Chapter Ten
Come into the Light
Persian's POV
"Are you eager about today?" I asked breaking the peaceful silence. Today is the opening of the Recital Erik, Meg and Benedict have been working tirelessly on for the past two months. I saw Erik's face turn quickly into one of nervousness. It seemed he was not so eager.
"I confess that I am not entirely." He answered me. He was putting the finishing touches on his mask. He was dressed like a French Gentleman; he could almost be a Count, as he looked at himself in the mirror of his bedroom. It seemed his Façade of Monsieur Leroux was one he would be using for quite some time. At least, I hope. Erik deserved to finally have an identity of his own after so many years hiding in darkness and solitude. I have a feeling a certain blonde ballet dancer has to do with that.
"Why not? I would think you would be. I know you've been longing for sometime to compose again and perform. It is a part of who you are." I answered, glancing at him from behind as he stared at me through the reflection of the mirror in front of him.
"Yes, but I did that all those years ago hiding behind a mask. Not this time, Persian. This time I will have no Phantom to hide behind… I will be myself." Erik stated finally, looking away from my stare in the mirror to continue his makeup. Tonight will be the first time Monsieur Leroux will be coming out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Benedict decided he wanted to present their very generous benefactor at the end of the Recital as a symbol of gratitude. This request Erik surprisingly did not refuse.
"And that scares you." I declared what he did not say. He did not look at me and simply stared at the mirror. I know he was scared.
"Erik, you must not fear—"
"The last time I tried to connect with the world the Palais Garnier burnt down." He interrupted me fiercely. "I became a fugitive and I lost a chance to raise my son." He turned to look at me now, his eyes stern, but I knew it was not against me. It was his frustration against himself, his past mistakes, his lost opportunities.
"Am I truly ready to face it all again, Daroga?" He asked me, his eyes now filled with doubt.
"I think you are." I answered and he looked at me curiously. I put a hand on his shoulder, looking at his anxious eyes, trying to calm him down.
"You are not the same man you were eight years ago, Erik. You are not that Phantom anymore. I knew that the moment you visited me in Persia. I could see it in your eyes. Take it from someone who has known you for many years. All I would ever see was brokenness, rage, sadness and darkness. I did not see that when you returned. Something changed within you and I think it happened the moment Christine Daae kissed you." I saw his eyes widen in surprise but I knew it was the truth.
"Christine showed you love, even if only out of pity, but I know that ever since that moment you were not the same person. Now, the time has come for you to find out who that person is, without a mask. I think you have lived enough time in the darkness, my friend. Maybe it's finally time to come into the light." I finished my statement and squeezed his shoulder lightly. He grinned and I could feel him relaxed now under my hand.
"Thank you, Persian. You always know exactly what to say, don't you?"
"To you... sometimes."
We both laughed.
"And you are right, of course. I have to stop living in shadows. But I do not want to step out of them alone."
"You know that I will always be here for you, Erik."
"I know. As you always have. That is why I…"
I saw Erik's eyes turn fearful again.
"Yes, Erik?"
"I am planning on doing something that I think I will need your help to guide me, Daroga." Erik said, looking doubtfully into my eyes.
I wonder what he is planning now.
…
Opening Night
Meg's POV
It was twenty minutes to start the recital and my heart was almost coming out of my mouth. I have not felt this anxious since dancing the ballet Giselle. I looked at myself in the mirror and observed how my blonde tendrils fell all the way down to my arms. My white ballerina dress was encompassed in silver glitter. There were white roses sewn to the skirt and I had see through sleeves also covered by white roses. I smiled as I saw mine and Erik's flower in my costume, Erik had it personally tailored for me, I know he did it all on purpose. As I traced my costume, my mind could not help but wander back to the first time a white rose became so significant in my life.
"Mama, where are we going?"
The night was cold as mama held my hand hard and took me deeper under the ground. I was finally going to meet him, the mysterious gentleman of the night; at least that is what I liked to call him. He was "the gentleman of the night" my Mama cared for in secret. She told me I would meet him someday when I was ready. She warned me that he had a short temper and I should not say anything to upset him.
"Better not to say anything at all, Meg, unless I say you may do so." She whispered to me. I never understood my Mother's fear towards the gentleman. And yet, she still helped him... why?
Suddenly, I heard a loud sound as we made our way across a dark river on a boat. It sounded like an organ… it was beautiful to me.
"Come, Meg." My Mother got out of the boat first then held out her hand for me. I jumped out and I felt the cool air enter my lungs. It was so cold down here and dark. I could hardly see my hands if it wasn't for the lantern my Mother held. As we got closer to the sound I saw more than a dozen bronze, branched candleholders and a figure in the middle playing from the organ. Beside the figure there seemed to be a large mirror but it seemed to be covered with something... a red, thick, silk blanket. Why would the gentleman cover up his mirror?
"Erik!" My mother shouted but the sound of the organ was too loud and he did not hear her.
His name was Erik. I could finally give a name to the gentleman.
