Chapter Thirty
Christine woke up early that morning, and stole Erik's white silk mask from the bedside table. It was their anniversary, and he'd promised her he would brave all and steel himself to go out into public so that they could have a nice dinner together. She wanted to wash his mask and make it beautiful, so she took it down to wash it. Later that day, however, as afternoon approached, she was at a complete loss. She'd ruined his mask. The silk had shrunk and wrinkled and she could do nothing. She blanched, knowing she'd have to tell him. Biting her lip and moving forward to the music room hesitantly, she hid the mask behind her back. She'd completely forgotten their special day, knowing she would just feel the rage radiating off him.
Erik turned on the piano bench, looking to Christine and smiling broadly. "Ahh... mon petite cheri..." Standing, he moved across the room and drew Christine against his body. His lips moved down across her face and neck as he chuckled against her. "Have you come to give me an anniversary gift, my dear?"
Christine bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, her body responding to his caresses but not her mind. She moved away from him and looked up at him guiltily, chewing restlessly on her bottom lip.
"What is it, Christine?" He asked, moving forward again and cupping her cheek. "Is something the matter?"
Not finding her voice, she nodded and stepped away from him again, and held out his mutilated mask. She lowered her eyes and gulped, her throat and mouth feeling very dry.
Erik gasped, snatching the mask from her hands and looking down at it in shock. "My mask?! What have you done to it!?" He cried, looking up at Christine in shock and anger.
Christine shrugged helplessly and shook her head. "I don't know, I tried to wash it and make it pretty for us to go out tonight..." She looked at the mask with distaste and a painful expression.
"Christine!" He wailed, fists clenching. "You cannot wash silk, it will become ruined! You should have told me what you were thinking, now my mask is destroyed! I shall have to send Nadir to commission a new one, and it won't be finished for weeks!" He exclaimed, advancing on her slowly.
Christine stomped her foot, something she hadn't done since she had been but a girl, and clenched her fists, as well. "Well, I didn't know that! I was only trying to play my role as wife properly! And you know what?!" She bit the inside of her lip before shouting, "I'm glad it's ruined! I hate it!"
Before Erik knew what he was doing, he dropped the mask and slapped Christine across the face. The sound echoed through the otherwise silent room, and Erik's hand stung from the force of the blow. His eyes widened when he realized what he had done, but the anger still clouded his mind, eyes narrowed with rage.
Christine's mouth fell open, her hand flying to her face. Her whole head had snapped to the side, and now she looked up at him, her whole body shaking with rage and fear. She tried to breathe properly but found she couldn't do it. She looked up at him with pain and anger in her eyes before she turned and slammed the door of the music room, and called out to the children. She was not going to stay in that house with him, not after that. Had he lost his mind?! Erik had never laid a hand on her except in love! Tears stung her eyes but she forced them back. As Maddy entered the room, Christine said, "Gather some clothes. We're going to Aunt Meg's."
X
Meg and her Madame Giry had been sitting and talking about the ballet corps when a frantic knock came to the door. Meg jumped up and rushed to the foyer of the flat and opened the door, gasping when she saw a clearly upset Christine and all her children crowded on the front step. Meg's eyes widened when she saw how red and swollen Christine's cheek looked, and without a word she ushered everyone inside. "Christine?! What happened?!"
Christine pushed the children forward and handed Bella to Charles. "Go on now, go play with your Grandma Giry." When they were far enough away, Christine let out a great sob and fell into Meg's arms, completely limp. She felt broken, and she didn't know what to do next. "Oh Meg," she cried into her shoulder, "It was so horrible."
"What was?! Christine, tell me what happened!" Swiftly Meg tugged Christine up the stairs and into her bedroom, pushing her to sit down.
"Oh God," Christine sobbed, wiping furiously at her eyes. She choked as she began, "Today's our anniversary, and I only wanted to make his mask glow for dinner tonight! And then he slapped me, Meg, he slapped me!" She fell back on the bed and buried her face into it, sobbing harder than she ever had before. "I want to die!" She screamed into the bed, pounding her fists against it.
Meg dropped to the bed beside Christine, rubbing her friends back and sighing. "Oh Christine... I was worried something like this would happen... he has far too much anger in him to be around you..." She said softly, stroking Christine's hair from her face. "Would you like a rag for your face, it looks like it must hurt!"
