I do not own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although I do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time.

A/N Thanks for all of your wonderful reviews, well except for the one flame I got, well maybe it was more like a spark. I guess you can't make everyone happy. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Author – ToryD

Choices

Chapter 13

Christine fell into step beside her new husband as they escorted their guests to the door.

Harold turned to thank his gracious host and hostess for an exceptional evening. "Erik, Christine, I have rarely enjoyed an evening as much. Thank you both for letting me play a small part in your wedding. I wish eternal happiness to you both."

Christine leaned over and kissed the wrinkled cheek of her father's old friend. "Thank you for such a beautiful ceremony. It is we who are in you debt."

Erik reached out and shook the hand of the man who had turned his fondest dream into reality. "Harold, I can't thank you enough."

Harold smiled at the happy couple. "Just be happy with one another, that is all the thanks that I require."

Erik threaded his fingers through Christine's as he brought her hand up to his lips for a quick kiss. "That will be the easiest request I have ever fulfilled." He said as he looked lovingly down at Christine.

Blushing, Christine wished Harold a good night.

Nadir was helping Meg into her bright lime green wool coat with a strange look on his handsome face. How can the same woman choose to wear such a beautiful dress and this garish coat at the same time? He questioned himself as he tried to recover from the shock of seeing such a ghastly color combination. Looking over at Marie, he noticed that Darius was helping the elegant older woman into her much more tasteful black wool coat. "Ladies, if you would allow me to escort you both to the helicopter?" He said with and graceful bow, extending an arm for each woman to take.

Meg blushed at the gallant gesture of Erik's handsome assistant. Taking his arm, she felt a strange nervousness enclose around her at his nearness.

"Meg, thank you for everything. I'll see you tomorrow." Christine said to her departing best friend.

Meg smiled at the look on Erik's face. Realizing that Erik had yet to tell Christine of their upcoming honeymoon, she merely nodded her head not wanting to spoil Erik's surprise. "Great, ah…I'll see you in the morning." She said in a quick voice, not quite comfortable with even the tiniest white lie.

Frowning, Christine turned to Marie. "Marie, thank you for being here. I don't think I could have managed without you." She said in a heartfelt tone.

Marie smiled at her beautiful Christine. "Ah Christine, I would never miss your wedding." Enveloping her in a motherly hug, Marie whispered in her ear. "Be happy Christine. Erik is a kind man; he will make you a good husband."

"Yes, I believe that he will." She said more to herself than to Marie.

Marie took a surprised Erik into her arms for a quick hug.

Erik was startled to feel Marie's arms embrace him as any mother would do, for he had never known such a touch.

"Take care of our girl." Marie whispered into Erik's ear as she gave him a quick kiss on his bare cheek.

Erik could only nod his acknowledgement, as his throat was closed up with the emotion he was holding in check at the kindness that Marie had bestowed upon him.

Darius closed the heavy hand carved door as their last guest departed. Turning to Erik he asked, "Will there be anything else this evening Sir?"

"No Darius, I think we will be fine on our own for the rest of the evening." Erik said as he pulled Christine towards the grand staircase, only to be stalled by an insistent Christine.

Walking over to Darius Christine reached up and gave him a soft kiss upon his stiff cheek.

Startled Darius froze in place, unsure of what was the proper etiquette in this unusual situation.

Erik looked on trying to hide his amusement at the reaction Christine was getting from his highly dignified butler.

Christine almost laughed aloud at the look of shock on Darius' face as he tried to think of a proper response to her kiss. "Thank you for making this such a special night for Erik and me."

Darius nodded. "It was my pleasure Mrs. Desmond." He said in a stiff professional manner.

Christine started at the sound of her new name. Smiling she turned to Erik, "Did you here that Erik, he called me Mrs. Desmond." She said with a slight awe to her voice.

Erik felt an immense feeling of joy fill him at the sight of her radiance. "Yes, Mrs. Desmond, I did indeed hear." He said with a soft look in his eyes.