"Let him finish, Mama. It is so beautiful." I whispered to her as he kept on playing. The music was dark yet majestic. It was a strange melody but he made it sound amazing.
"Remember what I said Meg, not a word." My mother whispered to me and then the organ fell silent.
"Erik." The man on the piano turned around slowly revealing a white mask that covered half of his face.
"Madame Giry, I was not expecting you." His voice was very low and masculine but he seemed quite young. He looked a bit older than me.
"I know, Erik, I am sorry but it is a matter of urgency."
He stood up from his seat and a black cape fell royally at his back. He stepped swiftly, as if he was accustomed to having to walk to places quickly to escape. He stopped in front of us and glanced at me only once.
"What is the urgent matter, Madame?" He asked. His voice was low and masculine, almost as if he was trying to be scary. I could not stop looking at him. He was nothing like I imagined him in my head.
Mama and him started whispering to each other until they became quite engrossed in a private conversation. I slowly let go of my Mother's grip on my hand and moved closer to the organ where this Erik was playing. I sat down and I looked behind me and saw that my movement had not garnered any attention away from their discussion. I still had the beautiful melody in my head and I wished to hear it again. I started to play the organ, trying to replicate what I heard in my head, never wanting to forget the melody.
"Meg!" I heard my Mother scream at me and I jumped up quickly in terror. I did not want to be scorned by her.
"I told you—"
"It is all right, Helene. She was playing quite well for hearing the melody only once." I heard Erik comment.
"I am sorry, Erik. I had to bring her; I did not want to leave her alone so late at night. You have heard me speak of my daughter, Meg."
Erik did not answer. He simply began walking towards me in that stride of his. When he arrived in front of the organ he sat down again.
"Show me." Erik simply ordered me and patted the seat beside him. I looked at my Mother and she nodded at me, granting me permission to do as he says.
I began playing the melody again, my hands slightly shaking, not wanting to make a mistake in front of him. Under his scrutiny, my heart was about to fall out of my mouth. I missed a note and I stopped suddenly, horrified, knowing I had made a mistake. His hand suddenly appeared over mine and guided me back to the keys.
"It is all right. The correct note is this one." He corrected me patiently.
Then, to my surprise, he began to play the melody with me. The organ echoed around the darkness around us. But I found it quite less scary now, filled with so much music. Until we finished the song completely and I heard my Mother clap softly behind us.
"That was the most beautiful music I have ever heard, monsieur." I said, looking up at him with a genuine smile on my face.
"Then you are one of the few to say so, Meg." He answered me, a surprise on his face.
"Meg, we must go now." My Mother ordered me from behind. I got up from the seat and walked back beside her to take her hand.
"Are you sure you wish to remain here, Erik? What if they find you?"
"They will not. Unless you guide them here."
"You know I would never do that."
Erik simply nodded at my Mother and then she began to take me back to the boat.
"Wait." Erik's voice echoed around us as my Mother's foot stopped midair as she was about to step into the boat.
Erik walked towards us and kneeled down in front of me. From under his cape appeared a beautiful white rose, which he handed over to me.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Mademoiselle Giry. May this be the beginning of more melodies to be shared with you." He said softly, his eyes, although dark almost adoring and I could see a small grin at the half of his face that was not covered by the mask.
I was speechless but I took the rose from his hand. He left without uttering another word and Mama got me back on the boat. After a few more moments of silence, I looked up to my Mother curiously.
"Does this mean I can come more often then, Mama?" I whispered up to her, holding the white rose's stem tightly, not wanting to lose it.
"I honestly do not know what it means, Meg. I have never seen him react that way with anyone." My Mother simply answered.
Then, suddenly, from a distance, we heard the organ begin to play a familiar melody once again.
A light knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Meg? Are you ready?" Christine's muffled voice asked me from the other side of the door.
"Yes!" I answered quickly. I almost ran to open the door. When I did I was welcomed by a gorgeous Christine dressed in a lilac colored gown embroidered in gold. Her shoulders were bare if only for three straps of the dress that fell lightly on the top of her arm. She had an extravagant necklace that encompassed her neck, fit for a queen. And a V-neck that gave her a mature look. She was definitely not the young, orphan Christine I grew up with anymore.
"Christine, you look amazing!" I complimented her.
"Meg, and you as well! You look exquisite."
"Thank you. Erik made it for me, especially." I whispered the end of my sentence. Christine knew of our secret affair, she was the only person I dared confide it to.
"I can tell. He accentuated your best qualities." She winked at me and I could not help but blush.
"Oh, Christine."
"Meg, you are in love. Enjoy it." She whispered to me and I nodded. I would always be slightly tense trying to hide my feelings for Erik. I knew we had to keep his identity a secret until tonight, where he would finally reveal himself publicly. But Christine would always remind me to enjoy the feeling. And I had to; I waited so long to feel this way, now I could hardly bare to hide it.
We lightly embraced each other and started walking to our positions to begin the Recital. Everywhere around us ballet dancers were warming up and preparing themselves for the show. I gave a short pep talk to my students, knowing they would do an excellent job.
