A/N: Joy for joy…an update. Well this is it, a chapter with many things happening and one I am exceedingly nervous about… It's very open to revision, trust me.
Reviewers whom I love:
Soldier of Darkness: Ah, it was a pleasure to see you reviewing again. I'm glad you are still enjoying it, and I see you are still reading it at ungodly hours :P
lafantome574: Ah Vincent…yes he does have a bit of Raoul in him, doesn't he? But only a bit, lol
Breathing Shadow: Thank you for the compliment about my dear Erik…I do worry about him so.
Fantome: Your analyzing reviews are a joy to read. Yes, Erik and Meg now have a connection, lovely :)
draegon-fire: He can't resist her! Of course!
Jstarz927: yes you had better watch what you say miss…hehe
angelofopera: Thank you for your wonderful words, I appreciated reading them. I could always use a confidence boost.
Ilandra: I do so love Madame Giry, I'm glad you do too! I'm glad my characters are enjoyable :)
Angelic Lawyer: Yes, Annette and Vincent amuse me as well…they so totally clash.
Riene: I thank you again for actually taking the time to read this. It was lovely to find your reviews…I'm thrilled you don't like Annette. That was the point of her and Vincent meeting of course, they are both capable of being unlikable. And you repay me well, pointing out my errors you perfectionist you… Thanks miss.
Capricorn Chaos, musicallover6, SpookyAsGhost, Opera Ghost Kid, Not so Blind Mieko, and Mystic Darkness: Thank you so much for your reviews, I'm glad you are enjoying the story.
Here is the chapter now…no beating me. Constrictive criticism is preferred over cries of outrage! Just remember that… Remember that everything written here can be revised quite easily…but I can do no more now, I need some feedback. *Cringes as people begin to read*
Madame Giry opened the door of her room, Christine's for the time being, silently and looked inside to find the young woman asleep. That was for the best, she could find the peace in slumber that she could not find in her waking hours.
She almost missed him as she prepared to shut the door again. The door was pushed open all the way and Madame Giry crossed her arms.
"And I thought you had turned down my invitation for reasons of courtesy, yet it seems you've disregarded it this morning."
Erik rose from the chair that he had been sitting in, set in the back corner of the room. "For that, Madame, I must ask you to forgive me."
Madame Giry shrugged slightly. "I knew you wouldn't stay away long. Are you hungry?"
Erik shook his head. "Thank you, madame."
She nodded. "Come for me when she wakes up, if you don't mind."
He agreed to this of course, and Madame Giry shut the door. Erik seated himself again, marveling at how natural that conversation had been. It was odd…He never really thought about just what a good friend Madame Giry was to him. It baffled him utterly why she thought so much of him.
Erik sank back into the chair further. He was sitting in shadow now, the curtains were halfway drawn and the sunrise only brought a soft glow through the panes. It wasn't uncomfortable…and he was with Christine.
Her back was toward him, and as much as he would have liked to be gazing upon her face, he didn't mind in the slightest. A night without her had been hell. But perhaps he had needed to go through it, the loneliness and emptiness that accompanied her absence. It made him love her even more. The thought of returning to her again sustained him through the night. Oh how he had missed her! It was so strange that he would long for her so…after all; it was only a few hours separation. And had he not survived months without her, thinking he would never see her again? He could not understand it…couldn't begin to comprehend the complexity of such an emotion. Erik was a genius in many fields, but love was not one of them.
He started when Christine stirred slightly, but from what he could see, she soon was asleep again. He found himself longing for her to wake, so much did he wish to take her into his arms after being without her. Erik knew this was childish, but he couldn't help it and he didn't dare touch her now, while she was asleep and unaware.
Perhaps if the situation were different he would have sung to her. But now he remained silent. He waited, his eyes sweeping over her mass of curly hair and the contours of her body.
The sun rose steadily and it became brighter in the room. Erik remained still as long as he could stand to, but then stood and shut the curtains all the way. Christine let out a sigh then, strangely musical to Erik's ears. He turned and saw her moving to sit up and rubbing her eyes.
It didn't take her too long to spot him and she started when she did. Christine frowned and brought her hand automatically to her hair. "I should have expected to find you here." She sighed. "I look dreadful, stuck in this bed…"
Erik shook his head. "You couldn't look dreadful if you tried, my dear."
Christine smiled slightly and looked away. Her expression changed then. "You went back last night…"
He shrugged slightly. "It would not have been proper for me to stay here."
"From the man who was waiting in this bedroom…"
"Well…' Erik said, "I suppose it has been proven that I can't be proper all the time."
Christine laughed softly. "And I thought you were the perfect gentleman."
"I can be," he answered seriously.
She smiled. "I know…"
There was silence for a moment, and Christine turned to prop the pillows against the headboard for her to lean on. Once she was settled back, she looked at Erik, standing awkwardly in the corner.
