Chapter 5

I return an hour later and knock softly on her door.

"Come in," she calls and I see she has bathed and is wearing the dress I had picked out for tonight.

"You look very lovely," I say as I enter the room. She is sitting at the dressing table having just finished applying makeup to her beautiful face. "The makeup hides your bruises well. All we have to do is fix your hair so your stitches are not so obvious."

"It hurts my back to brush my hair," she admits reluctantly, her smile wavering as she lifts the brush to her hair and winces with pain.

"Do not worry, I will brush it for you," I say as I step behind her and take the brush from her, our fingers touch lightly in the process. I am not bothered by the mirror, for I cannot see myself, however, I can see her face quite well.

"Do you think the cuts on my back will scar?" she asks as she glances at me.

"No, I am certain that there will be no scars." I say reassuringly as I begin to brush her long brown hair, "You can rest assured that you will never have to explain to a husband what had transpired that night." This last remark seems to sadden her and I find myself wishing I would not have mentioned that night. "Forgive me Marie," I say apologetically, "I did not mean to bring such a frown to your lovely face. I should not have mentioned that night, I am sure you would sooner forget what happened but how can you when I repeatedly bring it up?"

"It was not that, Erik," she says looking at me with her bright blue eyes. "It was the mention of a husband."

"But why would that sadden you?" I ask unable to understand and feeling a stab of jealousy at the thought of another man holding her. This feeling surprises me yet I do not have time to ponder it.

"What man would ever marry a woman who is burdened with her brother and who is as poor as I am?" she asks as her eyes fill with tears.

"Do not be absurd!" I say unable to hide the surprise in my voice. "How could you possibly think that those things would matter?" As I ask this I turn her around to face me, placing a finger under her chin I tilt her lovely face so she is looking me in the eye.

"Because it is true," she sobs trying to look away. "No man would ever take on such a burden."

I would, I think to myself as I fight the urge to pull her into my arms and hold her close. But I refrain from voicing this and instead I say, "I am sure that you will find a man who will love you as you should be loved." I cannot resist caressing her chin lightly with my thumb. "It will not matter if you do not have any money or if you have a small brother to care for." I again feel a stab of jealousy as I think of the man who would be lucky enough to win her heart. I really do love her I realize as my jealousy intensifies with these thoughts. But she could never feel the same about me, I tell myself for what must be the hundredth time.

"I will never find such a man." She states flatly as she tries to keep her tears from falling to no avail.

"My dear, please do not cry." I say as I kneel down to her level and hand her a handkerchief. "I can assure you that you will one day find a man who is deserving of your love. These things you speak of will not matter to him as they do not matter to myself." When she stops sobbing and just looks at me I realize too late what I had just said. How could I admit such a thing to her? Surely she must think it an insult. "Forgive me," I say quickly standing up and turning away from her. "I do apologize. Now if you will excuse me I must prepare dinner. We do not want to be late for the opera." With this said I quickly leave the room, shutting the door behind me.

Hurrying towards the kitchen I glance behind to make sure that she is not following me. How could I have been so foolish to have said that to her? What does she think of me now? How can I ever face her again? But I must for even as I fled her room I committed myself to going to the opera tonight. Perhaps she will refuse to go with me after what I had said. But then she did not voice any objection as I hastily left the room. And that look... What had that look been when I made such an admission to her? I did not quite comprehend what emotions where portrayed there. I was more concerned about distancing myself from her after showing such weakness to allow myself to say what I had. Had she truly been insulted by what I said? Of course she had to have been. There is no way she would want to hear those words coming from my lips, I argue with myself. Seeing no point in arguing with myself I change my thoughts to the night to come.

What am I going to serve for dinner? I want this night to be perfect even if we are to be no more than mere companions. After giving it much thought I decide to prepare fillet mignon served with red wine. This decided I go about the task of preparing our meal. As I do I cannot help but remember the feel of her soft back beneath my fingers when I pulled the quilt back into place. Oh, she had felt so good in my arms. How could I have been so foolish to admit what I had earlier? Will she even go to the opera with me after that? How did I get back to these troubling thoughts, I wonder just before I hear Charles begin to cry from down the hall. I quickly finish the task at hand and prepare a bottle for the child and take it to Marie's room.

