Chapter 17: The Three Year Wait

Gildan's Note: HMMMMMMMM, well. It's technically mid-May, right? So no promise broken. Let's see, I last updated you guys freshman year of college, I've now graduated from college LMAO. I've grown immensely as a person since then, so it's funny looking back. It's been three years, I hope you can forgive me. I'm going to try realllyyy hard to put a bow on this story. I just don't know how or when. This chapter is short because I'm gearing up for something.

"What's going on here?" Christine asked, staring at the scene in front of her.

Erik cleared his throat and started to speak but Meg cut him off.

"They're fighting over you, what else could be happening." Said Meg.

"Christine," Raoul began, he breathed deep, "this guy…is a psycho."

"At least I have personality." Erik mumbled.

Christine put a hand to her forehead. "Can you guys just shut up for a second, jesus."

Meg tiptoed away to the kitchen. Erik and Raoul shuffled where they stood as they waited for Christine to speak again.

"Look, I care about both of you, I do. But this rivalry needs to stop, because if you keep fighting with each other, I'm not going to like either of you. Ugh, I have to go dry my hair." Christine turned around and went back into the bathroom, slamming the door.

"Hm." Said Erik. "Ok. Truce?"

Raoul looked over at Erik's outstretched hand, he took it. "Truce. Whoever she chooses it will be because we were authentic."

"Right."

"Good boys, now you two can sit down and eat some breakfast." Said Meg, bringing out some plates.

Erik and Raoul sat down and ate, catching each other's glances throughout. When Christine came out they perked up.

"All's well." Said Meg. "They kissed and made up."

"I would have liked to see that." Laughed Christine. "So it's true? You guys are going to get along now?"

"We're going to try." Said Raoul, smiling at her.

"Good." Said Christine. "Erik, are you going to be on your best behavior?" she asked, sitting down next to him on the couch.

"Of course." He said, putting the plate down on the coffee table.

"Well," said Raoul, "I just came up to check on you two, I have a meeting with the Opera boys so I should be on my way."

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out." Erik muttered.

"I'm sorry what was that?" said Raoul.

"I didn't say anything." Said Erik, smiling. Christine jabbed him in the side with her elbow.

"He pulls anything, you give me a call." Said Raoul to Christine.

"Sure thing." Said Christine.

"Hey wait a minute," said Meg, "I need to go see my mom so I'll catch a ride with you."

Meg left with Raoul, leaving only Erik and Christine in the apartment.

"Happy Birthday, again." Said Christine.

"Thanks." Said Erik.

"I didn't get you anything."

Erik looked at her, "You didn't have to."

"Well what would you want?" she asked.

"I'm happy just sitting here with you." Said Erik, then his face fell, "Shit."

"What?" said Christine.

"My perfect basement dwelling just burned down." He said, getting up. "I need to look for a new place right away."

"Right now? Today? On your birthday?" said Christine, doing the same.

"I can't sleep on your couch again, and we don't need Meg conjuring up enough rumors to fill a preteen magazine."

"Okay, let's go then."

"You want to come with me?" Erik asked.

"Of course! It will be fun." Said Christine.

They left the apartment and headed out for Erik's house hunting. Erik called up someone he apparently knew, a realtor who Christine thought was a little sketchy. His name was Miller. The first place they went to was the basement of an old clothing store.

"You can't be serious." Said Christine. "Another basement?"

"I do best underground." Said Erik.

"Erik, don't be ridiculous. You can't be in another basement."

"If the man wants a basement then let him have a basement." Said Miller.

"No! You nearly died being down in a place like this, you had to crawl through a small window because you couldn't get to the door. I won't sleep right knowing you're in another basement. It's time to come above ground, Erik." Said Christine.

"…It's just better to be in the shadows." Erik said.

"Well not anymore. You're 29; you've lived enough years in the dark." Christine's eyes were pleading. "Come on."

"…okay. I'll get an apartment above ground."

"Thank you." Said Christine, putting his arm around her waist.

"So no basements?" said Miller, gesturing to a clipboard. "This is all basements. I've got 50 basements on here."

"Sorry Mill, I'll pay you for your trouble." Said Erik, putting his arm around Christine's waist, returning the hug.

"Ew. Ok. I have some other clients to attend to then. See you never." Miller left.

"So where are you going to move?" said Christine.

"I'm not sure. Maybe a penthouse."

"Pfft."

"Fine, you're not invited."

"You're not getting a penthouse." Said Christine.

The next day Erik invited her and Meg to his new place. They stepped inside.

"You got a penthouse."

"You thought I was joking?" said Erik, holding a bottle of champagne.

"Um, yes."

"This is AMAZING." Said Meg, walking into the other rooms. "I'm moving in."

"You better take that seriously." Said Christine.

"And you better put your purse away, the party is about to start." Said Erik. "I've invited a lot of people to celebrate."

"You? You're throwing a party?" said Christine.

"To celebrate coming above ground." Erik smiled. "All because of you."

"I'm flattered, I'm sure you've invited Raoul?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you like to start trouble." Said Christine, taking the bottle from him.

"You know me…so well."

"I'm going to have to start drinking this then." She said, walking away from him.

"This is going to be fun."

"It is." Said Christine, popping the bottle.