyes instantly connecting with his. He was watching her, his eyes filled with complete adoration, lust, possession and the ache between her legs burned even more and she couldn't help herself. With her free hand, she reached below her skirts, finding her bud of pleasure and circling it with the same speed she was using on his flesh.
His eyes moved down, widening when he saw what she was doing, then snapping back up to her. A slight smirk played on his lips and he gripped her shoulder, digging his fingers into her skin and letting out a low groan.
"You are so very beautiful, so very–" he breathed, before pausing to clear his throat. He shivered and pushed her head down gently, guiding more of himself inside of her, "Never in my life had I–if I haven't said already–oh, god, you are so very beautiful."
The praise ignited a fire within Christine and she worked her mouth faster, neglecting herself in favor of pleasing Erik. Her jaw was beginning to become sore, causing her to stutter in her movements, but she knew it was alright as she could tell he was close to reaching his climax. His heaving stuttering breaths and twitching palms as he held both the back of her head and shoulder were enough to confirm it.
"Please, don't–please–I'm–" he stuttered, before letting out a deep and heavy groan and spasming against her. "Oh, Christine, I love you."
Hot fluid rushed into her mouth, a bitterness overtaking her, though it was not wholly unpleasant. She pulled away from Erik and not knowing what to do with the substance in her mouth, she swallowed it.
Christine glanced up at Erik who was looking at her as if she were the single most fascinating thing he had ever seen, then he dropped to his knees in front of her.
"My deservingness of you is an enigma, my love," he whispered, capturing her lips and kissing her deeply. She whimpered into his mouth and scooted closer to him, wanting to continue their endeavors.
The ache between her thighs was so pronounced that she thought she might die if it wasn't vanquished immediately. She laid back on the plush rug, tugging him along with her so he was laying across her, never once breaking their kiss.
Erik's hand danced down her sides, down to her skirts where he pushed them up and crept up her thigh. She jolted at the touch, her abdomen twisting with burning desire. The urge to push his head down her body, to beg him to place his mouth against her flesh was overwhelming. But, she couldn't ask that of him, she could only hope that the gift she had given him would be enough for him to give her the same pleasure.
A deep rumble came from Erik's chest as his fingers connected with her heat. His teeth dug into her shoulder just lightly as he pushed two fingers inside of her. The subtle stretch felt sublime and she found herself moaning uncontrollably as he worked inside of her. She nearly fainted when the rough pad of his thumb found her neglected nub and circled it gently.
"I despise myself for needing time to recover," he murmured, his lips trailing along her collarbone. "You are so very ready for me and I hate to disappoint you, my love."
Christine gasped to catch her breath, attempting to take in enough air to form a complete sentence.
"You never disappoint me," she breathed, grasping his head to pull him into a kiss. He groaned into her mouth as he worked his fingers faster.
A tingling sensation started in her thighs and she shuddered beneath him, arching her back and bucking her hips wildly. She felt it, right out of reach but so very very close. With a whine, she kissed Erik harder before pulling away.
"Please, faster," she begged and he obeyed, his thumb and fingers rubbing and thrusting with more intensity than before. Then, she fell, her body trembling violently under him, whispering, "Erik, oh, Erik."
Urgent lips were on hers, then she was being lifted from the floor, hoisted into Erik's arms and carried to the bedroom where he laid her down on the bed. She watched as he removed his clothing as fast as he could, laughing when he started grumbling while struggling to release his arms from his shirt sleeves. She urgently worked on her own clothing, loosening her bodice just enough to slide the dress down past her hips where she lifted her bottom and kicked the fabric to the floor.
He chuckled deeply when he finally let his shirt pool at his feet and Christine smiled, knowing he felt triumph over the article of clothing. In a matter of seconds, he climbed on top of her, stooping his head and taking one of her nipples into his mouth, rolling his tongue over the bud.
Christine let her head fall back into the pillows and groaned at the sensation of him lavishing her breasts. It seemed to be one of his favorite ways to please her, perhaps he wouldn't be too against the idea of using his mouth in other places as well.
