UPDATED 6/5/2014: A/N: Okay, in case anyone is interested, there was a chapter before this that was another explicit Lemon and is a bonus story on my stories list. I have since added it. It was easier to do than trying to submit it within this story. But otherwise, I only own Paris, the rest belong to Gaston Leroux and Sir Lloyd Webber.

Chapter Eighteen

"Are you going to be warm enough?"

"I should be. You bought me this cloak and you always buy me the best. So this cloak should be more than warm enough," Paris smiled as Erik helped her into the rented carriage that Raoul had sent.

"I'm just making sure. It's been very cold in Paris this year and I don't want you getting sick," Erik frowned.

"With you around I doubt a cold will even think about coming at me. That scowl you're wearing is enough to scare any illness away," Paris grinned as she tickled Erik's chin.

Erik just grinned and pulled Paris into the crook of his arm. They were on their way to the de Chagny wedding and Erik still felt wary about going even though they would be hidden most of the time from the rest of the guests. Erik sighed and glanced out the window of the carriage as it carried them out of the village that had become home to him and Paris. He was rather surprised that he had come to think of the village as home since he had only lived their for about six months and he had lived in Paris for so many years he couldn't even remember how many. Glancing down at Paris as she shifted against him he smiled. He had a feeling she was the reason for the village feeling like home.

"You okay?" Paris asked softly looking up at Erik.

"Never better, love. Just thinking," Erik smiled and kissed her nose. Paris giggled and reached up to pull him down for a longer kiss. "Keep kissing me like that and I'll have to tell this carriage to stop and drag you off into the woods which will make us late."

"I don't mind," Paris whispered against his lips before he claimed hers again.

"Hmm, I just bet you don't," Erik chuckled softly.

Paris pulled Erik down over her in the small carriage as she kissed him heatedly. Erik grinned against her lips as he tried to adjust his position on the thin seat. Paris ran her hands through his long hair pulling the ribbon out. Erik held Paris' head between his hands gently as he slanted his mouth over hers. He was vaguely aware that the driver could probably hear them but he pushed that thought aside as he felt Paris' fingers working at his cravat. Erik had a feeling that things would have gone much farther if the carriage hadn't suddenly hit a hole in the road causing them to fall onto the floor.

Erik chuckled as he climbed back up onto the seat and helped his laughing wife up as well. He retied his cravat and tied his hair back much to Paris' disappointment. He just grinned as Paris crossed her arms and pouted.

"It would not be good etiquette if we showed up looking like we had just wrestled in a tiny carriage. Christine would not be pleased and I'd hate to think what the Vicomte would think."

"You always ruin my fun."

"That's not what you said last week in the music room," Erik grinned with a wink.

"You only let me win that game of chess," Paris said her nose in the air.

Erik laughed and pulled Paris towards him for a kiss. Paris resisted at first but with Erik's insistent mouth nibbling on her jaw and ear her resistance fell away and she turned her head to capture his lips. This kiss was more tamed. Once Erik pulled away slowly he settled back with Paris resting against his side. The rest of the ride was made in comfortable silence.

"Paris, love, we're here," Erik whispered softly as he gently shook Paris awake.

"Mmm, just a few more minutes, please?"

"I'm sorry chérie, but we must get out. Christine is waiting to see you and we must pay the driver."

Paris sighed and sat up with a stretch before allowing Erik to help her out of the carriage. Looking up at the huge estate Paris felt her breath catch. It was white and at least three stories tall. It stretched over a few hundred yards over the lawn. Paris glanced back at Erik who was gathering up their luggage. She hoped she never lost him in the hallways for she knew if he wandered off without her she would never be able to find him again.

"Are you all right, darling?" Erik asked catching the worried look Paris was throwing at him.

"I want you to promise to never wander off without me. I'd never find you again!" Paris gasped as she gripped her husband's arm tightly.

"You'll never be out of my sight," Erik reassured her.

Paris breathed a sigh of relief and sagged against Erik. Just then the front door opened and Christine stepped out with a broad grin on her pretty face. Paris needed no encouragement to run up the steps to greet her friend.

"Oh, Paris it's so good to see you! It's been so long. You must visit more often from now on. You look well, have you been well?" Christine exclaimed excitedly.

