A/N: Wow...is this story really almost complete? It has been a real joy to write this and learn from your feedback!
As Erik stepped down into his former dwellings, his heart skipped a beat. Surprisingly, the angry mob had not completely turned the place upside-down, but as he was faced with all the remnants of his past life, he could not fight the few tears that appeared. He was truly grateful that Pierre and Philippe were with him now. He would need every bit of their help, in more ways than one.
"Shall we start with the instruments and sheet music?" Philippe interrupted his train of thought.
"What? Oh...yes, please..." Erik slowly approached all his paintings and drawings of Christine. No artist ever wants to see his work destroyed. Too much of himself had gone into each one. But to keep them was out of the question entirely. Finally he decided to bundle them up and give them to Christine. He only hoped that she would appreciate them. He found an empty leather folder and began placing the artwork into that.
"What next, Erik?" Pierre asked, and Erik turned around. While he had been lost in thought, the two men had brought all his smaller instruments and sheet music up to the carriage, and had just now returned.
"The masks and costumes can be left for the prop department. I'll let Antoinette know. The bed will have to stay, of course..." Erik's voice faded as he became overwhelmed with the thought of really leaving this place forever. All those years spent making these caverns truly his own, every detail a reflection of himself. Only it wasn't who he was anymore. He had to remind himself that he was about to be married to a woman who truly loved him, and he was no longer haunted by the face that had once caused his own mother to disown him.
"Erik? Do you need a moment?" Pierre spoke up.
"No, I...let's work on the organ, shall we?" Erik forced a smile onto his face, and they began working. Most of it was carved into the stone wall, so they would have to take only the main pieces that were key to the instrument itself. All other pieces would have to be built at the school, but Erik was eager to put his artistic talents to work again. He also made a mental note to carve a new bed, one he could share with his future wife. As the thought entered his mind, he regained his strength and his focus on the task at hand.
Finally, there was nothing else in the cavern that he wished to take with him. The carriage was now full, and the day was growing short. Erik took a deep breath and took one final look around. Yes, he was ready now. Ready to say good bye to his former self. Ready to embrace the future before him. And so, when Philippe gently reminded him of the time, Erik followed him out with no hesitation, and without looking back.
One month later, Meg arrived on Philippe's boat with an invitation in her hand. Erik was in the courtyard between the two dormitory houses, working on the bed. As soon as he heard Meg's voice calling his name, he immediately ran to meet her in front of the house. No way was she going to see this before it was complete. "Meg! What a surprise!" He embraced his fiance.
"Erik, you won't believe this. I hold in my hand an invitation for Christine and Raul's wedding." Her tone was a teasing one, and she had a mischievous grin on her face. She was not a good actress, Erik noted, but decided to play along.
"Oh do you, now? Well, I hope you have a wonderful time, and pass my regards onto the happy couple, won't you?"
"Erik, they've invited you! They want you to be there!" Meg laughed, pointing to Erik's name on the invitation.
"You're sure of this? They aren't just inviting me out of pity or politeness?"
"Mama had a long talk with them the other day. They realize you've changed, and all charges against you have been dropped!"
"Oh, Meg! I don't know what to say!"
"There's no need." Meg planted a kiss upon his lips.
Erik squeezed Meg's hand tighter as they entered the reception hall. So many familiar faces he had only seen from behind walls and masks filled the room. Yes, there were all three former managers, various performers, Carlotta and her little group, and, of course, the Vicomte and his new bride. Erik approached the managers first, refusing to let Meg's hand leave his own. "Monsieurs, it is a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you all." His tone took him by surprise.
"And you are...?" Monsieur Andre questioned.
"You once knew me by the name of 'Opera Ghost'. As you can see, gentlemen, I am no longer that man, and I regret deeply all that I put you through. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Erik Dupree." Antoinette had helped him track down his birth records; unfortunately his mother had passed away five years before.
"Ah, yes. Antoinette has told us that you've become the new patron. I believe I speak for us all when I say that we are looking forward to the first production after the rebuild." Monsieur Firmin spoke up.
"Yes, I look forward to that as well. Now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, there are others I wish to speak to." Erik nodded, then turned towards Carlotta.
"Hello, Carlotta. Might I introduce you to my fiance, Erik Dupree?" Meg spoke first.
