Epilogue:
Marie yawned tiredly and then slowly opened her eyes. The bed was soft and comfortable beneath her and she found herself covered by a single, black, silk sheet, her bare flesh's only protection against the cold of their chambers.
She put a great deal of energy into lifting her left arm in the air and bending it at the elbow. She was exhausted and the comfort of the bed made her greatly dislike any suggestion of moving, even from her own mind.
She gazed at the jewel that adorned her finger, sparkling and glittering in the candle light. She had never known that she could be so happy, even nearly seven months ago when she had first begun planning all of this, praying for this result, dreaming of the life that she might one day live, with him.
She dropped her arm and turned her head to her right side. He wasn't there. She sat up and looked across the room for him. He was sitting with his back to her at the piano, leaning over some paper, probably some new composition. He'd taken the trouble to put some trousers on but apart from that, sat bare. He had no shirt on at all and wasn't wearing either his wig or mask. Marie was happy that he felt comfortable enough with her to forgo those means of protection from people's hatred and scrutiny to which he had so desperately clung his entire life. Marie did wonder at the cold however, she was feeling it now herself. She supposed that he must be used to it by now.
Slowly and silently she got up from the bed, transferring from the black sheet still wrapped around her to a black, silk dressing gown which felt much the same for her, if not dragging so irritatingly. A chill ran up her spine as she tread the short distance towards him, barefoot upon the stone floor.
Marie finally reached him, slowly laid her hands upon his shoulders and kissed him passionately upon the cheek; upon the side he normally wore his mask.
He closed his eyes as he savoured the moment and then pulled her down to sit on the seat beside himself.
"My sweet angel," he gazed dreamily at her, "I have just finished writing something for you to play and then you shall have a singing lesson."
Marie grasped his arm, "my love, there's something I need to tell you."
"What…" Erik looked a bit nervous.
"I absolutely detest your singing lessons and I beg of you that you not make me continue with them." She spoke hurriedly.
"Do you honestly feel this way?" he asked, looking quite hurt.
"Yes, it's just that I enjoy singing for pleasure rather than for profession. I only wish to sing for you and as I have no real inclination to leave this place and you in order to go up to the stage, I see no real point in them."
Erik's eyes clouded over as he thought over what she had said. Marie could see this and began to worry slightly, "Please my husband."
Erik's eyes softened as he turned to her "for you my darling wife, anything." They kissed and then she turned and began to play the piece that he had set before her.
It was more beautiful than anything she had ever heard and she rode upon every, single note. Her skill on the piano had greatly improved, allowing her to play this new music nearly as much as its beauty deserved. She was married to the man with the most beautiful musical soul in the world.
She suddenly felt him kissing her neck and she closed her eyes and continued to play. All that they had ever dreamed had come true.
