Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me (though I think if it were up to him, he wouldn't belong to anyone), only my own characters do.
Author's Note:
To foxgodess07: Let's just say that Ms. Christine will have a change of attitude in this chapter.
To LittleMargarita: Meg did dance, but I can only fit so much into a chapter. We'll have more Meg coming up in the next arc, don't worry. Christine will definitely do some growing up, wait till you read the conversation she has with S'ray.
To GigiMusic: Well, the annoyance will be going home to her hubby soon and wait till you read the conversation between her and S'ray.
To Evening Starbossa: Glad you finally caught up and here's the next chapter as promised.
Welcome and thanks to LoveExists for adding me as a favorite author and to TalbotWolf, ItamiAngel-chan, Cheshire417, and PhanGirl97 for adding this as a favorite story. I hope you enjoy the story and keep reading.
And special thanks to Evening Starbossa for letting her "Erik" read and review up to chapter 14. Please take a look at "In Dreams He Came" to see what happens when Erik meets the Phan Fic World.
And the winning subject for my next artwork for Phantom of the Glen is. . . Christine fainting in the kitchen between the Brownies.
You can also see more artwork on my DeviantArt Page. Just look for Tamster73 for users or do a search on Phantom of the Glen. I've posted pictures of the vampires on there so you can get an idea of what they look like. Plus you can see my guy dressed up as the Phantom as well (he's so darn cute when he does things like that).
Thanks to all who have read and reviewed; the more you review, the faster I write the next chapter. Now, on to the next chapter.
Phantom of the Glen
Chapter 34
Time to Leave
"Why is it that you bring Erik breakfast, but not me?" Tavlyn complained as he leaned against the open barn door.
"Well, I suppose I could bring you a tray," she sighed.
"But then you wouldn't get to eat by Meg," Erik finished for her with a smirk.
"Ah, right, forgot about that perk," the one-eyed Alve said brightening. "Besides inside I don't have to listen to you two being all lovey-dovey."
Erik rolled his eyes and S'ray bit back a laugh as Tavlyn walked back to the house for his breakfast.
"You really are spoiling me," Erik sighed as they sat beneath the tree.
"Shut up and take it," S'ray laughed, handing him a cup of coffee.
"Not that I have much choice," he grinned, "with Antoinette being but a wall away from us.
"I didn't hear any complaints last night," she frowned.
"Darling," he said leaning over and kissing her cheek. "I am going to be the last man to ever complain about making love with a beautiful woman."
"Eat your breakfast Erik, it's getting cold," she smiled and leaned back on the grass. "I'll deal with you later."
"After everyone else is gone of course?" he asked.
"Of course," S'ray smirked. "Maybe I'll sic Luniana on you."
Erik's eyes widened and he quickly swallowed his mouthful. "You wouldn't dare," he said.
"Wouldn't I? Guess you'll just have to find out later," she grinned.
"I heard that you wanted to see me," Christine said as she stood in the door to the study.
"Oh yes," Erik said rising. "Come in, have a seat Madame."
"Before you say anything Erik," she said sitting on the divan. "I would like to apologize for my behavior the night I arrived here. I know that you and S'ray had an argument because of it and I apologize for causing any trouble between the two of you. I am a married woman and should not have been so free with my affections with a man who is not my husband. Again, I am sincerely sorry for my actions."
Erik was surprised to say the least, he had not asked for her to see him to get an apology for kissing him. It seemed that in a very short time, Christine was starting to mature into a woman from the doted upon child he had sent off with the Vicomte those many months ago. "I thank you for your apology and accept it," he said leaning against the desk. "Though that's not what I wanted to see you about."
"Then what did you wish Maestro?" she asked and then blushed. "I mean, Erik."
"That you may call me," he smiled. "When I was back in my home under the opera, I came across these drawings that I had done over the years and thought you would like to have them." He reached behind himself and drew forth a folder containing the drawings that were until lately pinned to the wall of his work area.
"May I?" she asked accepting the folder.
"Of course," he nodded.
She opened the folder and began leafing through the pictures. "They're all of me," she exclaimed softly. "From when I first came to the opera till just before, just before. . ."
"Just before Don Juan," he finished for her.
"You did all these?" she asked amazement in her voice.
Erik nodded his head once in reply.
"I. . .I. . .I don't know what to say. You spent so much time, I can't take these," she stammered.
"Yes you can, they're yours now to do with as you wish," he said. "Keep them, hide them, throw them in the fire if you really wish; they are yours now."
