We passed the night in countless and blissful hours of sleep. I was genuinely surprised to wake up with Erik still beside me. He had not left me during the night to pursue his other activities. He had boasted on several occasions that sleep was not a priority to him.

He has one arm draped over my side. I had shifted during the night so my back was pressed against his torso. His knees bent across the bed spread and flatten the back of my skirt. My eyes closed and opened several times before I found myself fully awake and I listened to any sounds to indicate Erik's peaceful state of slumber. The skin on my cheeks felt dry and tight and I brushed it against the soft woven fabric of my pillow to provide some relief.

"Let stay like this Christine..." Erik's strange angelic voice fell upon my ear. He was awake.

I smiled. "If you insist...but for how long?" I asked

He sighed. "Forever."

I reached my hand from above my head and pressed it against his wrist that lay across my chest.

"Forever is a long time." I pointed out.

"And yet to experience this happiness forever...would be still too short."

He and I were very much awake by now, but we continued to lay there for several more hours. I think we both kept our eyes open listening to the other one breathomh and contemplating how our marriage had come to past. I looked down at our feet. Erik's long leg still clad in black trousers almost stretched off the end of the bed. I even dared to take his hand and press it closer to my heart, covering it with mine.

A brief flash of terror shot through me. I felt the inward revulsion at the memory of Frederich's hands on my body; Digging into my arms and pinching my breast. I had come so close to having my virginity stolen from me. I banished it from my mind quickly and pressed Erik's hand tighter in assurance. Erik had often bemoaned his fate of not being as normal men .I was so grateful now that he was not a man like that.

Erik seemed to sense something and responded by bringing his other arm close to be in a comforting embrace. When we finally managed to pull ourselves apart, we examined each other in our now wrinkled formal wear. I couldn't help but grin but I looked up at Erik and was once again disappointed that I could not see his expression. He had kept his mask on. That lifeless mask with its painted brows and cheeks. My grin faded. How I hated that mask.

"Erik, would you do me a favor?" I asked.

"What ever you wish."

"Please, take off that mask." I begged. I saw his hands fly up to his face like a pair of birds frightened out of their nest.

"You know I can't do that Christine. Not even for you." he muttered.

"But I am your wife now. I have seen your face. There is nothing new to shock me." I reasoned. "I want to see your eyes, and your smile."

"With a face like mine, what makes you think I have anything to smile about?" he snarled, taking a few steps away from me. My hands hung limp in defeat at my side.

"Nothing...to smile about?" I mused. His head leaned forward as he examined me. He saw my wedding gown and my unbound hair. He saw my hands opened in a pleading fashion and recognized his mistake.

"Forgive me Christine. You are right." he admitted. "I spoke out of selfish hate. I must learn to correct that." He stepped forward and brought my hand to his lips for a chaste kiss. "I'm...just not sure of myself...if I can do this now."

"I do not love this strange face. I love the man underneath it." I pleaded. I touched the edge of his mask, caressing it before I placed my fingers underneath. Erik's hand covered mine and stopped me.

"Very well, but not yet. Not now." I let him guide my hand away. "I suppose we must finally wake up from this dream and face our reality." He leaned forward and brought the lips of the mask to rest on my cheek. "Oh but what a happy reality it is."

He left my room and I took the opportunity to change out of my dress and into fresh clothes. I washed myself again and stared longingly into the closet. I observed that the number of gowns that I had seen before. Ones that belongs to the opera's wardrobe collection. I started to take them out one by one and separated them to the other side of the closet. I could no longer let these things make me doubt my love for Erik or the measures he had taken to win me.

After settling on a simple blouse and skirt, I made my bed and then joined Erik downstairs. He had changed into causal shirtsleeves and had fixed his black mask over his face. This time, I prepared us a meal and Erik ate it willingly. I informed him I would like to do the cooking from now on since his culinary skills left something to be desired.

"Then I suppose I should acquire proper cooking equipment and ingredients for you my dear." he mused while presenting me with his cleaned plate. "Is that what you want?"

I took the plate away from him and braced myself to make my demand. I was still in fear of saying anything that might upset him.

