Three years later, Christine was once again lighting a candle for her father as she did either every morning or every evening.
Today she had just finished her first performance as an actual ballet dancer. She knew how important that was, as there were very important people in the crowd. There was the Duchess of Cambridge, and other much more important people. Christine thought her father would be very proud of her.
As far as her Angel of Music was concerned, Christine had almost forgotten about him, as she hadn't seen him for a year and a half.
Christine had also discovered one of the many secrets the opera house held. There was an opera ghost, but Christine had never heard him or seen him. She didn't even know if it was real, and was only able to take the word of the chorus girls, who weren't very reliable themselves.
She left the chapel, finished with the prayer to her father. She sang a tune he had taught her so long ago. She was surprised as it came out of her mouth, for she had not sang ever since her father died. The now thirteen year old girl was scared that she would be so sad if she ever heard any of those songs again, but she was feeling particularly happy and didn't mind singing them.
What she didn't know was that her Angel of Music was still constantly watching over her, just from a distance. He knew that she was growing up into a young woman of great beauty, and didn't want to mess up or interfere with her life. He was aware of his past and knew the damage it could do if she found out his secret.
His love started to grow for her, but what he didn't realize was that it was no longer the love for a little girl. He watched her through her mirror every night, but turned away with embarrassment every time she undressed.
She had started to wear a corset, and that shamed him even more if he dared to watch her through the mirror, until he finally stopped watching her all the time as she got dressed and undressed.
The little girl he had held in his arms three years ago had become a young woman, developing and growing before his own eyes.
But now, as she sang, he heard her voice for the first time. The notes were clear, beautiful, and sweet, and he realized that he just had to see her because of it.
He got out of his hiding spot and walked over to her.
"Who are you?" she asked at first, making him sad when he realized that she had probably forgotten about him. "Oh, it's you, Angel! You've finally come back. Oh, I didn't recognize you at first", she said and ran to hug him.
He put his hand on the small of her back like he had when she had hugged him as a little girl. He felt her developing curves and quickly withdrew his hand and placed it on her shoulder.
Luckily Christine didn't realize this awkward gesture and looked at him once more with glittering eyes. "Angel, where have you been? I've missed you so much, and I've needed you more than ever", she exclaimed.
He grunted. "From the way you greeted me when I walked in, you seemed to have forgotten about me Christine", he said.
Tears almost came to her eyes. "I'm sorry I said that. With rumors of the Opera Ghost, I don't know who might creep up on me", she explained.
A worried look crossed his face. She could not find out about his true identity. Not yet, anyway. "Have you ever seen him yourself?" she asked him curiously.
He cleared his throat. "No, Christine, And don't believe in him-it's not good for girls like you to", he said.
She frowned. "But I've seen what he's done-Angel, apparitions from your imagination don't kill people. And what kind of girl am I?" she asked, wondering if it was an insult or a compliment.
"Oh, Christine. You're a wonderful girl, and almost a young woman. I fear that we are growing apart as you get older. Soon, I will be just a faint memory in your mind, and nothing else", he said, totally changing the subject.
"No, Angel. Please, I didn't mean it. Don't leave me", she said begging him and tears falling silently down her cheeks.
He cleared his throat again and looked away. She didn't realize how beautiful she looked like that.
"Angel of Music, please don't leave me. Stay with me sweet, Angel", she sang to him, reminding him of why he was here in the first place.
"Child", he said, taking her soft face in his hands. "The reason I came here today was not a usual one. I heard you sing earlier", he began, waiting for her reaction.
Except the very serious look in her pretty eyes, she said nothing. He continued. "You sing like an angel, Christine. I want to teach you more so your voice grows as you do. One day you will be very well known throughout the opera house; I just know it. Allow me to teach you what I know".
Christine looked confused and modest. "Angel, you have such a beautiful voice yourself. It is nothing compared to mine. I would truly love to be your student, but only because you think that I am able to. I would've never thought that I could sing, but with your guidance, I know I will", she said bashfully. A rose color flushed onto her cheeks, making him hold in his gasp at her amazing beauty.
He shook the feeling off. He was her Angel, a fatherly figure, and now her teacher. He couldn't have these kinds of feelings for her.
He looked deep into her golden brown eyes. She didn't flinch a bit, making him proud that she was no longer afraid to look people in the eyes. "Christine, I know you are exhausted from your great performance today, but please allow me to take some of your night away for me to teach you", he almost begged her.
Now that he was entranced by her young beauty, he couldn't bare to let her leave just yet.
"Let me get dressed and make sure that Meg is asleep before I leave. But Angel, I am not tired, and you may have me as your faithful pupil for as long as needed", she said humbly. She had been surprised that he had wanted to begin right away, but her Angel was always unexpected.
He hid his blush from her as he thought of her getting dressed. "Alright, but make it quick. Meet me back here as soon as you can", he told her, realizing that she was still in her skimpy ballet costume from her performance, making him even more flushed as he looked at it.
Christine ran to her room, not wanting to make her Angel wait and just wanting to be with him for as long as possible.
Luckily Meg was fast asleep. Christine didn't know whether to change into her nightgown or her day dress, but decided to put on a simple dress. It was like she was going to school, because she was going to be taught.
Christine went back to the chapel where he was waiting. He took her hand in his gloved one and led her into his lair. He had decided to finally take her there as soon as he confirmed that she had never seen the Phantom of the Opera.
Instead of feeling like a child's hand, the hand he had not held in so long now felt slender and womanly, once again reminding him of how fast she was growing up.
"Angel, where are you taking me?" she asked as he rushed her along.
"Where we are able to practice in peace", was all he said, and she said no more for the rest of the journey down.
They soon came across a lake, and a beautiful little rowboat lay waiting for them. He helped her into the boat and paddled as she sat there, mind searching for where she was, but she didn't know.
They had their lesson in a beautiful place full of candles and more. He taught her until late in the night, when it became the early morning of the next day.
He once again laid her to bed, but like she used to do, Christine didn't kiss him on the cheek. Instead she fell right asleep. He guessed that she was tired, but that horrible aching feeling came back to him, reminding him that they were growing apart already.