"I. . .thank you Erik, thank you very much," she smiled closing the folder. "I think I shall keep them to show my children what I was like as a child and what it was like to live in an opera house and be a ballerina and a singer too if only for a little while."
"I'm going to miss this place," Meg sighed as she walked along the stream with Tavlyn.
"You can come back," he smiled, "I'm sure Erik and S'ray won't mind."
"I know," she replied, "but I'll still miss it."
"I could come and see you in the city," he ventured as they paused in the shade of a willow.
"Would you really?" Meg asked, a smile lighting her features.
"I would," Tavlyn replied with a nod.
"And being in the city wouldn't hurt you?" she asked. "I remember Cyd saying that being underground wasn't good for S'ray."
"No, it wouldn't bother me," he smiled. "In fact, Elves have cities of their own; I grew up in a large Elven city."
"Oh, I didn't know, I'm sorry," she said, her cheeks coloring red at her own ignorance.
"Don't be, you couldn't have known," he said stepping closer to her.
"Will you watch me dance?" she asked.
"If Erik allows me the use of his box, otherwise I would be happy to pay to see you on stage in all your glory," Tavlyn replied stroking her long blonde hair.
"You would really do that?" Meg asked eyes wide with wonder.
"Of course," he smiled putting his arms around her.
"Tavlyn," she whispered.
"Yes?" he replied leaning closer to her.
Meg slipped her arms around his neck and closed the distance between them by pressing her lips to his.
The Elf was a bit surprised at first, but then tightened his arms around her and returned her kiss. He grinned to himself when he felt her tongue slid across his lips. He parted them and was even more surprised when she slipped her tongue into his mouth tentatively. Tavlyn cupped her cheek with his hand as her fingers tangled in his unbound hair.
Luniana saw red, there was that blonde bimbo kissing her Tavlyn. And what was worse he wasn't stopping her. She stamped her tiny foot in the air; darn that man, he seemed to be enjoying the kiss. With a tiny huff of anger, she flew off into the trees.
"Um S'ray," Christine said standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Yes?" the Elf replied folding her dish towel before turning to look at the young human.
"Do you remember when you told me about coming undone and making love?" she asked playing with the cuffs of her sleeves.
"Of course," S'ray replied putting the towel next to the sink.
"Could you, I mean, would you tell me some more?" the young woman stammered. "I would understand if you don't want to of course, it's really not right to pry about things like that."
"Of course, we can talk some more about that if you'd like," S'ray smiled. "How about we go somewhere private where we can talk with out being disturbed?"
"Please," Christine said eagerly and followed the Elf.
"Erik, could I talk with you for a bit?" Madame Giry said as she stood in the open door of the study.
"Of course Antoinette," he said rising from the piano bench. "What can I do for you?"
"It's about Meg and your one-eyed friend," she said entering the study.
"Please sit down," he said motioning to the divan. "You mean Tavlyn, of course."
"Thank you," she said taking the offered seat. "Yes Tavlyn and Meg."
"What seems to be the trouble? Has he done or said anything wrong?" Erik asked.
"No, nothing yet," she sighed. "Erik, she's my only child, and perhaps I'm being over protective of her, but I don't want her hurt."
Erik nodded as she continued.
"What do you know about him? Is he a womanizer? Is he after one thing from her like many of her admirers?" she asked as he sat in the chair across from her.
"Tavlyn is a good man Antoinette," he started, carefully considering how much he should reveal about the Elf. "But like all men he has his own share of faults."
"What are his intentions toward my daughter?" she asked.
"They are honorable, I can assure you," Erik replied. "I already had a discussion with him about that."
"Are you certain Erik?" she asked, still apprehensive.
"Yes, Antoinette," he said. "He really does like Meg and wants to get to know her better. I've seen him around other women he's been interested in, but he acts completely different with Meg."
"Good, because I'm holding you to your promise to protect her like Jacques would have," she said.
"You know I would never let this progress if I didn't trust Tavlyn to be a gentleman around her," he replied.
"I know, but I'm still her mother and I worry," she sighed.
Raoul paced in front of the fireplace of his study, the ashes from the burnt paper seeming to mock him. It had been three days since the silver-haired man or dragon or whatever he was had left with a promise to return Christine to him. He was irked to no end to know that she was with the Phantom even now, falling under his spell once again.
He slammed his fist against the mantle in frustration and then grimaced as pain shot through his still healing shoulder. What would he do if she came back to him and then left again, going back to that monster? Did the Phantom even want her anymore? He wasn't so sure anymore.
