Hey everyone! Happy Holidays! Here's the next chapter. I've gotten some emails concerning Erik and Christine's Happiness and it seems that most of you are wanting the more happy go lucky sort of story and so I won't make it any darker than it already is and try to lighten up the mood a bit. I'm not saying that there won't be times when the story won't be dark but I'll try to make it a little happier. Anyway let me know your thoughts and keep reading! Enjoy! Thanks!

Erik walked down the hall not wanting to see his daughter. How could he ever look at her the same ever again if he were to see how injured she was. No, he had to look at her being that it might as well be the last time he would see her alive ever again. As he walked into the room with Christine trailing behind him like a lost puppy he glanced at his beloved daughter's body. Her head was bandaged and her body had cuts every where on it. Tears rushed to his eyes and he couldn't help but begin to silently sob. How badly he wanted to kill himself for letting her run from him but he just couldn't do it at the moment, not under the circumstances. Seeing Clorinda in such a grave condition caused him to storm out of the room not wanting to even look at Petri. He heard Christine calling after him but he didn't stop and kept walking. When he finally reached his room, he stormed in and locked the door as he listened to Christine pound on the door for him to let her in.

"Erik! Erik I demand that you open this door right now!"

She repeated this line over and over again and it didn't make Erik change his mind one bit. Instead he tore off his stained clothes that had his daughter's blood splattered all over them and jumped into the bathtub. Again and again he scrubbed his flesh with a cloth trying to get the blood off of him. As hot tears ran down his face he washed himself harder and harder causing the skin on his arms to get red and almost wanting to tear. He was about to do the same to his face when he heard the door bust open and Christine to come running over to the side of the tub. He buried his face in his knees and sobbed as he felt her hand touch his bare wet back.

"Erik, please look at me."

Erik kept sobbing as he shivered as he sat there in the cooling waters of the tub. He was so angry with Christine and with himself that he didn't want to talk to anyone especially her.

"Just leave me be." he replied.

Christine touched his soft wet hair and easily forced him to look up at her. His eyes were red and his face pale. How badly she wanted to hold him in her arms but she couldn't. All she could do was wipe his tears away and stand him up so that she could wrap a towel around him as he shivered. Afterwards she ran over to the wardrobe closet and took out a night shirt and trousers she helped him get dressed and sat him down on the bed. Afterwards she wrapped a blanket around him and sat beside him. She hated seeing him so upset and wanted to hold him in her arms but knew that he wouldn't let her.

"Erik, why don't you just lie down and try to sleep." she replied as she easily pushed him down onto the mattress. Erik of course wouldn't lie down and just ignored her request.

"Leave me be Christine."

All Christine could do was watch him continue to cry, and when she couldn't stand watching it any longer she scooped him up in her arms and held him as she felt her shirt become wet with his tears. After a while she stopped hearing his sobbing and the tears stopped as well. He had fallen asleep in her arms and now she wanted to lie him down in the sheets so that he could continue to do so. After untangling her arms from his she lied him down easily and covered him up as he continued to sleep. Afterwards, she kissed him goodnight and walked out of the room to let him sleep in peace. Christine walked down the hall to Clorinda's side. She was passed out with the moon light shining on her small broken body. Christine touched Clorinda's hand and began to cry as she kept looking at her.

"You need to pull through this sweetheart. Your father needs you to and so do I."

The more and more Christine looked at her daughter the more and more she began to pray. It had been the longest time since she prayed to her father and now she began once more.

"Little lotte thought of everything and nothing. Her father promised her, her father promised her….You were once my one companion you were all that mattered. You were once my friend and father then my world was shattered. Wishing you were somehow here again, wishing you were somehow here sometimes it seems if I just dream somehow you would be here. Father watch over Clorinda, she is young and needs me now more than ever. Also watch over Erik, he's my angel of music and he needs Clorinda, his flesh and blood to be ok. Clorinda means more than life to him and too young to be with you. Please Papa let my family be happy again."

