Bella- LMAO! You joined Awesome. ps...You have brownies?

leann2712- Probably true; But he really loves her and a) they've been parted for awhile, b) He was ashamed of how much he'd hurt Aria, (c) he needed a cookie.

Lady Moonglow- Well thankies!

PhantomLover05- LOL! Aria probably would've, but she was half asleep. And she hates it when Erik cries.

PhanPhic-adict- Thanx! So glad to have another reader. I'm glad you like. I'd like to think Erik would love me for it, lol. And yes...Raoul...should...BE IN A PASTEL PINK CHEERLEADER COSTUME WHILE HE SCREAMS AS I CUT HIS MANHOOD OFF! BWHAHAHA! Sorry.

veritasa- Well I haven't decided about her job; probably get it back. glad you're still with me!

Indara-Rose- Good!

OMG look at all these reviews! cries I'm so happy!

Chapter 19 - Tell Her the Truth

"I KNEW IT! AHHA! YOU GET OFF HER RIGHT NOW, MONSIEUR ERIK!"

A screeching voice made me jump straight up. I stared wildly at Madame Giry. Her steel gray eyes were happy but stern at the same time. I heard a shamed little giggle, and I glance down to see Aria, blushing and avoiding Madame Giry's eyes. For a moment, I was breathless. I had slept next to an angel. Stuttering, I tried to explain what happened to Madame Giry, but instead of listening, she came over and began to swat me. "Out out out! You bad man!" Now that I am nearly a normal man, she is not afriad of me.

I yelped and scurried away. I listened with glee as Aria laughed, her joy trickling around me.

I paced back and forth in my room, fear pouring off me like rain off a building. I have to tell her...I have to tell her...have to...

Aria was now almost well, only a little weak. Right now, she was reading a book in the living room.

Just do it, Erik! You can kill the most pathetic man, you can frighten anyone you meet, but you cannot tell her...you cannot tell her the truth...

I gave a scared, dry sob, and passed a hand over my face. Leaning against the door, I -with some difficulty- collected myself. I opened the door and walked to Aria. When I saw the back over her head, I nearly had to run away again.

No. You have been causing her heartache, wondering how you feel about her.

I steeled myself, and walked to her, tremors running thru my body. "A-aria?" I whispered.

She looked up, smiled. "What is it Erik?"

I knelt before her and took her slender hands in mine. She tossed her book to the side and stared intently at me.

"I...I have som-something to tell you." I breathed.

"Alright- one second."

I start to protest; I have to tell her! But her hands land on my face, unexpectedly.

I gasped, my eyes closing in pleasure as she removed my wig and mask. Aria's fingertips dance on my face.

"I wanted to Erik to tell me, not the Opera Ghost." she said.

I shuddered, then stood up. "I-I gotta go..." I lost my nerve.

Aria grabbed my hands. "Erik, wait..."

Trembling, I knelt before her again, taking her hands again.

"Aria...I..." I gulped, fear poisoning me. "Courage, Aria..." I picked up her hand and rubbed it on my face before returning it to her.

"I..."

I love you...I love you...just tell her Erik!

"Aria...I...what I mean to say, i-is..."

I looked up to her eyes, those green eyes that stare into me, tenderness and love filling them. I, shaking, force the words out.

"I love you." I finally murmured. I flinched as Aria's eyes sparkle. She says nothing, and I duck my head, wanting to run away.

Aria took her hands back, and I trembled. So..she doesn't love me...

Then...her fingers on my face, caressing me as they have never done. I gasped, trying to stay conscious. Oh, Aria!

"Erik." Her voice flows into my ears like music...music...

I forced my eyes open, and stare into hers. They are so intense...so full of emotion...of..of love..and tenderness...they are coming closer...her face is inches from mine and closing fast...I cannot breathe, cannot think...so wanting, so needing...needing to know she loved me, she wanted me...time was stopping, just for us, as her lips finally land on mine...

After the initial shock began to wear off, my eyes slammed shut...I moaned, unsure whether this was real...or just another dream...I, ...oh...I kissed her back; sloppily, however, because I had little control over my muscles.

Her hands on the sides of my face...she slipped to her knees...One hand, of mine- I thougth- slid onto her skin...onto her face...onto the beauty of her face.

