Chapter Twenty-Five
Christine snuggled up to Erik as he read to her, and she placed her legs over his lap as she nuzzled his shoulder. She yawned as the fire crackled. It was late in the evening and her uncle had yet to bring the children home. She wondered if something was amiss. Smiling up at Erik, she interrupted his reading and murmured, "Sing for me, Erik."
Erik smiled down at Christine, setting the book aside and touching her cheek. He began to sing with a seductive glint in his eyes, trailing his fingers down his neck. "Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing for my music... my music..." He moved his face forward slowly, bringing his lips closer and closer to Christine's. "Past, the point of no return..."
Christine grinned and pressed her lips against his, moving forward into his lap and straddling him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She tilted her head and opened her mouth just a tad to let her tongue trail over his lips, and she massaged the back of his head as she moaned deeply.
Erik grasped Christine's back, kissing her with a voracious passion and arching his body as he pressed his hips to Christine's. "Mmm... we must... send the children away more often.." He purred, winking at his wife and trailing his lips down her neck.
Christine smiled and leant her head back to give him better access as she held the back of his head. "Mmm... I fully agree." She trailed her other hand down his chest and in between them, and ran her fingertips lightly over the front of his pants.
Gasping in need, Erik found her lips and kissed Christine with a great passion and need, biting at her mouth and moving his hips forward. "Christine..." He groaned, squeezing his eyes closed.
Christine gasped and thrust her hips against his, just as the front door opened and the sound of children giggling and babies whining filled the foyer and reached her ears. She groaned and let her whole body fall forward on Erik's, her head on his shoulder and her limp body pressing him back against the settee. She sighed and closed her eyes, preparing herself for the four children who needed her to take care of them.
Groaning softly, Erik rubbed Christine's back and kissed her cheek. "Later." He whispered into her ear, cuddling her closer to his body and letting his eyes slip closed.
Maddy rushed into the room, giggling insanely and jumping up onto the settee next to her parents. She tapped on Erik's shoulder and covered her mouth to stifle her giggles. "Papa, Mamma, guess what I saw!"
Jean Claude walked in with Bella in his arms, and he flushed. "Maddy, please!" His eyes were pleading.
Erik grinned then, and tilted Maddy's chin. "What did you see, dear?"
Maddy grinned broadly. "Uncle Jean Claude was giving Marie the special hug!" She threw her head back and laughed as Marie entered the room with Phillip, and she called to Charles. "Tell Maman and Papa, Charles, tell them what we saw!"
Charles laughed, running over to jump on the settee. "Uncle Jean Claude and Marie! Special hugging!" He said with another laugh. Suddenly he appeared to notice the position his parents were in, and he frowned for a moment. "Were you special hugging too?"
Christine rolled her eyes and sighed, and then sat up on Erik's lap. "That's really none of your business, my son." She winked and then looked up to her uncle. "The twins weren't left alone awake, while you were special hugging, were they?"
Jean Claude gulped and shook his head. "They were asleep." He placed Bella in Christine's arms and motioned for Marie to place Phillip in Erik's arms. "We must go, but it was nice seeing you!" He kissed the top of Maddy's head and ruffled Charles hair, and then grabbed Marie's hand. She was shaking from embarrassment.
Erik sighed, looking at Christine and silently questioning whether or not they should stop the older couple from leaving. He gently rocked Phillip, who cooed softly and clutched at Erik's shirt.
Christine whispered into Maddy's ear and the young girl ran to take Marie's hand, insisting she come and look at the toys she had in her room. Christine called for her uncle and when he came into the room sulking, she said softly, "Uncle, why can't you just ask for her hand? I'm sure she'd be more than happy to become your wife."
Erik nodded at what Christine said, smiling up at Jean Claude. "Yes, why don't you ask her to marry you?"
Jean Claude sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm just waiting for the correct time. She practically already is my wife, have you seen my house?" He smiled softly and shrugged. "I will soon. But don't tell her that." He leant down and kissed the top of Christine's head, and then moved out of the room to fetch his redheaded lover.
Christine grinned at Erik and kissed him softly before standing with Bella in her arms. "Charles, would you like to put Bella to bed? It's very late."
