Christine quickly walked into her dressing room, and quickly thanked Madame Giry for her help.
Christine put the baskets on her vanity, and lit a few candles,
Christine sat down in her chair, and petted Dominic hoping that it would calm her.
She sat in her chair for quite some time, but still couldn't feel Erik's presence.
Perhaps Antoinette was wrong, perhaps he doesn't want to teach me anymore.
I suppose I know enough to get by on my own, but I would always know that he is displeased with me.
I'll never feel him watching over me again, I hate myself for leaving him alone even though it was what he wanted; what if he needed me, and I wasn't there.
Christine thought, as bitter tears stung her eyes.
Christine looked down, and saw Dominic's head laying in her lap,
Dominic looked up at Christine as if to say don't cry, everything is going to be alright.
Christine wore the biggest smile as the last candle went out,
While Dominic on the other hand turned towards the mirror, and let out the fiercest bark that a puppy could muster.
"Dominic it's just a friend, quiet down now before you alert the whole opera house.'' Christine said as she quickly, scooped Dominic up into her arms.
Christine stiffened, and her stomach felt like led as she realized she had said the word friend.
What if Erik didn't feel that way about her anymore, what if he had come just to tell her that? Christine closed her eyes tight, as the dread in her stomach grew stronger.
Then Christine opened her eyes, and noticed that Dominic was licking her cheek.
Christine smiled, and kissed Dominic's head, She took comfort in knowing that if this went badly,
she wouldn't be the only one licking her wounds.
Christine's eyes brightened as she heard Erik, make himself known to her,Christine showed Erik the sweetest, and triumphant smile; and Erik couldn't help, but smile himself, Then Erik's mouth dropped open, as Christine held Dominic up to the mirror.
Erik looked at the squirming puppy, in the arms of the woman he loved.
He felt joy because he saw the black mask birthmark that covered the dog's face. He had hope because she saw how Christine loved this animal despite his deformity; but a voice in his head told him that she only liked the puppy because he was small and fluffy.
Still, Erik clung to the ray of hope that the puppy had given him.
Erik opened the mirror, and Christine hurried through it; and greeted Erik as Dominic squirmed in her arms.
"Why is that dog squirming like that?" Erik asked as he looked at Dominic."
"His name is Dominic, and he's squirming because he wants to be closer to you; do you want to hold him?" Christine asked as she looked at Erik.
Erik looked at Christine, and Dominic for a long moment, then gave them his answer.
"Well alright," Erik said as he extended his arms.
" Oh I hoped you would want to hold him, I'm sure the two of you; will get along great once you get better acquainted. Christine said with a smile, as she watched Erik slowly pet Dominic.
Is this hope that I see
What a strange way for it to have come
To me
This creature seems to share my fate
But I'm sure that it doesn't comprehend
It's weight
The one I love
Has not turned away
From this creature
That was forced to flee from the
The light of day
Is this hope that I see
What a strange way for it to have come to Me
Yet I know that the creature she holds in
Frontof me can not teach
Her to love me
I still hope that one day
My lover's warm and loving eyes
Will look my way
Is this hope that I see
What a strange way for it to have come to Me
Then Erik let out a startled cry, as Dominic licked his mask.
"Take him back," Erik said as he quickly handed Dominic back to Christine, then he took a handkerchief out of his vest pocket; and wiped his mask.
" Oh Erik please don't be angry with him, it was merely a sign of affection, he's done it to me at least five times today.
I just started training him, and I haven't gotten to proper edicat yet.
I'm sure that once the two of you get used to one another he will respect that you don't like dog kisses.
However, if I can be honest I thought what happened was adorable," Christine said, with a giggle, as she watched Dominic sit down at her feet.
"I think it's something I can get used to, will you tell me about how you got him?" Erik asked, as he offered Christine his hand. "Alright." Christine said, with a smile as she took Erik's hand without a hint of shyness, or fear.
Christine, and Erik made their way back to the lair while Dominic walked calmly beside them and Christine told Erik about her day.
After dinner, and her music lesson Christine sat by the organ petting Dominic; and listening to Erik play.
"Erik I know you don't like being interrupted when you're composing, but can I ask you something?" Christine asked as she looked at Erik.