I was so dazed...I...

We pulled away for a moment, but I can do or say nothing... I shook and trembled.

"A-aria..." her name- the name that to me felt like the warmth of the sun, sounded like the wind in the trees, smelled like a burning fire, looked like the glory of a sunset, a name that spelled mirace, - tripped out of my mouth.

And I find her face and bring her lips closer. "Please...d-don't stop...Aria..."

I whispered,... tentitively pulling her closer with a hand on her back.

Then, that which I had longed for since I had run from the Opera House, touched me again. Her mouth in mine...I kissed her desperately, still unable to believe this is happening...to me!

Passion clouds my mind and we fell...fell sideways...but I vaguely cushion her head as I crouch over her.

My breath comes erotic and noisy, but I do not touch her. I want to, but...what if she gets angry? So I forced myself not to...and kiss her, kiss her like a dying man. Her lips parted,... and I gently slid my tongue into her mouth as she moaned to me. Oh, her moans...they were the most beautiful music I ... have ever listened to.

My heart knows no bounds...

Aria, using her feet, pushed my knees out from under me. My groin crashes into hers, and the unexpected contact- and what starts happening in my trousers- makes a groaning gasp shove from my mouth. I broke out in a light, excited sweat. My eyes opened to stare, astonished, into Aria's. She stared back, her eyes loving and desiring. "Touch me..Erik..." she whispered, picking up one of my hands and sliding it down her side.

I trembled, my fingers dancing over her dress and wishing it was her skin. I continue to kiss her, but my hands explored, unused to the feel of a woman beneath me.

Strange things continue, down there, and it is driving me insane.

Aria's hands are suddenly on my chest, walking into my shirt. I tensed, relishing this...her hands, against my skin...slipping lower and lower thru the moist- from sweat- crossover.

I stilled my kissing, my eyes growing wide. I am going limp,... limp from the pleasure. I moaned, my shaking arms trying...to... support me. I removed my lips from hers, gasping for air. Oh..oh..Aria...Aria pushed me over, onto the ground, and she straddled me around the waist.

Breathing in heaving, heavy, loud gasps, I let my head loll to the side, powerless to do otherwise. I felt her hands and lips under my ribcage, raising goosebumps as she nips me.

My pants are far, far too tight. Aria noticed; "Erik..you seem to be having a problem with your trousers."

I laughed breathlessly, but cannot respond. Her mouth trails up my chest, up to my neck. My hands land on her hips, exploring...exploring...Could my wildest dreams come true?

I groaned.

Suddenly she stopped her torture, and I felt her eyes on me.

Breathing heavy, I opened my eyes and stared up at her, amazed.

She smiled, her copper hair straying wildly. Aria cupped my face in her hands; my heart fluttered from contact. What is she doing?

She turned my head to the side, so my marred skin faced up to her.

Aria's lips caress, with nothing but love, that flesh, that unloved flesh. Carefully, she kissed every inch of the disfigured face. I close my eyes, my desire fading to tenderness and love, my trembling body so... so happy. I am limp again, because this...this is so...beautiful. Aria loved me for me, face and all... She makes noises to me, soft, gentle words. My eyes roll back in my head, overcome from all the love, my breathing even but loud.

Then I heard it...her voice...the words I had wanted to hear my whole life. "I love you, Erik."

I turned my head to her, so I could look upon the face; The face of the woman who loves a monster, who loves an Opera Ghost. But...I don't feel like a monster now...I am whole, because I am with Aria. A lone tear trails out my eye. "Aria..."

I sat up with her in my lap, needing her closer to me. Another tear spills, and she kissed it away.

"Aria..."

I cupped her face in my hands and brought it against my forehead. I repeated her name over and over, because it was so wonderful.

I kissed her neck, trailing my lips over her shoulder, still murmuring her name.

Aria responds likewise, her lips against my skin, whispering my name back.

Finally, our heads rested together, our mouths exchanging short, soft kisses.

"I love you, Aria...I love you..."

"I love you too, Erik."

I stared into her glowing, vibrant eyes, smiling at her with contentness.

We stroked eachother's faces, just happy to be touching. So...close...

