Having to do what was right and what was easy had never been a struggle for Erik because he had done neither for a large portion of his life. He had chosen to do what was most valuable to him, and that had included years of educating himself on talents and music, or in books of languages that were once foreign to him.

That evening, however, he had done what was right. Interacting with Arielette had not been easy, and breaking Christine's heart, even less of a joyous task. Now, however, he was glad to have done both as he stood watching his Arielette once again come under his stare. She was the vision of beauty, even as she approached thirty and wanted so heartily to have him for herself.

She was dancing with Raoul, who seemed quite enamored with her, as he took up her entire evening, but Erik trusted her. He wasn't really sure why he did so, especially after seven years of despair, but he did. For some reason, things felt different this time, like there was a finality to their relationship in which she was supporting.

Her fearlessness didn't scare him, and it wouldn't affect their relationship again... not that drastically anyways.

Erik loved Arielette, and while the time they had spent together was short, it meant nothing when he knew how he felt. He loved her, and he always had. She had gone on many a limb to create a way for them to be together, and surely it was nothing in the wake of her gift, but he appreciated her audacity. She had found him, and he loved her for it.

Arielette caught sight of him in no time, and as the party came to a close, a whole new year ahead of them, he embraced her with no problem.

"You are the vision of beauty, my darling."

She blushed, obviously not used to the affection yet... it was odd for him to be the one who had been experiencing it the past year, not the normal appearing individual.

"Thank you, Erik. Are you alright?"

He felt his eyes betray his grief in the loss of the lovely Christine Daae, but she was not her. Christine would always pale in comparison to his lovely Arielette. Gods, did he love her.

"I will be, and in time I believe that Christine shall as well. She... understood, if you will. She still rests in my home."

Arielette smiled, no worry, but jealousy did cling to her features.

"I can stay with you if that will sate you," he offered, hating to see anything but a smile gracing her visage.

"No," she said, tucking a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear, "I'm being silly. Christine probably has nowhere else to go right now. It was your two's house, I can't be possessive over you or it."

Erik smiled, she was more than he deserved.

"She'll be gone soon, darling Arielette, all I care for now is you," he told her gently, placing a skeletal hand upon her cheek, wondering how on earth a creature such as she fell into his arms.

"I love you, Erik."

"I love you too, Arielette."

He embraced her, touching her curls and feeling her warmth. After all those years, it struck him odd to finally have her back where she belonged. While he fought with himself that he was not where she should be, he also wanted nothing more than to keep her from the world they lived in. Many people would be angry at them. Erik was well known in society for having his heart smashed to bits by the woman he loved, and then for having Christine upon his arm. The Swedish Soprano had been his key into the acceptance of the world, when he'd secluded himself to the few friends of the opera that had known him before the start of the worst seven years of his life.

He couldn't quite claim that they were too awful... the Gypsies were far worse.

They pulled apart and Erik looked into silky brown eyes, their darkness capturing him. He took the pad of his thumb and ran it over her cheekbone, caressing the smooth skin that laid there. Arielette's blush only deepened, her smile bright and face warm.

What a woman to love.

"Who was it you were dancing with this evening?"

Erik only meant it as a jest, but she seemed quite annoyed at his mentioning of it. Especially since they both knew he knew.

"A de Chagny."

"It certainly wasn't Philippe!" Erik proclaimed, "So the younger took a fancy to you?"

He raised a brow below his mask, but the confirming look upon Arielette's face concerned him.

"He truly was taken with you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" She said in a laughing way, her tone slightly accusing only to scare him.

He squeezed her hips, which was where he'd floated his hands down to, and smiled briefly.

"The young boy wanted you, Arielette, but the de Chagny's are a possessive type. He would have had you if I hadn't have taken you back," he teased.

"He is very nice, sure, but he is not the sort I like."

"Not enough of an oddity for you?"

"No," Arielette replied with a grin.

Erik could have melted at the sound of her banter, love that was long ago repressed coming forth only stronger as the moments went on.

"My family will still be up, even now, if you wanted to go and tell them the good news!" Arielette suddenly decided before him, and he had to remind himself that fear rested not within her bosom.

"They are going to be extremely upset with one, or both of us, even, Arielette. I understand your excitement, but that is a horrifying prospect for me right now," he told her gently, hoping to not assuage her from his pride in their relationship. He loved her, but this was too soon.

"They will be thrilled for us, Erik. I love you."

"I think your father would be more disappointed in me than anything. He loved Christine."

