Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera!

Ch. 12

It was soon night fall; Erik had asked if he and Christine could stay overnight. She of course let them.

"I do not have an extra bedroom, to spare only one for myself and Meg." Mme. Giry remembered.

"It does not matter; Christine and I will sleep in the living room." Erik said.

"We will?" Christine asked.

"You will?" Mme. Giry asked. "But the couch is not big enough for two people."

Christine blushed slightly at that comment.

"Uh…I know that Mme. Giry…" Erik said hesitantly. "I was going to let Christine sleep on the Couch while I slept on the floor."

"Oh." Mme. Giry said kind of embarrassed. "Well then…I'll get you some blankets." She walked disappeared going up the stairs

Christine turned to Erik, "Are you sure you won't mind sleeping on the floor, because I wouldn't mind sharing the couch with you…" Christine said sheepishly.

Erik laughed, "No Christine the floor is alright." He said. 'I'm used to it anyway…' he thought to himself. (If you do not understand I will explain) When Christine first got her own room, he used to visit her every night. He stood behind her transparent mirror and watched her get ready for bed, but of course turned away when she was getting undressed. When she finally fell asleep he would quietly move aside the mirror and walk into her room coming beside her bed. He used to watch her peacefully sleep and sing to her luring her into more of a deep, peaceful sleep. Soon enough he would get tired and fall asleep right next to her bed, and he would make sure he was gone before she awoke.

"Are you sure. Because I don't want my angel to be uncomfortable." Erik smiled at the name he used for him…Angel; she hasn't called him that is such a long time. Although he knew he was nothing of the sort. He always used to say to Christine that he was her Angel of Music but that was to get her to trust him.

"Ah…my dear Christine. I am flattered that you care for me so. But I must remind you that I am not even close to being Angel."

Christine frowned. "Erik…don't say that. You'll always be my Angel of music. Other people might think otherwise but to me you are an Angel." She wraps him in a hug, wanting to know that she loved him despite what other people may think.

Erik smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you Christine, my darling, my love, my Angel."

Mme. Giry came down the stairs and found the two embraced in a hug. They looked so perfect together; she smiled and placed the blankets down on a little table. She quietly sneaked out of the room and went upstairs.

After a few minutes locked in each other embraced, Erik pulled away. Christine shivered from leaving the warmth of Erik's body. Erik saw the blankets on the table and was grateful that Mme. Giry did not disturb them. He took a blanket and placed it on the couch for Christine. "There you go my dear." Christine smiled, nodded and walked over to the couch. She laid down and tried to get comfortable, she switched her position a lot.

Erik watched her tossing and turning. "Umm Christine… you don't look very comfortable." At hearing Erik's voice she knew what she was missing. She turned and smiled at Erik. "Erik…" She said seductively.

Erik raised his eyebrows. "Yes?"

Christine sat up and patted the seat next to her." come here…sit with me."

Erik smiled and sat next to her. She lays down, her head on his lap. "Ah yes….this is what I was missing." She says smiling up at him. He looks down at her, and combs her hair with his fingers. Christine closes her eyes and relishes in the moment. "Sing for me." Christine whispered. Erik nodded and softly began to sing "music of the night" Christine soon fell asleep just as she did every night when he used to sing to her when she was younger.

Erik knows Christine is sleeping yet continues to sing, "slowly gently, music shall cores you, hear it feel it secretly posses you. Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind in this darkness which you know you cannot fight the darkness of the music of the night." He shuddered at the last line; he was not a man of darkness anymore. He was not the Angel in hell or the Angel of darkness, Christine brought him out to the light, showed him the "garish light of day" was not so garish after all. "Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world, leave all thoughts of the life you knew before." Know he meant that line…he wanted her to forget Raoul and everything he did to her back then. He just wanted her too see the future, their future. Together. "Let your soul take you where you long to be. Only then can you belong to me." Know what Erik didn't know was that Mme. Giry was standing in the door way quietly watching their little bonding. How she long wished for this to happen, the way Erik always talked about her and how he wanted a future with her. Suddenly a flash back struck her.

