Erik stirred, wondering why his room looked strange and also why there was an ache in the back of his neck. As he awoke more fully, he realized that he was on the living room sofa, the hard sofa arm accounting for his stiff neck, and that Christine was pillowed against him as she had been that morning in the opera house cellar. As he shifted his position, she opened her eyes drowsily and smiled, snuggling closer to him, and he tightened his arms around her. Now he remembered; after she accepted his proposal of marriage, they had sat quietly for a little while, exhausted by the emotional scenes of the day, and then both had begun to nod off. He didn't want to be separated from her again, so he had stretched out on the sofa and pulled her up to lie next to him, and it appeared they had spent the night that way.

His neck and back insisted that it was time to move, so he gently disentangled himself and stood, stretching until his joints cracked. Christine swung her feet to the floor and sat watching him, admiring the cat-like suppleness he demonstrated. He noticed her watching and sat down again next to her.

"Good morning, my love," he said in a low voice, appropriate for the quietness of the early hour. "Did you sleep well?"

"I think so…I'm not awake enough yet to know," she yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Is it time for breakfast yet? We missed supper, and I'm rather hungry!"

She decided to make a quick trip back to the cottage to freshen up and change clothes, while he did the same in the house, and then they met again for a simple breakfast. Erik's mind had been working overtime since awakening, and he now had several questions for his new fiancée'.

"Christine, let me ask you again in the morning light, do you really want to marry me? I don't want to feel that I rushed your decision in any way, though I love you deeply and marrying you is my truest wish," he began.

"Yes, I am really sure I want to marry you, my love. Remember that I told you I've been thinking of this for some time now, and that I quickly got over my infatuation for Raoul only to realize you were the man I really loved." She blushed. "Well, I couldn't tell you before in exactly those words, it wasn't proper until you spoke first. Now I can say them freely….I love you, Erik. You are the only man for me." He leaned over the table to kiss her and look deeply into her beautiful eyes.

"You are sure that you want to marry your harsh and critical teacher?" he then added, remembering how he had made her cry yesterday.

"Erik, it wasn't your disapproval of my singing that upset me, it was the stress of wondering if I had misunderstood your motives in bringing me here," she admitted. "I am quite used to your methods of teaching me and correcting me after all these years, after all!" she laughed. "You know that I can be quite lazy when left to my own devices, and I need your stern hand to keep my voice at its best."

He smiled at that, knowing she was right in the assessment of her ambition. Over the years, he had often had to be strict with her to make her meet his standards for her voice. "So you have no concerns about marrying me?" he asked one more time. She shook her head, smiling at him.

"Then, my love, we have some arrangements to make!" he said with a smile, beginning to believe in the reality of this wonderful dream at last. "How soon would you like to be married?"

"Today!" she stated decisively, earning another kiss and a playful hug from him.

"Be reasonable, darling" he told her, "we do have a few things to take care of first. Today is Wednesday; if you really want to do this so quickly, then let us set Saturday as our wedding date. I have to admit, I am eager to make you mine, also." He kissed her with more passion, and she blushed again, realizing the entirety of what he meant. She had a sudden picture in her mind of them together, unclothed and intimate, and her whole body felt hot suddenly, her mind dizzy. She looked into his eyes and let him see the desire in her own, and he was unexpectedly as lightheaded as she, with the realization that this dream would soon become reality, that his beautiful Christine would finally belong to him!

Erik's heart grew light and he jumped to his feet, swinging her up into his arms and around and around the kitchen, laughing out loud and clear together. He didn't think he had ever felt so wonderful; life was good and was about to get even better! That reminded him, "Christine, I have some good news to share with you. Antoinette's letter to me contained a check from the managers of the opera; they are purchasing the rights to continue the performances, which are going splendidly! And they want to commission me to write further works, which means I feel sure of being able to support you in a reasonable manner."

"Oh, Erik, that's wonderful!" she clapped her hands with pleasure. "I'm so proud of you! That means Paris is now recognizing your talent, just as I knew they would if they ever heard it. You truly are a musical genius, you know, my love."

