The Phantom of the Opera: A Beauty and a Beast (Guile and Melody)

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine heard this all come from the very lips that had treasured for so long. "I am not ready for a husband right now, Erik. I am still young. I want some time before I ever agree to such a thing." She stayed in his arms, trying to comfort him, assure him that she wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. "I can't marry you at only nineteen. I cant. Please understand that." Without thinking of her actions, Christine kissed the mangled half of Erik's face. "I shall always treasure you, however."

 

[Guile]

Erik closed her eyes at this kiss that she placed on the right side of his face. A sigh came from his lips that he couldn't hold back - he had never felt another's touch on that side of his face before. It was rare for him to feel any sort of human contact, but even more so on this side of his face. "My dear, Christine, I understand." Erik was so shocked from the kiss that his brain had a hard time scrambling for the words he wanted to say. "I wouldn't ask you to make such a hasty decision right now." He wrapped his arms around her tighter, being mindful of the baby however, so he didn't hold her too tight. "I just want you to know that...well, that I love you. And I just wanted you to know how much I love you. If you were ready to marry me now, I would." Erik chuckled softly at this. "I know you aren't though. Right now I just want to focus on you and the baby. I want to make sure the two of you come out of this unharmed and safe with me."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine let out a relieved gust of wind from her mouth. Her whole body seemed to relax at the fact that he had taken her refusal so well. Oh, thank you. She smiled when he wrapped her in a tight hug, ready to collapse in his embrace. "Erik, it's not that I don't love you, because I do. I appreciate everything that you've given me. Your child will be born, knowing that his parents love him and each other." She used 'him' as a general term. She didn't know the outcome of the little one, yet. "But, I just want some time to be free before I settle down with a husband. Please understand what I'm saying to you."

 

[Guile]

"I understand, really, I do. I want you to take your time - be free, have fun. Live your life as a young woman, and when you're done being reckless," he joked lightly, "then you will find me waiting patiently, my heart set on loving you, like it is now." Erik smiled at her, hoping that would reassure her. Plus, her words brought a joy to his heart that reassured he, himself. Your child will be born, knowing that his parents love him and each other. "Thank you, Christine. Thank you for giving me a chance at happiness. I will do everything in my power to keep you and our child happy and healthy, whether you and I are married or not. Marriage does not symbolize our love. In fact, our child does a better job of that than any marriage could. I love you, Christine." Erik paused, working up the nerve to do something he longed to do. After a few moments, he had the nerve to lean down and place a soft kiss to her lips.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Reckless, you say? Well!" She placed her hands on her hips for some time, teasing as well. "I hope you aren't expecting me to come crawling back to you with bruises and bumps, Erik." She let her hands fall to her sides as he leaned over to kiss her. "You're such a beautiful kisser, Erik." She wrapped her arms around his neck, arching her back her hair dangling toward the ground. "And, you're right about him not symbolizing our love, though he is a part of it. I love you, I can promise that."

 

[Guile]

Christine's tease brought a soft laugh out of Erik after their kiss. "You better not come back to me in such a state. I'll never let you leave me again if you get hurt that badly when you're out of my sight." He joked. "Its good to know that I kiss well, though. I must admit I am surprised to hear this, and am highly doubtful of it - seeing as I've not had much practice other than the kisses I have given you." His laughter stopped when Christine wrapped her arms around his neck, but his smile did not fade. She made him so happy with the last words that she spoke that Erik thought his heart just might burst. I love you, I can promise that. "Christine, you don't know how long and hard I prayed to hear those words spoken to me. To hear them from your lips...you make everything alright. Everything horrible that has ever happened to me seems as if were just a bad dream, when you're near me." Erik slid his arms around Christine and gently pulled her close to him. He never thought that he would ever feel comfortable doing such a thing to someone, but he couldn't have felt calmer, more at ease, in that moment. It was all thanks to Christine - her words and her actions had given him a chance at a new life, a chance to be a new man.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine could feel her heart reverberating against her ribs in such a rapid motion that she truly believed that her heart would escape her dress. "Well, you are a very good and kind person. I honestly don't have a clue where Joseph got such an awful habit of frightening us to death with talk of how you'll kill us all or something of that nature." She rested against him for a long time. "Please, just don't make me choose between my two lives. My two loves. I love you both ever so much and with one of you gone.completely, well, my whole life would shatter." She took a deep breath. "Why worry about me? You're the one that punches through glass when I leave you." She giggled cutely.

