The Girl Next Door

"Christine, thank God I found you!" Sorelli said desperately. Christine looked up from the sheet she had just printed off.

"What's wrong?"

"I think the baby grew by eight inches overnight, my new dress for the opening night doesn't fit!" Sorelli wailed. Christine blinked and patted her shoulder.

"Calm down. The opening night isn't until tomorrow; we'll just take the dress back and get you one in a bigger size, OK?"

"What if they don't have a bigger size? I've already bought shoes and accessories for that dress." Sorelli said mournfully. Christine smiled.

"We'll work something out. Don't worry. It's not the end of the world."

Sorelli leant on the surface, trying to convince herself that everything would be alright.

"What are you wearing?" She asked suddenly.

"I was thinking about clothes." Christine said, still examining her print. Sorelli rolled her eyes.

"Helpful, Christine."

"I'm not sure yet. I wore the dark one to Il Muto here, my blue one to the French Il Muto, my green one to the Heaven and Hell concert and that leaves me with the ivory one."

"When was the last time that you wore that one?"

"Some work party of Stuart's." Christine replied absently. Sorelli grinned.

"In which case, you can come and get a new dress with me tonight." She said decisively. Christine shrugged.

"Fine. Whatever. I need to go and call the caterers for the Hawthorn; there's been a problem with the bookings." Christine hurried back to her office and Sorelli shrugged. She really needed to learn how to relax.

Erik paced back and forwards in Christine's apartment on Friday night, straightening his tie, adjusting his mask and picking stray cat hairs off of his suit. Cat flicked his tail as he watched the anxious man preparing. Erik lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Don't look at me like that. If you didn't get hair everywhere, there wouldn't be a problem." Cat gave him a suitably dismissive look and stalked into the kitchen to eat the leftovers of his dinner. Erik glanced at his watch.

"Christine, I'm going without you."

"No, you're not." She called from the bedroom. "I'm nearly ready."

"You said that ten minutes ago." He reminded her.

"It was eight minutes, actually. So hold your horses."

Finally Christine emerged and Erik was forced to admit that she looked worth the wait. Clad in a red satin dress, her hair in a knot of curls at the back of her head and the rose crystal necklace he had gotten her for her birthday around her neck, she looked nothing short of goddess-like. She eyed him approvingly.

"Very nice. Well? Are we going?"

"If you weren't quite so beautiful, I could easily get very annoyed with you." Erik said dryly, handing her a coat. She smiled charmingly at him and kissed his cheek.

"Come on, maestro. Your public awaits the triumphant opening of Hannibal."

"I honestly don't know what you were worrying about, Erik, Eleanor sang Think of Me perfectly." Christine said at the party after the opera. He lifted an eyebrow.

"There's a first time for everything, I suppose."

"Don't be so cynical. It was a fantastic opera."

"Hear, hear." Nadir said, joining them with one arm around Sorelli. "It was marvellous, Erik."

Erik smiled briefly, taking two glasses of wine from a passing tray and handing one to Christine. He couldn't deny that the evening had been a totally success. Everything had gone flawlessly and had been so well accepted that Nadir had already fended off several telephone calls to ask for right sot perform it around the country.

"I agree that the hard work has paid off." He said. "And with Hannibal set to run for another six months, I'll finally have some time to relax."

"You should be so lucky. Everyone has been asking me what your next project is going to be." Nadir told him. "What shall I say?"

"Tell them the matter is undecided. It's the truth anyway." Erik commented.

"But what are you going to work on?" Sorelli asked. "Another opera?"

"There are a great many classical operas that I haven't yet indulged in. There isn't an urgency to create original ones when there are so many already waiting to be performed." Erik pointed out.

"And what about Don Juan Triumphant?" Nadir asked, with a knowing smile. "I don't suppose there's a chance of the Hawthorn getting its hands on that particular piece?"

"Absolutely not." Erik said firmly. Christine smiled, lacing her fingers through his as she sipped her wine. So stubborn…

"Well, Erik, you had better start meeting and greeting people. I've got a few introductions for you. I'll let you two gossip for a while." Nadir said, releasing Sorelli. He and Erik walked off, Erik looking extremely reluctant. Christine smiled after him.

"He hates this part."

"I hate to admit it, but you two make an incredibly hot couple." Sorelli said.