"Mademoiselle Meg and Comtesse Christine!" We heard Ben call for us as we positioned ourselves backstage. He was dressed in an elegant black suit and my Mother was beside him with her cane, as always.
"Are you both ready? We are about to start in five minutes." Ben asked. I could sense the nervousness in his voice.
"Ben, be calm. Yes, we are ready. Everything will be perfect." I consoled him and lightly touched his shoulder. He no longer shies his eyes away from my own like he used to do at the beginning of rehearsals. He does not treat me as before, obviously, but we have slowly found a way to maintain some kind of friendship, gratefully. Benedict was too kind of a man to hold grudges.
"I know. You know how I get before a show." He grinned at me and then glanced at Christine, taking her all in.
"Comtesse, and are you ready?" He asked tenderly. I noticed how his eyes softened when he looked at Christine.
"Of course, Monsieur Benedict." Christine answered just as tenderly back. He acknowledged her with a nod and quickly left to do some last minute errands, no doubt, before the show. And I could see Christine's eyes follow him until he was out of sight with my Mother behind him.
I had noticed some things between them in these last few months of rehearsal but I wanted Christine herself to confirm it. I must imagine she must think I might feel uncomfortable because of it but quite the contrary. I know Christine and I know Benedict, they are both kind and generous people with big hearts that deserve happiness in every way. And after the hell Christine has been through with Raoul, she needs Benedict's kindness and tenderness in her life.
"He is a—a nice man, Benedict." Christine uttered. She averted my eyes but I could not help but grin up at her.
"I know, he certainly is." I answered and waited for her to say something more. I would not push on the subject unless she permitted it.
"He let Philippe sit in the show free, no cost. He did not have to but he did."
"Benedict is a man of big gestures and selfless, it does not surprise me." I answered, still waiting for Christine to say something more but she merely looked out nervously into the crowd.
"Speaking of Philippe, where is he?" I asked.
"He was with E—With Monsieur Leroux and with his Persian friend. He wanted to spend some time with him before the show started." Christine said. That brought a grin to my face. Erik had been trying to spend as much time as possible with Philippe in these few months. They have yet to tell him who his true Father is but I know they will soon.
"Oh and Raoul? Have you heard from him?" I asked and Christine's eyes looked at me with worry.
"I have not. Since I told him about the divorce months ago, he's disappeared. No one knows where he is." Christine answered with a soft sadness.
"You do not miss him, do you?" I asked. It might seem like a cruel question but no one better than me knows how much Christine secretly suffered in silence with Raoul.
"It is not so much that I miss him. I am just worried. It is a part of my life that has not ended, unfortunately. And I long to… to be…"
"Free?" I finished her sentence. She smiled at me. It was almost like when we were young, finishing each other's sentences. I took her hands in mine and squeezed them. I wanted her to really listen to these words.
"Be free, Christine. When you go out there and do what you are passionate about. Do it freely. Sing freely. The cage is finally open and your past no longer haunts you anymore." I whispered to her. Christine's eyes watered and she embraced me tightly.
"Thank you, Meg."
"Mama!" Philippe exclaimed and interrupted our embrace. He jumped into his Mother's arms and I could see the genuine happiness in Christine's face knowing that her and Philippe were finally free of Raoul's deathly grasp.
"My darling, where is Monsieur Leroux?" Christine asked her son.
"He went with the Persian to look for something. He said they would be back by the start of the show, mama."
Suddenly, the lights were shut down, the stage lights were lit and a grand applause was heard all around the Academy's Theatre.
"Philippe, go and sit with the audience. I will go look for you after the show in my dressing room." I heard Christine whisper in the darkness.
"All right, Mama." Philippe answered, embraced me quickly with a kiss on the cheek wishing me luck and then left running to join the audience.
The show went on spectacularly, not a single mistake. The moment finally came for Christine to sing her Aria.
"Sing freely, Christine." I whispered to her in her ear as she smiled at me. She went walking to the back of the theatre, where she would make her grand entrance. From the side of the stage, I heard the crowd roar as Christine appeared in the spotlight after curtains revealed her in the center of the stage. Erik's beautiful music began to play, the Orchestra not missing a single note, and Christine began slowly walking to the center of the stage. This would be my first time hearing Erik's song for Christine. The moment she began to sing, I knew the song was tailored perfectly for Christine's voice; as only Erik could do.
Who knows when love begins
who knows what makes it start
One day it's simply there
Alive inside your heart.
Christine began beautifully; A hush coming before the crowd as they silently enjoyed each note.
It slips into your thoughts
It infiltrates your soul
It takes you by surprise
Then seizes full control
"Meg." I heard a familiar voice from behind me. I turned around and saw Erik standing behind me. He was dressed very dapper, like a true French gentleman.
"Monsieur Leroux. I was wondering where you were." I whispered.
Try to deny it
And try to protest
But love won't let you go
Once you've been possessed
Erik stood beside me and we both silently listened to "The Angel" enchant the audience with her voice.