Arielette glared at him briefly, then took on a sad facade. Erik knew he would not be able to keep his resolve, so only giving into her would keep her from true sadness. She was proud and happy, and Erik couldn't watch such delight and thrill come to an end.

"If it will make you happy, I shall consent to your wish."

"Oh, thank you, Erik!" She kissed him, and he smiled at her blushing face, the candlelight dying and telling them the must hurry towards her home.

"We must go, come now."

They wrapped themselves warmly, preparing to brave the cold of the new year, and Erik who tried to use his cloak as a shield from the inevitably bad reactions of Arielette's family. At least he would not have to deal with Anton's reaction, for he lived far away now with his own family.

When they approached the door, Erik heard the crackle of a fire, and then the slight laughter and banter of the older Lestat couple.

"I'm home," Arielette said quietly after shoving her key into the door and tugging on their conjoined hands.

"Arielette!" Her mother said, not really taking Erik in until she had glanced twice over his visage.

"Erik?" Charles said in question, and they locked eyes, breaking any type of wall Erik had thought he'd built. There was dismay in his eyes, and Erik felt small, though he was much taller than any of the people in the flat.

"Good evening."

"Oh, you fearless little beast, what did you do?" Diane addressed her daughter, standing, her skirts following in a majestic manner that only caught Erik's eye because he was trying to avoid everyone else's.

"I got him back, Maman. I'm sorry, but I couldn't be away from him any longer. I needed him."

Charles spoke next, commanding and proper as always, "I hate to see it, Erik. You and Christine were such a wonderful pair. I adore my daughter, but I consider you a son, and if she hurt you, you have every right to be with who will make you the happiest."

Arielette had run to hug her mother, and Erik and Charles were staring at each other around them. He looked at his Arielette, knowing he wouldn't regret being with her, not as long as he lived and breathed the music around him.

"I want to be with your daughter, Charles. She hurt me, I agree, but I can only be truly happy with her... which is why I wanted to know if I could have her hand in marriage?"

Arielette turned from her mother's embrace, one shocked, the other absurdly delighted.

Surprise he knew he would not earn, but adoration? Erik took it as her surprise and reveled in the glances of want. He was reassured in asking by her reciprocation embedded deep in her eyes.

How gorgeous his Arielette was, and to think he was to marry someone else only hours ago?

He must have been insane. He felt like the boy he was years ago, first before him and so very ignorant to the world outside of the gypsies. It felt strange to revisit a vulnerability that hadn't arisen in so long.

Charles heaved a large sigh from his lungs, and Erik looked back over to a man who had been like his father and friend for seven years now.

"I cannot say no, can I?"

"No," Arielette chirped, her mother hushing her immediately after.

"Then if it's what you choose, you may of course have her as yours."

"Oh, Erik!" Arielette sighed, running over to him, and embracing him tightly. He felt his ribs constrict, and small arms clench tighter, and he wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.

He settled around her, kissing the top of her head, a silent thank you being passed to her father as the late night finally hit him.

"I must return home, darling, tomorrow I will return, and we will welcome in the new year with a morning feast."

Arielette looked up at him reverently, begging him for a kiss with doe brown eyes.

He looked at her parents who had suddenly busied themselves in their own conversation. Erik took the chance and seized her lips, eyes closed and heart threatening to fall from his chest once it had finished beating its way out.

"I love you."

"I love you, Erik," she replied.

He had no want to leave her, not after being apart for seven years, but the task had come and sleep was calling him forcefully. They said their good nights, and Erik left his Arielette in good hands.

When he reached the catacombs, Erik was lucky to be able to see at all. His feet felt heavier than lead, and his body ached. A smile still stretched his lips, making those muscles sore as well, but they were able to rest when he saw Christine, asleep out in the sitting area of all places. She must have wandered out here for a consolation of reading or music... He wondered if she would let him teach her any longer.

Christine stirred gently, as if feeling his presence and rolling in her place. The divan looked so uncomfortable, but he supposed she would not be too fond of him holding onto her currently. Erik decided it was in his best interest to leave her to her dreams where she lie, but that did not mean he had to let her freeze.

White feet were covered with a thick afghan in no time, and Erik smiled triumphantly. Tomorrow morning they would face whatever situation it was she would attempt to make, but then, Erik wanted sleep.

The siren call of his bed lured him quickly, and with thoughts of Arielette in his mind and the smell of Christine surrounding him, Erik fell asleep sorrowful and excited.