Christine awoke with the most wonderful feeling; she lay there for a couple minutes until she realized she was still curled into Erik's arms. A smile formed on her face as she turned around in his arms to see he was still asleep. She gazed at him for a couple of minutes, wondering if sleeping with his mask made him uncomfortable. She didn't dare take it off, the last two times had seemed to be a warning enough, and she was thoroughly enjoying being in his arms. She kissed him lightly on the lips, and was surprised when he responded. She broke back, shocked that he was awake.

"It's hard to stare at someone and not have them wake up" he murmured, his eyes still closed.

Christine laughed lightly and poked him until he opened his eyes.

Erik stared at her for a long moment before reaching up and caressing her jaw, like he had done the night before. He was leaning in for a kiss when Christine's door was abruptly opened. A harried Nadir and Maryanne ran in, looking around the room frantically. Upon spotting them, Maryanne let out a squeak and put a hand over her eyes, Nadir on the other hand just starred at the two of them in bed, he didn't look pleased.

"You sir!" Nadir began, looking rather aggravated. He did not seem the least apologetic for bursting into Christine's bed chambers.

"Scared the hell out of me!" Nadir ran a hand through his hair, and instructed Maryanne to take her hands off her eyes.

"Did we not have an appointment today?" he looked at his watch, and muttered about still having time but that wasn't the point.

Erik sat still for a moment, already having sat up and looked down at Christine who was now in the process of hiding under the bed sheets. An appointment? Erik certainly didn't remember…. Oh yes! Today was the day he was picking up Christine's engagement ring. He had been so caught up in the act of sleeping, something that he rarely did, he had completely forgotten about Nadir and his appointment. Erik rose from the bed after patting the lump that was Christine, and strode over to the energetic and annoyed Persian.

"Yes of course" he told him as he left the room.

"Of course! Yes of course, Erik I swear" Nadir was shouting out the door, as he followed his friend.

After both men had left, Christine poked her head above the sheets, and was greeted with a red faced Maryanne.

"I'm so sorry madam! Nadir he…"

Christine raised a hand to stop her, a smile upon her face.

"I know Nadir, he's almost as impossible as Erik is".

Maryanne felt lighter, the red draining from her face slowly

"Well they might be two in the same".

Both women laughed, and Maryanne helped Christine get ready for the day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"What happened?"

Nadir was looking at his friend who was straightening his waistcoat.

"I have no idea what you are talking about" Erik replied in a sarcastic tone.

The Persian fed on Erik's attitude.

"It certainly didn't look like she spent the night alone"

Nadir laughed at his own comment, and waved the issue away with his hand before Erik had a moment to reply.

"You have decided, yes?"

Erik smiled as he re-adjusted his mask, he couldn't wait for tonight.

"Yes, everything is decided".

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Christine was anxious; she hadn't seen Erik all day and was beginning to wonder what had happened to him. She hoped he wasn't mad about the intrusion earlier; it wasn't like she had asked for Maryanne and Nadir to burst into their room. Her mind was racing with crazy thoughts, and she attempted to free them from her mind as she made her way to Meg and Madam Giry's room.

She knocked once and was greeted by the stern looking Antoinette Giry.

"Madam" Christine said softly, although this woman had raised Christine like a mother, Christine always was respectful around the older woman.

"Christine" she said with a smile, "We were expecting you" she motioned for Christine to come into their room and was greeted by Meg.

"Christine I have wonderful news!"

Meg was a bundle of energy, like always but tonight she seemed epically excited.

Before Christine could ask what, Meg blurted out

"We are staying for two more weeks! Isn't that wonderful?"

Christine laughed a laugh of joy and wrapped her arms around her bouncing friend.

"Yes! I did not think Erik wanted guests for that long, but it seems he has changed".

Madam and Meg Giry exchanged looks, and smiled.

"Yes dear" Madam began "That man has changed, more than you'll ever know."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I have found the location of that monsters home"

The red haired man sat in front of a roaring fire across from Raoul De Changy.

Raoul clasped his hands together, a small smile coming across his lips.

"Excellent" he tossed the man a bag of money.

"You will receive the other half once the job is done"

The red haired man nodded and stared into the fire.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Christine headed back to her room; she had given up on seeing Erik today. She noticed her door was slightly ajar. Frowning, she walked into the room. Had Maryanne forgotten to close the door? She shrugged and headed to her bed, the light from the window shining on something that was placed on her pillow. She was hesitant as she reached the bed and saw that it was a note.

Christine,

If you would do me the honor of meeting me down in the rose garden?

Eternally yours.

Erik

Christine grinned like a school child; of course she would meet him out in the garden! She grabbed a shawl and headed out the door, being careful not to run, she was more than ready to see him.

Nearing the rose garden, Christine's heart sank when she did not see him right away. Her eyes caught another note, a rose attached to it this time.

Follow the path

She looked down at the ground; she had never seen a path here before. At first she didn't spot it, but she made out a dirt path leading into the depths of the garden. She walked for a short distance until she found a door. On the door lay another note.

Open the door and follow the path

She did as the note told, and opened the worn in, vine covered door. The garden inside did not seem any different as she followed the path deep inside. She soon found herself deep in a patch of woods, the clearing just ahead of her through another door. Reaching the door she saw there was no note on this one. She hoped it was the right door as she slowly opened it.

Christine was taken aback; there were blood red roses everywhere! The moonlight spilled across them, making their beauty stand out against the night sky. She saw their was a note attached to one of the vines in front of her, she made her way to the vine and plucked the note from it.

It read simply

I love you… "Will you marry me?"

Erik's voice had finished the rest of the letter for her, as she felt two strong hands fall on her shoulders, caressing her back and pulling her close. Christine felt weak, had she just heard that? She turned around in his embrace and was greeted by her lover. Tears streamed down her face as she asked him what he said again.

He knelt down in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"Christine Daae, Do me the honor of being my wife?"

She fell to her knees along side him, shaking with disbelief. She starred into his eyes when she realized she hadn't answered.

"Yes! Oh yes Erik, I want to be your wife" she said while crying.

He laughed into the air and brought her into his embrace, kissing her gently and then passionately. She got caught up in the kiss when Erik asked her if she would like to see her ring.

"Of course... I..." she was speechless for the first time in her life.

He produced a small box from his coat pocket, opening it slowly to savor the moment. She gasped as she saw the small silver ring; it was adorned in diamonds and met at the top by a blood red rose. He kissed her as he began to slip it onto her finger.

"I love you" he said as he moved the ring into position.

She cried as she held out her hand to adore the ring.

"Oh Erik!" He kissed her again, tears running down his own face.

She kissed him, whispering against his lips how much she loved him.

"I love you so much" she told him, not ever wanting to let go of this moment.

He pulled away gently and sang softly to her…

"Look into my eyes… you'll see what you mean to me…"

She cried even harder at these words, grasping onto his neck and kissing him passionately.

"Take me as I am… take my life, I would give it up I would sacrifice… for you…"

Erik stopped singing and took her into a passionate kiss, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. This woman, Christine was his. She moaned into his mouth, and broke away looking at him with lust filled, loving eyes.

"Erik" she moaned against his lips.

"Humm?" he inquired

"Take me home, and make love to me"

Sorry about the cliffy!

I'm updating soon! I loves you all, hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Yay!

-AesSedia