Thank you once again for the reviews and favoring this story. I am so pleased you enjoyed the "unmasking" scene. As I have said before, if Christine was only able to process what she saw and think back to all their time spent together, she would have figured out how truly beautiful he was. This story just helped her along. ;)

We will be meeting some additional characters in this chapter and I will gradually introduce more as the story unfolds.

For those of you who did not know Sasha, she was Erik's dog that was killed when he was a boy by the neighborhood children. As for Giovanni, unless you read Susan Kay's Phantom, he will need to be a mystery for now.

One last note, as I will be celebrating my birthday this weekend, the next update will appear next week. Until then, on with the show.

When she turned back to ask her angel about the music box, she was upset to find him gone but not surprised.

"I don't even know his real name….." Her eyes went back to the monkey and marveled at its detail. It appeared to be handcrafted and utterly flawless. Her hands went to touch the cymbals and to her delight it began to play on its own.

The melody was soft and slow, almost as if the notes were being played one at a time on purpose so the notes could linger longer. Once it stopped, a hidden compartment opened, revealing a stack of paper and envelopes tied up with a silk black ribbon. She then noticed a small feather pen with her name engraved on the side.

"Angel!" She smiled upon saying his name. "Did he make all of this for me?" Something made her want to turn around, as if she could sense him watching her. However, her smile faded when she saw she was alone. You ninny. You know he isn't a real angel. He can't just make himself appear and disappear on command. She was about to place the items back inside the drawer, when she noticed there was something else. A sealed envelope with two words written on it.

Open me.

She bit her lip in anticipation as she broke the seal and began reading the letter.

My Christine,

By the time you reads this I suspect you will be half way to your new home, that is of course if your curiosity was not far too much for you to bear and are still in your room at the Opera House determined to make Mademoiselle Giry cross for your tardiness.

She stopped reading as she brought her eyes up scanning the room. She giggled. "He knows me so well." She continued on with the letter ignoring the time.

This is the first correspondence by letter between us and I do hope it will not be the last but that is for you to decide, my dear. You witnessed a frightening scene this evening. While I know you are very brave and understood why it had to be done, it was still a violent act that you should have been spared to see. Your oversized heart forgave me all too quickly and I will understand if after the initial shock has worn off, you may start to question and regret giving your forgiveness blindly.

I want you to know I will understand if you choose to forget me and all of this. To continue our friendship may be all too selfish for me. As you continue to grow up and explore the world, you may find that our attachment holds you back and the last thing I would ever wish to do is stand in your way. Therefore, regardless of what you decide, I will never hold ill will towards you and will consider our friendship to have been one of the greatest relationships of my life. I will never forget or regret the joys knowing you has brought me.

If you wish to continue our relationship and singing lessons, I will be your humble servant. However, if you feel our knowing one another will present a problem, do not give up your dreams or your potential. Find another way to sing. True, you will never find a teacher better than I am, but even a subpar teaching is better than none at all.

She shook her head. "There could be no teacher other than you my maestro."

The music plans and lessons will arrive as early as next week. You write to me if you still desire a teacher and angelic friend. However, you promised to not hide out and stop living your life. Remember, to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. You must make an effort to embrace this new life, while never losing sight of who you are and are meant to be.

Lastly, be true to the music, Christine. For even when times seem dark and you feel lost, the music will show you the answers you seek. Take it from someone who knows. The monkey was handcrafted by me, during a period of deep melancholy. If not for this inspiration there is no telling what may have become of me. He served me well and now I bestow him to you. Trust him as you trust me. But be careful. Our friend tends to have a mind of his own.

As if on cue the monkey began playing its cymbals by itself.

Goodbye my Angel. Spread your wings and don't allow anyone to clip them.

Tears went down her cheeks as she fought the desire to go and see him once more. When she placed the letter back into its envelope she heard her name being called.

"Christine it is after 12pm. Get down here this instant!"

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Vincent Valerius stepped out of the carriage, throwing his partially lit cigar into the street. The lingering smell caused a reaction to one of the horses and the driver jumped down to try and calm her down. Vincent ignored the drama that was happening around him. Instead he just looked up at the Opera House and wondered how such a magnificent institution of art, could waste its time on playing nursemaid to father and motherless children. Leave it to his wife to discover such an establishment.

Finally, he looked over to the chaos that he had shamelessly caused. "Reggie, can't you keep that beast steady? The last thing I need is to have this child frightened. I'll never hear the end of it from Madame Valerius."

"Yes, monsieur. I'm not exactly sure what caused her to act out."

Vincent rolled his eyes. "I'd say it was your lack of discipline. Now man up and use that whip as I have instructed in the past."

"But monsieur, I don't feel comfortable whipping animals. I…."

"You don't feel comfortable, eh? Well they can sense your fear and take advantage. I'll let you manage the animals your way, as long as it doesn't impact me. Understood?"

Reggie nodded, but then saw the look plastered on his boss' face. "Monsieur?"

"It's bothering me right now. Make it stop, or I will. You've until I come back outside. Are we in agreement?" He arched his brow.

"Yes, indeed monsieur."

Vincent smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Well I'm off to get the child. Can you believe the next time you see me, I will be a father?"

Reggie smiled at his boss until he was no longer in slight. The smile faded. God help that child. He then went back to calm the horse down.

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Antoinette was fit to be tied. "Where the hell is she?" She spoke in frustration. "The minute she is no longer my concern, the better." She eyed the clock and was so annoyed that both child and soon to be guardian were late. She was just about to climb the stairs when a man called out her name.

"Excuse me, mademoiselle?"

She turned around and looked at the man cautiously. "May I help you, monsieur?"

"I should say so. I'm Vincent Valerius. I'm here to pick up the child my wife made arrangements for."

"Vincent…. Oh, I'm sorry. It's just Madame Valerius did not mention that she was still….. That you were still…..Forgive my rambling. I am just surprised to know there are two parents. Normally both come to inquire about the children."

"Well, I would have come but since the Opera House only housed girls, I didn't see the need. One is as good as the other."

Antoinette was deeply offended by his words but kept that part to herself. "Is Madame Valerius with you?"

"Alas, she is ill. It will just be me taking the child home."

"Very well. I'll go and get Christine." She saw his head nod, as if it were all so non-plus the moment she told him the child's name. Was he not even aware of whom he was adopting? Did her being female eliminate the need to know her identity?

Before she could find her, Christine appeared with her suitcase in one hand and her other arm clutching the monkey music box tightly. Antoinette saw the monkey and instantly knew where it came from. She only was in a quandary as to how it was now in the child's possession.

"There you are." She kneeled down to be close enough to whisper to her. "Stay calm. Madame Valerius is not here, she is a tad ill. Her husband is here to take you home. Behave, alright?"

Christine nodded, although inside she wanted to scream. It was bad enough she didn't even know Madame Valerius, but at least she was a woman. Who was this strange man that she has to spend a long carriage ride with? "I…Will."

Antoinette looked at her and then her eyes went to her music box. "Do you need help with anything? Your music box is rare and should be taken special care of." Her arms reached over to it, but Christine yanked it away.

"I know. I've got it, Antoinette." She clutched the monkey tighter. You're not going to taint his present to me. You wanted me to hate him….. To fear him. Well, after today, I stop doing all you say.

Vincent was getting annoyed. He coughed and looked over at the two ladies who had not moved from the staircase.

Christine's head turned to see the tall man before her. Seeing another man standing over her, made her miss her angel all the more. It made the final step to walking out of the Opera House and starting a new life all the more real. Vincent caught her stare and spoke loudly.

"You must be Christine. I'm Vincent."

Antoinette stood up and pushed Christine over to greet him. When he said hello again, Antoinette nudged her to respond.

"H….Hello." Christine didn't believe that was her own voice. It was so small and meek.

So much for conversation. Vincent looked at his pocket watch. "We've best get a move on. We have a long drive and I don't want Cassie to worry."

"Cassie?" Antoinette asked in curiosity.

"My wife, Madame Valerius."

"Yes, of course. Well then Christine, are you sure you have everything?"

The child only nodded. She walked towards Vincent and he offered to help with her bags.

"Need any help?"

She clutched her music box tighter. She then thought of her angel, and hopefully he was lingering about. She swore she felt him, yet it was different than when she thought he was in her room. This time, she felt a feeling of warmth go through her chest.

Goodbye, Angel. I will miss you.

"Tell me, mademoiselle do I need to sign for her or did my wife handle all that? We really need to get going."

Antoinette forced a smile. "You are all taken care of, monsieur." She touched Christine by the shoulders. She seemed to read her thoughts. "Stay good and ….I'm sure he misses you too."

The mere mention of the fact that the ballet mistress knew what she was thinking, caused Christine to panic. Her time with her angel was private and precious. She certainly didn't wish to share anything with the woman that wanted her to fear him.

Vincent spoke. "Christine, do you want me to…" She saw the child exit the Opera House without hm. "What is she doing?" He followed her out the door.

Antoinette tried to tell herself that it was all working out perfectly. She was never intended to mother anyone. The child had a whole new world and she could concentrate on her studies and her art. After all she was a dancer not a nursemaid.

"It's better this way…" She then thought back to Vincent. "No, he's fine. I'm sure it will all work out once his wife appears….I hope." She thought for a long moment. "What if I made a mistake after all?" She suddenly had to see Erik immediately.

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When Christine walked outside, the driver opened the door for her and she smiled. She glanced behind her and imagined her angel watching over her as he stood tall with one of the statues.

Vincent opened the opposite side door and sat down. He wasn't much for small talk, so he hoped that could be voided. Christine just kept her focus at the window and so he happily began reading his paper. He paused and looked at the child's music box.

"Tell me where did you get such an oddity? Seems bizarre for a pretty child as yourself to have such an ugly toy."

Christine pulled her stare away from the window and brought it to Vincent's. "I'm sorry you feel that way. You must have never seen true beauty before." She then kept her eyes focused on the Opera House until it was no longer in view. The rest of the journey was spent in silence.

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Erik had been lingering above the building inside Apollo's Lyre as he tried to stop his tears from falling. He wasn't sure if it was out of sorrow or joy. Yes, his angel was leaving but she wouldn't be gone forever. The way she held on to the music box proved it.

We will meet again. He was so excited for the future. She did want him beside her after all. To guide her and nurture her voice. He would not disappoint her. He would not give up until his quest of making her voice soar and enable her to grace a stage in a leading role came true.

He then thought of the dead carcass he had to dispose of. He couldn't see the carriage anymore, so he promptly went inside, unbeknownst to him that a determined ballet mistress followed him.

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"Cassie? Cassie we're home!"

Vincent charged into the house, forgetting about Christine. It was Reggie who opened her door and took her to the main house. He then motioned for her to follow Vincent inside.

Madame Valerius greeted her husband with a kiss on the cheek, but soon her eyes searched for their newest addition to the family. "Darling, where is she?"

He looked at her in confusion. "Where is whom, my dear?"

"The child, silly! Where is Chris….." She then spotted her still holding on to her belongings. "There you are! Welcome my child. Did you have a good trip? You must be awfully tired? Do you want to see your room? I spent nearly two days making it right for you." She was about to reach out to her but Christine backed away, keeping her music box steady. It almost felt as if she was using it like a divider between the two of them.

Vincent saw the child's reaction and was not pleased but kept his thought to himself to not upset Cassie. "Why don't you go up to your room, Christine? It's the first door on the left."

She saw his finger point upstairs and she nodded. "I'm very tired. Thank you..Thank you both for everything."

Cassie looked anxious bit she let Christine go upstairs on her own. "Do you think we did the right thing?"

Vincent kissed her cheek. Of course we did. Now, you can have some bonding time with the child. I am off."

"Off? Where?"

"I didn't tell you? Randolph de Chagny is back in town and he is having a small poker party at his estate."

"The nerve of that man. You would think he would rather spend time with his wife and two sons."

Vincent laugh. "Look on the bright side, Cassie. At least Miriam knows where her husband is and doesn't have to imagine his skirt chasing those dance whores."

She nodded in agreement. She then looked upstairs. "You think I should go and check on her?"

"Cassie, give her some space. She's not much of a talker. Let her ease into all this."

"I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right. Now, don't wait up. I plan on gaining my money back from last time."

She only nodded. He could sense his wife's apprehension, and so he placed his arms around her for encouragement. "Give her some time. She'll warm up."

"And if she doesn't?"

He scoffed. "She will. Otherwise, I'll just have to whip her into shape."