"Perfection…always perfection.

Nothing less would ever do in anything at which Erik set his mind to.

He had currently set his mind to healing in the most perfect way he could…

And even now as he sleeps in his deathbed, I can see that he is doing just that….

Heal perfectly or not at all…that is Erik's way."-Excerption straight from the diary of Christine Daae.

Christine's POV

My Erik, my poor, poor Erik! I never expected all of this to happen. I was just putting Eudora to bed when I heard a knock at the door. It was someone from the infirmary, informing me that Erik had been gravely hurt. I told my daughter to stay put, and rushed to Erik's side. When I saw the damage that had been done to him, I could do nothing more than cry. I was told there was a chance he would die, but I wouldn't give up on him. After his operation, I stayed by his side as he slept. I knew there was nothing more I could do to help him, he was in God's hands now. But something was boiling through my blood. The thought of Meg and what she had caused my Erik angered me beyond anyone's imagination. That bitch who was supposed to be my friend stood there and let all of this happen to her boss, and my lover! No, this wouldn't stay as it was!

When Erik was taken away for his second surgery, I left the infirmary to find Meg. My blood was boiling hot as I trudged through the freezing cold to get to the opera house. That's where Erik had been hurt, and that's where I was going! When I barged through the doors, discarded clothing and confetti covered floors greeted me. Erik surely had a heart attack after seeing everything like it was. I tried to clean up as I walked along, picking up the discarded clothing, and folding it in my arms. Perhaps Meg wasn't here after all. But when I arrived in the auditorium, it was a completely different story. There was Meg, kneeling on the stage, scrubbing out what seemed to be blood stains….blood that most likely came from my angel. I didn't say a single word as I marched right up on stage and slapped the traitor straight in the face.

This had caught her by surprise. She felt her cheek, and looked up at me, nearly falling over the bucket of water she was cleaning with.

"After all he's done for you!" I scowled. "After all the kindness Erik has shown, and this is how you repay him? Take advantage of his park while he's out of the country trying to patch things up with me!"

Meg was speechless. I guess she figured everything would change if she scrubbed away the bloodstains that were all over the stage.

"Ch…Christine I never thought…I never knew things would go the way they did. I tried to stop them! I swear this to you."

I could hear the emotion within Meg's voice, but I wasn't forgiving her. How could I?

"You bitch! How could you take advantage of Erik's park like that! Do you know what the papers are going to say? Or what his good name will be turned into!"

"I…I knew you weren't coming home until the end of December, Christine. I…I was going to have the opera house cleaned up by then, I swear."

Once more, I slapped Meg across the face.

"You think that changes things! You think that changes the fact that Erik, my love, and the father of my daughter is laying in a hospital bed."

I was in tears now.

"Two surgeries, Meg…..Two major surgeries he's had to go through just to take out the chair leg that your customers put into him…..Did you ever think that maybe one of Erik's loyal employees were going to rat you out? We came home because of all this….."

"I'm sorry, Christine…."

"And what is this?"

I motioned to the bucket of soapy water.

"Did you actually think that Erik would forgive you by cleaning this up? For god sakes, Meg, you've ruined his fucking name! What are people going to think about his park now that they know what went on here for a few weeks. Erik is a good man, and you've not only caused him weeks of recovery, but also his name…"

"Christine, please…..I wouldn't have done it if I knew things would be this way, honest."

I turned my back, trying to refrain myself from hitting her again.

"Christine, please, you must believe me…..We're friends."

"Friends!" I turned to her, my fist inches away from her face again. "Friends, Meg! Friends don't do things like this! Friends don't hurt each other! We…..are no longer friends. Stay away from my family!"

It was then, that I kicked the bucket of soapy water over, causing it to spill everywhere.

"And get the hell out of this opera house. I'll see to it that you never sing in Phantasma ever again."

I had expected Meg to try everything to win me back as her friend, but she left me alone. For the first few weeks, I expected her to show up at anytime, but she didn't. Which, I was glad about because I had Erik to care for. He spent two weeks in the infirmary, most nights on death's door. My daughter wondered constantly about him, but I didn't let her near him. He was sick enough without having Eudora crawling all over him. With the help of heavy sedation, his pneumonia had passed, leaving him with nothing more than the common cold. He didn't speak much, but when the doctor told him he was aloud to go home, I had offered to let him stay with me. Of course, Erik being the stubborn man that he was, refused. But he needed someone to clean out his wounds, and keep an eye on his illness. Under doctor's orders, he wasn't aloud to leave his flat until his cold completely went away. Though, I was glad that his bruises and wounds kept him in bed most of the time. I made it my ritual to check on him twice a day, and most of the times, I entered his flat to find him in bed asleep.