Christine sat up and shook her head wildly, clutching Meg's hands. "But Meg! He loves me so much! He's never done anything like this!" She began to cry harder and fell back to the bed. "I don't know what to do!"
Meg sighed and tugged Christine into her arms, hugging her best friend. "Shhh... Christine, I don't know what to tell you... maybe Maman will know better..." Jumping up, Meg rushed to the doorway. "I'll be right back!" She exclaimed, before rushing from the room and down the stairs.
Several moments later, Meg returned with Madame Giry. Meg smiled reassuringly at Christine, before leaving the room and closing the door tightly. Madame Giry moved slowly to sit on the edge of the bed, and pulled from behind her back a cold cloth. Gently she pressed it to Christine's cheek. "Now, child... I hear that he has hurt you."
Christine whimpered and clutched the sides of the bed, tears still falling from her eyes. "I just don't understand why he did it!"
Madame Giry gently grasped Christine's hand, holding it tightly. "Now Christine... you must remember how life was for him before... his mask was all he had, so I suppose he is still very sensitive about it. I am not saying it was right of him to hurt you, but all he knew was violence, child. I suppose he is still learning how to protect himself without it." She said softly, adjusting the cloth on Christine's face.
Christine sobbed softly as she tried to stop crying. "But... He's never hurt me before. He's been upset with me before and he's never slapped me!" She had a head splitting ache, and her head began to throb. "Should I fear him now? I haven't feared him in so long... What if he got upset with Maddy, and decided to strike her? I won't run that risk." Very softly she asked, "Can we stay with you?"
�Oh child... you can stay here as long as you need, but do not deny him a chance to explain if he comes to you... although he does not know you have come here, am I right?"
"You are right. But we don't have so many family friends. He will know eventually. He is, after all, a genius." She sat up, rubbing her face and wiped away her tears. "Please don't let the children know about why we are here. They look up to him so much..." She trailed off, tears filling her eyes again.
Madame Giry nodded, placing Christine's hand over the cloth to hold it in place. "They will not know, I promise you. Now you should rest, I shall look after the children, worry not." Standing, Madame Giry walked to the door, and after casting Christine a motherly look, left the room.
X
Erik paced through the house, rage still overflowing within his mind and body. Christine had left with the children, that he knew... but where could they have gone?! He couldn't go out after her with no mask! Giving a cry of rage, he finally grabbed his cloak and fedora, putting both on, and took a deep breath. Slowly he opened the front door and winced at the bright sunlight. "Christine..." He whispered, before he rushed from the house, head held low, and moved toward Jean Claude's home.
Jean Claude had been on the couch with Marie, about to propose to her, when he heard a loud knock at his door. Sighing, he stood and smiled down at his lover. Marie stood too, and said, "You go finish cleaning the dishes, and I�ll answer the door." When she did answer the knock, she gasped, seeing Erik maskless. Placing a hand to her heart, she gave him a nervous smile and welcomed him in. "Where are Christine, and the children?"
Striding inside, he lowered his head so Marie didn't have to see his face any more and began to pace back and forth, fists clenched. "I was about to ask you that same question. She's disappeared and I do not know where she has gone. You have not heard from her?"
Marie frowned and shook her head. "No Erik, we have not. But why did she disappear? Are the children with her?"
"Yes, she's taken the children with. We had a fight..."
Marie raised an eyebrow but decided it'd be better not to ask. She reached out and touched his arm. "You must find them, Erik. We'll keep them here if they come. Be safe."
Nadir was seated at his kitchen table enjoying one of his favorite Persian meals that he was actually able to cook, when a frantic knocking came at his door. Standing, he sighed as he pulled on his waistcoat and moved to the door. He frowned when he saw Erik maskless and beckoned him in. "Whatever is the matter, Erik, and where is your mask?"
Erik rubbed his face with a sigh. "It is ruined, and I'm looking for Christine, is she here?" He demanded, his eyes wide and fearful.
�No, my friend, I'm afraid she is not... why would she be?"
Erik groaned, sinking down into a chair. "We had a fight and I... well, I hurt her... she took the children, and I can't find her anywhere.."
Nadir patted Erik's shoulder, sitting next to him. "Have you tried monsieur Jean Claude's home?"
Erik nodded, "They have not seen her."
