The Unwind

Chapter 9

The next day, Christine had managed to drag Erik out to the park. She was walking ahead of him, taking in the fresh air and the fragrance of the trees. She smiled at the birds that were perched on branches and she looked ahead as Gustave found his way to the pond. 

Erik lagged, scared someone may seem him and not quite sure how he felt about being around Christine. He watched her, taken aback by how beautiful he thought she was, his eyes trailed the features of her face when she turned to look at him and slowly down to her stomach, he smiled at the thought of the child growing inside her and the fact that it was his. 

She went to him and tipped his chin up, "What are you looking at?" she asked softly and brushed her thumb over his chin. 

"My beautiful, beautiful... lover... Christine," he murmured and kissed her forehead, "What else?" he brushed hair behind her ear. 

"Mm," she hummed and pulled away a little, "Is that so," 

"Perhaps," he paused, "Perhaps you could be more someday," he looked at her and watched her facial expressions, he rested a hand on her cheek and smiled when she leant into him. Her eyes closed and a smiled of contentment grew upon her own face. 

"Be more?" she whispered and dropped her hand from the underneath of his chin to rest on top of his hand. 

"You could marry me," he let his face inch towards hers and he brought the other hand to her cheek as well so he could hold her face in place. He met his lips to hers and loosened his firm grip on her cheeks when he heard a noise escape her lips. 

She kissed him lightly and opened her eyes, "Could I," she mumbled against him. 

"Christine," he smiled against her. 

"Erik," she responded quietly and pushed her lips back against his. 

He pulled away from her and moved his hands down to the small of her back slowly, "Will you marry me, Christine?" he asked. 

"Marry you?" she asked and looked at him, "Where would we live?"

"In the cellar, darling... we'd be together, happy... I'll keep you safe..." he frowned and watched her more intently, scared she was about  to turn him down. 

"Erik..." she looked around and walked him over to a nearby bench, she sat down and guided him to as well, "Erik, we're having a child," 

He looked at her, his eyes beaming, "I know," 

"The cellar... is no place for a child to be raised, it could be hurt..." she frowned. 

"But I could keep you safe there... you and my child deserve the best, Christine," he said quickly, "I'll give you my best." 

She scoot closer to him slightly and rested a hand on his chest, "Erik, I trust that you will, I know that you will, but Erik a cellar is no place for a child, you have to understand, please..."

"Are- Are you saying you won't marry me?" his entire demeanor deflated and he sank down into the bench a little, "Is it me? Do you not love me?" 

"No, no, no- No, Erik, I never said that, of course I'll marry you..." she put her hand on his cheek, "But I won't live in the cellar with you, our child won't be raised in the cellar, or the opera house at all... I need you to understand, please.."

"I don't understand," he got quiet, "I don't understand, Christine- I can keep you all safe there..."

"I'm not in danger, my darling." she kissed him, "We have a few months to go... we could get a house, we could move away and be happy together, we don't have to stay here, we could start anew-" 

He stood quickly and looked at her, "Move away?" he asked. 

"Not too far, darling. Somewhere you feel safe but we can also raise the children-" she frowned and looked up at him. 

"I feel safe in the cellar," he snapped and stepped away, "I- our child will be raised where I can protect it." he spoke sharply, "Do you understand?"

"Erik-" she stood and stepped towards him, "What's wrong, it was just a suggestion, please..." she reached for his hands but he pulled away and turned away. He looked down and stared at the grass from a few moments before storming away. 

She looked around and back at him, she watched him go and sank back into the bench. 

"Mama-" Gustave called from the pond, "I'm going with my friend for dinner-" he smiled and waved to her before running off. She watched him go as well and looked down at the ground. 

She stood after a while and made her way back to the road, she looked down the street, catching the faintest glimpse of Erik as he continued walking away, she looked the other way and without another thought started walking. She walked until she got to Viscount's home, where she went to the door and knocked.