For the next few weeks Erik and Paris worked on getting all of Erik's possessions packed up. Erik had decided that it would not be a good idea to stay down beneath the Opera House. Not now that the managers were getting men together to come down to get the furniture that they were planning on using in future productions. Erik had gotten in touch with Nadir shortly after Paris had accepted his proposal for marriage. He had asked Nadir to look for a house for him and Paris somewhere reasonably outside of Paris. Nadir had come through for Erik once again and had found a nice house out in the country. There was a small town nearby named Caine Village so they wouldn't have to travel too far to get necessary items such as food and clothes. Erik and Paris had traveled out to see the house for themselves before they decided on actually purchasing. It was set in the woods but not so far that they would have to walk miles just to get to the road.
Paris had fallen in love with the house as soon as she saw it. It was small but large enough for them to live comfortably without feeling confined. The front entryway was spacious with a large library or study off to the left and a large parlor off to the right. A wide flight of stairs were in the entry and there was a long hall off to the left of the stairs on the first floor. Another big room was down the hall way and Erik would use it for a music room. The hall way turned right leading under the stairs where it led to the kitchen. The dining room was between the kitchen and the parlor. Upstairs there was the Master bedroom and several guest bedrooms. Paris had grinned when she saw a small one off in a corner and had glanced teasingly over at Erik who had frowned in confusion. There was even a rather large attic which had pleased them. That meant plenty of storage space. A basement was down below and Erik was surprised to discover a hidden passageway down there. He had grinned at Paris when he had shown it to her and had whispered all the reasons they could use it. Paris had blushed bright red and laughed before shoving Erik into the passageway and locking the door on him. Needless to say Erik had not exactly been pleased with Paris when he got back into the house. He had retaliated by stealing her necklace, one he had given her, without her even knowing it and then demanding to know where she had left it. Paris had panicked and had tried to find it for nearly half an hour. By the time Erik took pity on her with a laugh she was nearly hysterical and in tears. She had refused to speak to him the entire ride back to the Opera House.
They had bought the house and every night since the purchase Erik and Nadir would sneak furniture out from the underground house up to a cart and then would drive all night to the house to leave the stuff there. Paris always worried that they would get caught since the police were still on the look out for both her and Erik. Erik had already taken Paris back to her flat so that she could pack whatever items she wished to keep. She then paid for that month's rent and left a note to the landlord that she would not be returning and that he could do whatever he wished with anything she left in the flat.
Finally the big day came. All of Erik's furniture had been safely taken to their new home. Erik looked around the now empty house that had been his home for so many years. Paris came up behind him and slipped her hand into his to give him comfort. He glanced down at her and smiled softly.
"Anywhere you are, I'm home," he said softly as he pulled her to him for a kiss.
"And you are my home as well," Paris answered with a smile. "Do you think we should leave a note to the managers? After all, they are still looking for us and they were planning on stealing your things."
Erik laughed and agreed. So they left a note for the managers.
"Dear Messieurs,
I regret to inform you that Mademoiselle Aldress and I have left the Opera House for good. We shall be married so wish us luck in that regard. I also wish to inform you as you will soon discover, my furniture has been taken with me to my final destination. Where that is I do not know but rest assured that you will both never be forgotten. You have provided me with endless entertainment in the years I have known you gentlemen and I am sorry to leave you with out being able to give you a final good bye in person. So, I shall fade into the wood work with my darling Paris by my side and every time you hear a creak or something goes wrong just remember me for my spirit will remain here in the Paris Opera House to continue wrecking havoc with your minds. And so, it is with a heavy hand and a light heart that I bid you gentlemen, adieu,
O.G."
