"A double what?" Christine asked, as she blinked at Meg,
"It's a date where two couples go out and do something fun together, I'm thinking that the four of us should go to that Italian cafe you and I love." Meg said, as she grabbed Christine's hands, her eyes were sparkling with excitement.
"You mean Beautiful And Good that sounds like a wonderful idea, but I don't have a date." Christine said, as she looked down at her lap, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Yes well, I've been meaning to talk to you about that, I think it's time you found yourself a lover
and realize that there is more to life than your career."
" I'm aware that there is more to life than my career, but it's what I prefer it makes me happy," Christine said, hoping that she had ended the conversation.
" Yes, I can see that, but your career can't take you out to dinner, or escort you to parties, or take you for relaxing strolls through the park on Sundays don't you want that?"Meg asked, in a concerned, tone.
"Those things do sound appealing." Christine said, with a dreamy smile.
"I knew you would agree, but now comes the hard part." Meg said, with an excited smile.
"The hard part?" Christine asked as she scrunched her nose up, in complete confusion.
" Now you have to choose who will go out with you, and you're so lucky; all the men in this opera house would practically kill each other, to have the chance to go out with you. Meg gushed, as she squeezed Christine's hands.
"I know that may seem like a dream to you Meg, but if I can be perfectly honest don't want to date any of them." Christine said, with a frown.
"What why?" Meg asked, as she gave Christine a shocked look.
`"Well, I've known all of them since I was seven, and I know everything about them; and while I think that would make them good co-workers, and good friends none of them are someone I would consider dating." Christine said, as she looked at Meg hoping that she would understand.
"I suppose you're right, but don't worry you're still lucky because you still have one candidate left."
"Who?" Christine asked, as her stomach filled with dread, because she already knew what Meg was going to say next.
" Raoul De Chaney, of course, everyone knows that he's in love with you, and don't you tell me you haven't noticed; because if you do, then this little problem of yours is worse than I thought." Meg said, with an exasperated sigh.
"Oh believe me I've noticed it's hard for anyone not to notice, and if you must know I want to go out with him least of all." Christine said as she rolled her eyes.
"I don't understand he's clearly in love with you, so what would be the harm in going on a date with him?"
"The harm would be that he would make it out to be much more than it is, it would only make him more willing to make advances towards me, and the advances he makes towards me now are completely embarrassing.
If the advances were from someone I was attracted to, then I would actually enjoy them, and make some advances of my own." Christine said, as thoughts of all the nice things Erik has done; for her drifted through her mind then Christine's face turned crimson.
" Christine is everything all right your face is so red," Meg said, with a worried tone.
"Yes, everything is alright I promise but I have to go now or I will be late for my singing lesson." Christine said as she gave Meg a quick hug, then called for Dominic to follow her, and quickly made her way down the hall toward her dressing room.
"There you go again putting your career before your love life!" Meg called after Christine as she quickly toward her dressing room.
"I'll have you know that I plan to work on both, but this is much more complicated than you are making it out to be." Christine called back, as she quickly made her way to her dressing room.
This dilemma of mine
Is not like the common kind
Two men have offered me
their hand but one refuses to understand
I know the one I choose
will never escort me into the light of day
because it was a thing that
brought pain his way
This dilemma of mine
is not like the common kind
Two Men have offered me
their hand but one refuses to understand
I wish the one refuses to understand
would go away
But I know he seeks to
trap me in the light of day
if I am there I know I would never be free
from the will of the man who trapped me
With the man I choose I know I will be free
with the world and the night spread
out before me
This dilemma of mine
is not like the common kind
Two men have offered me
Their hand but one refuses to understand
This dilemma of mine
is not like the common kind
Christine went to her dressing room and opened the door then she lit some candles to give the room some light. Then Christine looked around the room and saw that Erik had not come for her.
"Well, it seems that the two of us are alone, which I am eternally grateful for." Christine said, as she lowered herself, down into her armchair.
Dominic laid his head in Christine's lap as if to say I can see that something, is bothering you please tell me what's wrong.
"Meg was being so silly today. I also think that you should find that perfect person for you to spend your life with, but I don't think it's something I devote my whole life to. There is so much to see and do in the world, why should you devote your whole life to one thing?"Christine asked as she patted Dominic's head.