She opens the door just as I am about to knock. Caught off guard I take a swift step back and lower my raised hand. "I heard Charles crying so I prepared a bottle for him," I say.

"Thank you, Erik," she says as she takes the bottle from me. "I was just about to come make him one."

"You are quite welcome," I reply as I bow gracefully and follow Marie into her room. She crosses the room to sit on the sofa and offers Charles the bottle which he accepts greedily. I, however, remain just inside the door watching her. She does not seem to be upset with me for what I had said but I still feel the need to apologize once more. After a few moments I say, "I would like to apologize for earlier, I did not mean to insult you by implying that I was a potential suitor nor do I want you to think that only an ugly man would not care about those things. I am sure that you will win the heart of a very handsome young man."

"You did not insult me, Erik." She says as she gets up from the sofa and walks towards me stopping only a few short inches from me, "it was a very sweet thing for you to say." She is looking at me with a sincere look in her bright blue eyes. "I am glad that there is at least one man who does not care about those things." She adds as she reaches out a hand to caress my cheek. Is that a look of longing I see flickering in her eyes? I quickly push that though aside as she continues, "I have never had any interest in handsome young men."

Puzzled, I question this last comment. "Why are you not interested in handsome young men? Surely, a woman as beautiful as you could have your choice of suitors."

"They have never interested me. I wish to be more than a mere trophy on the arm of some dandy." She replies with disdain. "I have always been more interested in those who know what they want and are not afraid to go after it."

I am truly stunned by her words. Her hand is so gentle against my scarred skin and I would like nothing more then to pull her into my arms. Does she have any idea what she is doing to me? Pulling back from her slightly yet not far enough to break contact, I look down at Charles who is drinking his bottle contentedly. "When you have finished with Charles come to the kitchen and I will serve dinner." I say after a moment, needing to distance myself from her touch.

"Thank you, Erik," she says as she lowers her hand from my cheek. "He is almost finished with his bottle and I am sure he will be sleeping soon."

"It will be ready when ever you are," I say as I turn to leave the room. I hurry back to the kitchen needing time to think. Why was she not insulted by my words? She actually thought it a sweet thing to say. Does she care for me? Is that what she was trying to say or am I reading more into her words? Dare I even hope that she meant more than she actually said? Impossible! How could she possibly care for a monster like me with a face like this? But she has insisted on seeing my face since yesterday morning when I made the mistake of going to her without my mask. But was it truly a mistake? She did not scream and shrink away from me or look upon me with fear in her eyes when she saw this hideous face. Christine was always reluctant to touch me but Marie is always touching me willingly. She does not want a handsome young man but surely she does not want me either. Her words had sparked hope in my heart earlier when she talked of what she wants... or rather what she does not want. Could she possible want me? No, that is absurd! No one would ever want the likes of me! I argue with myself, quickly trying to squelch that flicker of hope that is threatening to consume me if I allow it to grow beyond my control. But then, have I really been in control at all since she entered my life? She makes me do and feel things I have never known before.

"Charles is sleeping now," Marie says as she enters the kitchen, startling me from my thoughts. I quickly pull a chair out for her. "Thank you, Erik," she says as she sits down.

"You are just in time," I say as I push all thoughts from my mind and pour the wine. I then serve the fillet mignon and take a seat across from Marie.

"This is wonderful, Erik," she says after tasting the meat.

"Thank you," I reply and take a bite of my own.

After a few minutes of eating in companionable silence I remember that I did not finish brushing Marie's hair and that her stitches are still quite visible. "If you like, when we have finished eating I will fix your hair for you," I offer as I remember how I had enjoyed running the brush through her long brown hair.

She looks at me from across the table and with a sweet smile says, "I would like that very much." She then focuses her attention back to her plate and takes another bite. We finish our meal in silence and then walk down the hall to Marie's room.

As we enter her room I see that Charles is still sleeping. Marie crosses the room and sits at the dressing table. I follow her across the room and pick up her brush from the same place I had left it in earlier. I then begin to brush her hair once more and savor the feel of her silky hair against my hand. As I run the brush through her hair I glance at her reflection in the mirror and see a very pleased look on her face. This look puzzles me but I quickly decide that she is merely excited about going to the opera. She could not possibly find this action as pleasing as that look implies.

"If you would please turn around I will try to hide those stitches," I say feeling more relaxed than I have been most of the day.