"Yes Erik, and I would like it very much if you would return the dresses in my wardrobe." I started watching him as he fixed me with an unreadable gaze "And if you could please return anything else that you have...taken." I chose my last word carefully.

He drummed his long fingers against the kitchen table in a methodic rhythm as I awaited his reaction.

"Not now." he stated.

I forgot my wish not to wound him for a brief moment. "Why?"

"Because I think after the events of last night, I think it would be unwise for either of us to be seen in the Opera." He stood and linked his arm around mine. "I'm afraid we will have to stay down here for the time being."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"That sigh indicates that something is troubling you." Erik pointed out. I shook my head for he had truly misinterpreted it.

"No, I was only worrying about troubling you." I admitted. I glanced down at my arm intertwined with his. He was pressed close enough to me that I could feel the soft tweed of his vest pressing though my hair and brushing against my cheek. He had forgone his usual black attire and wore pleasing warm colors. He had changed. We both had.

He gave a small chuckle. "Christine, what do I have to be troubled about anymore?" He scooped up my hand and gave it another sweet kiss.

He was lying to himself. We both were lying to each other.

The following week past by us both marked only by a series of small happy events. Long talks during meals, and hours of playing the piano seems to disguise our marriage as something completely normal. We could have just as well live in a flat on a quiet street, instead of five levels underground; our behavior seemed so at ease. I would be lying if I did not say my thoughts sometimes drifted to the world above and concern for my friends.

Thankfully our home and the cellars surrounded it had been quite. Either no one had come to investigate the terrible occurrences of that evening, or no one had any clue what had happen to us in the ensuing panic.

Raoul and Genny were safe and hopefully by now out of Paris. People would know that they were safe and let their curiosity be satisfied. I was certain no one would give much concern to the amateur soprano Christine Daae and her whereabouts. Yet we both seemed tense with fear and I noticed Erik became distracted from our activities in the sitting room and I would look up to see him staring at the locked door.

Just as before, Erik made every effort to make his home seem less like a prison. After all meals, Erik would fetch me anything I wanted. I found out on a daily basis how many things he had acquired while being forced to live underground. He brought me more books, paper and pens for drawing, and even supplies for sewing. I took part in each activity in turn while Erik amused me with music on the organ or the violin.

With each compassionate gesture, he sought to destroy the memory of his sinful actions. With each gentle caress of his hand, he tried to dismiss every time he had lashed out at me. Slowly, with each touch he was claiming me.

However, at night he still kept his distance. He allowed me to dress for bed without intruding on my privacy. I would fall asleep and rarely woke to find him next to me. No doubt his love of music distracted him and kept him away from me or fear.

His words from the night we shared our first kiss always came back to haunt me every time he shied away from me. I too feared that if I tempted him, it would unleash a dangerous passion within him that neither of us would be able to control. I could not live as husband and wife if he continued to turn away from me. It would be a loveless marriage and I did not doubt any lack of love on Erik's part.

He stepped into my room one night after I had removed my undergarments and slipped into simple cotton night gown. He bowed his head in a formal fashion towards me. "Good night Christine. I hope you have a pleasant sleep."

"Will you not join me?" I asked boldly though I kept my voice soft and meek. I glanced up to see that Erik was staring at the floor, particularly at the swaying hem of my gown.

"Would I not disturb you?"

"Not at all, in fact..." I bit on my tongue trying to think of my next words. "I would prefer it if we went to bed together from now on. We are married."

"Is that what you desire ,my wife?" his question was filled with doubt.

"Yes, please do not confess to love me Erik and then turn away from me." I sat down on the edge of the bed. I used a hand to smooth out my dress. Erik stood beside me and lifted my hand to kiss it. In that moment, I pressed my hand against the side of his face, pressing my fingertips into the small patch of flesh revealed from behind the mask. Erik pressed his hand against mine. "Why else would I have married you?" I ask and could guess his immediate answer. Which I why I had a prepared explanation already at the tip of my tongue. "If I had no affection for you what so ever, I wouldn't have agreed to stay in the first place. Please...please show me I did not make the wrong choice."

He sighed and sat down beside me on the bed. After a quick glance in my direction, he leaned over and pressed his lips against my cheek, the first real kiss he had made with me since our wedding night. I felt the edges of his mask press against my skin.