"The song truly is beautiful, Erik. Only you could have written something so… Majestic for Christine to sing." I whispered to him beside me. I felt his hands wrap around my waist from behind and I could not help but close my eyes and take it all in. The man I love was finally completely mine and my best friend was singing for the first time free of her abusive relationship. Philippe would have a true Father and Erik would finally be able to live freely without having to look over his shoulder after tonight. I could not be happier as in this moment.
Love never dies
Love never falters
Once it has spoken
Love is yours.
"Meg… that song … I also wrote it for you." Erik whispered in my ear. I opened my eyes in surprise and turned around in his arms.
"What?" I whispered to him. He grinned at my surprise. He took my hand and we hid backstage where no one could see us.
"That song I also wrote it for you. I dedicate it to you. It is a way for me to thank you for your love. The love you have always had for me and the love I promise to always give to you." Erik whispered to me passionately.
Love never fades
Love never alters
Hearts may get broken
Love endures
Hearts may get broken
Love endures
"Oh, Erik. I—" I was struck speechless when I saw him take out a white rose from under his cape. But not just any white rose, from it hanged a black string, which held an engagement ring. My eyes widened and filled with tears. Can it be?
"Meg, please, marry me. I know it might seem quick but I… I just do not believe we should waste anymore time. I think we have wasted enough of it, especially me. And if there is something I have learned is that you can live to regret many things quite painfully. And I do not want to regret you."
I was still speechless. In my dreams I have seen this moment and now it was here. Erik wants me to be his wife. Erik wants me to spend the rest of my life with him. Erik wants me.
And soon as you submit
Surrender flesh and bone
That love takes on a life
Much bigger than your own
It uses you at whim
And drives you to despair
And forces you to feel
More joy than you can bear
"Meg now is not the moment to be so quiet." Erik's words broke me from my thoughts.
"I am sorry, forgive me, I am just… Yes." I answered and I saw a smile come to Erik's face that I had never seen before in all my years of knowing him.
"Yes, Erik, I will marry you." I captured his lips and I could feel his smile against my own. He wrapped his arms around my body and raised me from the floor.
Love never dies
Love will continue
Love keeps on beating
When you're gone
Love never dies
Once it is in you
Life may be fleeting
Love lives on
Life may be fleeting
With Christine's high pitch filling the whole theatre, I kissed Erik with a whole heart. I have officially attained what I have always dreamed of.
Love lives On
The thundering applause filled the whole theatre, as I am sure Christine was receiving a standing ovation. And Erik put on my finger the engagement ring. I laughed heartily with tears falling from my face. I captured his lips once again trying to make sure this was all really real.
"Now, go, dance that Finale Meg, as beautifully as I know only you can." Erik whispered inches from my lips.
"For you, my love, I will." I whispered back and I began to come out of our hiding place to walk towards the stage. As I entered the stage, I saw Christine exiting through the other side and was received by Benedict with a single red rose.
I grinned to myself as I positioned myself center stage, the curtain was closed in front of me. And I found that my heart was beating fast but it had nothing to do with the performance.
…
The crowd's applause roared as all performers of the Recital stood on the stage. Christine and I received bouquets of flowers as performers of the night. Benedict joined us center stage and he raised his hands wanting to silence the crowd because he wanted to speak. He gave a speech of gratitude, expressing it to the whole crowd, to Christine, our students and my Mother and me.
"But I have one final person I must present tonight. Our generous benefactor who made all of this possible… Count Erik Leroux!" Benedict announced and gestured his arm to the side of the stage urging Erik to come out. I saw the apprehension in his eyes and I quickly walked over to him. I took his hand and made him look at my eyes directly.
"Come, Erik." I whispered lowly, only wanting him to hear it. I saw him take a deep breath and then let himself be guided by my hand out. As soon as the spotlight hit his face, the crowd went wild. A smile came to my face as I realized what just happened in this moment. Erik was no longer in the shadows and he will never be in the shadows again.
…
After the show, I was in my dressing room, beginning to change. I could still picture Erik's face as he stepped into the spotlight. He was no longer a nameless man. He can begin his new life without a tainted past.
Or should I say our new life without a tainted past.
I looked down at the ring in my hand and my heart could almost burst from happiness. I still could not believe that I would soon be Erik's wife. So many years dreaming of it… and now it is to be true. Should I pinch myself to see if it is true? I started to laugh at my childish thoughts and myself. But, really, who would have thought that the lowly ballet dancer from eight years ago would find herself becoming a Comtesse.
"You were exquisite, Meg." I turned around as I heard Erik's voice behind me as he entered my dressing room and closed the door. I smiled and embraced him.
"Thank you, my love. I hope I did your music justice."
"You did more than that. You brought it to life." He complimented me and I could not help but blush slightly and look down at my feet. Erik's compliments were rare and I always found myself never knowing how to react and speechless.
"Now, may I do something I have been wanting to do since I saw you dance on that stage tonight to my composition?"
"What?" I asked curiously with a smile.
I gasped suddenly as Erik raised me from the floor and sat me down on my vanity table. He cupped my face gently and kissed me. I smiled in between kisses but let myself be melted by his soft touches.