"But of course," she says as she turns to face me.

It takes only a few moments to have the cut hidden from view. As I finish I step back and examine my handiwork and am pleased with the results. "There, all finished," I say as I set the brush down.

Marie turns back to the mirror to see for herself. "You've done a wonderful job, Erik, thank you." She then stands and turns to face me. "How do I look?" she asks as she gives a little twirl.

"You look breathtakingly beautiful." I say honestly as I take in the sight of her once more.

"Thank you," she says as she smiles sweetly and I take pleasure in noting the blush that has crept into her lovely cheeks giving them a rosy color.

"Are you excited about the opera?" I ask unsure of why she's smiling at me in such a way. I am very tempted to pull her into my arms and kiss her soft lips but I refuse to give in to such an absurd notion.

"Yes, I am," she says as her smile widens. "I still can hardly believe that I'm actually going to the opera."

"In that case we had better be on our way. I would not want us to be late to your first opera." I walk to the armoire and after sifting through the garments there I remove a light blue cloak.

"Thank you," she says as I place the cloak around her shoulders.

"You are quite welcome," I say. "Wait here for me while I go get my cloak, hat, and mask."

"I shall get Charles' bag ready." She says as I walk to the door.

"I will be back in a moment." I say as I leave her room and quickly get what I need from my own. I return to her room with a bottle for Charles in case there is not one in the bag. I then walk over to the crib and carefully pick Charles up. He opens his eyes with a start and looks up at me. After focusing on my face he smiles and drifts off to sleep once more.

Upon witnessing this Marie smiles at me knowingly and says, "I told you he is fond of you."

"So he is," I admit as I look down upon his sleeping face. It feels so natural to hold him in my arms now when only three days ago I was unsure of myself and afraid of hurting him. I get his bag with everything Madame Giry may need and lead Marie to the front door. Before leaving the house I tuck Charles under my cloak where he will be warm. "Are you ready, my dear?" I ask before opening the door suddenly feeling quite nervous yet having no idea why.

"Readier than I've ever been before." She says as she smiles up at me.

"Then I shall keep you waiting no longer." I say as I open the door and wait for her to step outside. Lighting the lantern I keep by the door I lead her to the dock and help her into the boat. She does not seem to be bothered by the darkness that surrounds us. Hooking the lantern on the bow of the boat I carefully get in and deciding that I would rather hold Charles than row across the lake I sit down and activate the mechanism that will take the boat to the dock in the fifth cellar.

"You are a brilliant man," Marie says as the boat moves across the lake on its own.

Not knowing how to respond to such a compliment I simply nod my head. Wishing to change the subject I say, "We will be watching the opera from box five. It has a spectacular view."

"That sounds wonderful, Erik," she says as she looks at me and smiles from the bow of the boat.

"I am sure that you will enjoy it," I say seeing how happy this little excursion is making her. The rest of the journey across the lake is spent in comfortable silence, as we become lost in our own thoughts. I would like nothing more than to erase all the pain she's experienced in the past month and am quite pleased with myself for thinking of taking her to the opera. Maybe this will help purge the nightmares from her sleep and replace them with remembrances of tonight.

After docking the boat I help Marie out. I then remove the lantern from the boat and, carrying Charles and his bag with my left arm and the lantern held out before us with my right, I lead the way to our destination. It takes only a few minutes longer than when I make the journey alone to reach the upper levels of the opera. "I must put out the lantern now, the darkness will not frighten you will it?" I ask as I look at her.

"No, I will not be afraid. As long as you are with me nothing can frighten me," she says sincerely.

I put the lantern out and place it in a hidden space in the wall. Satisfied that it is out of sight I take Marie's hand in mine and lead her into the hidden passage that will take us up to box five. A short time later we immerge from the wall outside of box five and I reluctantly release her hand. We have no sooner stepped into the hallway before I see Madame Giry coming out of box five. "Good evening, Madame Giry," I say softly.

"Monsieur, I was just checking to see if you had arrived yet," she says as she turns to face us. "Who is the lovely young lady?" she asks.

"This is the guest I was telling you about earlier." I say as I step closer to Madame Giry giving her a look that convinces her to drop the subject.

"Forgive me, Monsieur," she says hastily, "I did not mean to pry."