That embarrassed him, so he changed the subject. "I need to make a trip into the city to meet with the managers, because I feel our agreement should be in writing, and I would like you to accompany me, my dear. We should pay a call on Antoinette Giry and tell her our news, so that she stops worrying over your safety, also. And there is the matter of our rings….I want you with me to pick out a wedding ring which will always remind you of my love for you, Christine, something as beautiful as you are."

She kissed him sweetly at that, and mentioned other things they should arrange, like a minister and the license. They continued talking as they walked across the fields to see if the landlord could accommodate them with a ride into the city that day, and divulged their good news to Henri and Jeanne, who beamed at the pair much like happy parents. The older couple was just heading into Paris and delighted to take Erik & Christine along, dropping them in front of the jeweler's shop.

The unctuous little jeweler gave only the slightest notice to Erik's mask, more concerned about making the sale than who he was selling to. At Erik's insistence, Christine chose a ring with a small but exquisite diamond flanked by two smaller emeralds, with a matching wedding band which would fit snuggly against the engagement ring. He had tried to persuade her to choose a more expensive ring with a larger diamond, but had to admit that the one she chose fit her dainty hand perfectly. For himself, he purchased a gold band with a row of small diamonds and emeralds inset, a very masculine ring which matched her set to perfection.

They walked into a nearby park and Erik seated Christine on a bench, saying, "I want to do this properly now." He got down on one knee in front of her, took her hand, looking deeply into her eyes as he asked again, "Christine, will you marry me?" She was as solemn as he as she answered again, "Yes, Erik, I will marry you" though she broke into a smile right afterwards. He slipped the lovely engagement ring onto her finger, and kissed only her hand, since they were in public, but his eyes spoke volumes about his love and desire for her.

As they were about to leave the park, they heard a male voice call, "Christine!" and turned in surprise to be confronted by Raoul, who had an attractive young woman on his arm. When they faced him, he recognized Erik and said arrogantly, "You! What are you doing with Christine!"

Christine jumped in before Erik could answer, "Not that it's any of your concern, but Erik and I are to be married!"

"Married! To that murderer?" Raoul exclaimed angrily. "What can you be thinking, Christine!"

"Sir, I will thank you to address my wife-to-be with more respect," Erik stepped in. "I am no murderer, and what Christine does is no longer your affair." The woman with Raoul tugged at his arm, trying to get him to leave, and he shrugged.

"You are correct, monsieur, what Christine does with her life is no longer any concern of mine." He gave Christine one long searching look, and then shrugged again. "I wish you happiness in your new life, mademoiselle," he spoke more graciously. "We were friends once, and I bear no ill will towards you now." He bowed to them both, and escorted his lady friend past them into the park without introductions.

"Well!" Christine huffed. "At least that is over with; I was rather dreading seeing him again, for fear he would cause a scene."

"He seems to have recovered from his disappointment quickly," Erik noted, and they both laughed, relieved to have come through the encounter with so little trouble. If Raoul was seeing another woman so soon, then he had lost interest in Christine and would not pursue her further.

They strolled on to the Opera House, having earlier decided that Erik wasn't in any real danger of being accused of Buquet's murder or any other crimes there. He was wearing his mask today, but was otherwise dressed just as any other man on the street, and the mask drew little notice. Apparently, Paris had seen stranger sites in her time! He had been tense about being abroad in the daylight, but relaxed as he was virtually ignored by the strangers they passed. This was easier than he'd imagined it would be!

They walked into the backstage area without any more encounters, and knocked on Madame Giry's door. She answered, and Christine held up her hand with the ring prominently displayed before a word could be spoken. Antoinette fell on both of their necks and kissed their cheeks with delight, a few happy tears running down her face at their announcement. "Come in, come in my dears!" and she drew them into her apartment, to sit and discuss their plans. "I'm so happy for you both; come, sit, tell me everything!"