Christine turned back again to face the uncomfortable Darius. "Darius, while I do like my new name, I'm afraid that I must insist that you call me Christine." She said resolutely.

Darius look over to Erik for assistance and only found amusement in his employer's expression. Realizing that he was on his own he turned back to explain the proper address within the servant/employer relationship. "Mrs. Desmond, while I am truly touched by your kindness, I am afraid that it would not be proper for me to address you with such informality."

Rolling her eyes, Christine gave him a look that would brook no arguments. "Darius, if you ever expect me to answer you then you must address me as Christine."

Frowning, Darius found that perhaps he was not going to win this argument with the new Mrs. Desmond. "While I find it exceedingly difficult to abandon the traditions of my training, I will make an effort and meet you half way." He paused elegantly as he took in her questioning look. "With your permission, why don't we settle on Ms. Christine?" He requested hopefully.

Christine smiled at the shrewdness of Erik's butler. "Well, if that is the best you can do, I suppose it will have to do." She began to walk towards Erik. Once she reached the foot of the stairs, she turned and called one last parting shot over her shoulder. "For now anyway."

Darius shook his head in consternation at the cunning Mrs. Desmond. Turning he made his way towards his quarters, still shaking his head in awe. Yes, he thought to himself. Things were definitely going to change around the Desmond household now that the master has taken on a wife. Allowing himself an uncharacteristic smile, he thought of the happiness that Mrs. Desmond had brought to his employer. For the first time in the eight years that he had been in Mr. Desmond's employ, Darius had witness pure joy on his employers face. Yes, things are definitely changing.

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Erik watched Christine closely as he shut the master suite door quietly behind him. Silently crossing the room to where she stood, he once again marveled at her radiant beauty. Reaching out he lightly brought his hand down on her shoulder to try to ease some of her obvious nervousness.

Christine all but jumped as she felt Erik's hand upon her shoulder. Turning to face him, she offered him a brave smile.

Lifting his hand, he caressed her cheek tenderly as he looked deep into her clear blue eyes. "Christine, you are so beautiful." He said in a deep husky tone that set her pulse racing.

Leaning her face into his hand, Christine closed her eyes and savored Erik's sensual touch.

Erik leaned down to brush his lips reverently across her forehead, allowing the knowledge that she now belonged to him wash over him as he took her in his arms. Trailing a path of light kisses to the edge of her mouth, he took his time to evoke an answering desire within her.

Christine's lips parted in an unconscious plea for Erik's possession. Reaching up she threaded her hands into the thick hair at the nape of his neck causing him to deepen the kiss into a passionate expression of his desire.

Erik slipped his tongue gently into her parted lips to offer a slow evocative caress that set her blood racing through her veins.

She felt as if nothing else existed in the world save this one man, as she allowed herself the freedom to let go and abandon herself to Erik's passion. Christine gasped for breath as Erik lifted his head slightly to replace his lips with the pad of his finger as he traced the delicate curve of her lower lip.

Frowning slightly Erik looked upon Christine with apprehension in his soul as he fought with his conscience. "Christine, I don't want to force you into anything you are not ready for." He said with trepidation dripping from his deep voice.

"Erik," She called to him in a beckoning tone. "While our relationship still has many unanswered questions, this I do know with every fiber of my being, we have an unbreakable bond. This unexplainable connection that I feel with you, can only serve to deepen our relationship. I am ready to be a wife to you Erik." She said as she pulled his head down to place a lingering kiss upon his soft lips.

Closing his eyes, Erik's body shuddered as the emotion of Christine's acceptance enfolded him in its comforting embrace. "Christine," he whispered in a voice that betrayed the utter joy that he was feeling. Recovering himself, he began to caress the line of Christine's collarbone in a light fleeting touch that caused Christine to draw in a sharp breath. Reaching up he released the exquisite sapphire and diamond clip that he had gifted to her. As he began to pull each pin slowly from her carefully arranged hair, he watched fascinated as each curl sprang free to cascade delicately down her back. Once had had freed her long flowing hair he pulled her to stand in front of a large gilded mirror.

