A/N: Sorry for the delay. Thank you for all of your reviews, and opinions! I feel that this story is ending, because I am running out of ideas, but do not fret! I will have a sequel, and I know exactly what is going to happen. Unfortunately, the next story is NOT fopless. But don't worry, I won't bash him too bad. (Evil grin)

IMPORTANT: This chapter is a bit steamy; Christine and Erik are just now discovering a "new" pull. This is not new to them, but they never acted on it until now. But don't worry, it doesn't go any further. I'm upping the rating…PG-13. Or T. whatever. Same thing. READ AND REVIEWWWWWWW!

8. P.B. & J. Surprises

Christine awoke and felt revived after sleeping for so long. She looked down and saw that Erik had his arm wrapped around her waist. She smiled sleepily and carefully removed his arm from her. He didn't stir; he slept like a rock. She slowly sat up, being as quiet as she could. She got off his bed and turned around to look at him before walking silently, down the stairs. Christine remembered that she dropped the tray and groaned, realizing the mess it would make.

She quickly surveyed the damage and saw that the two glasses broke in big pieces, spilling the contents everywhere. She went into the kitchen and found a broom and a dustpan. She brought a dishtowel with her as well.

She cleaned up the water first and threw away the ruined sandwiches. Then she bent to sweep up the glass in the dustpan, and stood to discard the broken glass. She was slightly irritated with herself for being so clumsy, but her mood lightened at the idea of making new sandwiches. Erik would be pleased! She quickly gathered the ingredients and set to work.

Erik yawned and stretched like a cat, his arm landing on the empty spot beside him. He felt the warm spot, unsure if he was dreaming, or if she really was gone. He started to move his hand frantically, searching for her. He opened his eyes and looked. He felt a pang of grief, but it went away as he felt the warmness and a tiny dent from where she had lain. So…she just recently left. He knew he shouldn't have, but he panicked at the thought of her leaving him. Didn't she say that she was leaving earlier? She wasn't serious, was she? Erik started to have a panic attack, but forced himself to calm down. His heart was still beating fast, and he closed his eyes. He took slow, deep breaths and calmed down after a minute or so.

After about fifteen long minutes, Christine walked up the stairs with a tray in her hands. She smiled sweetly at Erik before setting the tray onto a table he made, placed by the bed.

"I figured that you would be hungry, and after all of the excitement last night, I became hungry as well. Erik, I made us some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; I hope you like it!"

He grinned. He hadn't thought of making P. B. & J. for years, but it was his favorite!

"Oh Christine! I love those; they are my favorite! Madame Giry used to make them for me." He took on a sad smile as he said the name. He knew it wasn't fair to make her believe that both, he and Christine, were dead. He knew that she thought it so because the Fop came back with no Christine, and he wouldn't talk to her; He couldn't…he promised to never speak of it. He would confront her when he was ready.

Christine seemed to understand, and the brought her hand on his. "We will go see her when you are healed, okay?" He nodded and looked on the tray. Christine turned around and put a glass of water in his hand, then picked up her own drink.

She looked at Erik and chuckled, "I know this isn't wine, but it'll do. A toast?" She climbed into bed next to him, waiting for his answer. He didn't make her wait.

"A toast!" He agreed. She stared into those beautiful orbs and said, "To health! Our love…" She paused. "…and to a beautiful marriage!" They smiled as their glasses clinked together. They took a sip and Christine set their glasses back on the table. She gave him his sandwich, and they ate in silence before he broke it.

"Mmmhhh. Vish ish goohd, m'deah!" he announced with a full mouth. Christine laughed at his muffled words and almost choked.

She mocked him, "Yah wellgum, Erig!" He laughed so hard, his sides hurt. He settled down and asked Christine, "Was that a 'Yes'?"

Christine instantly knew what he spoke of, and replied, "Of course, Erik! I couldn't imagine anyone else by my side for the rest of eternity, and more. To me, we are already married. I love you, Erik, and nothing will change that!"

His vision blurred as she spoke and he felt like he was King of the World. He beamed at her and said, "Christine…I love you so much, it hurts! I…I…don't know what to say…I never thought that this would happen to me! Much less, with you! You have given me the greatest gift one can give. In return, I give you the same, and much, much more! I swear this by the stars!"

She squeezed his hand and wrapped her arms around him. She hugged him tight, but quickly let go; remembering last night's events. She looked down and saw his bruised ribs. She wondered why he didn't say something about it. She gently put her hand on his bruises and looked at him in question. He just shrugged as if nothing happened. Christine poked and prodded his ribs asking, "Does this hurt?"

He shook his head until he couldn't take it anymore. He took Christine's prodding hands and brushed his lips on her knuckles. "My dear, our sandwiches are getting….warm. Let's finish eating." She understood his actions, and nodded. They resumed eating, finishing their meal off in silence.

Christine looked at Erik and giggled. He looked up, "What amuses you so?"

She shook her head and moved closer. "You have some jelly on your chin."

He reached up to wipe it off, but Christine caught his wrist and held it pinned on the headboard by his head. "No, let me get it." She reached over to the table and brought a napkin, but accidentally dropped it.

Erik shrugged and brought his free hand up, but Christine pinned that one too, making her straddle him. "No really, I can get it…"

"Christine…it's just a small thing…I can do it."