Madame had a localcleric to recommend to them for performing the ceremony, and they decided that only she and Meg would be invited as their witnesses, since neither had any other real friends in Paris. Erik decided to leave them to their feminine planning while he hunted out the managers in their offices to make his arrangements.

After Erik walked out, Madame Giry asked gently, "Christine, are you sure this is what you want?" The radiant smile that lit the girl's entire countenance was answer enough. "Oh, yes, Madame! My "Angel of Music" always had a special place in my heart, and now that I know the man behind the angel, I love him even more. I know what you would tell me, that he is temperamental, and not used to anyone's company but his own, but I have seen changes even in the few days we have been together, and I think our love will be good for both of us."

"He does have a most wicked temper sometimes, child," the older woman warned.

"I know, I have experienced it, and I truly believe that most of it was due to feeling misunderstood and unloved all of his life. He's a harsh teacher, but he is such a lamb when we are not working, and seems so grateful for my love. Oh, Madame, he's had such a hard life; I only want to make the rest of it better for him!" she shared. "I was lonely, too, and his love fulfills all that I felt was lacking in my life."

"Well, Christine, you seem to have thought it out well enough, and since I believe in my heart that you are well suited for one another, I will not question you further. I just wanted to make sure you know your own mind, and aren't rushing blindly into something for the wrong reasons." Antoinette then began to query the girl on more practical matters, such as the date and place of the ceremony, and what she would wear, moving on to matters of keeping house. They were deep in a discussion about different methods of cooking a chicken by the time Erik returned, with a jubilant step.

"Ladies, I have seen the managers, and we reached an uncomplicated agreement which was speedily put to paper, so I am at your disposal now!" It had been a straightforward meeting with not a hint of unpleasantness, though he still considered the two men fools when it came to music. At least they understood what would make them a success financially, so they were more than willing to formalize the agreement in writing. There was no mention of his former notoriety as the "Opera Ghost", and he realized they were probably relieved that he was no longer extorting funds from them. It was more profitable for all of them if he made an honest living selling his music!

"Christine," he added, "I took the liberty of informing them of our engagement, and they asked me to convey not only their congratulations, but their wish to have you return in the near future to audition for another part. It seems that your understudy has been a success in the part of Aminta, so they have no desire to replace her, but they recognize your talent and do not want to lose so promising a star as you are." She dimpled prettily at that, and asked what his reply had been to that.

"I told them you would contact them when you were ready to return to work, but that I thought you were enjoying your leisure for now. Was that answer correct for me to make?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

"Very correct; not only am I in need of a rest, but my teacher seems to feel that I need much work to improve my abilities!" she replied saucily.

He laughed, and Antoinette rejoiced to hear the easy banter between them….she had never seen Erik look happy this way before, and Christine positively glowed! Meg came in just then, and the happy news was told all over again to her ecstatic exclamations of glee.

"Oh, Christine, I'm so happy for you!" she cried as she hugged her friend for the 3rd time. "Tell me, what will you wear?"

"Actually," Christine said, glancing at Erik, "I do have a dress in mind, but I need to ask my fiancé's opinion first. I saw it on a mannequin once, and it seemed the most beautiful wedding dress I had ever seen, but perhaps it was meant for someone else?" and she directed the question to him.

"It was meant for you, Christine," he said quietly. "I had it made not long ago, dreaming that you would one day wear it and be my bride, but it was only a dream until recently. Would you like to try it on now, and see if you really do like it?" he asked, hoping she would say yes.

Christine immediately agreed, and they excused themselves to take the secret route to Erik's cellar home, promising to return shortly for lunch with Meg and her mother. They intended to keep the existence of his lair a secret known only to the two of them and Antoinette Giry, though Meg had once traveled part of the passage before Madame had stopped her. Quite a few of Erik's possessions were still there, and Christine confided in him that she found it thrilling that they had a clandestine place to retreat to. He found that so intriguing of her that he stopped her in the long passageway to kiss her again and again, appreciative that his little bride had such an adventurous spirit.