It had been nearly a month since his accident, and almost Christmas. I had kept Eudora occupied most days with either ice skating on the Phantasma pond, decorating our flat, or Christmas shopping with her. All day long I had been wanting to check on Erik, but wanted to make sure Eudora was entertained. After taking her into town for some lunch, I let her play on the Phantasma playground so I could check on Erik.

"Love, you stay here and play on the slide for a while." I told her. "I'm going to check on Erik."

"But mother, can't I come?"

"He's still sick, and I don't want you catching what ever it is he has. I'll be down in a little bit, Eudora."

My daughter sighed, and continued playing.

"Tell him I said hello."

I smiled, and began my walk up the stairs to Erik's flat. After unlocking the door with a key he kept under the mat for me, I picked up the morning newspaper and entered the warm flat before taking off my cloak to hang it over the fire to get warm. I peeked around the corner, expecting him to be in bed, but he wasn't there.

"Erik?" I kindly called out his name, waiting for his reply, but I only heard a low coughing.

I walked around the corner, and saw him sitting at his desk with a blanket wrapped over his shoulders. What in God's name was he doing out of bed? He was deathly pale, and had a steaming cup of tea set beside him, along with a half eaten sandwich sitting on a plate.

"Hey, you're up."

I caressed his neck gently from behind, and placed a kiss to his cheek.

"So I am…" he softly replied, continuing to write down what ever he was working on.

"And eating?" I teased, fingering the plate that held his sandwich. Erik never ate….His medicine must have made him hungry.

"Don't sound so surprised, Christine. I do eat, you know."

"Barely Erik."

"And where is Eudora?"

I turned my head to look out the window to check on our daughter who was still playing on the sliding board.

"Playing on the Phantasma playground."

After watching Eudora slide down once more, I turned back to Erik, and placed the rolled up news paper down in front of him.

"I brought the newspaper in for you. Some reading material for when you're in bed."

Erik didn't even pay mind to it, and threw it into a pile with all the other discarded rolled up newspapers.

"Erik, you can't keep avoiding the papers like this."

"Yes, I can and I will." he said sternly. "I can't get mad at what I don't see."

"But you can't change anything if you don't at least look at what they are saying."

I tried to reach for the paper, but Erik stopped me.

"Touch that damn paper and it'll be the last thing you do, Christine."

Instead of attempting to read the paper, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed his malformed cheek.

"Erik, we'll take care of your name by the time Phantasma opens for spring."

"Why bother. Everyone already knows what I am…or at least they think they do. Thanks to Meg, everyone thinks I enjoy letting my dancers romp naked on stage."

"Erik, I know what you are."

"Right. But the press could care less about who I really am."

Erik continued writing, and I checked out the window to make sure Eudora was still playing.

"Come on, Erik, lets clean out your wound and get you your medicine."

He coughed, and stood up. Our usual routine consisted of him walking to his bedroom, me cleaning out his surgery wound and giving him his cough medicine. While I went into the bathroom for his brandy and wash bowl, Erik sat on the end of his bed unbuttoning his shirt. When I came back, I sat the wash bowl down on the night table, and began unwrapping his bandage, being gentle not to hurt him.

When the bandage was off, I gazed down at the two long surgery scars that were placed on his right side. The stitches were still black and gross looking, but I knew they would soon turn into lumpy scars just like the ones he had all over the rest of his body. I took a wash cloth, and drenched it in the brandy before dabbing it over the two scars. The doctor told me I needed to keep Erik's wounds cleaned out to avoid infection.

To take away some of the discomfort on his body, I dabbed the bruises that were spread throughout his stomach and chest from being trampled on.

"How's your body been feeling lately?" I asked.

"Sore."

I reached over on the night table, and poured his cough medicine into a spoon.

"Here…"

He opened his mouth to accept the plum colored liquid, and laid back against his pillows. The doctor told me the medicine was going to make him drowsy, and ever since I've been giving it to him, he's taken a nap right after.

"Get some rest, Erik."

I covered him up, and turned to leave when his hand grabbed my own.

"Christine….wait…"

I turned, wondering what he wanted.

"I…Um…Thank you, Christine. For taking care of me that is."

"Nothing you wouldn't do for me." I said, smiling at him.

"I…I know I can't go out until my illness clears, but….would you perhaps come back for dinner tonight?"

It was a tempting offer, but I couldn't possibly leave Eudora.

"I shouldn't, Erik…..Eudora…"

"Can come here. Wait until she falls asleep and bring her here. You can put her in the other room."

"Erik, are you asking me on a date?" I giggled.

"If you're going to joke like that then forget I even offered."

Once more I kissed him on the cheek.

"Erik, I'm only teasing. Laughter is the best medicine you know."

"Ha Ha, very funny, Christine. I feel better already…" he sarcastically replied.

"I'll accept your offer then, and will be back tonight."

