Hi everybody! First, I got to see Phantom live for the first time! It was a school production, and it was amazing! Thanks again for the awesome reviews! You guys are the best! Enjoy!

Chapter 18

"Thank you." I whispered. "You are such a comfort."

"Anything for you, my dear." Erik's velvet voice warmed my soul.

"Erik? May I come over tomorrow? I need to speak with you."

"Of course, Kirsten. By all means."

"Thank you. Does around 2 sound alright?" I asked

"I'm free whenever you are." H replied.

"Yes, 2 works for me." I told him.

"I'm sorry that I woke you, dear." His voice was soft.

"No..don't a apologize at all. I needed you. Besides, I was already up." I explained

"I'm glad I could help, sweetheart." He said, "Go to sleep now, dear. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"So do I Erik." I said weakly. I didn't want to tell him, but it needed to be done. I could be untruthful to him anymore.

"Sweet dreams, my love." The line clicked off.

I felt as if there was a heavy rock in my heart. Why had I done this to my angel? He has not only mentored me, but stolen my heart as well. And this is how I repay him? This was no sappy Phantom story, this is my life and hurting the people I love. As I climbed back in bed I tried to remind myself that I needed to tell him because I loved him and I wanted a better relationship with him. Fear gripped my heart. Would he forgive me? I couldn't lose him...

As I presumed, Maggie dragged my all over the mall the next morning. The spa was amazing and we pampered ourselves more than we should have. As we trudged to the car, Maggie asked

"So what are your plans for this afternoon?"

I sighed, the knot in my stomach growing tighter. "I'm going to go see Erik. I need to be truthful with him about...everything."

Maggie nodded. "I'm here if you need me, you know that right?"

I squeezed her hand, "Of course. Thank you girl."

After dropping Maggie off, I made my way to Erik's. The nervousness kept building as I neared his home. I didn't want to do this, but I had to. I had to be truthful and honest to him. I pulled into the driveway, climbed the stairs and took a deep breath before pressing the buzzer. Mrs. Andrews answered with a cheery,

"Hello love!" She swept me into a bone crushing hug. "How are you?"

I gave her a weak smile. "Fine thank you. Is Erik around?"

"Yes! He's upstairs, I'll get him." Before she could take the stairs I stopped her.

"No..please. I need your advice before I speak with him." I begged

Concern filled her blue-gray eyes. "Of course darlin'. This way." She led me to the kitchen. The scent of coffee and cookies reached me, losening the knot in my stomach a tad. We sat at a small table, where Mrs. Andrews set a mug of coffee and warm chocolate chip cookies before me. She sat across from me and took her hands in mine.

"What is it dear?" A comforting smile graced her lips.

"Can I ask some...boy advice?" I asked carefully.

"Be my guest!" Was the welcoming reply.

I explained to her my confusing and heartbreaking ordeal, up until last night. By the end I was in hysterical tears, my coffee drained, and cookie plate empty. Wow, I was hormonal lately!

"There, there, love." Mrs. Andrews comforted me.

"I want a relationship with Erik. I...love..him." I whispered.

"I can clearly see that darling. And I can tell you that Erik feels the same." She said softly.

"Truly?" I asked, wiping back tears as she nodded.

I slumped my shoulders, shaking my head. "Erik will hate me. I had gone behind his back. I was blind towards both of them, hurting them."

She dabbed at my cheeks. "Kirsten, Erik will never hate you, whatever the circumstance. He loves you too much."

I smiled through my tears. "What do I say? How to I tell him?"

"Tell him out of love, deary." She patted my hair. "He will forgive you."

"And if he doesn't?"

"He will. His love is too strong to lose you. That I promise you." She pulled me into another hug that was greatly needed.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"Sweetheart, you are most welcome. You are family at Donovan manor." She smiled.

"You can bring him down if you like." I told her.

"You collect yourself and wait in the living room. Erik would be suspicious if he fond you in the kitchen." She disappeared behind the door.

I situated myself in the living room, smoothing my hair and making one last check in the mirror. The last thing I needed was for Erik to see I'd been crying. I heard his heavy footsteps come down the stairs, and my chest tightened. ' Tell him out of love,deary.' I repeated Mrs. Andrews' wise words in my head.