Erik glanced over at Paris after he finished with the letter. She looked up at him and grinned. So he placed the letter in an envelope and grabbing Paris' hand headed up through the passageways to the managers' office. Glancing through the peepholes he saw that they were not inside. Carefully opening the hidden panel Erik stepped into the room and placed the letter onto the managers' desk. Then he hurried back through the panel and rejoined Paris just in time. The managers' door opened and Andre and Firmin entered. They froze when they saw the note and their white faces looked at each other before they both rushed forward to grab the note. After fumbling with it for a moment Firmin took hold of it and opened it with a shaking hand. Their cries of outrage and horror filled the room while Erik's haunting maniacal laughter filled the Opera House. The Phantom had gotten the final draw in the end.
Erik helped Paris step into the waiting carriage by the Seine river entrance and with a final bow towards the Opera House Erik climbed into the carriage beside Paris and told the driver where to go. They were free. Erik smiled down at Paris as she rested her head upon his shoulder with a contented sigh. They were going to be married in the church in the town near their new home. Erik and Paris had already met the Priest, a Father Michaels. He had been very kind and had not questioned Erik about his mask. Instead he had calmly asked for their names, birth dates and other necessary items. He then had asked for a date and time for the ceremony and the guest list. Erik had laughed and said that the list would be small, very small. But Father Michaels had wanted it anyway. He would need witnesses after all.
So Erik had asked Nadir to be his witness much to the surprise of the Persian. However, Nadir had smiled and agreed. So he and his man, Darius, would attend the wedding. What Erik didn't know was that Paris had gotten in touch with Christine and had apologized to her for what she had said that night. Christine had accepted her apology and had insisted that Paris come over for tea. So during one of the days Erik had been at the new house with the furniture Paris had gone over to the de Chagnys' flat to visit with Christine. Christine was living with Raoul but they were planning on getting married soon. Paris had apologized to Christine again once she was in the house and had explained everything. Christine had been surprised and hurt that Paris had lied to her for so long but when she heard the reasons Christine had forgiven Paris immediately.
"There's another reason why you're here isn't there?" Christine had asked.
"Yes, Erik has asked me to marry him and I've said yes and I want you to come to my wedding."
"But what about Raoul and Erik? Raoul won't let me go if he knows Erik will be there even if Erik is in love with you now. And Erik might suddenly retaliate. He might not want me there after all the pain I've caused him."
"You're one of my closest friends Christine, please? It would mean so much to me. You've been like a sister to me."
Christine had bitten her lip nervously but had finally agreed. Paris told Christine that a carriage would take her to the wedding so she needed to be ready to go. Raoul could come too if he wanted to; he would not be turned away.
Paris had sent a letter to Christine telling the singer the date and time of the wedding. Christine had written back saying that she and Raoul would be there. Now Paris looked at her fiancé and smiled happily. However, she knew she needed to tell Erik that Christine and Raoul would be at the wedding for Erik would not be pleased if they just showed up with out warning.
"Erik, there's something I need to tell you."
"You're not regretting agreeing to marry me are you?" Erik teased.
"No, but it does pertain to the wedding," Paris answered nervously wringing her hands.
"What is it?" Erik asked turning to look at her fully.
"I…I um, I invited Christine to the wedding and she's coming with Raoul," Paris flinched as if waiting to be hit or yelled at.
Erik was silent for a long time before he sighed and looked out the window. When he finally spoke it was in a voice filled with ice. "I guess I should have seen that coming. After all she was your only real friend for so long at the Opera House. I suppose I should have known that since you forgave me you would forgive her and would want her to come to your wedding."
"I didn't want to hurt you; I just wanted her to be at my wedding. She's been like a sister to me. Please don't be mad, Erik. Or is there another reason for this lack of emotion? Are you afraid you'll see Christine and want her back like you did before?" Paris' voice was filled with heat as she sneered her demand.
Erik's head snapped back to face her. He narrowed his eyes angrily. "I can not believe you just asked me that! I love you, Paris but if you think I'm afraid I'll suddenly fall all over myself just to get Christine back then maybe you don't love me as much as you claim you do," Erik snarled.