"Of course Christine, you can ask me anything." Erik said as he stopped playing, and turned to face Christine.
"Why couldn't I feel your presence today?" Christine asked, as she looked into Erik's eyes.
"... I thought some space would, do us both some good," Erik said quickly, deciding that honesty was the best way to handle this situation; but he also hoped that he hadn't offended Christine.
Christine was silent for a moment, as she took in Erik's answer, then she spoke again.
"Yes I suppose you're right, our time apart helped me to see things; things that I hadn't seen before, but now realize I should have.
I'm sorry Erik, and I hope you can forgive me for being so self-centered.
"Christine said as she gazed deep into Erik's crystal blue eyes.
"Christine if it is my forgiveness you want you will always have it, but I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
"Today I understand that this opera house is as much as a haven for me; as it is for you, and I know you only want what's best for it." Christine said, as she held Erik's gaze.
Erik stared at Christine, he felt that a major piece of himself lay bare before her, and Erik could see that her arms were open wide willing to accept it.
Erik had to use all of his strength to keep himself from crying.
Christine's face turned the loveliest shade of pink, as Erik took one of her hands; and held it in both of his own. He's never held my hand like this before, only ever so slightly when he leads me to his home.
Oh, I love the way his hands feel on mine, I just wish my cheeks were as pink as I know they are.
Oh, if I only knew what this gesture means, does he care for me as more than just a student?
Then Erik's voice pulled Christine from her thoughts
"Oh Christine you have no idea how much your words mean to me, and how happy you have made me feel.
"It feels so good to have someone, who finally understands," Erik said, as he smiled at Christine. Christine froze mesmerized by Erik's smile, but also confused by the feelings beginning to stir in her heart.
Oh, he's so handsome.
What if he really could see me as more than a young girl who he teaches, what if I chose to stay with him forever?
Then Christine looked at Erik, and realized that she should say something before Erik started to worry.
"Well surely Antoinette understands right, I mean she has known you for years." Christine said quickly.
"Well yes that's true, but I think she thinks I have made a game of all of this."Erik said, with a chuckle.
" I think having fun with your work is just as important as being committed to it." Christine said with a smile.
Then she knew she said the right thing when she saw Erik smile, then Christine remembered something that would hopefully make Erik happy.
"I made these for you, if you're in the mood for dessert," Christine said, with a smile, as she took a basket off the table; and offered it to Erik.
"Christine, this is too kind of you, you didn't have to do this for me," Erik said, with a small smile, as he tried to hide how moved he was.
"Of course I did. I know you had a terrible day today, and I just wanted to raise your spirits." Christine said with a hopeful smile, as she handed Erik a Madeleine.
Erik looked at the for a minute, then he took a bite,
Christine's eyes sparkled with pride when she saw that Erik liked it.
"This is delicious, how did you know I like walnuts?" Erik asked as he finished his Madeleine and asked for another.
"Well Antoinette helped me with the ingredients, she used to make these for me; and Meg when we had a bad day.
They always made us feel better, and I'm happy that they make you feel better as well. Christine said, with a smile.
Christine, and Erik spent the rest of the evening sharing polite conversation over tea, and Madeleines; then Erik looked at his watch, and noticed how late it was.
"Christine I apologize for keeping you up, so late you should go to bed." Erik said as he stood up from his organ.
"It's alright Erik I enjoyed being with you tonight, but I suppose you're right I do need to be at my best tomorrow. Good night Erik I'll see too in the morning Christine said as she stood up, and started to; walk to the stairs, that led to the swan bed.
"Wait what about Dominic?" Erik asked quickly.
Christine turned back to Erik, and looked at Dominic .
"I think he wants to stay with you, and I don't like the idea of you being alone all night." Christine said, as she motioned for Dominic to come to her.
Christine gave Dominic a smile of understanding, as she watched him stay put; then she said good night to them both and went to bed.
The next morning Christine came down the stairs, and smiled as she watched Erik play, then Erik turned from his organ as he watched Dominic run from the side of his organ; barking happily, and sat down at Christine's feet.
"Aww hello Dominic I missed you too, did you have fun last night?
