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

Author's Note: Yes, we realize that in Leroux, Christine's father was named Charles. In Leroux Christine was also blonde. What a funny little man. However, since this is a mixture between Kay and Leroux, we have determined Erik's father's name to be Charles as it was in Kay. (Kay is kind of the main line, here.) So we had to think of another name for Christine's father. In the Robert Englund movie, on the gravestone of Christine's father, it said "Phillip." So in this, Christine's father's name will be Phillip. Everything savvy? Good. Now read and review. And don't forget to read our other story, Sweet Seduction.

Chapter Ten

Christine examined herself in the mirror of her bathroom, sighing as yet another large red spot had appeared on her neck. Honestly, if he wasn't so sensitive about his face, Christine would call Erik a beast! They had one week until their wedding and she did not want these marks showing on her wedding day. Perhaps she'd make him think about it and sleep in another room at night until the wedding. She peeked out of the bathroom door, searching for Erik. "Erik! Will Nadir be over for dinner soon?"

Erik was in the sitting room when he heard Christine's voice, and he walked toward the bathroom. "Yes my dear, he should be here soon enough I suspect." He said softly, coming up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist lovingly.

Christine tilted her head and looked at him through the mirror. "Look, Erik," she said with a playful glower, "Another one. Oh, you're very talented, indeed. Let's pray that your son doesn't have those talents until he's older." She raised an eyebrow at him.

Erik chuckled, placing a kiss over the mark on her neck. "I can't seem to help myself... you taste far too delicious." He purred, kissing her cheek and forehead, then the top of her head.

She pushed him away with a giggle. "Don't kiss my head, for I certainly do not want one there." She pulled him by the hand into the sitting room. "What news will Nadir speak to us about tonight on our wedding? I'm so excited, Erik!"

Erik feigned a look of confusion. "If I knew what Nadir was to tell us... he would not need to come here to tell it." He said, tickling her tummy and grinning. "I'm excited as well, my dear."

Christine rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. "I was considering making you wait for one week to make love to me again... But now I'm truly thinking to make it a reality!" She raised both eyebrows and her mouth fell open as if in surprise. "What would happen then?"

Erik glared at her, tackling her back on the sofa and resting his body atop hers. "I think Christine, that I would die. You wouldn't like that, would you?" He asked, kissing her passionately.

Christine grasped the back of his head and pulled back, giving him a seductive look as she licked her lips. "Are you sure you're not just... over exaggerating? Perhaps it would make us appreciate our wedding night more?"

Erik gave her a rough look, shaking his head. "I would die. I am sure of it." He stated, before pressing his lips against hers again, and groaning in pleasure already. I could never tire of this... Lifting his mouth from hers he smiled softly.

Christine smiled brightly back. "Are you hungry?" She questioned, one thin eyebrow raised at her own question. She had certain plans for him. If he wanted to rouse her desire, he would pay full attention to it.

Erik grinned seductively, bringing his lips down to nip at her neck. "Only for you, mon amour..." He purred, nuzzling at her throat and chest as his arms wrapped firmly around her waist.

Christine grinned. Exactly the answer she was looking for. She reached down and pulled up her dress slowly, implying what he could do to solve his hunger. She gave him a rather naughty gaze and let her arms fall above her head, and sighed wistfully underneath him.

Erik grinned dangerously down at Christine, before lowering his mouth to nip her thigh. He laughed then, and moved to kiss her gently, sliding his hand down to rest at her hip. "I love you..."

Christine smiled up at him, one hand on his shoulders. She simply stared into his eyes while running her fingers through his hair softly several times. A moment of shocking reality came over her and her smile grew, for she thought about Erik being a father, and giving her the greatest joy she'd ever known. Excitement welled in her about the upcoming wedding, and she squeezed both arms around his neck and placed her forehead against his. "I love you," she whispered softly.

Erik grinned down at his wife, kissing her nose, then sliding his hands down her hips and grasping the hems of her skirts. Slowly he pulled them up, until her lower half was visible to his gaze. Looking up into her eyes, Erik's face flushed, embarrassed about what he was thinking, and wondering if Christine would approve. Silently he asked permission with his eyes as his cheeks grew warmer.

Christine blushed as well, and she bit her lip to keep from grinning like an idiot. She reached down to massage the back of Erik's head softly, and she gave him an encouraging smile, though she was apprehensive on what he planned on doing. Good God I hope he doesn't do this in front of the children... She smiled wider at that thought and raised a slim eyebrow at his actions.

Erik lowered his flushing face, moving up to give her a warm kiss. Slowly he moved down, brushing a soft kiss against the spot on her thigh he had nipped earlier, and then moving his mouth just a bit higher. He exhaled slowly against her, closing his eyes. "Christine..." He whispered, before leaning forward and very cautiously touching his lips to her flesh.

Christine's back arched and she gasped involuntarily. "Oh God," she whispered, gripping the sides of the sofa and biting her lip as she struggled to keep from crying out in pleasure. Just the simple touch of his lips... It was enough to make her eyes glaze over with a haze of desire and her mouth gaped open.

Erik smiled against Christine, glancing up at her and sliding his hand up to take Christine's. Slowly he slid his tongue out, letting it taste her nervously. He still couldn't believe he was doing this, couldn't believe Christine was letting him. His eyes were closed tightly as he focused on the waves of joy that filled him just knowing he made Christine feel pleasure.

She gasped once more, and her hand tightened around his as she sighed and her head pressed hard against the sofa cushion. "Erik!" She managed to moan lightly, breathily, and squeezed his hand once more. He'd never done this to her before and the feel of it was amazing. And I thought just his hands were incredible... his tongue is talented, as well. She smiled and bit her lip as she shut her eyes tightly and another wave of delight washed over her.

Erik felt his desire mounting at the soft sounds escaping his wife, and he began to move his mouth against her a bit more firmly, stroking her stomach and down her legs with his free hand. "Christine..." He mumbled against her, nipping at her sensitive skin.

Christine began to arch more fiercely, and soon it became a writhe. She gasped and felt like she couldn't open her eyes. Her hand fell from the sofa and into her hair, and she realized she need to grasp something, and she couldn't grasp her hair. She reached down and tangled her fingers in Erik's head instead, not even able to think coherently any longer. She moved against his mouth, her flesh on fire. She wanted him to relieve her, but she wanted this to go on forever. She wanted control, though she was shaking so badly she could gather absolutely no strength.

Sensing Christine's great need, and also unable to restrain himself any longer, Erik moved his mouth away, swiftly wiggling from his pants and whimpering as he thrust himself into her swiftly. He gave a strangled cry then, throwing his head back and clinging to her hips.

Christine cried out and screwed her eyes shut. Her hands flew to Erik's shoulders to grasp firmly as she began to move with him. One hand roamed down his back and then back up, her nails gliding across the broad expanse of his pale skin, and she moaned his name eagerly as she began to move more rapidly than her husband. She pushed her chest against his and proceeded to kiss his mouth hungrily, letting her tongue dive in between his lips.

Erik moaned into her mouth, pressing himself with extreme speed inside of her. "Christine..!" He cried, his voice ending in a long moan. He could feel himself nearing the edge already, and he panted as he slid his hands up to cup her cheeks. "Yesss..."

Christine's fingernails dug into his back and she nipped at his neck, and licked a trail up to his jaw, and to his lips. She felt that familiar tightening of the coils low in her stomach, and she squeezed her legs around Erik's waist. She threw her head back against the sofa and cried out his name. "Erik... with me... please... Right now..." She groaned as she felt herself tightening around her husband, and she increased even more her movements against him.

Erik's mind clouded as he thrust within her deeply, burying his face into her neck and moaning. "Yesss... together..." He groaned, thrusting into her once more, then losing control and releasing within her. "Christine!"

Christine shuddered greatly even after she released, and she held Erik to her as if someone was trying to tug him away from her. She panted softly, as well, her chest heaving against his own, and she couldn't pull the sated smirk off her face. That had been incredible.

Erik gasped for breath and he cuddled against her, nuzzling his face into her neck and sighing softly. "Christine... oh...I love you..."

Christine sighed softly and ran her hand down the back of his head, smoothing his hair. She was so content and happy and she knew she had made the right choice with this man. "Erik, you're amazing. I love you more than you could ever comprehend..." She laughed softly at realizing Nadir still had to stop by. "We'll have to try that again after dinner." She grinned down at him and squeezed his shoulder. "Poor Nadir. He might unknowingly sit on his sofa. This is, after all, the most comfortable one."

Erik laughed heartily, cuddling closer to her and kissing her neck. "Yes... that would be unfortunate for him, wouldn't it." Sighing blissfully, he tightened his grip against her body and lifting his head to place a quick kiss on her lips.

"My love," she began, still running fingers through his hair to smooth it. "Have you thought of any names for our child yet?" She was eager for Erik to take a great part in everything that concerned his son, especially his name.

Erik appeared thoughtful, and he brushed his lips over her cheek. "No... I haven't really come up with much... I was thinking that we should name him... after your father."

Christine's eyes brightened and she smiled radiantly. "Really?" She questioned softly, as if disbelieving. She bit her lip as a thoughtful sparkle reached her bright blue eyes and she caressed his cheek with her thumb. "What was your father's name?"

Erik's eyes slid closed in pain, and through a weak voice he whispered, "Charles. His name was Charles. I was to be named after him, but after mother saw my face..." He sighed, and cuddled closer to his wife.

Christine frowned. It was obvious that his past pained him, and she felt bad for bringing it up and making him hurt. She dropped her hand from his face back to rest on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you recall the painful past..." She sighed lightly and turned her head to examine the sofa. "We'd better fix ourselves up before Nadir comes."

Erik nodded slowly, before touching his lips to hers. "I don't mean to make you feel bad, Christine... or to push you away. If you want to know something about me... just ask me and I will tell you... It would probably do me well to speak of things.. It's only that I've never had someone to speak to about my past..." He couldn't bring himself to move, so he cuddled against her again, wrapping his arm tightly around her body and basking in her warmth.

She felt more at ease, relief flooding through her at his words. "The past is behind us now, mon amour. Now we have a future to look forward to." She pushed her hand in between them to touch her stomach, and smiled as she pictured herself in one week in the most beautiful dress she'd ever possessed: Her wedding dress.

Erik yawned, resting his hand over hers and stroking her knuckles with his thumb languidly. His eyes slid closed as he settled more comfortably against Christine, and he let out a long breath of air, completely comfortable and equally as tired.

Christine stroked his shoulder blades and let her head rest on the sofa as she began to fall asleep, as well. She felt a gentle breeze on her calves and shivered. "Erik," she said softly, reluctant to disturb him. "I'm cold."

Completely awake by her words, Erik sat up and pulled her skirts down, tugging his own pants up, and he grasped the blanket that was kept over the back of the chair nearby. Lying back against Christine, he made a soft purring sound as he pulled the blanket over them and cuddled against his wife, kissing her cheek. "Is that better, my dear?"

"Very much indeed. Thank you, my angel." She wrapped her arms around him and held him firmly to her, feeling protected and content in his embrace. She could stay like this forever. "I love you." She closed her eyes once more and began to breathe deeply, calmly as she began to drift to sleep.

Erik snuggled close to her, closing his eyes. "I love you too..." He whispered, letting his body relax and his mind drift. A mere moment or two later, he fell asleep.

X

It was late evening when Christine and Erik awoke, and hastily the two had worked together to prepare a meal for dinner. Nadir arrived, and the three sat at the large oak wood table, eating the roast chicken that Christine had made, and speculating on whom to invite to the wedding.

Erik looked a bit perplexed, and shrugged. "My dear Daroga... besides you... I do not know of another soul who would like to attend." He looked to Christine then, and gave her a smile. "Ma petite ange, is there anyone you can think of?"

Christine tilted her head to the side in thought. Of course there were some that she wanted to invite. Her uncle, of course, and as she thought of her best friend, Meg. She hadn't seen her in quite some time, and she imagined Meg didn't even know anything that was going on. Perhaps she'd heard rumors, and although Meg was a gossip lover she would never believe anything about Christine without confirmation from her brunette friend. Christine looked up from her thoughts and nodded. "Jean Claude, of course, and I'd like to invite Meg."

Erik smiled, taking Christine's hand on top of the table and fondly rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "Ah yes, little Giry... it has been a while since you have saw her last, has it not?"

Christine nodded and stared off into space again. "It has been a very long while... I suppose that I shall have to visit her tomorrow, and ask her to dinner. I have so much to reveal to her." She gazed up at Nadir. "My uncle is coming for dinner tomorrow night, would you like to come?"

Nadir smiled, charmed by the peaceful aura that Christine seemed to exude. He knew very well the way a pregnant woman behaved, he remembered his dear wife... "I would be pleased to come, Christine." He said kindly, his eyes twinkling in happiness. "So, are there any affairs you need me to see to, Erik?"

Erik thought for a moment, before shaking his head. "The invitations are personal enough that we can extend them ourselves... the service is set... no, Nadir... I can think of nothing else that needs to be done..." He smiled slightly at Nadir. "I thank you for all the work you have done for us."

Christine nodded, beaming. "Yes, it means so much to us. I honestly don't know where we would've ended up without you." She leaned her head against Erik's shoulder, and raised her hand to her mouth as she yawned, already tired again. She shut her eyes for a moment before a thought occurred in her mind. "Raoul," she murmured aloud, eyes going wide.

Nadir frowned deeply, looking to his friends. "He knows nothing of your union... but surely news of the upcoming wedding of the Opera Diva will reach his ears..." He sighed heavily, unsure of what to do.

Erik's body tensed at the mention of the man's name, and he slid a protective arm around his wife's shoulders. "I will not let him harm you. He will not ruin our wedding." He insisted, kissing the top of her head and trying his best to reassure Christine.

Christine's eyes narrowed as she looked up at her husband, an insistent hand against his chest. "What are you planning on doing to keep him from ruining it?" A terrified chill ran up her spine and the horror reached her eyes. "You... you're not going to... to..." She gulped and looked away, fidgeting with her dress and twisting her hands in her lap.

Pain reached Erik's eyes at the words Christine was trying so had to say, and he looked away, his body growing tense. When he spoke, his voice was almost icy. "Of course not. A monster such as myself would never bother with so weak of prey, after all." He trembled only slightly, before looking back to his wife, his heart in his eyes. "How could you even think...? Christine, I would never... I could never..." Standing, he moved from the table, striding across the room only to look back at her again. "I told you long ago, with you I am as gentle as a lamb... I could harm none knowing your love... or did you think those words were a lie?"

Christine's eyes filled with tears and she bit the inside of her lip in attempt to halt her tears. She placed a hand on her stomach, wondering if the tiny life form inside her felt the sharp iciness of its father's words. A tear fell from her eyes as she stood and looked at Erik helplessly. "You know my love now and you still harm yourself..." She trailed off as the tears falling became tears of anger. She stalked over to him and said boldly, furiously, "And you're doing me pain with the way you are acting at this moment!" She raised her hand in an attempt to slap him.

Erik turned to grasp Christine's hand, pulling it down to her side and holding it there. He looked down into her eyes, his own burning with anger and pain. "Never have a laid a hand on you in a way to cause pain... do not strike me." He warned, his voice low. "I've had enough of such a thing throughout my life." His breathing came in ragged gasps as he tried to calm his anger. "I'm causing you pain! I'm not the one who insinuated that you would kill another person! I admit I've done wrong in my past! More wrong than should ever be forgiven, but I thought you trusted me in my word, my promise that I would not harm another person again! I thought you believed me when I said I had no desire to do so!"

Christine stepped away, her eyebrows furrowed as she glared at him. She couldn't come up with anything to say to him, and though she ached at the pain in the eyes and the way he was speaking to her, she couldn't control her fury. She stomped and clenched her fists. "Don't make promises you cannot keep, mon ange," she mocked his pet name for her, and turned to storm off and up the stairs. She began to cry helplessly as her back and stomach began to ache, and she slammed the door to their room, throwing herself onto the bed and burying her face in the pillow. Oh Erik...

Nadir winced as Christine stomped away, and looked consolingly to Erik. "You must remember her condition..." He said gently, standing to move toward his friend. "It is not your wife speaking..."

Erik stared blankly ahead, a tear slid down his cheek, but he ignored it. "She doesn't trust me." He whispered. "She thinks I will kill..." Turning, he walked from the room, torn between wanting to rush to his saddened wife, and wishing to get as far as possible from the situation. Slowly he ascended the stairs, opening the door and looking at his sobbing wife. "Christine." He said, his voice flat. "If you do not trust my word, we have nothing to base a marriage on. If you think I will kill again, you must not marry me. You will not want to raise your child thinking your husband to be a murderer." Tears slid down his cheeks, but he forced them to be kept from his calm voice. Inside, he felt as if he were dying.

Christine's sobs stopped, and she stared at the pillow in utter shock. They'd had one fight and he already wanted to be rid of her. She looked back at him, her eyes red with tears and she slowly moved from the bed to stand next to it. "You want to call off our engagement?" She whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. She touched her hand to her stomach, not imagining what it'd be like to have her child grow up without its father, the only man she loved so deeply as to bear this blessing inside her. "You don't... You don't want to marry me?" She stared off into space, almost trance-like. Tears were still coming, but her eyes were wide and bluer. She stepped past him, and slowly down the stairs, heading for the door. "He doesn't love me," she murmured aloud as she walked out of the door, without her cloak, into the cold of the night.

Erik rushed after his wife, hurrying down the stairs and cursing as he rushed to the door. Sobs fell from him as he ran to find his wife, and sighed in relief as he spotted her a block or so away. Running at the fastest speed he could manage. With a cry, he threw his arms about Christine's body, tumbling to the grass with her atop him. Clutching to her tightly, he sobbed as he buried his face into her hair. "Christine... I love you so... I do not wish to call of our marriage, I want to spend the rest of my days with you! I want only for you to do as would please you, and if you cannot trust my promise, than we should not be wed... oh... how I wish you could trust me!" He sobbed uncontrollably, wanting to be dead for the pain he had caused her.

Christine's eyes glistened with new tears, and her face felt extremely cold in the bitter wind. She cradled Erik's face in hands, simply brushing his tears away and examining his face. She traced his lips with her thumbs, and then his cheekbones, and then over his eyebrows. "Oh, Erik," she sighed sadly to him. "I would not love you if I could not trust you..." She traced his lips once more. "I do love you, and I do trust you." She leant her head down and pressed her lips to his neck, and squeezed him as best she could being on top of him. She shivered when the wind hit her, but continued to stroke his shoulders and arms. "I just... Everything is so chaotic, Erik. With the baby and our wedding arrangements, I feel as if I've neglected my best friend..." She closed her eyes as tears fell to his neck. "I do trust you, my love. Please don't leave me. Please don't. I would simply die..."

Erik sighed in complete relief, pulling Christine into his arms as he stood and carried her from the grass where they had fallen. "My Christine... oh, my love..." He whispered as he kissed all over her face. Entering the house again, he walked past a startled Nadir and straight up to the bedroom. Laying her down on the bed, he covered her chilled body and sat next to her. "You trust me? You believe I will not harm anyone? Christine, not twenty minutes ago you were saying I should not make promises I cannot keep..." He sighed, stroking his fingers through her hair.

Christine took his hand and held it to her face, caressing his wrist and long fingers. "That's because you can't. You hurt yourself, Erik. You hurt me and your son when you call yourself a monster, or when you speak in that voice of ice." She shivered and kissed his palm. "You do. I trust that you would never hurt anyone intentionally... But it aches me most to see the way you treat yourself."

A tear slid down his cheek as he cautiously laid next to Christine, pulling her into his arms and pressing her face into the crook of his neck. "My dear... I did not realize it upset you so... I've heard the words spoken to me so often..." He sighed, kissing her forehead. "I will try harder, my dear, to see what it is you love about me..." He smiled softly then, pressing his lips to hers for a moment. "I love you so..."

Christine ran her fingers through his hair, sighing softly as she gazed into his eyes, full of warmth for her. She smiled sadly and cuddled closer as she whispered, "Do you?" She couldn't understand why. She'd treated him in a ridiculous manner, hardly acceptable, in fact, anything but. She had been temperamental a lot, recently, and she'd noticed that, while in the past she didn't care for much, and loved the simpler things, and flowed with things, she now was exactly what one would call a prima donna, and she received everything her heart desired. It disturbed her and she frowned. "I don't deserve you, or any of this. I should die in childbirth."

Erik's body stiffened at her words, and he gaped at his wife. "Christine... no..." Tears filled his eyes as he looked down at her helplessly. "Tell me what to do, Christine... how do I make you understand how much you mean to me... how do I make you want to live!" His body shook in fear. "What have I done to make you feel unworthy!"

Christine shook her head and sighed. "You've spoiled me. Everyone has spoiled me." She didn't meet his gaze, but stared at his shirt, as she ran her fingers over it absently. "I've demanded everything and I've gotten what I want every single time." She looked up then, to the ceiling. "What would Father think of me now? His daughter, a brat." She smiled sadly. "Such disappointment."

"No!" Erik cried, grasping her face to tilt it toward his own. "Christine, do not speak that way! You are not spoiled, not at all. Things have been very difficult for you. You have been made to make choices that no normal woman should ever be asked to make. You have been made to question all you knew, all you ever felt... and yet you came out on top... Christine, never feel selfish for finding joy... never feel spoiled for knowing happiness... I have learned recently that joy is fleeting... never question it!" He held his wife close then, rubbing her back. "Would you think me spoiled, my dear? For I have known the same happiness this last month as you have..."

You deserve happiness, my love." She grasped him to her, pressing her mouth close to his ear. "I'm sorry for my outburst." She shivered, recalling her actions. "You must know I would never try to hit you... I don't know what came over me." She stroked in between his shoulder blades. "I only guessed that I had been so ignorant that you would not want me back. And I am not living if I am not with you."

"Oh Christine... I could never turn you away from me.. and you deserve joy just as much as I... you have lost your father, until recently you thought yourself without a relation..." He arched his back slightly to her touch, letting his eyes slide closed. "I know you would never hit me, my dear... you are pregnant... mood swings come with the territory. I must learn to be less sensitive."

Christine nuzzled his neck and smiled wickedly, her stroking hands moving down his back to the top of his pants. "I don't want you to be less sensitive," she announced against his neck. "How would I rule over you, then?" She giggled and moved her hands back up to squeeze him to her. "Poor Nadir. The man must think I'm a rude, inconsiderate child."

Erik smiled lovingly, kissing her nose playfully. "No, my dear... he was the one to remind me that you are pregnant... you must remember, he has had a wife... a child before..." It was only after he had spoken that Erik realized Christine had probably not known of Nadir's past family.

Christine raised an eyebrow. "You knew his family, then? Where are they now?" She wondered why she herself had never spoken to Nadir, to get to know him better, after all the things he had done to help them. How ironic, then, that Erik had known Nadir's family when he had been alone and now Nadir would know their family... but why was Nadir alone?

Erik sighed. "I knew part of his family... his son, Reza." This was obviously a painful subject for Erik to speak of, and he blinked back a few tears. "I met Nadir after his wife had already died. His son... he was dying. A strange disease really... it took the boy's eyesight... destroyed his muscles, he could no longer walk..." Erik lowered his head then. "Nadir... he couldn't watch... Reza was dying... was suffering..." A small sob escaped Erik's throat. "I helped the boy to die..."

Christine's mouth fell open. "You did what!" She vaguely understood that if someone was in so much pain, it was better to give them peace. But a boy... She stroked his temple and asked sadly, "He was that bad off? There was no cure for him?"

Erik shook his head slowly, wiping his tears with irritation. "No.. I did everything I could, he saw every doctor who could possibly travel far enough to see him... and he was in so much pain..." Erik looked up at Christine, a look of determination in his eyes. "You must know... I thought of Reza as my own... I would do the same thing for our child if he were ill... you must know that now... and I must know that you understand..."

Christine bestowed Erik with an odd look, a suspicious gaze. "Are you predicting our child will fall ill, Erik?" She stroked over his mask and neck. "Are you becoming afraid of what could possibly occur to your son?" She held his face in her hands. "All children become ill, and though some illnesses are fatal, you must know most children survive." She gazed sternly into his eyes. "Our child will be healthy and safe, Erik." She kissed him lightly. "And I understand that you have good judgment. But your foresights are somewhat farfetched." She said mildly playful, and kissed him again. "That is why I adore you, Erik. You're so beautiful inside. The most beautiful man..."

Erik's face flushed at her words, and he nuzzled Christine's cheek, breathing softly into her ear as he wrapped his arms tightly around her body. "I love you, Christine..." He whispered, before kissing her neck warmly.

Christine smiled and held his head to her neck, tilting her head back to reveal more flesh for him. "I'm relieved," she whispered, and used her free hand to grip his forearm. How she loved the muscle his body held, the feel of it against her own and knowing she was safe and protected. She pulled Erik's head up and gently took his mask in her hands, and pulled it from his face. She ghosted her lips across his marred skin with tenderness and undeniable love, stroking his hair as she did so.