"That must make you and Nadir the sweetest couple." Christine pointed out. Sorelli smiled and tossed her hair.

"That goes without saying! Oh…" She glared down at her stomach. "Stop kicking!"

"Lively little fellow, isn't he?" Christine smiled. Sorelli rolled her eyes.

"I can't wait until he's born and I can start getting a full night's sleep again. I'm up every half hour to go to the toilet and the times when I don't need to pee, he's kicking me constantly!"

"Attention-seeker, I see."

"There you are!" They turned and saw Meg walking towards them with a beaming face. Christine had asked Erik to get her a ticket for the opening, as she had expressed an interest in seeing Hannibal. She hadn't been able to convince Matt to go though. As crazy as he was about Meg, that adoration apparently didn't stretch so far as to go to an opera with her. Not that Meg seemed to mind all that much, the last thing she'd wanted was a drooling boyfriend on her shoulder.

"Wasn't it brilliant?" She said. "I really enjoyed it!"

"Erik will be delighted." Christine grinned. Meg eyed her and she shrugged. "Fine, he'll probably just nod and change the subject, but I'm sure he'll be happy on the inside."

They all laughed and Sorelli finished off her soft drink, placing the cup down as Meg took some wine. Christine was about to comment on a particular scene in the opera when a horribly familiar voice sounded nearby. She, Meg and Sorelli turned to see Carlotta with her parents, talking with some of the patrons. Carlotta caught sight of them and a momentary look of absolute fury crossed her face. Mr Guidacelli caught her expression and looked over curiously. Meg waved cheerfully and he smiled, walking over to greet them to the apoplectic fury of his daughter.

"Miss Giry, how delightful to meet you again."

"Same to you, Mr Guidacelli. This is Sorelli Tindra and Christine Daae. They're Populaires as well." Meg said. They all shook hands and Mr Guidacelli looked at Meg.

"Tell me, how is Sophia Hart settling in?"

"She's fantastic, such a nice person. And she's really good at her job as well." Meg said. Mr Guidacelli smiled.

"Excellent. I'm glad that she has someone like you to look after her. Excuse me." He returned to his wife and daughter. Carlotta threw Christine a look of pure filth and turned away. Christine just smiled.

Some time later, Nadir and Erik returned to them and the discussion turned swiftly to the inevitable success of Hannibal as they all descended to the bar beneath the Hawthorn.

"Just wait until the reviews come out tomorrow." Meg said. "Every show is going to be fully booked out; everyone's dying to see a Destler Original."

"I wasn't aware they came with titles now." Erik commented lightly. Christine smiled and looked at him proudly.

"I don't know how you do it. Everything you produce just seems to be perfect."

"Perfection is easiest when one has such an inspiring muse." Erik said quietly, bringing her hand to his lips. She blushed and Meg whistled.

"What a smooth-talker."

"How comes you never say anything like that to me?" Sorelli said teasingly to Nadir, who shrugged.

"Because I'm not as mysterious and dramatic as Erik."

Sorelli laughed and then stood.

"Excuse me. Nature calls, yet again."

"Hold on, I need to go as well." Christine said. Meg winked at them both.

"Unwise move, leaving me alone with two hot guys like this."

"Meg, no more alcohol for you." Christine said with a grin. She and Sorelli walked to the bathroom. Whilst Sorelli was still in the cubicle, Christine began to pin a loose curl back into place as they chatted.

"I really do wish Erik wouldn't be quite so charming in public." She commented.

"Why not?"

"Because it makes me paranoid! If he carries on like that he's going to have every woman in a ten mile radius throwing themselves at him.

"They wouldn't stand a chance, Christine." Sorelli said, flushing the toilet and emerging. "I've seen how he looks at you, he's crazy about you."

She paused and rubbed her stomach, frowning. Christine glanced at her.

"Is everything alright?"

"Hmm, probably just something I ate. I keep getting heartburn too. I'm going to lay off the red meat for a while." She said, washing her hands and then pausing to massage her stomach again. Christine stared at her.

"Sorelli?"

"Yes?"

"Are you in labour?" Sorelli turned and stared at her.

"What? No! No, I can't be, the baby isn't due for another month!"

"Remember what it said in that baby book? Heartburn, your stomach is playing up… Sorelli, you'd better get to the hospital."

"But my water hasn't even broken." Sorelli pointed out. Christine put her hands on her hips.