"Come here, Erik," she said, holding out her hand.
He moved around the bed immediately at her request, sat down, and took her proffered hand.
She stared at their hands for a moment and didn't look up as she said. "I understand that…staying here would be uncomfortable, but…I wish you wouldn't leave me."
Erik's grip on her hand tightened. "And I wish you wouldn't make it sound as if I abandoned you last night."
Christine looked up abruptly. "I didn't mean it like that…"
"I know what you meant, Christine."
She looked up at him now and into his eyes. She realized how much he must have missed her…how alone he had been. Her hand rose and rested on his cheek. Her fingertips met with the fabric of his mask, but she could not ask him to remove it now…
"I am selfish, you must remember," she said. "I want you with me."
Erik took her hand from his cheek so he held both of them in his own. "My dear, you are no more selfish than I am."
There was silence then…electrified silence. The room suddenly felt too small as Christine's gaze bored into Erik's golden eyes. Christine looked away briefly, but found it impossible to take her eyes away from him. She loved him, she needed him.
"Erik?" she said slowly. "I…" again she tried to look away, heat growing in her cheeks.
But his hand rose gracefully to her chin and pulled her back into the scene. And one more look in his eyes and she couldn't contain herself. It was a blur, it was over before she realized what she had done, but somewhere she had leaned forward and Erik had pulled her towards him. Somewhere their lips had met and all of the tension that had been building burst suddenly, before causing a sensation of all thought simply melting away.
It took Christine a moment to realize what had happened, so caught up was she in the emotion of that single moment. When this realization occurred, her eyes widened. "Erik…" she breathed. But her words were stifled as he pulled her forward into another kiss.
The scene was incredible. All sense of reality left them completely and it felt as if this moment had been waiting to come for the longest time. Erik savored this moment as he had never done before. He had forgotten the initial contact of this sensation. The feeling he remembered, but the details had been lost somewhere. Her lips were so warm and soft…and she so willingly allowed his kiss! And he was lost…
It was Christine who pulled away from him.
Erik didn't know what to do. He sat frozen, staring into Christine's eyes, unable to pull his gaze away. It had actually happened… Oh, he loved her…had waited so long for this contact! He felt his desire for her returning quickly, a startling feeling that rushed through his veins. He had buried it for too long, ignored it all for her sake. But he had kissed her now, she had kissed him, oh he couldn't even remember… At that moment he wondered how he had managed to survive those months with her so close to him and yet so far away. Erik had done the impossible, pushed aside his feeling for her, but no more! He couldn't stand it for another second. He shuddered slightly, fighting the urge to claim her lips again. He couldn't, this was…no not the first time they had kissed…but he couldn't move too fast now, not when he had just achieved this… Her kiss, her love! Oh she was his!
Christine, unable to bear his burning eyes any longer, looked away quickly, praying he would say something… She couldn't bear the silence after that… Oh what had made her do it? From his eyes alone she knew he didn't mind in the least, which made her more nervous. However, it also made her glad that she had kissed him… Had it been she who had done it? It must have been…he would not touch her without her specific consent… But sometimes she wished he would.
She forced herself to look up at him again, as she felt his hand touch her face. Biting her lip, she met his eyes and saw his love for her within him. He still loved her so, even…under such circumstances.
"Erik," she breathed.
"Yes, my angel?" he said, running his hand along her cheek and through her hair.
She shivered at his touch; it sent a thrill through her to feel his hands meet her skin. She had not experienced that for a long time… She had become so accustomed and familiar with his touch. Long ago, when he had first taken her to his home. His touch had thrilled her then and it thrilled her now. Oh he knew it too and yet he chose to speak infuriatingly calm!
"Please don't speak so calmly…I can't bear it. I've waited to long for this Erik. This feeling should have been rekindled long ago."
His eyes narrowed and he asked hesitantly. "Rekindled?"
Christine stopped herself from sighing at his blindness towards some things. She had felt this for him a long time ago and he was obviously unaware. "That is what I said," she said quietly. "We have…kissed before. And I meant it then. Just…I meant it." She looked away again, having no idea what she meant to say to him.
His hand dropped from her face. "I know you did," he said softly after a moment. "That knowledge sustained me through many nights." His hand took hers and he held it tightly. "But it doesn't matter anymore…the time I spent alone was my fault. You are back with me now."
Christine nodded, refusing to look up. "I am…"
Both heads snapped up as a knock sounded on the door and Meg walked right in. She froze at the sight of them together. "Oh…oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here, monsieur." She ducked out of the room quickly, leaving Erik and Christine together, feeling extremely awkward after that interruption. The moment was broken.
Erik stood up. "Well…I told Madame Giry I would inform her when you awoke."