The next morning, Erik opened his eyes and groaned at the sight of the light coming in through the window. After pulling the cover over his head and rolling over he heard the door open and looked up to see Christine standing there.

"Christine, what time is it?"

"Very early, you've been asleep since early last night."

"I have the worst headache."

Christine handed Erik a glass filled with some orange juice and motioned him to drink it.

"Drink that Erik, it'll make you feel better."

Erik did as he was told and then handed her the empty glass. Afterwards he rose to his feet and began to get dressed. He was still mad at Christine and couldn't bare to hold a conversation with her.

"Erik, breakfast is being placed on the table and it would honor me if you would have it with me."

"No Christine, I have other things to tend to. Where have you been all night?"

"At Clorinda's bedside."

"Of course, where else would you be."

With that being said Erik walked down the hall to the infirmary and sat down at his daughter's bedside. She was asleep and still looked gravely ill. After touching her small cold hand with his he felt her lightly squeeze it causing Erik to grin. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with her or Christine. His Christine, how could she take the key to his heart without him knowing and then to loose it through the floorboards. He was also mad at Petri, if not for him she wouldn't be where she was and still as well as she was twenty four hours ago. After taking one last look at his daughter Erik rose to his feet and walked over to Petri's beside to see him wide awake and well aware of Erik's presence. Erik stared down at him full of such anger and hatred.

"How could you boy! How could you do this to my daughter! I trusted you to watch over her and do the right thing and this is what I get!"

"I didn't leave her Monsieur, I swear. We had a race and when she got stuck I stayed by her side till the last second I swear."

"You shouldn't have run away! She chased after you! She followed you!"

"Please Monsieur don't be angry with me, I was upset."

Erik stomped his foot down before walking away in an angry rage. Christine sat in her chair in the dining room playing with her porridge as silent tears ran down her cheeks. Just then the door flew open and she glanced up to see Erik walking in and taking a seat as if nothing had happened an hour earlier. He began to eat without even saying a word to her, making Christine even more upset than she already was. Her stomach was churning and the tears that were once silent began to pour more rapidly down her cheeks. Her love, the love of her life was shunning her because of what she did and all she could do was sit there and cry. Erik glanced up from his plate and saw tears running down her cheeks and wondered what the problem was.

"Christine?"

Christine refused to look at him and just buried her head in her hands as she kept crying.

"Christine, what on earth do you have to cry about?"

Christine rose to her feet and walked away leaving Erik alone once more. He couldn't understand what her problem was but he couldn't keep up this anger forever. His daughter was ill and Christine was upset. He had to set things right once and for all so that his family could be a family once again. His temper had always gotten him into trouble and he had promised his daughter to control it but until a few months ago he stopped. The recent events had just made his temper ever worse instead of better. While his daughter was in the condition that she was he knew that he couldn't keep his anger up.

A few hours later after Erik calmed his anger down he went looking for Christine and found her sitting in the garden on a bench. He approached his beloved and took a seat beside her before touching her hand. Christine turned towards him and wiped her tears away with her free hand.

"Christine, please don't cry anymore."

"You caused me to do it Erik."

"Can I tell you a story?"

"Do what ever it is that you want. I'll listen but that doesn't mean I'll respond."

Erik intertwined his fingers with hers and began to tell his story.

"A sage presented a prince with a set of three small dolls. The prince was not amused.
"Am I a girl that you give me dolls?" he asked.
"This is a gift for a future king," said the man. "If you look carefully, you'll see a hole in the ear of each doll."
"So?"
The sage handed him a piece of string.
"Pass it through each doll," he said.
Intrigued, the prince picked up the first doll and put the string into the ear.
It came out from the other ear.
"This is one type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him, comes out from the other ear. He doesn't retain anything."
The prince put the string into the second doll. It came out from the mouth.
"This is the second type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him, he tells everybody else."
The prince picked up the third doll and repeated the process. The string did not reappear from anywhere else.
"This is the third type of person," said the man. "Whatever you tell him is locked up within him. It never comes out."
"What is the best type of person?" asked the prince.
The man handed him a fourth doll, in answer.
When the prince put the string into the doll, it came out from the other ear.
"Do it again," said the sage. The prince repeated the process. This time the string came out from the mouth. When he put the string in a third time, it did not come out at all.
"This is the best type of person," said the sage. "To be trustworthy, a man must know when not to listen, when to remain silent and when to speak out."