"I don't understand! You claim your love for Christine was false yet you don't want me to invite her to the wedding. You're making it sound as if you do still have romantic feelings for Christine. If you were really over her then you wouldn't be so worried about her coming! And don't you ever accuse me of not loving you as much as I've claimed!" Paris hissed, her grey blue eyes flashing angrily.
"I am over Christine! I'm marrying you aren't I?" The minute the words left Erik's mouth he knew he had messed up. Paris' eyes widened in shock before they filled with pain and tears.
"So, you're just marrying me to prove you're over Christine." It wasn't a question. "I was the only one who accepted you for who you were and you decided, 'hell why not, she cares for me the way I am and this will show Christine that I'm worthy of someone's affections' and fool that I was I walked right into the stupid trap."
"No, Paris that's not what I meant! I do love you! God, don't say that I don't! You know what my life has been like; the last thing I would do would take advantage of you like that just for my own purposes." Erik desperately tried to explain.
"Why not, you did it before with Christine," Paris shot back.
"That was uncalled for, Paris and you know it. I love you and whether you want to believe me or not when I say that I'm over Christine is up to you. I won't force you to marry me if you don't want to." With that Erik turned away and looked out the window for the rest of the trip.
Paris frowned and turned away to look out the opposite window. The rest of the trip was continued in silence as neither occupant of the carriage wished to be the first to apologize and break the silence. When they arrived at their new home Paris climbed out before Erik could even get out to help her down. Then, hitching up her skirts with an annoyed twist Paris marched towards the house and waited for Erik to pay the driver and come open the door.
Erik glanced over at his pouting fiancée after he paid the driver. He didn't know how much longer he would be able to stand the silence from her. He knew it was partly his fault for making it sound as if he didn't want Christine at the wedding because he feared he still had romantic feelings for her when he really didn't but it was Paris' fault as well for jumping to conclusions like that even after all they had been through to get to where they were. So with a low growl Erik strode up to the front door, which he knew was unlocked thanks to Nadir, scooped Paris up into his arms, opened the door and entered. Paris gave a yelp as Erik swung her up into his arms and grasped his neck. She opened her mouth to yell at him but his lips on hers silenced her.
Paris melted against Erik as he kissed her so he deepened it. He gently let her slid down the length of his body as he held her tightly against him. He felt Paris' fingers grasping tightly to his shoulders as she strained on her tip toes to be closer to him. He smiled at that observation and deepened the kiss even more as he angled his head over hers. Paris moaned and curled her fingers through his hair. Slowly he broke the kiss and stared down into Paris' flushed face, his eyes burning with a fiery emotion that Paris could only call lust for she knew that was what burned in her eyes as liquid heat burned in her lower belly.
"You are the only one I want, Paris! Not Christine, the Queen of England or any other woman available, only you!" He breathed his breath hot on her face while he trailed kisses along her jaw.
"Erik," Paris moaned as she tangled her hands in his hair and let her head fall back. "I'm sorry, I was jealous."
Erik froze at that confession before he raised his head and looked at her for a moment. Then he burst out laughing and swung Paris around in a circle, much to the surprise of the girl. "Jealous, she was jealous!"
"Erik, put me down!" Paris laughed.
"Why didn't you just say so to begin with? I would have understood your feelings better and would have been able to prevent this argument." Erik set Paris down and pulled her into the parlor where Nadir had placed some of the furniture.
"I thought you understood that I was jealous. I pretty much said I was; maybe not in those exact words but the meaning was behind them."
Erik just shook his head with a smile. "I've had very little experience with women Paris as you well know so I'm afraid when it comes to understanding them I have not quite passed that lesson yet."
"Well, I hope I'm the only woman you have to ever understand other wise you will never pass that lesson, I will make sure of that," Paris frowned.
"I hope you're the only one too. There aren't many women like you, my dear and I'm lucky to have found you." Erik gathered Paris close and breathed in the scent of her hair. Paris giggled and pulled Erik in for another kiss.