Without warning, Erik plunged his awakened shaft into her and she squealed at the intensity of his length penetrating her so suddenly, though it wasn't an unwelcome feeling. She had begged him on numerous occasions to do such things and when he so willingly obliged, she felt a sense of empowerment that he would do anything to please her.
Erik rocked his hips gently against hers, whispering curses under his breath, before stopping and muttering, "I'm not going to last, my love. I have been anticipating this for far too long."
"Don't stop, please," she whispered, reaching between their bodies and circling her flesh to draw out her release.
With a groan, he buried his face in her neck, biting the skin just under her ear and letting out quiet gasps with each connection of their flesh. Christine worked her fingers faster as she felt herself nearing the precipice of her climax. Erik growled and pumped faster, hooking his arm under her back and holding onto her shoulder as he drove into her. The increased speed and friction sent her toppling over the edge and she cried out under him, digging her nails into his bottom and pulling her hand from between their bodies.
"Christine," he grunted in her ear as he jerked above her, peppering her neck with dozens of hot kisses and moving his lips to her mouth where he kissed her sloppily. "You are the greatest gift I have ever received."
"You are mine as well," she said, placing her lips on both of his cheeks before wrapping her arms around his back and pulling him tightly against her, whispering in his ear, "The question is now, who received the better gift?"
"I believe that would be me, my love," he chuckled, sliding out of her and settling on the bed next to her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her across his chest, her breasts pressed into him.
She rested her cheek on his shoulder and smiled at the notion, though he was aborhently wrong. Pressing her lips under his jaw, she mumbled to him, "Never in my life did I think you would be incorrect about something."
"I am never incorrect," he stated, kissing the top of her head.
Christine smiled against his skin, then nuzzled further into him, feeling a bout of tiredness overcoming her. She was content to sleep, after all, she hadn't slept well at all during their time on the road.
"I intend on marrying you today," Erik whispered against the top of her head as he started to move his fingertips in slow circles on the small of her back.
Christine furrowed her brows, "I thought I couldn't leave."
He buried his face in her hair and hummed against her, "It will only be this once. Madame Giry reminded me of our need for witnesses and I am growing rather impatient. I wish to call you my wife as soon as possible."
"But where? There isn't a church open late at night," she inquired, leaning up on her elbow to look at him.
He stared up at her and smiled, "There is one across the street, where you used to attend mass on Sundays. Madame Giry is arranging everything for us, I gave her enough money."
"Oh, Erik, I'm so happy!" she cried, tears springing to her eyes, but Erik quickly swept them away. "But, what will I wear?"
Christine had unfortunately left the dress that was purchased for their wedding laying on her bed in the cottage, still packed away in the garment bag. She had loved it so dearly and was sure Erik would as well, but she would never know since she decided to leave it behind. It was too much for Beauty to carry.
Erik smirked, "The gown you purchased from the seamstress, my love."
"I left it, Erik," she murmured, looking away from his eyes and hoping he wouldn't be angry with her.
"Then how is it in my wardrobe?" he questioned.
Christine gasped and stood so quickly she nearly toppled over. She opened his wardrobe, spotting the garment bag and opening it slightly to see the white fabric of the dress. Tears fell from her eyes again and she closed the bag, not wanting to chance Erik seeing it, then shut the doors of the wardrobe.
"Thank you, my love," she said as she climbed back into bed. "I don't know how I will ever repay you."
Erik smiled widely, trailing his fingers along her jaw, "Many things come to mind, but for now, I simply want to exist with you."
Christine nodded and pulled his hand to her mouth, kissing his fingertips before settling into the crook of his arm. She felt her eyelids becoming too heavy to stay awake any longer, and wanting to hear his voice in her dreams, she whispered, "Will you sing for me?"
"Of course," was all he said before his voice filled the room. The mesmerizing, enchanting voice of the man she would call her husband very very soon.
/
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has been following along. I am here with champagne for everyone so we can celebrate hitting 100k words and we aren't even halfway through! Oh wow, this has been fun!
