Madame Giry sent her demands. Erik was to be at the pier before sunrise. It was only a few hours away.

For quite some time, Erik sat beside Christine watching her sleep. Earlier he had offered to make her something so she could rest, if for no other reason, for the baby. Erik didn't allow himself the same luxury. He stayed close to her side until he absolutely had to dress. Then he just watched her breathe. He needed to leave and yet he couldn't bring himself to wake her. He was afraid. For the first time in his life he had everything to lose.

Angel, I know you disagree but it's the only way to get Gustave back and to rid us of the past once and for all. My sins will no longer plague us. "I am coming back, I swear it." I must come back…. Dear God, don't grant me all this happiness only to have it vanish.

His voice caused her to murmur and sleepily she reached for him. When she couldn't feel him beside her on the bed, she opened her eyes in alarm and sprang up.

"Easy, angel. I'm right here."

She caught her breath and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Thank God…"

He embraced her just as tightly. "I have to leave soon. I wanted to watch you sleep right up until the last second, when I would have no choice but to wake you before I said goodbye."

"You were tempted to leave without telling me, weren't you?"

"Only for a moment. I couldn't bring myself to wake you or leave you."

They loosened their hold on one another, so they could see each other's eyes. Erik took her hand.

"Erik, I am so scared."

"Don't. Gustave will be home tonight."

"And what about his father? We need him."

He cupped her chin. "I will come home to you. The plans are set. I don't intend to be in the police's clutches for long." He forced himself to smile.

"Erik don't go! There is another way. You don't have to do this by yourself. Stay with me. With us." She brought his hands to her stomach.

His eyes started to get misty. "We have been through this. It's the only way to ensure that Gustave is safe and that we are all finally free. Sooner or later, my past would have come back to haunt us. What kind of a father would I be if I didn't do this for him? What kind of a husband would I be if I don't right my wrongs?" He bet down to kiss her stomach. "I want our children to be proud of me. I want you to be proud of me."

"They are! I am! I know you are smart and careful and a master at getting the upper hand, but you don't always win. Why do you have to tempt our fate?"

"At least this way, I am the one knowing when fate may change. I can still pay a part in redesigning it. I will never let someone like Giry, bring me down. Far greater have tried and failed."

"I love you. You need to remember I love you and do everything to get back here to me. You promised that you would never leave me. You can't break your promise to me. I forbid it."

They kissed passionately and deeply. It wasn't planned to consume them so, but it had. They couldn't stop. Christine pulled him down to her on the bed and Erik obeyed, letting out an animalistic sound as he tore her night dress from her willing body. He paused for a moment, to ensure he wouldn't hurt the baby and Christine could sense his concern. She kissed him fiercely.

"It's alright. We're fine. Don't stop."

The need to be with her overtook him and soon they were transported through another time and place. A place where they weren't afraid of never loving each other again. A place that allowed them the freedom and time to take as long as they wanted to ravish and enjoy each other's passions. A place where they could revel in a love that was free to be expressed, felt and to hopefully create even move lives. Erik's eyes widen when that very thought entered his mind. She seemed to take him in deeper and despite the fear that she may never take her angel this way again, she smiled when she saw how his eyes glistering with her favorite specs of gold.

"I love you forever, Christine." He kissed her as he reached his peak.

She released her climatic finish by biting into his shoulder. She then kissed the back of his ear, as her euphoria state turned to reality. "I love you. I have never loved anyone the way that I love you, nor will I ever again." She placed her hands on his cheeks. "You can't deprive me of this kind of love. You must come back to me. You have to." They cried in each other's arms. Erik vowing to return and Christine softly pleading that he stay. Despite her alternative plan, she knew it wasn't foolproof. Even a fraction of a risk was too great to take.

Afterwards, Erik slowly entangled himself from his beloved's arms. She moved with him and they got up from the bed. She helped him dress and he made sure she had her robe and slippers, to ensure she would not catch cold. They walked down the stairs arm in arm and Erik took the briefcase filled with the money, he had no intention of ever giving to Antoinette.

He kissed her stomach. Then he kissed her deeply.

"Soon it will all be over. We will have our son back and…."

She grasped his hand. "And my husband. Wedding or not, you are my husband."

He smiled. "I vow to return to you, my wife. You have always been my wife."

They kissed one last time and then before he could change his mind, he opened the front door and walked out.

She stayed watching him until he faded from view. "I intend to make sure you keep your vow, Erik."