"Erik, you may take off your mask." I stated.

On hearing that, he sprung away from me as if my body were a pillar of flame. "What are you playing at?" he asked with a snarl.

I stood up next to him and caught his face between my hands, standing on my tip toes to reach him. He did not struggle away from me as I pressed my lips to his in a chaste kiss.

"I'm not afraid." I explained. "I only want to make you happy. How can you be content when you still shield your face away from me? When you cause yourself discomfort? When you separate yourself from me? I only want to love you. You did not intend to marry me just for the sake of leaving me alone?" I challenged.

"But Christine..." he started and I saw him lick his lips, curiously tasting them." You have given up so much, I could not ask you to surrender any more. Not to a monster like me. What you have given me is enough joy to last me a lifetime"

"There is so much more than that. What is suitable enough to you, is not to me. I'm not being forced. I coming to you willingly. Erik...you are my husband." I pleaded.

He leaned his head forward and licked his lips once more. After that small act of hesitation, he returned my kiss with his own. I felt my lips melt against his as his breath warmed my face.

"Then put out the lamp." he instructed. He stepped away and I extinguished the light in the room. I could see a small flicker of illumination from the door reflect on the mirror in my room, just enough to indicate Erik's silhouette before me. I watched him walk over to the side of the bed before sitting down. I joined him, groping for his hand in the darkness.

My fingers encountered first his vest and cravat before working their way up towards the back of his head. His fingers met mine there as we in a tangled unison, pulled loose the strings that held his mask. I heard him exhale as if he were in pain as the cool leather fell away into my awaiting palms. I pushed it against and returned my hands to his face, exploring it's' ravage textured once more.

Even in the dark I could recall what it looked like. His skin felt cold between my fingers and I massaged his thin sallow cheeks in an attempt to warm them. I let my pinky finger stray downwards to his jaw line and stroked around its edges. All the while, Erik tried to steady himself but his breathing was still at a raged pace and his body trembled. My fingers found contact with rough patches of skin, some were even worn and wet with sweat and blood. I knew they were the places that had been rubbed raw by the tightness of his mask.

"Erik..." I breathed as I pressed my lips to his skin, kissing his wounds. I felt his body pull back but I wrapped my arms around his shoulders to keep him close. I was crying now and my tears feel against him. I moved from one patch of skin to the next in a frantic pace, pressing my nose deeper against his cheek and letting my arms hold him tighter. I could not ignore the sickly aroma from his skin; the scent of dampness and flesh. But I no longer cared. It was a human scent. He was human like me and soon the crisp salty smell of my tears overpower it. Instinctively I reached up to wipe the tears away from his face and my lips, before pressing my hand against his cheek once more

My poor unhappy Erik.

In one sudden movement, Erik brought his arms around me and wrapped them tighter than my own grip. I let my head fall to the side and buried my forehead into his awaiting shoulder. I cried and then I heard Erik cry as well. We wept together.

"Oh Christine..." he sobbed. "My own father never saw me...and my mother made me wear a mask so that she wouldn't have to look at my face." One of his hands reached into my hair and pressed it against my ear. I noticed that he was rocking me in his arms. "I have lived with so much pain and I have accepted it because I thought that never...in my life...would anyone want to kiss this wretched face!"

I opened my mouth to speak but just as quickly as he had put his arms around me, he moved me against this time pressing his mouth against mine. The urging pressure from his lips caused me to part mine. He accept my gesture willing, pulling at my bottom lip with his teeth and letting his tongue trace the inside of my mouth. There was no thought of Erik's face in that moment. Not regret that I would open my eyes and see his wretched features gazing at me hopelessly.

There was only us, and we were both faceless.

He moved from my mouth to my neck, lavishing it with kisses. With one hand he stroked the side of my throat in a rapid pace.

"Sing for me..." he pleaded between the rushed movements of his lips.

His requested stunned me for a moment. However it soon came clear to me what Erik was desiring. I started to vocalize a wordless tune and then I felt Erik's lips against my throat, burning my skin with his urgency. My hands fluttered in surprise and even in the dark Erik sensed their actions and held them fast in his own.

