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All that night, Erik would not speak one word to me. It wasn't an angry silence I felt, but rather a thoughtful silence. I thought it best not the disturb him.

After an hour or so of him keeping a stony silence to each and every one of my comments or questions, I gave up and we spent a silent evening. That night, he went into his room and began composing. I went to sleep in my own bed, alone.

I lay very still in the bed, and I can imagine him being beside me. It had been so very quick, and yet it had lasted forever. Would I ever get that moment back?

The next morning, he woke me up by gathering me into his arms and laying me on the couch. He played all of my favorite songs on the piano while I sat very quietly, untangling the tassels on my shawl. I gave him a smile.

This is how I sit for quite a while before he turns and looks at me. His eyes are gentle and soft, and he's gazing at me as though he really loves me. He still has not uttered a single word.

I let him look at me for a minute, and then he turns back to the keyboard. A few minutes later, he turns back to watch me. Then he plays again.

This happens five or six times before I put down my shawl and think for a moment. I wait until he turns back to the piano, and then I say, "Thank you."

He freezes, as if my voice has struck him, and then relaxes. Without turning, he asks, "What for?"

I hesitate. "For coming to me."

He is at my side in a flash, quicker than lightning as his black shape settlers next to me. I am not even startled anymore.

"Should I have?" he asks, taking his lithe hand a running it across my cheek. I let him travel to my eyelashes, and then he takes one lock of my hair and fingers it. I nod.

He opens his mouth, thinks, and then says, "I do not want you to be angry at me."

I sit still, careful to keep my expression smooth. "I am hardly angry at you, Erik."

We are being so cautious with each other by not mentioning what happened two nights ago. The night where I saw his smooth hands clumsy for the first time, the night where I finally accepted him as a man and not a monster. Had it been the way of seduction he might have dreamed of? No, of course not. But it would be a start.

"Not that." he replies, and he is looking at his hands. "I listened."

I am confused now. "Listened."

"To you." he says. "You and him. You left. And talked."

I take one of his fidgeting hands and say, "When I talked to Raoul?"

He looks hopelessly at me. "You told him you loved me. And I told you he wouldn't believe you. No one could possibly believe that beautiful Christine could love an ugly beast such as Erik!"

"I do love you." I answer. "You believe me, and that is all that really matters."

"Poor, poor Christine!"

Lucky Christine is what I think. Lucky to have a man who would do anything for me, who cares for me fiercely every second.

"Come, Erik." I say soothingly. "I am not angry at you for listening. You had every right to. Raoul removed me from my husband's presence to interrogate me is secret."

"I love you." he says breathlessly, and I do not think he has heard a word of what I just said.

I lean in to kiss him when there is a knock at the door.

Erik swears, and says, "Now, who disturbs Erik when he is with his wife?" He slides up and vanishes out the drawing room door. I follow, keeping several feet behind him as he swings open the door and disappears once again.

I pout and pull open the door myself.

The Daroga is standing there, talking very quickly to Erik. He is soaking wet. I watch, dumbfounded for a moment, before he seems to notice me.

"Madame!" he says. "I was simply… stopping by…"

He glances uneasily at Erik, who gives me a long look.

"Go inside." he finally says. "I will be back in a moment."

"What is going on here?" I demand. "Why is everything so secret?"

"Your—ex-fiancé is on his way to the North Pole." the Daroga states matter-of-factly, while Erik sighs. "He wishes for me to tell you his goodbye, and that he could come home at any given opportunity."

"That is kind of him." I say.

"Indeed." Erik agrees, his teeth clenched together.

I put my hands on my hips and face my husband. "You did not want me to know that?"

He is silent. He shakes his head, very slowly. "He cannot come home at any time. He has accepted an expedition, and he does not control the ship. I'm afraid you are stuck with me for quite a while, my dear." His tone is attempting to be humorous, but I sense something else. "Now, I shall be back in a minute."

I go back inside.

I could feel the Daroga's gaze on me, just like Erik's. Were they both judging me, assessing me, to see if my emotions were true? I didn't like that at all.

Erik is true to his word, and comes back within five minutes. He smiles at me waiting by the door, and kisses the top of my head. "Surely you didn't worry about me?"

I cling to him for a moment, and then ask, "Is your friend still out there?"

"Friend!" he mocks. "I know not of whom you speak, but the fool who bothers us is out there, yes."

"I'll be back in a moment." I whisper, and untangle myself from him and close the door.

The Daroga is starting to pull himself away on the little boat that floats on the lake. He sees me, and says, "Christine! I'm sorry to have disturbed you again. You should not see me back."

"Is Raoul really leaving?" I ask, determined I should get all my answers before he leaves.

"Yes." he replies gravely. "He has delayed it long enough."

"If you ever get a chance to see him," I say carefully. "Tell him thank you. And that I'm sorry."

The Daroga's eyebrows crunch together. 'Sorry?"

I put my hands on my dress and look out onto the vast lake. "Sorry that I fell in love with someone else."

He pauses, and then nods. "I will. You are… you are a very great woman. I respect you."

"Did you send that newspaper to Erik? In the other language?"

"Yes. I told him I would bring Raoul de Chagny if I thought you were being held against your will. I was mistaken." he adds quickly upon seeing my expression.

I relax. Everything really was going to be alright. I run my hand wearily over my eyes and give him a weak smile. "Thank you, to you, as well."

"My girl," he says kindly. "I would prefer it if I was given the chance to thank you."

I wave to him as he struggles to pull himself away. I feel bad that he is all wet; obviously, he swam across.

Erik is at his keyboard again, sitting with his fingers crossed. "I didn't listen." he tells me tonelessly as I enter.

I go behind him and wrap him in my arms. "Whatever you want to do is fine by me."

"May I tell you a secret?" he asks. I sit next to him.

"Yes."

His hands hover over the keys. He chuckles to himself, and then says, "I am so very, very relieved that your ex- fiancé is gone. Would you be very angry if I told you that I hope the ship will sink?"

I take off his mask and look at him very seriously. "I love you."

His eyes follow my every move. His lips part. "Christine…"

"I belong to you. You gave me my voice. You gave me my soul back. You gave me love and support through everything I did. I may have had to work to forgive you for some things, but I do."

His eyes flutter close. "This is ridiculous. Why are you constantly reassuring me?"

I laugh. His eyes open, surprised. I press my lips to his, his own lips cool and soft, his hands settling down at my waist as I reach my hands around his neck. When I pull away, he looks a little dazed.

"This is an important moment for us." I declare. "No more doubts. Only love. Just us."

"Are you real?" he murmurs. "If you are, I will not doubt you."

I pull myself completely against him, and I love him. I am real.

This is an important moment for us. Because he is accepting me, and I am accepting him.

It is all very nice.

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