Eric could hardly concentrate on his work. He sat at his desk filing through the endless bills and papers. Eric rubbed the visible side of his face exhausted. He had worked overtime everyday for the last 2 weeks.
Eric poured a glass of water as he looked at the bills of bills to sign. Grabbing a pen he began looking thoroughly through them signing a few.
The opera house had been in a buzz opening night was just in two days. Eric had to work with all the seat reservations as well as teaching the cast how to act better. It was coming together beautifully.
Eric finished his water and got up grabbing his coat and hat. "I'm going to lunch." he announced to William who was sitting in the office next to him with the door wide open.
Eric walked down the street towards his favorite restaurant.
Meanwhile 2 blocks away-
Christine scanned the city people wondered going from place to place tromping through the fresh snow.
It was a beautiful, and busy city lined with tall buildings, and breathtaking landscape.
Christine held Rosa tighter to keep her warm. "Excuse me?" Christine asked a woman hanging an open sign in her shop window "where is the opera house?"
The woman smiled and gave her some directions. Christine thanked her and followed the directions with urgency. She walked towards the entrance. "Here is where your daddy works." She told Rosa, hardly able to control her excitement.
"Daddy!" The child squealed.
"Yes precious." She sang walking up the steps.
"Excuse me!" Christine chimed to a woman mopping the floor.
"Hello madam. May I help you?" The woman smiled turning to face Christine.
Christine nodded "I am looking for the manager."
The woman pointed up the stairs "it's the first office if he is not in there talk to Mr. Smith he can locate him."
Christine nearly ran up the stairs not caring what people thought, her heart dropped when she saw the empty office.
"Christine Daae?" A gentle voice said.
She turned around shocked, "yes! How did you know?"
"Well you are all Eric speaks of, baby Rosa I presume." The grey haired man smiled, "William Smith" he introduced out stretching his hand.
"You are almost a month early." He chuckled.
Christine looked confused, "where is Eric? I can't wait any longer." She exclaimed impatiently.
They were interrupted by the sound of a door slamming, and a rich voice "dammit Smith!"
Christine glowed knowing the voice all too well.
"I think I found him." Mr. Smith laughed.
Christine nodded.
"Smith! Anna just fell down the attic stairs and broke her ankle." Eric stormed up the stairs. "Smith! Smith where are you?" He roared.
Eric flung the office door open, facing William a baby playing on the floor and Christie, all laughing at him. "Have you eaten today my dear, you get moody when you don't."
Tears formed In his eyes, "Christine!" He choked. She ran to him leaping in his arms. "Oh Eric I came as soon as I could." She gasped holding him to her.
"How? How did you get here so quick?" Eric asked giving her a light kiss.
Rosa had crawled over to where the two were hugging pulling herself on Eric's pant leg. "Daddy!" She squealed.
Eric began crying again picking up the little girl in his arms.
William interrupted the 3 reunited people. "Take the day off, it looks like we will have to cancel the show since we have lost our star."
Christine looked at Eric. "Angel, I know that role well thanks to you."
Eric felt his heart swell, Christine sing a his opera house again! Eric gave a crooked smile his icy eyes sparkling. How could someone love him like her.
"If you wish to, I can arrange for a run through or two." Grasped her hand unable to get enough of her touch.
Christine nodded excitedly her big brown eyes full of joy and love. Eric ran his fingers through her curls. "Well sir it looks like you have a new soprano." He gleamed unable to draw his eyes away from her.
"Now go take the rest of the day off I'll arrange for a rehearsal tomorrow afternoon." William insisted.
Eric held the giggling baby and guided Christine down the stairs.
"How about I take you to get lunch and we can talk. Since you said I'm grumpy" Eric joked he seemed to be walking on air he was so happy.
"I am rather tired Eric, it has been a long trip." Eric nodded "Of course but do you mind we stop real quick by the market and get something? Todays lunch was slightly interrupted." Christine laughed giving him a little kiss.
After Eric grabbed something to make dinner they headed to an apartment building. While the room was being prepared Eric talked about all that was going on at the theodore, bragging and complaining about the cast and crew. Christine couldn't help but smile, they were back where they left off.
Once the apartment was ready they walked up the creaky stairs to the temporary home.
Eric put Rosa down to play on the apartment floor Christine sighed it was just a main room with a small kitchen in the corner and a tiny bedroom that was the size of a closet.
Eric could hardly breath, as Christine found her way to the room and plopped down on the bed as it gave an obnoxious *creak*. she froze her body tensed when she thought the bed would break.
The apartment building was neglected and falling apart Eric was embarrassed he couldn't afford better for her.
Christine curled up facing Eric who stood frozen in the doorway. Christine laughed as he turned white staring at her.
"Eric, you are the most awkward person I have ever known." She giggled "would you like to put Rosa down for a nap?"
He picked up the baby that was playing at his feet and carried her to the main room finding a blanket he wrapped her up and placed her on the couch. "Go to sleep my little Rose." He whispered lovingly giving her a little kiss. The exhausted child was asleep in an instant, Eric watched her for a moment before taping on Christine's door.
Christine was now sitting up in the bed grinning at him.
"Don't we want to talk in the living room?" Eric asked his voice trembling uncomfortable with alone with her in the room.
Christine glared at him pretending to be mad. "Do you not trust me, does Rosa need to supervise us?"
Eric looked down in shame, not getting her joke. "I don't trust myself with you." Christine laughed and stood up wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Do you know how long I have loved you?" She asked smiling.
Eric couldn't answer. "So what's been happening these last few months?" Eric asked nervous at the amount of affection.
Christine smiled, "Missing you," she stated bluntly. "I quit the opera, I mostly jumped between the Giry's house and Nadir's spare room."
"I'm sorry you had to put up with Persian." Eric grumbled a tint of sarcasm in his tone.
Christine chuckled, "He is a good friend to you and me."
"Are we really going to talk about Nadir?" Eric asked annoyed.
Christine stood on her toes and kissed him, "No we are not."
Eric combed her hair with his fingers unable to quit smiling at her.
"So you never told me how you got here so soon." Eric breathed sensing that she was avoiding the subject.
"Do you promise that you won't get mad?" She begged.
Eric nodded reluctantly, he hated making promises that he wasn't sure of.
"Raoul." she whispered bluntly.
Hot anger flooded through him, sensing his furry Christine drew closer to him giving him another tender kiss.
Pulling away she looked at him again, "Eric." She whispered. "Please don't get angry with me."
Eric sighed, "How could I be angry with you?"