"Oh…well, then you should go I suppose."
He nodded, but lingered beside her bed. "I love you, Christine."
She smiled. "And I return that sentiment completely."
Erik had only been gone only a moment or two when Meg hurried in the door. "Christine…I am so sorry," Meg said, plopping onto the bed. "Why must I keep making a fool of myself with him in the house?" she sighed.
Christine smiled, looking almost past Meg, rather than at her. She was glowing; she loved him and finally had done something to show him. She felt happy, fulfilled. It was glorious to feel his kiss lingering on her lips.
"Christine, are you even listening to me?"
"Yes, Meg. I'm listening."
"No you're not!" she said. "I still don't believe you are. Oh, I hope I wasn't interrupting something…"
Christine smiled at Meg and said nothing.
"Now stop that! What are you smiling about? You are going to tell me aren't you?"
"Perhaps…" Christine said offhandedly.
Meg crossed her arms. "You're horrible, just tell me."
"Well since you are begging…"
"I'm not begging!" Meg said, "I just…all right I am begging. But tell me!"
Christine laughed. "My, you are excited…but I will tell you… He kissed me Meg."
"What?" she shrieked, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She eyed the door of the room hoping her mother wasn't on the way to scold her. After a moment of waiting, she slowly took her hand from her mouth, revealing a grin. "That's wonderful Christine, it's about time…"
Christine rolled her eyes. "Don't say such things Meg, I couldn't have just gone and kissed him!"
"Why not?" she demanded.
"Because…because I don't know why not. You leave me alone."
"Of course I won't leave you alone! But tell me…"
Meg was interrupted by Madame Giry entering the room. "Meg, go get the tray out in the kitchen for Christine."
The dancer nodded and gave Christine another grin before hurrying out the door. Madame Giry caught her as she went out. "And after that leave her alone, she needs to rest. The doctor is coming this afternoon."
Meg sighed, "Yes Mama."
Erik exited the office silently, creeping into the dusk as if he were one of the many shadows cast by the sun that was just barely showing over the horizon where it was setting fast. He lowered his hat further over his face and set off at a brisk walk, heading back to the Girys' home, and to Christine. No matter how terrible it was, he was set in his determination to not stay there for long. Although he didn't think he was strong enough to last another night alone under the opera. It might be better to just not return to his own place of residence.
It took him longer than he would have liked to get back to the flat, but it was dark and to anyone who glanced in his direction he seemed as entirely black figure, an exact shape unable to be determined. The building was soon before him and he hurried in the door and up the stairs. He felt he had left Christine for too long. He needed to see her again, immediately.
Erik knocked softly on the door to the Girys' flat and was about to let himself in when the door swung open. Madame Giry stepped through it quickly and shut it behind her again. Erik stared at her, confused by this action.
"I'm sorry, Erik, I can't let you in."
"Excuse me?" he said, not quite processing what she had told him.
"You aren't allowed in," she repeated.
Erik shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "What?" he nearly shouted.
Madame Giry held up her hand. "Hush! Now listen… This is it Erik. Christine is delivering. The doctor is with her, everything is fine…"
She trailed off and tried not to be frightened by the look Erik gave her. His teeth clenched and he said with forced calmness, "Madame, kindly step aside and allow me through."
Placing her hand on the door frame so that her arm blocked the entrance, she said, "I've told you, Erik."
"Step aside, Madame," Erik repeated, his voice rising.
Her voice rose to match his. "You will not enter monsieur. What could you be doing for Christine? The doctor is here, you can not be with her! This is serious, Erik."
"I will not tell you again, Vivienne!" he shouted.
There was silence for several moments, in which both parties attempted to regain composure. At last Madame Giry drew herself up to her full height and said quietly. "I trust you will return tomorrow. Good night, monsieur."
Erik said nothing and did not move a muscle as she disappeared and the door was closed. He stood in the silent hall for what seemed like hours, but was really only a matter of minutes. Finally willing himself to move, he stepped forward carefully and pressed his ear to the door. He heard footsteps and voices. And then he heard a cry of pain…
"Christine!" he shouted and banged his fist against the door. The voices inside halted for a moment, with only Christine's voice rising still. But Madame Giry must have done something because soon, the hustle inside began again.
Defeated, Erik backed away from the door and with a last glance he ran down the stairs and out into the night.
The next morning found Erik sitting with his back leaning against the wall, directly next to the door of the Girys' flat. He had roamed for most of the night, furious with himself for leaving Christine. Wandering blindly, he had spent his time worrying. He would return as soon as he could. He had to be there… Surely Christine was calling for him! The situation had been unthinkable for him. He had been warned of the dangers Christine's birth posed to her. How could he bear it? Not knowing what was happening? He drove himself half mad before he returned to the building. Eventually he managed to calm himself down. He heard no sounds of alarm… So he had settled himself to wait until the morning. It had finally arrived. Restraining himself from banging on the door with all his strength, he raised his fist and knocked firmly.