Dominic blew a breath through his nose as if to say I haven't the slightest idea.
Christine blew out a breath of her own vaguely wishing that she had never asked to meet Daniel, to begin with.
Christine sat back in her chair and massaged her temples, and thought of her singing lesson to try, and relax before Erik came to get her, she knew that it would not be good for her to be distracted. Christine tried to think of the music that would be playing, and the notes she would be singing, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't stop thinking about Erik, she wanted him to lead her back to the lair, she wanted him to tell her how well she was progressing, she wanted to share another dinner with him.
Oh no, this is impossible, why do I feel this way?
Erik hates being around people except for me, and Antoinette.
He would never want to go anywhere with me.
Surely he would think I'm some foolish little girl, and I could never show my face to him after that. "Christine thought as she buried her face in her hands, it was only Dominic joyful bark that brought her back to reality.
"Oh, hello Erik how long have you been there?" Christine said as she stood up, and quickly walked over to her dressing room mirror.
"I've only just arrived I came to see, if you were ready for your music lesson." Erik said, as he looked at Christine through the mirror.
He knew that something was bothering her, but decided to let her open up to him on her own.
"Of course I'm really happy to see you, Erik did you get any work done on your opera today?" Christine asked, as she picked Dominic up and stepped through the mirror.
"Yes, I did but I am more interested in how your day was," Erik said, as he led Christine back to his home.
"Oh it was the same as always Meg, and I had a pleasant conversation but other than that things were the same as always." Christine said, with a smile as she let Erik lead her back to his home.
The rest of the journey was made in silence,
Later Erik and Christine continued with Christine's music lesson, but abruptly stopped playing.
"Erik, why did you stop playing?" Christine asked, as she gave Erik a confused look.
"I stopped playing because you're distracted, and I can't teach you when you're distracted." Erik said, as he locked eyes with Christine.
"I'm not distracted, everything is fine," Christine said quickly as she nervously played with a loose strand of her hair.
This distracted Erik for a brief moment, as he longed to run his fingers through her chestnut curls.
"Christine, don't try to hide anything from me, I'm sure you will feel better." Erik said, as he locked eyes with Christine.
"It's a bit of a delicate situation," Christine said as she continued to play with her hair.
"Well since that's the way you see if you don't have to tell me, because the last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable." Erik said, as he held Christine's gaze,
Christine stared at Erik for a long moment then when she realized, he was being sincere she decided to tell him what was on her mind.
"Meg and I were talking about her boyfriend, Daniel while we had lunch together today.
" Daniel the doctor?" Erik asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes that's him I suggested she bring him to the opera house, so I could get to know him better, and as Meg's best friend; I have to make sure he treats her right, but the problem is I don't have anyone to escort me. " Christine said with a sigh.
"Well you could always ask, one of the men from the male ballet troupe." Erik said, as he tried not to show how uncomfortable he was.
"Erik I will tell you the same thing I told Meg, I just don't think of them in that way." Christine said, with a sigh.
"Well, you could always ask the Vicomte, I'm certain that he would be more than happy to escort you." Erik said, even though the words tasted like acid in his mouth.
"Erik, please be serious I would rather go alone, and be completely embarrassed than to ever let Raoul escort me anywhere. Christine said, as rolled her eyes.
Erik was silent for a long moment as he savored the fact, that Christine didn't want to go anywhere with the Vicomte. Then Erik summoned his courage and broke the silence between himself, and Christine.
" Well then since you have no one else to go with, and because I can't bear to see you unhappy it would be my honor to escort you." Erik said as he took Christine's hand in his.
"Oh, Erik do you really mean it?" Christine said as her eyes widened with hope."
"Of course I would Christine, nothing would make me happier," Erik said with a shy smile.
"Oh Erik thank you I'm so happy I could hug you, but I know you don't like that." Christine said with a shy smile of her own.
"It's alright Christine I know you only want to express your gratitude,"Erik said, as he prepared
himself for what would come next.
Then Christine slowly and gently placed her arms around Erik's neck.
I can hear his heartbeat. It sounds so beautiful I just wish I could tell him how I really feel. Christine thought as she laid her head on Erik's chest.
