-1Disclaimer: We own none of the characters from Phantom of the Opera.

Chapter Five

Jean Claude shook Erik's hand firmly, and stepped back, signaling for them to enter his home. "I'm afraid the house is a bet of a mess right now..." He looked around sadly. "My wife died recently and I'm making arrangements to move." He smiled to ease off the subject, and held a hand that led to the sofas in the sitting room. "Is there anything particular you and your wife are looking for?"

Erik sighed, looking to Christine. "I'm not exactly sure... I suppose we would like something large..." He looked to Christine, not sure what to say.

Christine smiled knowingly and nodded. "Monsieur Noir," she began, clasping Erik's hand in hers. "We'd like something far enough away from the major activity to have our privacy. We also do want something large, for we're sure we'll have plenty of occupants in no time." She smiled at Erik and subtly winked at him.

Jean Claude smirked at the couple's happiness. He could remember being like that once. "Would you still like to be around the city, though still have your privacy?" At the young Madame's nod, he stood and went to a nearby shelf. "I think I can be of service, then." He turned once he had his hands on the particular house which had become one of his favorites to tell about, though no one ever bought it because of the price. He gazed worriedly at them. "Is money an issue?"

Erik looked at Christine. He was still feeding Jules's children, still putting them through their schooling... but he didn't want Christine to know of that. And anyhow, he could still collect his pay from the Opera...he hoped, at least. "No, money is no possible issue, monsieur." He said firmly.

At the revelation, Jean Claude handed the papers to Erik and sat down in a chair in front of them. "I'll give you some time to look over that. And surely, you'll want to see the home. I shall be able to take you there at once, considering I don't have any other matters to attend to today." He smiled and gazed for a long moment at Christine, wondering why she looked so familiar.

Erik smiled gratefully, holding the papers in his hands he looked down at them for a moment, then gazed at Christine lovingly. "Well then monsieur... please, show us the house." He said, grinning now.

Christine wanted to giggle and began to dance with Erik the way she had the night before, but she refrained. Seeing Jean Claude's puzzled expression towards her, she raised an eyebrow. "Monsieur?" She questioned. "Is something troubling you?"

Jean Claude snapped out of his trance and snapped his fingers. "I didn't catch your name, Madame."

Christine smiled and said pridefully, "My name is Madame Christine Destler, formally Mademoiselle Daae." She tilted her head to the side. "Why do you seem quizzical, monsieur?"

Jean Claude snapped his fingers again and smiled. "Daae! I knew I recognized you! The angel at L'Opera Garnier!"

Erik smiled triumphantly at Jean's words, and looked to Christine. "You see, my dear... I am not the only one who thinks you an angel."

Christine flushed and rested her hand atop Erik's. "Monsieur, if you truly wish to hear an angel, you must hear my husband sing. He is, after all, my maestro. He taught me everything I know, and without him, you would not have recognized me." She gazed lovingly up at him and then back to Jean Claude. "You attended the Opera often?"

Jean Claude nodded. "Quite a bit, with my wife." He smiled sadly. "She thought you were a gift from God, especially after hearing La Carlotta screech for many months." He chuckled. "My wife was Scandinavian, quite a character."

Christine raised an eyebrow. "Scandinavian? I am, as well!" She titled her head to the side in delight. "What was her name?"

"Her name was Ruth. Ruth Fitz, before she married me. She always told me how much you reminded her so much of someone, she just couldn't place it." Jean Claude stood and motioned for them to follow. "It'll be a very big house for your music."

Christine grabbed hold of Erik's lapel. "Erik…"

Erik looked down at her in concern. "What is it, my dear?"

"My... my mother's maiden name was Fitz..." She clutched her dress in her other hand as she whispered so Jean Claude wouldn't hear, thought little for her knowledge, he could. "Father spoke of visiting my 'Auntie Ruth,' but he couldn't find her after my mother died..." She gazed up at her husband, eyes wide with wonderment. "Could it be, Erik? Is the world really that small?"

Erik's eyes widened, as cupped her cheek and smiled down at her. "The world could be..." he breathed, brushing his lips against her forehead. "And that would mean, my dear... you are no longer alone, without family, without kin. My dear..." His eyes shone with unshed tears, joy for his wife overflowing. "Talk to him, my dear."

Jean Claude piped up suddenly, his hand falling onto Christine's shoulder, making her jump slightly. She turned to him, and he smiled a fatherly smile down at her. "So, you'd be the little niece I never was aware I had." Christine's eyes sparkled with tears and he took her in his arms firmly, tears slipping down his face already. He thought he'd been alone in the world when Christine's father had died and he didn't even know of it! "I apologize for not knowing sooner," he spoke, and let her go, though still holding onto one of her hands. He wiped a stray tear that had fallen and chuckled slightly. "How about I show you the home and the two of you join me for dinner here?" He looked to Erik. "Would that be a problem, Monsieur?"

Erik smiled kindly, nodding. "Yes, that would be quite all right." He said, moving cautiously to Christine and resting a hand on her shoulder. "And please, call me Erik."

Christine grinned and felt as if she would burst with happiness. I have an uncle! She thought ecstatically. Her eyes were wide with her joy and her cheeks burned from her insistent smiling, but she couldn't stop!

When Jean Claude turned to announce he was going to find a hansom, he shared in her expression of joy and felt himself laboring to turn from her. He had a niece! What a pleasant way to lighten up his days now that his beloved wife had died!

Christine tugged at Erik's hand as they moved toward the door.

Erik put his arm about Christine's shoulders and together they walked from the home and stood next to Jean Claude. "How far from here is the house, monsieur?"

"Jean Claude, would be just fine, Erik." He grinned like a small boy, and turned to the upcoming hansom. "It's just about two miles from here. Not so crowded, in fact, it's very nicely set in the French countryside, and not far if you'd like to go into the city. It's one of my favorite homes." He stepped up into the hansom and offered Christine his hand, which she took and sat on the opposite side of her uncle, waiting for her husband to seat himself next to her.

Erik climbed in as well, feeling a bit put out... he was the one who always handed his wife into the hansoms... Stop it, Erik... your jealously does nothing but cause problems between the two of you. Smiling at Christine he reached over to take her hand in his.

Christine smiled adoringly over at him and then back to her uncle. "It's odd how you and Aunt Ruth had been to the opera and had never really connected me as your niece. To think, all this time!" She bowed her head in thought, playing with Erik's fingers in hers. "It's a shame you couldn't see Papa's funeral... it was simple, but he would've loved it."

Jean Claude smiled sadly. He wished he and his wife could've been there to comfort her; he wished she had been there to sing at her aunt's funeral. It would've meant a lot to his wife, he knew, but he also knew they were all up in Heaven smiling down at them this very moment. Choosing wisely not to dwell on sad pasts, he looked to Erik, who seemed a tad withdrawn. "How did the two of you come to be together?"

Erik choked at the question, sputtering and looking to Christine. "Well... we met.. at the Opera..." He began, willing his heart to stop beating so incredibly fast.

Jean Claude threw his head back in laughter. "Quite obviously!" He gazed at Christine. "How did this man win your heart, little love?" He questioned, his eyes sparkling in his mirth. They seemed so happy together, and it was rather rare this days. He turned his question to Erik. "Or, did she win your heart?"

Erik's breathing returned slightly back to normal, and he looked lovingly to Christine. "Stole my heart is much more like it..." He whispered.

Christine smiled and bit her lip with a blush, and squeezed his hand. "If only you knew his voice, you would understand how my heart became his the moment he sang to me," she explained to her uncle, leaning her head onto Erik's shoulder. "He's a true angel, I promise you." She grinned and squeezed his arm. "The Angel of Music."

Jean Claude nodded and tilted his head to the side, wondering what was under his mask. He wanted to know why a man that seemed so great, polite, commanding, and obviously talented would want to hide his face away. He opened his mouth to speak, but the cab came to a stop and he said simply, "It seems we've arrived." He climbed out and offered his hand to his niece, who took it gratefully.

Erik shook his head as he climbed out, and followed his wife and her uncle. He kept a step or two behind, listening to them talk and looking around the area around the home. Seems like a nice, quiet area... secluded enough...

Christine grinned as she placed her arm in her uncle's and gazed up at him with adoring blue eyes. He reminded her of her Papa; he even spoke like him at times, though, with a French accent. His expressions were exactly as her father's had been, and she giggled as he spoke and animated his words with his hands, often jerking her arm with him as he spoke excitedly about the home. He stopped abruptly, and she gazed up at the huge house. It was definitely palatial. She suddenly remembered Erik and gasped, and turned to smile at him and grab his arm. "What do you think, my love?"

Erik smiled slightly, looking at the front of the house. "It looks wonderful... shall we see it inside?" He asked, looking to Jean.

Jean Claude nodded and once again offered his arm to his niece, and Christine slipped her hand out of Erik's and joined arms with her uncle. She smiled and waited until he unlocked the door and opened it for her, and she was the first to step inside. She gasped and gaped at the home. It was so big! It was incredibly spacious and just as palace-like as the outside. Her smile broadened and her eyes filled with tears. "Erik," she called, reaching out blindly behind her for his hand, not willing to let her eyes leave the grand staircase. "Erik, it's beautiful!"

He nodded, hardly able to keep his eyes from the sight before him. "Yes, it's absolutely lovely!" He exclaimed, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Wonderful... please, Jean.. show us around."

Jean Claude nodded and pulled Christine's hand, urging her to follow him. Her hand fell out of Erik's as her uncle pushed her ahead of him, his hand at her back. As he introduced every new room, she gasped in delight and grasped his arm, looking at him with wide blue eyes filled with utter joy. She laughed as Jean Claude made suave bows in introducing the simple things of a room and followed him trustingly as if she'd known him forever.

Erik became more and more jealous with each room that was introduced, and when they had finished viewing the spectacular house and were again in the grand foyer, Erik was almost shaking with the difficulty of suppressing his pain. All that remained was the final decision to buy the house or not.

Christine sighed contentedly and turned to her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist and placing her chin atop his chest. "What do you think, my love? I would tell you how I feel about it, but I fear it will sway your decision." She grinned and pecked him lightly on the lips. "Though, I can most definitely seeing our twenty children running up and down the grand staircase." Her eyes sparkled with mirth.

Erik nodded. "Yes, I rather like it myself..." He mumbled, envisioning a room entirely devoted to his music, another to his studies and sciences... a room just of plants, oh how he loved them, but they never lived in the underground house... "I like it a lot... if you wish to have this home, then this is where we shall live." He stated, looking to Jean Claude to find out what would need to be done next.

Jean Claude looked to Christine, who nodded giddily, and took the papers he had kept in his pocket, and handed them to Erik. "One will be for me, knowing you bought the house, and the other for you, knowing you own the house. My signature is there, as well." He grinned and pulled Christine into a hug. "You won't be far, you can visit whenever you please!" He hadn't felt this happy since before his wife had died. He looked back to Erik. "I realize you wouldn't have the money with you now, but you may send it to me, or even come for dinner and give me it. On the other hand, you may want to pay monthly. I know not of your finances."

Erik appeared thoughtful. "We can discuss things over dinner." He stated dismissively, reaching for Christine and pulling her into his arms. "We shall have to get Nadir to help us move things in, and perhaps..." He became thoughtful. "Perhaps another man I know." He amended with a smile.

Christine frowned and her eyebrows furrowed together. Another man he knew? Since when did Erik familiarize himself with anyone but Nadir and herself? She looked up at him questioningly but decided to forget it until later. "Jean Claude," she spoke, turning to her uncle, "Did you persuade the hansom driver to wait for us?" She slid out of Erik's arms and walked over to put an arm around her uncle's waist.

Jean Claude nodded and wrapped his arm around Christine's shoulder. "Of course, little love." He took her arm in his and began leading her to the door. "It seems that the two of you have things to attend to before our dinner. We best get back, then."

Trembling in anger, Erik turned to look away from the scene before him. He was used to being the only man around Christine, the only one she cared for, and to see her... Argh! Was his last coherent thought before he snapped, turning to look back at them once, Christine looking up at her uncle with undisguised love, and Erik gave a cry of pain and anger combined, storming from the house and running despite the tightening he felt in his chest. His arm ached and he clutched at it, rushing from the house and storming down the street in broad daylight. He was aware of those looking at him, and his hands formed tight fists. It took him a moment to realize he was searching for someone to hurt, and he forced himself to calm. Suddenly he gasped, doubling over as an intense wave of pain washed over his body, and he stumbled, allowing himself to fall beneath a tree. He sat on his knees, clutching his upper left arm and whimpering.

Christine gasped and let go of her uncle. "Oh my God!" She whispered in fright, before grabbing her skirts and going after her husband. What had made him so upset! She looked around worriedly, desperately trying to find him. "Erik!" she called out, placing a hand above her eyes to block out the sun. "Erik!" Tears began to fall down her cheeks and her shoulders slumped. She turned back and walked with her head low, but she heard a whimpering, and turned to see her husband under a tree, clutching his upper left arm. She sniffled and ran to him, falling to her knees beside him. "Erik, what is going on!" she whispered helplessly, placing her hand above his heart. "You could've had an attack!" Tears continued to fall and she shook her head, not understanding what his problem was.

Erik looked up at Christine, gasping for breath and clutching at his chest. "Go...on and...be with your uncle.." He gasped out, squeezing his eyes closed as a tear fell. "Maybe you...would be happier with...him.. in the new house..." He groaned from the pain, looking away from her and sobbing from the pain in his chest as well as in his soul.

Christine glared at him and slapped him hard across the face. "Erik, you're ridiculous. I pledged my life to you! I gave my heart, my soul, my voice, my body to you. Your jealously is pathetic! He's my uncle, that I've never met before in my life! He's family, and he's been nothing but respectful and kind to us, to you! Why are you doing this!" She stood and looked down at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "When will you learn to love me and trust me! When will you be content with me, with the fact that I give you everything I can!"'

Erik's sobs grew a bit at her words, and he buried his face in one hand, the other holding his chest. "Well...you viewed the house as if... you were his new...new wife, not my own..." Shaking now, he felt dangerously close to fainting, but kept himself conscious. Rage began to move over his pain, and he struggled to sit up, crying out from the pain that erupted in his chest.

Christine sniffed and sighed, turning back to him and sitting next to him by the tree. She placed an arm around his shoulders and pulled his head close to her bosom, stroking his mask and neck softly. "I'm sorry, Erik." She tried to control her soundless tears but they began to fall atop his black hair. "I... I know I'm to blame, I know you take great pride in being my husband and I wish you knew that I take tremendous pride in being your wife..." She sighed and leaned her head against the tree. "If you are so upset that you want me to leave you Erik, I shall obey your orders as any loving wife would obey her husband."

Erik shook his head, unable to speak properly any longer and struggled to move. "N-no..." He gasped out, turning to press himself against her and sobbed anew. "I'm...sorry..." He shuddered as he spoke, the pain in his chest ebbing slightly. "N-nothing is...your fault..." His rage built now, but only at himself, and he slammed his fist into the tree, anger building more and more. "I...I hate..myself.." He gasped out, clutching tightly to Christine as if she were the only thing keeping him alive.

Christine grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles, glaring at the tree. "Erik, no, please don't." She lifted his face to hers and smiled at him. "In marriage, two people become one. So if we're one, and you hate yourself, that means you hate me." She looked back down at his fingers and laced hers through his. "You don't hate me, do you?" She stroked his uncovered cheek and looked into his eyes. "I... I love you so much, Erik. Do you know that? I could never love another the way I love you." She leaned her head into his, brushing her lips softly against his. "My heart belongs to you for all time, mon amour. Please don't forget that." She laughed, the laugh barely reaching her eyes. "You being jealous over my uncle is as me being jealous over your cat."

Erik whimpered and nodded, rubbing his fingers over his chest and trying to wipe the moisture from his face. "I.. I was foolish..." He gasped out, shaking his head. "I have...embarrassed you...before your uncle..." He sighed and curled against her, shaking horribly. I've had another attack... she doesn't know... I musn't tell her... after all, it wasn't so bad... I don't know that I'll be able to move... So tired...No, don't sleep... stay awake... keep your eyes open, Erik... don't let her down...

Christine hugged him to her, eyebrows furrowed as he panted and could hardly breathe. She looked worriedly down at him and lifted his face to hers. "Erik... we need to go home so you can rest. I will go back to Jean Claude and tell him that we can have dinner with him tomorrow, when we're both feeling better." She stroked his mask. "I'm worried about you, my love." She stood and laid him gently against the tree. "Wait for me here, and I'll go fetch a hansom while I'm at it." She leant down and kissed his lips gently before turning in a swirl of skirts to go back to their future home.

Erik waited, shaking and vulnerable there on the street against the giant oak tree. Several times his eyes slipped closed, but he forced them to stay open. Oh God, I'm going to die here. Right here, I'm going to die... His body shook and he forced himself to keep from crying as the people walking down the street stared at the strange sickly-looking man in the mask lying against the tree.

Jean Claude was waiting outside, talking with the hansom driver as she approached. He placed his hands on her shoulders when she came near, and gazed upon her wary expression with concern. "Little love, what's wrong? What has happened?"

Christine sighed and shook her head, not meeting his eyes, not wishing to tell of Erik's rage and jealousy. "Erik is very sick. He's been having some very bad heart attacks, and just recently he… bumped his head… on the wall… on accident, of course… And he's still recovering." She looked up at her uncle and smiled sadly. "I'm worried for him. Do you mind very much if we forego dinner tonight and return tomorrow, or perhaps the following day to have a meal with you? I just want him to rest and settle down for a while."

Jean Claude nodded. "Of course, dear. Let me ride to where he is with you and then I'll hop out and find my own cab back to my home." He helped her in and Christine told him of where her husband was settled. She and Jean Claude both hopped out and he kissed her cheek lightly before heading off to find another hansom. Christine made her way to Erik and bent down over him.

"Come, Erik. Let's get back to Nadir's." She placed his arm around his shoulder and lifted him up.

Erik looked up at her and whimpered. "I...Christine I... don't want to...die..." He breathed, leaning heavily against her and gasping, delirious from the pain and no longer knowing what he was saying. "I...I asked for it for...years... begged...but...not any more..." A sob escaped him as they climbed into the hansom, and he curled into a ball, fevered and shaking even more. "Mama... please... I would like... one for now, and one to save for later..." He sobbed, reaching out as if to grasp the apparition before him. "A kiss, mama... please... I've been so good..."

Christine fought the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. She held him tightly to her and placed kisses all along his unmasked side, wanting more than anything to take away his pain. Christine, you stupid girl. You're always hurting him. She stroked his hair. "Shh, Erik, I'm here, I love you." She couldn't think of anything else. She just wanted him to be all right.

Erik clung as tightly to his wife as he could, his head pressed into the crook of her neck as he trembled and cried. "Christine...this is... not your fault..." He mumbled in a moment of clarity inside his mind. "I... this is... an attack..." He ground out, pulling his face away from her neck to look into her eyes. "When...we get..back... Nadir knows... what to do..." He fell against her again, his eyes drooping. "I love you..." He whispered, before he finally allowed himself to fall unconscious.

Christine held him as he slipped out of consciousness and began to sob softly. They had been so happy last night... and earlier that morning... and in that small amount of time she had managed to ruin everything they had shared. What... an... imbecile. The cab came to a stop where she had ordered, and she slipped out, letting Erik rest on the seat. "Please wait just one moment; I'll be right back." The man nodded and she hastily made her way to Nadir's flat, knocking insistently. "Nadir!" She called desperately. "Erik's had another attack, and I need your help getting him out of the cab!" She turned on her heel and began to run back to her husband.

The door opened and Nadir rushed out, his face pale and drawn. "We must hurry." He said, rushing to the hansom and tugging Erik up, taking him under the arms. "Take his feet." He said as calmly he could, and together they moved him to the house. The hansom driver, realizing the severity of this particular drive, called out to them. "This ride's on me." Then made the sign of the cross over his chest and moved the cart away. Nadir guided Christine to their guest room, situating Erik on the bed and unbuttoning his white shirt, pulling it open so the man could better breathe. "Please Christine, tell me you brought his medicine?"

Christine nodded and rushed to the bag on a nearby chair, and dug through. The medicine was unfortunately at the very bottom of the bag, and she raked her nails desperately around trying to get ahold of it. She grasped it tightly and nearly stumbled over the chair in the attempt to get the medicine to her husband sooner. She handed it to Nadir and moved quickly to hold Erik and lay his head in her lap. "Nadir, I'm frightened."

Nadir quickly raised the small glass bottle up in the air, trying to catch light through it and see how much remained. "Thank Allah... he must have recently filled it..." His brow furrowed. "He must have felt this coming on for a while then..." He mumbled, before realizing what he said. He flushed slightly, looking at Christine. "There is nothing to be frightened of. This is not so severe as any he's experienced before, I assure you. He'll be up and around by tomorrow, I promise you." Gently Nadir uncorked the bottle and put it to Erik's lips, lifting his friend's head and pouring the liquid slowly into his mouth, then rubbed his neck in order to stimulate swallowing. All the emitted from Erik was a small gurgling sound, then nothing. "Do not worry, he will wake soon from the medicine."

Christine sighed deeply and nodded, beginning to run her hands over Erik's head, neck, and chest in a comforting matter, solacing him as well as herself. What would happen if things continued to be like this? He didn't seem over-exerted in their lovemaking, so why was it different in any other case? She sighed once more; it hurt her brain to think about it.

Nadir stood and made for the door, smiling at Christine. "The best thing for him right now is just to rest... and I must go to the store and do some shopping, or we'll have nothing to eat for supper." He said lightly. "He should be fine now, don't worry for him. Erik is a strong man... I won't ask what happened to cause this attack, it is not my business, but let me assure you madam it must have been... something... this does not usually happen to him..." Nadir shook his head, a bit confused. "And, as I did say earlier, whether I meant to or not... it does appear he was expecting this attack, or at least had a feeling it would happen..."

Nadir sighed, rubbing his face. "I'm making a botch of this. I want only to assure you that this is not your fault... things like this happen through no fault of anyone.. it is the way of nature." He gave a brief, kind nod, then left the room, closing the door behind himself.

Christine frowned as he left the room, little wrinkles coming forth in her forehead. Erik had been expecting the attack? Did she really cause him that much pain? She felt horrible. No matter what anyone said, and especially her husband, whom was terrified of her leaving him, she knew all of his pain was half because of her. Yes, he'd been hurt in the past, but she seemed to only be making it worse. She wished she'd have an attack and die, for she would never forgive herself for what she'd done to him. She carefully slipped from under him and went to the small window in the room, staring out with tears in her eyes. "God forgive me. I only want what's best for him, and right now suicide seems like the only way to remove his pain..."

Erik stirred slightly; hearing words sounding as if they were coming from so far away. Pain... what's best... suicide... Erik's eyes slid open and he called out softly. "Christine?" Slowly he began to sit up, grunting in discomfort but realizing that his medication must have been administered, because he really didn't feel that much pain.

