A week later, in Tuscany.

"The weather is so beautiful," Charlotte smiled as she and her husband arrived at the beach nearby their hotel. "Isn't it, dear?"

"Yes, it's lovely," Erik said. "Perfect for our trip."

"Yes, it is," Charlotte grinned. "Come on, let's go swimming."

"Charlotte, I don't know. I'm already uncomfortable being here. I wasn't planning on going in the water," he replied.

"Please," Charlotte begged. "Just for a moment."

"Charlotte, I...I don't know how to swim."

Charlotte stared back blankly. "You- you lived on an island. And a lake before that."

Erik shrugged. "I wasn't required to swim, so I never bothered learning how."

"I could teach you," Charlotte smiled. "Come on."

"I'm not dressed to go swimming," Erik replied as he gestured to his attire.

"No one will care. It's not like the swimming police will come to arrest you," Charlotte giggled.

"No, but I'm not overly anxious to get my clothes soaking wet," Erik said. "I'll just sit here with my book. You can go swimming."

"Oh, come on. You aren't really going to make me swim alone on our honeymoon, are you?" Charlotte pouted teasingly.

"It's not that I want you to swim alone, I just don't know what I'm doing," Erik replied with a quiet laugh.

"I can show you," Charlotte said softly, setting her things down. "Come on. Please?"

Erik sighed, but looked at her and saw how disappointed she seemed. "Okay, fine. You can teach me," he said.

"Thank you," Charlotte grinned, taking him by the hands. "Let's go."

Erik slipped his shoes off and let Charlotte lead him by the hand to the water. "God, it's cold!" He said, jumping back when the waves hit his feet.

"Come on," Charlotte giggled, rolling her eyes a bit. "You'll get used to it."

Erik nodded, wading into the water after her. "How deep are you making me go?" he asked as the water started nearing his hips.

"A little further," Charlotte smiled. "Come on. You're alright. I won't let anything happen."

"Well, I can't get my head under. I have my mask on. And I'm not all that keen on the idea of removing it."

"Just take it off," Charlotte said softly. "You'll lose it if you don't. Besides, no one else is watching."

Erik sighed, but knew she was right - they were practically alone on the beach. "Alright," he said reluctantly, walking out of the water to slip his mask off before he returned to her. "The things you can make me do, my love."

Charlotte giggled, kissing his cheek and she pulled him out further. "Ready to try swimming?"

"I think so, yes."

"Alright," Charlotte smiled. "You want to keep your arms and legs moving at all times." She quickly demonstrated a simple stroke before she returned to his side. "Try that."

Erik nodded as he fell into his attempt at what she'd demonstrated. "How was that?" he asked, wiping the water from his face.

"That was amazing," Charlotte grinned. "We're going to do it again, except this time, I'm going to swim out and then have you swim to me."

Erik nodded, waiting for her to swim out a bit before he swam to join her as well. "Hello," he said as he popped up in front of her.

"Hi," Charlotte giggled. "That was fantastic! I'm going to swim out a little further now. You won't be able to touch there, but you can hang onto me and I'll show you what to do."

Erik nodded, waiting for her to move away again before he pushed off the sand beneath his feet and started to move towards Charlotte. He felt something pulling at him as he did, but thought nothing of it until he was pulled beneath the water. He barely managed to gasp before he disappeared, kicking desperately to try and resurface.

Charlotte looked over her shoulder to check on him, and spun around when she found her husband no where in sight. Immediately, she dove under the water and swam over, pulling him to the surface.

Erik gasped for breath immediately before he started to cough, wiping his face down. "Ch-Charlotte," he managed to say through coughs, clinging to her for dear life.

"Shh. It's okay, darling. I've got you," Charlotte said softly. "Just try to take deep breaths. I'll get you back to shore."

Managing to keep taking in deep breaths, Erik swam alongside her until he could touch the sea floor again, then walked beside his wife until they got up onto the beach. "Well, that was terrifying," he said breathlessly.

"I'm sure it was," Charlotte said softly, helping him to sit down. "Are you okay, darling?"

"I'm alright, yes. Just a little cold, and my throat is a bit sore from the salt water, but I'll be alright."

"Poor darling," Charlotte sighed, wrapping him with a towel and pulling him close. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Erik nodded. "We'll swim later when I've stopped shaking," he said with a chuckle as he rest his head on her shoulder, his chest still heaving a bit as he tried to catch his breath.

"Okay," Charlotte smiled. "You poor dear."

"I'm fine, truly. Don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

Erik nodded. "I'm positive."

"Alright," Charlotte said softly. "How about we read for a little while?"

"Sounds perfect."

Charlotte pulled out the book he'd brought and opened up the the marked page, beginning where he left off.

Erik listened closely as she read for a few hours, but eventually found himself just looking at her, admiring the woman he'd been lucky enough to marry.

"What?" Charlotte laughed, looking up at him. "What is it?"

"Nothing. I'm just .looking at my beautiful wife. Is that such a crime?" he asked with a smile

"Yes. You're punishment is a kiss," Charlotte giggled, leaning over and pressing her lips gently against his.

"Oh, no. How will I ever cope with that?" Erik asked teasingly.

"I don't know, but if you keep it up, I'll have no choice but to kiss you again."

"Please, make it stop," Erik replied with a laugh as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Never," Charlotte grinned, pulling him into another kiss.

"I hate to break this up, but I'm freezing," Erik said as he pulled away. "Can we get back to the hotel so I can change? It's getting late, anyway."

"Sure," Charlotte giggled. "We can go find a place to have dinner as well."

"Wonderful. I know you're having a fantastic time with all this Italian food."

