Since I may not be updating for a while, I am taking this opportunity to thank my reviewers and respond to comments.
Ripper de la Blackstaff: on one hand, itis indeed too fast. Passionate and impulsive is the nature of the relationship. It's an obstacle that may cause problems in the future. On the other hand, they are already married and well acquainted with one another. Even though they haven't seen each other in a long time, neither has completely changed personalities. Notice how after the initial shock, the two immediately begin conversing as very close acquaintances. There doesn't seem to be much point in putting their relationship through the phases of development all over again.
SciFi-Shark: in response to your comments, I will say:
-Kay's is a spinoff novel with a number of deviations from the original PotO. It is one author's interpretation, not the ultimate authority on the story. I can have a different ending from hers without it being heretical.
-My perception is that Raoul's and Christine's relationship was one of infatuation, not love. In a nutshell, they mistake the strong bonds of childhood friendship and the comfort it offers for love. Raoul has endured much for her sake because he believes he loves her, but since it is, I believe, a temporary fixation, he eventually grows tired of it. He isunderstandably very threatened by Erik and in my story her having his child is the last straw. Attributing his intolerance to concern for his reputation is a coping mechanism and a way of masking his jealousy.
-Raoul being a wonderful, noble character is your opinion, not the facts. You have your opinions about Raoul, I have mine. His not ending up with Christine and even any actions of his that caused it do not make him bad person. I am simply taking Raoul out of the picture so I can focus on the E/C relationship. My intent was to plausibly explain their breaking up, not to make a statement or insult Raoul. If you read more phics you will find a good portion of them have far more blatant Raoul-bashing.
-Even if my characterizations do not correspond perfectly to Leroux's, that is my prerogative. Creative license is an inherent part of writing fanfiction that does not necessarily constitute mutilation.
-I won't accuse you of writing a flame. I appreciate your honesty.