Nadir appeared thoughtful. "How about Mademoiselle Giry's home?"
Erik's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea... I have not been there yet, thank you Nadir..."
The Persian man smiled, opening the door for Erik. "If she comes here, I will tell her you have been looking for her." He said warmly, patting Erik's back. "Allah be with you."
Erik ran down the street, ignoring the stares of the people he passed, ignoring the shrieks of horror at his face, the children pointing and clinging to their parents. Reaching the Giry's home, he gasped for breath. It had grown late, and he could not bring himself to wake anyone inside. Walking slowly, he peered into the windows and his eyes widened when they settled on the guest room. Curled up in the large bed were Christine and the children as well. Tear tracks made their way down his wife's cheeks, and from this angle he could see how red and swollen one side of her face was. "I really am a monster..." He mumbled, continuing to watch his wife sleep as the hours passed by and by.
Christine awoke much later than she was used to waking up. Maddy was curled at her knees, and Bella was at her bosom, her fingers curling in Christine's hair. She looked over her shoulder to find her boys, and smiled down at them, reaching out to run a hand over Charles's curls before scooting out of the bed and walking into the kitchen. She smiled at Meg and her mother, though the smile did not reach her eyes. "I apologize for sleeping so long. One of you should've wakened me."
Madame Giry shook her head. "Nonsense, you needed rest." She stated, fixing Christine a cup of tea and some toast. "How are you feeling?"
"Not good at all, but that's a given." She fell into a chair beside Meg and brushed her hair off her shoulders. "My eyes heart and I have a pounding headache. I think Bella might've grabbed at my face in her sleep or something last night." She sighed and rested her head in her hands. "I feel helpless, and it's so strange because I haven't in such a very long time."
Meg frowned, and put a hand on Christine's arm. "Oh Christine... I'm sure everything will work out, you love each other, after all..."
Madame Giry handed Christine her tea and smiled reassuringly at her.
"I suppose you're right." Christine sipped at her tea, not feeling reassured whatsoever. Everything that happened seemed so unreal. Just as she was about to talk again, Maddy came out, running her fingers over her eyes to wipe sleep from them. She looked between the three women, a frown on her pretty face.
Meg smiled at Maddy then, and reached out to prepare her some breakfast. "Good morning, Madeleine... would you like some toast?"
Maddy smiled and nodded, and went to Christine, climbing into her lap. She turned to her mother and played with her hair for a moment, her eyes never leaving the large bruise on her cheek, and she kissed her there before turning to grab her toast. "Are the others still asleep?" Christine questioned, rubbing Maddy's back.
Maddy nodded and gulped down the toast she'd been chewing. "I moved Bella on Charles so she could drool on him." She grinned.
Suddenly a disgusted noise came from down the hall. "Bella! You've got me all wet!" Charles cried, before he came walking down the hall, Bella in his arms and Phillip holding onto his shirt as he walked behind. "Good morning Maman, Meg, Grandma Giry.." He giggled at the last words and walked to the table, setting Bella on the floor for a moment and lifting Phillip to a chair. Picking up Bella, Charles sat down with his little sister in his lap then, and looked curiously to his mother. "Are we going to go home today, Maman?"
Christine's eyes filled with tears and she looked to Meg before squeezing Maddy tighter to her and resting her chin atop her daughter's head. "I... I do not know, Charles. It's just that I..." She frowned as she tried to find an excuse. "I haven't seen Aunt Meg and Grandma Giry in a while and I wanted to spend a lot of time with them."
Charles nodded simply, before reaching out and preparing Phillip his breakfast. Setting the plate before his little brother, he reached out and took his hand, putting it over the toast so Phillip would know where it was. "Is that okay, Phillip?" At the boy�s nod and smile, Charles got Bella's food ready as well as his own, and began to feed his little sister. "I miss Papa, why isn't he here too?"
Christine's fist came down on the table, making Maddy and Bella jump. "Stop asking questions, Charles, and eat! My head hurts too much, I cannot even think!" She lifted both hands to her head with a painful expression on her face.
The windows throughout the home were open to let the fresh air come in, and through them, the sounds of singing floated in on the air.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...
Let me lead you from your solitude...."
Meg's eyes widened and she looked around fearfully. "What..?"