I hope so, I wuv you Christine said as she gave Dominic a tight hug.
Then Christine laughed, as Dominic licked her cheek,
Good morning Erik did you have a good time with Dominic last night?" Christine asked, as she walked over to the organ.
"Yes I did thank you for making breakfast.'' Erik said, as he led Christine to the table, and put down a bowl of scraps for Dominic.
"Thank you for helping me take care of Dominic," Christine said, as she ate her breakfast.
"It's alright, I would have just thrown it away anyway." Erik said, quickly as he ate his breakfast
Christine glanced at Erik when she thought when she thought he wasn't looking.
He's holding something back, I can feel it.
I just don't know what it is, or why; did I do something wrong, or does he feel the same way about me as I do about him.
I wish I had more experience with things like this.
Christine thought as she finished her breakfast.
Christine rose from her seat, and asked Erik to take her back to the surface; as they traveled back to the surface in silence Christine tried to think of a way to talk to Erik, but they reached the mirror before she could.
"I can leave Dominic with you, if you want," Christine said as she looked at Erik.
"No thank you I'll be fine on my own, and you should get Dominic better acquainted with the opera house." Erik said, as he bent down, and petted Dominic's head.
Christine chewed her bottom lip as she tried to think of a rebuttal, but nodded when she couldn't.
Christine stepped through the mirror, and left her dressing room when it closed behind her. Erik watched her go, knowing that he should go back to his home; but there was still a part of him that yearned to be near her.
Erik stood in the rafters watching Christine warm up, before ballet practice; every move she made mesmerized him, he watched her as feelings of love clawed at his heart.
Then a song escaped Erik's longing filled heart
For me heaven and hell always shift
Which always cuts my heart adrift
When my only piece of heaven is near
My soul can soar without fear
But now heaven is below me and far away
Carving my heart with a knife made from the light of day
I long for my piece of heaven to return to Me
But I know this is something that will never Be
In the light of day she will eventually stay
And my piece of heaven will be ripped away.
For me heaven and hell alwaysshift
Which always cuts my heart adrift
When my only piece of heaven is near my
My soul can soar without fear
But now heaven is below me and far away
She will walk into the light
Of day where a man awaits
And I will be left alone with my fate
I long for her to set free the heart
locked inside of me
Inside I know that hell is my only
Fate
I know that my piece of heaven
Will no longer wait
For me heaven and hell always shift
Which always cuts my heart adrift
When my piece of heaven is near
My soul can soar without fear
But now heaven will always be
Below me
Christine stood in the middle of the stage as she wiped her eyes, then Christine jumped as she felt a hand touch her shoulder.
"Meg what are you doing here?" Christine asked, as she turned to face Meg.
" I could ask you the same question, I went by your dressing room; but you weren't there where have you been?" Meg asked, in a confused tone.
"I took Dominic for a walk, and tried to get him better acquainted with the opera house.
I realized that I was early, so I decided to get a little extra practice in." Christine said,
as she watched Dominic laying down at the far side of the stage. Christine was saved from further questions, as she saw Madame Giry walked onto stage with the rest of the ladies' ballet troupe.
Christine took a moment to quickly show Antoinette a confused smile. Antoinette was quite, and thought for a moment then she gave Christine a look that told her be patient with him.
Then ballet class began,
Christine practiced until lunch, then Meg pulled her out of the opera house insisting on have lunch at one of the cafes close to the opera house.
The lunch Christine had with Meg was pleasant,
She was happy to listen to Meg talk about Daniel again, she was even happier when Meg said she was warming up to Dominic.
At the end of the day Christine went back to the women's dorm with Meg to relax after practice .
She listened to Meg talk about Daniel again, and came up with what she thought was a good idea.
"I would like to meet this man, why don't you bring him to the opera house?" Christine asked, with a smile.
" Oh no, I could never do that," Meg said, as she waved her hand dismissively.
"Why not?" Christine asked, as she gave Meg a confused look.
"The other ladies would never leave him alone, you would never be able to get to know him." Meg said, as rolled her eyes.
The pair was silent for a moment, then Meg spoke up with an idea of her own.
"Christine, why don't you, and I go out on a double date?" Meg said with a twinkle in her eye.