My own breath failing me and I stopped. I pushed my hands towards him in the darkness until they rested against his chest. His lips still pressed against my neck and breastbone, I let my fingers find the buttons to his shirt and waistcoat before partially slipping them down his shoulders. His body tensed at my action, and his back stiffen as my fingers fell upon it.

"Christine...Christine Daae." he whispered laboriously "Do you have any idea...what you are doing?"

"Nothing wrong. Nothing that is sinful...not anymore." I responded and then brought my lips to his once more. We reminded locked in this embrace for another long moment, until I felt Erik's fingers touch my shoulder and then slip beneath the collar of my nightgown. He paused and started to pull away.

"I trust you..." I assure him. I pressed small kisses against his jaw. "I love you."

His hands returned to my body once more. We both could sense each other's' awkwardness in the moment, but we pressed on. I was supposed to be the willing virgin, submitting to the earthly needs of my husband; a husband who was expected to be well versed in the matters of love. It did not take much deduction to determine that Erik was as clueless as I was on this subject.

With the same tenderness and hesitant he had displayed with me before, Erik pressed onward. My night clothes fell away leaving me exposed in the darkness. He allowed me in turn to finish undressing him before he return to adorn my body with gentle caresses. I leaned back against the pillows, just barley detecting the shadow of Erik above my face, but feeling his presence completely surround me.

His fingers ran over my shoulder and back with the same grace and dexterity he used to play his violin. I willed myself not to shudder at his touch. I didn't want to give him the impression that I was repulsed by his touch, for in reality I was thrilled with it. Just as I had been the same time the first time he had touched me. I reached up my hands to touch him, to distract myself. Erik's skin shrunk back as it came in contact with my fingers, but with gently coaxing, he relaxed underneath my touch.

With the same gentleness he had displayed before, Erik explored my body, pressing his fingers into my skin. I allowed myself to be consumed in the moment, all horrible memories and experiences of being touched banished from my mind. I felt completely different as Erik caressed my breasts and stomach. My hands pressed into the sheets.

"Christine..."

His voice seemed miles away.

"Christine...am I hurting you?"

I opened my eyes.

"No never!" I assured him in a soft whisper. To confirm this, I ran my fingers through his hair and across his face. "Please..."

He understood my plea. I think before we both even realized it, we had consummated our marriage. Erik didn't falter or fumble. We had wrapped ourselves tightly next to each other, as if we could press our bodies into one being. I called out softly in both pleasure and pain, and Erik covered my mouth with his lips to stifle my cries. We were lost in each other's mummers of our names until our limbs felt limp at our sides.

Erik took the corner of the sheet and wiped my torso clean of sweat before pulling the bed spread over both of us. I continued my tight embrace of his body, afraid he would slip away once more into the night. The absences of the candle's small flame had stolen away what little warmth the room had. The air was chill against my cheeks, but under the blanket our bodies radiated heat.

A long blissful silence passed between us with only the sound of our breathing disturbed it. Erik still clung to me tightly, letting his chin rest on the top of my head.

"Christine..." he whispered

"Yes Erik."

"Christine...I..." He paused then I heard the sound of a smirk before he lowered his lips to mine in a long kiss. "Never mind...I am speechless."

I sighed relishing the sensation of each of his long fingers pressed against my back. Which brought me to alarm when I felt them leave me. Erik started to rise.

"Should I...get you something..." he fumbled. I grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

"No. Just stay with me. Stay with me till morning." I pleaded.

His lips returned to behind my ear, letting his hot breath linger over me. "As you wish."

Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good?

Oh I'm so sorry I feel like I have abandoned this fic when I only had a few more chapters to go. There is no really good excuse but I found out I was pregnant (planned btw) then had my baby so that put a halt to my writing for a while. But my kiddo has just turned one so it's time to finish what I started! I have so many other ideas for stories that I refuse to work on until this one is finished!

At least I left you off a happy cliffhanger of sorts, but we are not done. No not yet. Big surprises are coming. I swear to you I'm currently writing the last chapter as I finish posting this one. A few more chapter left. Thank you for all the readers who have tuned in and hung onto my humble fic. I hope I don't disappoint (again;)