Madame Giry opened the door and stood aside for him to enter.
As he did he nodded respectfully. "Madame," he greeted softly.
She nodded, then pointed to the door of Christine's room. Erik glanced at her, suddenly fearful of what he might find within that room. Christine must be fine…He would not be allowed to see her otherwise! Yes, she was all right…but… An unnatural fear gripped him. He scolded himself harshly. The opera ghost feared nothing.
Erik knocked softly on the door of the room Christine was in.
"Come in," she said. She sounded exhausted.
Erik opened the door slowly and found Christine in bed, propped up on several pillows. He froze when he entered the room and first saw Christine's child, resting in her arms. She looked up and saw him there, but she did not smile. In fact, it looked more like she would never do so again.
"You're here," she said.
Erik nodded and stepped a little farther into the room. It took every ounce of control he had to prevent himself from running to her and releasing all the emotion he felt at that moment.
"Erik, come here," Christine instructed him.
Silently he obeyed. He then looked at Christine, who nodded permission for him to sit on the edge of the bed. He sat carefully, for the child in her arms seemed to be asleep. His beautiful Christine, disheveled and weary, holding a baby was one of the strangest sights he had ever seen. It seemed so unreal.
Christine stared down at the child in her arms. "He's beautiful, isn't he?" she said softly.
Erik looked down at the child. He was unusually small, his face was very red with fat cheeks and a mass of brown hair matted to his head. There was nothing particularly beautiful about him at all, but Erik was touched by Christine's statement. To have a mother who called her babe beautiful… Erik nodded in agreement.
She looked back up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "He's so small….the doctor said that…he didn't know if he'll survive."
Erik just stared, her distress upset him immensely, but what could he do to comfort her? She didn't seem to expect him to speak at all though. She looked back at the baby boy she held. "What if I never see him grow up? He might make such an extraordinary man… How can I look at him? Knowing that he could die?" A sob choked her and she had to stop for a moment. "Erik, will you…take him, put him in that bassinet just there?" she asked nodding towards the corner of the room at it. It had been Meg's and Madame Giry had managed to find it.
Erik looked down at the infant, then up at Christine. "I don't think that I should, Christine…" he said. Truthfully, he was afraid to hold the child. Christine's child…what if he woke or frightened him? What if he harmed him in some way? He shouldn't be responsible for a human life.
"It's all right Erik, take him, please," Christine said and with some difficulty held the sleeping boy out to him.
Erik hesitated, then held out his arms to receive him. He lifted him up; imitating the way Christine had cradled him. It was a thrilling and frightening sensation. The child he held in arms was almost unbearably small, his tiny chest rose and fell slowly as he breathed. Erik held a human being, one who slept peacefully, blissfully unaware of the monster who handled him. Not once in his life had he experienced such a thing. It was an amazing thing to hold an infant, and he had never even thought about such a thing. Carefully he carried the child across the room and laid him gently in the bassinet. His arms tingled with the warmth of the boy's body and Erik could hardly believe what he had just done.
He returned to Christine who was smiling sadly at him. Erik sat back on the bed and took Christine's hand. "Are you all right?" he asked, wishing there were some other words he could say that would show how deeply concerned he was for her.
She nodded. "I'm tired…but I'll be fine."
Erik sighed heavily. The doctor had been wrong, she was all right… Had been worried for nothing. He could have laughed at himself! She was fine and he was quite beyond relieved.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Christine. There is so much I should be saying right now… So much I wish to tell you, but I do not know what I should say."
"Then don't speak," she whispered, sinking further back into the pillows, her physical exhaustion becoming more obvious. "You being here is enough."
He leaned forward then and kissed her forehead gently. "I love you, Christine."
She smiled, closing her eyes. "Thank you."
"Is there anything you want me to do for you?" he asked, wanting desperately to ease some of her pain.
She shook her head, her eyes still closed. "Just sit with me."
Erik took her hand in both of his and remained with her. She was asleep in just a few moments, but he sat there long afterward, simply staring at her, stroking her cheek or her hair, marveling at her strength. She had said she would live, said she would survive…and she had, just like that! And she was still beautiful. It had all happened so fast. It seemed like it should have been more difficult, but he was so glad it wasn't. It was over…yet something new, and undoubtedly difficult, was just beginning now. His gaze continued to linger on Christine. He wondered briefly how she managed to be so enrapturing under any circumstance. He tore his eyes away from her image to glance at the child and wondered what on earth he was going to do.
A/N: Remember what I said up above! No cries of outrage please… Please take the time to review and help me out. It is so greatly appreciated!! Thank you for reading.