Erik stiffened, but only a little as Christine's arms wrapped him in an embrace.
He loved how small she felt in his arms, and wanted the moment to last forever however he knew it couldn't.
"When is the date?" Erik asked as he released her from his embrace, and as she did he could have sworn that he had seen a hint of sadness in her eyes but he quickly dismissed it
"Sunday at noon, but this Saturday will be a busy day for me as well." Christine informed him.
"How so?" Erik asked, raising an eyebrow.
" Because I know that Meg would drag me to every dress shop in Paris, she does it at least once a month."
"Well, certainly you will be able to find a lovely pink dress to wear," Erik said, as he offered Christine another shy smile.
"Erik, to be honest, I have outgrown that color," Christine said, as she waved her hand dismissively."
"Outgrown it but Christine you have loved that color, since you were seven years old," Erik said with a look of shock.
"Yes, that's true but I'm not seven years old anymore I'm a woman now."
"Then what will you do about finding a dress?" Erik asked as gave Christine a worried look.
"Don't worry Erik I already have a dress in mind all you have to do, is meet me at the opera house steps at noon.
Daniel will be there too I'm sure the two of you will be great friends, but if you start to feel uncomfortable I want you to squeeze my hand; then I will make an explanation, and we will leave early," Christine said, quickly as she fiddled with a stray strand of her hair.
"Don't worry Christine I' de be happy just to spend time with you," Erik said with a shy smil"Thank you, Erik, and to be honest I'm really looking forward to spending time with you too. "Christine said with a shy smile of her own.
Later Erik and Christine had a pleasant dinner, and continued with their music lesson.
The day of the date arrived and Meg searched the opera house for Christine only to find her in her dressing room tossing her dresses out of her wardrobe and onto the floor.
"Christine, what are you doing?" Meg asked as walked over to her friend.
"I am looking for the dress," Christine said, as she pulled more dresses from her wardrobe.
"Well if you are willing to make this much of a fuss over, what you are to wear then this man must be really important to you but I think one of these dresses will do just fine." Meg said, as she examined the dresses in the pile.
"It can't be any of those dresses, it has the perfect dress!" Christine said,as she pushed more dress out of the way.
Then Christine slowly pulled a mint green dress from her wardrobe and walked over her mirror, and held the dress up to her body.
"Yes still fits perfectly and it's still in perfect condition yes this is the one." Christine said with a smile.
"Oh Christine, that dress is beautiful, why have I never seen you wear it?" Meg asked as she walked up behind Christine.
"Because I was afraid,"
"What do you mean?" Meg asked as she gave Christine a confused look.
"Meg, before we go out on our date there, is something you need to know about the man I chose to escort me." Christine said as she sat down in a chair, and motioned for Meg to do the same.
"Alright, I'm listening," Meg said as she took a seat by Christine.
Christine took a deep breath, hoping that Meg would understand her decision.
"Meg the man I chose to escort me is named Erik but you and everyone else except your mother knows him as the opera ghost.
He is the person responsible for my music lessons, he is the man I love and he is the one who gave me this dress."
"Christine, when did this happen?"
Christine smiled sweetly as she thought back to the time she first fell in love with Erik.
"It was after the party your mother threw for my fourteenth birthday, what sweet presents they were reminding me that I was almost a woman but not just yet.
I was happily putting my gifts away then I noticed that there was a gift on my bed, and knew instantly that it was from Erik.
I quickly untied the black ribbon tied over the top of a white box. I pulled off the lid and saw the most beautiful dress I had ever seen in my life.
I quickly went over to your mother's mirror and held it to my body, I had never received such a beautiful gift before.
Then I jumped just a little as I heard his voice,
"My apologies for startling you Christine, but I am pleased that you like my gift. I made it just for you."
His voice was so gentle and loving it was then I remembered what it was like to have someone love me, in that moment I realized that I loved him, but when I looked at myself in the mirror all I saw was a silly little girl what would an angel want with that, so I thanked him but never wore the dress. I always kept it safe hoping that one day I would be ready to wear it, and now I am." Christine said as she fingered the gold trim on the dress.
Christine giggled as she returned to the present, and wished she had been braver that night.
