Chapter 43

I stared at him. He was watching me, almost fearfully. I mouthed wordlessly, stunned. Erik moved towards me and grasped my hands tightly in his.

"Christine, I want you to marry me."

I still couldn't speak, staring at him with wide eyes. He looked so scared, fearful of rejection, hopeful and yet terrified.

"Erik…"

"Please… Christine, will you marry me?" He whispered breathlessly, his eyes fixed on mine. His hands were squeezing mine so tightly it almost hurt. My heart was pounding in my chest and my head was spinning. If he hadn't been holding onto me I probably would have fallen.

And I still couldn't speak. My mouth was open but the words had vanished. Erik closed his eyes and bowed his head, pressing his hands and mine to his lips. He spoke in a quietly desperate voice.

"I can't… I just keep thinking about the fire. What could have happened if you were here. I could have lost you and when I think about that, it makes me feel so afraid. I just… I can't go another day without you. I can't imagine waking up in the morning and you not being there. I need you. I love you."

I stared at him. His head was still bowed and his hands were still clasping mine. They were so warm. There was a roll of thunder, a flash of lightning.

I pulled my hands away from him. He met my eyes fearfully. I looked at him without smiling, without speaking. Then I reached up and pulled the mask away from his face. He flinched back but I caught his arm, dropping the mask to the floor.

"Ask me again." I whispered. He blinked.

"What?"

"Ask me without the mask."

He seemed confused but he took my hands again and pressed them to his chest, so hard I could feel the beat of his heart.

"Christine… will you marry me?"

I licked my lips, my throat painfully dry. The ridges and scars on Erik's face were illuminated suddenly by a flash of lightning but I barely noticed them. I took a shuddering breath.

"Yes."

He gazed at me and I was surprised to see that the fear was still in his eyes.

"Yes?" he breathed and I nodded, fighting tears.

"Yes. I'll marry you."

It was no good. I let out a sob, the tears escaping despite my efforts. Erik was gazing at me and then he had pulled me towards him in a kiss. I placed my hands on his cheeks as we kissed, still crying uncontrollably and when he pulled away I saw that there were tears in his eyes as well.

"You'll really marry me?"

"Yes. It's all I ever wanted." I replied, wiping my eyes on my sleeves. Erik's face, which had been stuck in that state of desperation now changed into a smile of pure joy, despite the tears in his eyes. I smiled back and kissed him again.

After a few moments he started to dig around in his pockets.

"I have… there's a ring." I made a noise halfway between a sob and laugh as he pulled out a small box. He opened it and showed me the ring. I put a hand to my mouth.

"Erik, it's… god, it's beautiful." It was a simple gold band with three stone set on the top. The centre stone was a perfect diamond. I don't claim to have any knowledge of precious gems, but I knew it was lovely. On either side of it were delicate green emeralds.

Erik took my left hand and slid it on, kissing my finger softly before kissing me on the lips again. I put my arms around his neck and he held me tightly.

"I can't believe you said yes." He murmured. I laughed weakly.

"What else would I say?"

We were silent for some time. The storm raged outside but I barely heard it as I kissed Erik's ravaged cheek, his mouth his forehead. And then the oddest thought in the world struck me and I snorted with laughter. Erik looked rather alarmed.

"What?"

"This means I owe Darren five pounds."

I didn't hear the others come home that night. To be fair, I wasn't paying attention. All that mattered was Erik. We didn't leave each other all night and suddenly I realised that the sun had risen. I blinked and looked up at Erik. He was watching me with soft eyes. I smiled and kissed him for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"It's morning already." I commented.

"I noticed." He looked around suddenly. "My mask…"

I searched around and found it under the bed. One of us had picked it up after we came up from the music room. I looked at it for a moment and then at Erik. But I couldn't bring myself to ask him to leave it off. I handed it to him and then looked around.

"Shower. I need a shower."

"We both do." He commented. I smiled and went into the bathroom, stretching. The ring on my finger caught my eye and I paused to look at it.

I had the sudden overwhelming urge to giggle like a schoolgirl.

When we were both dressed I looked at Erik.

"Are we going to tell them?"

"Your choice."

"Let's not. I want to see how long before they notice the ring." I grinned. Erik sighed.

"Give a woman a piece of jewellery and she goes insane."

"Too right." I smiled. Then Erik reached for me, kissing me softly. I smiled and then said, "Breakfast?"

"I suppose so. Eggs?"

"If you want." I laughed.