Christine's eyes widened and she scooted away from the table. Maddy slid out of her lap and they both stood. Maddy looked up at her mother. "That... That song!" She began to sing along, but Christine raised a hand, shushing her. She walked near the windows, where she could hear it clearly. She knew that voice...
The voice came again.
"Say you need me with you here, beside you...
Anywhere you go, let me go too - Christine, that's all I ask of you..."
The voice choked off then from tears which overcame the singer.
Christine gasped and went to the window, looking out. Down below, in the green grass, was her husband. He was maskless, in broad daylight, singing to her. Her heart swelled and tears came to her eyes. She looked down at him, her gaze sweeping over him as if she believed he was just a mirage.
Maddy went to the window beside Christine's, and her face lit up. She waved madly. "Daddy!"
Erik looked at Christine's face, tears streaming down his cheeks. Reaching up, he drew away his fedora and held it against his chest. "Share each day with me, each night, each morning..."
Christine's heart raced and she backed away from the window, and lifted her skirts as she ran to the door, threw it open, and ran into the yard, stopping only a few feet from him. "Say you love me..." She continued the song, tears flowing freely now.
Erik moved forward a little, dropping his hat carelessly to the ground and looking deeply into her eyes, apology written in them as tears slid down his cheeks. "You know I do..." He sang softly.
Christine stepped forward and wiped the tears from his cheeks, and then, unable to control her body, she threw her arms around his neck, and clung to him, holding him so tightly she might have crushed his bones. She wept onto his shoulder, but not from pain. No, no more pain... He had apologized, in the best way.
Giving a cry of relief Erik held Christine tightly against his body, his arms wrapped around her waist and his face buried into her hair. "Oh Christine... my Christine..."
"I'm sorry about your mask," she whispered against his ear, her arms tightening around him.
"I'm sorry for hurting you..." He murmured, drawing back to look into her eyes. Slowly his hand moved up to caress her bruised cheek and he sobbed softly. "My God... I am so very sorry..."
Christine pushed her face into his touch and reached up to caress his scarred cheek. "I'm sorry for leaving you... I promised I never would again... But I love you, Erik. Oh God, I do." She embraced him again, holding him even more tightly.
Meg and Madame Giry watched from the doorway, both smiling slightly as Erik bent over and kissed Christine gently, his hand moving to the back of her head as tears continued to fall down his cheeks.
Christine smiled up at Erik and kissed him softly once more before turning and calling to the children. "Gather your things!" She called to them, smiling wide. "We're going home."
X
Christine moved from the kitchen to where all the dirty laundry was, carrying what the children had used to the large hamper. She'd have to wash them later. It was much too late in the evening to make the noise as the children tried to get some sleep. Luckily Bella had chosen to go to sleep peacefully that night. Christine sighed as she set down the laundry and turned to move back to the kitchen.
Erik snuck silently down the stairs and through the hall, reaching his wife and crouching down in preparation to strike. He waited until she had walked by, then leapt out from the shadows of the music room's doorway and tackled her to the ground. His lips were over hers in a matter of moments, and he held her down with ease. After a very thorough kiss, he drew his lips away and smiled rakishly. "I have a very lovely anniversary present for you, my dear..."
Christine raised an eyebrow. "Do you?" She tried to smile but her cheek still stung dully. "Well I love presents. Show me." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, ignoring the pain in her cheek.
Gently Erik scooped Christine into his arms and carried her up the stairs and to the bedroom. Kicking open the door, he laid her gently onto the bed and closed the door. "Yes, and I have a feeling we both will enjoy this gift." He murmured. His suit jacket was already gone, and he quickly unbuttoned his shirt, untucking it from his pants and tossing it to the side, then climbing onto Christine's body and looking down possessively at her.
Christine grinned up at him, raising an eyebrow. "But... if it's my gift, wouldn't it be just for me? I hate to be selfish..." She bit her bottom lip as she looked up at him, reaching down to tug her skirts up from around her ankles so that she could cradle him between her thighs. "So why don't you let me tie you down?"
Erik grinned and shook his head. "No no no... no need for that." He stated, moving away from Christine and looking down at her as he unbuttoned his trousers. "Undress,� he commanded with an arch of his eyebrow, "And receive your gift."