"Did you read any of those books we got you? Sometimes the water doesn't break until very late in the labour. Come on, we're taking you to the hospital."

She took Sorelli's hand and pulled her back out into the bar. The three waiting for them looked up in surprise.

"Is something wrong?" Erik asked. Christine lifted an eyebrow.

"Sorelli's going into labour."

"What!" Nadir said, jumping to his feet. Sorelli rolled her eyes.

"I am not in labour."

"She's got an upset stomach and is suffering from what feels like heartburn. These are classic signs of a woman who's going into labour. We're going to the hospital."

"Christine, we are not- Ooh!" Sorelli jumped and clutched her stomach. They all stared at her and she laughed weakly. "OK, maybe the hospital isn't such a bad idea."

"How can you possibly not notice that you're going into labour?" Meg said as she, Christine and Erik sat in the waiting room whilst Nadir went with Sorelli to get settled in her room.

"According to the book, even experienced mothers can mistake the symptoms for something else." Christine said knowledgably. Meg looked at her blankly and she threw hands up in despair. "Was I the only person who read those books?"

"Apparently." Erik commented.

"I hope the baby'll be OK. It's a month early." Meg said anxiously. Christine rubbed her arm comfortingly.

"We're in the best place. Even if the baby isn't ready, they'll be able to take care of him here."

It was about half an hour later when Nadir appeared.

"They're making her comfortable. The contractions are getting a little stronger now. But it looks like we'll be here for a good while yet."

"Are you staying with her?"

"Of course. You might as well go home; I'll call you if anything happens." Nadir suggested. Meg glanced at her watch and whistled.

"I think I might just follow your advice, actually. Typical Sorelli to do something interesting just as we're all knackered. You promise to call though?"

"Absolutely." Nadir smiled. Erik stood.

"Do you want me to fetch anything?"

"Sorelli had an emergency bag packed, with some things that she wanted to bring here with her. Obviously she didn't expect to start labour this soon so she didn't bring it with her to the Hawthorn. It's at her house."

"We'll take Meg home, go to Sorelli's, bring the bag here and then go and get some sleep." Christine suggested.

They all agreed that this was the best course of action and departed. It took nearly an hour to go to Meg's, to Sorelli's and then back to the hospital. Erik waited in the car whilst Christine carried the bag inside. After asking a nurse for directions, Christine found room 666.

"Loving the door number." She commented as she went inside. Sorelli rolled her eyes.

"I know. I'm not giving birth to the spawn of Satan. Well, actually, having met Steven…"

Christine smiled and put the bag on the end of the bed.

"Here you go."

"Thanks, Chris." Sorelli said. Nadir smiled at her.

"I'll call you if anything happens."

"We've probably got ages. Did you know that the average pregnancy for a first time mother is seventeen hours?" Sorelli said. Christine stared at her and she grinned. "Yes, I did read some of the books!"

"I believe that the idea of us actually coming home was so we could sleep." Erik said dryly as Christine fidgeted in the bed beside him. She sat up and turned on the light.

"I know. But… it's just so amazing!"

"What is?"

"Sorelli. She's bringing life into the world; she's making a human being. How amazing is that?" Christine said, smiling widely. Erik smiled too. A little less widely.

"Maybe I'll believe it more in the morning."

"Sorry. It's been a long night." Christine said sympathetically. Erik sat up as well.

"Are you sure that you wouldn't rather just go back to the hospital?"

"No, there's no point. Besides, I'd probably just fall asleep as soon as we got there."

She put her head on his shoulder and sighed happily.

"It's been one hell of a night. Hannibal was incredible. I can't wait to see what you come out with next." She said dreamily. Erik smiled slightly, stroking her hair. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he spoke.

"…I've finished Don Juan Triumphant."

"What?" She looked up and smiled brightly. "Erik, that's wonderful! Are you going to put it on?"

"No."

His abrupt answer halted her momentarily. She examined his face and touched the marred skin.

"It's alright." She murmured. He held her gaze for a moment and then turned off the light, lying back down and drawing her into his hold.

They were asleep before long.

"Do I bloody look alright?" Sorelli snapped the next morning. Christine stepped back into Erik. He let out a grunt as she trod on his foot and scowled. Sorelli glared at them both and let her head fall back onto the pillow with an exhausted groan. Nadir stroked her hand.

