Their kiss was long, deep and passionate and unfortunately over much too soon. Christine had to yank herself away from Erik's arms.

"I'm sorry but with Gustave in the next room…."

He stood up and smoothed his hair, "Of course. I don't know what came over me."

She eyed him knowingly. "I practically attacked you with my lips..."

"I didn't say no, and I seem to recall kissing you back thoroughly."

"So, do I." She beamed. However, the moment was short lived when a thought instantly washed over her.

"What is it?"

"What if she tries to hurt you?"

"Meg?"

"No, Madame. She was so cold and vindictive."

"Christine, don't worry about that. She is powerless now. Besides, Mr. Walker was hired to keep everyone safe. There has been no sign of either Tom or Giry."

"Tom…. I almost forgot." She placed her hand over her mouth.

"He's nothing."

"He did try to hurt you."

Erik scoffed. "Let him try getting past Walker, Squelch or Dr. Gangle and if he does, I still know how to use my lasso."

"Erik…."

"Angel, it would only ever be in self-defense... A last resort. If I wanted to hurt him, I would have done so, instead of just having him dragged out. Tom is a coward and so is Giry. And even if they come back, that is not for you to concern yourself over."

"Erik, how can you say that? I am very much involved in this."

"No, you're not. No one knows that Gustave is ours and no one knows that you love me."

"I don't understand."

"Giry may have known that I love you and that Raoul is gone but she has no idea you still love me. Therefore, she doesn't see you or the boy as leverage."

"And so, we need to hide our feelings?"

"I… What I mean…." He stopped in his tracks. "You mean you want others to know?"

She never thought about others. "I didn't think about anyone else. Why should we have to?"

"Didn't you say you needed time to sort things out? Better to do that with less interference."

She hated to admit it, but he was right. "Oh Erik…."

He pulled her close to him as they sat together holding one another on the couch. "It's okay. It's not like before. We are together now, and we love each other. We both know it. That makes all the difference."

"I wish you still had your underground home under the Opera House, so we could all just escape and hide from the world for a while." She placed her head on his shoulder.

"Me too." He kissed her tenderly.

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After a little while, he heard her yawn.

"Perhaps coffee was needed, after all." He chuckled.

"Very funny." She looked up and kissed him much too quickly. "Yet I have an early riding lesson."

"Ah." He regretfully untangled her from his arms and stood up.

"Tonight, was lovely, Erik." She took his hand, as she led him to the door. "Thank you."

He kissed her hand. "Thank you for this. For all of it." He stared at her a little longer than he intended and then turned the handle. "So tomorrow both of you will be at the stables at nine?"

"Yes."

"Are you able to meet me later for a lesson?" He asked with such longing.

Christine knew how he felt. She couldn't wait to sing for him again and hopefully with him again too. Despite his instructions, no matter how demanding, she loved it all.

"Yes, but I will need to think of where I can leave Gustave. I don't like him being alone for that long and I know everyone is working, so I can't just assume that Ms. Fleck will…."

"I have an idea."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I think I know how I can keep Gustave occupied while we work, and he may enjoy it immensely."

She looked at him expectantly. "Well, are you going to tell me?"

"Not until I have it all arranged."

"Erik!"

He kissed her cheek as he left. "Good night, angel. I love you."

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A few minutes later a tray was delivered to Christine's room with a note.

No coffee and although too many sweets are disastrous for the throat, a little bit of hot chocolate may help your slumber and not have you think too badly of your Maestro in the morning.

God, how she loved him!