The Phantom was as much a mystery as he had ever been, even more now. What he had assumed to be just a man was perhaps not so much anymore or was he more than mortal? Raoul didn't know and he didn't like not knowing. He had seen with his own eyes that the monster was obviously attracted to the Elf and she to him. But he still couldn't believe that the Phantom was no longer interested in Christine. Perhaps it was because she was married and he knew that Raoul had been with her and felt he couldn't compete with a whole man.
He began to feel another headache coming on and quickly changed his train of thought. The new season at the opera would begin in a month's time and there was still no inkling of what the first production would be. And with the Phantom way out in Fontainebleau Forest, he could safely take Christine to see a performance.
Would tonight be the night? Would his beloved Christine be returned to him finally? The Vicomte rubbed his aching shoulder and kept looking to the garden, expecting to see a dragon land at any moment. How ridiculous, he almost laughed; waiting for a dragon just like in one of the fairy stories Gustave Daae had told them when they were children.
A knock at the door started him. "Yes," he imperiously said.
"Will you be needing anything else this evening sir?" Renaud the butler asked.
"No Renaud, you may retire for the evening," Raoul sighed and sat in one of the chairs by the fireplace.
"Very well sir," the manservant answered from the other side of the door.
Raoul sighed; it was going to be a long night again.
Luniana flittered into the room and perched on the vanity mirror. "Did I hear some naughty talk in here?" she squeaked.
"Depends on what you call naughty talk," S'ray said looking up at the mirror.
"As in," she giggled and made a gesture indicating the activity in question.
"Yes Luniana, we're talking about sex," the Alve sighed.
"And who needs advice?" she twittered looking directly at Christine and blinking innocently.
The young woman blushed brightly in response.
"So what are you on?" the Pixie continued. "Intercourse? Fellatio? Cunnilingus? Masturbation?"
"Luniana, I was trying to keep this a bit less shocking," S'ray sighed at the Pixie's bluntness.
"So less shocking than seeing Erik fuck you in the kitchen?" she squeaked.
Christine turned an even deeper shade of red at that memory.
"Luniana!" S'ray scolded.
"Um, that's not all I've, ah, seen," Christine stammered quietly.
"Someone's been peeking," Luniana giggled and pointed at Christine.
S'ray's eyes widened in surprise at this revelation. "When was this?" she asked.
"Umm, last night," the young woman said chewing on her lower lip nervously.
"How much did you see?"
"Enough, but not everything."
"Not a word to Erik or anyone else from you," S'ray sternly told the Pixie.
"Aww," she pouted. "I would never say anything. Besides, it's not like I haven't seen you ride Erik like the wild stallion he is or heard you scream his name when he licks your honey pot."
"You are not the same as Christine here."
"Obviously," the Pixie smirked.
"So where were we? Oh yes, before you can tell a man what you like, you have to know what you like," S'ray explained turning back to the young human again.
"But how do I find out what I like?" Christine asked puzzled.
"Like this!" Luniana squeaked eagerly and hiked up her skirts. Then she slid her hand between her thighs and began stroking herself. "It feels good, try it."
Christine was grateful that she was already sitting down when the Pixie began masturbating in front of them. She looked to S'ray with the obvious question in her big brown eyes.
"You mean you've never pleasured yourself?" the Elf asked incredulously.
"No, never," she replied with a shake of her head.
"You do realize that men do that all the time," S'ray said. "Even Erik does that."
"Erik did it every chance he had before you finally bedded him," Luniana twittered still stroking herself. "Mmm, now there's an image."
"Only when you and the Brownies left him alone long enough for him to do that," S'ray sighed.
"He's cute when he's mad," the Pixie chirped.
"He's even cuter when he's horny," the Elf smiled. "Anyway, yes you learn by touching yourself. I would recommend doing it when you won't be disturbed, like in the bath and you can always lock the door just to be certain no one will just walk in on you."
"I can do that, but once I find out what I like how do I tell him?" Christine asked.
"You tell him, though from my experience it's usually best to just take them by the hand and show them or have them watch you do it first," S'ray smiled.
"Yeah, they like watching," Luniana giggled.
"You mean you've done . . . that . . . with Erik watching you?" the young soprano asked, her eyes growing wide.
"Of course," the older woman replied.
"And he helps sometimes too," Luniana added with another giggle.
Christine just looked at her in shock.
"Well, they get to a certain point watching and they can't help themselves anymore and before you know it, you're undone," S'ray explained smiling at the memory.
"You mean they can actually do that to you without . . . without . . . putting their you-know in you?" she asked in wonder.
