Hey everyone, thanks for the reviews from everyone especially my new fan Bloodsucker. Don't worry, now that Philippe is gone doesn't mean that there isn't more to the story. New adventures are around the corner for Christine and Erik so keep reading. Enjoy…..

The next morning, Christine who hadn't slept all night got up from Erik's anesthetic induced side and walked over to the kitchen area of his lair. After the death of Philippe, Alex and Nadir brought Erik's badly beaten and ill body back to the lair and began to heal him. Nadir had given him lots of anesthetic to help him sleep through the pain and suffering that would occur during the healing process. Before leaving Christine and Clorinda, he had told Christine that if he didn't get his rest Erik would surly die. Being scared of that Christine tucked Clorinda into bed and stayed awake to watch Erik through the night. As Christine stood in the kitchen making herself a cup of tea, Clorinda walked in dressed in her night gown.

"Mother it's early, what are you doing up?"

"Sorry if I woke you, I've been keeping an eye on Monsieur Kire."

"How's he doing?"

"He's very sick sweetie so just go on back to bed for a few more hours."

"I can't because I have rehearsal with Monsieur Ryer."

"No Sweetie, the police will surely be coming to the Opera House today to look for Philippe so I suggest that you stay down here for the day. I talked it over to Madam Giry and she said that she wouldn't let them come down here."

"Mother, someday will everything be ok?"

Christine put down her cup and picked her daughter up and carried her back to her bed.

"Yes darling, someday everything is going to be perfect."

"Will Monsieur Kire be with us forever?"

"Forever is a long time darling."

"I know, but I need to know if he will be with us forever."

"For as long as God lets him be darling, that is how long he shall be with us. Now just get some sleep while I go take care of Monsieur Kire."

Christine then tucked her daughter in and walked back over to Erik's bed and had a seat at his side. She took a damp cloth and dabbed the sweat away from his hot skin. Being out in the cold too long had made his fever worse and Nadir had told her to keep the sweat off of him so that it wouldn't turn into an infection. Christine especially made sure that his distorted flesh was kept clean so that the fading infection wouldn't come back. She then glanced over at the small clock sitting on Erik's night stand and realized that it was time to give him his medicine. After picking up the bottle full of thick yellow liquid, she poured some of it on a spoon and tilted Erik's head up. Getting the liquid into his mouth was another story especially trying to get it the spoon into his closed mouth.

"Come on Erik, open up."

At that moment, Erik strained to open his eyes and looked at his angel of music.

"Oh Erik, don't look at me like that. Just open your mouth so I can give you this medicine."

With that Erik opened his mouth and let Christine give him the medicine. She realized that it must have tasted horrible because of his facial reaction when the medicine hit his taste buds.

"I know that it probably taste horrible Erik but it's going to make you feel better."

After tucking him back in, Christine watched him close his eyes once more and fall back asleep. She looked at the clock that was on his night stand and realized that she had two hours before she would have to give Erik his medicine again so decided to take a walk. After putting on her cloak, she made sure that Clorinda was still asleep and walked up to the hallways of the opera house. Just as she was about to walk outside, the familiar voice of Meg stopped her.

"Going somewhere Christine?"

Christine turned around and saw Meg standing there.

"What's it to you?"

"I heard that Erik's dying down in his lair."

"He's fine, he's asleep and I've been at his side all night. I just need some fresh air, why don't you go on back to your husband and leave me alone."

"My husband is at work."

"Look Meg what do you want from me?"

"We need to talk Christine."

"Why?"

"Because we've been friends for over 15 years and throwing it all away over a stupid argument is just pointless."

"You hurt my feelings Meg."

"What? You're the one who was raped. I was just looking out for the best of you. I didn't want anything to come between you or Erik."

"And why is that?"

"Because you love him and he loves you. I love you Christine and having something like that happen to you is just disgraceful."

Christine sighed and began to cry.

"Maybe I was a little mad that someone else knew about it. Maybe I was a little hard on you when you only cared about me."

"I just want to be friends again Christine. I love you, Erik and Clorinda too much to never see the three of you again."

Christine ran to Meg and gave her a hug.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you Meg."

"I can forgive you Christine, you're my best friend and I care about you. My mother told me what you and Nadir did. I think that it was a very brave thing, but I'm just glad it was Philippe and not Erik."

"Me too, Erik is the only one that I love."

"I know that and I think now that Philippe is gone it is safe to tell Clorinda that Erik is her father."

"No Meg, I could never do that. Yes Philippe is dead but there are still others out there who would love to have Erik dead."

"But Christine, Erik is dead. The whole city thinks that he is dead."

"I'm still afraid of people killing Clorinda after finding out that he has a child. I can't do it Meg, not now anyway."

"then I shall never tell her neither. Not until you do anyway."

"Thank you Meg."

Later on that day, Christine walked back down to the lair and approached Erik's side. He was still asleep and had the look of agony on his face. Christine looked over on the other side of the lair and spotted Clorinda playing with her dolls on the floor. She then turned back to Erik and brushed a lock of hair away from his face.

"You created a beautiful child Erik."

That night, Christine made dinner and sat a plate down for Clorinda.

"Eat your dinner Clorinda."

Clorinda looked down at the plate of vegetables and pushed the plate away.

"Oh Mom I hate when we have vegetables for dinner. They taste horrible."

"Look young lady if Erik were here you know what he'd say to you about it. Now do as I say and eat your dinner so I can go feed Erik."

Christine then took a plate of crushed up vegetables and walked to Erik's bed chambers. She then sat down and saw him opening his eyes.

"How are you feeling Erik?"

Erik did not answer and just opened his mouth to receive the food.

"You're going to be fine Erik. I just know it."

Just then Erik closed his mouth and turned away from the food.

"Erik, what's wrong? You need your strength."

When he didn't open his mouth again, Christine sighed and got to her feet.

"I know you don't like crushed up vegetables but that's all you can have."

Erik just closed his eyes again and fell asleep. Christine on the other hand took away the plate and smiled.

"Now I know where Clorinda gets her taste from."

More to come soon