Hi everyone! This is my first fanfic! It takes place a few years after the movie ends. Please read, review and enjoy!

Chapter 1: An Angel Of Music

Raoul looked down at the grave where his wife lay, Christine de Changy. He whispered a prayer and placed some flowers at the foot of the grave. How he missed her! Raoul could still see her beautiful face framed by her dark curls. He could still hear her ethereal voice soaring over the high notes with ease. Angrily, he shook his head trying to clear it.

"Raoul."

Startled, he looked around wildly. A fair maiden of fifteen strode toward him. Tall and slender, she had a river of gold streaming down her back. Her eyes were a deep chocolate. You could never quite tell what was behind those eyes. A mysterious smile played at the girl's lips.

"Emily, my young niece," Raoul rejoiced. It had been a long time since he'd seen her. She had moved to the opera house when she was eleven years old. Rarely did she come home to visit. Raoul smiled warmly.

" It's been long since I've seen you. Too long."

" I've missed you greatly," Emily replied. Her voice had a charming innocence about it.

" But I fear I must return to the opera house soon. I must prepare for the upcoming performance."

Raoul felt his heart sink a little. He tried his best not to show it.

"How long will I be honored by your presence?" he asked mildly.

"Only today," Emily answered. "My voice teacher wants me to return as soon as possible. He is very strict … and yet he has the most enchanting voice," she added as an afterthought. A mysterious smile played upon her lips once more.

Raoul nodded and turned his attention back to Christine's grave. He sighed deeply.

"He didn't want me to leave in the first place," Emily continued. "But I insisted. You see, I have the lead part in the upcoming opera. He wants me to be prepared."

Raoul smiled. How proud Christine would be! It was her, after all, who had sent Emily to the opera house in the first place. That was her dying wish.

Emily stopped speaking abruptly and turned her attention toward her father. She followed his gaze toward Christine's grave.

A wave of sorrow overcame her. How she missed Christine! After her mother had died and her father abandoned her, it was Christine who convinced Raoul to let Emily stay with them. For many years Emily lived at Changy manor. She and Christine had become the best of friends. Emily still had a vague memory of them running through the meadows together. She would sing and Christine would hum along. For some reason, Christine would never sing with her, or anyone else. Christine then died when Emily was eleven years old. She had asked that Emily might be sent to the opera house. That was her last request. Emily, who could not imagine life at the Changy manor without Christine, obliged willingly. At the opera house, she had found hope.

"Do you miss her too?" Emily asked suddenly.

Raoul met his niece's gaze.

" Of course I do," he replied. "But I know in my heart that we will never be parted. We will all be together one day, in Heaven."

An awkward silence followed. All that could be heard was the breeze weaving its way through the trees.

Raoul thought again about Christine. Had she enjoyed her time on earth? She had lived a life of love and luxury, no matter how short. But Christine only seemed truly happy when she was with Emily. It was Emily alone who could rekindle the fire in her eyes that light, that love.

Another thing had changed about Christine. She would never sing, no matter how many times he asked her to. She couldn't even listen to music without a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Don't think about that," Raoul reminded himself. " It wasn't you fault. You gave her everything she asked for." But somehow that wasn't enough. Raoul put his head in his hands. "Nothing you can do can change the past," he reminded himself.

He became suddenly aware of Emily's presence. He was ignoring the one person his wife had truly loved! How angry Christine would be! Hurriedly, Raoul tried to think of something to say.

"Your voice has been improving lately," he remarked.

Emily grinned. " My teacher thinks so as well."

A heavy silence began to descend upon them.

"Uncle," Emily started. Raoul looked up; glad she had broken the silence.

"It may sound strange," she hesitated. Emily smiled to herself, trying to put her thought into words.

"Go on, child," Raoul prompted her.

" It may seem strange, but I think I have been visited by an angel, an angel of music…"

Emily cast her eyes downward and Raoul followed her gaze. In her hand was a red rose with a black ribbon wrapped around it.

Yippee! I finished the first chapter. I know some of the facts were altered a little bit to fit the story. That was the last time it will happen. Promise. Anyway, I hope you guys liked it. Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought!