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

Author's Note: Now, if you are reading and not reviewing, that makes us sad. Remember, you don't have to be signed it to review:D While you're at it, go read SWEET SEDUCTION by us! And review that too, ya'll.

Chapter Eleven

Christine pulled her cloak around her, shivering against the cold wind of Paris. She walked towards the Giry's flat, hoping Meg was home. She couldn't wait to see her best friend, and although she'd looked upon it bitterly before, she realized she missed the girl's bubbly attitude. She'd never admit that, however. She came closer, and apprehension twisted in her stomach. She stepped to the door, and knocked softly, a huge grin plastered on her face.

The door swung open to Madame Giry, and the woman looked a bit surprised. "Mademoiselle Daae... I assume you are here to see Meg. Please, come in." She said, waving the girl inside and calling to her daughter.

Meg rushed from the room at her mother's call. "Yes, maman? What is it you - Christine!" She cried, hurrying to her friend and throwing her arms around her. "Christine, I haven't seen you in so long! Where have you been?"

Christine smiled broadly and squeezed her friend tight. She pulled back, but held her hands. "I've so much to tell you, Meg! First, though..." She turned to Madame Giry and asked politely, "Would it be alright if Meg came to my home and have dinner with my family tonight?"

Madame Giry appeared thoughtful for a moment, before nodding. "Yes... I do not think that would be a problem, as long as she is home before it becomes too late..."

Meg nearly bounced with excitement. "Oh, Christine! I'm so excited, what do you mean by family? Come, you must tell me everything, let's sit down!" Quickly the dancer pulled her friend to the living room, sitting down on the sofa before the fire and looking to Christine expectantly.

Christine sat down by Meg and played with the folds of her cloak. "Oh Meg... Meg, I have a husband now. And an uncle and..." She looked down and rubbed her abdomen. "And soon a son..." She grasped Meg's hand and smiled brightly. "So much has changed! I feel horrid for not coming to see you earlier, and you must forgive me. We've been so busy."

Meg's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "A husband! A BABY!" She shrieked, before clasping a hand over her mouth. "Christine, explain this to me! You disappeared after that horrible encounter with... well, with Him... no one can find you or the ghost in his lair... and now a few weeks later you suddenly have a whole new life!" Meg's eyes were dancing.

Christine smiled and shook her head. "I suppose rumors have spread. What I am about to tell you must remain between us, do you understand?"

"Of course!" Meg exclaimed, leaning closer and grinning with excitement. "Christine, you're my best friend... I won't tell a soul!"

"Alright. That night, I realized I was in love with the Phantom." She shook her head and corrected herself. "With Erik. Oh, Meg, if you only knew him. The real Erik. He's so humble and you'd simply love him if you knew him better." She continued, staring off into space. "Raoul was devastated of course... But I couldn't live my life without Erik. I wore his ring, and I became his wife." She smiled and said excitedly, "Which brings me to my next point. We're husband and wife in all the ways that matter... But we never made it official. We are having an official ceremony by the end of the week, and I want you to be there. You're my best friend, as well."

Meg gaped at Christine, hardly able to believe what she had heard. "With the Phantom!" She shook her head slowly. "Oh Christine... I always knew you would end up with someone more exciting than the Vicomte." She teased, taking Christine's hand in hers. "I would love to attend... Wait! That means.. the baby...is the Phantom's baby...!"

Christine threw her head back and laughed, her dark brown curls bouncing as she did so. "Of course! Yes, I'm about a month pregnant." She grinned and rubbing her stomach again. "He can't wait to meet his aunt Meg." She giggled and became wrapped up in her excitement once more. "Meg, I found that I have an uncle! My mother's brother-in-law! He sold us our new home, and he'll be at dinner tonight, as well. Oh Meg, I cannot wait for you to meet him. He'll simply love you!"

Meg laughed in excitement. "Oh Christine, this is wonderful! I can't wait to meet him... although I'm a bit nervous about meeting... well, your husband..." She flushed a little, looking toward the fire. "I mean.. he killed Piangi, and Joseph Buquet... and he made the chandelier fall, didn't he?"

Christine sighed sadly. "Well, yes, Meg. But he did it all because he was afraid that Raoul would take me away. He loved me so much..." She frowned. "I was a fool to not have realized I loved him earlier." Her eyes sparkled again and she clasped Meg's hands in hers. "What rumors have been flying around the Opera? I was never one for gossip, but since it is my own..." She gave Meg a playful smile.

Meg laughed, appearing thoughtful. "Well... a few girls have been saying that the Phantom turned you into a ghost... Others think that you've been killed... a few more think you and the vicomte escaped and eloped..." Meg shrugged. "The managers kept telling the girls that you had been in touch and were coming back after the break, but... you know rumors..."

"All to well, I'm afraid." She smiled and laughed softly at the rumors. How unlikely. "I'm glad I've seen you, Meg. I missed you so much." She patted her friend's hands. "I have to prepare dinner when I return. Would you like to help me or should I just send a hansom for you later?"

Meg sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Unfortunately, I have practice with the corps until later this evening... would it be a terrible amount of trouble to send a hansom?"

"Not at all." She stood and fastened her cloak securely around her. "I shall send one much later. I can't wait, Meg. This is going to be so much fun."

X

Erik sat on the settee before the fire, his arm around Christine's shoulders as they waited for their guests to arrive. The food was almost done cooking, and the table was set. All was ready, and very soon they would be seated and eating a meal, all family and friends together. Erik leaned over, kissing Christine's cheek and smiling fondly down at her. "Are you excited, my dear?"

Christine grinned and nodded fervently, squeezing his hand. "I feel as if I'm the luckiest woman alive!" Her blue eyes glittered as she bit her lip to keep from squealing in excitement. She grabbed the back of Erik's head and pressed her lips to his, and pulled back. "SO excited, my love!"

Erik laughed, twining his arms around Christine's body and pulling her to his lap. "I'm glad... I want you to always be happy." He said warmly, before pressing his lips to hers. "I love you so, Christine..." He whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

Christine caressed his uncovered cheek and smiled as she gazed into his beautiful eyes, telling him how much she loved him with her gaze. She slapped his forearm playfully, then. "You must be very nice to little Meg. She's terrified! She probably thinks our baby is a ghost." She laughed at the thought and ran her hands down Erik's chest. "You don't feel like a ghost to me, my love."

Erik grinned broadly, nuzzling Christine's cheek and moving his lips down to her neck. "I shall be as kind and polite as I know how." He mumbled against her skin, sliding his hands across her back and tugging Christine a bit closer.

Christine situated herself atop his lap, moving a leg to each side of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed happily as she ran her fingers through his hair, and let them stray to his neck, where she began to massage. She bent her head and kissed him heatedly, moving her hips a tad against his, almost as if she were teasing him again.

Erik wrapped his arms tightly around Christine's waist, hands gripping her back as he kissed her with every ounce of passion he felt. When her hips moved against his, he gave a small whimper, lifting his hips just a bit to brush against Christine's.

Christine moaned and ground more firmly against him, and arched her back. Her long hair fell on top of his hands, and she squeezed his shoulders. She went forward to attack his neck as he had done hers, and began moving her hips in a slow pace as she did so.

Erik gave a small cry of need, threading his fingers into Christine's hair and using his free hand to clutch his wife as close to his body as he could. "Christine..." He moaned, pressing his hips firmly against hers and aching to flip her beneath him and make love to her properly.

Christine gasped and grinned deviously up at him, clutching his shoulders. She slid her hands down between them to stroke him through his pants, grinning evilly still. She raised an eyebrow and pressed her breasts against his chest, her other hand moving to massage his neck once more.

A low groan slid from Erik's lips as he allowed his head to fall back, eyes sliding closed and his body trembling in need. "Yesss..." He whispered, holding Christine tight against his body for a moment, before he lifted his head, pressing his lips to hers and kissing her fervently.

Christine's hand slid back up to grasp his shoulder and she kissed him back, tilting her head slightly to move her tongue deeply into his mouth. She arched against him, trying to feel him against her, but she groaned in frustration when she could not. She moved her lips away and reached down to hike up her skirts, the blasted things that held them back each time.

Erik swiftly helped Christine with her skirts, looking into her eyes with a silent question posed in them. He didn't know how much longer he could last like this, and he felt himself trembling in need as he caressed her legs, stroking his fingertips up and down.

Christine moaned and smiled as she twirled his hair around her fingers. "Erik," she murmured, and wrapped her legs around him as she slid her hands to his pants. Oh God... We shouldn't be doing this. But she had never felt more ready in her life. There were good sides to her pregnancy, and one was that she was aroused so much and she had a husband that would never turn her down.

Erik smiled lovingly at his wife as he slid his hands down to rest over hers, and together they unbuttoned his pants. Within a moment he was ready, and tugged Christine's hips over his own, pulling her down and thrusting up within her with a cry.

Christine arched her back and flipped her hair back, crying out loudly as she began to move against him. She squeezed his hips and moved her hands up and around to his back, raking her nails over his shoulder blades. She moaned low in her throat, and it sounded almost as a hum would in a song.

Meg Giry had been knocking on the door for a while now, and with a sigh she finally opened it up, stepping into the foyer. The house was grand looking, and she couldn't believe the beauty of it. She thought she heard something coming from the room down the hall, so she removed her cloak and hung it by the door, then scurried down the hall and walked into the room, gasping at what she saw. Apparently it was true that the Opera Ghost wore a mask, and Meg couldn't help but stare at the intimidating man who's lips were firmly attached to her best friend's.

Christine threw her head back once more, and opened her eyes, and was horrified as she saw something... blonde... in the corner of her eye. She paused in her moving against her husband, freezing. Jean Claude wasn't blonde... Nadir definitely wasn't blonde... Meg! She looked over the settee back to see her best friend, and gulped. "Meg! Darling, you're early!" She fought the huskiness of her voice and moved to get off of Erik.

Erik choked, and as Christine tried to lunge away, he clasped his hands on her hips. "Stay." He whispered, and hoped Christine would realize how obvious it would be if they scampered apart... Instead, he stilled himself and waited, heart racing.

Meg's face flushed slightly as she walked inside curiously. "I'm sorry... I seem to be interrupting something..." She apologized, looking to the floor.

Christine nearly groaned as she felt herself throb around Erik, and she clutched his shoulders tightly. "No... No, not at all, dear. I trust the hansom ride was okay?" She bit her lip as another moan longed to escape her mouth, and she looked down at Erik with a pained expression. She moved a little bit atop him, grinding her teeth together as she tried to stop the low throb within her.

Erik gasped softly, when she moved, and he couldn't help the small thrust he made in response. A surge of pleasure flew through his body, and when he realized it was nearly impossible to tell his movements, he made another cautious thrust, and he grinned playfully up at his wife then.

Meg smiled kindly at Christine, sitting on the armchair near the sofa. "Oh, it was lovely, thank you..." She said softly, looking at Erik with open curiosity.

Oh my God, Christine thought in her tortured mind as she closed her eyes. She pinched Erik's nipple at his playful smile, and couldn't help herself as she continued to move, so agonizingly slowly atop him. What are we doing! Her eyes were wide with disbelief at what she was doing in front of her guest, her best friend, but she knew Meg was so innocent that she probably wouldn't figure it out. She moaned softly and said, "Are you hungry?" As she did, she looked down into Erik's eyes and licked her lips seductively, grinning as she thrust hard against him.

Erik glared at Christine when she pinched him, and when she moved against him, Erik had to force himself not to cry out. Oh God... Christine...

Meg nodded slowly. "I'm a bit hungry... and I assume this is your husband?" She asked with a sly smile. She hadn't seen Christine so... happy looking in a long time, and she was glad someone could bring light to her eyes again after her father had died.

Christine raised an eyebrow, but closed both eyes as she felt herself nearing the edge. "Um... yes, no... Yes!" She cried out, and her eyes widened as she realized what she'd done. She smiled back at Meg and nodded. "Isn't he lovely? Perhaps you should come over here and shake his hand?" She thrust against him once more as she felt herself so close to climax. She was yearning for him to touch her, for him to kiss her, but there was no time.

Erik arched an eyebrow at Christine's words, and looked to the girl with a smile. "No need to be so formal..." He said gently, even as he pressed himself upwards into his wife again, and he looked away as his eyes slipped closed for a moment. So close... both of us are... He knew this was very dangerous, but he couldn't seem to help himself, and he pressed himself within her again and finally couldn't help himself. Reaching up he grasped Christine's cheeks, bringing her face down and kissing her. He frankly didn't care what society thought about displaying affection in front of others, he loved this woman and damn it he wanted to kiss her.

Meg smiled at the kiss between the two people, wishing that she could find someone to love like that... and then she was startled as she heard a throat clearing in the doorway. Turning, she saw a strange foreign looking man, who's face was slightly flushed. The man walked in and looked from Meg, to Erik and Christine, then back to Meg again.

Erik's kiss was enough to make Christine lose it. She pressed fully against him and squeezed his shoulders as she felt herself tighten around him, and she began to shudder uncontrollably. She gripped her husband tightly, and was well aware of Nadir in the room, though she didn't give a damn. Come with me, Erik, we've worked so hard...

Nadir's eyes widened when he noticed the expression on Christine's face, one of raw passion, and he swiftly moved to Meg's side, grasping her arm. "Mademoiselle Giry, I must ask to you to come with me... I need to talk to you about the wedding..." He said swiftly, tugging the girl from the room and looking skyward as he walked. Oh Allah... the things I do for my friends...

Erik gave a small cry when Christine tightened against him, and he felt immense relief flood though his body as Nadir took Meg from the room. Now free to do as he pleased, Erik flipped Christine below him on the settee, thrusting into her a few more times and giving another cry, this time a bit louder, as he released within his wife, throwing his head back and whimpering over and over.

Christine cried out as well, and wrapped her legs firmly around him. She panted heavily and squeezed his upper arms, hardly able to catch her breath. She grinned up at him and stroked his broad shoulders, and then lifted her head to kiss his lips.

Erik kissed Christine lovingly, his hands descending to her face to cup her cheeks. His arms shook from holding himself up, and he allowed his body to rest against Christine's, pressing his face into her neck and breathing deeply her scent. Christine stroked his back and smiled against his cheek. "I cannot believe we actually did that." She giggled. "I'm glad we did, though," she spoke softly, placing kisses along his jaw line.

Erik laughed, rubbing Christine's back and tilting his head to give her lips better access. "So am I, my dear..." He purred, cuddling closer to her for a moment before pulling away long enough to button his pants and fix Christine's skirts. "Although I'm quite relieved that Nadir arrived when he did..."

Christine grinned and nodded. "It seems you could be much louder than I, if you let yourself go more often." She patted his rear playfully and sat up, running her fingers through her hair. "Isn't this the same place we made love yesterday?" She asked thoughtfully, glancing around the room. "We should try the chair next time."

Erik laughed at her words, pulling her into his arms and standing, carrying her from the room and smiling roguishly at Nadir, who gave Erik a very irritated look. Setting Christine to the floor, he dropped a quick kiss to her forehead, before walking toward Nadir and patting his shoulder. "Now now, Daroga... don't scold me too much." He said, before looking down at a very nervous Meg and taking her hand. He dropped a quick kiss to her knuckles, bowing slightly. "I apologize about before, mademoiselle...please allow me to greet you properly." He said gently.

Christine's eyes left Erik, the pride for her husband still shining in them and she smiled mischievously at Nadir. She shrugged lightly and looked behind her towards the foyer area. "I have no idea. He should've been here already." She blushed and shook her head. "But I'm glad he's not..." She laughed softly and looked up at Nadir. "We're extremely lucky to have an understanding friend as you."

Nadir flushed slightly, and he briefly rested his hand on her arm. "Think nothing of it... I am glad to see the both of you so happy..." Glancing over at Erik and Meg, he chuckled. "Mademoiselle Giry appears a bit nervous..."

Meg looked up at Erik, blushing when he let go of her hand. "Oh... do call me Meg..." She said softly, looking away from his intimidating gaze and choosing instead to focus her eyes on the floor. "And it was no trouble, I understand that you... you care for Christine greatly..."

Erik smiled down at Meg, before looking over to Christine with a look of nervous fear on his face. He was entirely unused to meeting someone new, and he had no idea how to handle this situation.

Christine heard a knock at the door, and she gave Erik a soft smile before turning to go answer it. She smiled up at her uncle as she opened the door to reveal him, and bestowed the woman accompanying him with an odd look. "Hello," she began, "I'm Christine."

Jean Claude stepped over the threshold and guided his lady to stand beside him inside the foyer. "Christine, this is Marie Perrault." He winked at Christine, trying to get across that this lady was very special to him. "Marie, this is my niece, Christine Destler." He looked around. "Are we a bit early?"

Christine shook her head. "No, uncle, you're right on time." She smiled to Marie. "How are you this evening."

Marie smiled politely right back, nodding. "I'm just fine." She looked up at Jean Claude. "I used to know a Destler..." She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. "It was a very long time ago."

Christine nodded. "This way, please. Dinner is ready." She led them into the dining room and beckoned Meg over. "Uncle Jean Claude, Mademoiselle Perrault, this is my best friend, Meg Giry."

Nadir and Erik heard speaking, and Nadir smiled to Erik. "Ah, I see Jean Claude has arrived." However, when they began to walk toward the dining room, Erik froze. He knew that voice... "Erik, what is it?" Nadir asked, looking to his friend.

Erik shook his head slowly. "Nothing, Nadir... nothing at all... I only thought..." Quickly he walked into the dining room, not looking anywhere but at his lovely wife, and he moved to Christine, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. It was only afterwards that he looked to Jean Claude to greet him and his words died on his lips when he saw Marie. "... Mademoiselle... Perrault...?" He whispered, his entire appearance becoming that of a young boy again. His voice was small and child-like, filled with shock. He hadn't seen Marie in over 20 years...

Jean Claude and Christine exchanged glances, and they both turned to look at Erik. "You're acquainted?" They both managed to say at the same time, and Christine moved back to study the two. She looked over her husband's shoulder to Nadir, and then over to her uncle. What was going on with this? She raised an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest.

Marie's eyes widened and she stepped forward, seeing Erik's mask. "Erik?" She whispered, unbelieving. "Is it really you?"

Erik trembled slightly, not sure if he should run now. "Yes Mademoiselle Perrault, it is me..." He said, still in the small voice. He reached out nervously to take Christine's hand, and squeezed it firmly.

Marie looked between the two of them, finally registering that the Destler she had known was in fact Jean Claude's niece's husband. She noted with wide eyes that Christine looked exactly as Madeleine did when she had been much younger. She smiled at Erik and nodded. "You're well, I see." She stepped forward to touch his arm. "I'm glad."

Erik's body stiffened at her words, and he looked almost as if he were trapped when she touched him. However, his rigid rememberence of the polite way he was taught to speak to Marie still ran through him, and he nodded. "Yes, Mademoiselle Perrault, I am well.. and you appear to be well yourself." He said, his voice almost hoarse and his eyes almost wild with their search for a way out. He squeezed Christine's hand tighter.

Marie stepped back and took Jean Claude's arm. "Erik, you don't have to hold such formalities with me any longer. I am simply Marie now." She laughed quietly and looked up at Jean Claude. "I feel to old to be called 'Mademoiselle' now."

Jean Claude caught Christine's eyes and his confusion mirrored there. "Marie, how do you know Erik?"

Marie looked back at Erik. "I knew his mother. I suppose I played a role in his childhood, as well. Was I not the first one to give you a present, Erik?" She smiled encouragingly up at Erik, seeing the look on his face. She still remembered him as that small, smart boy so long ago...

Christine looked at Meg, and then Nadir, and then her uncle. She narrowed her eyes at Marie, feeling a certain jealousy, but not understanding why. I'm giving him the greatest gift he'll ever receive, she spoke sternly in her head. She squeezed Erik's hand comfortingly and cleared her throat. "Well, dinner awaits."

Erik nodded at Marie's words, still baffled as to how this had occurred. "I..." He sighed, looking to Christine, then back at Marie. "I still have the book." He said shortly, not sure how to behave. Swallowing hard, he looked at Nadir, Meg, Jean Claude, Marie, then to Christine, noticing all their gazes resting on him. Suddenly Erik felt incredibly closed in, and he let out a shuddering breath. "Please excuse me for a moment." He said quickly, squeezing Christine's hand and turning to leave the room. Swiftly he moved to the sitting room, leaning on the mantle and gasping for breath.

Christine gave an apologetic look to all of them. She moved towards Nadir and said softly, "Could you please seat them? I have to go make sure he's alright." She smiled sadly. "Is there anything you know of that can help him get through this?"

Nadir shook his head, completely at a loss. "I think he's just feeling crowded." He said softly, resting his hand on her shoulder. "You help him just by being at his side... I suppose this was quite the surprise... seeing her after all these years..."

Christine nodded. "Okay. Well, thanks, for all of your help." She squeezed his hands and then moved toward Meg. "I'll be right back, I promise." She looked to her uncle and Marie, and smiled reassuringly. "Please be seated and we'll return in a moment." With that, she walked out of the dining room and out into the hallway, and when she heard deep gasps, she moved towards in, into the sitting room. She watched from the doorway, wondering what she could do. "Erik?"

He turned to look at his wife, and looked at her with need. Opening his arms, he called to her with tears in his eyes. "Christine..."

Christine smiled sadly and went to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling his chest. "Erik, my love, what has made you so upset? There's no one in there to hurt or to judge you. They're our friends. Marie seems to adore you."

Burying his face into Christine's hair, he shook and leaned against her completely, unable to hold himself up. "She was but a girl when she was with us... and just seeing her... it makes me remember so much that I'd wanted to forget so long ago..." He whispered, squeezing Christine as close as he could to his body and trying to calm his breathing.

"Erik," Christine began, running her hands over his back, "The past is behind us, yes. But Marie, she was obviously kind to you. She is now apart of your future, and I'm sure the past is behind her, as well. You've no need to fear our future! Think of all the friends we have now... Friends that are as close as family." She pulled away and cradled his face in her hands. "Calm yourself, and know that these people care about you. All of them, especially Marie, are glad to see us happy together." She squeezed his hand and pulled him towards the doorway. "Come now."

Erik nodded slowly, cupping Christine's cheek and kissing her lovingly. "Thank you, my dear..." He whispered, softly, blinking away a few tears and instead smiling. "I apologize... I just..." He sighed, following his wife from the room and toward the dining area again.

"There's no need to apologize," she whispered, turning to him once more before entering the dining room once more. She stood on tiptoe to peck him on the lips once more. "You're so very brave, Erik. I love you so much." She smiled comfortingly up at him and gently led him into the dining area.

Erik sighed and followed his wife, looking at the table with everyone seated and prepared to eat. Erik took a deep breath, then walked to his usual seat and slowly lowered himself, doing his best not to meet anyone's eyes. Once he was situated, he looked up at Nadir, who smiled reassuringly at him.

Christine sat in between Erik and Meg, and across from Nadir. She smiled at her best friend and scooted her chair closer to the table. "Our son is hungry," she announced, picking up her fork. She grinned at Meg as she stuffed her mouth, and then paled as she remembered her manners. "I apologize," she murmured, and looked at Erik with a sheepish grin. "He's your son."

Marie raised an eyebrow. "Jean Claude told me that you were pregnant, Christine. How delightful. Congratulations to the both of you."

Jean Claude grinned and nodded. "He'll be a strong little bugger, if he's already craving that much food." He nodded towards the amount of food on her plate, thrice as much as anyone else's.

Erik had to chuckle at the words Jean Claude and Marie spoke, beaming with pride at the thought of having his very own son. "Yes, Christine is quite insatiable." He said, giving her a sly look and taking her hand beneath the table. He looked down at his own food, but it was difficult for him to eat while wearing his mask, so usually when they had guests he would pick at his food, but avoid actually eating too much. Looking at Christine again, he smiled lovingly at her, before lifting his own fork.

Christine grinned and picked up her fork as well, completely ravenous. She chomped down on her food, sometimes looking over at Meg and making faces, and grinning like an idiot. All of this was so pleasant. She was pleased that her husband was becoming comfortable. She looked over to her best friend again, and grinned, hitting her arm playfully. "Now we must find you a husband, Meg!" She looked across the table to Nadir. "Any young men you know?"

Nadir laughed, shaking his head lightly. "No, I'm afraid not... and anyhow, I think mademoiselle Giry would like to choose her own beau, would you not?"

Meg smiled faintly, blushing a bit as she nodded. "Oh Christine, I don't think I'm ready for such a life yet!" She grinned, looking to her best friend and smiling. "And anyhow, I plan to dance for years yet... if I got married, I'd have to leave the stage..." She cut off when she realized that Christine fully intended to continue on the stage. Meg wasn't sure how that would work out, after all...

"Mademoiselle Giry," she mocked with a grin, "Would like to be swept up in romance, just like I was." She switched her gaze to rest on Marie and Jean Claude, who were wrapped up in their own conversation. Were they swept up in a romance? She shook her head and grinned back at Meg. "You wouldn't have to leave the stage! You can consummate your marriage in your dressing room!" She switched her grin to rest on Erik.

Erik laughed heartily at the words his wife spoke, and nodded toward Meg. "It's true you know..." He whispered playfully, before looking to Marie with open curiosity. "The world seems to grow smaller every day..." He said softly, shaking his head. "The last time I saw her was when my mother died..." Shrugging, he looked down at his plate and sighed. Oh well, Christine's cooking is good cold as well...

Christine examined Erik's food, as well, and slid her hand under the table to caress his muscled thigh. "Would you like me to feed you?" She whispered, so that only her husband could hear... Perhaps Nadir, considering the angle of her head. She grinned naughtily and removed her hand just as she was about to touch his most intimate flesh, and she turned her head to gaze at Meg. "So this man of yours. What does he look like?"

Meg shook her head fervently. "There is no man, you horrible woman!" She said laughingly, and slapped at Christine. "You're pure evil."

Erik smiled softly at Christine, reaching out to take her hand and hold it tightly in his. He wished so very much that he could take off his mask, but he knew that would be completely inappropriate. Christine is spoiling me... I shouldn't want to remove it at all.. but now I'm growing so used to not wearing it...

Christine looked at Meg incredulously and then turned her gaze to Erik. "No!" She looked to Nadir. "I'm not evil, am I!" She looked down at her empty plate and then to Nadir's. "Are you going to eat that?" She asked, nodding towards his chicken. She grinned and shrugged innocently. "I'm not evil!"

Nadir smiled and handed his plate to Christine, shaking his head. "Not evil at all, Christine." He said gently, before looking to Erik. "Aren't you going to eat?" He asked, concerned.

Erik sighed, and smiled. "Of course I am." He stated, but made no move to eat any of the food. Instead he looked to his wife lovingly.

Christine grinned. "Oh, he's already eaten." She winked at Nadir and bit her lip as she looked over at her husband with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

Erik glared to Christine, chuckling softly. "You are nothing but trouble tonight." He teased, looking balefully down at his food and trying to ignore how good it smelled. In about a minute I'm taking this plate into the kitchen and eating it.

Christine grinned evilly and nodded to Erik's words. She bent over her plate -- or Nadir's former plate -- and began to stuff the chicken into her mouth, but she caught sight of her uncle and Marie looking lovingly at each other. She raised an eyebrow. "Marie, why don't you come to the wedding." She smiled evilly. Perhaps that'd make them reveal their love for each other... If there was such.

Marie looked up, startled, and nodded. "Of course, anything you'd like." Jean Claude grinned at his niece.

Christine bent over the table and made a pained expression. "Erik... come to the kitchen with me please." She glanced at his food. "And bring your plate," she added suspiciously, then stood.

Erik frowned, concerned at her expression. "Christine, is something wrong?" He asked, reaching out to rest a hand on her arm. "Are you hurt?" His eyes were wide with fear as he stood, grasping his plate in one hand, and her arm in the other. Swiftly he moved them into the kitchen. "What is it?"

Christine grinned and picked up his chicken with her bare hands. She took a big bite out of it before shoving his mask up his face and pushing the chicken towards his face. "Eat it!" She demanded, her other hand on her hip. "Eat it or I shall devour it ruthlessly!"

Erik laughed at his wife's expression, before leaning forward and taking a bite of the food gratefully. "Thank you." He said softly, before taking the food from her hand and holding it himself. "I don't trust you to keep from eating it." He teased, reaching out to pull her closer to him and rest his chin on her head. "Have I told you how much I love you in the last, oh, twenty minutes?"

Christine shook her head. "But now you can eat in peace, so I think you should say it again. And if you do, I might even think about giving you a very exquisite dessert." She grinned up at him and pulled away, moving back to his food. "Quickly, now, you know what will happen if it's in my eyes for too long." She rested her elbow atop the counter and placed her chin in her hand. "Did you notice something going on between Marie and Jean Claude?"

Erik smiled, leaning on the counter himself and beginning to eat almost as ravenously as his wife had earlier. "Yes, as a matter of fact I did notice... Marie lives in Boucherville last I knew... I just don't understand how they could have met." His brow furrowed in confusion as he pulled his mask completely off and set it aside with a sigh of relief.

Christine's brows came together as she frowned in thought. "Well, Jean Claude seems to be taken with her. I think it's cute." She wrinkled her nose in delight at him and made a grab for the little food remaining on his plate.

Erik slapped at Christine's hand, grasping the last bit of chicken and holding it away. "Ah ah.. open up." He said in a soft voice, holding the food before her mouth and quirking an eyebrow playfully.

Christine glared and stepped forward. "Give it to me," she demanded, trying to bite at it and catch his fingers as well.

Erik shook his head, smiling down at Christine. "Open up and you can have it." He said simply as he grinned.

Christine growled and ran to him, and jumped up to wrap her arms and legs around his body. She held onto his shoulders with one hand as she clutched his wrist with the other and bit him playfully. She looked him in the eyes and opened up her mouth wide, as she would while hitting a high note. "Feed me!" She insisted.

Erik placed the food within her mouth, and placed gentle kisses along her neck as he held her in his arms. He absolutely loved how playful Christine was, and he nipped at her neck with a grin. "You know, that chicken was wonderful... but you taste much better." He mumbled against her skin.

Christine chewed and savored the delicious flavor, rubbing his hair. "Are we to make love on the kitchen counter now, my love?" She grinned.

Erik laughed, kissing her swiftly and letting her back to the floor. "Unfortunately no..." He said gently, kissing her again and reaching for his mask. "I'm afraid someone will come looking for us." He explained, taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles lovingly. "Although I must admit the idea intrigues me..."

Christine grinned as they entered the dining room again. "Then we must experiment as we wash dishes." She kissed his cheek briefly and sat back down beside Meg. "So did you enjoy my cooking? If so, we'll have you for dinner more often!" She glanced over at Nadir. "He comes whether he likes it or not. Poor man is so bored." She winked at Nadir and smiled playfully.

Nadir laughed, nodding his head. "Yes... I'm afraid I spend most of my evenings here... much more interesting than staring at the fireplace all night..."

"Yes Christine, the food was wonderful." Meg insisted, reaching over to take her friend's hands. "Maman says I can come to your wedding, by the way... when is it?"

Christine smiled brightly. "This Friday, in the late afternoon." She grinned, thinking of her wedding night. Ah yes, what pleasures were to come then? "You can just spend the night with me here while Erik stays with Nadir, that way you can help me." She grinned. The groom was not supposed to see the bride before the wedding, but perhaps a little before the ceremony they wouldn't be able to wait...

Christine nodded. "I'm afraid to send you alone..." She frowned. "I'll go with you." She noticed Jean Claude and Marie were standing, as well, and she smiled. "You're departing, too, I suppose." She turned to Nadir. "Please take care of my husband while I'm away..." She winked at him and looked at Erik. "I'll not be too late."

Erik sighed a bit, standing up and moving to begin clearing the table. "Be safe." He said quietly, stacking plates and trying not to worry about his wife already. After all, she was pregnant. Casting a curious glance to Marie, Erik couldn't help but wonder what things would be like now for them.

Marie smiled at Erik. "I suppose I shall see you on the wedding day, then. Take care of yourself until then." She had a very acute sense to hug him, but she backed off and took Jean Claude's arm. Christine's uncle shook his hand before moving towards the foyer.