"I seem to recall you promising me something in this dressing room? When I am completely yours?" I whispered to him as he stopped kissing my neck. He looked down at me and embraced me with his black cape, hiding us from the world. My arms snaked around his waist and our foreheads touched. I could stay here forever.
"I know. I intend to keep that promise. I will make it up to you, Meg. For all of the years to come." He whispered to me warmly. I smiled and raised my neck upwards to kiss him again.
"Philippe… Philippe!" We heard Christine's voice and it made us break apart. Erik and I ran outside and saw Benedict and the Persian surrounding Christine with worried faces.
"What's wrong?" I heard Erik exclaim, as we got closer to them.
"It's Philippe, I—"
"What's wrong!?" Erik asked again desperately.
"He was supposed to meet me after the show in my dressing room! He is not there! I have looked everywhere for him!" Christine exclaimed. Benedict held her hand lightly.
"Daroga, you were supposed to be with him!" Erik accused the Persian furiously.
"I lost him for just a moment, my friend. He said he was going to meet his Mother." The Persian explained.
"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" I asked Christine.
"No… I… I don't know. I can hardly think." Christine answered me tearfully.
"Christine, be calm, I am sure we will find out soon." Benedict consoled her. But where could he be?
"Monsieur Leroux! I found this in Christine's dressing room." My Mother appeared with a card in her hand and handed it to Christine.
"This will all end where it all began… Raoul." Christine read aloud what the letter said. She covered her mouth to cry as we all realized what it meant.
"I WILL KILL HIM!" Erik exclaimed.
"Erik! Be calm!" I held his arm. He would kill him, I was sure of that.
"IF HE HURTS HIM!" I cupped his face, trying to calm him down.
"He will not! But think Erik, where could he mean?!" I asked him, trying to distract him of his rage.
"It will all end where it began?" Christine whispered to herself.
"Where what began?" Benedict asked. I saw him glancing at the way I was holding Erik but I could not think about what he might suspect at the moment.
"Our story." Erik whispered, getting everyone's attention. He glanced at me and then at Christine. "Where our Opera started." He finished his statement and Christine and I looked at each other, immediately knowing what Erik meant.
"The Palais Garnier." I whispered.
"We must go now!" Erik quickly ordered, letting go of my hand, and signaling at the Persian to follow him.
"Ben, call the police, tell them to meet us beneath the Opera." I told him as I grabbed Christine and pulled her away from him.
"I do not understand—"
"Please, Ben, there is no time." Christine pleaded.
"I will go with you." Ben announced determinedly.
"No, Ben, please… this is something we have to handle alone. It is a long story that I cannot explain right now. Just call the police and quickly!" I explained desperately.
"All right, but, please, Be careful." He said to the both of us but I could see him looking into Christine's eyes.
"We will." Christine answered and then I pulled her away and we started running to catch up with Erik.
It seemed the past was not finished with us quite yet.
…
Beneath the Palais Garnier
"Philippe!" Erik exclaimed frantically as we followed him into the very familiar sewers beneath the Palais Garnier. Erik was the first in line, I followed and Christine was behind me. The Persian split up from us but I was unable to hear the reason why. I was too desperate to find Philippe.
We went down a lot of steps and the darkness became thicker and thicker. Then we made it to a familiar river that I was hoping not to have to cross ever again in my life. The three of us got on the boat and crossed the river. Once we made it to what used to be Erik's lair, it was nothing like what it used to be. There was no organ, mirrors, candles… nothing that even reminded us of what used to be Erik's home; Only water, mist and a creaky gate that was already opened when we arrived.
"Philippe!" Christine exclaimed as we all saw a glimpse of the boy in the distance.
"Mama!" He screamed back. He had tears in his eyes; he was scared out of his mind. He was tied and thrown in the middle of the cement isle where the lake ended. There was apparently no sign of Raoul anywhere.
"Philippe, we're coming!" Christine screamed.
"It seems our guests have arrived." Raoul's voice echoed around us and suddenly the boat turned over under us making all of us slam into the water.
"MAMA!"I heard Philippe's voice echo around us as I felt Erik's arm pull me out of the water.
"Are you all right?" Erik whispered in my ear.
"Yes." I answered. I saw Christine on the other side of us, trying to make her way through the water and to Philippe but her dress made her go very slowly. Erik also began racing to the boy when suddenly an echo of a gunshot made us all freeze. Raoul appeared from behind Philippe and raised him up from the floor. A gun pointed to his head. I could see in Raoul's eyes his madness, his clothes torn and used, and his hair disheveled. It was an even worse version than the man who attacked me in my dressing room.
"Raoul, PLEASE! LET HIM GO!" Christine pleaded.
"Oh, my darling, that does not depend on me, I am afraid… or you." Raoul answered, his voice low and almost psychotic. It was almost like Raoul had turned into the Phantom.
"What do you want, Count!?" Erik exclaimed.
"I WANT YOU DEAD! THAT IS WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED!" He screamed maniacally.
