Erik gave Christine a choice, and although her choice was him he knew better than to believe she really loved him. He knew she loved that boy Viscount of hers, but he hoped that deep down in her heart she did love him or at least cared for him. And with that small spec of hope he let her go he thought, if Christine truly does love me she will come back. But who would blame her if she didn't come back to me of all people. That night she left with Raoul to the world he considered hell for an angel such as her. He wondered if he would always think that of her. Christine had ripped out his heart and shattered it into a thousand little shards without even a thought or what seemed like a care in the world. But yet he still felt for her.
It wasn't long before Erik realized she would never return to him. What is life without her? He asked himself. Erik slowly let his health slip and decided that he would welcomed death when it came knocking at his door. The Daroga found him with a tall stranger whom he thought he recognized, but no. The man had dark hair and kind eyes. Whenever he spoke to the Daroga his voice was soft, smooth, and charming. When the man and Erik were finally left alone together it was after Erik had recovered his strength. Erik laid stretched out on the sofa in his home under the opera, the man had chosen the lone chair by the fire that, then Erik remembered Christine loved to read in. When the man got up from his seat to poke at the fire Erik finally addressed him. "You know if you are going to stay here and babysit me all the time I think I better know your name, don't you think so?"
He glanced at Erik over his shoulder and smirked then let out a small chuckle. "Philippe," He said turning his attention back to the fire. "Philippe De Chaney. I'm Raoul's older brother." Erik grew a curious look and Philippe went to explain himself further "I'm a friend, for if I wasn't you'd be dead by now." For the next few weeks Erik and Philippe hardly spoke. Then one day Philippe walked into Erik's home with supplies and a newspaper he set them on the table then went into the kitchen. Erik came in the glanced at the paper and realized it had been over a year since he had let Christine go. So many questions raced through his head. Where was she now? How was she? Was she happy? Was she still with the boy? Philippe noticed what Erik was and staring at he hoped he hadn't seen the headline yet. He went to grab it but it was too late Erik knew. There was a picture of Christine and Raoul on the front with the headline "The Viscount and Viscountess De Chaney expecting their first!" Philippe went on to explain that they married a week after he let them go and that they heard the news about their soon to be first born child only three weeks ago. "Philippe, what does Christine believe of me?"
Philippe sighed and was very pained to say, "She along with the rest of Paris think you're dead." Erik nodded and that was the last word on the topic.
Very slowly Erik grew to hate Christine and for what reason? He didn't even know. Though he did still worry about her and asked about her and the boy often when Philippe came. Months passed and Philippe told Erik they had a son who they named Andrea Michel De Chaney. As the boy grew Philippe said he became more like Raoul everyday but there was still much of Christine in him. Their next child was a girl who they named Evangeline Madison De Chaney but sadly the young Viscountess lived a short life it was when she was only three she became very ill and died. Erik was honestly sorry to hear that, but two years later Raoul and Christine were expecting another and it was unexpected to everyone including them. Philippe was visiting Erik when Meg came into the tunnels and told them that Christine had gone into labor. By the time Philippe got home this new De Chaney had already arrived. Philippe walked into the bedroom to find Christine holding their knew arrival and Raoul holding Christine. They both smiled down at the little girl. Andrea who was nine by this time came to Philippe and stated proudly "It's a girl, I have a little sister again."
Philippe laughed at the young boy, and meet the eyes of Christine and Raoul. His younger brother motioned to him and took the little baby and handed her to Philippe. He smiled down at her, and for the longest while the baby girl held his stare. "What is her name?" Philippe finally asked.
"Can I say it Papa please." Little Andrea asked impatiently Christine smiled at him and Raoul nodded. Little Andrea clapped and said "Christina Marie De Chaney."
Philippe sat on the corner of the bed and looked upon her in amazement. She was so beautiful "Hello little Chrissy, I'm your uncle Philippe and you better believe I'm going to spoil you rotten." He said to her then he spoke so only he and Christina could hear, "I know someone who would be more than happy to meet you, but you're going to have to wait awhile." He told her thinking of Erik and then kissed her forehead.