"No, I feel horrible about what happened last night, and I need to make it up to you in as many ways that I can!"

He sighed, "Is this what this is all about? God, Christine…I'm fine…really…I'm not a child….and I won't die from wiping my mouth off."

"Who said you were? I just want to help!"

They sat in silence, and Christine looked at him strangely when he blushed. Christine realized what it was about, and she put on a ghost of a smirk before it turned into a seductive smile. Without thinking, she leaned closer to his face, and licked the jelly off his chin. Her actions earned her a very surprised look, and a perplexed stare.

"Chris…tine…? What…? That's not fair!" He stuck out his bottom lip in a pout.

Christine, startled by her own actions, jumped off him as if he was a hot stove. She blushed scarlet, and lowered her head.

"I…I…" She didn't know what to say, but she put on another smirk. "Well! I lost the napkin, and I thought you wouldn't mind…are you angry?"

Erik looked at her incredulously, and said, "On the contrary, I am quite pleased. But this….this isn't going to work if we keep doing this to each other. You said yourself, 'No playing'. That applies to you too, doesn't it?"

Christine intertwined her fingers with his and blushed again. "Yes…but if we are to be married, shouldn't we get used to it? Wait…no…I'll take that back…you're right. I'm sorry." She reached up and gave him an apology kiss. Mmm. He tastes good…what am I doing?

He felt himself being pulled down by an arm around his neck, and he allowed himself to be pulled toward Christine. He leaned into her kiss, and flinched when he felt her hips pressed on his. He realized that he had put an arm on her back and pulled her closer to him, and loosened his grip. He almost passed out when she moved against him twice, and barely detectable.

"Stop it." He hissed into her mouth. He put his hands on her hips to keep her still. She didn't know that she even moved, it was so unconscious. She pulled away and stood up, putting much distance between them. He thought she was angry, and started to apologize, but she held her hand up to silence him.

"I'm sorry…I didn't know I even…did that. Look, you're right. I can't stay in this room. If you need me, I will be down stairs in the…room." What else am I supposed to call it? She turned to go, but his voice stopped her.

"Christine…don't go! Please! I…I…love you!"

"Erik…I love you too, but I can't look at you without getting us into trouble. I have to clean the dishes anyway. I will be back to check on you…those bruises look horrible." She turned to go again, but he grabbed her and said, "For God sakes, Christine, please! Who is here to get in trouble from? I just want to be with you." He was near tears, because he didn't want to lose her, and her presence just made everything seem alright.

Christine looked into his eyes and saw no more lust, only….fear? "Erik, what's wrong? Why are you so afraid?" She went closer and sat on the bed. She saw that he was trying to hide it, but only succeeded in bringing held back tears. She went to him and wrapped her arms around him. He only pulled her closer and held her tight. He buried his face between her neck and her shoulder blade. She felt her neck being soaked and pulled back a little to look at him. He still held on tight, but he looked at her, tears flowing from his cheeks. He didn't want her to see his tears, but she had pulled his face up to look at her. She was a bit startled and searched his eyes for an answer.

"What's wrong, love? Tell me. Are you hurting again?"

He shook his head and let tears fall faster. He put his head back where it was, and Christine's hand rubbed the back of his head softly.

He finally gathered the courage to speak, still crying softly,"Christine…I…I don't want to lose you! I would simply stop breathing if you left me. You're the only reason I'm still alive… Please…don't leave me…I beg of you! Don't leave…"

He only made himself cry harder when he said his last words.

Christine was shaken by his words and felt like weeping, but she didn't. She only held him tighter. Her voice was just above a whisper, "Erik…oh Erik…I would not, could not leave you! How can you think such a thing? I may still be in the same house, but I will not leave you for good….I didn't know you wanted me here that much. I love you too much to leave you…did you know that?"

He shook his head. "No…you never told me…until now. I wanted so much to hear it from you. Now I have, and I must tell you that I promise never to leave your side, for as long as I live. And even in death, I will still be there for you." He looked up at her lovingly before kissing her gently, and hugging her tightly.

Christine cried with him, and their tears mingled together when they kissed so gently. They just held each other for a very long time until Erik felt very tired. He didn't want to pass out in her arms, so he tried to pull away, but was stuck to her. She would not let him go. She didn't want to let go. He didn't either, so he just gave her a warning.

"Christine…I am very tired, would you stay with me until I am sleeping?"

"Of course, Angel! I'll stay with you even after you are sleeping."

"I love you….Mon Ange." With that, he fell off the edge of consciousness right in Christine's arms. Christine felt him go limp, and her heart jolted. She put her hand over his heart, and sighed in relief that he was ok. She soon felt tired and was suddenly aware of the weight in her arms. She looked down and placed a quick kiss on his forehead before lowering them both on the bed. He only stirred a little bit, and reached for Christine's hand. She smiled, knowing that even in sleep he still felt her presence. She loved the warmness his body was emitting. It kept her warm at night, when the air was at its coldest in his home. Her last thought was about their future; and how lucky she was to wake up by the man she loves. She closed her eyes; a smile plastered to her face and cuddled up closer to Erik. Christine fell asleep with Erik still in her arms; both had a promising future filled with love and happiness.