A/N: Sorry for any confusion in the last chapter about Jaffa Cakes. Didn't occur to me that you couldn't get them outside the UK!

Jaffa Cakes are a sort of biscuit/cake thing. It's a circle of sponge, with tangy orange stuff on top of it, coated in chocolate and they're fantastic. If you want to see what they look like go to Google Image and search for 'Jaffa Cakes'. They're kinda confusing. I mean, it's really a biscuit, but it's called a cake. But when they taste that good… who cares?

Chapter 32

Meg dropped me off at the gates the next day. I started the walk up the driveway to the Manor and when I arrived in the entrance hall, Erik was just coming out of the kitchen. I dropped my bags and dashed across to see him. He swung me around, smiling.

"I missed you so much!"

"After three days?" he queried. I nodded.

"It felt like a lot longer."

After some very enthusiastic kissing and hugging, we made our way down to the kitchen where I handed Erik a parcel.

"Souvenirs!" I told him brightly. He opened the parcel dubiously and smiled slightly as a painting of the River Thames appeared. The smile faded as he drew out a colourful novelty hat. He eyed me and I shrugged, grinning.

"Couldn't resist."

He simply smiled and kissed me again. I smiled back and got up to make tea. But as I had flicked on the kettle Erik asked quietly,

"How was she?"

I froze, took a deep breath and turned to look at him. He was still sat at the table, holding the picture of the Thames in his hands.

"What?" I whispered. Erik looked up at me, perfectly solemn.

"How was she?" I blinked and asked,

"How did you know I would go?"

"Because I know you, Christine." He said simply.

I sighed and said,

"She's… well, she's got a husband. Two stepchildren. Erik-"

"Did she ask about me?" he interrupted.

"Yes. She asked what you were like, what sort of person you were. We… we ended up arguing. She asked me to leave."

He got to his feet and paced the kitchen slowly. After a moment he paused and looked at me.

"Is she happy?"

"I think so. I think she's happy."

"She deserves to be happy." He said, almost to himself. I put my arms around him and whispered,

"So do you." he buried his face in my hair and held me tightly.

"I am. As long as you're here, I am."

"Good thing I'm not going anywhere then." I told him.

He lifted his head and looked me in the face.

"I wanted to talk to you about the other day. When I told you about… about Maralee." I pressed a finger to his lips.

"You don't have to. You have some things you don't want me to know yet. I can wait. I'll wait forever, if I need to. When you're ready." I told him firmly. He took my hand in his and smiled.

"You are incredible. Do you know that?"

"You should probably tell me more often, just to make sure." I said, winking.

At that moment I felt something brush against my legs. I looked down at Ayesha and then scooped her up.

"Hey! Did you miss me?" I asked her. Erik looked rather amused and hugged Ayesha. "Oh. You're so cute. Yes, you are. Yes, you are!"

"Christine, it is a cat."

"A very cute cat." I said, as Ayesha began to purr. Erik sighed.

"I refuse to agree with you on that."

"Why?"

"Because I don't think that 'cute' is a particularly good adjective." He said frankly. I stared at him and then started to giggle.

"You're such a grammar queen!"

"Don't be silly." He told me. But I couldn't stop laughing now, covering my mouth with my hand as I stared at him.

Erik rolled his eyes at my immaturity and I struggled to compose myself.

"OK. I'm not laughing." I said, turning as the kettle boiled. As I put teabags into the pot, I felt his arms snake around my waist.

"I missed you too." He whispered in my ear. I leant back into him, closing my eyes happily. After a few moments of simple happiness I murmured,

"When did things get so complicated, Erik?"

"We always knew it would never be easy."

"Hmm. No such thing as a free ride, right?" I said, twisting my head to look up at him. He pressed his unmasked cheek against my hair.

"The path of true love never did run smooth." He agreed. I smiled.

"We're living testimony to that."

As we sat at the table, a random thought struck me.

"Do we drink too much tea?"

"What?" Erik said, startled.

"It just feels like we're always drinking tea. Do you think we drink too much of it?" I said, considering my cup. Erik lifted an eyebrow and said,

"I never really thought about it."