Darren and Meg were rolling pieces of cereal across the floor for Ayesha to chase when we got downstairs. Erik and I stared at them and they both blushed, getting to their feet. I smiled.

"I'm making eggs. You want?"

"Ooh, Christine Eggs! What's the special occasion?" Meg grinned, sitting down at the table. I shrugged and went to the fridge as Erik picked up the newspaper.

"How was the film?" I asked. Meg smiled.

"Oh, it was so good! It's a pity you didn't come with us, you would have really enjoyed it."

"I was happy enough here." I said casually. Erik looked up and smiled. I smiled back, cracking eggs into a bowl. Meg looked from me, to Erik and back again. She was about to speak when I said,

"What time did Nadir get in?"

"I don't know, I was asleep." Darren replied. Meg whistled.

"Never knew he had it in him!"

"Who didn't have what?" Nadir said, coming into the kitchen, hair wet from the shower. Meg flushed.

"Nothing. Christine's making eggs."

He glanced over hopefully and I rolled my eyes.

"Eggs for all. Can someone do the toast and drinks?" Nadir filled the kettle as Meg stuck bread into the toaster. And then she screamed. I dropped the bowl of eggs. It splashed to the floor and Ayesha began to lap it up. Darren jumped to his feet and stared at her.

"Meg, what's wrong?" he shouted. She was jumping up and down, still shrieking. Erik stared at her in astonishment and Nadir hadn't noticed that the kettle was running over with water.

"Meg, stop screaming!" Darren yelled.

She didn't stop screaming. Instead she leant over, grabbed my hand and began to wave it about. Unfortunately, she pulled me straight into the puddle of eggs. Ayesha yowled as I accidentally trod on her tail and went dashing off. I slipped straight over, pulling Meg with me. Erik jumped up to help me up, tripped over the screeching cat, fell heavily onto the table which rammed forward, hitting Darren in the side and he fell over. Nadir jumped out of the way, only to send the kettle flying into the air, spilling water over all of us and falling over Darren.

For a moment we sat in stunned surprise. And the Meg began to giggle. I followed suit and soon we were all laughing, including Erik. Nadir helped up Darren as Meg climbed off of me. Erik held out his hand and pulled me up. Darren looked at Meg.

"OK, what the hell was with the screaming?"

"Look! Look!" she said, taking my hand again and waving it in his face. He blinked.

"It's a hand."

"Not the hand, you moron! The ring!"

"It's very… shiny." Darren said, bewildered. Nadir realised what Meg meant and stared at us.

"You mean… you're…"

"Will somebody please explain to me what is going on?" Darren begged.

Erik and I looked at each other and then he said, putting an arm about my waist,

"Christine and I are… getting married."

Meg began to scream again but I picked up a bread roll and stuffed it into her open mouth.

"Give our ears time to recover." I told her firmly. Darren stared from me to Erik and then grinned.

"Really?"

"Really." I said, holding up my hand. Meg spat the roll out and seized my hand, admiring the ring.

"Good lord, that is one gorgeous ring! Hey, Erik, if she turns you down, I'll have the ring!"

"Too late. I already said yes." I told her. Meg squealed, hugging me and then Erik who looked surprised but pleased.

"Oh my god, you guys, this is so fantastic! Ooh, can I be a bridesmaid? Maid of honour?" She looked at me eagerly and I laughed.

"Hang on, we're not… I mean… I want to finish college and everything. I know I've only got one more year of it but still… and I've got to tell Dad."

I looked at Erik.

"That's not going to be fun." I said.

"I thought he was OK with you guys now." Meg said, starting to wipe up the water and eggs. I shrugged.

"Just about OK with the idea of us being together. Marriage is… big. Should we tell him straight away?" I asked Erik. He looked as unsure as I did.

"Why not ask Samantha what she thinks?" Darren suggested.

"Good idea." Erik said and Darren grinned.

"I'm full of them."

"Well, I'll call her after breakfast and ask her." I said, "But first I'll make some more eggs."

Darren suddenly cleared his throat and held out his hand. I pulled a face.

"Oh fine." I muttered, pulling a five pound note out of my pocket and slapping it into his hand. "But I want that back if Dad kills Erik."

Samantha proved to be incredibly helpful.

"I think the best thing to do would be to just tell him. I'm assuming this is a long term engagement?"

"Yes, I want to finish college first."

"Good idea. Make sure Charles knows that and make sure you both tell him. I'll let you use my office, rather than announcing it in the middle of the ward. Then, if he doesn't react well, I can step in, calm him down and we can work on him together. But we can't make him feel like we're ganging up on him. Come over this afternoon and we'll do it then."