Christine raised an eyebrow and grinned before flipping over and reaching to the ties of her dress as she breathed into her hair. Her bruised cheek lay against the pillow softly, and she was careful not to rest on it too firmly as she lifted her lower body to slide her dress down. She immediately set to work on her corset, her fingers getting caught clumsily in the laces. She cursed and jerked at them.
Erik smiled as he watched Christine shed her clothing, and he carefully removed his trousers, tossing them aside. Standing completely naked now, he walked a few steps forward and helped Christine with her corset.
Christine sighed with relief as the corset came off, and she allowed herself to take several deep breaths before turning back around and putting her hands behind her head, and smiled up at Erik as her desiring gaze swept over him from head to toe, paying the most attention to just below his abdomen...
Erik frowned and looked down at Christine curiously. "I told you to undress, yet you are still clothed..." He stated, plucking at her chemise. "Take it off."
Christine's eyebrows rose and a bemused expression came over her face. "Why must I be unclothed to receive my present?"
Glaring now, Erik crossed his arms over his chest. "Because I am going to ravish you completely and fully, and for this to occur you must be unclothed." He stated, tapping his foot. "Now take it off."
Christine bit her lip and though her body shook with pleasure, she wouldn't give in so easily. "What if I don't? You know what, Erik, if you want it so bad, why don't you come over here and take it?" Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "I dare you..." She scooted further over on the bed to get away from him, giving him a teasing smile.
Erik growled and lurched forward, unbuttoning her chemise enough to pull it over her head, then throwing it to the side. "I think I will." He said roughly, before licking his lips and grasping her legs. He knelt before her, pulling her legs up and leaning forward, he was able to pull them over his shoulders, and then he pressed himself against Christine, not entering her body, but instead just holding himself there and smiling down at her.
Christine gasped and looked up at him with wide eyes, coming up for a moment and then laying back down. She stared up at him, her jaw dropped. "Erik...?" She glanced down for a moment, and then up to her calves, flat against his shoulders. "What...?" She was completely speechless. She'd never even thought of this...
Erik grinned devilishly down at Christine, capturing her lips with his own and surging forward, thrusting himself deeply within his wife.
Christine took a deep breath and looked up at him, flabbergasted. Waves of pleasure came crashing down on her and she shook for a moment before grabbing his upper arms and thrusting her tongue out to meet with his, as she slowly began to move her lower body as best she could in this position.
Erik growled as he pressed himself hard against Christine, eyes fluttering closed as he moved deeper into Christine than he ever had before. "Happy... Anniversary..." He moaned, kissing her passionately and moving a bit faster.
Christine whimpered and closed her eyes, her hands sliding down to grip his hard thighs. She moaned his name deeply, her nails digging into the back of his thighs. She'd never felt so much pleasure in her life. She was close to climaxing and she'd never come that quick, which amazed her even more. She released with a cry, but as he was still moving within her, she began to build up toward another climax, the whole time moaning his name.
Erik gasped, hardly believing that this much pleasure could ever be felt, and his head flew back as Christine tightened around his flesh, and moved harder within her then, determined that she would experience that pleasure again, right at that moment. His mouth moved down to take her breast into his mouth. "Christine..." He moaned against her flesh, feeling his release building.
She moaned and couldn't help but scream, "Oh, Erik! Oh my Phantom YES! YES!" Her head moved from side to side as he moved furiously within her, and she clasped her hands around as much as she could of his thighs, gasping and panting for breath. She brought her lips to his once more and nibbled on his lower lip, feeling her second release so incredibly close...
Gasping for breath by now, Erik looked lovingly into Christine's eyes as his own clouded over with passion, became almost glassy, and with a great, thunderous cry, he released, continuing to move even as he shook and whimpered, even as his arms threatened to give out.
Christine's cry shook the entire room as she came a second time, and she slid her calves from his shoulders, wrapping them around his waist as she trembled. She pulled his head down to hers, kissing him fervently as she continued to shake with the overwhelming bliss. She moaned into his mouth and licked his lower lip.
Erik sighed heavily as he allowed his arms to give out, and he lay atop Christine heavily. Slowly he kissed her back, eyes fluttering. Pulling away, he smiled sleepily at his wife. "I love you, Christine Destler."
Christine sighed happily and kissed his jaw as she ran her hands through his hair. "And I love you, my angel, my phantom... My Erik." She smiled and kissed him softly once more. "Happy anniversary, my love."
Chapter Thirty One