Mme. Giry had just brought Christine to the Opera Populaire. Christine was seven years old and frightened, she had lost her father just a few days ago. Mme. Giry arrived at the funeral and explained to Christine that they were going to take her home to a place where she would be loved. Christine surprisingly agreed with out a fit and let Mme. Giry take her home. Mme. Giry showed her the room where she would be sleeping, with all the other girls there, including Mme. Giry's daughter Meg Giry. Christine was a bit hesitant but finally made her self comfortable in the bed and fell asleep.

Mme. Giry was shocked to find Erik in her room, apparently waiting for her. "Erik! Dear lord don't scare a woman like that." Mme. Giry said placing a hand to her heart. Erik just shrugged. "Sorry. I've missed you while you were gone…I had no one to talk to." Erik admitted and little shy about it. Mme. Giry smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am glad to hear that Erik, now I know how you like to cheer people up with your songs." Erik raised his eye brows now interested. "The girl a just brought home. Christine Daae, her father has just recently died, she is a bit saddened. I heard her crying one night when we were coming home, she needs a Guide and a guardian. An Angel." Mme. Giry explained. "Daae? She wouldn't happen to be the daughter of the famous Gustave Daae would she?" (Yes Gustave is his real name, in the movie you see briefly Christine kneeling near a picture or grave of him that says Gustave Daae.) Mme. Giry made a face. Erik was avoiding the matter at hand. "Erik, yes she would. Gustave has just recently died, and I repeat she needs a Guide and Guardian." Mme. Giry said getting impatient with his stubborn ness. Erik noticed it and smirked, "alright I'll meet the girl" Mme. Giry led Erik down to the room where all the girls were sleeping, quietly so she wouldn't wake monsieur Lefavre and all the other people who worked there didn't wake up and see him. She opened the door quietly and stepped in, Erik standing behind her. "There." She pointed to the first bed on the right. Erik looked at Mme. Giry then walked into the room to get a closer look at the girl. His jaw dropped slightly as he caught a look at her. The girl was young, she had long brown curly hair, and he couldn't see the color of her eyes though for they were closed. He stared at her amazed; the girl was beautiful even at a young age. He turned to Mme. Giry and nodded. "I'll do it."

Mme. Giry smiled at the fond memory. Now after nearly ten years they are finally together and happy. She watched Erik softly sing to the sleeping Christine for a few more minutes until she got tired and went upstairs to get some sleep.

Erik finished the song, and realized that he was quite tired. He slumped down to make himself comfortable. He closed his eyes and let himself drift off into a peaceful slumber.

The Next morning

Mme. Giry awoke to the bright sunlight of the early morning. It was streaming in through her window, she squinted the sunlight hurting her eyes. She uncovered herself and gut up stretching, she put on her robe and decided to go down to the kitchen to get a cup of tea. She slowly walked past Meg's room not wanting to wake her up. She went down the stairs and peered into the family room. Erik and Christine were still sleeping. They looked so peaceful, so wonderful and happy. With Christine laying her head on Erik's lap and Erik a little slouched down. She smiled and caught a glimpse of something white and rectangular near the door. She went to see what it was…a letter. She picked it up and examined it, it was addressed to her yet she didn't recognize the return address. She opened it and read it to herself.

Dear Mme. Giry,

I am pleased to know that you and Meg had escaped the disastrous fire of the Opera Populaire. I thank you once again for showing me the way down to the Phantom's lair, although I am sorry to say that things have not worked out for me and Christine. She left me only a few days ago, I am doing quite well actually. At least I know she has not left me for that Murderous Phantom. Mme. Giry snorted at that last remark. 'On the contrary, vicomt, she did that exact thing' I wonder where she is now, ah well no use fretting; at least she is alive and well. I hope. I just wanted to let you know that I will be visiting you on the third of April. I have arranged it into my busy schedule and will stop by late morning early noon. I hope you do not mind, it will be a great pleasure to see you and Dear Meg again.

Truly yours,

Raoul De Chagney.

