Chapter Thirty Three

Christine moaned, not wanting to wake up ever again. In sleep there was a numbness that did not allow you to feel the pains of the world. She did not want to wake up...to much had happened in so little time and Christine wished she could just give up. But their was a persistant pressure on her body that forced her to open her eyes.

Erik.

He was lying beside her, pressed along the length of her body. His arm was drapped over her stomach and his head rested beside hers. The gentle rise and fall of his chest was calming to her and she remembered that he was the only reason she had not given up.

So many times it would have been so easy to just give into the pain. But every time that happened she had only to think of Erik and she found that passion to live because she knew he would always be there. He was not wearing his mask so she raised her hand, though it caused her pain, and caressed his beloved face.

His eyes opened slowly to land on her face and there was great relief in the depths of those expressive eyes.

"Christine," he whispered.

"Erik," she replied with a small smile.

"How do you feel?" he wondered, anxiously.

"Better now that you are with me," Christine said.

"Christine...Jacque did he-"

"No. All he did was hit me," she assured him. He sighed.

"He is dead, Christine. He will haunt you no longer," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her brow. Christine felt as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulder. She would no longer have to worry about anyone touching her or violationing her any more. She could move on and begin a normal life fort he first time since her fathers death.

"I love you," she whispered. He smiled.

"I love you, too," Erik said. He hesitated a moment, clearly wanting to tell her something but too nervous to do so. She thought she knew what he wanted to ask.

"Yes," she whispered. His eyes found hers, a questioning look in his eyes.

"I want to be your wife," she clarified. His whole face lit up and he pulled her closer.

"I will make you happy, Christine, I promise," he said.

"You already make me happy."

Both looked toward the door when Rupert knocked and came in. He smiled when he saw that Christine was awake and told her how glad he was that she was alright.

"I do not wish to intrude but I have some news that might make both of your days brighter," Rupert said.

"What is that?" Erik asked, stroking Christine's hair.

"My sources told me that Carlotta committed suicide last night," he said. Christine gasped. How could that vile woman do such a thing? She had a son to take care of and she abandoned him! What a bitch!

"I have waited so long for this to be over," Erik whispered. Christine smiled with him, glad that his demons had finally left him.

"Perhaps now we can both move on?" she suggested. He nodded. There was silence for a moment before he hugged her close to him rather tightly.

"Thank you, my love," Erik said softly.

"For what, Erik?" Christine asked, pushing his hair away from his face.

"Everything. Making me a better person. Helping me through this nightmare. Loving me. And for coming into my life when I needed you the most," he said. Christine kissed him.

"You are welcome, my love, I was more then glad to help."

xXx

Erik watched her drift into sleep a few hours later. Bruises still marred her face but she had never looked more beautiful. He loved her with everything he had in him and he would spend the rest of his life making her happy.

This beauty had turned a beast into a man and their love would surpass eternity.