The Unwind

Chapter 1

"Mother, look at what Al taught me!" Gustave squealed, he quickly dragged his mother out on stage and tried to move into the position he was supposed to. 

"Slow down, Gustave. Mother can't go as quick as you can." Christine smiled at her son's enthusiasm, she moved aside slowly so her reckless boy didn't accidentally kick her or just down right knock her down. 

"Now, watch closely. I've been working real hard and I know I can get this right." Gustave's smiled faded slowly into a look of determination. He hummed the soft tune of the melody he practiced to and started to dance. Of course, he missed a few steps and was tripping over his own feet, but he wasn't about to give up or quit. 

Christine sighed quietly but applauded Gustave, "You're doing a fantastic job, Gustave." she said without skipping a beat, "Remember, practice makes perfect." she lightly brushed her finger over his nose and kissed his forehead. 

"Bravo, my boy." Erik said from above in box 5, he looked across the stage at Christine and smiled slightly, it was better than nothing, all things considered. 

"Come down here, father. You're missing out." Gustave looked up at Erik with bright eyes, "Did you see? Did you see!" 

"I'm terribly sorry, Gustave, but I'm busy." Erik frowned, "Try me in an hour and I'll help you with you're dancing, maybe your singing since I'm not quite the dancer."

Gustave nodded, "Alright then. Mother, may I go to the town with Angela? She said that she'd buy me an apple and we'd go for a walk." he smiled.

"Be back by sunset." Christine looked at him, he looked so excited to go see her. Maybe he has his first romance. She thought.

Erik nodded and watched as he ran off, he turned his glance to Christine, who was obviously struggling to sit down. Erik chuckled quietly to himself and made his way down to help her.

"Be safe, Gustave." Christine looked over to him, but he was long gone, leaving the door swinging open and close in his path. 

"Let me help." Erik said quietly from behind, "Are you alright?" he asked. He moved behind the curtain and into the corner, gently pulling Christine towards him so she could rest against him.

"I'm just fine, thank you." Christine gave a gentle smile, she sighed a little, "Vicomte came by today. I haven't seen him around in months. Several months." 

"Did he see you?" Erik asked quietly. He moved his hand towards her face and pushed away the loose curls.

Christine shook her head slightly, "Not that I am aware of, however, I could be wrong."

"He would have lost it if he had seen you, so he probably didn't." Erik mumbled, he leaned down and kissed Christine's forehead, "Maybe later..." he paused and looked down at her, smiling, "Maybe later we can sneak down to our room... and-" he stopped and brushed his thumb across her cheek.   

"And... what, Erik?" Christine teased.

Erik shook his head, "Nothing." he intertwined his hand with hers. He watched her as she moved away from him momentarily, only to turn around and slowly move towards him.

"What's nothing, then? Hmm?" Christine spoke quietly, her hands made their way to his chest, then slowly to his shoulders, "Is it? This?" she struggled at first, but soon enough got a grip and pulled him on top of her, she slowly leaned in for a kiss.

"You know, that's not how that works. What if I were to crush you? Then what would happen?" Erik frowned and moved off of her, he looked back at her, "However," he abruptly pulled her down onto his chest and filled the gap between them with a kiss.

Christine laughed quietly and shook her head, "No, this will end badly. What if I crush you?"

Erik sighed, "Christine, you're barely five months, how could you possibly crush me at all?" he kissed her cheek.

"I guess we can't do this then. No one wins and Monsieur, when you're grouchy later on, do not blame it on me." Christine used the wall to help her stand, she reached out a hand to Erik.

"I've got it, thanks." Erik stood slowly, "What makes you think I'll be the crabby one?" he questioned.

"Well, you're always crabby." Christine smiled brightly, Oh how I love to tease this man, she thought.

"How's this for crabby?" Erik moved towards her and backed her up against the wall, he urgently kissed her, moving his arms around her waist almost instantly to bring the two closer.

Christine couldn't help but to snicker, "This could work." 

Erik nodded and kissed her again, he moved her arms and held them above her head and slightly lifted her up.

After a moment or two, all that was heard was the loud banging of a staff on the stage floor, causing both Erik and Christine to slightly jump. Madame Giry stood looking at the two, she purposefully cleared her throat to gain both of their attention, as if she didn't already have it. 

"Uh oh." Christine giggled quietly.

"Christine," Madame Giry addressed,  "How do you find this something funny?" Madame Giry asked sternly, "What if Erik were to be caught? What of him then?" she banged her staff on the stage again.  

Erik looked from Madame Giry, to Christine, "It was my fault, Madame, please," he smiled, "But no one saw me, so it's okay, and if anyone is drawing attention to anyone, then it's you with your staff." 

"I beg your pardon," Madame Giry silently gasped.

"I'm terribly sorry, mother." Christine uttered, she looked up at Erik. 

Erik slowly led Christine away from the stage, but looked back as Madame Giry started to smile.

Oh, how I love those two heathens. Madame Giry thought to herself. She smiled and went off to find Al. I hope everything works out for them. She smiled again.