CHAPTER 32

Christine woke facing her husband, who was still sleeping contently. Erik seemed to have a slight smile upon his face. She propped herself up on her left elbow and rested her head in her hand, looking upon him. This was the first time she was able to view his marred side without Erik feeling uneasy.

His mask had been a part of him for so long, that he could barely go without it. Sometimes he would completely forget it was there and he would fall asleep with it on.

She hoped that with her by his side, he would learn to not be so dependant on the mask. "In time, my love," she smiled as she traced his right side with her hand lovingly.

Erik began to stir as he felt Christine's delicate fingers caressing his marred side.

With his eyes still closed he spoke. "Mon ange, must you be so curious? That side of my face should hold no interest for you."

"I love this part of you as much as any other part of your body, Erik, so don't try and convince me otherwise." Christine said firmly, rolling on top of him and kissing the right side of his face reverently.

Erik kept his eyes closed as he relished in the affection his wife gave him. He finally had someone whom he could trust openly. He would have no need to hide his face or his body from Christine. She loved him for who he was, just a man.

"I shall not want to leave our bed if you continue to seduce me, Christine."

"I'm not trying to get you to leave the bed, Erik," she said, nuzzling his neck.

Erik growled and held her tight, taking control, and turning her over. "So, you wish to play? I warn you, I am not known to play fair," he sneered teasingly then kissed her neck amorously.

Christine surrendered herself to him as he ran his hands along the sides of her body. He moved from her neck to her breasts, kissing each one tenderly. He reached her stomach and ran his long fingers against it slowly, reveling in the feel of her satin-like skin. As he bent to kiss her stomach he heard it rumble.

"I do believe you've worked up an appetite, bel ange," he said looking up to her with a grin.

Christine blushed and covered her head with a pillow in embarrassment.

Erik moved back up to her and took the pillow away. "Do not hide from me, mon amour," he said kissing her quickly on the lips. "Let's get some breakfast and then maybe I will let you win our game later."

"Let me win?" Christine said surprised as she tried to slap him on his arm.

Erik moved from the bed swiftly. "Perhaps, you wish to play a game of chase?" He grinned, donning his robe and grabbing hers from the chair.

Christine's eyes lit up as she steadied herself on the bed with a determined look on her face.

As they stared at each other in anticipation of one another's move, Christine leapt off the bed.

Erik threw Christine's robe over her head and sprinted out of the door laughing playfully as he gained a head start.

Nicolas had everything prepared out on the stone terrace as Erik specified. There was an array of fresh fruits, sweet rolls, assorted breakfast meats, and a fresh pot of tea. In the middle was a single red rose with Erik's trademark black ribbon and on one of the chairs lay a package, wrapped in golden paper.

Christine stepped onto the terrace trying to catch her breath, and Erik peeked his head above the newspaper he was reading and smiled.

"What took you so long, mon ange?"

"You… are absolutely… terrible! I know you must… have some… shortcut around here!" She said between breaths.

Placing his paper on the table, Erik got up and held her close, kissing the top of her curls.

"Forgive me, mon amour. I shall learn to play fairly with you," he grinned mischievously.

Christine steadied her breathing and closed her eyes against his chest.

The grumble of her stomach made them both laugh.

"Come. Let us take care of that demanding stomach of yours," Erik winked at her as he led her to the table.

"Erik?" Christine questioned as she saw the golden present before her.

Erik simply smiled as he picked it up and placed it on the table so that he could seat her.

He took to his seat and poured her a cup of tea. "Go ahead and open it," he assured.

Christine tore at the wrapper and lifted the top portion of the box. Hidden within, she pulled out a cherrywood finished, handcrafted music box. In the front was clear glass that displayed the scenery within the box; five miniature couples danced around a lighted ballroom to Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty." Opening the lid of the music box, she found a beautiful gold charm bracelet with musical notes attached.

She began to cry.

"Mon ange, please do not cry. Though, I do hope this means you like it." Erik looked at her searching her face.