They found the grotto undisturbed by human hands, as expected; in all the years Erik had lived here alone, no one had ever found his secret home unaided by him. He lit candles from the ones they had carried, and pulled the coverings from the mirror so that the reflections would add to the light. "No need for hiding now," he whispered to himself, still amazed by the fact that his uncovered face was not a source of fear to this beautiful girl.

Christine walked around, touching the huge pipe organ reverently, curiously searching out clues to Erik's previous existence in this place that was so much a part of him. He beckoned her to the inner grotto where the mannequin was still elegantly dressed in that beautiful gown. It made her shiver, to see that lifelike image of herself before her, and Erik put his arm around her shoulders. "Please forgive my audacity in creating this display, Christine. Sometimes it was the only thing that gave me hope in my darkness."

"I understand, my love. It is just so lifelike it quite unnerves me, somehow." He lifted the gown from the doll, and draped it across Christine's arms. "I think I can find it in me to dismantle her now that I have the flesh-and-blood woman to love," he yielded, and she thanked him with a kiss, then went to the small bedroom she had previously used to try on the dress.

She returned shortly, clad in white and carrying the train on her arm, exclaiming, "Erik, it fits perfectly! How did you know?"

"Well," he confessed, "I borrowed one of your dresses so that I could be sure to have it sized correctly. I hope you don't mind?" and he grinned, sure that she didn't.

"The blue one with the rosebuds? Erik, I actually accused the girls, saying one of them had borrowed it without asking! I'm so embarrassed! It was returned as mysteriously as it had disappeared, so I'd forgotten about it until now. Now I understand, you devious man!" She relented. "Well, it was worth it, because now I have a wedding gown fit for a princess. Erik, it is just beautiful, but much too fine for me!"

"Nonsense, my love, it suits you perfectly." He admired his design, the beaded bodice, cut low in the current style so that her creamy cleavage and tiny waist were flawlessly displayed. He especially like the way the short sleeves were gathered with beaded flowers and imitation jewels which matched those in the headdress on the veil. She shook the train out behind her, admiring the way it flowed, and took a few steps, hands before her as if she held a bouquet of flowers. "I shouldn't let you see me in it, you know, not before our wedding. Well, perhaps if I don't wear the veil yet it will be all right. Oh, Erik, is this really happening? It's too wonderful; I think I must be dreaming still!"

Christine wiped away a couple of happy tears, then went to change before she could muss her lovely wedding dress, leaving it on the bed for now. When she returned, she was obviously musing about something, and Erik stopped shuffling through the papers on his desk to watch her as she walked to the far alcove and stood looking at the swan-shaped bed silently. He walked up behind her and put his hands on her waist.

"What are you thinking, Christine?" he asked, kissing her neck gently from behind. "Only that this would be the perfect place to spend our first night together, my love," she murmured. His sudden intake of breath made her turn to look at him. "What is it?" she asked, wondering what had startled him so.

"Oh, Christine, if only you knew the dreams I've had, dreams of us in this very bed together." he revealed in a shaky voice. "I don't suppose you could have known, but I thought of you when I purchased it, and I've never allowed myself to sleep in it. And now you bring to life more of my desires, expressing my wishes aloud as if you can read my mind." He kissed her briefly but fervently, not knowing any other way to express his wonder. "Would you really want to spend your wedding night here, in this cold place?" he questioned.

"I don't think we would feel cold in each other's arms, do you?" she said slyly, captivating him with her charm until he didn't know how he could resist throwing her on the bed then and there. "Don't play with fire, sweet one, at least not until Saturday!" he said in her ear, holding her tightly and trying to still the urge to do more. "I would very much like to return here after the ceremony, Christine, since it is agreeable to you." He was thinking that it was probably selfish of him to want to live out his fantasies that way, but that he would make sure she was more than rewarded for that, as well.

"Come, we are keeping Antoinette and Meg waiting, and I hear your stomach growling, again." he laughed, lightening their mood. "Let's go!"


A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed! I really appreciate hearing from each and every one of you, especially when you tell me what I can improve.