When Nadir came back and only then did Erik leave Christine's side. He only left because he was curious if his mother would actually be coming. He moved Christine back to his chair knowing it would be warmer there. He asked her if she needed anything and she shook her head staring into the fire. Erik gently kissed her head then went to the group in the foyer. "How is she Erik?" Nadir asked.
Erik just looked at him unsure how to answer. "Never mind. It was a stupid question." Nadir said.
"What did they say?" Erik asked him.
"Selene wants to come, but William is worried about the journey down here." Nadir replied.
Erik nodded his understanding then sighed. "If this incident has proved anything, it is that all my traps have been dismantled. Besides mother knows the way down." Erik said.
"Erik," Madame spoke. "I think perhaps we should move her up." Erik looked at her slightly shocked. "We can put her up in my apartment. Since Meg moved out I have an extra room."
"No." Erik said plainly.
"I can offer my home if you feel it better." Nadir suggested.
"No. Moving her up above is out of the question." Erik stated firmly. "This is our home and I will not have her chased out of it."
"No one is chasing her out Erik." Philippe said.
"She is not leaving." Erik said.
Madame huffed. "Erik, being here is no longer good for her. She needs a real doctor. She needs a change of scenery. She needs to go up."
"If she needs to go up it will not be today and that's final." Erik snapped loudly and they all fell silent.
"Erik," Christine's small voice pipped up.
Erik turned immediately to see her standing in the doorway. "Christine," He replied shocked she was up.
"I wish to lay down. I want to try and sleep some." She said looking only at Erik.
He nodded. "Of course." He thought for a moment knowing she wouldn't want to go back into the room they shared. "My room then?"
She nodded. He went to her putting an arm around her walking with her. "Erik," Nadir called stopping them. "Your room has nothing to offer but storage boxes and a coffin. Don't make her sleep in there."
"Nadir is right Erik." Madame said. "Christine, darling, you will be much more comfortable-"
"Assez!" Christine yelled turning to look at them. Erik looked at her more than a little shocked. "I am not going up! I am not leaving! This is my home and I'm staying! I've slept in the damn coffin before and I will do it again if I please! Alors tout le monde, merde!"
They all just looked at her in awe. Erik was the first to speak. "Well, I believe that is that." Christine just stood there staring at them all. He put his arm back around her drawing her attention. "It's alright now, ma amour. Allons." After another moment she nodded and turned.
Erik walked her down the hall and into his room. He left her at the door to light the candle next to the coffin. Erik wanted to laugh thinking of the last time they were in here. The last time was there two-month anniversary and Christine had insisted making love in this room. She considered it a type of challenge to do it in the coffin. After he lit the candle he heard Christine chuckle. He looked at her. It was nice to see the small smile on her face. "What?" He asked.
"I know you're thinking the same thing I am." She replied then he laughed. "One of our more adventurous sex stories."
"Indeed it was." Erik replied stroking her hand gently smiling at her. For this brief moment he was happy she was thinking of something other than Raoul.
The moment didn't last. Seconds later her smile vanished and she looked away from him. Erik sighed then went to move a couple of boxes to the other corner. Erik's room was mainly used for storage now. Not all of Christine's things had a place in the home yet. It was a project that they had both been working on for some time now. Erik pulled out a couple of blankets from the closet in his bathroom and took them to the coffin.
Erik was always in the other room since they married and now the coffin only had a bare mattress. He placed the first blanket one over the mattress then laid the other over the edge. He went back into the bathroom closet and took out a pillow placing it at the top.
Afterwards Erik walked back over to her and shut the door before picking her up. "Thank you." She said, and he almost asked what for but she read his mind. "I was tired of hearing them bicker. They're growing annoying." Erik chuckled sitting her in the coffin then grabbing the blanket on the edge. "Did I hear Nadir and Philippe say something about your mother?" She asked.
Erik nodded. "I don't know if she will be coming down though." Erik replied draping the blanket over her legs.
"I hope she doesn't." Christine said sadly. "I wouldn't want our first meeting to be because of," She stopped herself not really sure what to call this day. She wanted to cry, but she was refusing to. Not again. "Something like this." She finally said.
Erik sighed. "I understand." He replied and she was silent again. "Can I do anything for you?" He asked and it snapped her out of her trance.
"Yes." She nodded. "Take my mind off of things." She said.
Erik chuckled. "How?"
She shrugged. "I don't care how. I just don't want to think of anything outside this room." She looked as though she was about to say something else so Erik waited. "I don't even want to think of," Tears welled up again.
Erik placed a hand on her back. "We won't talk about the baby." She sniffed and nodded. Christine was thankful he didn't make her say it. It hurt her deeply to think that she was developing a plan to talk to Erik about conceiving, but she was already pregnant.
Erik sighed and removed his mask. He knew Christine hated it when he wore it when they were alone. Erik began to looked around the room in thought. He got an idea grabbing the closest box to him and slid it over. "We can finally go through some of these like we've been planning for months."
She smiled and nodded. Erik opened the lid. It appeared to be old costumes. He pulled them out one by one presenting them to Christine. She would either say yes or no to decide if they would be kept or not. His unmasked face scrunched as he pulled out the last costume. "God no. Please throw it away." She said about the costume he pulled out. She realized that he wasn't paying attention. "What is it?"
He tossed the costume aside then reached into the box pulling out a violin. He heard Christine gasp and looked at her. "Is this-"
"Papa's." She nearly whispered. "I thought I lost it."
Erik smiled and caressed the instrument, "Your father had excellent taste." He remarked.
"He would have loved you." Christine said and Erik laughed. She stared at it and sighed. "I wish it was still able to be played." The strings on it had either broken or were frayed from years of neglect. Erik looked at her then smiled handing it to her and standing. She watched him with a confused look. "What are you doing?" She asked as he went to his chest in the corner.
Erik pulled out a small box then returned to his seat next to the coffin. He took the violin from her then opened the box. "I picked up some new strings my last trip to the market."
"Erik, you don't have to use them on Papa's violin. Those are meant for yours." Christine said as he removed the old ones.
He chuckled setting the old strings in the box. "Mine is not due for new ones until later this month. I bought some extra just in case. Even if this isn't mine, it deserves to be taken care of." Christine smiled sweetly at him and just watched as he fixed it. They sat in silence, but it was peaceful.
Christine watched him fascinated by his every move. She always enjoyed watching Erik work, and watching him fix things had always entertained her. Erik could see her eyes getting heavy as he finished replacing the strings. He positioned the instrument under his chin and began to play softly. As he played Christine put her head down on the pillow in the coffin. He watched her slowly drift to sleep.