"I really am," Charlotte smiled. "I never knew Italy was such a wonderful place."

"We're rebuilding your memories of the country on this trip," Erik said. "I'm glad you're enjoying it so much."

"I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if it weren't for you," Charlotte smiled as they collected their things and headed off. "Thank you for all of this."

"Of course, my love. And thank you for suggesting Italy for our honeymoon - I'm truly enjoying this trip."

"I hope so," Charlotte said softly. "I wish it didn't have to end."

"I know, neither do I. Though, I am finding myself missing Gustave a bit."

"I don't blame you. I miss him too," Charlotte nodded. "But we only have two more days here."

"So we'll make the most of it," Erik said. "What is it that we're doing tomorrow?"

"I don't believe we have anything planned," Charlotte shrugged. "So basically, whatever we want."

"Lovely. I vote we most certainly sleep in, given that we've woken up early for day trips for the past few days."

"I'm always a fan of sleeping in," Charlotte replied with a smirk.

Erik smiled. "As am I," he said, taking her hand in his. "So I think that will definitely happen."

"Yes, definitely," Charlotte nodded, kissing his cheek.

They arrived back at their hotel room a few minutes later, and Charlotte brought her husband into the bedroom. "Let's get you out of those wet clothes," she nodded.

"Yes, please. They're practically stuck to me," Erik replied with a chuckle.

"I see that," Charlotte giggled, unbuttoning his shirt. "What if we go back to the restaurant we went to for lunch yesterday?"

"Perfect. I enjoyed that quite a bit," Erik said as he pulled his shirt off his shoulders.

"Yes, I think that one was my favorite," Charlotte smiled, kissing his neck.

"What are you doing?" Erik asked with a chuckle.

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

Erik smiled, resting his hands on her waist. "I had a guess, yes."

Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck. "You look handsome."

"You look quite beautiful yourself," Erik replied with a smirk.

"You know...maybe we could...talk a bit when we get back from dinner."

"Talk, hm?" Erik asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, indeed," Charlotte grinned, kissing his cheek.

"I think that could be arranged, yes."

"Wonderful," Charlotte said softly. "Let's go to dinner."

—————

Charlotte pressed a kiss to her husband's lips. "You're amazing. You know that, right?"

Erik smiled. "As are you," he replied quietly.

"We should get to sleep," Charlotte whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Yes, it's late." Erik rested his head against hers. "Sleep wouldn't be a bad idea."

"Good," Charlotte smiled, closing her eyes. "Can you turn out the light?"

Erik nodded and reached over to switch the lamp off before he got comfortable again. "Good night, my love," he whispered.

"Goodnight," Charlotte said softly. "Thank you for everything. I had fun today."

"Well, you suggested the beach, so I really should be thanking you," Erik said.

"Really?" Charlotte smiled. "You had a good time too?"

"Oh, yes. I may have almost drowned once, but I enjoyed learning and spending time with you. I didn't get outside very much when I lived beneath the Opera. The outside world terrified me. It implied cruel stares and remarks, so I never ventured out. You, though, refused to accept that answer and got me out to appreciate nature and have fun. So thank you."

"You're welcome," Charlotte said softly, giving him another kiss. "You were really brave today. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, dearest," Erik said, kissing her again as and pulling her closer to him.

Charlotte giggled, kissing his cheek closing her eyes again. "Goodnight, my love."

"Good night, Charlotte."

Charlotte nuzzled her face into his neck and quickly fell asleep.

Erik drifted off into a peaceful sleep soon after his wife, but it was too blissful to stay that way, as usual. The nightmares returned as they always did about being sold to the gypsies and tortured endlessly while on exhibit. Erik woke with a start, breathing heavily as beads of sweat formed on his brow line. His eyes were scanning his surroundings frantically, but then he turned his head and saw Charlotte - it was all set right immediately. She was with him and would keep him safe. Erik turned over to face his wife and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pulling her close to him.

Charlotte moaned softly, burying her face in his chest. "Erik, what are you doing?"

Erik shook his head in response, leaning his head against hers and taking a few deep breaths.

Charlotte moved her head to look up at him and gave a frown. "Sweetheart, you're crying. What's wrong?"

"Just a nightmare," he whispered. "I'm fine."

Charlotte pressed a gentle kiss to his temple, drying his cheeks. "My poor darling. Do you want to talk about it?"

Erik propped himself up on his elbow with a sigh, a whimper slipping out as he did. "It's too long of a story to explain now, but I was sold to a gypsy traveling circus as a child by my mother. They put me on display and...did what they had to do to get me to cooperate. Nothing any child should deal with that. That trauma remains, unfortunately."

"I remember you telling me about that," Charlotte nodded, kissing his cheek. "Poor dear. I'm sorry you had to go through all that."

Erik shook his head. "It wasn't your fault. There wasn't anything to be done. My mother hated me and that's the end of it," he said.

"But I know what it's like and it's horrible that you had to deal with that," Charlotte said softly, wrapping her arms around him. "It's okay now, my darling. I'm right here."

"I love you so much, Charlotte," Erik whispered as he rested his chin on the top of her head.

"I love you too, Erik," she smiled. "Don't cry, sweetheart. It's okay."

Erik looked down at her and gave her a firm kiss to reassure himself that she was indeed real and holding him close. "Thank you, love," he said before he gave her another kiss.

"There's nothing to thank me for," Charlotte whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. "Try to rest."

Erik nodded, wrapping his arms around her. "I'll make an effort," he replied.

"Good," Charlotte smiled, gently stroking his arm. "I'll wait until you're asleep."

"You don't have to. I don't know how long that'll take.

"I want to."

"Then I would be happy to have your company."