"I have been just marvelous. Oh, Christine I have so much to tell you."

Christine's smile faded just a tad as she shot a glance over towards Erik. "We'll have to talk before any of the other guests arrive. They're due to start arriving tomorrow and we must hide you and Erik from them."

"We understand, Mademoiselle Daaé," Erik stated, his expression serious.

With a nod from Christine she turned and hurried them inside the house. Raoul came from one of the side rooms to greet them. He cast a wary glance over at Erik but he stuck his hand to shake Erik's nonetheless.

"Welcome to my home. I hope you will find your stay comfortable despite the unusual circumstances," Raoul stated kissing Paris' hand.

"I'm sure everything will be fine, Monsieur de Chagny. My wife and I will stay out of the way of the other guests. After all, our lives are important to us as much as your reputations are. We will not jeopardize either." Erik's answer was strict and almost a sneer. Paris glanced at her husband with a confused frown.

Raoul however did not seem to catch the hostile tone in Erik's voice. Instead he smiled and gave a nod. "That's good to hear. Now, Christine and I shall show you to your room. We are placing you in the west wing while the rest of the guests will be in the east wing. One of my most trusted servants will attend to you when neither Christine nor I can."

"That will be fine," Paris smiled.

Raoul slipped Christine's arm through his and turned to lead the Desslars to their room. Paris slipped her arm through Erik's and smiled up at him. He glanced down at her and winked. The room Raoul led them to was near the far end of the wing, far away from the main part of the house, Erik noted. However, after glancing down at the woman clinging to his arm he understood the need for space like this.

"Well, here we are. This is your room. We'll leave you to get settled and we'll send someone to get you for dinner at six. After that, I'm sure, Madame Desslar, Christine would enjoy your company so that you two can catch up," Raoul said.

Paris nodded and smiled at Christine. Then with a polite nod, Raoul led Christine out of the room and left Paris and Erik alone. Paris waited for the door to close before she turned to face her husband with her hands upon her slender hips and a frown upon her face.

"What was that about earlier? You practically bit Raoul's head off."

"I am sorry but Monsieur de Chagny pretty much said that we are in inconvenience to him. I can understand him saying such a thing to me alone but you are Christine's friend and I highly doubt Christine would be too pleased with him if he continued to be so cold towards you," Erik explained. He turned towards where one of the servants had placed his and Paris' luggage.

"Christine would be upset with Raoul if he was mean to you too. He knows you love me and not Christine anymore. I don't know why Raoul would be so mean to you after how nice he was at our wedding. I thought you two had gotten along well that day," Paris frowned in confusion as she watched her husband unpacking.

"We were never close friends, Paris. We could barely stand each other since we were both vying for Christine's affections. I'm sure he still resents me for everything I've done with Christine and is worried I'll try something to her. After all, I am the spurned lover," Erik sneered as he shot a glare over at Paris.

Paris was silent for a moment before she straightened her back, through back her shoulders and held her head high. "I refuse to get jealous, Monsieur Desslar. I don't care what you say, you love me and Raoul will just have to accept that. If he still can't get over the past then that's his problem but goading him on with your anger and veiled threats will not do any good."

Erik looked silently at his wife and felt his heart constrict when he saw the tears in her eyes. He had hurt her with his words. He had practically said he planned on going after Christine just to show Raoul that Erik was not going to stand by and let the Vicomte throw jibes at him and get away with it. Erik closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Paris. Being back here in Paris has brought my old defenses back up. I have no intentions of messing with the Vicomte's head where Christine is concerned. You are the only woman who will ever turn my head and de Chagny will just have to see that for himself."

Paris looked at her husband for moment before nodding silently. Taking a calming breath she walked over and began to unpack her bags. She was tired and dirty from the ride to the estate so her nerves were raw and she knew Erik's were too. Once everything was unpacked and put away Erik rang the bell for a servant. A few minutes later a timid knock sounded at the door. Erik retreated to the shadows by the bed while Paris opened the door.

"You rang, Miss?" the young maid asked.

"Yes, um, would you be so kind as to draw a bath for me?" Paris asked.