"We'll let you get a couple of minutes rest." He said soothingly, going to the door and beckoning to Erik, Christine and Meg.

Once outside the room, he turned to them with a tired face.

"It shouldn't be too much longer. Maybe another couple of hours… but she's so tired."

"So are you. Why don't you get some sleep?" Meg suggested. Nadir laughed quietly.

"I'd love to. But I can't leave her now."

"Then at least go and get some coffee. Erik, take Nadir to the cafeteria, will you?" Christine said, looking at him. He nodded but Nadir looked uncertain.

"I'm not sure…"

"Christine and I can handle the crazy pregnant lady for half an hour." Meg said firmly, pushing them both. Once they had disappeared, she rolled her eyes at Christine as they went back into room 666. Sorelli looked at them both, frowning.

"Where's Nadir?"

"We sent him to get some coffee with Erik. The poor guy looks dead on his feet."

"He's not the one squeezing a human being out of his-"

"I'll give you ten pounds not to finish that sentence." Christine interrupted. Sorelli smiled and then moaned, fidgeting on the bed.

"God, I have never felt so crap in my life…"

"On the positive side, you look fabulous." Meg said and then frowned. "How is that in any way fair? You're in labour and you still look great."

"It takes the edge off it at least." Sorelli shrugged. She sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm so tired…"

"Nadir said it probably won't be much longer." Christine said sympathetically. "Is there anything we can do?"

"No. Just wait with me. Although, it's not as bad as they make it look on TV. All that wailing and screaming. Sure, it hurts, but not that much. They're just a bunch of cry-babies." She stretched her arms and then closed her eyes again.

They were quiet for a moment before she sat up again, grunting and moaning. A whimper escaped. Meg and Christine exchanged panicked looks.

"Are you…?" Meg began but Sorelli took a deep breath and then leant back.

"Just a contraction." She said as the door opened and Doctor Yoshida came. She smiled briefly at Meg and Christine.

"Hello there. Miss Tindra, let's see how you're doing…"

Christine smoothed Sorelli's hair back and Meg fluffed the pillows as the doctor carried out her examination.

"Well, you're very nearly there. I'll come back in half an hour and you should be ready to go to the delivery room by then." Doctor Yoshida said calmly. She smiled at Meg and Christine. "Try not to tire her out."

"Like it'd make a difference. I'm shattered." Sorelli muttered. Doctor Yoshida smiled and left the room, making a note on her clipboard.

"Are you excited? About getting to finally see Tristan?" Meg said, clasping Sorelli's hand. She smiled.

"Yeah. It feels so weird. Like I know him already."

"Well, you did just spend eight months together." Christine pointed out. Sorelli nodded.

"I know, but still… it's as if I already know exactly who he is and who he's going to be. Does that make sense?"

"Of course not. You don't even make sense when you've had a full night's sleep and aren't giving birth." Meg said comfortingly. Sorelli glared at her and was about to make a scathing reply when she started to have another contraction. And since Meg was still holding her hand, revenge was had most sweetly indeed.

Tristan Michael Tindra was born at 10:42 AM on Saturday 16th September.

Sorelli and Nadir had decided that once they had married, Tristan's name would be changed, with Sorelli's to Khan. But for now, they remained as they were.

Christine, Erik and Meg were finally allowed to see Mother, Father and Son approximately an hour later, once Tristan had been cleaned up and they had returned to the room. Sorelli, looking positively radiant, beamed at them as they came in quietly. Nadir, who was sat on the bed beside her, was holding the tiny creature in his arms.

"Absolutely healthy. A little small because he's early but… but healthy." Sorelli whispered. Meg bent over Tristan and cooed.

"Oh my gosh, aren't you just the cutest little guy ever?"

"Do you really have to talk like that?" Erik wanted to know. She pulled a face at him and then looked at Nadir.

"Can I hold him?"

He manoeuvred Tristan into Meg's arms. The baby didn't make a sound, he was sleeping peacefully. He had a few tiny tufts of dark hair on his scalp and his miniature face was slightly red and chubby-cheeked. Meg smiled down at him.

"Hey, Tristan. I'm your Auntie Meg. You like me the best, because I'm great. You really do." She paused. "You're the luckiest little guy in the world, you know."

Sorelli watched proudly as her son was passed onto Christine. She stood next to Erik and admired the miniscule individual in her arms. For a moment she didn't speak. And then Tristan's eyes opened blearily, tiny blue eyes that peered up at her. Christine gently smoothed his hair and smiled.