 

[Guile]

Christine's laughter sent Erik's heart into a fluttering madness. Oh, how stunning she is when she doesn't even seem to be trying! He looked down at her, resting against his chest, and smiled at such a beautiful picture. "I worry about you because I love you. Which is exactly the reason I lose my head when you leave me. It...it's like my world is falling apart." Erik confessed, trying his best to describe to her how much it hurts him, being away from her. "I feel like someone has taken a knife and cut into my chest, ripping out my heart with their bare hands. I can't stand such a helpless feeling. I can't even breathe when it happens" He tried his best t understand how Christine was feeling, being torn between two men. For the most part, Erik understood her very well. It hurt him to think she was in as much pain as he was. "Christine, I will not force you to choose. I know how you need us both. I know that you love us both. Just remember that...you cannot live this way your whole life. It will destroy you, Christine. It will ruin your heart, all of this pain, and I cant bear to see that happen."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine knew that Erik spoke the truth. She knew that a choice had to be made, and soon! The child inside her was growing into quite the little fighter, even before he was even born! Christine sighed. "You're right, but choosing one man will harm the other, causing him to go into a state of madness that will be impossible for him to come out of. I would have to make a hard decision and I'm not certain that I could go through with it. I'm still a child, Erik." She breathed heavily. "We must go inside. It's far too cold for him, Erik." She held her belly.

 

[Guile]

"I know, Christine. I know." Erik spoke softly, not unaware of how much pressure was on the poor girl, and wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. He didn't know what else he could say to her. She was right - no matter who she chose, the other would be devastated. He wished there was a way around this for Christine - a way out of this madness. Erik was torn from his thoughts by the mention of the cold, which he just took notice to being quite bitter. It was strange how warm Erik was kept as long as he were near Christine. "Of course, Christine." He agreed, that fatherly instinct to protect his child and the mother was kicking in, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders before leading her inside where it was much warmer. As they walked into the building, Erik couldn't help glancing down to where Christine's hand rested over her stomach. Knowing that his child was growing, just below her hand, made Erik suddenly want to reach out and touch her stomach - to be as close as he could to his child at this time. But, even after everything that had happened between he and Christine, Erik couldn't bring himself to touch her without consent. Plus, a part of him was afraid. He didn't know why he was afraid, but he had never been around a pregnant woman before. It made him uneasy - as if Christine would break at the slightest touch.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine sniffled, not willing to give in to how cold she really was. When they had reached the warmth, God, how very gorgeous it was! True, her face stung, but her entire body was now regaining strength. "Erik, thank you so much for understanding how much Raoul means to me." Stopping him, Christine caressed his cheek. "You truly are a gentleman, my love. You understand me so very well." She hurried along, seeing his skin in the light of the hallway and knowing that he could be seen, very soon. "Listen, I won't order you to go anywhere, but, take your mask and do what you see fit." Luckily, she wasn't showing very much around the belly area, so she felt comfortable taking back her spot on stage. "I don't know if I should take my spot back as of right now, Erik. What do you think? This is your child too. You have a say in what I do."

