Epilogue. This is could be the ending of my story. Perhaps there is a risk that it's too cozy and happy.
The stage was dark. Suddenly there was a light, then another one and then another. They danced in the air, like a circle. Then the stage was softly lit up and you could see what was happening. A young boy, no older than 9-10 years, was on stage, joggling with torches. He was very good. In the background there was music, more intense the more dangerous the show became.
The boy, wearing a mask resembling a tiger to cover his eyes, dressed in a golden silk dress, danced around the stage. Finally, he threw all three torches in the air and caught them – almost. The last one fell on the floor and rolled away to the curtain at the side of the stage, which caught fire. There was a murmur in the auditorium and some people began to scream. The boy threw his other torches in the water bucket at his side and stared, almost paralyzed, at the fire.
But there was no real danger. In no time at all, a stage hand had put the fire out, and Gangle came to see that it hadn't spread. The curtain fell, then rose again to let the juggler bow to the audience. His accompanist joined him, a tall young man in waistcoat and trousers.
When the curtain was down again they left the stage. The boy was all shaky. "I was so scared" he told his brother. "What if the whole theater had started burning?" Gustave put a comforting hand on Francois' shoulder. "They would never let that happen. We have so many good stage hands." Meg came running from the wings. "What happened?" She almost stumbled on the little girl running around her feet. "Curtain was on fire! I saw it. It was exciting!"- "Shush, it was not. Francois, how are you?"
Erik joined them. If the sight of fire had scared him, he didn't show it. Anyway, he had full confidence in his staff. "Very good, Francois, you were stunning. Listen to the applause." The boy smiled at his father's praise. "I will get better" he said. As the curtain rose again and other people filled the stage they all moved into the wings. Meg lifted her daughter. "I'm on next. Erik, will you take Christine, so that she won't come after me?" Gustave reached out his arms. "I will. Come with me, you, I have something to show you."
Ooo
They were sitting around the breakfast table. Meg loved this time of day. Three-years-old Christine sat at her side, digging in to her omelet with a fork. Her father had dipped a piece of bread in strawberry jam and tried to put it into her mouth. "Erik, you are spoiling her." Francoise looked at them over the table. He loved his little sister, but he agreed on that she was really spoilt.
Gustave entered the room. "I will miss this" he said. "It's such a good thing sitting together with your family, feeling the warmth." Erik looked at his oldest son, tall, with golden eyes and shiny brown hair. He was really a handsome young man. "In time you will do that again, with a family of your own" he said. "It's time for you to grow up." – "I know. And I really look forward to go to Paris too."
Meg stretched out her hand for him. "I'm so glad you go there" she said. "I wonder if it has changed much. It's been – well – " then she smiled "yes, twenty years." She took his hand. "And I'm so grateful that you forgave me." He looked away, quietly. Then he said "I heard the Paris Academy of Music is the best, so of course I must attend it. I hope you will forgive me my change of name too. I thought it only fair that Paris should hear of a Gustave Daaé again."
"You do the right thing." Erik looked at his son at length. He felt that he was the lucky one. Gustave could as well have accompanied Raoul back to Paris after Christine's death. "Will you see vicomte de Chagny?" – "Probably. I owe it to him, if he wants to see me of course. And I will visit mother's grave. I will bring fresh flowers from all of us." They were all quiet for a while.
Gustave sat down at the table. "I read that there will be an auction" he said. "Things from the old opera-house will be on sale. Perhaps I will go there. There might be something of interest." He caught his father's gaze, but Erik said nothing.