S'ray was about to answer when the Pixie gasped aloud and arched her back in release.
"Did she just?" the brunette asked.
"Yes," the Elf nodded.
"Uh-huh, it was good," the Pixie cooed.
"So yes, you can come undone without being penetrated," S'ray said answering Christine's previous question.
"True," Luniana chimed in. "But you do seem to enjoy Erik's fingers."
"Yes," S'ray sighed, Luniana was divulging far too much information for her taste about what she and Erik did in bed. "You can also use your own fingers when pleasuring yourself."
"But I wouldn't try self-cunny, you're not flexible enough," Luniana giggled.
Christine looked at S'ray questioningly.
"Never mind her," the Alve said with a dismissive wave of her hand toward the Pixie.
Luniana stuck her tongue out in reply.
"Now on to cunnilingus," S'ray said.
"About time," Luniana chirped. "You're gonna like that."
"You will like it, trust me," S'ray smiled.
"Umm, is that what he was doing when he was kissing your secret place?" Christine asked.
"Yes, he can also lick and suck and nibble on you, even breathing on your cunny can feel good at a certain point," she explained.
"Why would a man want to do that?" the young woman asked.
"To get you hot," the Pixie chimed in.
"Several reasons really," S'ray explained. "First, as Luniana said, to get you excited because when you're excited you become very slick and that makes actual sex much more comfortable and pleasurable for you."
"The wetter the better," Luniana summed up.
"Very true Luniana," S'ray agreed. "Second, a man does that because it gets him excited as well and if he wants to make love to you then he should want to touch you all over when he makes love to you."
"But isn't something like that . . . well . . . dirty?" Christine asked.
"You wash yourself frequently and before bed, yes?"
"Of course."
"Then what's dirty about it? If making love wasn't supposed to be pleasurable then you wouldn't feel pleasure when you're touched there," she replied.
"I suppose, but I still don't understand how you get a man to do that if he's never shown an inclination to do it in the first place," the brunette sighed. "How do you ask for something like that?"
"Is he stupid?" Luniana asked perplexed as to why a man wouldn't want to do that.
"Well, with Erik I've never had to ask he just does that because he likes it. Though with my first husband, it took a little urging at times," S'ray sighed.
"What do you do?" Christine asked.
"When they're kissing your breasts, just start to push them down toward your stomach. Keep moving them down gradually and before they know what's happening they're kissing your cunny," she replied.
"And then licking it if they know what's good for them," the Pixie twittered.
"Now, after he's made you come undone, you can surprise him and return the favor," S'ray smiled.
"They usually expect that anyway," Luniana added.
Christine looked puzzled for a bit and then her eyes widened in shock. "No," she said shaking her head, "I don't think I could do that."
"Sure you can," the Elf urged.
"But isn't that something only prostitutes do?" she asked.
"No, certainly not," S'ray frowned.
"But. . ."
"There are tricks you can use to make it more pleasant for you," she smiled.
"How?"
"A little jam on his erection does wonders and it's a lot of fun watching him squirm while you make sure you get it all licked off," S'ray grinned.
"And it makes him taste really nummy too," the Pixie cooed.
"Yes it does," S'ray nodded.
"So you put it in your mouth?" Christine asked, still shocked.
"And suck, that's important," Luniana said.
"If you want to practice, use a candy stick," S'ray suggested. "And after you this to him the first time, he'll never look at you the same when you have a candy stick again."
"Or a pickle in your case," Luniana smirked.
"Only because someone ate all the candy sticks," S'ray frowned.
"Opps," Luniana giggled.
"And to tell the truth, he won't look at you the same when you're sucking or licking anything after that first time," S'ray sighed.
"How do you know when to stop?" Christine asked.
"After he comes undone is a good time to stop," the Elf answered matter-of-factly.
Christine looked at S'ray with a mix of shock and disgust on her face. "You mean he does that in your mouth?" she asked appalled.
"Yes, after all if he performs cunnilingus right, you'll come in his," she replied. "It's OK, you get used to it after the first couple of times."
"Uh-huh, though I did Tavlyn once when he was big and it was a bit more than I could swallow," Luniana said. "But I bet with Erik being bigger, there's even more."
"True and his being only half-Faye means he needs more time to recover afterward than Tavlyn does," S'ray added.
"Recover?" the young woman asked puzzled.
"Men need to rest in between performances," S'ray smiled. "That can be very enjoyable too. Erik and I usually lay close to each other and kiss and caress and before I even realize it, he's ready to go again."
"How many times can a man do that a night?" Christine questioned.
