~ The Music Lesson ~
by Laura D. 2002
Christine watched him watching her.

She stood near the organ and sang easily, enjoying the way her voice floated throughout the house.  It was so easy to sing when she was with him, and she gifted her teacher with a smile.

Erik nodded, urging her on. He could not take his eyes off of her, could not help but be swept away by the beauty of her voice and visage. Such loveliness, all wrapped up in the perfectly beautiful form of his darling Christine!

"Higher!" he commanded, changing the key in which she sang.

Christine obeyed, letting the music guide her unto a more heavenly realm. Her clear soprano voice floated perfectly on the pitches Erik created for her.

The Phantom threw himself into the music, and added his rich voice to Christine's. Their voices blended perfectly together and the music lifted them to ecstatic heights.

Emotion and memory came rushing through them both, but Erik was not prepared for it. His throat tightened reflexively, and he closed his eyes to steady his breathing. He feared his heart might break if he did not express his longing for her, and the music did nothing but enhance that desire. It was maddening, and yet he still played, leading them both towards a passionate crescendo.

"Enough!" he cried at last, stepping away from the organ as if it was too hot to touch.

He kept his back to her, fearful that she would see the hunger in his eyes.

“Erik, what is it?” Christine asked, her voice full of concern.

The Phantom turned and held her gaze for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words would not come.

What could he say? That he wanted to ravish her right there? That he wanted to drown in her kisses and never let her go? To voice such desires seemed highly improper....

“I’m sorry, my dear," he said at last, his voice barely above a whipser. "I can’t seem to concentrate tonight….”

Christine crept closer to the Phantom and searched his masked face for a sign of distress. A thousand worries crossed her mind, but when she saw the pink blush that was peeking out from the edges of his mask, she knew the reason for her tutor’s discomfort. 

“I think I have learned my lesson for tonight,” she said softly. "Besides, I think it is time to turn our studies to the lesson of love, my husband..."

Christine raised herself up on tiptoe and claimed the Phantom's kiss. Erik was shocked by her bold display, but he reminded himself that in the ways of love, Christine was more the teacher. He accepted her instruction and quickly enfolded his wife in his arms. It seemed for a moment that they were melting together to become one person, and they delighted in the beauty of their love. No matter how many years had passed, they still made the sweetest music with their exquisite kiss.


                                                      
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