Disclaimer: Don't own Phantom.

XXX

It was under the cover of darkness that Christine and Erik traveled to the Giry's home across town. Both were dressed in dark cloaks, hoods pulled up to cover their appearances a bit better. Erik's body was stiffened with fear, and he clutched tightly to Christine's hand as they reached the front door of the small home where Madame Giry and Meg lived.

Christine cast Erik a reassuring smile, than stepped forward to knock cautiously at the front door. A moment passed, and then it swung open to reveal Meg, who squealed with delight upon seeing her best friend, and waved Christine and Erik inside.

"Maman said that she will be only a moment, and then we may leave." Meg said with excitement, pulling on her own dark red cloak and casting a look out the window by the door. "Oh! The hansom is here!" She rushed forward gracefully and called up the stairs to her mother. "Maman! Maman, we must go!"

Madame Giry appeared moments later, and grasped her cloak as she moved out the door, everyone close behind. Somehow, they all fit in the hansom and then they were off.

XXX

The ride to the home at the edge of town was tense and silent. Meg kept casting glances to Erik's mask, and Christine was biting at her lip in fear that Erik would not like the home. After about a half an hour, they reached their destination, and stepped out of the hansom. Madame Giry walked quickly to the salesman who stood near the door, and he looked up with a wide, fake grin.

"Aha, so you've made it!" He said gleefully, fumbling in his pockets for the keys to the home. Finding them, he unlocked the door and motioned everyone inside.

"The foundation is sturdy, the roof was recently remodeled... all she needs is a fresh coat of paint and a bit of fixing up on the inside, nothing too serious really." He stated, and Erik cast a glance around. They had entered the home into the kitchen, and there was a broad hallway to his left, and what appeared to be a dining area to the right. He browsed the kitchen and dining room first, peering at the walls and checking their condition. Christine could imagine cooking dinner and serving it here, and she smiled at the big windows over the stove, overlooking the rolling countryside and the small dirt road they came in on.

Next, they were lead to the sitting room, which was very large, and had a wood door at the end of it. Erik opened it to find a smaller room, which he knew could serve as a music room and study for himself. The hall continued with two doors; one on the left and one on the right. Opening the left door showed a large bathroom, opening the right showed a library, shelves built into the walls and huge windows that went all the way up the two story room. Christine grinned and spun around in the middle of the empty room and Erik chuckled. "Oh Erik, all your books would fit here! And look, a fire place! We could curl up with our books right here and read on cold nights!"

A staircase was at the end of the hall, and it lead to the second floor, where the bedrooms and most of the living areas were. The master bedroom was the first door on the right, and it had its own connecting bathroom, as well as a view out the windows of the sparse woods behind the home. Through the trees they could see the small river that ran through their backyard.

"There are fish in that water," The salesman pointed out, "and no leaches, you can swim there too, it's perfectly safe."

There were three other bedrooms, all of a medium size, as well as a few hall closets and a bathroom that was not connected to any rooms. There was also a large sitting room and a few smaller rooms, probably studies as well. Erik noticed that he could have a room for his architecture and his science as well.

The home was all-in-all very bright and cheery, without being too over-the-top, and Erik could picture himself living here with his wife very easily. When the tour of the property surrounding the area was complete, Erik asked the price. It was very modest for the size of the home, and he looked at Christine, head tilted.

"Oh Erik..." She murmured, stepping forward and placing her palms against his chest. "I really do like this home..."

He smiled slightly, and placed a chaste kiss to her forehead. "Then, my dear, this is the home you shall have." He looked to the small man and accepted the papers, signing his name and handing them then to Christine. With a shaky hand she signed the paper, and the man smiled broadly.

"Thank you very much, monsieur, madam. I am sure you will be very happy here. You may move in as soon as you would like."

Erik turned to Christine and took her hand in his, placing a gentle kiss to the back of it. Then they both looked at their new house, eager for their new beginning.