Christine waved goodbye and returned to her dressing room. She ran to tell Meg the wonderful evening she had. On the way to Meg's room she saw Madam Giry, she smiled and winked at her. Christine was puzzled but pushed on. She walked into Meg's room and Meg's face lit up.

"So how was it?"

"How was what?" Christine said looking puzzled.

"You know what, the night with Erik"

"It was wonderful." Christine said smiling.

"Well what happened?" Meg asked interested in the details.

"We lied in the bed together, me in his arms. That lasted all night until we both drifted off to sleep. He woke me up in the morning with breakfast on the table. Meg it was simply beautiful, and it felt so right. He's the one Meg, I just know it. I don't know how I know it but I do. This man in the mask, he's the one I will marry. Christine said smiling, she looked into the air picturing it.

"What about Raoul?"

"What about him, he didn't even look at me until I sang. He was a childhood sweetheart and nothing more. I'm no longer a child and neither is he. I think that he should move on, just as I have. Why do you ask?"

"Well after all he is handsome" Meg stuttered, hoping Christine wouldn't get angry.

"Do you like him Meg?" Christine said smiling.

"Well, I don't really know him but I would like to. Only if it's okay with you though."

"Of course it's okay." Christine said nodding. Meg smiled.

"Well I have to go, I have singing lessons with Erik in fifteen minutes." Christine smiled waving goodbye. She walked into the dressing room ten minutes later, Erik began singing to her. She sang along. This lasted about twenty minutes and then Christine had a thought.

"Erik, do you love me?" She asked.

"More than anything." He replied.

"Then come with me outside, I would like to go on a carriage ride. Wouldn't that be splendid?"

The mirror opened and Erik emerged. Taking a deep breath he followed Christine. He wasn't going to make her suffer in anyway, even if he did have to go out in his mask.

"Well hurry!" Christine said as she ran to get into the carriage. He smiled and jumped in.

"Where to please?" Said the man driving the carriage.

"Just around the town, please." Erik replied. Him and Christine snuggled together under a big blanket. It was all so beautiful. the snow glistened. Erik was having a great time. He loved that Christine was by his side. He didn't bother to pay attention if anyone was staring at him, he was too busy staring at her. She stared back at him, smiling.

"Are you having a good time?" She said smiling.

"Yes, in fact I am having a great time!" He looked at her and smiled.

The carriage ride was great but it wasn't enough, Christine wanted to show Erik that she would stand by him no matter what.

"To the market please driver!" She yelled. Erik looked at her and it seemed his eyes were filled with sadness. His hands quaked with fear. She knew he didn't want people to look at him.

"If I'm going to be in your house we should get some food." She said smiling. He nodded, he wanted her with him and if he had to show his face for it, although the thought tormented him, for Christine he would do it. The carriage showed up at the market and they got out. Erik paid the man, taking another deep breath he began walking. He could already feel people staring at him the moment they walked into the market. Christine looked at him, she saw him looking around uncomfortably. She grabbed his hand in hers, he looked at her and she smiled. She really does love me, he thought and a smile came to his face. Everyone they saw at the market seemed to say hello, but there was such a difference, no longer did the people care that he was wearing a mask. They saw him as Christine Daae's boyfriend and they smiled and walked away. There were no backward glances. He was accepted, it was all because of her. The love of his life. They returned to the Opera house later that night with a few bags full of groceries. They walked to Christine's dressing room and made their way to Erik's house. They put the food away and sat at the table that they once dined at for breakfast.

"At the market, you said you would be staying here?" Erik said, confused but hopeful.

"Well, I just thought that it would be okay." Christine answered, a little nervous that her living there was unwanted.

"Of course it's okay! It's a great surprise!" He said smiling. Christine smiled too. She glanced at the clock, it was nine.

"It's getting late, do you want to head to bed?" She said, hoping he would say yes. He nodded. He took her hand helping her out of the chair, and lead her to his bed. They got in snuggling close to each other, they kissed goodnight. He put his arm around her and they fell asleep.