Raoul took me back to the cemetery after awhile. He stopped the carriage at the back entrance and walked me to my father's grave, where we saw not only Joshua waiting at the front entrance but Erik as well. Erik's back was turned to us and I quickly pushed Raoul behind one of the statues out of sight. Joshua was doing what he could to keep Erik's attention away from us. "What is he doing here?" Raoul whispered to me irritated.
"He probably just got worried about me. I told him I was going to the cemetery to visit Papa." I instructed Raoul to stay put until we were out of sight. I walked through the field of crypts and headstones until I was close to the boys. "Erik, what are doing here?" He turned to me and pulled me into his arms knowing that I must be freezing. "I got worried. You're not normally that late for dinner." I looked up at him and smiled "I'm sorry Mon ange I simply lost track of time is all." He smiled and nodded. Joshua went off to fetch his horse for me but Erik waved him away. "No need Joshua. Christine will ride with me." He nodded and then Erik and I were alone, with Raoul's eyes watching our every movement. I wondered if Erik knew he was there and that's why he came or if what he spoke was true and he was worried about me. As we both watched Joshua disappear into the Paris night, Erik pulled off his cape and set it on my shoulders. I quickly pulled it around me reliving in the warmth it still had from being on Erik, and the smell of his colonel invaded my senses and I felt as if I were a part of him at that moment. I don't know why but I blushed at the thought. He smiled down at me amused with the blush that was clearly present on my cheeks. He softly laughed to himself and through his arm around me walking me to his horse.
"What do you say we go home where it's warm and enjoy a meal?" I smiled and nodded as he lifted me onto the horse. "And then maybe some music and reading afterwards?" He asked I laughed at how much of a child it seemed he was being. He joined me on the horse "That sound wonderful." I said and we were off.
After we ate Erik and I retired to the great room where he had a fire prepared. As I took a seat on the sofa and Erik took his chair nearest the fire, my thoughts seemed to wonder to Raoul's plan. I must have made some sort of face for Erik addressed me not to long after we sat down and my thought began to roam. "Christine, darling are you alright?" I looked to him for a split second and then to the fire. Before I knew it my eyes were on the fidgeting fingers in my lap. "Erik we have to talk." I stated simply "I went to see Raoul this evening." I looked up expecting shock to be on the visible side of his face but no.
"I know. Meg's terrible at covering for you." We shared a quick laugh but then we were back to the problem at hand. "He told me he has a plan for the performance, Raoul will have guards all over the opera house. If you go you are sure to be spotted, and taken to prison Erik." He nodded again studying the flames and pondering what I was saying. "Then I suppose I shall try my best not to be seen then." He replied.
"No Erik please, I'm begging you, I know this is your 'Don Juan' but still if I lost you I don't know what I'd do. So please Erik, please do not go to the performance." He looked back to me and sighed. It wasn't long till he was right next to me on the sofa, he took both my petite hands in his strong bony ones. "Christine I knew he was planning something. I knew he was going to pull some ridiculous stunt at the performance of my 'Don Juan'. Trust me when I say I know what I'm doing. I'm not going to put myself in anymore danger than you are in. I Love you and if it will put you at ease I promise that I will be nowhere near box 5." That did something for my nerves. I knew Erik refused to sit anywhere but box 5. I nodded and pulled his arms so he could hold me. That's just what he did. "I love you Erik, promise you'll be careful." He kissed my hair and whispered into it "I will."
Later on that night we ended up changing topics at least twelve different times. I laid there in his arms on the sofa snuggled close to his chest. I looked up when I noticed he had been staring at me. "What?" I asked with a light smile. He shrugged and asked "I was just wondering if I told you how beautiful you are today?" I giggled and grew a sly little smile "No," I answered "No I don't believe that you have." He slowly let his forehead fall onto mine "Well then allow me to enlighten you," I giggled as he continued "Absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous." Then he stole my lips. Then for a moment all you could hear was the crackle of the fire and the beating of our hearts. That was all broken when someone cleared their throat. Erik and I broke our kiss and from the corner of our eyes see Philippe. Erik whispered to me loud enough for Philippe to hear "Maybe if we're quite he'll go away." I giggled again then we leaned forward to resume what we were doing before being so rudely interrupted. Just before our lips met again Philippe went back in time to being a spoiled little four year old. "Hey I'm still here! You're not getting rid of me that easily!"
I pulled away from Erik and groaned in annoyance. Erik sat up and looked to me "These De Chaney men are starting to get on my last nerve." Philippe gave us both a look that made us burst out into laughter because he was attempting to be threatening but obviously failed. "What do you want Philippe." I finally asked catching my breath. He pointed to Erik and said "You, you and your twisted phantom little brain." Irritation was obvious in his voice. I grew a concerned look when Erik went very serious, a look that I was not accustomed to.