Christine watched the mirror's reflection with desire-filled eyes as Erik stood behind her gently brushing her hair aside as he leaned down to kiss the back of her neck in a slow caressing kiss. Her head began to feel heavy as she let the intense yearning that Erik's kisses evoked fill her being.

Reaching up Erik released the clasp on the priceless necklace that adorned Christine's graceful neck. Satisfied that nothing stood in his way he began to trail a light line of kisses down her neck, ever so slightly allowing his tongue to gently taste the perfection of her smooth skin.

Christine let her head drop to one side to allow Erik greater access to her sensitized skin.

Erik barely maintained control over his raging passions as he endeavored to arouse Christine into a fevered desire to match his own intense longings. He laid both hands upon each of her slim shoulders and allowed himself a slow heated caress down her delicate arms, causing Christine to shiver in anticipation. Grasping her right hand, he lifted it to his lips to place a hot opened mouth kiss upon her palm. Erik's left hand began to caress her Christine's shoulder, edging slowly towards the front of her neckline.

Christine felt as if her skin was engulfed in a raging fire where Erik had left his lingering touch. She felt as if she was teetering on the edge of the world as the powerful yearning for what only this man could bring to her filled her soul.

Dipping his hand under the silky fabric of Christine's dress, he felt an overwhelming need to watch her eyes fill with passion as he endeavored to bring her to the same unbearable need that he was currently feeling.

As Erik's seeking hand began to caress the top of her breast, Christine gasped his name in need as the all-encompassing desire filled her with its intolerable craving. "Erik, please, I need…" Her voice sounded foreign to her as she pleaded for Erik's deepened caress.

Reaching his right arm around Christine's waist, he pulled her back roughly against him as he sought the burgeoning peak of her beckoning breast.

Christine slumped back against him as his heated caress brought about a pleasure so powerful that she was unable to support herself without the benefit of Erik's aid.

Turning her in his strong arms, he took possession of her mouth as he continued to caress her beautiful breasts.

Christine grasped Erik's strong shoulders as she surrendered to his deep intoxicating kiss.

Placing a strong arm under her knees, he lifted her effortlessly as he crossed to the bedchamber within the elegant suite. Placing her gently on her feet his eyes sought hers as he gently pushed aside her dress causing it to pool delicately to her feet. As she stood unmoving before his hungry gaze, he marveled at the absolute beauty of her.

Christine watched Erik nervously as she stood before him bereft of any covering.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He whispered with such heartfelt sincerity that it brought a relieved smile to Christine's lips. Reaching out a shaking hand, he placed it softly upon the top of her breast, slowly allowing his fingertip to trace the delicate curve, edging ever so slowly to the beckoning peak.

Christine moaned in pleasure at Erik's caress. Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to the incredible sensation that Erik's exquisite touch created. "Erik," she called his name softly.

Erik hearing the passionate plea in her voice took possession of her lips in an answering kiss that promised an ecstasy beyond her wildest imagination. Lifting his head, he looked into her passion-filled gaze as he removed his jacket and vest.

Christine reached out and began to unbutton his pristine white shirt to reveal his muscular chest. Once she had the last button unfastened, she allowed her hands to travel upwards upon his heated flesh to trace the indentations of his washboard stomach, to his lightly graze his erect male nipples, causing him to hiss a breath between his perfect white teeth. Easing the hand-made shirt from his broad shoulders, she revered the perfection of his body.

Erik quickly divested himself of the rest of his attire as Christine watched with a slight part to her lips. Once Erik was completely nude, he reached out to gently pull her into his arms, savoring the sensation of bare skin on skin for the first time. Closing his eyes, he savored the intense bond that he was feeling with Christine, his wife, his one and only love.

Christine leaned into Erik's strong frame as she felt the overwhelming sense of love fill her as she allowed herself to embrace the unparalleled emotion within her.