"Ahh Kirsten, darling." The warmth in Erik's voice filled the room.

My spirit soared, seeing him again. I stood from the couch and hurried into his waiting arms.

"Hello Erik." I pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"It's great to have you back, love." He said, one hand rubbing up and down my back.

"It's great to be back." I said truthfully, just wishing I were here under better circumstances. We settled on the sofa together and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"You needed to speak with me?" He asked.

I nodded, shifting to face him. "I do."

"Is anything the matter?" He furrowed his brow.

I nodded, biting my lips. "I've been meaning to tell you, I was just scared."

"Kirsten," He took my face between his hands, "you can come to me with anything."

Tears were already on the move. "Oh..Erik. I'm so sorry."

"For what my darling?" He pleaded with me.

"Hurting you." He was about to speak but I stopped him. "Please, let me finish."

"Remember that boy, Rory? Last time I was here, I told you I didn't have feelings for him. I lied. I did have romantic feelings for him. Before I knew you, he and I were in a small relationship. He told me he liked me and I was so desperate for love that I just kind of went with it. And then I met you." Tears filled my eyes. "You stole my heart the moment I met you. You are every girl's dream Erik, whether you believe me or not. You are such a gentleman, something that you don't see in men anymore, certainly something Rory didn't portray when we first began talking. I kept on with Rory because I didn't think I would fall for you. I just wanted to be loved. I went out on a date with Rory yesterday..."

My tears fell as I saw Erik's face, the hurt,confusion and just plain shock. "Kirsten.." He whispered.

"I know..I know." I said flatly "I almost..kissed him. But I didn't because I realized what I was doing. I was leading him on when my heart belonged to you. I don't know why I let myself still be with him, I just did. He was upset that I was seeing you, but he didn't know that we had a close relationship. That's another reason I'm stopping all this. Erik, can you forgive me?" A sob followed my words. "Can you ever forgive me, angel?"

"Oh Kirsten." To my great surprise he wrapped me in his arms.

Another sob ripped from me and I clung to him. "I'm so sorry darling. I never meant for this to happen." I looked up at him with tear filled eyes. "We have something so precious and I wasn't going to lose it because I was being naive and blind. Forgive me."

Erik sighed, but held me close. "Sweetheart, thank you for being honest with me. I'm grateful for that. I'm startled by all this, but I promise you that everything is fine. I forgive you, my love. Everything is well."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Really, Erik? You don't hate me?"

"Kirsten Doyle." He caressed my cheek. "I could never hate you...ever. You are my dream. You are beautiful, kind, talented woman."

My tears fell faster. "Oh Erik, I love you!" I buried my face in his neck.

His body went rigid and he gasped. "Do you?" He put his finger under my chin, so I could look into his eyes.

"Yes Erik! I love you more than anything. I may not be enough-"

He pressed a finger against my lips. "Do not say that. You are my everything, Kirsten Doyle. You are my entire world, my universe."

Trembling, I took his face in my hands. I pressed a soft kiss against his lips. My heart was pounding so hard that my chest ached.

"Kirsten." He whispered against my lips. "I love you."

I thrilled at the simple words. Before I could say anything, he caught my lips in his. He lifted me into his lap, holding me so close to him. His strong arms held me there. He kissed me with a fierceness I didn't think was possible. Kiss after sweet kiss sent my head spinning. When we finally came up for air I whispered,

"Oh how I love you!"

"I think we've established you love each other!" Mrs. Andrews called from the kitchen.

I giggled as Erik's strong chuckle filled the room. Mrs. Andrews popped her head in the living room. "That's what I like to see!" She winked and returned to the kitchen.

"Would you like to stay a while?" Erik asked.

"Of course." I smiled as I held him close. "I have a feeling I'll be around more often."

Well? Thoughts? The kissing scene is rather horrid, due to the fact that the author hasn't been kiss therefore cannot write about how it feels. Oh well! I hope you enjoyed it! Please PLEASE read the lovely funnygirl00's fic Girl in the Tower. It's EPIC! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!