"Forget about it," I say, "I am sure that the patrons of this opera house will be arriving soon. Have you decided where Charles is to be taken?"

"Yes, Monsieur, there is a room not far from here where he will not be disturbed nor will he be heard by anyone attending if he were to begin crying." Madame Giry replies quickly.

"Very good," I say as I hand her the bag and reveal Charles who is still sleeping contently. "Remember what I said," I say as I gently place Charles in her waiting arms, careful not to wake him.

"Yes, Monsieur, I am to bring him back during the end of the last act," she replies promptly.

"That is correct," I say indicating that it is time for her to be going. "Treat him as though he were your own."

"Of course, Monsieur," she says as she bows quickly and hurries down the hall.

Opening the door to box five, I say, "after you, Mademoiselle," and bow gracefully as I motion for Marie to enter.

"Thank you, Monsieur," she says with an excited smile and enters the room.

"You are quite welcome," I say with a smile. I look around to be sure that we were not seen then step through the doorway shutting the door behind me. Once inside I help remove Marie's cloak and hang it in the corner. "Feel free to look around," I say indicating the direction of the stage. This seems to be encouragement enough for she quickly walks to the balcony and looks out upon the theater.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaims. "Oh, Erik, it's wonderful!" With this she comes back to where I am standing. Without any warning she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. Unable to refuse her happiness I put my arms around her and hold her close loving the feel of her in my arms.

"I am glad that you are pleased with my work," I say as I wish that this moment could last forever. But, knowing that it cannot I reluctantly release my hold and pull out of her embrace. Most of the patrons have already arrived at this point and I know the performance will start soon. "Come, have a seat." I say quickly, "the opera will be starting soon and I do not want you to miss a moment of it."

"I've never been in such a beautiful building before. How long did it take to build?" she asks as she takes her seat.

"It took fifteen years to complete," I say as I sit next to her. She has a look of complete fascination on her face and I cannot help but smile at her.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would please find your seats," Monsieur Firmin, one of the managers, calls as he steps on stage, "our performance of Faust will be beginning in five minutes." With this announcement made he quickly leaves the stage.

Marie is sitting on the edge of her seat, anxiously awaiting the start of the opera. "Relax, my dear, it will begin shortly." I say laughing softly.

"Oh, but Erik, I've waited a very long time to see an opera." She says longingly as she looks my way. She then sits back in her seat.

"I can assure you that you will not miss a moment of it." I say reassuringly as I pat her hand and sit back in my own seat. Moments later the music begins and the curtain rises. We both become lost in the performance. Half way through the first act I am surprised to feel a hand on mine and quickly look towards Marie. She smiles at me then turns her attention back to the Opera allowing her hand to rest in mine. This action puzzles me but having no desire to break this simple contact I allow her small hand to remain in mine for as long as she wants. Her hand feels so wonderful and I know that this is something I could easily get used to. Even though I know I should not, I allow my thumb to gently caress the back of her hand as I watch her face for a reaction. She smiles at me and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. Giving up my inner struggle to figure out the meaning of all this I turn my attention back to the performance and simply enjoy the feel of her hand in mine.

As Faust draws near to the end of the last act I find myself wishing it was much longer. Madame Giry arrives with Charles but remains at the back of the room near the door not wanting to disturb us. I reluctantly pull my hand away from Marie's. This causes a disappointed look to pass over her face but as I stand up and walk to the back she notices Madame Giry standing there and understands that it is almost time to leave. As I stand before Madame Giry she quickly places Charles in my awaiting arms. "Did he give you any trouble?" I ask as I look down upon his sleeping face.

"No, Monsieur, he was a perfect little angel. He woke up long enough to be changed and fed. He is a very sweet child." She adds as she looks up at me.

I know what she is thinking and I quickly set her straight. "He is not mine, Madame," I say sternly. She quickly looks away and bows her head, embarrassed that her expression had been so telling.

"Forgive me, Monsieur," she says hastily. "I did not mean any disrespect."

"Forget it," I say with a wave of my hand as I find myself wishing that her assumption was correct. I remove an envelope from inside my cloak and hand it to her saying, "thank you for taking care of Charles, Madame."

"Thank you, Monsieur," she says as she takes the envelope from my hand. "Is there anything else you'll be needing tonight?" she asks.

"No, Madame, that will be all," I reply. Knowing that she is dismissed she bows before quickly leaving the room.