"OK. Thanks Samantha." I hung up the phone and told Erik what she'd said. He nodded.

"That's a good idea."

I smiled and stretched.

"I'm so tired."

"We didn't exactly get much sleep." Erik admitted. I laughed and put my arms around his neck, looking up at him.

"Oh well. We'll live."

"Unless your father decides to have as murdered."

"He won't. I mean… he won't be overjoyed but there's really not much he can do about it. I'm a legal adult and he knows we're serious anyway…"

My voice trailed away and I started to think about Dad's possible reactions. Doubt filled my mind but the touch of Erik's hand in mine banished the thoughts.

"We've survived this much. What could possibly happen?" he told me.

Dad seemed to be in a good mood when we arrived. He smiled brightly.

"Two visits in two days? Should I be suspicious, Christine?"

Irony, sweet irony.

I smiled weakly as Erik greeted Dad. Samantha came in and smiled.

"My office is free. Go on in."

"Why are we going into the office?" Dad asked. I said,

"Dad… we've got something to tell you, but… in the office."

We went into Samantha's room and she looked at me.

"Shall I stay?"

"Yes, please." I said, sitting down opposite Dad, next to Erik. He was eying me.

"Christine, I know that look. What's going on?"

Suddenly his eyes widened and he went a very odd colour.

"Good God, are you pregnant?" He demanded. Erik stared in horror and my jaw fell open.

"No! No, definitely not!"

"Oh thank God…" Dad said, clutching his heart and sinking back into his chair. He looked at me suspiciously.

"Then what is it?"

I clutched Erik's hand and was about to explain when Erik stepped in,

"Mr Daae… I want to marry your daughter."

I expected fireworks. And after a moment they arrived.

"What!" Dad spluttered. Erik remained calm.

"I have asked Christine to marry me and she has said yes." Erik said. The colour of Dad's face, which had been altering between normal and scarlet now turned a shade of beetroot as he stared from Erik to me. Neither Erik nor I spoke, waiting for him to say something.

"I can't believe this." He managed to say eventually.

"Dad, it's not like we're going to be running off to an altar by the end of the week. I want to finish college, Erik is going to be working on his opera, this is strictly a long term engagement." I said soothingly.

He wasn't soothed.

"Christine, you are nineteen years old! And don't give me that 'I'm a legal adult' speech, either. You are still a child. Marriage is a huge commitment, one I don't think you are ready for!"

"I know, Dad. But I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't think that this would work. I don't want to be with anyone other than Erik. I know this is big, but it's not like we're rushing into it-"

"You haven't even been together for a year!" Dad shouted.

Erik looked at me.

"Christine, I'd like to speak to your father alone for a moment."

"No." I said flatly but Dad said,

"I think that's a very good idea. Go out please, Christine. Samantha, could you take her?"

"I don't need to be taken anywhere!" I said furiously. Erik touched my hand.

"Please, Christine."

I looked at him for a moment and then went to the door. Samantha followed me and put a sympathetic hand on my shoulder.

"We can't say we didn't expect that."

"I know. I just don't like idea of leaving them alone together." I said, trying to peer through the blinds that hung over the door. "OK, I can't see a thing."

"You're not supposed to. It's a counselling room. I'm glad to see it works." Samantha smiled. I groaned and leant against the wall.

"If I get back in there and one of them is dead…"

"They're both mature adults. They will sort this out with minimum bloodshed. Can I see the ring?" she asked. I held out my left hand and she admired the ring.

"That's gorgeous."

"I know." I couldn't help smiling and then I closed my eyes. "I know this is… sudden. And there's so much to think about. And I know we haven't even been together for that long, it's just… I just want to be with him. It makes sense, you know?"

Samantha smiled faintly and said,

"Charles is just having trouble coming to terms with the idea that you're not a child. He doesn't want to let you go. You're the one thing he has that connects to your mother. He's not ready to let you go yet."

I closed my eyes, thinking of Mum. What would she have thought about all of this? I could think of only two reactions she might have had. One would have been to frown and tell me that I'm acting very immaturely. The other would have been for her to hug Erik very tightly and start wedding planning. That's the kind of woman my mother was. She put all she had into everything, never seemed to think about herself for a single moment. Even when she had been at home ill, recovering from chemotherapy, I would usually get in from school to find she was writing a new song, or had prepared snacks for me, Meg and Raoul.