 

[Guile]

"I will always take your feelings into consideration, Christine. Your happiness means the world to me." The soft touch of Christine's hand sent a sensation so beautiful through Erik that he had to close his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again they were both hurrying down the hall, trying to stay out of the light. He did as she asked, taking his mask and slipping it back on, but did not leave. A part of him felt safe in the hallway - like no one would be coming that shouldn't see him. Another part of him simply did not want to go, did not want to be separated from Christine just yet. Erik thought long and hard about what Christine should do about her spot. He wanted her to be happy and, if that meant taking her rightful spot on stage back now, then so be it. But what of the baby? Accidents happened out there all the time. People tripped and fell. Props fell and many have been injured over the years. Did he really want her to risk it? "Christine, I believe the decision is entirely up to you. However, if you want to hear my opinion I shall tell you: I want you to perform because it makes you happy. The last thing I want is for you to regret having our child because it stops you from performing. However, I'm worried. I don't want you t go out there and get hurt. I'm afraid for you and the baby and knowing that you could go out there and...and get into an accident unnerves me. If it were up to me...I would ask you to wait until the baby is born. But, I cannot ask you to put your life on hold because I am worried. You must do what makes you happy, Christine."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"But, Erik, it is up to you, my friend. This is your baby as well." She followed him, slowly, not wanting to scare her precious cargo. "I want to wait until he is born, and then I'll wait a while after that. Just to spend time with him. I'm scared of leaving him with a sitter all the time, then coming home in the evening and hear him call someone else 'Mommy.'" That thought was enough to make her cry, but she was persistent, and wouldn't allow a single drop to fall. "I don't want that." They reached a familiar part of their path home. "We're back."

 

[Guile]

Noticing that Christine did not wish to move too quickly, Erik slowed beside her and offered his arm for her to take. "And I wont allow that." The thought of their child referring to other people as Mother or Father made Erik sick. As he said, he would not allow such a thing. "You take as long as you need. I will make sure you get all the time you want to spend with our child. I don't want you t feel like you're going to be rushed back into performing." Erik knew how much her thought had upset her. Christine was a strong woman and hid her sadness well, but Erik could sense it. As soon as he did, he reached over and placed a reassuring kiss on her cheek. "It won't happen, Christine. Our baby will know who his mother is. And because you are his mother, our child will be the most fortunate child ever born." He whispered to her as they did, indeed, reach a familiar part of the Opera.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

At first, Christine hesitated to move further into the darkness. She was frightened, not knowing when she would be allowed to come back to her life above. Slowly, she moved forward, each step felt like an eternity to her. "Erik, at what point would I be able to come back? If you don't mind my asking." She knew that it sounded rude, but Christine was desperate to know. "How long will I be away this time?" She heard her stomach growling, and looked up at him for some miracle.

 

[Guile]

Erik sensed her fear and immediately looked down at the ground in shame. Had he really frightened her so badly the last time that she was afraid to come back? "Christine, you do not need to be afraid." Now, he looked up into her eyes, wanting her to know he was telling the whole truth. "I will not keep you down here for a second longer than you wish to be here." Erik's eyes were pained, looking quite saddened by her words. "I beg you...do not fear me. I am the last person you need to be afraid of, Christine. I swear it." He heard her stomach growling, thankful for the distraction that brought him out of his sadness. "Come, let's get you below, and I will make you something to eat. We can't have you being hungry now that you're feeding two." Erik said with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Giving in to the Phantom for the thousandth time in her life, Christine followed her teacher into his world of darkness and despair. "Erik, it amazes me that you did this all by yourself. Truly you are talented in more ways than one." Above, if you weren't under the spell of Erik, you could realize that Christine was being called back by the Vicomte. "Christine!" He didn't make it in time, the door had slammed shut behind Christine, who continued to blindly follow her Angel of Music.

 

[Guile]

"Thank you, Christine." Erik smiled, truly flattered that she liked his work. "It's a hollow pride though. Only you and Madame Giry have ever seen it. I built all of it for myself and, sadly, it seems this place will remain this way - built only for my use. No one else even knows it is here." He looked around his own home, examining his work which the hundreds of candles helped to light up. "I am glad you like it, though. It's nice to know that someone other than myself thinks I did a nice job." He chuckled as he led her over to one of the nicer, more comfortable chairs, and had her sit, thinking she must be worn out by the journey because of the condition she was in.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine sat down in the offered chair. "I appreciate that you take such good care of me. Gustav would be delighted to see that his little girl is so happy." Lying back, she closed her eyes and hummed to herself, until she finally grew tired of such a thing. "I will make the meal for us, Teacher. Please." She stood and got to work making the food. "You just relax. You've worked far too hard for a man in his early twenties, my dear." Humming to herself again, she continued cooking.

