The next handful of months passed by rather well. Better than Erik had been willing to believe at first. While they weren't properly together, Christine had eased him into sharing the bed with her. Considering their relationship was already so unconventional, there had been no reason to argue. Propriety had went out the window ages ago, even before they'd had sex.
Though Erik was wide awake this morning, he made no move to get out of bed. He couldn't without waking the woman curled up against his chest. Her head rested in the center of it and her hand rested on his abdomen. Even if she didn't seem so peaceful, he wouldn't have had the heart to wake her. Not when this felt so intimate.
His gaze flitted down to her stomach, biting his bloated lower lip. Even in the clothing she slept in and with her corsets being let out during the day, the now rounded part of body pressed against the material and seemed to stretch it slightly.
If he had to assume how far into the pregnancy she was, he'd guess that she was almost halfway through if not over halfway through it. But even so, she seemed a little big for having one child. Perhaps it wasn't just one? He wasn't sure how he'd feel about it if there were multiple as that made their current living arrangements rather difficult.
He shook the thought off mentally and sighed heavily. He couldn't dwell on that. They'd find out if it was one or more after she eventually delivered them.
If he had to figure out a way to make more room down here, that was exactly what he'd do. He'd figured out how to get everything else set up so he failed to see how this would be very different.
He reached out to rest his fingers on her stomach, gently stroking it through the material. He wasn't sure what it was about doing this, but it brought him comfort and Christine seemed to enjoy it while she was awake as well.
He didn't notice that she'd awoken until she raised her head and placed a tender little kiss to his jawline. She rolled over onto her back as best as she could, stretching. When she settled, she rested a slender hand across her stomach.
"I apologize, Mon Coeur. I didn't intend to wake you." He uttered sheepishly, trying to conceal the smile that wanted to form in response to the effortless way she'd given him affection.
Christine frowned for a moment before shifting, presumably looking for a more comfortable position. "Please don't apologize, Erik. I like that you're bonding with the babe. It is ours after all." She implored, reaching out to bring his hand back to her stomach.
He allowed her to do so, resuming his stroking. He was desperate to hide the way his heart had leapt upon registering her wording. Even if what she'd said was simply the truth, it meant the world to him that she was still willing to share these little moments. The little moments he never dreamed he'd be able to have. For this reason and this reason alone, he opted to indulge for a little longer.
Eventually, however, he would have to perform his duties as the phantom. If he didn't, he risked not being able to take care of Christine properly. Once that time came, he almost reluctantly removed himself from the bed and Christine. Her beautiful eyes fluttered open again and she looked at him inquisitively.
"I'm sorry, darling. I have things I need to take care of. Is there anything that you would like me to bring to you?" Erik questioned, impulsively leaning down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.
Christine hummed softly, the sound seeming almost appreciative. She shook her head a moment later, spreading out across the bed.
"No thank you. I do think I am going to take a nap, though. I could use some more sleep." Christine admittedly sheepishly. It was concerning but he could only assume that carrying around the extra weight could take a lot out of a woman. Perhaps more than he realized.
"Alright. I shall be quiet as possible when returning just in case you are still sleeping." He murmured, leaving a moment later so he could get himself dressed. He doubted that he'd be getting much of a response out of her anyway.
Erik supposed that everything was almost up to his standards. Almost being the keyword. The biggest issue had been the fact that he'd nearly had to threaten the newer mangers personally in order to get his pay. He wasn't sure where these people were found, but for some reason it seemed like it would always be idiots that he had to suffer with.
He was just about to head back down when someone grasped his cloak, giving it a tug. He stiffened for a moment. There was really only one person that it could be, but he didn't fancy dealing with Giry any way. She'd always had a bad habit of giving her opinion where her opinion wasn't wanted.
Unfortunately, the easiest thing to do was give in and have this conversation right now. He spun around and arched his visible brow at her. He refused to acknowledge her with words.
"We need to speak. Preferably in private." Giry informed, her tone making it clear that she expected him to comply with no arguments. Instead of leading her off somewhere, he simply flourished a hand out in a wide gesture, silently telling her to lead the way.
The woman seemed utterly annoyed by this and it made him proud for a split second. But he knew better than to expect her to let it go just because of that. This was proven when she stormed off in a huff. He trailed a long behind her.
When she entered an empty room, he followed, closing the door behind the two of them. The silence that followed drug on for much longer than he'd really like to admit. It seemed that it would be up to him, then.
"Can we hurry this up? You're the one that wished to speak with me. Don't waste my time. I have to get back to Christine." Erik demanded, a small snarl tugging at his lips.
Antionette's posture stiffened and she crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn't even trying to hide her disapproval from him. He had to wonder what had her so uptight this time around. It always seemed to be something with her.
"You've had Christine down there for quite a long time. I only allowed this arrangement because I thought you'd be helping her get back up on her feet. Clearly this isn't the case. You do realize that you're going to have to let her go soon, right? Before she gives birth." Antionette lectured him, not seeming to notice anything but what she felt she had to say.
She opened her mouth to continue but a gasp left her throat instead. Her hand came up to wrap around Erik's wrist. His hand was around her neck, but he wasn't squeezing with any real force. It was more of a warning than anything else.
"No. No I don't have to do that. I don't have to do anything. Christine is not held against her will. She wants to be with me and so she shall be with me. You will not interfere and try to change her mind." Erik snarled. He knew how Antionette operated. Christine had made her choice once more. Though it was a different choice, she'd just have to accept it. Even if she didn't like it.
Antionette nodded rapidly, a heavy sigh leaving her when he immediately let go. She shouldn't have pushed him so far. Erik swept out of the room within seconds , taking his leave before anything else could be said and he did something truly stupid.
She could only hope that they knew what they were doing. She didn't want either of them to end up hurt.