Do not kill me yet! Just read on! Hopefully you still won't hate me.

Chapter 13

Christine sat anxiously in her carriage; the house was very far from the crowded city of Paris. Snow had started to lightly fall, making the trip pleasantly pretty, but unpleasantly cold. Raoul was out of the country for another two weeks, so Christine had time to come and visit Erik, and hopefully he would take her back and they could have a happier life together. She thought about a life with Erik, when the carriage arrived to the house.

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Erik woke to a tickling sensation on his chest, he tried brushing it away but realized it was hair, he glanced down and saw Isabelle lying with her head on his chest sound asleep. He realized that this was the first night he had ever slept so long and peacefully in a very long time. He gently wrapped his arms around her tighter.

She stirred and sleepily looked up at him smiling. She gave him a brief kiss on the lips and moved her back towards him, using his one arm as a pillow under her head and the other wrapped around her waist.

"Let's sleep in today," she suggested, too cozy to get up. Erik didn't want to get up either and agreed he smiled down at her, and unable to help himself, kissed her bare shoulder. Isabelle sighed happily and Erik felt his courage grow. Pulling her closer he turned her slightly and kissed her jaw.

She mumbled softly, "That feels nice." Then shifted so she was facing him and wrapped her arms around his neck and felt him freeze at her boldness.

"Don't stop," she whispered and kissed him on the lips.

"Isabelle," Erik warned "I don't think this is such a good idea."

"Shhh.. It's just a kiss Erik," she said, kissing him again. Erik felt his resolve disappear and returned the kiss hungrily. He didn't stop until he realized that Isabelle was now under him. Isabelle deepened the kiss and Erik moaned, but suddenly there was a knock at the door. Erik groaned and put on his robe and mask and went to the door.

"Monsieur, I am sorry to disturb you, but there is a young lady in the parlor, she said she knew you," Gertie said, peeking into the room. Cursing, Erik got dressed hastily, Isabelle doing the same. Both making their way to the parlor, Isabelle opened the door. Erik stopped dead in his tracks. Christine, however, rushed passed Isabelle and into Erik's arms, nearly knocking Erik over.

"Oh, Erik I missed you so!" She said, giving him a kiss. Erik, however, did not miss her at all.

"Isabelle, could you please excuse us?" He said to her, his eyes pleading with her to understand. She nodded dumbly and went to the kitchen.

"What the hell are you doing here Christine?" He yelled.

"I missed you," she said, pouting. Erik realized why he liked Isabelle more; Christine was immature and wanted attention.

"The feeling is not mutual Christine, now I am going to ask you to never ever come here again, am I understood, or am I going to have to have Madame Giry tell your husband of your secret rendezvous?"

"Erik-" she started.

"LEAVE CHRISTINE!" He roared, "Leave and NEVER come back!" Christine whimpered and left hastily. Erik sighed as he watched her; furious that she would even think of destroying the building relationship he had with Isabelle.

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Erik walked to the kitchen to find Isabelle sitting at the table with her head in her hands. Gertie must have gone to another room he assumed he quietly made his way to Isabelle.

"Isabelle?" He said, unsure. She looked up, and Erik felt his heart shatter. Her eyes were bloodshot from tears and she looked heartbroken. He went to her side immediately and knelt down.

"I apologize for this incident, I can assure you, Christine is nothing to me, she was a part of my past that I want to forget," he said pleading with her to forgive him, "I love you, and only you, please forgive me?"

Isabelle sniffed, as more tears fell, Erik gently brushed them away, and tucked some loose strands of her hair behind her ear. She grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips.

"Erik, I love you too, I am sorry for crying," she said, understanding, "I assumed the worse and thought that our relationship was too good to be true, and that something like this was bound to happen. I acted out of haste, please forgive me." Erik felt his heart beating loudly in his chest, briefly wondering if Isabelle could hear it.

"Let us put this ordeal behind us, I promise you that Christine will never come again, and if she does, she will not be allowed anywhere near the grounds again." Isabelle smiled and gave him a kiss and pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you more than anything Erik," she said.

"And I you Isabelle."

"Erik, would you like to accompany me on a walk?" She offered.

"I would be honored, but isn't it a bit cold outside?" He said, worrying about her getting cold.

"Nonsense, I will wear my cloak and we won't be out long," she said, grabbing her cloak from the hook near the door. Erik was doing the same. They trenched outside in the foot of snow, Isabelle struggling because of her short frame; Erik however took the snow in strides. Isabelle getting flustered, bent and grabbed snow, crunching it together, aiming.

"Erik?" She called. Erik turned only to have a snowball hurled at his face; he quickly ducked and landed in the snow, sputtering.

"Isabelle! What are you doing?" He asked. She grabbed more snow and ran up to him dumping it all on his chest, giggling uncontrollably.

"Having some fun with you my love!" She said teasingly.

"Well I do not appreciate you conspiring behind my back," Erik said, holding his hand for her to help him. Instead of hoisting himself up after she grasped his hand, he pulled her down on top of him. She shrieked and started laughing when she landed. Resting after her efforts she rolled over to him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Well that was enjoyable, was it not?" She asked, still breathless.

"For you my dear, I however, was merely target practice for you," he said dryly. Isabelle laughed. Erik noted she had begun to shiver, standing up he held his hand out to her. She grasped it gratefully and he helped her up.

They trudged back into the house to find Gertie ready with hot tea for them before dinner; they went to the library and sat down in front of the cozy fire. Simply enjoying each other's company.

Hopefully you like, please R/R! Thanks to those who have been!