I don't own anything.

Christine

I had to stop writing last night when Erik came for me in the chapel now I am writing in the dormitories as everyone else is at lunch.

If there has ever been a moment in my life where I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me it was as I stood before a gaping Madame Giry last night in the arms of my fiancé playing nervously with the ring about my neck.

Erik had just told the woman that of our engagement and the only thing that I can possibly compare her expression to is a fish when you take it from water.

She moved her mouth several time as though to begin speaking but no sound came out. And then in the time it took me to blink I was no longer in Erik's arms but being hugged tightly by the ballet mistress.

She pulled away from me and held me firmly my the shoulders a broad smile spread across her face as she glanced between Erik and myself.

I wondered just for a moment as I stood there just where the serious, stern woman that I had known all my life had gone. Never before have I seen Madame Giry show such happiness openly and I am sure that I saw a watery glint in her eye as she released me from her hold and I stepped back into Erik's arms.

"This pleases you Madame?" I asked her nervously, needing her to tell me just how she felt. I did not want her to feel hurt.

"My dear..." she moved forward and clasped my hand between her own."I am very happy for you both. Yes I am pleased."

I smiled now for the first time since Erik's announcement feeling as though a great weight had been lifted from me and Erik pressed a fleeting kiss to my forehead.

"I told you all would be well love." he whispered to me, squeezing my waist as I burrowed closer into his side and leaned my head against his shoulder.

"Don't be so sure of that Erik." Madame Giry's stern voice was back while her happy expression was now replaced with slight annoyance. But my smile staid where it was after all I had been dealing with this Madame Giry all my life.

"I will be talking with you later." she added giving Erik a pointed look before she walked if into the crowd, her stiff, straight figure walking purposefully through the buzzing crowd until she vanished.

I held in the urge to laugh but could not stop my smile from growing wider at the sudden disappearance and reappearance of the old Madame Giry.

I turned in Erik's one armed embrace and wrested my hands against his chest, playing with the red velvet of his costume as I looked up at him.

"Next time you wish to frighten me to death could you please give me a little more warning." I mumbled looking into his laughing, dark eyes. My heart swelled in my chest to see him so carefree and happy.

My heart thundered in my chest as he gave me what Meg would call a roguish smile as he wrapped his arms about me and lowered his head until his masked forehead was wresting against my own plain one.

"I think I could manage that." he whispered to me, pressing a kiss to my cheek and spinning me into the dancers.

I laughed joyfully as I danced in Erik's arms surrounded by the whole company. I was aware of the figures of the other dancers whirling past us and the orchestra playing but I can not for the life of me now recall what we were dancing or who was surrounding us. I was in my own little bubble with no one there but Erik and myself.

Hey guys hope you like this.

My exams start next week so this will be my last update for about three weeks. i will update as soon as i can though. I know this is a wee bit short but i didn't want to leave you all hanging.

Thanks for the reviews :-) and feedback on this would be great.