Charles nodded eagerly, reaching out to take his little sister into his arms. "Good night, maman, papa." He said, before walking slowly from the room and cuddling his sister close.
As Maddy walked into the sitting room, the front door closed. She yawned and crawled upon the settee to sit in between Christine and Erik. "I will start school soon, won't I? I'm a little frightened."
Erik smiled at Maddy, ruffling her hair. "I'm sure there is nothing to be frightened about... but I never attended school.." He looked to Christine for help.
Christine smiled softly at her daughter and kissed her forehead. "This will surely be no obstacle for you, my darling. You will be the smartest and prettiest, I assure you." She lowered her voice. "And perhaps you'll meet your future husband who'll give you a special hug?"
Maddy grinned and nodded. "I'd like that. I want him to sing just like Daddy, and be brave and smart!" She kissed her father on the cheek and took Phillip in her arms. "Good night." She accepted Christine's kiss to her cheek and stood, taking Phillip from the room.
Erik chuckled as he watched Maddy leave, and scooted closer to his wife. "She's growing up so fast.." He said softly, leaning over to place a warm kiss to Christine's cheek.
Christine nodded and settled into Erik's arms, her back to his chest, and her head leaning on his shoulder. "I know. It seems as if she was never a small baby." She smiled sadly. "I remember when she first crawled, when we were out for a picnic."
Erik yawned and stretched a bit, rubbing his eyes and cuddling closer to his wife. "Someday they'll all be grown up... and we'll be alone again." He smirked. "Finally."
X
Christine settled back against the bathtub, sighing softly. The warm water felt so good against her skin, easing her aching muscles. She'd be sewing a lot lately, making Maddy new dresses for school. She hummed softly as she ran the sponge along her legs and toes, and then up across her chest. She didn't want this to end, but she knew she must go back to work soon. She reached out for where she usually placed the towels, but they were all gone. It was a bad thing, but it also meant she could stay in the tub longer. "Maddy!" She called.
Madeleine came hopping up the stairs at her mother's call, and smiled as she entered the upstairs bathroom. "What is it, Mamma?"
Can you be a lovely little dear and fetch me some towels from the downstairs bathroom? It seems there are none here." Christine pointed to the small shelf behind her.
Maddy nodded and turned, heading back down the stairs to retrieve some towels for her mother. She grabbed two light blue towels and turned, scowling as she spotted Bella giggling and running her hand through Charles's hair.
Erik saw Maddy moving from the downstairs bathroom, and grinned slyly. "Darling, are those towels for your mother?"
Maddy nodded and tried to move past him, reaching the foot of the stairs.
"Let me take them to her." He said, winking at his daughter. "Your mother and I have some catching up to do."
Maddy rolled her eyes and slapped playfully at her father's arm. "You're incollageable." She shook her head as she moved back towards her room, feeling proud that she had picked up the word her mother had used.
Erik laughed, shaking his head lightly at his daughter and moving up the stairs swiftly, towels in hand. Reaching the door, he looked around to make sure none of the children were watching, then removed his clothing and tossed them against the wall. Grinning, he knocked on the bathroom door, knowing Christine would suspect it to be her daughter on the other side.
Christine frowned and leaned her head back against the tub. "Maddy, you know very well you don't have to knock. Come in and give me the towels, I'm turning into a prune!" She smiled as she closed her eyes and rested her head on the smooth porcelain.
Grinning, Erik threw the door open, and looked at his wife. Seeing that her eyes were closed, he sat the towels on the floor next to the Christine, then perched on the edge of the porcelain. Grinning broadly, he jumped in, sending water all about them and over the sides as he tackled Christine and kissed her passionately.
Christine shrieked, but it was muffled by Erik's mouth of hers. She slapped at his shoulders and raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't wait your turn, hmm?" She grinned and looked to the side of the tub. "The towels are wet."
Looking at them, Erik shrugged. "Well, if we stay in here long enough they'll dry right up." He said, before pulling Christine tightly against his body and sinking low into the water with a purr. "Ahh..this is nice..." He said, before setting his mouth to her throat and nibbling playfully.