"Oh Christine I am so happy that you found love, I'll help you get dressed,'' Meg said as she stood up.
A little while later, Christine walked down the opera house steps with Meg at her side. Christine's cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink as she saw Erik smiling at her.
"You look beautiful Christine, I am overjoyed that you have chosen to wear the dress I gave you." Erik said as he gently kissed Christine's hand.
"Thank you, Erik, this dress Is my favorite. It's so beautiful, I am so happy that you could join me today." Christine said as she allowed Erik to lead her down the stairs.
" It's my pleasure Christine and I promise you that there will be even more beautiful dresses to come." Erik said with a bright smile.
Christine looked into Erik's eyes 'Oh his smile is so handsome, I want to make him smile like that all the time. Then Daniel's voice brought Christine back to the present.
"Meg darling would you like me to signal a carriage for us ?" Daniel asked as he put his arm around Meg's shoulders.
"No dear I think a walk and some fresh air would do us all some good, wouldn't you agree Christine?" Meg asked as she looked at Christine.
"Yes, I do the café isn't far from here, and I've been looking forward to some polite conversation between the four of us." Christine said with a smile as she linked her arm with Erik's
Erik looked down at Christine and smiled . He was so happy that she was thinking of him as a normal man. The foursome had a happy and friendly conversation as they walked Erik was shy at first, and let Christine do most of the talking, but when Christine shifted the conversation to the opera house Erik became more at ease he even took an interest in Daniel's work and asked him many questions about his work. All was going perfectly until they tried to cross the street in front of the café Christine, let out a cry as she lost her footing on the ice beneath her feet.
Christine closed her eyes tight as she prepared herself for the fall then Christine, gasped as she felt two strong arms sweep her off her feet.
"It's alright Christine I won't let you fall." Erik said as he held Christine in his arms.
"This amount of ice is disgraceful. I have repeatedly asked the street cleaners to salt the streets after they clean them! " Daniel muttered as he held Meg in his arms.
"Meg and I always make sure to salt the steps of the opera house, at least once a week, so they don't end up like this." Christine said as she looked over at Daniel. Erik looked down at Christine with eyes full of love.
How is it that a woman who is as beautiful and caring as her, can stand to be around someone like me; after all, I've become all that I've done? I love her with everything I am, with everything I'll ever be. I love her.
Then Daniel's voice pulled Erik from his thoughts
"You are a smart woman, Christine. Erik, I think we should carry them the rest of the way can you manage that?" Daniel asked as he looked over at Erik.
"Yes, I can and I think that we should have a carriage ready for after lunch." Erik said as he carefully walked across the ice.
"My thoughts exactly, but first, let's get them out of the cold."
Erik and Daniel walk into the café extremely grateful for the warmth that greeted them. Erik slowly helped Christine stand on the floor, but still kept one of his arms wrapped around her shoulders. Daniel walked over to the host and checked on their reservation, then a waiter came and led them to a table. On the way to the table, Erik couldn't help but look around; everywhere he looked there were tables full of people talking; it all made him really nervous. Then Erik looked down to see Christine, squeeze his arm and give him a worried look. Erik smiled down at Christine as he tried to focus on finding things that would put his mind at ease the notes, from a violin, hit his ears the musician was mediocre and couldn't even compare to him, then the scent of roses hit his nose they smelled heavenly feeling much more at ease, Erik led Christine to the table.
Soon the group's orders arrived Christine ordered Linguine With Clams And Italian sausage, Meg had the Mushroom Risotto, Erik had the Braised Lamb Shanks and Daniel had the Potato Gnocchi.
"Christine let me try some of yours," Meg said as she watched Christine wield the noodles and a clam on to her fork.
"Oh, I'm afraid you wouldn't like this Meg." Christine said as she put a forkful of linguine sausage and clam into her mouth.
"Why not?" Meg asked as she looked at Christine."
"Because the dish I ordered is very spicy." Christine said as she sipped her tea.
"Oh, yuck I hate spicy food," Meg said with a grimace.
"I know that's why I ordered it, so I wouldn't have to share." Christine said with a teasing laugh.
"Oh, Christine you're so mean." Meg said as she playfully swatted Christine with her fan.