"Oh well. At least we're upholding the old British stereotypes." I said breezily, getting up to fetch a towel, to wipe up some spilt tea. Erik considered me for a moment, before saying.

"Have you got a class tomorrow?"

"Hmm. Nine to eleven thirty. And I need to do some food shopping as well. Exactly how much food did you and Nadir eat while I was gone?" I said, peering into the fridge. "And I'm going to visit Dad."

I sat back down. Erik nodded and I said casually,

"Want to come with me?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." Erik said. I clasped my hands together, looking at him with hgue doe eyes. He looked away, obviously weakening.

"Please Erik?"

"Christine…"

"Please? For me?" I begged, pouting.

He groaned and I smiled. Got him. I hugged him tightly.

"You're the best!"

"I'm not sure why I put up with you sometimes." He told me. I simply smiled.

"Because I make you tea and buy you Jaffa Cakes. You like tea and Jaffa Cakes."

"Somehow I'm not convinced." I kissed him and he sighed.

"You can't keep doing that every time we disagree." I kissed him again and he couldn't help smiling. I grinned, hugging him again.

"It's not a good idea." He warned me.

"Don't know 'til you try." I said firmly.

But that horrible little voice in the back of my head was telling me that he was right. Sometimes I wanted to murder that little voice.

Isn't it funny how things don't work out the way you think they will? You can plan something for ages, go over it in your head a thousand times and things still go off in a completely different direction. That's what happened when we went to the hospital the next afternoon.

We entered the ward, me carrying flowers, Erik carrying an awkward look on his face. Dad smiled as I entered but the smile faded slightly as he saw Erik. We sat around the table and I asked Dad how he was.

"Not bad. I've got a session this afternoon and they're considering letting me out. So I'd stay here for a couple of days a week and go home the rest of the time."

"Really?"

"Samantha thinks that I need some independence, to look after myself." Dad explained. I smiled.

"Well, that's good, right?"

"I assume so." Dad agreed.

"Are you going to go home?"

"I suppose so. I'll have help and everything. It'll be fine." He assured me. And then he glanced at Erik before looking back at me.

"I know… I know you've settled up at the Manor, but I just want you to know that… that you can come home. It is your home after all."

I smiled gently.

"Thanks Dad."

"Of course, I don't' expect you to move back. Just so you know the offer is open." He said, hurriedly. I squeezed his hand and he smiled at me. Then I looked at Erik and got to my feet.

"I think you guys should talk. You know, without me here."

"Christine-"

"I don't think-"

"I'm not listening!" I said childishly, clamping my hands over my ears and running towards the doors. Once outside I peered back through the window. From what I could see, Dad and Erik were looking awkwardly at everything except each other. I sighed. Why were they being so difficult?

"Christine Daae?" I turned sharply. Samantha smiled at me. "I thought it was you."

"Samantha, hi!"

"Visiting your Dad?"

"Yeah. I'm letting him and Erik have some alone time." I said, gesturing at the window. Samantha peered through.

"So that's Erik?"

"Yeah. I'm guessing you haven't heard much good stuff about him."

"Your father certainly isn't his greatest fan. But I think he respects Erik. I can't really tell you, patient confidentiality and all that."

"It's OK," I assured her, "I think I'd rather just let them get a fresh start."

"Would you like a coffee? I was about to go and get one."

"Coffee would be good."

We went along to the cafeteria, along the corridor and sat at a table, sipping poor quality coffee.

"Dad said that he's going to be let out."

"It's being considered. It would be good for him to get out for a while. And I'd be visiting, he'd have help nearby. You're living with Erik, correct?" Samantha said. I nodded.

"Yeah. Do you know the Manor?"

"Oh, is that where he lives? Charles just said it was a big house. Anyway, I'm guessing you'll be staying with Erik."

"Yes, but I'll definitely be around to help him." I said quickly.

Samantha considered me thoughtfully.

"How old are you, Christine?"

"I was nineteen in December."

"But you've got a lot of responsibility. Taking care of your father, living with an older boyfriend. Do you have a job?"

"Well, Erik is sort of my boss. I mean, I was working for him before we started our relationship, and I still do work, since I live there and everything. It's a bit complicated." I said.

"And college on top of that."

