A/N: Don't mind the sentence in bold, I put that in specifically for little lemon, as she likes it when his knuckles turn different colors.
"Christine…."
She excitedly looked up at the sound of a voice calling her name. Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief, Erik had returned!
"Er—" Christine turned around and stopped midsentence. No, it couldn't be him. She foundher breathing was becoming shallower. If Erik found him here…he was already so unstable…. "Raoul, you must leave immediately." She started showing him back towards the exit.
"It's nice to see you to." He answered sarcastically, his strength no match for Christine's.
"Raoul, please leave. I've made my choice, and I love and choose Erik. If Erik finds you down here…"her voice trailed off as she tried to shake the horrible images from her mind.
"That's why I came. Can't I at least visit you every once in awhile? We're still friends right?" he looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Erik would never allow it." She answered quickly, and took a deep breath before continuing, " I love him more than anything. I'm sorry if it pains you to not be able to see me, but I will stay here with Erik forever. If he doesn't wish to leave or let me see you, then I will honor those wishes. I have a new life now Raoul, you must move on."
Raoul stared blankly; he couldn't give her up that quickly.
"Please Christine, even if it's once every 10 years for 5 seconds! If only for two!" Raoul was getting desperate, "I beg you to reconsider."
"I'm sorry Raoul. You have to understand." She looked down at the floor, if only he would just leave her alone. Let her and Erik move on peacefully.
"Well, then at least a hug. Allow me this one final goodbye, help give me closure, it's the least you can do."
Christine fumed; she was not indebted to him for her choices. If she chose not to see him then she didn't owe him anything. However, Christine wanted to get Raoul out of here as fast as she could, and arguing would only prolong his stay. Christine studied his face, and in a way shefelt sorry for him. Even though she loved Erik with all her heart, he would always be her childhood friend who rescued her scarf from the ocean. If one short hug was all he needed to forget her, then so be it.
"Raoul, I am not indebted to you for my choices. Yet, I will give you one hug. Come on lets be quick about it." She answered moving towards him. He spread his arms around her and held her tight.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Erik stood rigid at the sight before him. They had only hugged for but a second, but that was enough to plant more seeds of doubt in Erik's mind. He clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. Erik watched a look of absolute horror cross Christine's face as she realized his presence. Immediately, she ran up to him and hugged him, burying her face into his chest. This action took Erik completely by surprise, yet he remained rigid.
"My dear, would care to explain to me what is going on?" he asked in a cool tone.
"I-I…." Christine couldn't find her words.
"I leave you for one second!" he bellowed losing all control, "Why Christine? Do you truly love me? Do you truly love Erik? You said you made up your mind, and at your first chance you come crawling back to the vicotme!" he grabbed Christine in a deathly grip around the wrists. "And what of Erik's proposal? Did you laugh when you received the letter? Did you say to yourself how could I ever marry a beast like him?" Christine strangely lost all fear for Erik at the one moment.
"How dare you!" she screamed, " I wake up one morning and find you gone. Do you know how much worry you put me through? Do you now how much anguish I have suffered?" she lowered her voice to a whisper, "I was nothing without you here Erik. When I received your letter I did laugh. I laughed out of joy that I would finally be marrying my one true love. That made so happy Erik you have no idea how much happiness coursed through my veins. I love you."
Erik was taken aback by Christine's sudden outburst, and released his grip on her wrists. Nadir's words replayed in his mind, Erik, if she chose to come back to you, then I'm truly sure she will stay. "Leave me, I must be alone. Vicotme you know the way out." Erik staggered to his bedroom.
Christine angrily turned to Raoul who was just standing there open mouthed.
"You're marrying him?"
"How could you not come to my defense? You easily could have stood up for me. Get out now! Leave!"
"Very well, farewell Christine," and with that he walked out the door.
"Farewell Raoul," she added in an inaudible voice, before heading off to talk to Erik. They had much to discuss.
A/N: sorry it's a bit short, but I hope you enjoyed!