"Depends on the man really," S'ray started.
"Yeah, we can come undone 20-30 times and still want more, but men can only do 2, maybe 5 if you're lucky," the Pixie sighed.
"Five?"
"Sure, Erik did seven one night," S'ray smirked.
"Doesn't count, he had help," Luniana chirped.
"Fine, but he's done five times more than once," S'ray countered.
"Took him all day," the Pixie smirked.
"Again, he's only half-Faye, what do you expect?"
"Obviously much more, not that Tavlyn's much better, but he's getting old," Luniana sighed.
"He's an Alve, not a Brownie," S'ray reasoned.
"I know, that's why I chase him," she chirped.
"So, now we're on to sex itself," S'ray smiled. "What positions do you and your husband use?"
"Positions?" Christine asked, her eyes growing wide. "You mean there's more than one?"
"Oh, there are many, many positions to make love in," S'ray explained. "I'm guessing you just use missionary with him lying on top of you on the bed?"
"Well, yes," she sighed, resigned to the fact that she had been missing out on something that was supposed to be very pleasurable.
"Boring," Luniana chirped from her perch on the mirror.
"So how else can you make love?" Christine asked a bit more relaxed now that they were discussing something she was a bit more familiar with.
"Like I said, many ways," S'ray replied.
"How many?" the singer naively asked.
"I don't know for sure, I've only paged through one of Erik's books on the subject and didn't bother counting," she replied leaning back in her chair. "But Erik and I try to never make love in the same position twice."
"I still don't think you can learn all that from a book," Luniana frowned.
"It's a very detailed book," S'ray replied.
"There are books about making love?" Christine asked.
"Oh yes, I was surprised at first too. I thought it was something you just handed down from mothers to daughters and fathers to sons," S'ray said with a wave of her hand. "However, Erik proved me wrong and his books even have pictures."
Christine blushed bright red.
"He's a man dearie, not an angel and men like sex," S'ray said.
"Erik likes sex a lot," Luniana purred.
"Anyway, you saw Erik and me in the kitchen with me sitting on the counter and he was standing. Now that only works if the cupboard or whatever piece of sturdy furniture you're using is at the right height for him," S'ray explained.
"I don't think we could do that with his family and the servants around," she sighed.
"You could always ride him, that's when he lays on his back on the bed or floor and you straddle him," the Elf suggested.
"Bucking bronco, bucking bronco," Luniana screeched.
"Bucking bronco?" Christine asked.
"Yes, that's actually really, really fun," S'ray smiled. "You play this when you're on top of him. You challenge him to buck you off, but he can't use his hands to do it."
"What happens if he does it?" the brunette asked.
"Oh he won't, in fact he'll loose on purpose," the older woman grinned.
"Why?"
"It feels too good to buck you off," she smiled. "Try it and you'll understand."
"I see," the soprano said mulling over the possibilities. "How else can you make love?"
"Almost anyway you can think of, use your imagination," S'ray replied.
"Doggy style is fun," Luniana chimed in.
"You mean on your hands and knees on the floor?" Christine asked.
"Or on the bed, that's more comfortable," the Elf suggested.
"I've heard you can do it standing up, is that true?" the younger woman asked.
"Oh yes and sitting on his lap facing him with your legs wrapped around his waist. It takes a lot longer that way, but it's definitely worth it," S'ray smiled.
"I'm going to miss you both," Christine sniffed as she hugged Madame Giry and Meg.
"It will only be for a little while," Madame Giry replied.
"Yes, you'll have to come to Opening Night," Meg beamed.
"I will, I will, even if I have to go by myself," the brunette promised.
"Good, that's what I like to hear," Madame Giry smiled. "You're growing up and taking charge of your marriage."
"And if she has any problems she'll know how to contact us," Erik said after putting the last of the Giry's bags on the wagon.
"Now you," Madame Giry frowned as she turned to the Phantom.
"Yes Antoinette?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Take good care of S'ray and yourself," the normally stern woman smiled.
"I will," he replied with a nod.
"Because if you don't, you will answer to me," she added and tapped her cane on the ground for emphasis.
"Oh, will you be so kind as to deliver this to Monsieur Phelon," Erik said handing her an envelope with a familiar red skull seal on it.
Christine's eyes grew wide as she remembered Erik's methods of getting the managers and owners to do as he wished.
"Now don't look at me like that Christine," he smiled. "This is just the proposed schedule of operas and other performances for this season."
"Of course, I'll make sure they get it," Madame Giry nodded taking the note and placing it in her bag.
"I will return to check on things in a few weeks," he added.