"FINE! Fine, you can have me, Raoul. But let the boy GO!" Erik exclaimed. He walked a bit closer with every word he said until he was right in between Christine and me.
Raoul answered with a laugh full of insanity. He clicked the gun and pointed to Philippe's head, making tears fall down his face. I felt so much pity for Philippe; it must be so confusing to know that the man who he has known as his Father is doing this to him.
"Oh no no no, ERIK! I am going to do to you the same thing you have done to me! I am going to first take away EVERYTHING that you LOVE MOST!" Raoul screamed and began to point his gun to shoot at Christine or me.
"NO!" Erik screamed and threw himself in front of me and the gun went off.
"NO! NO, ERIK!" I screamed. I cannot lose him now! No! I cannot! I ran toward him waiting for his body to slam to the water. But instead I saw him turn around to look at me in surprise; there wasn't a drop of blood on him. Then, we heard the sound of water splashing as a body fell to the water.
"Mama!" Philippe exclaimed and tried to make his Father loosen his grip on him.
I looked at where Christine's body fell and saw the water turn red with blood.
"CHRISTINE!" I screamed as I ran toward her desperately and got her out of the water. I quickly tried to see where she got shot and it was a shot to her arm. I broke my costume and started binding the arm. Christine can still survive but she cannot keep bleeding out.
"Meg." Christine whispered weakly as I held her in my arms over the water.
"Ssh, it is all right, Christine. Do not speak." I whispered back.
"Choose your next shot carefully, Count. You only have one more bullet." Erik threatened. Raoul was looking at Christine desperately and in surprise. It seemed he thought Erik would run in front of her instead of me. He thought he would be shooting Erik dead.
"Papa, please let me go! I want to go to Mama!" Philippe pleaded.
"Oh but you see I am not your Papa, son. I never was." Raoul confessed to his son and Philippe looked up to his Father in surprise.
"That is something else that you took away from me." Raoul whispered. His eyes red and flooded with lunacy. What is he going to do now? He is a reckless man with a gun.
"Raoul, please, do not make the boy pay for our past mistakes. Let them go, all of them go, I will stay here with you and you can do whatever you want with me. But just let them go!"
"Erik, no, you cannot—" I pleaded with Erik; he cannot stay down here and sacrifice himself.
"Meg, I must do this. If this is the way that I will atone for my sins then so be it." Erik answered me but never faltered his stare from Raoul.
"I have a better way for you to atone for your sins." Raoul whispered. He cocked his gun again and was about to shoot Philippe. Erik ran full speed ahead towards him and I heard a gun go off again.
"NO!" I screamed from the top of my lungs and closed my eyes. I don't want to know what just happened. Is Philippe dead? Is Erik dead? Are they both dead? My heart won't take it either way.
I opened my eyes and saw the mist and smoke clear from the gunshot. I saw Erik on top of Raoul and Philippe was on the side, struggling to be set free.
"No, no, no, no." I whispered frantically.
Suddenly, The Persian appeared from behind them, coming out of a secret passageway. I remembered that it was the passageway behind one of Erik's mirrors, the one he used to escape so many years ago. The Persian had a gun in his hand which from the smoke coming out from it he had had just used it.
"Erik…" The Persian shook him slightly and Erik moved, turning around, away from Raoul. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"What took you so long, Daroga?" Erik asked weakly. The Persian chuckled and helped him up.
"That passageway is a bit longer than I remembered." The Persian answered. Apparently, The Persian was able to shoot Raoul before he even let his own gun go off to shoot Philippe. Erik helped Philippe up and untied him. The boy went quickly running towards his Mother in my arms.
"Is she all right, Meg?" Erik asked me as he and the Persian splashed their way beside me.
"Yes, she's going to survive, but she needs medical attention now."
Erik nodded and the Persian quickly took her out of my hands and carried her back the way we came in with Philippe in tow. Erik helped me up from the water. The nurse in me quickly analyzed him up and down, wanting to know if he was hurt.
"I am all right, Meg." He whispered to me and I pushed him back making him grunt.
"Do not scare me like that again!" I exclaimed at him. He chuckled. "I do not find it funny, Erik. If I had lost you—" Erik interrupted me with a kiss that left me breathless.
"I would throw myself in front of you again, Meg Giry, because I am not losing you."
…
A Year Later
Erik kicked the door open of our suite as he carried me inside in my white wedding dress. After a year of planning, we were finally able to be married. It took some time until Erik was finally stabilized in society as a Count. I told him I had no mind in waiting. I had waited eight years, what is a year more?
"We finally made it." Erik said, a genuine smile on his face. He still was masked; he has not done his procedure with Dr. Coupe yet, on my request. I told him I wanted to marry the Erik I fell in love with and the Erik I fell for had a beautiful, deformed face. He would always shake his head when I would compliment his deformity, but I did not care, it came from a genuine place. Now that we are married, I will leave that up to him what he wants to do, I will support him either way.