"Not to worry my dear you are always welcome to some of mine Daniel said as he offered Meg a fork full of his Potato Gnocchi.
"Why thank you, darling, at least, someone at this table knows how to share." Meg said with a smug smile as she playfully swatted Christine with her fan then she bit the piece of Potato Gnocchi off Daniel's fork with her teeth.
" Exactly like our first date wouldn't you agree darling?" Daniel asked with a smile.
"Yes, exactly like our first date." Meg said with a smile.
"Oh, Meg you didn't," Christine said as she looked over at Meg.
"Of course I did it was fun, and now we do It every time we go out." Meg said as she offered Daniel a spoonful of mushroom risotto.
"That does sound fun." Erik said with a chuckle.
"Really?" Christine asked as she found herself focusing on his skin tone colored mask, it was the first time she had ever seen it and until now she didn't know he had one. Christine understood why he had to wear it, but she hated that he had to hide a piece of himself just so they could be together; in truth what lies beneath the mask didn't bother her, she wished she could tell him that. Then Erik's voice pulled Christine back to reality.
"Christine, would you like to try some of my Braised Lamb, and Garlic potatoes?" Erik asked with a shy and hopeful look in his eyes.
"Yes thank you would you like to try some of my Linguine With Clams And Italian sausage?" Christine asked as she smiled at Erik.
"Yes thank you," Erik said as he prepared a fork full of lamb and garlic potatoes for Christine.
Erik and Christine took bites off each other's forks as they savored the food they tasted.
"Mmh the clams and sausage are delicious." Erik said thoughtfully.
" The lamb and potatoes are delicious." Christine said thoughtfully.
"Yours tastes better than mine." Erik and Christine said looking at each other, while the rest of the table laughed.
Erik and Christine gave their food to each other, as they listened to Meg and Daniel explain how they met; then Erik was faced with a question wasn't ready for.
"So Erik, how did you and Christine meet?" Daniel asked as he looked at Erik and Christine.
Meg and Erik froze not knowing what to say but Christine quickly offered an explanation.
" I found myself in need of a music teacher so I could have a better singing voice. Thankfully Erik offered to fill that position and we grew close, he's been very kind to me and I wouldn't be the singer I am today without him." Christine said with a smile as she touched Erik's hand.
The visible side of Erik's face turned bright red, and in Christine's eyes he thought he saw the glow of love but he dared not allow himself to hope.
After lunch, the four of them talked pleasantly over coffee and tiramisu.
A few days later, Meg and Christine, talked as they prepared for their next performance.
"Christine did you and Erik have a good time when we went out together?" Meg asked as she practiced her steps.
"Oh yes, Erik and I had a wonderful time, he even said that he would like the four of us to go out together again soon." Christine said, with a dreamy smile,
"That's wonderful news I even think that Daniel and Erik could be great friends, but there is one thing that still bothers me. " Meg said as she stopped practicing.
"What is it?" Christine asked as she looked at Meg.
"I don't feel him watching us like he always does." Meg said wistfully as she looked up towards the rafters.
"You can sense him too?!" Christine asked with a twinge of shock and jealousy in her voice.
"Don't worry, Christine, it's not what you think I only sense Erik more because mother talks about him so often but other people have noticed it too in their own way; Carlotta has become even more arrogant since his absence and the managers couldn't be happier, they even they threw a few saucy looks to some of the ballet women but I can't understand what would keep him so busy, and how you could not notice what's going on." Meg said with a giggle, as she shook her head.
"I don't know, suppose I've been so happy about how things are going between Erik and me that I got distracted. " Christine said with a shy smile.
"Well, I suppose mother is right when she said, true love, is blind. " Meg said with a giggle.
"Hush or he might hear you," Christine said quickly, as she looked around the stage then to the rafters.
"It's okay Christine you just said he was working, and I take it by your hesitancy that you haven't told Erik how you feel yet?" Meg asked, as she raised an eyebrow.
" Meg you know what your mother says he sees and knows all, and the time just wasn't right." Christine said with a sigh as she played with one of the stray curls of her hair.
"If I can be honest it surprises me that he hasn't figured out that you are in love with him yet, everyone else knows that you are in love with someone."
"Erik isn't very knowledgeable about these things, I think I'm going to have to make the first move Christine said as she took a deep breath.