"Watch out for him," Madame Giry said embracing S'ray. "He needs you more than he'll ever admit to anyone including himself."
"I know and I will," S'ray replied returning her embrace. "You and Meg must visit us again."
"We will," Meg added. "And make sure that the Phantom, I mean Erik, brings you to the opera for a performance."
"I will, don't either of you worry," Erik said putting his arm around S'ray's shoulders. "But before that I need to make some changes to my home there."
"Understood, let us know if you need anything," Madame Giry said after she settled herself on the wagon seat.
"Yes, especially if you need help cleaning," Meg added. "Honestly, I would have thought the feared Phantom of the Opera to be much neater."
"You may regret that offer Meg," he grinned.
"Ready ladies?" Tavlyn asked taking up the reins.
"Ready," Meg nodded squeezing herself between her mother and the Elf.
"Ready," Antoinette added with a barely concealed roll of her eyes.
Tavlyn nodded and whistled to the horses after removing the brake. The wagon lurched into motion and started across the glen to the road that lead to the village.
"Bye!" Christine waved at her departing friends. "I'll see you soon!"
S'ray smiled and waved as Erik held her close to his side. The trio waved and watched until the wagon and its passengers disappeared into the forest and out of their sight.
"Have you got everything?" S'ray asked as she rolled up the clothes she'd given the young woman during her stay in the glen.
"I think so," she said looking around the room.
"Good, now before you leave, I have something very important to tell you yet," the Alve said as she tied up the bundle of clothes. "This is going to be quite a surprise, so I'd like you to sit down."
"Alright," Christine said sitting on the chair by the bed. "What is it?"
S'ray sat on the bed in front of her and took her hands. "You're going to have a baby Christine," she said with bright eyes and a smile.
Christine's eyes grew wide and she gasped in surprise. "Really?" she squeaked, hardly able to believe the news.
"Really," S'ray smiled back at her.
"I. . .I can't believe it," she gasped putting her hands on her still flat stomach.
"It's true," the Alve replied.
There was a gentle rap at the door. "Come in," Christine smiled.
"Everything packed?" Erik asked standing in the open doorway.
"Oh Maestro, it's wonderful," she squealed jumping up and throwing her arms around his neck. "I'm going to have a baby!"
"Then congratulations are in store," Erik smiled gently pulling her arms from around his neck. "Do you know how far along you are?"
"Umm," she frowned suddenly biting her lower lip and looking to S'ray.
"I would say almost 2 months," the Elf replied.
"That seems right," Christine agreed. "I though it was just stress, my menses has always been irregular and sometimes it's like I don't have it and other times it seems to last for weeks. . ."
"Ahem," Erik said and cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable by the sudden turn in the conversation.
"Sorry," Christine giggled. "I thought you know about those things."
"I do, but it doesn't mean I want to participate in conversations that women have about them."
"You're going to need a mid-wife," S'ray said, pulling the conversation back on track. "I know someone who's very good, I can give you her name if you'd like."
"But I'm sure Raoul will want a doctor," she said biting her lip again.
"If S'ray is recommending this woman, then she knows more about having babies than any doctor in all of Europe," Erik said sitting next to S'ray on the bed.
"Besides, if he makes a fuss, just make sure to let him know that if the mother-to-be isn't happy then no one in the whole house will be happy," S'ray smiled. "Use those upcoming mood-swings to your advantage."
"I could do that, couldn't I?" she said with a small smile.
"And if he still complains you can always call on us," Erik added.
"How do I do that?" Christine asked.
"Just go out into the garden or forest and say you need the help of the Guardian and the Green Man," S'ray said as Erik put his arm around her.
"I don't understand. How will you know I need you if I do that?" the brunette asked with a frown.
"The little people in your garden or the forest will hear you and get word to us quite quickly," Erik explained.
"Raoul?" Christine whispered as she closed the door to the garden behind herself.
There was no answer from the sleeping man. She smiled and came closer before kneeling next to his chair. "Raoul, wake up," she said softly. "It's your little Lotte, I'm back home."
Raoul mumbled in his sleep and turned his head to the side.
"Raoul, wake up," she said more sternly and took one of his hands in hers. "I'm home husband."
"Chris. . .Christine?" he murmured opening bleary eyes.
"That's right," she beamed.
"Am. . .am I dreaming?" he asked softly.
"No, you're not," Christine replied kissing the hand she held.
"It's really you," he said sitting up and touching her cheek. "You're real, I'm not dreaming."
"No, you're not dreaming," she asserted.