We entered our suite in Rome, a wedding gift from Christine, exhausted but extremely happy. Although Christine no longer has a title of Comtesse because of her divorce from Raoul, her fame has only skyrocketed as The Angel. And now free from all financial burdens that Raoul might have left her, she was free to do with her money as she pleased. She was a pioneer that woman.
Erik set me down and I took off my veil and threw it on the floor. The suite was beautiful and accommodating. I started to look around and fell more in love with the place the more I saw it. But when I made it to the bedroom, I froze. Nervousness crept up in me that I could not control. Erik's arms suddenly wrapped themselves around me from behind. His breath on my neck already making my heart beat fast.
"How are you, Meg Leroux?" He whispered from behind me. But I could sense his tone behind his question. Was I ready? I turned around in his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I am yours, Monsieur Leroux. Completely yours."
…
Erik's POV
With every kiss I gave this woman, desire built up in me like never before. I am finally able to give myself fully to someone who truly loves me and to think that I had her in front of me this whole time. My whole life searching for something real and I had given her the cold shoulder, rejected her, like I did everyone else. But not tonight… tonight, I wish to make her feel as loved as she has made me feel.
We made our way to the bed and I closed the door behind me. Meg's lips crashed on me and I pressed her closer to my body, my arms wrapping around her waist. I wanted to make up for all of the times that I pushed her away. I want her to feel my warmth in every part of her body. I want her as close to me as I can. I never want to be parted from her again.
"Wait." I heard her whisper inches from my lips. I unwillingly let go of her suddenly feeling scared. Was she regretting her decision? She took a small step away from me, looking at me with those eyes that could always make me bend to her every will. She was breathing heavily, her chest going up and down rapidly, her cheeks were red and her lips were starting to get swollen. She looked breathtaking and I still could not help but be amazed that those reactions were being caused by me.
"What is it, my love?" I asked, trying to hide a bit my fear. Meg simply grinned at me and I looked at her curiously.
"I've waited for this moment a long time. I don't want the Phantom to ruin it for me." She said and I widened my eyes in recognition. I had not realized I had not taken off my mask.
"I want to make love to Erik tonight, not the Phantom." Meg whispered lovingly, inching towards me and she reached for my mask. As soon as her hand touched my mask, I put my hand on top of hers, wanting to stop her. I was afraid my deformity might ruin the moment, make it grotesque for her. I have never made love to a woman without my mask. Even with Christine that many night years ago, I never took off my mask. I did not want to scare her.
"Meg… Are you sure?" I asked, my voice shaking a little. Years of insecurities sprung up inside me. I pictured all of the eyes that have looked at me with disgust and hatred. I will not be able to bear to see Meg, of all people, look at me that way now.
Meg did not answer me. She simply finished her movement and took off my mask. I waited for the usual reaction, of disgust or fear, but it never came. Meg's loving eyes never flinched for a moment.
"There He is. The man I love." She whispered to me.
Those words fired up a flame in me that I thought would consume me completely. I couldn't help but slam my lips against hers but this time with an urgency I could not contain. I need Meg to feel my love for her also.
My lips lowered to her neck and I heard Meg moan under my lips. She was almost trembling under me, as if her flame was burning just as much as mine, this only made me start to lose control faster. I undid her dress and she tugged at the end of my white shirt and I quickly flew it over my head.
Suddenly, Meg stopped, her hands on my chest. She was looking down at my scars; my many scars of years of torture. She observed me slowly, passing her hands on top of the scars, feeling every bump. She walked around me and felt them on my back.
"Oh, Erik." She said, pity in her voice. Then, she did something unexpected. An action that made me freeze under her touch. She began kissing each of my scars, in my back and in my chest. With every soft touch of her lips, my eyes began to water. So many years of torture, of rejection, unkindness, hatred, loathing and disgust… Where men, women and even children shunned me away from the world. So many nights full of darkness that not only surrounded me in the sewers of Paris but also consumed my soul. A life where I never felt a Mother or Father's love because they abandoned me as well forever. All of these painful moments rushed through my head like nightmares. But they have all led me to this moment. To Meg, my wife, kissing them all away and making me feel more love than I could have ever imagined or dreamed of.
My eyes began to blur and my body began to shake, as I could not help myself but cry.
"It is all right…" I heard Meg whisper to me as she witnessed my utmost vulnerability. I felt her embrace me as my head found shelter in her neck. She held me for a few moments, her kisses never ceasing. It was almost as if she had waited for this moment her whole life to show me the gentility of her love. I closed my eyes in pleasure as she completely engulfed me in her kisses. When her lips finally returned to mine, I tried to show her gratitude within more passionate kisses of my own.
"Thank you, Meg. Thank you." I whispered in between kisses and tears. Then, for a moment, we stayed with our foreheads touching, as I tried to calm my crying. Her warmth was all I needed. It was like returning to that moment in Persia, the sun encompassing me in its warmth. She calmed my heart and the storm within me like she always did.
Finally calm, I opened my eyes and saw her exquisite eyes looking at me as well. The fire was still burning but now it was fueled by the purity of her touch. I was even more determined now to give this young woman everything she wanted of me.