I grabbed her and slammed my lips on hers again; but she does not mind. I feel her fingers tickling my flesh, just above the edge of my pants.That thing starts again; it is going mad with need. So am I...I started on those tiny buttons on the front of Aria's dress; would she stop me? I kissed the tops of her breasts, hearing her moan. Aria seizes my face and bites my lip, filled with passion, but not too harshly. Our hips move as one, driving me to insanity.

Our embrace is broken as a loud knock hits the door. We yelped and shot up, trying to fix our clothes. Aria fiddles with the buttons on her dress, trying with difficulty to look decent.

"Erik? Are you there?" I heard Madame Giry call.

"J-just a moment!" I replied, pulling on my wig and mask. Finally ready, we sprint over to the door, giggling girlishly and unable to stop.

Madame Giry squints suspiciously at our swollen lips and mussed hair, but says nothing.

She swepted into my house, Meg following behind. Aria had blushed a most revealing shade of pink as Meg sniggered knowingly at her, looking from me to Aria. Madame Giry really didn't have to come every day anymore, but she enjoyed getting away from the Opera rats. She scrutinized the house with a practiced eye and announced nothing seemed amiss.

Aria and Meg ran off to her bedroom, laughing about something and skipping along.

Madame Giry turned to me. "Get over here, Monsieur. We need to have a discussion."

I grumbled inaudibly and sat down on a sofa, she on another.

"Aria is well now. Where is she to stay?"

I stared at her. "Well, here of course."

She shook her head. "It may seem harmless to you, but...to live with a man that you have no relation to...It is not right." She said quietly.

"I-I know." I replied hastily. "I...want to marry her, but...I'm afraid to ask." Aria may love me...but does she really want to spend the rest of her life with me?

Madame Giry smiled, her eyes unusually gentle. "I figured. But...it is not fair to her, to show her no respect by letting her live here."

"Well where else would she go? How is that unfair?"

"All of Paris knows that Aria the diva is living with a man, now."

Paranoid thoughts overtook me. "Do they know where?"

"No...that is not the point. Please think about this, Erik."

"I will." I murmured.

At that moment, Meg and Aria returned, still laughing. I gazed at Aria, feeling a happy smile tip my lips. Oh, how I loved her.

After a moment of visiting, the Giry's left, leaving me and Aria alone. I turned to her, wondering if there would be awkwardness...we hadn't actually done it, but we had gotten close...

But, no. Aria gave me a sweet smile, removed my mask. My legs shook as she caressed my face. Finally, she stood tall and gave me a soft, gentle kiss. This kiss, this one, made my heart burst from love as I vaguely stroked her cheek, oblivious to anything and everything but Aria.

A bold, exprienced man would have reached into his pocket, retrieved the ring, and slipped it onto her finger, smug as can be. But I had no such certainty. Besides, I was in a stupor until she pulled away, smiled, and began to walk away.

"W-wait!" I whispered.

Aria turned back around, an eyebrow raised in question. I staggered over to her.

"I-I...I have no fancy words..b-but.." I stuttered, fishing deep into my pocket. I brought the band out without her seeing it, held one of her hands, and shakily placed the ring in her palm before closing her fingers over it. "I...hope...you'd..."

I gulped, trembling very hard. "Marry me..." I breathed finally.

Aria opened her hands and gasped at the object in her hand. She stood frozen for a moment, then lifted her head to stare at me. Tears wetted her face.

My eyes widened in dismay. "B-but you don't have to! You can say no...I...I shouldn't even of asked, I, I just-"

"Will you put it on me?"

"Just...what?" I whispered; has she said-?

"Erik...I accept! Will you...put it on?" she said, her voice soft and loving.

I pick up her hand and slide the band onto her finger, dumbfounded and breathless.

I gasped as she threw her arms around me. "Happy tears," she told me.

I set her down and kiss her tears away, kiss her lips, knowing that now they will be mine alone. "I...I wanted to ask you forever...but I was scared..."

"Shhh." Aria yawned.

Seeing her tiredness, I picked her up and carried her to her bedroom. "Erik," she laughed, but I hear a note of uncertainty and caution.

"To bed with you," I announced, pulling her covers back and nestling her in them. I tucked her in, and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. "Good night, my dear. I love you."

With those simple words, I stroked her face, dimmed the candle, and slipped from her room.