I walk back to my seat to watch the end of the opera. As soon as I am seated Marie takes my hand once more. With a surprised look on my face, I look her way and find that she is smiling brightly at me. She gives my hand a light squeeze and turns her attention back to the opera. I feel like I must be in heaven... holding Charles in one arm and Marie's hand in mine. Nothing could feel more right than this. This is what I have been deprived of my whole life because of my face. I savor the feel of this for I know that it cannot possibly last beyond the performance. She is merely excited about the opera and does not realize what such a simple gesture could mean.

As the opera ends and the cast take their bows I reluctantly stand up and hurry to retrieve our cloaks. "Come, we must hurry before we are seen," I say as I drape the light blue cloak over Marie's slender shoulders and pick up Charles' bag. I then usher her out into the hall, looking for signs of movement before I follow. Satisfied that there is no one in sight I open the secret passage and lead Marie into the darkness. Checking the door to make sure that it is securely closed I then take her hand in mine and lead her back down to the cellars. Once out of the passage I quickly locate the lantern where I had left it and light it. I then pick it up and begin our journey down to where the boat is docked. Marie follows close behind.

Within a half an hour we arrive at the dock in the fifth cellar. I help Marie into the boat. When she is settled in the bow I carefully get in and sit where I had on the way over, deciding once again to hold Charles instead of row the boat I activate the mechanism and the boat begins its journey to my home.

After a few minutes I break the silence. "Did you enjoy the opera, my dear?" I ask as she looks my way.

"Oh, yes, Erik, It was wonderful!" she exclaims as she moves from the seat in the bow of the boat to the seat next to me. The boat is not very wide for it was only built to accommodate myself and supplies. I had added the seat in the bow of the boat for Christine. The seat I am sitting on was never intended to serve as a seat for two. Therefore, with Marie sitting beside me there is very little space between us and I can feel the heat from her body so close to mine.

"I thought you might enjoy it," I say smiling as I look at the happy expression on her face.

"Tonight was the most perfect night of my life," she sighs as she leans against me, resting her head against my shoulder. "I can think of no one I would rather have spent this night with." To say that I am shocked by this would be stating it mildly. If not for the fact that I am holding Charles I think I would dive into the lake. Instead, I sit perfectly still not knowing what else to do. "Relax," Marie says as she looks up at my startled face. "I do not bite."

"Forgive me, my dear, but I am not used to such gestures," I admit reluctantly. "But, if sitting like this pleases you I will be happy to oblige, if you would just tell me what to do."

"Put your arm around my waist," she instructs while trying not to laugh at me.

"Like this?" I ask as I wrap my arm around her waist. This seems to please her for she snuggles closer to my side and sighs very softly.

"Perfect," she says as she smiles up at me. "Now this perfect evening is truly perfect," she says sincerely. What she finds perfect about being held against me is a mystery to me. But, I am not about to question this... at least not right now. I am enjoying this entirely too much to break the spell she has woven around us. We remain like this as the boat makes its way slowly across the lake. Slower, in fact, than the trip across the first time... I am a brilliant man after all. With this in mind I allow a smile to grace my lips and, taking Marie's advice, I allow myself to relax as I enjoy the feel of Charles in my one arm and her in my other.

Even though I slowed the boat, the journey across the lake ends much to soon for my liking. But, I reason to myself, all good things must come to an end and this evening has been more than I could have ever dreamed it would be. "We are home," I say softly as I gaze down upon her lovely face. She reluctantly pulls away from me, allowing me to dock the boat. After I get out of the boat I turn and offer my hand to help Marie step out safely.

"Thank you," she says as she stands beside me with her hand still in mine.

"You are quite welcome, my dear," I reply as I bow gracefully. "Shall we go inside where it is warm? I would not want you or your brother to catch a chill."

"Of course," she says as she smiles up at me. I will return to the boat later to retrieve the lantern. It is casting enough light to allow us to easily find our way to the door. She is still holding my hand as we walk the short distance to my home.

I reluctantly release her hand so that I can open the door. "After you," I say as I take a step back allowing her to enter the house. Surely the dream is over now that we are back. I am sure that the magic of tonight's opera will wear off as soon as we step inside and reality returns. She must have gotten lost in the magic of the opera. That is the only logical reason I can think of for her to have behaved as she did tonight.