 

[Guile]

Happy? Do I...do I really make Christine happy? Her words brought a new light to Erik's eyes and he longed to embrace her for being so kind to him. "I will always take care of you, Christine." Before he could react further though, she was up and making their food, to Erik's surprise. "Relax?" He went over to where she stood, cooking and humming to herself. "Don't be ridiculous, Christine." Erik smiled at her and attempted to take over cooking, or at least assist. "I am not the one that is with child, my dear. At least allow me to help you."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt Erik's hot breath on her neck and immediately, she wanted to fall into him, love him. But, it would take a lot more than that to make her submit to him. And, he probably knew that. "I may be with child, but I'm not exactly on bed rest just yet." Still, she let him take over and was reduced to circling the room, looking for something to occupy her time. There were many places to explore...wardrobes to open. One particular wardrobe caught her attention, and, though her stomach was in knots, she opened the doors, carefully. Inside was something that she couldn't believe. A wedding dress on a figure that looked like...oh God!

 

[Guile]

Erik chuckled softly at her response, which he knew was true, but he still was glad when she allowed him to take over. Content with her wandering around the house, as he had forgotten there was one thing he did have to hide, he finished cooking their meal. It only took him a few more minutes after he had taken for the soup to finish cooking. Once it had, he took it off the stove and, to his confusion, realized that the house was awfully quiet - Christine hadn't made a noise for quite sometime. "Christine?" He called out to her, as if asking where she was. Erik wandered around to the different rooms until, at last, he found her. When he realized what she was looking at, his heart sank and his face reddened with pure shame and embarrassment. "C-Christine..." Erik was shaking and his mind was racing, unsure of how to explain such a thing. "Forgive me...for that. I...I haven't looked at it for so long..." His hands were sweating nervously as he desperately tried to explain himself. "I forgot it was even here...honest!" Erik begged her to believe him, for he was telling the truth. He hadn't taken a look inside that wardrobe since he had shown himself to Christine for the first time. Well, the first time that she saw him as a man and not a young boy.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

He's gone mad! He's lost his mind! Christine took her hand and eyes away from the closet and immediately shut the door with a loud slam. "I-I believe you." She walked over to the bed, ready to pass out again at any moment. "I believe you." She curled up and closed the curtains, then laid down again, not hungry any more. "I believe you."

 

[Guile]

"No." Erik whispered the word, shaking his head. "No, you don't believe me." He followed her to the bed and threw open the curtains, his body shaking and his fear escalating. "If you believed me you wouldn't look so faint." Tears threatened to come to his eyes as he looked down at the helpless figure of Christine curled up on the bed. Erik rested one knee on the mattress and leaned over, brushing her hair away from her face as he whispered to her, hoping to calm her. "Please...oh, Christine, please forgive me. I will get rid of it, I promise. Just tell me to do it and I will." He begged her, wanting to hear her voice. He wanted to hear her say something, anything, that didn't make her sound as if she thought he was an insane madman.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine let her mind wander for a long time, before Erik ever opened the curtains to try and comfort the poor child. Shaking and shivering, Christine waited for a long time, trying to soothe the baby as best she could. Finally able to speak, Christine whispered back to him when, at last, his hand had graced her ear. "I-I don't care what you do with the dress. For all I know, it's your mother's." She turned back over, ready to faint now that she was actually facing him. "It's the fact that the thing wearing it is an exact replica of me that bothers my soul. I forgive you." She hugged him, softly, not her normal cheery self right now. "Perhaps we should eat then see how I feel afterward." She moved past him and toward the soup.