After locking his flat, I rejoined Eudora who was still playing.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Where?" she questioned, falling into the snow.

"Well, tomorrow is Christmas eve, don't you think we should go home and wrap uncle Erik's gifts?"

Eudora immediately got up off the ground, and pulled me towards our flat.

"Yes, yes, mother, we should. Can I do it?"

"You can help me, love…"

Once home, I hung Eudora's wet clothing over the fire to dry as she played with Skimbleshanks. On our Christmas shopping outing, I had visited the music shop with Eudora to pick out something for Erik. Before we left for Paris, I had noticed that Erik's violin needed new strings. The instrument was extremely old and worn, and when I insisted on buying him a new one, he became very angry.

"You wouldn't throw a person out in the trash when they get old!" he angrily exclaimed.

So if Erik didn't want to part with the worn piece of junk, the least I could do was buy him some new parts to repair it with. Eudora picked out the gold colored parts, and I paid for them. This would be a gift from me, but I also wanted to get another gift…..one that could be from Eudora. But when I brought this up to our daughter, she insisted on making Erik something.

Eudora sat in front of me as I wrapped the box filled with Erik's violin parts. She folded the colorful paper with her small fingers as I taped the ends.

"Uncle is really going to love this!" our daughter exclaimed.

"Yes, I believe he will."

"Will we be spending Christmas with him?"

My daughter turned to me, a look of sadness displayed on her face.

"If your uncle is up to it."

"That means no…."

"Eudora, don't think like that. Your uncle is very sick, love."

After sealing the final end of the gift, I set it aside and took out another piece of wrapping paper.

"Now where is your gift that you made uncle Erik?"

"It's a surprise…you can't see it, or else the surprise will be ruined."

My daughter took the piece of wrapping paper, and ran to her side of the room.

"I wants to wrap it myself, mother."

I didn't argue with Eudora, and let her do what she wanted. While she was occupied with Erik's present, I decided to make something for dinner to bring over to Erik's. Deciding on bread and broth, I heated up everything, and poured it into a container. It was such a cute thing to see my daughter passed out all over her spare wrapping shreds. But laying beside her hand was the small rectangular shaped gift. I knew Erik would love what ever she made him…After wrapping her cloak around her small body, I lifted her sleeping form into my arms and carried her all the way to Erik's flat with our dinner being carried by my other arm.

Once inside, I laid Eudora down in what has become her "visiting bedroom." Some nights I had to work late hours, and Erik would take her for the night. When she had begun spending frequent nights in his flat, he built her a bedroom and painted the walls pink and purple. He called it "Eudora's princess palace." When Eudora stepped into that very room, she was so excited. There were dolls and a cradle to put them in…..anything her little heart could ever desire. And every time she is told she must spend the night with Erik, she doesn't mind at all….Eudora loved her room.

I covered her up, and closed the door to begin my search for Erik.

"Erik?" I placed our dinner down on the kitchen counter, and began looking around.

"Erik, I'm here…."

"I'll be out in a few minutes." was the reply I got.

I poked my head into his bedroom to see that the bathroom light was on.

"Are you ok?" I called.

"Yes, just getting a bath."

"Ok, I'll be out in the family room waiting for you. If you need me just yell."

I was going to sit in his armchair, but I couldn't help but notice how filthy his flat was becoming. It had been a little cluttered before, but that was Erik's usual habit. But now that Erik was sick, his kitchen and work area had began looking like a living hell. His desk was covered in so much paper that I couldn't even see the desk. The shelves above it were also covered in dust. Quickly, I took out his feather duster, and began moving it across his desk and over the shelves that had picture frames sitting on them. After piling up some of the paper on his desk, I took the folded up newspapers and brought them to the lit fireplace. I threw every one into the fire…all of them, except the one I had tried giving him this morning.

I checked the hallway one last time to make sure he wasn't coming before unfolding the paper and looking at what the morning's headline said.

"Mysterious Mister E Locks himself in home after several week Phantasma-ran Brothel."

This was absolutely appalling. How could they even think that! I should have thrown the newspaper in the fire, but instead, I continued reading.

"No one has seen the mysterious owner of Phantasma after the newly opened nude dancing- brothel style gentlemen's club was suddenly closed just weeks ago. It opened with Phantasma star Meg Giry stripping and singing onstage with a house full of excited men just dying to get inside. Phantasma was once known for its "clean" and "family friendly" attractions, but what everyone is wondering, is "Why?" Why would Mister E open such a place after being family oriented for fifteen years? The money? Or is it the fact that the rumor of him being too hideous to get a woman has finally come true. Not once in fifteen years has anyone walking around Phantasma seen Mister E walking hand in hand with a woman. These are the questions and rumors yet to be answered. But one thing is certainly for sure….Phantasma is no longer family friendly…"

After reading such garbage, I angrily threw it into the fire, and watched the flames eat away the horrible writing. How could they say such mean things about Erik like that? My poor Erik had worked so hard to be like everyone else, and instead, his good name is destroyed all because of something that wasn't his fault.