Samantha was only half right. I was the thing that connected Dad to Mum. He was the thing that connected Mum to me.

"Christine? Are you alright?"

I opened my eyes and saw Samantha watching me worriedly.

"Yeah. Just… thinking about Mum. What she would have thought of Erik."

"What would she have thought?" Samantha asked.

"I think she would have adored him." I smiled.

It was twenty minutes later when the door opened and Dad looked out at us.

"You can come back in now." We went in and I was relieved to see that Erik was still breathing. I sat down, trying not to look as nervous as I felt. Erik took my hand and squeezed it gently. I offered him a smile as Dad sat down opposite us. Suddenly I felt like a naughty child in the headmaster's office at school. Dad didn't speak for a minute and then he sighed.

"OK. Christine, I'm not even going to pretend for one minute that I'm happy about this. Because I'm not. I think you're too young, I don't think you've thought this through and I think you're rushing into this headfirst, which you tend to do a lot. I mean, look at that motorbike."

I couldn't disagree with the motorbike thing. Dad leant forward.

"Erik and I have been talking and we've come up with an agreement. The main part of this is that it is a long term engagement."

"I know. As I said, I want to finish college." I said quickly and Dad nodded.

"We also think that it would be a good that before you even start thinking about planning a wedding, you both talk to someone. Samantha knows relationship counsellors; I want you to talk to one."

"Dad-"

"Christine, let me finish." he said sternly. I fell silent.

He looked at me closely and then said, "Christine, you are the most important thing in my life and I'm not going to risk losing you again. Erik has assured me that you mean just as much to him. And I could see how much you love him after the fire, when you wouldn't leave his side."

I squeezed Erik's hand tightly, so nervous I felt a little sick. Then Dad smiled slightly.

"Now that I've told you off and hopefully made you feel very bad about yourself, I suppose I should congratulate you." I laughed and then reached over to his him.

"Thanks Dad."

"Don't thank me yet. Let's see how long before you're shouting at me after I keep interfering." He joked.

On the way back to the Manor I looked at Erik.

"Relationship counsellors? Really?"

"Yes. We're going to do everything he asks, if it'll keep the peace." Erik said as we turned onto the twisting road up to the house. I nodded.

"I guess. So, what sort of wedding do you want?" I asked, looking at him sideways. His eyebrow lifted.

"I can't say I've thought about it."

"Not a huge one, though."

"Definitely not." He agreed.

I closed my eyes in relief.

"Oh, thank god. Urgh, I'm going to have to invite my family aren't I? Otherwise they'll never talk to me again."

"Or you could not invite them and then you'll never have to talk to them again." Erik pointed out. I smiled.

"Good point. No, I should probably invite them. Well, at least we don't have to worry about that for a while. Hey, I'm going to be Christine Lavonne."

The name sounded so peculiar, so foreign. Erik smiled.

"Christine Lavonne? That sounds so…"

"I know. It's weird. But good-weird." I said decisively. "Mrs Christine Lavonne. OK, the 'Mrs' part is a bit scary."

"Hmm. Let's get through your college year and this opera before we start thinking about all of that." Erik agreed. We arrived at the gates and he leaned out of the window to tap in the code for the gates. As we drove up the driveway he glanced over at me.

"You've seen how I can be. I have a bad temper, I'm temperamental and I tend to be very unpredictable. Are you sure you still want to marry me?"

I smiled at him.

"Are you kidding? You put up with me and my hormones, and you faced my Dad alone. You're the one getting the bad end of the deal here."

"I don't think so." Erik said as we went into the garage. He looked over at me as he took out the car keys. "You make good eggs."

"Oh, I see. You're marrying me for my eggs." I said, putting on a hurt face,

"Absolutely." He said, half-teasingly as we went inside.

A/N: Like I'd make her say no. Pfft, yeah right!

The whole Nadir/Samantha thing. A lot of people thought it would be Charles/Samantha but I just didn't think that was right, not with her being his counsellor. And the idea of her seeing Nadir just appealed to me.

Depply-In-Love requested that I do a floor plan for the Manor so you could see how it looks in my head. I have done so! Be warned, I hobbled it together on paint at about 10:30 last night, so it's kinda crap.

http/ img.photobucket. com/albums/v178/Kat097/ManorPlan. jpg

Take out the spaces or it won't work!

And, OK, you have GOT to stop or I am NEVER going to finish this story! I was determined to finish it on 45 but now I'm doubting...

...please don't stop reviewing.


Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie