Author's note – Sorry about the delay in the update process. Between work and classes I think the universe is trying to kill me. Things should calm down in the next few weeks so hopefully I will update more frequently then. Thanks to everyone who is actually reading this.

Disclaimer – I don't own any of the characters, basic plot or the lyrics used that obviously came from the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical. This is just for fun and I'm not making any money off of it.

Chapter 4

The day of the funeral was sunny and humid. During the funeral service people tried to fan themselves using the printed hymns used for the church service. On either side of the plain oak casket were large arrangements of black vanilla orchids. These orchids were official flower of Jämtland county, the county in Sweden where Gustave had lived until moving to France to study music. The vanilla scent was cloying in the heat and most people yearned to be out in the open air or at least to have something akin to a breeze in the small Lutheran church near Perros-Guirec.

For over an hour Gustave Daae's friends and colleagues tried to honor him. They read Bible verses, shared a piece of music of in the case of Antoinette Giry gave a heartfelt eulogy. Though it all Gustave's daughter stood or sat as the circumstances demanded. Dressed in a plain black skirt and cardigan with her curls pulled back in a low ponytail her skin seemed bloodless. Her expression was distant as though she was viewing the events on a movie screen rather than experiencing them herself. Beside her in a similar outfit stood Meg Giry, grasping Christine's hand. Meg alternated between trying to pay attention to the service and casting worried glances at Christine. Even at 6 years of age Meg knew that Christine's actions weren't healthy, even if she wasn't able to express the thought herself. So she contented herself with being by her friend and hoping that everything would be okay again soon.

Finally the service was concluded. The pallbearers carried the casket out to the waiting hearse, which then drove to the local graveyard. Gustave had expressed the desire to be buried at Perros-Guirec because it had been where his wife had grown up, where they had met and after her death where he would take Christine on vacation. There Gustave Daae was buried in a simple ceremony. His tombstone was plain – just a plain granite slab with his name, dates of birth and death, a carving of a violin and the phrase "Beloved Father". Compared to some of the older and larger monuments in the graveyard it seemed small and insignificant but it also suited the simple man that Gustave Daae had been.

After the burial ceremony Antoinette stood talking to colleagues until she felt a tug at her dress. She looked down to see her daughter standing next to her.

"Mama," Meg whispered. "Christine ran off."

"Ran off?" Antoinette started looking around trying to find a small, dark, curly head. "Which direction did she go?" Silently Meg pointed towards a large mausoleum near a copse of trees at the edge of the graveyard. With quiet instructions to stay there, Antoinette hurried off in that direction. As she neared the mausoleum she began to hear sobs and as she round the back corner she found Christine sitting on the ground, knees drawn up to her chest, in tears. Getting down on the ground she drew Christine into an embrace and mentally thanking Gustave for teaching this to her, she began to sing.

Wandering Child, so lost so helpless

Yearning for my guidance.

Too long you've wandered in winter

Far from my far-reaching gaze.

But now you've returned and I'll protect you,

Now and always

As Antoinette sang she felt Christine's sobs start to decrease and by the end of the short lullaby they had ceased leaving tearstains down Christine's alabaster cheeks.

"You know Papa's lullaby," she said wonderingly looking up into Antoinette's face.

"Of course I know it," Antoinette replied. "Your father taught it to me so that I could still sing it to you for him." She paused trying to determine how to express what she wanted to say. "You're not alone Christine. You have Meg and I and I know we are not your father and we can't take his place. But we are always here for you. You don't need to try and be strong. That's my job. You just need to feel what you feel and know that it is okay to be sad. It is okay to miss your father. But you don't need to do it alone. Meg and I are here to help you. And if you do feel like you need to be alone, you just need to tell me so that I know where you are. I promised your Papa that I would protect you and I need you to help me do that. Okay?"

Christine nodded.

"Good girl," Antoinette said. "Now I want you to go back by Meg. I'll be along in a minute". Christine obediently got up and started back towards the group of mourners. After a moment Antoinette stood up and started brushing off her dress. She sighed. "All right, you can come out now."

A tall man dressed in a black suit slowly walked out from the cover of the trees. The shadows in the area only seemed to highlight the white half mask he wore on the right side of his face.

"Antoinette," he said coolly inclining his head towards her.

"What in the world are you doing here?" she asked impatiently.

"I'm merely paying my respects. Gustave was an exceptionally talented musician," the man replied mildly.

"Talented men have died before and that hasn't been enough to drag you out of Paris" Antoinette retorted sharply. As realization struck she drew in her breath. "It's Christine isn't it?" At the man's silence she knew she was right. "Stay away from her Erik. I mean it. She's just a child she doesn't need your mind games right now."

"Calm down Antoinette. I'm just concerned about a child whose is alone in the world now. I know better than most how that feels."

"She's not alone. She has me." Antoinette stated flatly.

"You're a poor substitute for a parent's love Antoinette as I should know" Erik snarled. Antoinette took a quick step back. After a moment she shook her head slowly.

"I made mistakes Erik and I regret that. But I won't let my guilt cloud my judgment. Just leave her alone and let her grieve."

"Go back to your ward Antoinette," Erik ordered. Antoinette glanced over her shoulder hoping no one noticed that she wasn't alone. By the time she had turned back Erik had melted back into the shadows.

"Damn you Erik" she muttered as she started walking back towards the mourners. As she reached Christine and Meg she noticed another person walking towards them – Raoul de Changy. Raoul de Changy was a boy of 12 years and the only child of the Comte and Comtesse de Changy. He was tall for his age and a head of shaggy pale blond hair. He and Christine had met when Gustave first started taking her to Perros-Guirec. His family had an estate near there and one time as he was walking on the beach he had seen Christine's red scarf blow into the ocean. He had dived in (much to the dismay of his mother) to fetch it. That act of kindness had sparked a friendship that had continued with each visit despite the five-year difference in ages.

As he approached, Raoul's brown eyes were focused on Christine. As she met his gaze he gave a small smile.

"Hi Christine," he said. Upon recognizing him Christine gave her first genuine smile since her father's death and flung her arms around Raoul.

"I'm so glad to see you Raoul!" she cried. Raoul returned the hug.

"I'm glad to see you too." He paused awkwardly. "I'm sorry I didn't write like I promised last summer but boarding school was more work than I thought."

"It's okay," Christine assured him. "I'm just glad you're here". She pulled back a little to look Raoul in the face. "Papa would have been happy to see you too."

"I know. I'm going to miss him." Raoul replied. Christine gave him a sad smile.

"Me too." The two friends stayed together for a few minutes as the other people around them talked. Then Raoul noticed his father waiting for him near the car. Gently he disentangled himself.

"I have to go now Christine. But this I promise I'll write. Where are you staying now?" he asked.

"With Aunt Antoinette and Meg" Christine responded still grasping Raoul's hands. "Are you going to be at the opera soon?"

"I'll try to come the next time I'm with my parents in Paris" Raoul promised. With that he started walking towards his father. As he was getting ready to get into the car he turned and waved at Christine. Gently, Antoinette touched Christine on the shoulder.

"We should get going to Christine." Christine nodded and she and the Girys moved towards their car parked in the parking lot to begin the journey back to Paris.