Chapter 10: A Letter, a Rose, a Kiss

A/n I don't own POTO or anything retaining to it…ooh doncha just LOVE the title of this chapter? Kinda gives away a lot though…doesn't it? As I'm writing this author's note I have yet to write the chapter, so maybe I can change it around a little so it isn't so obvious of whats gonna happens… no, I doubt it. I've really been meaning to write some good e/c romance…(like I said on PFN: "oh god, only 13 and already a hopeless romantic" its true)ok here goes:

Angel,

I do not know how much you recall from last evening's events, and I am not sure you would want to recall all of them. I shall tell you, however, that the Vicomte is dead. If you would like to know what happened after you became unconscious, I will of course tell you.

I am off doing some errands, and will be back by noon. In the meantime, get dressed -there is a dress in the armoire for you- and have some breakfast. Please stay here until I return, for I would like to say a formal goodbye to you.

Until then,

Erik

Christine reread the note until she had it memorized. But, no matter how many times she reread it, she still had so many questions buzzing about her. Why is Raoul dead? A goodbye? Why am I here? Did He kill Raoul? Why was I unconscious? She wasn't even sure she wanted to know the answers, for fear of them being far too grim. She frowned, looking down at the rosein her hands. She didn't want Raoul to be dead, she didn't want to have to say goodbye to her angel-or Erik, as he called himself.

She once again began twirling the black ribbon between her fingers, repeating the name to herself.

Erik

Erik

Erik

She couldn't help but think of what a beautiful name Erik was. For a beautiful man, she told herself. She faced the armoire and opened it. Among a few cloaks and suits, her eyes fell upon a beautiful light blue dress. It had layers of lace and silk all around it, and a small trail. What an artist he is, she thought to herself. There was no way anyone else throughout all of Paris could have made a more beautiful dress. She carefully removed it from its hanger and placed it up against her body. Looking in the mirror, she saw that her hair was matted and she had a cut on her shoulder, but her thoughts faded away from such ghastly things as she saw herself with that dress. Amazing, she thought, just amazing.

Anxiously, she changed into her dress, and glanced at the grandfather clock. 11:25. She stood there for a while gazing at the piece of fine workmanship. He probably built this too.

After cleaning herself up, Christine carefully stepped into the dining room and saw the table was layered with fresh fruit, croissants, and other pastries. Picking up an apple, she bit into the sweetness. Since she had been with the Vicomte, all they had ever eaten was rich, exotic food. It was very good, but she often longed for the familiar, simple foods of her childhood. In fact, Christine couldn't remember ever eating just an apple at their estate. As she was just finishing her last bite, Erik walked in.

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He was a bit distraught and tired. She put on her best smile. "It's beautiful, Erik" she said, fingering a piece of lace on her dress. "For a beautiful girl." He replied, but he said this in an odd monotone, and without feeling.

Alas, he could no longer hold in his feelings and he burst out in tears. "Christine, I'm so sorry, so sorry…" he cried.

"Angel…what happened…last night?" she asked unsurely. This was not what he wanted to have to tell her, but he had promised her in his note that he would tell Christine of the events that followed Raoul's appearance in his lair if she had wanted to know. Wiping the salty tears from his face, he began to explain his story. By the time he had finished, Christine was sobbing aloud. "Christine, I'm so sorry, so very sorry." He said, pleading for her forgiveness.

"You should not be sorry…I am thanking you for what you did last night, Angel. As much as it hurts to know that Raoul is dead, I know it was for the best. Without you, I would be in the hands of a monster." She explained.

"But, Christine, you are in the hands of a monster right now. And that is why…I must say goodbye to you." Those words of his cut through him painfully. He hated to upset Christine, but it's for her own sake, he said.

"You are no monster, Erik. You are more of a man than even the most self-respecting man could ever consider himself; and that is why I love you." With those words spoken she ran up to him and kissed on the lips.

Euphoria sprung through Erik. This kiss was full of love, not pity; this kiss was different than the only other one he had ever received. He wrapped her in his embrace, and though they had ceased kissing long ago, he held her in his arms for an eternity, almost as if he was afraid that if he let go she would leave him as she had 4 weeks ago.

Say you'll share with me

One love,

One lifetime,

Lead me, save me from my solitude.

Say you'll want me with you here,

Besides you.

She continued his song, leaving Erik speechless that she had really meant what she said.

Anywhere you go,

Let me go to,

Erik,

That's all I ask-"

She was interrupted by Erik's lips, pressing romantically against hers. Almost in a trance-like state, she whispered so softly that she wasn't even sure he had heard her. "-of you." This was true bliss.