"Well putting your dilemma aside for the moment what do you think could be keeping him so busy?"
"Well, he has been working on an opera." Christine said with a dreamy smile.
"Oh, how intriguing, tell me more."
"I don't really know much myself all I can really tell you is that the score is beautiful, Erik is very private about his work; he will tell everything we need to know when the time is right." Christine said, with a smile.
Then she quickly made her way to her dressing room. Christine quickly closed the door happy to be left alone with her thoughts.
"I don't know, suppose I've been so happy about how things are going between Erik and me that I got distracted. " Christine said with a shy smile.
"Well, I suppose mother is right when she said, true love, is blind. " Meg said with a giggle.
"Hush or he might hear you." Christine said quickly as she looked around the stage then to the rafters.
"It's okay Christine you just said he was working, and I take it by your hesitancy that you haven't told Erik how you feel yet?" Meg asked as she raised an eyebrow.
" Meg you know what your mother says he sees and knows all, and the time just wasn't right." Christine said with a sigh as she played with one of the stray curls of her hair.
"If I can be honest it surprises me that he has figured out that you are in love with him yet, everyone else knows that you are in love with someone."
"Erik isn't very knowledgeable about these things, I think I'm going to have to make the first move Christine said as she took a deep breath.
"Well putting your dilemma aside for the moment what do you think could be keeping him so busy?"
"Well, he has been working on an opera." Christine said with a dreamy smile.
"Oh, how intriguing, tell me more."
"I don't really know much myself.
All I can really tell you is that the score is beautiful, Erik is very private about his work, he will tell everything we need to know when the time is right." Christine said with a smile.
Then she quickly made her way to her dressing room. Christine quickly closed the door happy to be left alone with her thoughts.
'Meg is right I have to tell him how I feel tonight. Christine thought as she impatiently waited for Erik to come
Then Christine smiled brightly as she heard Erik's voice,
"I have come for you, are you ready?" Erik asked as he appeared in the mirror.
"Of course I am I've been excited to see you all day," Christine said, as she quickly stepped through the mirror.
Later Christine went through with her music lesson, he could still sense that something was wrong.
"Erik is everything okay?" Christine said as she looked at Erik.
"Yes, it's just it's-" Erik said quickly as he turned away.
Christine watched Erik turn away she had never seen him so nervous, on the one hand, it made her feel more confident about his feelings towards her but she also couldn't stand seeing him so upset.
"Erik if there is something wrong I want you to know you can tell me." Christine said as placed a gentle hand on Erik's shoulder.
Erik slowly turned and looked at Christine.
"Actually Christine I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner, tonight?" Erik said quickly before he lost his nerve.
"Oh, Erik, of course, I would just let me have some time to prepare." Christine said with a smile.
"Of course Christine takes all the time you want." Erik said as he placed a kiss on Christine's hand.
One hour later Erik waited anxiously by the organ as he looked toward the stairs.
Christine slowly walked down the stairs wearing a raspberry colored evening dress with white lace sleeves.
"Oh, Erik this dress is beautiful I love it," Christine said, as she walked down the stairs.
"You look even more beautiful than I thought you would when I was making it." Erik said with a shy smile as he took Christine's hand.
Then he slowly pulled Christine into a hug.
He's never hugged me before, I've almost forgotten how strong he was.
I'm sure he feels the same way I do, I just need to tell him I feel. Christine thought as she hugged him back after a long moment Erik released Christine.
"Shall we go to dinner Christine?" Erik asked, as he took Christine's hand.
"Yes Erik," Christine said with a smile.
Later the carriage stopped in front of the café, and Erik helped Christine step out of the carriage.
As Erik walked into the café with Christine, he found it to be very different than from his last visit.
The lighting was much brighter, and the music and patrons were much more lively.
Erik's first instinct was to remove himself from this situation, but then he saw Christine's bright smile.
He knew that she was all too comfortable in that situation, and he often remembered her telling him of times when she and her father would travel to inns or cafes her father would play the violin and she would sing a folk song she learned.
Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw two people dancing together.
He tried not to let himself imagine her dancing with him but he couldn't help himself.