Christine looked at Erik and finished wiping her eyes. He took her other hand and kissed the both of them with his deformed lips.

"I may not be the fourth doll Christine and I may not be the second or the third but I do know that I love you and that will never change. I was mad at you for certain things but sometimes the smallest of things aren't the things to be mad at but the bigger things."

Christine watched as Erik rose to his feet and walk behind her. Seconds later he felt a small cold piece of jewelry hit her neck and looked down to see Erik's key to his heart hanging around her neck. It was as if she had never dropped it down into the floor boards.

"I'm mad that you went into my box, celebrated my birthday, and dropped my key into the floor boards but that's small stuff compared to what happened to our daughter. I got the key back and now I just want things to be right again between you and I. I love you so much and I never want to loose you again."

"Oh Erik I don't want to loose you either."

Erik gently touched her cheek and whispered in her ear.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Oh Erik you don't have to get my permeation to kiss me."

Erik smiled and began to passionately kiss her.

"This is the way I love seeing you my angel." replied Christine as she placed her hands gently on his neck. "Why can't you always be like this? that's the Erik I love not the Opera Ghost."

"I try Christine, really I do but before you I never experienced any kind of affection or compassion. I love you and I would never lay a hand on you ever but sometimes I understand that my mouth does get out of hand."

Christine smiled and kissed him again before looking him in the eyes.

"You know Erik last week the opera "Sorcerer" opened in Germany and tonight as a present my servants got them to come here and perform it for me. I would be honored if you would accompany me."

"People, they would say things about me….they always do." Erik placed his head down and turned away from her. Christine lifted his head up and kissed him gently on the lips.

"No Erik, no one will say anything about you and may God have mercy on the first person who does. You are a kind, decent man and who ever would judge you for what you look like hasn't been in your presence. Please go with me."

Erik gently kissed the palm of Christine's hands and smiled.

"Of course."

"Then I shall meet you tonight my love."

Afterwards, Erik and Christine went their separate ways until they would meet once more that night to enjoy the opera together. Erik of course went back down to the infirmary to check on Clorinda to find that she was still fast asleep probably from the medication that she was being given. After spending a few hours at her bedside Erik knew that it was almost time to get dressed for the opera and kissed his daughter goodbye. The hallways were now lit by candle light and were silent except for the occasional servant passing through. After reaching his room, Erik ran himself a hot bath and slid into it after undressing himself. The warmth surrounding his skin made him feel well again and excited him for the hours to come. Everything seemed as if it were back to normal again giving him a sense of relief and calmness. When he heard the bedroom door begin to open, Erik sat himself up and called out to see who was coming in.

"I'm in the bath, who's there?"

"Christine."

Seconds later, he saw Christine approach him and playfully splash some of the water at him.

"That isn't funny Christine!" yelled Erik. Christine paused for a moment ever so seriously and was shocked when Erik splashed some water onto her causing her dress to become wet. Christine backed up and saw him smirk.

"Now it's funny." he replied. Christine laughed and walked into the bed room to get out of her clothes.

"Are you almost done Erik? I need to get a quick bath before we go."

Erik splashed some water onto his face and stood up to put a towel around him. Christine then reproached him with a towel wrapped around her waist and climbed into the tub after Erik walked over to the dresser. Erik then placed his mask over his face and combed his blonde hair before throwing a dress shirt over his chest.