Erik sighed softly when his mask was removed, and he kept still as Christine's mouth moved over his skin. Moving his face slowly, he captured her lips with his, deepening the contact almost right away. His hands found their way into her hair, and Erik held her close to his body as he kissed her sweetly.

Christine closed her eyes and reveled in the love that Erik so freely gave to her. She'd wanted to stay in his arms like this forever, though she knew it was impossible. When she had met him he'd been so cold, and now, he was incredibly warm, and his mouth upon hers was delightful. She melted into him, wishing she could really stay within his protective embrace for all eternity... and longer.

Erik pulled his lips from Christine's, looking into her eyes and smiling broadly. "Christine...?" He whispered, his voice a little strained. His cheeks warmed a little, usually he didn't have to ask... things would just happen... but Erik was trembling with need right now, and after their argument, he wasn't sure what Christine would think.

Christine raised an amused eyebrow and bit her lip, trying to stop herself from grinning. "Yes, my love? Something you need?" Oh, how she loved toying with him. It was so easy and every time she had teased him to the limit it only enhanced their lovemaking. She looked over his shoulder to the door. "Isn't Nadir still downstairs?" She asked, hoping the glittering sparkle of mischief was not apparent in her blue eyes.

Erik whimpered softly, not trusting his voice to work properly. Instead he saw fit to nod, and grasp Christine's hand to press it to his cheek. "I need you..." He said softly, leaning closer to trail a few kisses along her cheek. "Please...?"

Christine gnawed at the inside of her lip, determined not to break out into a satisfied grin. "Please what, Erik?" She felt his forehead and trailed her hand tantalizingly down his chest to rest at his stomach. "You look ill." She half-grinned but managed to wipe the smirk off her face as she continued. "Do you need your medicine?"

Erik growled low in his throat, knowing at that moment he was being played with. Tackling Christine back against the bed, he pressed his body to hers and attacked her mouth with his. "I need you." He whispered dangerously. "Now."

Christine's body trembled with a wave of desire at feeling his body hard atop hers, but she was still determined to taunt him to full potential. She looked at the door once more, and sniffed the air foolishly. "We forgot about dessert, Erik! Surely Nadir will want what we've prepared, I happen to think it one of my best desserts yet."

Erik groaned, pushing his hips against Christine. "You can be my dessert, my dear." He said seductively, before leaning down to kiss her lips swiftly. "And if Nadir wants some... that's too bad." He grinned, before kissing her again with all the passion he was feeling.

Christine pulled her lips away with a soft pant, heat spreading through her body. She ignored her more urgent wants and pressed her hips back against his. "Well that's not very hospitable, Erik. I don't think I want our son to take lessons of your etiquette."

Then we shall send him to Nadir to learn his manners." He grumbled, before kissing her again and sliding his hands swiftly down to rest at her hips, and then they moved behind her, untying her dress and slipping inside to caress her skin.

Christine's eyes closed and she moaned, submitting to him for a moment. It was only a moment, after all. In the back of her mind she searched her brain for things she could still tease him with. She licked and nipped at his lips and lay completely still on the bed. "Now, Erik..."

"Hmmm?" He intoned, completely absorbed in sliding her dress from her shoulders and kissing each bit of skin revealed.

"You really don't want to do that," she assured him shakily, her hips involuntarily moving up on their own accord to come in contact with his.

Erik moaned deeply as her hips came against his own, and he lowered his mouth to kiss her neck. "Why is that?" He asked, nipping at her flesh and making soft whimpering sounds in the back of his throat.

"Because you must save your strength to make the other nineteen of our children." She whispered, and shakily reached to pull her dress back up.

Erik looked down at Christine and frowned, touching her face. "Christine...? Do you not wish to..." He sighed, and kissed her forehead.

Christine reached down in between them to grasp his waistband, but before she could even think of what to do next, she felt herself drifting off to sleep, suddenly extremely exhausted. Her fingers curled around the inside of his pants, and then her eyes closed, and her head fell to the pillow as she dozed off.

Erik looked down at his wife with mild concern, touching her cheek. A heavy sigh slid from his lips as he settled to lie beside Christine. Gently he rolled her into his arms, cuddling her against his chest and willing his mind to comprehend the fact that there would be no satisfaction right now. "You've spoiled me." He mumbled into her hair, before dropping a kiss to the top of her head and closing his eyes.