Erik carried the dishes to the kitchen, then went back to the dining area to see that everyone was walking out the door. Curiously he walked to the foyer, grasping his cloak and fedora and placing them on. Walking swiftly, Erik made his way from the house and followed after Christine and Meg. It was easy to keep in the shadows and not be detected by the two girls, after all.

Christine smiled at Meg. "And I love him so entirely much. Our son is going to be a wonder to this world. And I can just see the look of pride Erik will have! I'm so proud of him. Do you know how far he's come?" She shook her head and grinned. "Life is so nice."

Suddenly, before anyone had time to figure out what was going on. A large, burly man, obviously drunk, came up the desolate road toward the two young women. He advanced on Meg, first, but when Christine jumped in front of her best friend, the man grabbed her upper arms and forced her to the ground.

Erik gave a cry of rage then, rushing forward and reaching to the concealed pocket of his cloak for his Punjab Lasso. Pulling it free, he looked to Meg, whose face was white with fear, and then to Christine who was on the ground beneath the man. With one simple toss of the rope it was around the man's neck, and Erik pulled back swiftly, bringing the man off of his wife. "Christine!" He shouted, his voice frantic.

Christine gasped and scooted as far away as she could from the now dead man, whose neck had been snapped. She gazed at his lifeless form in horror, and trembled violently. Her skirts had been pulled up her thighs, and he'd been so close... She began to sob helplessly.

Dropping the rope, Erik rushed to her side, taking his wife into his arms and holding her on his lap, his own tears falling. Gently he rocked Christine back and forth, stroking his hands through her hair and over her back lovingly as he murmured comforting words in her ear. His heart was still racing with his fear as he kissed her cheeks.

Christine gripped Erik furiously to her, as if she was afraid she was going to be taken at any moment. "Erik!" She struggled to look up at him as she went into hysterics. "Erik, he was going to... he was going to..." She sobbed and buried her face into his chest.

Jean Claude and Marie stepped out of their hansom, and rushed towards the three. Jean Claude dropped to his knees beside Christine and touched her shoulder. "Little love! Are you all right? We saw everything."

Marie looked mortified and she gazed at the dead figure on the ground. "Everything..." She echoed.

Handing Christine over to Jean Claude, Erik stood mechanically and walked to the body of the man, rolling him over with ease and removing the Punjab Lasso from around his neck. Calmly he coiled it back up and slipped it into his cloak. Looking down at the body, he heaved a heavy sigh, reaching out then and closing the man's eyes. "You made me break my promise." He said softly to the man, while he reached into his pocket and produced two gold coins, which he placed over the fellow's eyes. Then he walked from the body, head low, and stood on the edge of the group, looking to his wife, the white faced Meg Giry, then toward the moon.

Marie was shaken. Erik had killed. Jean Claude and Christine seemed to be unfazed by the action, but the little blonde woman she'd known as Meg was looking rather pale. She walked towards her, helping her up. "Are you quite alright, Meg?"

Meg looked up to Marie, nodding. "Yes.. yes, I'm alright..." She said softly, looking toward Erik, then the body. "I... it was just frightening, is all." She said, looking toward Erik again. "He seems so... lost..." She said curiously, tilting her head. Her eyes lit up slightly then. "So... the Punjab Lasso wasn't part of Buquet's story... it really does exist..." Her eyes were full of wonder then, and she looked with concern toward Christine.

Christine held her arms out like a baby would, beckoning for her husband. Jean Claude called his name softly as he still held his precious niece to him. It'd really given him a scare, and though he'd felt his heart constrict, he'd only focused on getting to her.

Looking toward Christine, Erik did not hesitate to rush toward her, and in an instant he was sobbing uncontrollably, scooping her tightly against his body and burying his face into her hair. "I'm so sorry!" He wailed, holding her as tightly as he could manage. "I've broken my promise... I've betrayed your trust! I swore I would never kill again, oh Christine..."

Christine shook her head, and though she was slightly still shocked from her experience, she held Erik and comforted him. "No... No, I would've been..." She gulped. "I would've been violated had you not rushed to my side. Erik, you were protecting me! Who knows what that man would've done, to me and to Meg!" She began to cry now, as well. "You're a hero, Erik! You're my hero..." Her salty tears fell to his neck and she clenched her fist in his shirt.

Jean Claude took Marie's hand, and then looked to Meg. "Come, Mademoiselle... We shall have the hansom take you home." He turned to his niece to gaze at her once more, before nodding. "They'll be okay." He knew Erik would take care of her. Calling out for a hansom down the road, he quickly moved the two women forward.

Erik stood with Christine in his arms and began to walk toward home, looking back at their friends to smile sadly. "Thank you." He called, his voice a little hoarse. Then he turned, and began the walk home, holding his wife tightly in his arms.