Disclaimer: Don't own Phantom.

XXX

Wiping the sweat away from where it had gathered on his forehead, Erik groaned and leaned against the doorframe, pausing in his attempt to haul all of the furniture into the new home.

It had been a week since Erik and Christine had purchased their new home in the country, and they'd been busy deciding what they would bring with and what they would leave behind in the underground home.

Madame Giry had been kind enough to rent a carriage in her name for Erik and Christine's use, and they had just brought the last load of furniture and household items to the front lawn of the new house. Erik had been carrying chairs, small tables and rugs into the building for hours now, while Christine scampered about, trying to decide what would go where.

Several times, Christine had tried to help Erik carry something, but his reaction was always the same.

"Christine, let me take this, why don't you go… fetch that lamp?"

Each time Christine had pouted, grumbling about Erik not thinking her strong enough, and Erik had laughed, pulling her close to kiss her forehead.

"No, my love. I simply do not wish for you to hurt yourself…"

Christine bustled into the house with a large box filled with silverware and dishes, and frowned when she caught sight of her exhausted husband.

"Erik, are you quite alright?"

He looked up and gave Christine a weak smile. "Yes, of course, I'm merely tired… I suppose these things are a bit heavier than I'd first thought." He smiled, moving to help Christine unpack boxes and put things into their places. After several hours, the house was livable, and Erik and Christine were ready to spend their first night in their new home.

And for Erik, his first night in over forty years spent above ground.

Turning down the blankets, Christine laid down in their new bed, a book in her hands as she let herself be lost in tales of romance. Erik was still taking a bath, and Christine had been disappointed when he'd refused her offer to help him wash his back.

Erik had seemed to be brooding all day, and Christine did her best not be hurt that he obviously didn't want to make love to her, instead she simply curled up and read.

Coming out of the bathing chambers, Erik's heart broke at the sight of Christine reading the most romantic book she had, obviously trying to soothe the sting of Erik's rebuttal with someone else's romance. He moved toward the bed, crawling next to her and gently taking the book, marking the page and setting it aside.

"Christine, I'm sorry." He murmured, drawing her close against him and feeling his heart break when she flung her arms about him and trembled, beginning to cry. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you away." He murmured soothingly, rubbing her back and kissing her forehead and cheeks.

Sniffling, Christine looked up and gave Erik a watery smile. "No, there's no reason to be sorry, I understand you being a bit tense..."

"But that is no excuse for me to treat you as I did." He spoke, his voice low and mournful.

Christine leaned up, pressing her lips against Erik's for a few moments, than pulling back slightly. "Would you hold me?" she asked shyly, and Erik smiled, laying back against the cool blankets and drawing Christine to his chest.

Giving a soft coo, Christine pillowed her head on Erik's chest and closed her eyes, yawing. "Goodnight, angel." She whispered, slowly beginning to fall asleep.

"Good night, my dove." Erik breathed, before he joined his wife in slumber.