When Erik had docked the boat on the shore of his own lake in his lair he was surprised to find Christine smiling as if she was happy to be back! He blushed slightly as he got out of the boat and placed out his hand so she could take it. She took it without hesitating and walked onto the shore with him. Her big brown eyes were wandering around his home, like she had seen it for the first time. Erik stood by his organ as she walked around carefully touching pictures of her and other objects around his lair. Erik uncomfortably coughed and Christine turned around at him and smiled.
"You're a genius, angel! I have never seen so many fabulous paintings, furniture, and music in my whole life!" she said.
Erik blushed again and responded. "When one lives alone you'll be surprised in how we have much time to learn such things."
Christine frowned, forgetting of his solitude.
"I'm sorry, Angel, I wasn't thinking." Christine apologized.
"Don't worry Christine, it's not your fault." Erik took off his cape "Now what is it that you wanted to talk or see in my lair?"
Christine gave a sigh. "Angel, I came here because I wanted to be with you! You're a good friend." Christine smiled innocently.
"Christine, you and I both know that I'm not an angel so please don't call me that anymore." Erik said as he took a seat on his bench.
Christine's face scrunched up at this question. "I have nothing else to call you, what is it you would like me to call you?" Christine asked.
Erik hesitated for a moment in telling her his name. "It's…..it's…..Erik" he gulped.
Christine smiled. "That's a very handsome name, Erik. Well Erik, I came down here to be with you."
Erik didn't know if he felt happy or sad in the fact that they were just "friends" but he guessed it was better then nothing. Erik never had a friend before unless he accepted Madame Giry who had taken him from his hell. Erik smiled as he looked at Christine who was smiling and she already knew what his face looked like!
Erik felt butterflies in his stomach as he walked towards her.
"Would you like to sit down?" Erik asked as he stood up from the bench and walked towards her.
Christine looked down at the ground and muttered in a shy voice. "Sure, Erik I would like to please."
At first Christine was excited and relieved that Erik had forgiven her and that they would still be talking to one another. But as they got closer to his lair she got uncomfortable not knowing what she would do or say when they got there. When he had reached for her hand she took it willingly and walked onto the shore umserbing everything around her. She saw beautiful pictures of herself, pictures of her past and present as she walked around his dark lair filled with scented and many candles. As she pasted the model of herself in a wedding dress she passed it like she didn't see it. She already knew that Erik had deep feelings for her but Christine was pretty sure that she thought of him as a friend, but when she thought of last night she knew it "just" wasn't friends. She would always push the idea of loving him afraid of her future if she gave him her heart. A chill would run up her spine when she thought about the feelings he gave her when they were singing and dark thoughts would sweep her mind and she couldn't help but succumb to it. She would always curse herself later and try thinking of something else, like eating dinner with Raoul. Christine sighed as she remembered Raoul and his proposal that they should date. Christine knew right away she would give her world to be his wife, but then when she thought about it she suddenly remembered Erik and the affect he had on her. If it were even possibly it seemed like she was in "love" with both men. She would scold herself at the idea though "You can't be in love with Erik you haven't even known him for a day, but then he was there for you most of your life supporting and comforting you as your angel. Raoul you've known since you were little but what did he know of you now! You're a women now!"
Christine had mental fights with herself until Erik had asked her if she wanted to sit down. Christine blushed looking down at the floor after just imagining him and her lovers. As Erik led her to a chair in the back of his lair with a table. He took out some dirty yet beautiful china cups from a cabinet and placed them on a plate in front of her.
"Excuse me for the luxury my dear, I don't have many guests." Erik said as he poured some warm tea in the cup.
Christine looked at the tea swirl in her cup and said "Thank-you Erik." She blushed as they made eye contact. Erik turned away getting the tea and Christine looked down and twisted the satin red napkin on her lap.
That evening they had a wonderful chat and tea.
Christine woke up the next morning in her bed. She assumed that Erik had brought her back up when she fell asleep. They had been singing together when Erik did his own duet and Christine couldn't help but fall asleep and let the music consume her. She was a little disappointing in not saying goodnight before she left but she knew in her heart she would be seeing him soon.
She got out of her bed and sleepily walked towards the curtains pulling them back as the sunlight lit her room. She put her hand over her eyes covering the glare of the sun as she looked at the people below. She smiled at the people below her and turned towards her dresser to brush her hair. She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw a letter on her dresser addressed to her. She knew immediately who it was from and opened quickly. She gazed over the letter, reading a couple of times before dropping it on her bed. She placed a hand on her heart and gasped "Erik!"
Christine quickly got dressed and headed towards rehearsals. She found Meg stretching and smiling up at her friend. "Good morning sleepy-head, I presume your doing well after a splendid performance last night!" Meg said smiling at her friend.
"I'm fine Meg, just a little stressed about things." Christine sighed as she sat down on the floor with Meg.
"You want to talk about it?" Meg asked
"Maybe later Meg." Christine responded as Madame Giry walked into the room.
"Well good morning Ms. Daee! I presume that your acceptation for missing practice is a good one?" Madame Giry asked placing her hands on her hips.
Christine gulped looking at Madame Giry with a sorry smile. "It won't happen again Madame. I promise!" Christine apologized.
Madame Giry gave her a stern look and said "Very well, you did well last night my dear. You should be proud of yourself."
Christine blushed at the compliment as others snickered around her except Meg who beamed at her. "Thank-you." was all Christine could say.
As she walked around the opera she found that the ballerinas found every way possibly to snicker at her and talk about her behind her back. Christine felt angry and sorrowful tears fill in the corners of her eyes but wouldn't accept them to win. She walked to the rooftop and stared in awe at the Paris surroundings. She was surprised to find that Raoul was up there as well.
"Hello Little Lotte, have you come up here to enjoy the view of Paris?" Raoul asked.
"Indeed I have Raoul, one of my favorite features of the Paris Opera house." Christine gulped. "So Raoul how are you?"
Raoul looked at her for a brief second and then turned his gaze again to Paris. "I'm fine I guess. Just stressed at the idea of you not accepting my friendly invitation."
Christine rolled her eyes and pushed Raoul playfully. "Raoul, don't joke like that. I told you I would love to go to dinner with you and I would love to date you. I'm just going through something now that I need to settle before I date you."
Raoul turned his gaze again to Christine and held her hands. "I wasn't joking Christine. You have matured and turned into a beautiful women. I've known you since we were little and I know we get along. I love you Christine." Raoul said as he held her hands.
Christine blushed at his words and again felt the strange feeling in her stomach. Her brain began to pound in her head in how Raoul's touch was much different from Eriks. She had no idea in which was love and one was a crush. Then all of a sudden she saw Raoul pucker his lips and move towards her lips.
A/N: sorry that this chapter wasn't as interesting, it's a chapter that was necessary thought. I hope you don't mind the cliff hangers! J
