Chapter 8: Evergreen

Erik couldn't help but smile as he led his beloved through the dark passageways.

Unbelievable! He was still in awe of all that had transpired in the last hour. His opera had, of course, been a success… but Christine! Oh, Christine! She loved him! What he had dreamt of for so many years had finally come true! His angel loved him! He was seemingly drowning in his newfound happiness.

He was awakened from his thoughts by a small cry of pain.

"Christine? What is it? Are you hurt?"

Christine bent over, clutching her bare foot.

"I just tripped on a stone that's all. It only hurts a little…" she trailed off, embarrassed.

Erik realized then that she had been walking the whole time without shoes, as Aminta was indeed barefoot in Don Juan.

"My dear, I'm so sorry! I did not realize you were without shoes! Oh, forgive me! Would you like me to carry you so that it doesn't happen again?" he asked, deeply concerned.

"Oh, alright, if you insist," Christine teased.

Chuckling lightly, Erik scooped her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing in contentment.

They continued on in silence, relishing the sweet contact.

They were almost to his lair when Christine began to tease him, placing soft kisses on his chest. This was almost too much for Erik. He had hardly known any contact that did not come in the form of a beating, let alone the sensation of his beloved's warm breath and soft lips upon his chest. He sighed, thinking he could become quite used to it.

They soon reached their destination. Erik placed Christine carefully on the swan bed, not wanting to place her feet on the cold stone floor. Christine gave a small whimper as the warmth of his body left her.

"My dear, you must be freezing! You should change, there are many dresses in your measurements in that chest over there," he said, pointing to the opposite corner of the room, "I'll return when you're finished." With that, he gave a small kiss to her forehead before leaving her alone.

Smiling, Christine stood up and walked to the large chest Erik had pointed to. Opening it slowly, she gasped. Inside were a dozen gowns, all of the finest quality. Erik was so good to her, she did not deserve this! She shifted through them carefully, choosing one that would be very attractive on her. However, she soon cast it aside. She had another idea.

Twenty minutes had passed since he had left Christine in her room. Erik had been pacing by his organ, his thoughts running rampant. So far he had managed his control, but what he wanted more than anything was to run to her, shower her in kisses, and show her just how much he loved her. But no, he couldn't do that. They were not married, it was very improper. He smiled to himself. Yes, he would be a gentleman – for her sake.

What was taking her so long? He walked slowly back to her room.

"Christine? Are you alright, my dear?" he asked softly, not knowing what to do.

"I'm fine, Erik. More than fine," he could sense the smile in her voice, "you can come in now".

Erik entered, and his mouth dropped open as he gazed at the sight before him.

There stood Christine, in the wedding dress he had made for her. Her chocolate curls spilled over the exquisite gown, which hung snug against her curves. Her eyes twinkled and there was a slight blush in her cheeks. She was truly the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on.

He couldn't speak.

Christine's beaming smile soon turned to a frown. "Do I displease you, Erik?"

Shocked, his eyes bore into her. "W-Why no, Christine! You are breathtakingly beautiful," he said quietly, unable to express himself fully. "You could never displease me, my angel. It's just that... you're wearing a... wedding dress."

Christine smiled, raising her eyebrow slightly. "I know, I saw it on the mannequin that night... Would you prefer me to change?"

He gazed at her. "Christine, if you desire to wear that...dress...I have no protests."

Her face lit up and she jumped into his arms. "Oh Erik," she cried, "Erik, I love you so much! Please don't ever leave me!"

Erik gazed lovingly into her deep brown eyes. "My beloved," he whispered so that only she could hear. "I could never leave you. For if we were ever parted, surely I would die of a broken heart."

A tear slipped down his cheek as her lips brushed his. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her nearer. She deepened the kiss, nibbling gently on his bottom lip before gaining access to the sweetness of Erik's mouth. A small sigh of desire escaped from his mouth into hers.

Suddenly they became very aware of the barriers of clothing that separated them.

Closer! Closer! Christine's mind screamed. Surely she was going mad! Her mind registered only Erik, and she thought she would drown in passion as electricity spread throughout her body.

They collapsed onto the bed, both still fully clothed, breaking the kiss for breath. Christine sighed as Erik's mouth trailed down her throat and collarbone. She hoped she would never get used to the excitement that flowed throughout her whenever their skin made contact. She pulled his head up, crushing her mouth to his.

It was then she felt something in the way. Oh, the mask. She hardly noticed it anymore. She pulled it off, frowning when Erik, clearly embarrassed, pulled away to put it back in place.

"Erik, no, please don't put it back on," she whispered.

He was confused. "Christine, I am a hideous monster. A repulsive carcass. It would frighten you to see such a hideous face."

She shook her head. "No, mon amour. I love you for this," she placed her hand over his heart before moving it to caress his right cheek. "I do not care about your face. You are beautiful to me, I love all of you, did you not hear me say this on the stage?"

Erik was half convinced. "So… you don't care… about it?"

She shook her head again, smiling. "No, Angel. I don't."

And with that, she enveloped him in another mind-blowing kiss that sent their souls soaring.

Erik was floating. Christine was his, his! And oh, how he loved her! It was then that he realized he could never again live without her by his side, loving him.

Gently pulling away from her, he rolled off the bed onto the floor. Confused, Christine sat up and moved toward him. He stopped her with his hands, placing a finger upon her lips to keep her from speaking.

Reaching inside his pocket, he drew out a ring. He swiftly got on one knee.

Christine's eyes widened as she took on the realization of what was happening.

Gathering courage in her reaction, Erik took her hands in his.

"My beloved Christine," he began, trying not to let the emotion swirling between them get to him.

"When I first heard you so many years ago, crying for your father, you stole my heart. I identified with your pain and loneliness, and could not help but comfort you. I became your Angel of Music, deceiving you to be closer to you. Over the years you learned so much, accomplishing more than I could have ever hoped for. You also grew into quite a lovely young woman and I could not help but fall in love with you."

Christine blushed at his proclamation.

"This night has been the best of my entire life. Just singing our strange duet on stage would have been enough for me. I could have died happy knowing what we accomplished with our voices tonight. I wrote Don Juan with the thought of seducing you, but I secretly hoped you would come willingly. And you did just that. I cannot express my gratitude for all that you have shown me. My love for you is so deep, that I fear I can't live without you. You are the answer to my fervent prayer. You are my beloved, my angel. And I would spend the rest of my life proving my love to you. Christine, darling Christine, would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?"

A/N: Alright I'm back! I'm sooo sorry it took so long to update. My muse left me for a week, and then drumline and marching band started up, so I've been doing a lot of music stuff. I was reading through some other fics today and finally got my inspiration back! I hope you guys don't hate me, I tried to make it up to you with the fluff of this chapter...haha well I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews, they seriously brought tears to my eyes. Keep up the reviews and hopefully I'll keep up the writing!

Christine de Nuit