Erik couldn't believe what he heard but before he could fully process it, Christine was in his arms and their lips were taking full advantage of the opportunity. Erik's mind was telling him that he must have misunderstood, but his body was telling him to shut up and savor the taste of honey that only Christine's lips could supply. They parted briefly, and Erik kissed her hand. She giggled back at him.
"Christine, did you really just say what I think you said? You love me…. You really love me right now in this moment?"
She threw her arms around his neck. "I never stopped, Angel."
Erik let out a breath. "Erik."
"What?"
"Please, call me Erik. Especially now…. Now that…." He couldn't even finish his thoughts. He just brought his forehead to hers. "I never stopped loving you, either." He whispered.
She smiled at him. "I know."
However, she moved slowly away from him and then sat down looking perplexed.
"What is it?" Erik moved to her side.
"It's not so simple, is it? I am married, Erik and…"
"Raoul?" Erik didn't even consider her marriage an obstacle, not anymore anyway. Not after what the Vicomte did, or after all he had learned about their 10-year marriage. "How is that a problem?"
She looked at him in shock. "Erik, marriage is supposed to be a lifetime commitment and while I am not saying I will stay married, I can't simple cast it aside either. I'll be a divorced woman and that does weigh on me. I'm catholic and that's not seen as something so easy to overlook."
"But he betrayed you and abused you… You didn't have a real marriage, not the kind that God intended for a man and a woman to have."
She tilted her head. "Since when do you know what God intended? You don't believe in God."
He shrugged. "I don't know anymore. Yet I do think that when marriage was intended, it was for life but only because your heart and soul was bound to that person, not because of a piece of paper."
"Erik, I would be willing to get divorced. That's not it, it's just… I need to come to terms with that."
He thought for a moment. "What about an annulment? Surely the church recognizes that."
She gave him a weak smile. "Yes, but I don't have the right to ask for that. I married Raoul when I was carrying your child."
"But we agreed to never say that. That's for Gustave's sake and your reputation."
"Erik, this is a lot to process and my point is that I still need time. Time to be sure."
"That you don't want your husband?" He felt as if someone had ripped his lungs out of him.
"It's not about Raoul. It's about me and Gustave, remember? You said that yourself. I need to be able to know I can be on my own and support him."
"But I want you to know that you are not alone. Gustave will never want for anything…."
"I need to know I can provide it without help from anyone else."
"But it's a partnership. This has nothing to do with whether you have your own funds. Of course, you should. You will command a large fee, I should know. I'm paying you." He looked at her hoping she would laugh.
"If it weren't you paying, would my price be so high?"
"I…."
She smirked. "No matter. Once we get my voice back to where it should be, maybe you won't be able to afford me?" She winked at him and he chuckled.
"I guess I foolishly thought it would all just fall into place, if you loved me."
She took his hand in hers. "I do love you, but a child changes things."
"I can't say I understand completely, but I do want to put you and Gustave first, so I will do whatever it is you say."
"I just need to figure a few things out on my own. My career is one of them."
He stood up knowing he couldn't continue keeping anything from her, especially with so much of their future riding on it. "Christine, do you wish to know where the Vicomte is? I know where he and Meg are staying so if…."
She stood up and came towards him. "How do you know where they are?"
"Believe me, I couldn't care less where that man is but Meg…. I am concerned and despite Madame Giry's belief to the contrary, I do care. I sent her a note hoping that she would come to her senses." He looked at her plainly. "I have never been married, so I can't pretend I know what you are going through. Perhaps it is all too easy for me to just…."
"I don't care where he is, Erik. Raoul knows where I am, but he doesn't seem to stop and think about me, does he?"
"But…."
"It's not about Raoul. I need to have something for myself. It's all your fault, really."
"My fault?"
"I want to sing, and you made me think I could do that again. Maybe even meet Oscar Hammerstein himself."
Erik looked at her as if she were crazy. "Silly girl. You can meet him whenever you wish. He will love you the moment he hears you! I'll have another suitor to contend with." Although he winked, he wasn't sure he was completely joking.
"I don't want another suitor. I want my Maestro."
"You wish to take lessons from me again?"
"You already knew that. Regardless of my fate, I can't resist your music. Together we are…."
"We are two stands of melody entwined."
She nodded. "I need time, Erik but I don't want time away from you. I've had enough of that."
He kissed her hand and then arched his visible eyebrow at her.
"So, you wish for me to teach you horseback riding and be your singing tutor?"
She looked him straight in the eye. "Yes, I do."
"And my payment?"
"My voice mixed with your songs." She beamed at him.
"And I can still spend time with you and Gustave, so we all get to know one another again?" He asked hopefully.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." She entwined her fingers with his.
He grinned. "How can I refuse?"