I finally laid her down on the bed, our clothing completely forgotten now; she lay completely exposed under me. I took in each curve of her body, amazed, knowing she was even more beautiful than I imagined. I saw her blush at my looking at her unabashedly. She got a bit self-conscious and started moving her hands to cover herself.
"Don't." I whispered, taking one of her hands softly. "You are breathtaking, mon amour." I wanted her to feel beautiful like she has made me feel beautiful.
I slowly lowered myself on top of her and took her lips again, not wanting to forget how soft they were against mine. Meg tentatively began touching my shoulders, but I noticed that she was slightly shaking. I halted my movement and I stared down at her. Was something making her uncomfortable?
"Meg, are you all right?"
"Yes, why?" She asked me but I could see it in her eyes, she was nervous about something.
"Meg, you forget I know you well, too."
She averted her eyes from my own and it started worrying me.
"What is it, Meg?" I asked and she took a deep, shaking breath as if wanting to control her nervousness.
"I'm sorry, Erik. I have just… I have never…" Meg whispered, averting her eyes from mine. I quickly understood and I was quite surprised.
"Can it be, Meg? After all this time, you waited?" I asked. Meg was a beautiful woman; it surprised me that she was still a virgin. Any man would succumb to her beauty easily. Unless you were blind, like I was.
"I was waiting for one person, Erik." She dared to look up at me and cup my face. No, it… it could not be?
"You waited for me?" I could not hide my surprise.
"I never wanted it to be anyone else."
I looked down at the ravishing, young woman under me and I almost lost my strength holding myself over her as I realized what she told me. This woman saved a precious part of herself for the most hated, neglected man in Paris. For the man so many people called "Monster", who spit in his eyes with hate. The man who was hounded out by everyone, met with hatred everywhere, had no kind words from anyone or compassion. For that man, this woman waited?
"Erik?" Meg broke through my thoughts, her hand on my cheek caressing me softly. I looked down at her and I could sense her hesitancy, even her insecurity, after such a confession. But I quickly kissed them away. My longing to be one with this woman only intensified with this new discovery. I don't deserve her, do I? Do I deserve this loyalty from her? After everything I've done?
Well, if Meg thinks so… then that is enough for me.
I needed to somehow make her know how I appreciate her waiting for me. I decided to admire her body, I did not want there to be any part of her body my lips did not touch. I began with her neck and kept going down her body until I raised her legs, her perfectly, sculpted legs and kissed them all he way to her ankles. She moaned with my every touch and I could feel her losing control under me. It was music to my ears. The best kind of music I could have ever composed.
"Erik, please." Meg whispered to me, urging me, with her hand on my waist. It seemed she had enough of my teasing. I won't deny her anything tonight. I lowered myself again and I let her wrap her legs around my waist. Her arms snaked around my neck and she began kissing the deformed side of my face.
"I love you, Erik." I heard her whisper in my ear.
"As do I, Meg." I whispered back.
And then I quickly started to move myself into her.
"Erik, wait…" I heard her whisper under me and it halted my movement.
"Do it very slowly, please." She begged me and I quickly understood. I do not want to hurt her. I tried to lessen the cloud of my desire and think of the well being of the young woman under me.
My movements were infinitesimal as I very slowly entered her. I heard a small sound of discomfort and stopped.
"Forgive me." I quickly said. I hated myself for causing her any pain. Meg did not deserve even the smallest bit of it coming from me. She has received that from me enough.
"It's all right. You can keep going." She whispered breathlessly.
I continued my movements and adjusted myself to her slowly. A deep moan escaped my lips as I felt how easily it was
"Is that all right?" I asked, looking down at her. My control was waning but I wanted to make sure she was all right. Meg simply nodded, unable to utter a word it seemed. But I saw her eyes clouded with pleasure as much as mine.
I then felt her gasp under me as we finally made each other completely one.
"Oh Meg, is that really all because of me?" I whispered to her.
"Yes." She hardly whispered back to me.
I began moving deeper into her. Each thrust easier than the last. She kissed me in response but stopped in between, gasping against my lips.
"Now, please." She mustered a whisper under me. I stared into her eyes, wanting to be sure she was ready. She simply nodded to me and kissed me passionately
This fueled my desire even more, making my thrusts go faster. A deformed man, inside and out, was able to inspire such desire in a woman. It was flattering, it was inviting and I easily succumbed to the yearning. I had to control myself or I would lose control completely but I did not want to do that to Meg. This night was about her, not me.
Our bodies fell into a beautiful movement so easily that it reminded me of musical notes easily becoming music that could be heard from a beautiful orchestra. Meg's gasps in my ear intensified with every thrust until they became moans. I would glance at Meg's face, wanting to know if all her waiting was worth it. The squeezing of her legs around my waist and her arms holding me tighter assured me that it was.
Tonight, it is my goal to make Meg Giry feel all the love that she has shown me tenfold. Because she is the only woman that has proven to me that she deserves it. I do not plan on disappointing her.
I love you, Meg Giry.