"Allo, Monsieur." Carlotta flashed one of her stage smiles at Erik, extending her hand. Erik took a subtle gulp. "I believe you have heard of me, yes?" Carlotta, you are not making this easy, Erik thought.
"Indeed I have. I've been wanting to tell you something, but now is not the time. Perhaps later this evening?"
"Oh, but of course! I look forward to it, Monsieur!" As Erik turned from the singer, he felt Meg squeeze his hand.
"Oh, must you tell her, Erik? She'll cause such a scene!"
"I know, believe me I know. But if I'm to begin my life anew, I need to own up to everything I've done." Now, the couple stood in front of the newlyweds' table, and Erik allowed a soft chuckle to escape at the sight of Christine's face. She recognized him, all right, but was obviously amazed at the transformation.
"Congratulations, Christine, Raul. Thank you for inviting me here."
"Hello, Erik. While you're here, I wish to offer you a truce." Raul stood and extended his hand, which Erik shook in agreement.
"Vicomtess Christine, I want you to have this collection of my artwork." Erik handed over the wrapped parcel, and as Christine slowly revealed its contents, she gasped.
"They look wonderful, Monsieur Dupree. You have quite a talent." Raul remarked.
"Yes, thank you, Monsieur." Christine smiled up at him.
That night, when Erik had settled on a spare bed at the opera house, he couldn't help laughing at Carlotta's reaction to his confession. Meg's prediction of the scene she would cause came true, but in the end, after Erik had promised to allow Carlotta to have as equal a chance as any other soprano for the leads in future productions, she had finally forgiven him. He hated groveling, but without forgiveness, he would not have been able to feel true peace.
Erik and Meg's wedding took place the following spring inside the main building of the school. They invited everyone from the opera house to share in the excitement, and they were not disappointed by the crowd. Before they became officially husband and wife, Erik had requested that they sing a song together as part of their vows. The priest had agreed, and now, as the couple stood face to face, hand in hand, the song began:
(Erik:)
I won't be lonely
Not anymore
Not with the dancer here
Lost in my brokenness
And living in darkness
I was so lonely
All I had went into music
I thought I found someone
Gave my soul to someone
I was rejected
My heart lay at her feet, shattered
Then a girl
Waltzed into my life
She picked up the pieces
"You can be free
If you'll just dance with me!"
She looked right past my face
Into my deepest place
I won't be lonely
Not anymore
Not with the dancer here
I won't be lonely
Not anymore
Not with the dancer here.
(Meg)
I've learned to look at you
And all that you've been through
You were so lonely
Lonely in your darkest hours
How can I make you see
You mean so much to me
I was so lonely
That night when I danced on the stage
Suddenly
A violin's song
Seemed to say "I see you!
Please dance for me
Set your spirit free!"
And so now here we stand
Not strangers, more than friends
No longer lonely
Not anymore
Joined in love's dance are we
(Together)
We won't be lonely
Joined in our song
Joined in love's dance are we.
As the song ended, the priest quickly pronounced them husband and wife, and in one kiss, the couple fully embraced the sheer beauty of standing side by side, ready to face tomorrow.
And later that night, as Erik carried his bride into their private quarters on the first floor, he watched her reaction to the bed. Though the frame was wooden, it had gold plating covering it. Instead of a single solitary swan, he had carved two lovebirds perched at the foot. The red mattress was large and in the shape of a heart, and on the headboard, a pair of ballet slippers stood in between two music notes.
And now, as the couple kiss, we shall quietly close this door, leaving them to face a new life, joined in love's dance.
A/N: The song "No Longer Lonely" is my own variation on the songs "No One Would Listen" and "Learn to be Lonely", both of which were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and both of which always make me want to dissolve in a pool of my own tears. I decided to take that beautiful tune and put a positive message to it for once. As far as formalities are concerned in regards to Erik's presenting his gift to Christine directly, I took artistic liberties on that. Otherwise, I would have had to include a whole other scene in which Christine and Raul were opening all their gifts, they stumble upon the drawings, all of which are unsigned, and so a whole other layer of confusion and conflict would have emerged. And I didn't feel like bothering with that. :P
This story is not done! Stay tuned for the epilogue!