"I live a hectic life." I agreed. Samantha smiled.

"Do you ever find time to relax?"

"Well… I meet my best friend for coffee quite a lot. And I do singing lessons and music with Erik."

"You're close, you and Erik?"

"Hmm."

I didn't feel particularly inclined to share the more stressful details of our relationship of late.

"You had a boyfriend when you first met Erik, didn't you? I remember Charles mentioning someone."

"Raoul, yes. I broke up with him, obviously."

"He didn't take it well?"

"Not really. But we're on speaking terms again now, which is nice." I said swiftly. Samantha observed me for a moment.

"Can I offer you a little advice, Christine?"

"If you want." I said, a little surprised.

"I think you need to get out a little more. I don't mean to sound superior, telling you what to do or anything, but you seem to be growing up awfully fast. I know the circumstances with your mother forced you to take on a lot of responsibility, but you're still young. Having an older boyfriend can't make things easy, but I do think you need to enjoy yourself a little more. Even if it's just simple things, like a night out with some girlfriends."

I thought about it. Samantha held up her hands.

"Just my opinion. I'm only here to make suggestions."

"Well, thanks. You could be right." I agreed. I finished the last of my coffee and then said, "I should probably make sure there's no bloodshed happening."

"Good idea. I was on my way to see your dad when I saw you."

We set off back to the ward and paused to glance through the window. A chess board had materialised between Erik and Dad and they were playing intently. I smiled as we went in.

"Who's winning?"

"I am." They both said. Samantha and I laughed and I took Erik's hand.

"Erik, this is Samantha, Dad's counsellor."

Erik shook Samantha's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He said politely and Samantha smiled.

"Likewise," she said, "I'm glad Charles has finally found a chess partner. I can't play to save my life."

"Neither can I. Dad tried to teach me but I never really caught on." I added. Erik smiled slightly and Dad said,

"Have we got a session now, Samantha?"

"If you want to. Or if you'd rather finish playing…"

"No, we should be going anyway." Erik said, a little hastily. I have him a look and he caught my eye. I nodded.

"OK. I'll come and see you soon, Dad." We hugged and he kissed my cheek before Erik and I left.

As we drove back to the Manor, I asked Erik,

"What happened?"

"Not much. Some long, awkward silences and then he suggested we play chess. So we did."

"Oh. But no arguments?"

"No."

"Well, that's good." I said, glancing out of the window. We drove most of the way in silence. As we started up the driveway, Erik said,

"Is everything alright?" I looked at him, surprised.

"Of course it is. Why?"

"You're rather quiet, that's all."

"Hey, don't complain. It's not likely to happen again in a while!" I laughed. He smiled as we climbed out of the car.

When we went into the entrance hall, Ayesha prowled out of the kitchen to meet us, arching her back against our legs. I picked her up, pressing my face to her soft fur and she purred loudly. Erik smiled and we went down to the kitchen. We had picked up the post from home on the way in and he sorted through it idly, passing me three envelopes. One was from a friend, one was a bill and the third, I didn't recognise the handwriting.

I tore it open casually, reading the contents as I sipped some orange juice. I then spluttered, spraying juice everywhere. Ayesha darted under the table and Erik stared at me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I said quickly. Erik eyed me.

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Because I'm not terribly convincing." I replied, stuffing the letter back into the enveloper. Erik whipped it out of my hand and unfolded it.

"Erik, don't!"

But he had already scanned a few lines and his eyebrows shot up.

"Christine, who's Darren?" He asked sharply.

A/n: Hee hee, cliff-hanger. OMG, I love this film so much. You forget exactly how wonderfully sexy Gerry Butler is. (Sighs and starts to daydream about Phantom…)

ARGH! I am SO sorry about how long this took. This chapter was ready about a week ago, but I got temporarily banned until now. I was so ped off about that.

Wha? Oh, right. Ahem. Anyway, next chapter should be relatively soon. In theory. Except I'm suffering from a slight case of writer's block and I'm having to force myself to sit down and write. But now that The Phantom of the Opera is all posted I should be doing better with this one and A Defensive Situation.

So, leave a review, keep Katie happy and read plenty of fanfiction.

Lotsa luv

Katie