Mme. Giry gasped. The third of February was today. She was hoping that Christine and Erik would wake up soon. Erik was known to wake up early, but that was only because he had not had a good nights rest. But now he had Christine…and his dreams were peaceful, not deadly like usual. She not dare awake him; she doesn't want to deal with a crabby Erik. No Sire. A crabby Erik was like a Teenage girl during her 'time'. Mme. Giry sighed and went into the kitchen and placed a tea kettle on the stove filled with water, waiting for it to boil. She sat down and re read Raoul's letter. She was so distracted by the letter she did not hear the kettle starting to 'scream'.

Erik awoke abruptly, for hearing a loud high pitched sound coming from down the hall. He moaned to himself. He didn't want to be woken up, he didn't like it. He started to get up when he felt something on his lap; he looked down and smiled at Christine who was still sleeping. He carefully picked her head up; he looked around and spotted a pillow on the side of the couch. He took it and placed it under Christine's head. Christine stirred but did not awaken. He stretched from having sleeping sitting up all night. He yawned and then sighed. He looked down at Christine's sleeping form once more before walking outside. The bright sunlight hurt his eyes; he was not used to going out side. The weather was cool but at the same time warm. It was early spring; he then thought 'this would be nice weather for the wedding.' The wedding that sounded good saying that. He needed to talk to Christine about the date, but later when they got home or in a few days.

Thinking of that brought his attention to the Letter that he had received yesterday; He promised Christine that he would think about it. His whole family would be there, the family that hated him. The only one that did not was His Aunt and that was not good enough. Christine, he could tell, really wanted to go. Really wanted to meet this "family" of his. A few of his cousins did like him, did not fear his abhorrent face. He wondered if they would be there. He sighed and decided that he would go. He wanted to shout out to the world that he and Christine were getting married, but yet he couldn't because the world includes a lot of people who fear him and know Christine and the world also includes the Foppish boy Raoul, so his family would be good enough. He decided to go for a walk, not even thinking to tell anybody. He was not used to it so he didn't have the instinct. He walked into the woods.

Christine woke up, on something that was too soft to be Erik's lap. She sat up and picked up the pillow that was once Erik's lap. She looked confused at it. 'Where had Erik gone?' she wondered. She stood up breaking into a stretch. She looked around, for a minute forgetting where she was. She walked out into the hallway, and passed the kitchen and there sitting was Mme. Giry. She then remembered she was in Mme. Giry's house. Mme. Giry was reading something and Christine didn't want to disturb her so she went upstairs to see if Meg was awake. She knocked on Meg's door. "Meg." She called into the door. "You awake?" Meg opened the door. "Oh hello Christine." Meg seemed to look behind Christine, as if looking for Erik. "I woke up this morning and Erik wasn't there, so you don't need to worry." Meg gave Christine an "I-told-you-he-didn't-change. He-left-you" look. Christine shook her head vigoursly. "No. Meg no. He didn't. He went out for a walk or something. Erik wouldn't leave me." Meg sighed. "How can you call him Erik? How can you look at him and not quiver with fear. Dear Lord how can you marry him!" Meg Exclaimed with confusion and anger. "Meg. You don't know him! All you've heard was stories and I guess he proves them true once or twice but he has changed now. If you would only spend two minutes with him. Alone. You would see that." Christine said, annoyed that her friend does not trust Erik. Meg just huphed. "So did you want something?" Meg asked after a few minutes. "I wanted to talk…I needed to talk and your mother was busy." Meg nodded and let Christine come in.