He clearly saw himself holding Christine close knowing that she had eyes for him alone,
He longed to see the glow of the candlelight get caught in her chestnut hair.
He wanted to see joy brighten her rosy cheeks and chocolate colored eyes.
It was enough to convince him to stay,
Erik ordered the Linguine With Clams And Italian Sausage, and Christine ordered the Braised Lamb Shanks, but Erik and Christine found their food to be of little interest as they spent most of the evening talking then as Erik saw more couples start to dance he found it impossible to hold back his question any longer.
"Christine would you, allow me the greatest honor, of dancing with you tonight?" Erik asked, quickly as he took her hand
"Yes Erik, "Christine answered quickly as heart fluttered with excitement, then before she knew it she was on her feet and joining him on the dance floor.
Christine felt Erik's muscles pull her close as if to say that she was his alone, and that was fine with her because there was no else she would rather be with.
Christine laid her head on Erik's chest and let the wave of red wine roses and his cologne wash over her.
He's such a gentleman and he's so strong, I wonder what are the other things I haven't found out about him yet?' Christine though with a dreamy sigh then, Christine let out a surprised giggle as Erik dipped her, then spun her around the dance floor then Christine's eyes sparkled with delight as Erik began to sing.
This wonderful evening
Is everything I had hoped it would be
What a joy it is
To have someone I hold so dear
Beside me
I now feel that my fondest wish
is close at hand
With her by my side
I feel like a normal man
This wonderful is everything
I had hoped it would be
What a joy it is
To have someone so dear
Beside me
I love to have him
here beside me
I now see everything that
we could be
This wonderful is everything
I had hoped it would be
What a joy it is
To have someone I hold so dear
Beside me
I adore how she smiles when she
is alone with me
I now think think that
She may love me
It is my hope that
She will accept what
I have planned
And that we may
Walk through life
Hand and hand
This wonderful evening
Is everything I had hoped it would be
What a joy it is
To have someone I hold so dear
Beside me
This wonderful is everything
I had hoped it would be
What a joy it is
To have someone I hold so dear
Beside me
I long for us to walk
hand and hand
I hope that one day
feel like a normal man
When I look into his eyes
I see everything that our future will be
This wonderful is everything
I had hoped it would be
What a joy it is
To have someone I hold so dear
Beside me
Christne and Erik held each other's gaze, as the song ended and vaguely acknowledged the people that were clapping around them.
Christine was in awe of the fact that she just performed in public and loved the feeling of exertion and wholeness that she felt.
She wanted every night to be like this, and she now knew what she wanted her future to be.
She was also really happy that Eik was at last getting the acknowledgement he deserved.
Christine could not wait until they were alone in the carriage together so she could tell him just how wonderful she thought he was .
Erik held Christinie's gaze as gauged her reaction to what he had just done, to his immense relief he saw that she was very happy.
He knew now that he wanted his life to always be this, even though he tried not to, he couldn't help but picturing Christine singing for him on the stage while he conducted the orchestra below her; and
When the opera was over he would take the stage and then the two of them shared a loving moment together.
Then Erik heard a sound that he was unfamiliar with..
During his travels he had been greeted with many reactions but applause was never one of them.
Erik slowly turned and saw that the rest of the couples were clapping enthusiastically, this confused him greatly but one look at Christine told him that he had at last achieved, the thing he had longed for ever since his birth plunged him into darkness and loneliness .
From the darkness and loneliness he found a way to reach the world.
Erik nodded to the audience that clapped for him, and once it ended he led Christine back to their table.
As ate they dinner Christine told him how wonder his performance was and that she wished he could find a way to perform in front of people more instead running things from behind the scenes
Erik thanked her and told her that he wanted to do the same, he also told her how much he enjoyed watching her perform and how much he was enjoying spending the evening with her.
After dinner Erik and Christine left the restaurant and stepped out into the chilly night air.
"Oh Erik you were so wonderful this has been such a love evening."Christine said as she smiled up at Erik.
"Christine you were wonderful as well and the only thing I desire is more evenings like this.''Erik said as he placed a kiss on her hand.
Christine looked into Erik's eyes and saw nothing but love.
She knew that now was the right moment.
"Erik I-"
"Christine, it's so wonderful to see you."