"Of course, Miss. Right away, Miss," the girl curtsied and hurried to follow her orders.

A short while later a tub was filled with hot water and the maid left after Paris shooed her away. Stepping behind the changing screen Paris stripped out of her dusty clothes and pulled a dressing robe around her shoulders. She stepped out from behind the screen and padded over towards the large tub. After testing the water she dropped her robe and gingerly stepped into the tub. She breathed a sigh of contentment as she sank into the hot water.

"Scoot forward," Erik's voice commanded from behind her. Paris grinned and did as she was told. A few seconds later the water rose around her even more as her husband joined her in the tub. She watched with amusement as his legs slid around her and she was caught between his thighs. She leaned back against Erik's hard chest with a sigh. They sat that way for a few minutes before Erik shifted and began to wash them.

"As much as I'd love to just sit here in the bath with you, love, we have to be ready for dinner by six and it's already after five," Erik chuckled when Paris made a noise of protest at having to wash up and get out of the tub. Erik made such a nice back rest.

"Fine, but I get to wash your feet."

Erik barked with laughter at his wife's comment. He still couldn't figure out her strange obsession with his feet. No matter how many times she explained it to him he was still lost so he had given up asking and just went along with it.

Once they were clean Erik helped Paris out of the tub and dried her off with a large fluffy towel before he dried himself off. Paris turned to make her way over to the wardrobe but slipped upon a puddle of water. Erik moved to catch her but just as she hit his chest his foot slipped out from under him on the same puddle and they went crashing painfully to the floor. Erik was thankful that he was on the bottom for if he hadn't been he had a feeling he would have crushed Paris with his weight. Paris suddenly began shaking.

"Paris, love, are you all right?" Erik asked frantically. He tried to shift so that he could see her but a sharp pain traveled up his back where he had landed on it.

"I'm fine. That must have been so funny to see," Paris gasped around her laughter. Erik breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that she was fine. A few seconds later he joined her laughter as he pictured what they must have looked like in his mind.

Once they calmed down they carefully stood up and examined themselves for any serious injuries. Seeing none they got dressed quickly and cleaned up the mess they had made with the bath water. Next time they would lay a towel next to the tub to absorb any spills. At a quarter to six a knock sounded at the door. Paris answered it again and saw that it was servant who had brought their luggage to their room.

"I am here to show you and Monsieur Desslar to the dining hall."

"Oh, yes of course. Erik, dinner's ready," Paris said turning towards her husband who was combing his hair back. Erik just nodded to indicate that he had heard. "Lead the way, sir."

The servant, a middle aged man with light brown hair and light blue eyes turned and began walking down the hallway. Paris hurried after him followed closely by Erik who tried to remain in the shadows. They were led into a large room with a rather long table. Raoul and Christine were already seated when Erik and Paris entered. They stood up for their guests upon seeing them.

"You look much better, Paris. Much more refreshed. Is the room to your liking?" Christine asked as soon as Paris was helped into her seat by Erik who sat down next to his wife with a slight wince of pain.

Paris cast an amused glance at Erik before answering. "Yes, the room is just fine and I feel relatively better. I don't know if I can say the same for my husband though."

"Oh, is something wrong, Erik?"

"No, everything is fine. Just some slight bruising."

"Bruises? Was the trip down so bumpy?" Christine asked her eyes wide with worry.

"Oh the trip was fine Christine; it was the bath that was a bit painful," Paris answered with a grin.

"Why would the bath be painful?" Christine frowned.

"Let's stop this conversation where it is. I don't like where it's going," Raoul broke in with a sip of his wine.

"We slipped on some spilled water by the tub. Erik took the brunt of the fall when he caught me, that's all. Now we can change the subject."

"Thank you."

Christine was silent for a moment as Paris' comment sunk in then she covered her mouth with her hand and laughed as silently as she could. Raoul cast a reproachful look at his fiancée before turning an accusing look at Paris.

"Now look what you've done, she'll be laughing about that all through dinner," Raoul sighed with annoyance.

"Well at least your dinners won't be dull, de Chagny, will they?" Erik asked with a twinkle in his eye and a smirk on his lips. Raoul just sighed and gulped down the rest of his wine. This was going to be a long night, he could just tell.