"Hi Tristan. I'm Auntie Christine. Forget everything that Auntie Meg just said, because I'm the best."

"Quit corrupting the baby, Christine!" Meg scowled. Christine pulled a face at her and then returned her attention to the baby. Erik watched her, feeling a little… odd. As if he shouldn't really be a part of this picture. He did not belong within the image of a family.

At least, until Christine looked up at him.

"Your turn."

"I don't think-"

"Hold the baby, Erik." Christine said firmly, passing him over. Erik held the child awkwardly and he clearly didn't know what he was supposed to do now that he had the baby. Christine watched him proudly as he stared down at Tristan, who was now wide awake and staring at the strange people who were passing him back and forth like a ball. Erik lifted a hand and touched one of his red cheeks with the tip of one finger. This strange little being was alive. He was warm and soft and fragile. He was a human being, made of humans and embodied everything that Erik had ever wanted. Pure, simple, happy existence, filled with warmth and love and acceptance.

A hand touched Erik's arm and he looked to see Christine resting her cheek against his shoulder and smiling at the baby. And it was suddenly clear to Erik – he already had what he had ever wanted.

"Aw, look at you guys. Like a proper little family." Meg sighed. Christine smiled and took the baby, passing him back to Sorelli, who held him so naturally she might have known him all her life. Nadir put an arm around her and held Tristan's miniscule hand between his thumb and index finger.

"My son." He said proudly, kissing Sorelli's forehead. "My son."

Christine watched the sun go down that evening, leaning against the railing of Erik's balcony. The days were finally getting cooler now but it was warm enough to stand in just her jeans and t-shirt. Cat strolled along the railing, tail swaying in balance. He reached the end and leapt down, twining around her legs and purring.

A hand touched the small of her back and she straightened to lean back into Erik. He slid his arms about her middle and rested his chin atop her head as they watched the warm glow of the golden sun as it slid slowly out of sight. Erik knew that Christine wanted to say something and he waited patiently for her to speak.

"Erik?" She said eventually, her voice tentative but firm.

"Yes, Christine?"

"I won't marry you."

"I know." Erik said softly. "You don't need to."

She turned and looked up at him, imitating his action and putting her arms around him. Her earnest face was upturned to his.

"Are you sure?" She asked anxiously. "You're not upset?"

"No. We have everything that we'll ever need. Why do we need to prove it to others?" Erik said quietly. She smiled and put her head against his chest. Erik stroked her hair and then said,

"It's the same as Don Juan Triumphant."

"What is?"

"I've finally finished what I've spent so many years working at. I don't need to see it performed; I don't want other people to judge and decide what they think. Because I know that it's perfect." He said quietly. Christine looked up at him again and then lifted herself on tiptoe to kiss him.

"I love you so much, it doesn't seem possible." She said softly, peeling his mask from his face to kiss the devastated skin beneath.

"I would try to come up with something equally passionate but I don't think that there are enough words." Erik replied quietly.

The final glow of sunlight slipped away beneath the horizon, leaving the pair to hold each other in the comforting darkness.

A/N: Hey people. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I thought it was pretty interesting how everyone assumed that Christine and Erik would get married eventually. But this is a modern day story – in 1890, yes, they would have gotten married. But let's face it, not all couples get married these days and I didn't feel that they needed to get married. Oh, also please bear in mind that I have never had babies and got most of my information from pregnancy websites!

Cough cough Sympathy please. I've been stuck at home for the past three days with tonsillitis. So that's a throat that thinks it's fun to tighten up and not let oxygen through, a sandpapered throat and a cough that's trying to help a lung escape on every bout of coughing. Not to mention the sneezing, nosebleeds, temperatures and headaches that feel like an elephants wearing steel-heeled stilettos is doing a merry jig inside my skull to a marching band. Now there's an image for ya.

Anyway, please feed a sick Official Review Whore's Addiction. And don't worry – I can quit anytime I want! shakes and twitches uncontrollably Heh… that's just the tonsillitis, I swear!

One chapter left. I think my heart may just break. I mean, I'm always sad to end a story but this has just been so incredible for me. I really feel like I've progressed as a writer in this story. Thank you all for your support!

Love and appreciation (and complimentary tonsillitis germs!)

Katie