Hello dearest phans and readers! I would just like to take a moment to welcome you to my first phanphiction. I've been reading works in the 'Phantom' archive for a year now, so I thought I'd finally give it a shot. I'm a bit nervous to be honest-this is my first novel length fic and it's slightly AU, so please bear with me. Firstly, this story is based off Cecelia Ahern's novel, Thanks for the Memories, so huge disclaimer to her. There are several things that take place in the novel that I wish to keep the same-such as the miscarriage. I was going to change that just so it seemed different from what Ahern wrote, but I met a woman recently who had a miscarriage and it was really hard on her and I felt a combination of pity, sorrow, and helplessness for her, and because of that experience I decided to keep it the same.

I'm not sure how frequently I will update. I was planning on finishing writing it first, so that way updates wouldn't be sporatic. But I couldn't help myself; I'm really excited for this story. That being said, I will write and update as often as possible, but life and personal problems usually get in my way, especially during the summer months. But I will do my best!

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the talented writer Cecelia Ahern, the musical genius Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gaston Leroux, and Susan Kay. Nothing is mine...save for the few Erik cookies on my table for you reviewers. Enjoy!

Prelude

My eyes are closed and I stare into the dark abyss before me. We humans are a strange race. Always being told that if we don't want to face something all we have to do is close our eyes and everything will go away. But now that my eyes are closed and a weight has been lifted off me, I welcome the pain with open arms.

I am dangling over the abyss. Falling and floating. Down, down, down. I refuse to open my eyes. If I open them, cold reality will be waiting for me. I would much rather be confined to a dark, ignorant world. Ignorance is bliss and the time old saying goes.

Life is a strange thing. We're always rushing. No time. Rush to wake up in the morning, rush to work, rush to make dinner. Rush this rush that. Time is an invaluable thing always taken for granted. Everyone is guilty of it. A second goes by and you will never get it back. A second to go back in time to change what wasn't right. To go back and kiss your husband goodbye, wish him a good day. A second to go back and stay with your gut instinct on a test.

A second to go back and take my time.

I feel so empty. I lost part of my life…and part of my heart. My child is gone. Taken from me. I place a hand on my stomach. Perhaps I will be able to join my child. But where? Where would God-if there even is one in this cold world-take my baby? Bring me too, I plead. Bring me with you so I can apologize to my baby.

I am sorry, I will say to it. I'm sorry I ruined your life before you even had the chance to start it. I'm sorry I won't be there to comfort and hold you when you have a nightmare. I'm sorry I won't be there to take you to your first day of school or protect you from a bully. I'm sorry I can't tell you to stay away from that boy or to chase the girl of your dreams. I'm sorry I can't see you on your wedding day or on your first day of work. I'm sorry I can't see you smile as you have children of your own and make a life for yourself.

I am sorry.

I feel someone near me. "Christine? Oh God, Christine! Please, stay with me, little one! It's going to be alright Lotte! Hold on, little one! Please, don't take her! Not my Christine! Stay with me Christine! Stay with your Papa."

He is sobbing now. I haven't seen him cry since Mum passed. He clings to my hand and tells me the ambulance is on its way. He is grabbing on to my hand as though it were a lifeline. I've lost my baby, but I won't let him lose his.

My heart is broken, and yet it pumps on.

Goodbye, child mine.