"Aren't you coming in?" Marie asks, startling me from my thoughts.

"I shall be right in." I say as I place Charles in her arms. "Would you please take Charles in and get him settled for the night? I must take care of the lantern first but I will join you when I am finished." I explain as I turn to walk to the boat needing time to think. As I arrive at the boat I hear the door close softly and glancing back I see that she has gone in.

As I go about the task of putting the lantern away, not a difficult task mind you, I allow my mind to return to the events of this evening. Why had she held my hand during the opera? She had looked so happy sitting there with her hand in mine as she watched the performance. When she first placed her hand in mine she had been watching for my reaction and when I looked at her obviously startled by the sudden contact she smiled even more. She must have been lost in the opera and forgot who was sitting next to her... I did have my mask on after all. If I had not, would she still have looked at me as she had and held my hand in hers? But, even so, this does not explain the ride back across the lake. She willingly leaned against me with her head resting on my shoulder. It had been a good half an hour after the opera and the effect must have surely worn off by then. So, why had she sat so close and looked disappointed when I announced that we were home? She could not possibly have feelings towards me other than gratitude. Why does she confuse me so?

Having spent more time than I had intended, I quickly push these troubling thoughts aside and enter the house. I quickly go to my room to remove my cloak, hat and mask. I had forgotten to wear my gloves to the opera tonight but after feeling Marie's delicate hand against my bare skin I am quite glad that I did. With this task completed I quickly walk to Marie's room and knock softly on the door.

"Come in," she calls and I open the door slowly. She is standing near the crib still wearing the blue dress she had worn to the opera. Glancing at the crib I see that Charles is sleeping peacefully.

"Would you like to go to the study for a while or are you tired?" I ask still standing near the door. I would like nothing more than to pull her into my arms and hold her close but I restrain myself from acting on such an absurd impulse.

"That sounds like a lovely idea, Erik," she says as she closes the distance between us. She is now standing only a step away. She is looking up at me as she had earlier this evening when she had placed her hand in mine. What does this look mean? Why do I feel so nervous all of a sudden?

"I thought you might like to sit in front of the fire and read for a while," I say as I wait for her to step through the door. As she walks past me she places her hand in mine and leads me from the room. She leads me down the hall to the study in this same fashion for I am too stunned to do anything other than follow her. Why is she holding my hand as she had before? We are back in my home and I am not even wearing my mask. Surely she knows what she is doing... I only wish that I knew!

As we enter the study she releases my hand and retrieves the book that she had been reading the previous night. I do the same. "Please sit with me on the couch," she says as I walk past her to sit in the chair I had occupied the night before.

"As you wish," I say as I reluctantly sit beside her, being careful not to sit too closely. I then open my book and begin to read quickly becoming lost in the story. As I finish a chapter I glance her way and see that she is also quite absorbed in her own book. She is very lovely in the firelight.

After a while she moves closer to my side and leans her head against my shoulder as she had in the boat. "Are you getting tired?" I ask, thinking that there could be no other reason for this action.

"No, not at all. Why do you ask?" she replies as she looks up at me with a content look on her face and snuggles closer to me.

Stunned yet unable to avoid her question I decide that I have no choice but to admit how much these actions are confusing me. "Forgive me, but, you confuse me with your behavior."

"What do you mean?" she asks as she sits up properly and turns to face me.

"No one has ever done the things you have tonight." I begin, feeling very nervous. She is looking at me very seriously. "No one has ever touched me so gently as you have. You look upon my face as though it belongs to any other man. No one has ever allowed me to hold their hand yet you held mine willingly throughout the opera. No one has ever sat so close to me as you did in the boat and here on the couch. I am not used to such close contact with other human beings and I am very confused by the feelings these actions provoke." Becoming rather stern, I state, "if you think that you need to act this way because I saved you from those two men you are mistaken. I have told you before that I expect nothing in return for taking care of you and Charles. I do not take kindly to being patronized. If you continue to behave like this it had better be for reasons other than gratitude!" With this I rise and turn away from the startled look on her face. I had not intended to yell at her. After all, she has shown me nothing but kindness. Something no one else has ever shown me. A tear slides silently down my face. I am ashamed of myself for my behavior and I find that I cannot face her... surely she must hate me!