"Oh Christine, I've missed you so much," he cried pulling her into his arms finally.
"I've missed you too Raoul," she smiled as he kissed her. "But I've got to talk to you before we go much farther."
Raoul's heart sank in his chest; she was going to leave him for the Phantom, he just knew it.
"Raoul," she smiled pushing his hair back from his face. "I love you very much."
"I love you too," he quickly said.
"Raoul, I'm going to have a baby," she said smiling even more broadly.
"Well," S'ray smiled, "judging by that reaction she told him she's pregnant."
"I think you're right," Erik replied as they watched Raoul pick up his wife and twirl her about.
"How do you feel about that Erik?" Cyd rumbled from behind them.
"I'm happy for her, she's getting what she's wanted for a long time," he smiled.
"What's that love?" S'ray asked as he put his arm around her shoulders.
"A family," he replied.
"What about what you want?" Cyd asked turning his great head to one side.
"Oh, I've got that too," the Phantom smiled and kissed S'ray. "Let's go home."
"Erik?" S'ray softly whispered as she sat next to where he lay on their bed.
"Yes S'ray," he smiled opening his eyes.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" she asked.
"No, I wasn't sleeping yet," Erik replied raising himself up on his elbows. "What are you thinking love?"
"Oh, everything and nothing," she sighed standing up and walking toward the fireplace.
"Everything and nothing eh?" he asked standing and going up behind her. "Sounds like quite a bit to me."
"So much has happened," she said looking into the dancing flames.
"Indeed," he whispered wrapping his arms around her.
"Some of it wasn't so good," S'ray said.
"Some of it very good," he smiled pulling her hair back with one hand and resting his cheek against hers.
"I thought I lost you," she choked leaning back against his solid chest.
"I thought I lost you as well," he said grimly and tightened his arms around her.
"I would never leave you Erik," she said turning in his arms and gazing up at him.
"Just as I would never leave you S'ray," he replied as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'd be a fool to turn my back on the love we share." Then he leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. They stood before the fire; embracing and gently kissing while four pairs of eyes watched from the window.
"Aww, that's so sweet," Luniana cooed from where she hovered before the window pane.
"I think it's sickening," Brandji stated crossing his arms over his chest and looking away.
"I like it, she's not so sad anymore," Brule said looking back in the window.
"What do you think Cyd?" Luniana asked.
"I think we should leave them be," the great dragon rumbled. "Come on little ones."
"Did you hear that?" Erik asked looking up and toward the window.
"Hear what love?" S'ray asked reaching up one hand to caress his stubbled cheek.
"It's gone now, must have been the wind," he said turning back to her.
"I love you Erik," she said through lips swollen from his kisses.
"Oh S'ray, I love you so much," he smiled down at her.
"I think we should go to bed," she suggested with a yawn.
He didn't answer; he just picked her up in his arms and carried her to their bed. He slid in next to her after laying her down; S'ray moved into his arms and snuggled against him. Erik pressed a soft kiss against her forehead and closed his eyes. "Good night S'ray," he whispered.
"Good night Erik," she yawned again after pressing a kiss to his bare chest.
Erik opened his eyes several long moments later, the house was suddenly too quiet and too empty. He shifted to a more comfortable position in bed and began stroking S'ray's back to relax himself. It wasn't working; he was wide awake when he should have been fast asleep. He then noticed S'ray's fingers lightly tracing patterns on his chest and her breathing was normal; she apparently couldn't sleep as well. "Thought you were tired," he softly said.
"I could say the same to you," she replied.
"It's too quiet," Erik observed.
"Don't worry love, I'm sure it won't be for long," she smiled as he continued stroking her back. "Mmm, that feels so good Erik."
"How about if I rub your back and then you rub mine for a while?" he asked.
"Sounds good," she sighed moving over so he could sit up.
"I doubt that I'll be as good at this as you are S'ray," he said putting his hands on her back and starting to massage her.
"Mmm, you're doing fine," she sighed almost purring.
"I think I'll try to finish unpacking tomorrow," he said moving to her lower back.
"Let me know if I need to move things around," S'ray said turning her head toward him.
"Don't worry about it, it's not important," he replied.
"Yes it is, this is your home as much as it is mine," she said sitting up. "You need space for your things as well Erik. I want you to be as comfortable here as under the Opera house."
"I don't know if I ever was truly comfortable there," he sighed putting his arms around her.
"And here?" she asked caressing his stubbled cheek.
"This I think, it what feels like to have a home," Erik smiled. "This is what it feels like to be loved and not be alone anymore."