Christine turned, quickly trying to conceal the tears that threatened to fall, and smiled, although the smile did not reach her eyes. She clutched the windowsill as she gazed at him, head tilted to the side slightly. "Erik, my love, lay back down. I'll wake you up at dinner time. You need your rest right now." She turned back to the window and sighed, knowing she couldn't commit suicide. It'd cause him just as much pain as she was causing him right now. She just hoped she could give him a strong son or a delightful daughter that he could love and take away his pain. "And hopefully I'll die in childbirth," she murmured lowly, not even noticing the way it simply echoed through the room.

Erik's eyes widened at the words she mumbled, and swiftly he forced himself from the bed, gasping only once before pushing himself toward her. He grasped her arms then, spinning her to look at him. "What are you talking about!" He demanded, his face even whiter at her words. "Do you hate me so much... that you wish to leave me in the one way that would destroy me from the inside out!" He cried, pulling her against his chest and squeezing her as tight as he could. "Do not ever speak of your death, not as you just have! If you wish to leave my side so badly, then the door is there, and leave! I will die without you just the same, but at least my death would be faster knowing that you lived!" He cried, pressing kisses to her head.

Christine was almost in a catatonic state. She felt him hold her, and she heard his words, but her eyes were glazed over with sadness. "I... love you, Erik. But you always feel so much pain from me." She stared out of the window and snapped out of her trance-like state, looking up at him suddenly. "You've been through so much in your life already, Erik. How can I love you so incredibly much and yet still hurt you so badly?" She sighed and looked down. "Do you know the night we were together for the first time, I so desperately wished that my love could take away your pain." A tear fell from her eye and she shut them tightly, taking deep breaths. "But... I realized my love is too weak to accomplish that."

Erik shook his head, dropping to his knees and grasping the hems of her skirts. "No... don't speak like that... don't make what we have together so small, my love..." He pressed his lips to the hems, sobbing softly. "You cause me no pain, it is only my memories of the past which haunt me... and today... this attack, it was my fault and not yours. Why shouldn't you be glad to see your uncle? It is only my old fears of losing anyone who cares for me that caused this attack, and my foolishness to run in my condition, at my age..." He shook his head slowly. "You cause me no pain, Christine... I would not lie to you. You cause me only the most extreme joy that I have ever known. I would have died that night if you didn't come to me... I thought I was going to die anyway, and it was only that look in your eyes when you begged me to live that kept me going, Christine. You are the reason my heart still beats, the reason that I wish to live on! And Christine, the thought of our children, of spending the rest of our lives together... these are the things I want so badly, these are the thoughts that fill my mind now, not of death and pain... no longer do I need Opium to feel anything, for with you beside me..." His head shook slightly, and he looked up at her for a moment before looking back down at the floor and continuing to speak. "I want to wake up the first morning after living in our new home and look at the sun streaming through the windows with you, I want to watch you lie in our bed and give birth to our first child... I want everything a normal man ever has, and it's only because of you that I can finally experience these things, even begin to hope for them! Christine, do not wish for your... death... for I wish you to live forever!"

Christine let out a sob and gasped as she crumpled to the floor in his arms. She rested her head in his lap and squeezed his waist tightly, sobbing into his flat stomach. "I'm sorry, Erik, I'm sorry, I just love you so much. I'm so attached to you, Erik, did you know that? We share this bond... I... I feel, everything you feel. When you're in pain I just can't stand it and it hurts even more to know that I caused the pain. I'm sorry, Erik. I love you. Just... do you know that? I love you so much. I was so worried..." Her breathing became less harsh and she simply cooed into Erik's lap, still clinging to him tightly.

A sigh of relief escaped him, and Erik scooped his wife up onto his lap, rubbing her back and pressing kisses into her hair and over her face. "Yes, mon amour...I know you love me... and I love you just as much...Oh God Christine... sometimes I hurt with how much I love you." He exclaimed, kissing her voraciously.