"You're staying pretty quiet Erik, is something wrong?"

"No, just trying to look my best is all." replied Erik as he finished getting dressed. As he turned around he saw Christine drying herself off and placing a corset around her waist. Erik sighed and began to tighten it wishing that she wouldn't wear it.

"Seriously Christine, I don't understand why you insist on wearing this contraption. You're beautiful the way you are."

"All women wear them Erik, and as countess it's only right that I wear it under my dress."

Once Christine placed a red dress around her Erik buttoned that up and watched her turn to face him with a smile.

"God you look handsome Erik."

Erik blushed for a few seconds before handing her the brush to comb her hair. He loved when Christine spoke kindly of him and hearing her voice made it ten times better.

"Come Erik, let us walk together."

Erik took Christine's arm in his and walked with her down the candle lit hallways. The bright glow from the candles flickered off a dim shine to Erik's white mask causing Christine to giggle at him.

"Something funny Christine?"

"Not at all Erik."

Once they entered the theater room of the palace Erik looked at everyone who was seated and was relieved to find that he had his own box with Christine. He would have felt very uncomfortable if he had to sit with everyone else. Once they were in their box Christine noticed that Erik was looking around nervously and knew that he had never sat in a crowded room before.

"Erik, something wrong?"

"I'm a little nervous is all."

"Erik don't be silly you're just like everyone else."

"I feel as if everyone is staring at me."

"Erik don't worry about it. You'll be fine alright? You're count and my husband and everyone has to respect that."

Just then the lights dimmed and the opera began to start. As Erik and Christine watched it she intertwined her hand with his to calm him down and knew that he was when his hand stopped sweating. The Opera "Sorcerer" was a comedy about a bunch of peasants in a town who all were in love with the wrong people. Christine constantly laughed at all the funny jokes but didn't hear Erik laugh once. She knew that his sense of humor was much darker that sometimes the worst of things were the funniest to him. Once the opera was over everyone applauded and now it was time for Christine to go up on stage and thank the performers for coming to her palace.

"Come up with me Erik." replied Christine taking his hand in hers. Erik tugged back and shook his head no.

"I can't Christine, please don't make me do it."

"Please Erik, come thank everyone with me. You are the count and should be at my side."

Erik wanted to please Christine so much that he agreed and walked on stage with her. As soon as she stood on stage everyone got silent and Christine brought Erik to her side.

"I wanted to thank everyone for coming out tonight and supporting the arts of the opera with me. My servants were kind enough to ask the performers of the opera to come here and present it to me and my loving husband Erik who is also the my Count. I know that most of you don't know him because he seems to enjoy his music room and his solitude but tonight I wanted to introduce you to him."

Christine took Erik by the hand and had him stand at the edge of the stage.

"This ladies and gentleman is the Count Monsieur Erik Kire."

Erik waited for the yelling and laughing at his mask but that never came. Instead he heard the sounds of an applause and looked back at Christine to see her smiling at him.

"Go on Monsieur Kire, take a bow."

Erik smiled at his loving wife and turned back towards the audience and bowed for them making sure that his mask stayed in tact. Just then the applause stopped and both Erik and Christine heard a familiar voice begin to chant.

"Bravo! Bravissimo! Bravissimo Erik!"

Both Christine and Erik looked up into another private box and noticed to their horror Raoul standing there clapping and chanting.

"Why the long faces you two?" he replied.

Both Christine and Erik stood there silent looking up at Raoul wondering if it were a dream instead of reality. She had gone to his funeral he was surly dead and not in box 6. Raoul laughed and came down onto the stage approaching Erik when Christine stepped in front of him.

"No Raoul, you leave him alone."

"Calm down Christine, I'm not here for neither him or you. I'm here because I have mostly learned my lesson."

"What do you mean?" asked Christine.

"Raoul lifted up his shirt and both Erik and Christine stared at the huge scar that covered it from when Erik stabbed him.

