After a long moment wrapped in each other's arms, Erik gently pulls away. He looks at Christine's tear stained face and his music thrums happily in his mind… he realizes now how long they have been apart. Everything about her is the same… her soft brown curls that flow like water down her shoulders, her silk skin as pale as moonlight, her smile that sparkles like the stars… but her eyes… her once bright, joyful, childishly beautiful eyes… have dulled and lost all the happiness that they once housed… Erik brushes his fingers against her cold cheek.
"Christine…" is all he can say. His words fail him now… there had been so much he had wanted to say… wanted to explain… but now all he wants to do is hold her. She smiles up at him and pressed her cheek to his chest.
"Angel I've missed you…" she whispers into the darkness. The music cascades like rose petals in his mind. Erik runs his fingers down her back. It's been a little over a year since last they met… since that day she turned away from him… left him… but she never wanted to… she was scared… she had always wanted to stay with him… all along… Erik smiles weakly, still not completely able to believe.
"Christine I…" he says softly. "I am so sorry. Everything I've done… I only did them because I loved you… I still love you…" Christine hushes him pressing a small finger to his lips. She cups his cheek with a smile gracing her rose red lips. She brushes her fingers down his face, Erik's eyes flutter closed at her gentle touch. He leans his face into her hand making her giggle.
"Angel you have nothing to apologize for." She says sweetly, Erik opens his eyes and looks at her. "I should never have left you… you have never had someone to care for you, to teach you right from wrong… to love you. Well, Angel… if you will have me now… I never stopped loving you." Erik's heart soars along with his music. He has never felt such happiness…
"Oh Christine." He says. "I love you." She smiles and gently presses her lips against his. He tenses in surprise… but soon he returns her kiss. Gentle and loving… and mutual. It is a long time before the two are interrupted.
"Christine? Christine where are you?!" They quickly pull apart and Christine's eyes are wide with fear. She looks at Erik and smiles sadly.
"Angel I must go. Raoul will be angry if I don't return…" she turns quickly to leave, but turns back and kisses Erik once more smiling… her eyes beginning to shine like they used to.
"Wait for me Angel?" She asks, Erik can only smile, his happiness is overwhelming.
"Christine I love you." He sings, she smiles big and beautiful, before running back into the opera house. Erik watches her go, his music ringing loud and joyful in his ears. He places his mask back on and returns to the party. He watches her from the shadows. She beams brighter than she has for a long time. Her whole existence… Erik smiles. His Angel… has returned to him. After everything that has happened, she still loves him. Everything is perfect now… Erik will take her away from her miserable life, somewhere new, for a fresh start. Nothing else can go wrong now… if only that were true.