Christine sighed deeply and trailed her hands up his thigh, and then up his arm. "This is nice." She smiled and kissed his shoulder, and laid her head back on his chest, before turning completely so that her chest was pressed to his. She began to trail kisses up his chest and to his collarbone.
Erik gave a small moan, sliding his hands up Christine's back and rubbing her shoulders. "I could stay like this all day.." He said, his voice completely relaxed. Gently he brought his mouth forward, capturing Christine's lips in his own, and he gently brushed his tongue against her lips. "The children are all busy..." He said, eyebrows rising and hope in his eyes.
Christine moaned and captured his lips again. She smiled against his lips and moved to sit up, her thighs on either side of his. "And now it seems we are busy, as well." She grinned deviously before wrapped her arms around his neck loosely and trailing her lips down to his earlobe, where she nibbled gently.
Erik whimpered, leaning his head a bit to the side to give Christine better access. "That we are." He whispered, whimpering softly. "We must do this more often." Gently he reached down, rubbing his fingers over Christine's abdomen and then a bit lower.
Christine gasped his name in his ear and moved her lower half into his touch, her hands clutching his shoulders. She moved her mouth to bite at his neck, and sucked fiercely there as she moaned against his skin.
Erik looked down at Christine with a devilish smile, pressing his fingers against her opening, then sliding slowly inside of her. "I love you, Christine." He whispered in her ear, finding a steady rhythm with his fingers and cupping her cheek with his free hand.
Christine moaned loudly and closed her eyes, her head dropping to his shoulder as she moved her lower body in time with his thrusting fingers. She moaned continuously against his neck, and her hands gripped him tightly as she was overcome with her deep pleasure.
Erik whimpered softly, sliding his fingers away and trying to figure out how he would pull off what he wanted so badly to do. Finally he sighed, moving to face Christine instead. Looking into her eyes, he reached out to take her knees in his hands and move her legs a bit further apart. Winking playfully, he took in a deep breath and plunged beneath the warm water, moving between Christine's legs and pressing his mouth against her womanhood playfully.
Christine gasped and moaned loudly, her hands coming up to grasp the sides of the tub so tightly her knuckles turned white. She groaned and reached one hand down to press his head more firmly against her. She panted softly and closed her eyes, shaking a bit from the waves of desire washing over her.
Erik's head flew up as he gasped for breath, and he smiled at Christine, giving his head a little shake. "Do you like that?" He asked, arching an eyebrow. Taking another deep breath, he moved his head back down again and resumed his previous actions, clutching her thighs and whimpering softly.
Christine's stomach tightened and she grasped a handful of his hair, pulling his face above water. She shivered furiously and informed breathily, "We won't be busy much longer if you keep that up." Her head was swimming with desire and all she wanted to do was press his mouth back to her aching flesh.
Whimpering softly, Erik moved forward to kiss Christine gently, as his hands slid down to rest at her hips. "I love you.." He whispered, bringing his hips to rest against Christine's and holding back from their union.
Christine groaned and clutched his upper arms. "Oh my Angel... I love you too.." She moved her hips up and gasped when she felt the water crash against her as the tip of his manhood press against her opening.
Erik whimpered, moving his hips forward and groaning when he entered her. "Oh Christine...!" He moved swiftly then, throwing his head back and listening to the sounds of the water sloshing around them and his heavy breathing. "Yess..."
Christine threw her head back and moved with him, the water splashing upon her chest. She panted his name softly and grasped the back of his neck, her other hand resting on his rear, her nails digging into his flesh. Her back rested against the end of the tub, and she felt herself begin to slide down and the water sliding over her chest and pressing against her back.
Erik moaned, thrusting deeply into Christine and kissing her with a bruising force. "Oh God yes, Christine..." He whispered, reaching a hand back to rest over Christine's at his rear. The feel of the water washing over them, of her hands on his body, everything was driving him closer and closer to his release.
Christine gasped and leant her head up to capture his lips, both hands now on his bottom, and pulled him deeper just as she tried to keep her head above water. Her hair fanned out underneath the water and tickled her back and she tore her mouth away from Erik's as she felt herself releasing. "Oh Erik... Oh Erik!"