"I attended your funeral Raoul you can't be standing here."

"I was afraid of Erik trailing after me to finish me off for hurting you so I had my men plan a fake funeral for me so I could have time to recover and find myself a new life. For five years I hid in Berlin as a scrap metal salesmen waiting for the day I could return to France. When I found out my mother died I came back here and I see that you've taken her place."

"Raoul please I will take my family and leave tonight, please just leave my me and my family alone."

"Why would I want you to leave? I need a Countess and I would be honored if you would be the role."

"Please understand Raoul that Erik and I are married and we have a child. I know that you want to hurt me again and I can't let that happen."

"Christine, have I not just said that I have learned my lesson. Those months of lying in bed with a stomach injury have changed me and I assure you that all I want is to be Count of my mother's Palace. Though I am not happy about finding out my brother's are all dead but I have heard what they have done to you so in the end I guess they deserved what they got. I wanted to apologize to the both of you for causing such heart ache especially towards your fate Christine."

Erik came forward in an angry rage and grabbed Raoul by the shirt.

"How do I know that you're not lying to me like every other time? You loved Christine so why stop? You want her as Countess so you can rape her just like Philippe did! Me and my family are leaving tonight!"

Raoul easily pushed Erik off of him and shook his head.

"Erik, it's been five going on six years and I have to say that you haven't changed one bit. You don't look as well as you did years ago but your strength and anger is still as strong as ever."

"My anger for what you did to me and Christine will never go away and if you think that you're going to come back and feed me a load of bologna about how you're sorry and pity the both of us you have another thing coming. If you want your Count reputation back you can have it but you cannot have my wife."

"I don't want her like the way you're insinuation my friend. I just want her as my Countess is all. I have changed I promise you."

"I don't believe you De Changy!"

Christine calmed Erik down and stepped in front of him.

"What do you want from me Raoul?"

"I just want you to be my Countess is all. I know that Erik would much like to work on his music better than to be dealing with the job of Count. I respect that he is your husband and I promise to keep it that way I swear I have changed."

Erik knew that Christine liked being Countess and didn't want to take that away from her.

"On One condition." replied Erik.

"What?"

"She is not to be alone with the likes of you. If you must speak with her than Madam Giry must be present. I also want to keep our bedroom and for you to stay away from my daughter and the music room."

Raoul nodded, and tried to shake his hand when he took Christine to walk away.

"You shall see that I have changed Monsieur." replied Raoul.

Back in their room, Erik through his coat down on the bed and began to get dressed in his pajamas in an angry rage.

"Erik if it angers you so much we'll leave in the morning."

"Christine, I know that you love being Countess and I don't want to take that away from you nor do I want you being around the likes of him. Do you really believe that he has changed? because I don't. I just think he's planning something and being around you is the best way to get to me or Clorinda."

"Come Erik he doesn't even know Clorinda."

Erik sighed and approached Christine with such caution and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I know that I can't deny him his place as Count but promise me that no matter what you'll keep your self safe. You are all that matters to me in this world and if he ever laid a hand on you I don't know what I would do. Please Christine."

Christine passionately kissed him and removed the mask from his face.

"Yes Erik, I love you more than anything in the world and I promise that Raoul won't ever take me away from you. I don't ever want to loose you again and I swear to you that nothing he can say or do will change my love for you."

After kissed Christine once more he walked over to the bed and lied down worried about the days to come. He was certain that Raoul had returned for a reason and that it wasn't to do good but he knew that Christine was thinking the complete opposite. He was her childhood sweetheart and the once love of her life so how could she think badly of him? Erik only hoped that he was back for a good reason and not to hurt him or his angel…..the next few days would surly tell.

More to come soon! Happy 2009! I saw Phantom in Ny yesterday and it was amazing! Anyone who hasn't seen Howard Mcgillin perform as the Phantom needs to because he was certainly the best Phantom I have ever seen! Please R&R and send me your thoughts! Thanks!