"Erik, I love it! It's so beautiful! You have given me so much in such a short time. I am just happy to be with you, mon amour. You shouldn't feel the need to shower me with gifts. All I ever wanted was your love and you have given that to me. It is the best gift I will ever receive," she said as she sniffled.

"I shower you with gifts because I choose to do so, Christine. I take great pleasure in seeing you happy and knowing that it is because of me," he confirmed, picking up the bracelet and fastening it to her wrist.

He kissed her hand and sat back down.

"It's lovely, Erik. Thank you, I am very happy!" She smiled at her husband.

Finishing breakfast, they took a walk in the rose garden. "Christine? Did you know that the reconstruction of the opera house is underway? It is estimated to be done in time for Bastille Jour. There is to be a gala, but even better, they will be re-opening the opera with a production of Marivaux's 'The Game of Love and Chance,'" Erik said, recalling what he read in the morning's paper.

"Erik? I am not familiar with that production. What's it about?" Christine inquired.

"This production is a romantic comedy about a female aristocrat who wants to know about her betrothed, so she decides to change places with her servant, in hopes to unmask his motives. The twist, mon ange, is that her suitor does the same thing for the same reasons, changing places with his manservant. The woman's father and brother play along making the entire production full of sensual humor, bantering, and mischievousness. The best part of the entire production is that they realize they like each other after all, but they both believe one another to be socially inferior. It's quite chaotic and complex, but terribly fun!" Erik smiled.

"I see. It sounds quite entertaining and should bring in quite a large crowd. I am sure the stage designs and the casting will be amazing. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a fiasco. I remember it was dreadful when we did the production for Hannibal. Carlotta's demands were so outrageous and poor Monsieur Reyer always seemed on the verge of a fainting spell whenever Carlotta would sing," Christine giggled.

Erik cringed at the thought of Carlotta's voice. "I was glad to send her away that day!" He grinned.

Christine squeezed his arm and laughed with him as they continued their walk back to the house.

"Are you not interested in taking the role of Silvia in the production? Perhaps you should go into town and see if Meg has more information. She seems to always know everything before it becomes public knowledge," Erik stated.

Christine thought about visiting with Meg, which seemed more exciting to her than trying out for a play that was months away from even beginning rehearsals. She dared to entertain the thought of performing, but wasn't sure how the public would receive her after the Don Juan affair.

Shaking her thoughts from that night, she replied, "I would love to see Meg!"

"I shall have the driver prepare the carriage and have it waiting out front," Erik said, rubbing her arm.

Christine turned to face Erik and kissed him voraciously, throwing him off guard.

As she blinded him under her spell, she carefully freed herself from her robe. She threw it over his head giggling, and then ran for the tower. As Erik pulled Christine's robe from the top of his head, he caught a glimpse of her naked body disappearing into the tower.

"If that is the consequence of losing a game, I shall allow her to win more often!" He grinned, knowing full well what her plan had been from the moment her lips met his so impulsively.


Erik escorted Christine out front to the waiting carriage. "Mon ange, do not forget to remind Annette and Meg about dinner tonight. I will send word to Nadir," Erik said as he helped her into the carriage.

"I will remember, Angel," she smiled.

"I love you, Christine. Do not be away too long or I shall worry," Erik said with care as he kissed her goodbye.

He addressed his driver and stated firmly, "I leave her in your care, Victor."

Victor nodded at Erik and then took to the reins.

He watched as the carriage pulled away through the gates and then disappeared down the road.

Turning to enter the house, he sighed heavily. He missed her already.

Author's Note
Thanks again to my loyal readers and your wonderful reviews for my first fic. I am gonna try and get some updates in, but with the weekend, I may not be able to until Monday. I will do my best to update sooner, if possible. Thanks for being patient! -hugs-

Disclaimer
I do not own any rights to Tchaikovsky or his composition of "The Sleeping Beauty." Nor do I own any rights to Marivaux or his play "The Game of Love and Chance."