I took my anger to the kitchen, and began cleaning the stack of dirty dishes he had piled up beside the sink.

"I asked you to join me for dinner, Christine." came Erik's voice from the doorway. "Not become my maid."

I turned my head to see him standing there in the doorway dressed in his finest suit, mask and wig placed on him ever so neatly. He looked so handsome that it was hard to tell that there was anything wrong with him at all.

"I'm sorry, the kitchen was a mess."

I wiped my hands on a spare towel.

"I'll get around to it eventually."

I approached him, and smelled the musty cologne that was fermenting around him.

"You smell absolutely wonderful, Erik."

I seductively ran my hands up the lining of his silk jacket, causing his breathing to intensify.

"Could….we perhaps sit down?" he asked. "I feel weak."

"Yes…" I quickly pulled out a chair from the table, and he sat down. I took the container of broth, and fetched two bowls from the cabinet.

"Christine, please, that's not necessary at the moment." he told me. "It's as if you're becoming my maid again instead of my dinner date."

I poured him a glass of water, and then one for myself.

"Nonsense, Erik."

When I seated myself, I began eating, only to feel Erik's hand reach over for my own.

"Christine, please…..please don't rush this."

I placed my spoon into my bowl, and looked up to see Erik's eyes filled with sorrow.

"What am I rushing?" I softly asked.

"This….." he motioned to our dinner. "I don't want it to go so fast. I've been waiting to get well enough to share this moment with you for nearly a month. I…I don't want it to go by so quickly."

"I'm sorry, Erik, I should have thought about that."

"It's perfectly fine….really…."

Erik picked up his spoon, and began to slowly eat his meal.

"You look extremely handsome tonight, Erik."

His eyes looked up from his broth.

"And you look beautiful as always."

I couldn't help but blush….I always blushed when ever Erik said such kind things to me.

"Christmas eve is tomorrow, Erik." I began. "It be nice to spend it together as a family."

"You know…you know I can't leave the flat, Christine."

"I didn't mean over my house, Erik. Eudora and I would love to spend Christmas here."

Erik looked around his dark and undecorated home before turning back to face me.

"It's not Christmassy enough, Christine. Why should we even let our child wake here on Christmas morning to no decorations and no tree?"

I lifted his chin, not taking no for an answer.

"Erik, Christmas isn't about decorations. It's about being together as a family. If you were well, we'd have Christmas at our place, but since you're not, we'll settle with having it here. As long as you're with us, that's all that matters."

"If that is what you wish, Christine."

"Erik, when can I move back in here with you?"

"It's….it's an extremely hard thing to tell you, Christine. I…I don't think you'll ever be able to move back in."

"But why? Why, Erik?"

"Because of the rumors and horrible things that will be said about it. In order for you to be left alone and live here peacefully, we would have to be married…."

"Then let's do it…" I cried. "Let us be together as we should!"

"And what? Be known as the wife of a monster? Be known as a whore?"

"You know that I'm not!"

"But the words will hurt me, Christine. I will not be the lover you want if I go around hearing such horrible words. I will be miserable all the time, and it will only lead us to more problems in our relationship than we already have."

I stood up to clear our dishes, and when I turned back around, Erik was standing behind me. We didn't say two words to one another as we stood there looking into one another's eyes. But I could tell what we both wanted without saying it…. Erik backed me up against the counter, and feverishly kissed me. This was like the kiss we had once shared on the night we made love years ago. I groaned into his mouth, as he did the same…..His tongue dancing with my own, his lips pressing harder and harder to mine. I didn't care, I wanted him….I wanted to have him so badly that my fingers began unbuttoning his jacket.

When he felt this sensation, his hands placed themselves at my side, and hoisted me up onto the counter top. His crotch was aligned with my own, as I wrapped my legs around his waist to bring him even closer to me. His lips were now running across my chest, as my hands dug underneath his wig to feel the gray hairs on top of his head.

"I…I love you, Erik…."

"Oh, Christine, Mon Ange, say it again." he groaned.

"I love you, Erik…."

"Christine, I believe I won't be able to control myself if we don't stop." he warned, kissing my neck.

"Then let's not."

I hopped down from the counter, and pressed my lips to his own.

"I wish to cherish this moment, Christine…"

"And you will. We have all night. Just give me a few moments to get ready…"

I was about to say something else, but Erik's lips touched my own again.

"Don't keep your Erik waiting too long…."

With that, he slipped into the hall, and I dashed into the bathroom, anticipating the sensation I have been dying to feel again for years…..

Ok I hope this chapter makes up for the last one. Fluff to come people! Please review!