Erik cried out, his voice echoing in the room, and he thrust once more, and his body shook as he released, his body pressing Christine below the water for a moment before he regained enough strength to pull them both up. Gasping for breath, Erik pressed his face into her neck, breathing heavily and wrapping his arms tightly around her.
Christine held him close, panting as water dribbled from his body onto hers. She ran her wet fingers through his hair, and kissed the top of his head as her breath returned to normal. "That was amazing," she whispered softly, squeezing her legs around him.
A soft knock at the door was heard, and Maddy opened the door to peek in. She grinned and threw two new towels near them, and giggled. "I didn't know you could give the special hug in the bathtub."
Erik laughed, giving Maddy a wink. "Would you believe your mother and I have given the special hug in a closet once?" He asked, glancing down at Christine and winking at her. "Thank you for the towels, dear." He said, blowing his daughter a kiss.
Maddy blushed and left, closing the door behind her and scooping up her father's clothes to take to his bedroom. She noticed that he didn't wear any undergarments, and she frowned. Moving back toward the bathroom, she poked her head in, just as Christine was about to give Erik a sarcastic comment. "Mamma? Why do you and I wear underclothes and Papa doesn't? That's not fair!"
Erik turned red, giving Maddy a sly smirk. "Because they're damn uncomfortable." He stated, not caring that he had cursed in front of his daughter.
Christine pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. Maddy frowned and moved away from the door, and closed it. "Well I don't want to wear any damn uncomfortable things!" She grinned and ran from the upstairs area, sliding down the rail.
Christine's eyes sparkled as she wrapped her arms tightly around Erik. "I suppose I should stop wearing undergarments, as well." She raised an eyebrow, knowing full well what his answer would be.
A look of rapture came over Erik's face and he leaned forward, kissing Christine passionately. "I would prefer you not wearing any clothing at all.. but if that's the best I'm going to get..."
Christine grinned and slid up, standing in front of him. "Perhaps when the children are away, I will think about wearing nothing. I'd hate to displease you." She smiled slyly and turned to bend down for the towels.
Erik watched Christine bend and smiled at the view, before reaching out to grasp her rear in his hands. Laughing, he shook the water from his hair like a dog and frowned as the strands moved down over his eyes and all around his face. He chuckled, grabbing a towel and beginning to dry.
Christine giggled as she turned to Erik, and she pressed her still slightly wet body against his, her arms wrapping around his neck. "Where shall we try next?" She raised an eyebrow, wondering what odd place was left for them to make love.
Appearing thoughtful for a moment, Erik grinned suddenly. "In a tree." He stated, nipping at her nose, then beginning to towel her off. "Although I would fear you may fall."
X
Christine held Maddy's hand as they walked through the town, and finally came to rest in front of a little schoolhouse. Christine crouched down and held Maddy by the waist. "Now, my brave, smart, beautiful little girl... You have no reason to worry. You'll impress everyone, and you know that your father and I are very proud of you." She kissed the tip of her nose. "You can even brag to Charles about how everyone that you were so brilliant." She stood and took her hand again. "I will be here this afternoon to walk you home, okay?"
Maddy nodded and bit her lip, tears in her deep blue eyes. "Yes, Mamma." She suddenly hugged her tightly, burying her face into Christine's waist. "I love you, Mamma. Tell Papa I love him, too." She took a deep breath and pulled away as Christine smiled down at her, trying to hold her own tears back, and ran her fingers through Maddy's raven hair.
"Go on, now. You'll be great." Christine opened the door for Maddy and the girl walked in, looking cautiously around before smiling at the teacher and waving. Satisfied she'd be all right, Christine smiled and wiped at her eyes. She turned and made her way back down the streets, the way she'd came, feeling worried and proud at the same time. One thing was for sure: Madeleine had grown up completely too fast.
Raoul de Chagny stood behind the large oak tree, watching as Christine lead her daughter to the school house. "It's amazing... that little girl was the baby I met... it seems so long ago..." He mumbled to himself, watching Christine then. "My Christine.." He whispered, tears filling his eyes. "She's become so elegant.." Looking back to the schoolhouse, he grinned. "I'll be back, little Madeleine, and I'll be your new best friend."
Chapter Twenty Six