Christine held him tightly to her, and kissed him back just as passionately. She pulled back slightly and held the sides of his face, and gently took off his mask. Pressing her lips to his marred flesh, she whispered in his ear, "So you're not angry with me?" she asked, and began to ghost her lips across his twisted face again.

Erik shook his head, clinging tighter to his wife. "Not at all, I could never be angry with you Christine... if ever it seems I am... I am only angry with myself. You could never do anything to upset me... and I can only apologize that I've ruined our dinner with Jean Claude." He sighed, rubbing her shoulders gently.

Christine wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his shoulder. "I told him we could reschedule, at a better time. I suppose it won't matter seeing him much now, when we might be living very close to him. That is, if you still want to…"

Erik smiled broadly, pressing his lips to her forehead. "Of course I want to, Christine...the house is wonderful, Jean Claude is a fine man, your uncle no less..." He sighed. "I apologize so much... I've embarrassed you before your uncle, hurt you so badly...ruined your evening with the only family you have left...worried you..." He sighed, shaking his head.

Christine pulled back and rolled her eyes. "Forget this talk of apologizes. I love you. You love me. We've both made some mistakes, but they are behind us now, alright?" She kissed him deeply, pressing her upper body against his bare chest, and sliding her hands from his shoulders to the pale flesh revealed by his open white shirt. She grinned into their kiss. She had no doubt she would be pregnant soon...

Erik smiled into the kiss, scooping her into his arms and standing up. He gasped, eyes closing at the sharp wave of dizziness and pain that washed over him, but it was gone after a moment, and Erik walked to the bed with her, placing her down onto the mattress and crawling to lie next to her. He panted slightly and rested his head on her chest, stroking his fingers up her side and placing them on her chest next to his face.

She loved the feel of his heavy weight upon her. She loved feeling as if she was needed so desperately, and especially by this man that she loved so deeply she could hardly think at times. She ran her fingers through his soft dark hair, smiling as she held him firmly. She couldn't imagine what he life would be like without him. He made her feel so alive, so important. She sighed in content and closed her eyes, breathing deeply and suddenly feeling very tired.

Erik yawned, stroking his fingers up to her face and raising his head to look into her eyes. "Christine?" He didn't know why he was suddenly feeling shy, but he was and he cursed himself for it.

Her eyes fluttered open and she stared down at him, beginning to massage his neck once more. "What is it, my love?" she questioned, her voice a tad gruff from almost having been asleep.

He cleared his throat, trembling a bit. "Well...I just..." He sighed, taking a deep breath. "Our...marriage was... sudden, and not really...formal..." He swallowed hard, bringing her fingers to his lips. "And I was wondering... now that we know I'm.. well, now that I'm.. okay and..." He gave a cry of frustration, and sighed. "Christine, will you marry me?" He pounded out, eyes closed against embarrassment. "I thought maybe.. you would like to have a real ceremony... after all... our marriage isn't... I mean we're not... it's not legal.." He gave a sigh, opening his eyes and looking down at Christine again, his face flushed. "I believe this is the only time I haven't been able to speak before you, my dear." He said softly.

Christine giggled slightly and closed her eyes again, reveling in his proposal. She didn't feel wrong about anything they had done; in her heart she was his wife, she wore his ring, and there was not much else she would allow anyone to say to oppose her opinion. "Erik that would be wonderful. I'm..." She yawned and then smiled again. "I'm excited. Our wedding will be so beautiful." She was slipping out of consciousness slowly, and continued to elaborate. "Meg and Madame Giry and Nadir and Uncle Jean will be there, and angels we'll sing at our union, Erik. And the priest will dance..." She smiled and did not continue, for now she was breathing deeply, lost in her pleasant dreams.

Erik chuckled, curling himself around his wife and chuckling to himself as he fell asleep about the priest dancing...

Nadir walked into the house, placing the groceries in the kitchen, then walked slowly to the bedroom. Opening the door cautiously, as he knew what happened the last few times he walked in on them, he sighed in relief to see that both were asleep. Loathe to wake them, he let the door slip closed and smiled. "Good night, my friends."