Taking her hand reverently in his, he led her towards the massive hand carved mahogany four-poster bed. Gently pulling back the deep burgundy comforter, he eased Christine down upon the silky ivory sheets that caressed her skin in a cool whisper. Joining her upon the bed, he carefully began the slow seduction designed to bring her to a fevered pitch.

Christine watched in fascination as Erik began to trace the delicate veins on her neck causing her to shiver in anticipation. Reaching up she allowed her hands to lightly draw a lazy pattern across the back of his strong shoulders.

Erik felt his heartbeat quicken at the feel of Christine's seeking caress. He continued with his slow ardent exploration, dipping his hand lower to cover her stunning breasts as he watched her sharp intake of breath. Lowering his head, he replaced his caressing hand with his open seeking mouth.

Christine arched her back to give Erik greater access to her breast as his hot seeking tongue brought about an intense heat that radiated throughout her entire body. Moaning softly she dug her nails into his strong back. "Erik, please…" She cried out in need. Not knowing what she exactly needed only that she did need.

Erik let his hand slip lower to gently trace a path down her taunt stomach to nestle lightly in the soft folds at the juncture of her thighs, evoking a shocked gasp of pleasure from her. As he began a slow seductive rhythm with his expert fingers, Christine felt as if she was floating on some unknown plane.

She turned her head from side to side trying desperately to alleviate that intense stirrings created from Erik's touch. "Erik, please I need you!" She cried out in a breathy voice that was filled with longing.

Erik raised himself up over Christine and looking deeply into her eyes, he parted her smooth thighs and entered her with a slow measured stroke.

Christine felt the breath leave her lungs at the intense sensation of their physical joining. She felt tears begin to fill her eyes at the sheer joy of the overwhelming bond she shared with this beautiful man, her husband, her Erik.

Erik paused as he savored the feeling of complete and total possession as he rested within the beauty of Christine's body. Looking down at her exquisite face, he leaned down to place a soft reverent kiss upon her parted lips. Joining his hands with hers, he began to move slowly, so slowly that she felt each measured stroke to the very center of her being. He continued with his slow leisurely pace until she was sure that she would be driven mad with desire. Arching her beckoning body up, she met him thrust for exquisite thrust.

Erik felt his control begin to slip as she answered his passion with an equal that he had never known. Increasing the pace, he drove into her with a force that demanded an answering response from her beautiful body.

Christine felt as if she was spiraling out of control as her body began to tremble uncontrollably. "Erik!" She cried out loudly as she reached the unrecognizable peak that shook her very soul.

Erik reveled in the feel of her climax as he felt her silken muscles tighten around him as he sought his own answering culmination. Closing his eyes, his face tensed at the overwhelming ecstasy that filled him as he released his tentative hold and allowed himself to give in to the unparalleled feeling of release.

As both Erik and Christine recovered from their overpowering passion, Erik leaned down a kissed her lips in a kiss that worshiped her. Releasing her lips, he rolled over and brought her into the curve of his arms. Arranging the sheets and comforter around them both, he nestled her close against him as he doused the light, plunging the room into darkness. Leaning over he placed one last lingering kiss upon her sweet lips. "Good night Christine." He said in a soft voice that made her heart flutter.

Smiling in the darkness, Christine rested her head against her husband's broad chest. "Good night." She answered with a light kiss upon his jaw.

Erik brushed the curls away from his precious Christine's face as he kissed her forehead. He held her close to him throughout the night, savoring her closeness as though he was living in a dream that would soon be lost to him. Watching the rising sun, he wondered what the future held for them. Closing his eyes, he let the wariness fill him as he hovered on the edge of sleep, realizing belatedly that he would never be satisfied with Christine as his wife alone. No what he wanted more than his own life itself was for her to love him. Love him, as he loved her, devotedly, selflessly, and most of all acceptingly. Shaking his head, he chastised himself for his unrealistic expectations. Christine was here with him now in his arms, what more could he expect from her. No, I need to learn to accept what she is willing to give me. I can love her with all that I am; I just can't expect the same in return.

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A/N Well that was a longer than normal chapter. Let me know what you think in the reviews.