"And I do love you Erik," she smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Now, it's your turn."
"If you insist," he said releasing her so he could lie on his stomach.
"I do, you've been working very hard while I've been lying about doing nothing," she frowned and began rubbing his shoulders. "Do you mind if I try something?"
"What have you got in mind?" he asked.
"I'll be right back," she said getting off the bed and going to her dressing table. He heard her rummage about through a drawer before coming back to the bed and sitting by him once more. "It's a cream that should improve the skin on your back. In fact, I use it on my feet all the time because being barefoot all the time in summer can really dry the skin out and make it rough."
"What?" he asked. "This doesn't smell like flowers or anything like that, does it?"
"No, it smells like Aloe which is one of the main ingredients," she replied. "Please let me try Erik, you might like it."
"I thought my scars didn't bother you," he said still looking at her.
"They don't and this won't get rid of them. But you can't tell me that some of these spots don't get itchy because I've seen you rubbing your back on door frames when you think I'm not looking," S'ray grinned and kissed his cheek again. "Besides, you get to enjoy me rubbing this into your back at night before bed."
"I know when I've lost, go ahead love," he sighed turning his head back to the pillow.
"You just wait till this stops itching, then you'll beg me to do this every night," she smirked dipping her fingers into the jar and scooping out a liberal amount. Then she dropped it onto the middle of his back, Erik sucked in air between his teeth at the cold sensation.
"You didn't tell me it was cold," he hissed.
"Sorry," she said, glad he couldn't see her smile. "It will warm up once I start rubbing it in."
"I think we should start with a new production of Il Muto," Firmin suggested.
"I would prefer to pass after what happened the last time that was staged," Andre said a bit nervously.
"What about something new?" Monsieur Archie suggested.
"The first production should be something the audience is already familiar with," Monsieur Reyer sighed crossing his legs.
"How about a Greek tragedy in honor of the new owner's homeland?" Andre suggested brightening.
"What do you think Monsieur Phelon?" Firmin asked expectantly.
Phelon was about to answer unfavorably when there was a knock at the office door. He gave Andre a look that told him to stop gaping and answer the door. The shorter man went to the door and answered. "Ahh," Andre smiled. "Madame Giry to see you Monsieur Phelon."
"Ahh, the indomitable Madame Giry has retuned," Phelon smiled, rising as she entered the room. "I trust your time off was well spent?"
"It was, a trip to the country was just what Meg and I needed to clear our heads for the new season," she nodded at the owner.
"Excellent, now how may we help you today?" he asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "As I was unpacking, I found a note."
"A note?" Archie asked. "From whom?"
"Gentlemen," she said drawing an envelope from under her arm.
Andre and Firmin looked at each other nervously.
"I have a note here from the Opera Ghost," Madame Giry finished as she tossed the envelope with the skull seal onto Monsieur Phelon's desk.
Archie eyed the envelope as if it were a deadly viper. Monsieur Reyer's eyebrows rose in surprise. Andre and Firmin visibly paled. Phelon picked up the missive and broke the seal. "Fondest Greetings to You All. I welcome my new partners to my opera house. I request that you resume leaving Box 5 empty for my personal use as the current managers have seen the error of not doing so. I am also raising my salary to 40,000 Francs per month in gold to be left in Box 5 where I will collect it at my leisure. Enclosed you will also find a schedule of operas for the new season which I expect to be followed, I shall be watching. As always, I remain your obedient servant, O.G." Phelon read.
He pulled out the list and handed to Monsieur Reyer. "What do you think?" he asked as the conductor scanned the list.
"I think it's an excellent schedule," he said handing the paper back. "It even includes a new production by that Wagner fellow."
"Good, I guess we no longer need to discuss the productions we'll be putting on," Phelon said sitting again. "Now we need to start the actual work on the first one. Madame Giry, how are we set for the ballet corps?"
"I'm not absolutely certain at this point, some of the girls have not returned from their break yet. I can give you a better idea after the weekend when the remaining ones are scheduled to return," she replied.
"Very well," he nodded. "You may tend to your unpacking."
"Thank you," she replied and turned to go.
"We should have stayed in the junk business," Andre whispered to Firmin.
"Scrap metal," Firmin hissed back.
Madame Giry was barely able to contain herself until she left the office. Then smiling broadly she returned to her rooms, thinking all the way if only Erik had been there to see the look on Andre and Firmin's faces.
Author's End Note: Wah! One more chapter left before this story ends.
Coming up in Chapter 35 – Alone at Last
Alone at last, kind of sums it up pretty well.