A knock at the door disturbed Mme. Giry from her thoughts. She looked at the clock on the wall. 10:35 it read. She thought' who could be knocking at this hour?' She got up and went over to the door. She peeked through the peek hole and saw Raoul standing there. She gasped and looked into the family room quickly. Erik nor chrisinte was in there. She sighed and opened the door. "Ah..Vicomte Welcome." Mme. Giry greeted. He nodded and said. "Good morning mme. Giry." He stood there as if waiting for an invitation to come in. "Would you like to come in?" Mme. Giry asked him. "If that's not a problem." Raoul responded. "of course not." Mme. Giry answered sweetly. (coughcoughstuckupcoughcough) "Nice little home you've got here." Raoul complimented. "Why thank you, Please come in and join me for Tea." Mme giry led Raoul to the Kitchen where they both took a seat. "So how have you been?" mme. Giry asked although she already knew the answer. "Like I said in my letter, Christine left me. But I suppose it was for the good. She needed to find someone to love forever and I guess I was not that one. We are still friends though, she had told me. I haven't heard from her since, I hope she is well." Raoul explained, sadness could be heard in his voice. 'oh don't worry she is in good hands' Mme. Giry thought. "I am sure she is well and happy where ever she is." Mme. Giry explained smiling. Raoul nodded. "Umm. I don't mean to be rude, but may I use the bathroom. The journey was long." Mme. Giry nodded and pointed him down to where the bathroom was. Mme. Giry sighed and just as the bathroom door closed another one opened. Erik came walking in, all dirty and he had leaves in his hair. "Does anyone ever walk in those woods it seems like no one's been in there for years." Erik said walking into the kitchen. Mme Giry jumped up, trying to hold in laughter at the sight of Erik all woodsy and ran over to him. "erik you have to get out of here. Go upstairs or outside." She said frantically. "Why? What's going on?" He asked worridly. "Raoul is here. He's in the bathroom at this moment but should be out any minute." Erik fumed at the mention of his name. He wanted to kill the boy where he was…well no not where he was because that's just wrong, but anyway. "Take christine and get out of here. IF he finds her here things might get out of hand but if he sees you here and her here, that will not be a pretty picture so go." Erik took her advice and ran out of the kitchen. He ran up the stairs, he found Meg's door closed and didn't want to disturb them so he went into the next room which just happened to be a closet. A very big closet. There was all sorts of junk in there. He started to rummage through it and beamed when he spotted something. IT was a pile of letters, his letters. All the notes that he had written to her. He skimmed through them smiling upon a few. One dropped on the floor he picked it up and decided to read it.

Dear Antoinette,

I had just heard the news. Congratulations. A girl I heard it was, I wish to know the name of this little child. I hope to see you soon, you and the young one. Please contact me when I am able to visit. I have nothing to do, so I will just be sitting in my lair doing nothing. I might be composing but you can surely interrupt me.

Your Dear friend,

Erik.

He smiled. Ah yes the day he found out little Meg was born. And now she is all grown up and afraid of him. But then again who isn't, Christine, Mme. Giry, His aunt, Gaston. Well that's a few people but not enough. He sighed and continued searching through her closet. There was a box filled with baby clothes, Meg's clothes. He searched through them and picked one up. IT was a red dress with a white rim. It had a matching hat. He got it for her, for Christmas. He remembered that Christmas perfectly. It was meg's first Christmas and only a few months after Mme. Giry's husband had died. Mme. Giry invited him to join and he gladly accepted. Meg liked him then. Infact she loved him then. Everytime she would see him, she would reach out her arms wanting him to hold her.

He put the outfit back and continued searching. He then found something on the top shelf away from everything else. IT was a music box, a music box that he made for meg. He wound it up and a soothing lullaby filled the room, he remembered he used to sing it to Meg when she couldn't sleep he began to sing softly along to the tune,

Hush a bye don't you cry

Go to sleep my little baby.

When you wake you shall have all the pretty little ponies. (yeah some of you may recognize this as "all the pretty little ponies by Kenny Loggins" which I do not own!)

In your bed momma said,

Babys riding off to dream land

One by one, they've begun

Dance and prance for little baby.

The music stopped and he heard a door close, he peaked his head out the door and there was christine. Erik rushed out of the room and grabbed christine placing a hand over her mouth, she started to scream under his hand but he whispered. "shh. Christine its me." Christine relaxed. Erik let go of her mouth and she looked up at him. "You cant go down there christine." He said. "why? Erik whats wrong?" she asked worry written all over her face. He took a deep breath and said. "you know who is down there." It took a christine a while to get what he was saying and when she did she gasped. "Raoul…what is he doing here?" She wondered. "I don't know. Apparently for a visit. We cant go down there. We cant be seen and we have to get out of here." Erik explained. "how?" Christine asked. "I don't know yet." Erik sighed. They both turned their heads suddenly as they heard.

"come I will show you upstairs"

PTO

HA ha! That's where I am ending you for now! Now Review! PLEASE!