"Erik," she says softly as she too rises and places her hand on my shoulder, turning me to face her. "I did not mean to confuse you. I myself am confused by my own feelings. When I woke from my first nightmare and you entered my room to comfort me I felt so safe. And when I awoke this morning I was so frightened until you were at my side. When you held me in your arms I felt that I must be in heaven. I am very confused by what I feel when I am near you. While we were at the opera tonight it just felt like the right thing to do when I took your hand. And in the boat on the way back it felt like the right thing to do also." With that said she reaches out and gently caresses my cheek, wiping my tear away.

"You do not know what the mere touch of your hand does to me," I say softly not able to believe what she has just confessed to me. How could anyone feel anything but fear and hatred towards me? Can she really care for me as she says she does? She is like no one I've ever known before. I must be dreaming. I am going to wake up soon and find myself alone in my room as I always have been. But her hand on my cheek feels too real to be a dream. Everything that has happened tonight felt too real. But how can she possibly feel these things she says she feels for me?

"I would hope that it does the same thing to you that your touch does to me," she says as she smiles up at me. "Shall we return to our reading?" she asks as she takes my hand in hers.

"Yes," I say not knowing what else to say. I can think of nothing I would like more than to pull her into my arms but I can easily settle for sitting on the couch with her as we were before. I then allow her to lead me to the couch and we resume our reading with her leaning against me and I with my arm draped around her shoulders. This is something I could very easily get used to even though I know that I should not for surly this cannot last. Once her wounds are healed and her stitches are removed she will return to the world of light. No one would choose to stay down here with me. Deciding to enjoy it while it lasts I sit back and relax with her at my side. This feeling of bliss is well worth the utter agony I know I will have to endure when she chooses to leave me alone down here once more. How can I ever return to the life I had lived for so many years before she entered my world? I quickly push these depressing thoughts from my mind, determined to enjoy every moment of this pure bliss while I have it offered to me.

We remain like this for over an hour until I hear her stifle a yawn. "I think it is time to call it a night, my dear," I say as I reluctantly remove my arm from around her shoulders, not wanting to but knowing she needs her rest.

"Oh, but Erik, I do not wish for this night to ever end," she says trying to hide another yawn as she snuggles closer.

"Neither do I, my dear, but it is very late and you need your rest," I try to reason. I am having trouble believing that she would rather stay like this than to see to her need for sleep. I would not mind sitting like this all night but her rest is more important. She still refuses to move so I do the only thing that will insure that she will. I set her book and mine aside and then taking her hand in mine I stand up and, having no real choice, she rises to stand beside me. It is my turn to lead her down the hall. Stopping at her door, I reluctantly release her hand and taking a step back I say, "I shall leave you to your rest. If you need anything simply call for me."

"Thank you for such a wonderful evening, Erik," she says as she suddenly closes the distance between us and, placing her hands on my shoulders, kisses me lightly on the cheek.

Stunned by this sudden action I simply stand here unmoving forgetting even to breathe. Nothing could have felt sweeter than that simple kiss. The look on my face must be an odd one for she is trying not to laugh at me. Regaining my senses I take a deep breath before saying, "You are quite welcome, my dear. But, it is I who should be thanking you." Working up the courage, I take her hand in mine and lift it to my lips placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand. She smiles at this gesture.

"There is no need to thank me," she says as she keeps her hand in mine.

She tries to hide another yawn and I know that she needs to get her rest. "Please go to sleep now. I do not wish for you to get weak again. You need your rest." She nods in acceptance of this. "Good night, my dear," I say as I reluctantly release her hand and take a step back.

"Good night, Erik," she says before entering her room. Once she is inside her room I retreat to my own needing time to think. Tonight has truly confused me. I have felt more things in this one night than I have in my entire life. This is what love feels like, of this I am sure. I can deny this no longer. She is so different from Christine... from any one I've ever met before. How is it possible for someone as wonderful as her to feel anything good towards me? She is driving me mad. I can think of nothing but her. I would like nothing more than to walk back down the hall and take her into my arms. She kissed my cheek. Her soft lips actually touched my scarred face without any reservations. She was not repulsed by the feel of it against her lips. And when I pressed my lips to her soft hand she actually looked pleased. Giving up the struggle to figure out these confusing thoughts I prepare for bed. With the thought of Marie in my arms I drift off to sleep.