Authors Note: Okay, work is slow right now and even though I do have stuff to do, I'm putting it off so I can post another chapter. I'm just in a POTO mood I guess. Hopefully you guys like this chapter. I'm trying to find a direction to go with this story. I don't know how much of a jerk I want to make Raoul yet. Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed my story so far!
Chapter Five: New Beginnings?
Christine felt incredible warmth, one like she had never felt before. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around, scanning the familiar patterns in Erik's lair. Then, she saw that he had his arms wrapped around her. She turned her body around, careful not to wake him, until she was facing him. He had a peaceful smile on his face. "That was the best sleep I've had in months," she thought to herself.
Quietly, she sat up and disentangled herself from his embrace. Climbing down from the massive swan bed, she made her way over to a nearby room where Erik had told her she could keep her belongings. Inside, she found a massive wardrobe. Inside, she found a beautiful pale blue gown. It had delicate ivory trim and lace around the open sleeves. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
She started to undo the buttons on the dress that she was wearing, and after all the buttons were undone, she started to peel the dress from her body. Christine gave a small cry of pain as she brought the sleeves down her bruised arms. Finally, she was able to free herself from the garment. Tossing it aside, she started to reach for the blue dress before a voice broke her concentration. "You know you may want to bathe first."
Startled, she almost dropped the dress. Quickly turning, she saw Erik standing in the doorway. Her face flushed red with embarrassment as she quickly fumbled for a dressing gown. "Erik...I didn't know that you were awake."
"I woke up a couple minutes ago and didn't feel you next to me so I got worried. There's a tub in the room next door, I can get you some hot water so you can relax your tired muscles."
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you," she replied turning for the door behind her. "Why don't you go and get the water and I'll change?"
He looked at her, a smirk on his face. "Christine, I know that you are going to need help with that corset, especially in your condition."
Christine blushed even more. "You're right, I suppose."
"It's alright Christine. I know that you're embarrassed and rightly so. I won't look. I just want to help," he said with a smile.
Erik walked over to where she was standing and looked into her eyes. Then he slowly turned her around and began to undo the laces on her corset. She marveled at how delicate his touch was. Soon, she felt her corset loosen and she brought her hands up to catch the stiff object. Turning around again, she raised her arms to allow him to remove it from her body. Now she stood there only in a white dressing gown. He allowed his gaze to travel down her slim frame. "Erik?"
"Yes?"
"It's getting a little cold in here. Could you please go get the water for my bath?"
He snapped out of his reverie. "Of course. I'll be right back."
Walking out to the lake, he took a nearby bucket and dipped it into the water, filling the bucket completely. He then tested the water to make sure that it was the right temperature for a bath and then went back to the room that she was in. When he walked in, he saw Christine standing off to one side, waiting for him. After Erik poured the water into the tub, she removed her dressing gown and stepped into the tub, wincing. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said.
Christine relished in the warmth of the water. Carefully, she washed her body, taking extra care of the places that were bruised. Before she knew it, Erik had returned and was watching her from the doorway. "Are you finished Christine?"
She nodded. He retrieved a towel and held it out. She stood up and stepped out of the tub. He wrapped the towel around her body and then gave her a clean dressing gown to put on. Then he helped her with her corset. Finally, the beautiful blue gown was slipped over her head and he stood behind her, fastening the buttons. He let his fingers linger at her back for a moment and then turned her to face him.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime,
Lead me, Save me from my solitude,
Say you'll want me with you here beside you,
Anywhere you go let me go to,
Christine, that's all I ask of ...you."
And with that, Erik wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers, capturing them in a sweet kiss.
Okay, I tried to leave it in a cliffhanger, but I'm still trying to decide what I want to do with Raoul. Besides, I'm listening to "The Point of No Return" right now and it just seemed fitting. Hope that you guys liked it. Please read and review! I'll try and get the next chapter up sometime tomorrow.