Disclaimer: Still no owning the Phantom.

XXX

"So you see, my love, all that waits is our final decision! Madam Giry says the house appears sound... oh please Erik, can't we just look?"

Christine had just finished explaining everything to Erik over their evening meal, and throughout her quickly spoken explanation, Erik had grown more and more somber.

"Christine, I..."

Her face fell, and she stood from her seat across from her husband, moving instead to kneel before him and lay her head on his lap. "Erik... can't we at least look?"

A wave of guilt rose over him as Erik looked down at the soft woman before him. All she wanted was the same life any other woman would have... was he such a coward to deny her?

"Ma ange..." He took in a deep, shuddering breath, closing his eyes slowly. "When shall we go?"

XXX

Madam Giry sat in her office, apparently deep in thought as she went over diagrams of new dances for her petite rats to try out. This production of Aida would be the best ever if she had anything to do with it, and she wanted the ballet to be in its best shape. She took a long sip of her tea, resting her head in her hands for a moment as she attempted to chase away the headache that was threatening.

The knock at her door startled her from her thoughts, and she rose quickly, moving across the small room and opening the door swiftly.

"Madam Destler, I was wondering when you would arrive." She said gently, holding the door open to let the diva in. "I trust you've spoken to your husband?"

Christine slipped in gracefully-it appeared she was inheriting quite a few traits from her cat-like husband- and sat down in an over-stuffed armchair near the desk.

"Yes, Madam... we have spoken, and he would like to know when the most convenient time for you to take us to the home would be."

Madam Giry could not suppress a smile at Christine's words, and she sat down, flipping through some papers in search of her agenda.

"Ah yes... would tomorrow night be appropriate, Madam?"

Christine gave a visible grimace. "Madam Giry, you really don't need to call me that..."

She smiled and nodded. "All right then, Christine... does tomorrow night work for the two of you?"

Christine appeared thoughtful, than nodded slowly. "Yes, I believe that after rehearsals I should be free... and Erik made it obvious that he will plan around this appointment..."

Madam Giry nodded, standing. "Well then... I have some work to complete..."

Christine nodded, standing quickly and making her way to the door. "Thank you, Madam."

XXX

"Erik? Erik, I'm home..."

Christine moved through the house nervously. It was completely dark and silent... she had never known Erik to leave without telling her before hand... so where was he? Rehearsals had just finished and she had been looking forward to telling him when they would together view the house... but it appeared he was not home.

She walked to the Louis Philippe room swiftly, moving to the large wardrobe and changing into a pale blue dressing gown. She sighed in relief; the comfort of wearing something so simple was immense, after all; and she moved then to the main room. The fire, strangely, was still built, and she moved toward the hearth. She stopped half way there, however, when she heard a strange sound. Like breathing.

She turned slowly, looking through the darkness for the source, and she trembled against her will from fear.

"H-hello?"

No reply. She moved around cautiously, and cried out in fear when she was knocked to the floor. Someone-something, even, had leapt from the top of a bookshelf and threw itself onto her body.

"HELP! ERIK!"

A hand covered her mouth, and she looked up to see the white glint of a mask reflected in the firelight. Her eyes narrowed as the hand moved away, and a low voice whispered her name.

"Christine..."

"Erik? What is the meaning of this? You scared me half to death! Why I have half a mind to-"

Her self-righteous speech was cut off by his lips coming down passionately against hers, and after a moment she relaxed in his embrace, winding her arms around his neck and kissing him back voraciously.

When the kiss finally broke, Erik smirked down at her. "Surprise, my dear." He breathed, lowering his mouth to taste her neck playfully. Swiftly her hands descended to his face, pulling away the mask and tossing it carelessly to the side. Then her hands were everywhere; tangling in his hair and stroking up and down his back.

"Quite a nice surprise, I must say." Christine said softly as his mouth moved away from her momentarily. He made quick work of removing her dressing gown, and he stroked her cheek, then slid his hands down her sides and rested them on her hips.

"I thought so." He kissed her gently, nibbling on her lips and smirking at her giggle. His lips slid down to brush against her breasts, and she gasped, pulling him over her and clutching at his sides. He laughed, running his fingers through her soft chocolate curls.

"You're a bit impatient today, my dear..." He breathed, his lips gliding across her neck and chest.

"I've waited all day to love you..." She whispered, holding his face in her hands and kissing him with all the passion and love she felt. Erik groaned lightly at the sensuality of her mouth against his, and quickly shed his remaining clothing, positioning himself against her and marveling as she opened beneath him, pliant and completely ready.

"Erik... I love you..." She whispered softly, and he smiled down at her, tears in his eyes.

"Ma ange... every day I love you more..." He gasped out, before thrusting deeply within her and crying out as the sensations washed over him. Christine clung to his body, arching her back and tossing her head in passion.

He moved quickly within her, eager to please the woman he loved so greatly, and Christine whimpered as she met each of his thrusts with her own, her soft coos of pleasure mounting into full blown cries.

Erik labored to reach the pinnacle of pleasure for the two of them, and he caressed the flesh of her sides and thighs gently with reverent hands, moaning almost constantly as he neared the end of his restraint.

A sudden cry from Christine forced him to meet her eyes, and he watched with awe as they glazed over, than closed. Her entire body stiffened for only a moment, before her body arched and trembled. He felt her inner muscles clench and release against him, and he gasped for breath, thrusting more powerfully than before into her, moaning her name over and over.

"Christine... Christine... oh, how I love you... ma ange... Christine...."

He cried out suddenly, thrusting deeply within her and clutching her body close to him as he climaxed powerfully. Unable to hold himself up any longer, he collapsed against her willing form, sobbing gently.

"Oh my love..." She whispered, tears in her own eyes. "Oh my sweet angel..." Gently she rubbed his back, and ran her hands through his fine black hair, calming him with her loving touches.

They lay like that for a long time, just relaxed in the embrace of the other, until sleep finally claimed them there on the Persian carpeted floor.