Aha! Things are finally turning out... Umm, just keep reading. Only two chapters left.
Hidden Angel
The next morning, Meg faced one of the most difficult challenges of her life. She sat next to Phillipe in the parlor of his home and drew a deep breath, looking into his trusting eyes and regretting what she was about to say.
"Phillipe, I have to break the engagement," she said softly, slipping the ring off and handing it to him. He took it, looking confused for a moment, then picked up her hands.
"Darling, if you are getting nervous about this-"
"I'm not... nervous. Until last night, I was completely ready to wed you. Then something... someone came back into my life, a man I never thought I'd see again. Phillipe, I have grown to love you, but you are not the one I am destined for. I know that now, and if I married you I would be condemning us to a dismal future. I would know, always, that I had chosen the wrong man, and I would never be able to love you as you deserve to be loved. I cannot go through with this. I am so sorry."
"Ah, Meg, the worst part is, I understand. I, too, have known true love. There is... a girl I grew up with, whom I loved more than life itself, but when I asked for her hand she denied me. I know what you are going through. Please, know that I fully comprehend your pain right now. Go, with my blessing. I do love you, Meg, and I only want you to be happy."
"This girl... was it Dorotée?" He looked up at her, surprised, and nodded. "Do not give up on her, Phillipe. She loves you, I can see it now. Do you ever notice how strangely she acts when we are around her? Go to her. Explain all that has happened. Eventually, court her again. I do not think she will deny you this time."
There was sudden, new hope in his tear-filled eyes. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek. "Thank you, Meg. For everything," he whispered into her ear. She kissed his cheek back, and silently took her leave. She found herself shortly back at her cousin's house.
"Dorotée, I have broken my engagement and I am returning to my mother's house," she announced when they were alone in Dorotée's room.
"What? Why?" Dorotée exclaimed.
"I am in love, true, deep love, with another man. I could not marry Phillipe and destroy the happiness of all four of us."
"All four?"
"Yes. Me, Phillipe, Erik, and you."
"Me? How would you marrying Phillipe destroy my happiness?"
"I know now that you love him. Do not deny it. I know that you refused his offer of marriage a long time ago, and that you have regretted it ever since. He still loves you. I expect he shall come to call upon you shortly after this is all settled down. Tell me, though, why did you reject him?"
"I was... so young. I was only seventeen when he asked. I had not had a chance to live yet. I was not ready to settle down. After I denied him, he treated me so distantly, so coldly... I never hoped to have him again, more than just a friend. Thank you, Meg. I hope you, too, find the happiness you seek." She hugged her cousin fiercely. Meg hugged her back, then left to collect her belongings.
Within three hours she was back at her mother's house. She walked in the door to find Erik already there, speaking to Madame Giry.
"Erik! What are you doing here? It's not nearly three yet!"
"There were some things I had to discuss with your mother. Come, meg, do not unpack your things just yet. You are moving yet again, if you wish it."
"Moving again?" she asked, incredulous. "Where to?"
"The Opera House. If you like, you shall resume your studies and may continue performing in the theater. If not, you are always welcome to stay here, for the time being. I am sure, no matter what you decide, other arrangements will come up," he added, eyes glinting teasingly.
"Well, of course I'll return to the Opera House! It's my life, really. What about you, Mother? Will she return to be the ballet instructor again?" she asked looking at Erik.
"That is part of what I came to discuss. If you wish, Madame, the position is currently open. There is no one better suited to fill it than you, I'm sure."
"Yes, I will take the position," she said wearily. "But only until Meg is experienced enough to take it herself. I do not wish to instruct the ballet girls forever."
"Oh, Mother! I could never replace you!"
"In time, child, you will surpass my skills by far. No go on, you two, you have much to discuss. Leave the packing of the household to me. Go on, I say!" she admonished, practically sweeping them out the door.
"Erik, I-"
"Meg, there's-" Erik began at the same moment. She laughed and took hold of his arm, his mouth curving into what might be the beginning of a smile, as the two walked down the street.
"Go on." Erik prompted, and Meg began to speak.
"I don't really know how any of this is going to work out, now, Erik. I've given up the promise of a secure future, where I'd have been loved and cared for, all for you. I do not regret my decision, but I just want to know where it leaves me."
"Sweetheart, it leaves you with me, loved unconditionally for as long as we live, living a life devoted to your passion at the Opera House."
"Dancing?" she asked.
"I meant me. But dancing is fine, too." She looked up, shocked, and saw him smiling. He saw her looking at him, so amazed that he had joked, and he began to chuckle. She couldn't resist any longer after hearing a sound that no one else had ever heard, the Phantom's laughter, and she reached up and cupped his face in both hands, pressing him gently into a tree that stood next to the sidewalk, kissing him tenderly. He kissed back for a moment, then slowly pushed her away, to look into her eyes. "Come," he said passionately. "There is much I need to tell you."
He clasped her hand as they continued walking, and she shivered at his touch. "Meg, when you told me I was no longer welcome in your home, I was again ready to die. I had found what I had thought impossible to find again- love. When I saw you standing so defiantly in the cavern, looking for Christine, I felt a spark that I had believed to have been extinguished with Christine's betrayal. When you placed your hand upon my cheek, I thought I would die out of happiness. You felt for me, after all I had done, and it stirred my soul more than I think you will ever know. I could not help but kiss your hand, and the confusion I saw in you then actually pained me. Then you banished me, and the only thing that kept me ave was the thought that, if the Opera House was rebuilt, you could resume your old life, and you might one day forgive me. So," he said, turning a corner in the street, "I built this for you..."
She gasped in amazement at the building in front of her. It was almost exactly like the old Opera House, but so much newer, and Erik had obviously taken artistic license, as the sculptures and statues and carvings were grander, more beautiful than ever before.
"Oh, God, Erik, you did this for me?" she said, amazed. He only nodded, and kissed the hand that he was holding. "It's... It's so beautiful. I... Oh, dear Lord, I can't speak. What am I supposed to say?"
"Say 'I love you'."
"Oh, God; yes, Erik, I love you! Now and always, my Phantom."
He turned and kissed her again, then led her into the building. It was just as splendid inside as out. He took her to the stage, where she would be dancing for the rest of her life, then he led her deep into the caverns beneath the Opera House, to his new lair.
"Oh, Erik, I could stay here always," Meg sighed and leaned into him as he showed her his hidden domain.
"I am glad you like it. If you did not, I would have to find suitable living quarters for us above, with all the performers. It would be much more difficult and much less private."
"For us? Erik, what do you mean?" She turned to look at him. He avoided her gaze, staring into the ceiling but not really seeing it, looking into his heart.
"You should have guessed, Meg. For a long time, I was enchanted by Christine. I had thought she was my Angel of Music, she who would love me unconditionally, who would be there always. I was wrong. It seems as though my true angel was hidden from me. I want you with me always, Meg. I ask you now, will you marry me?"
Meg had begun to cry silently, tears sliding down her face. She nodded, speechless, and when she did not vocalize her answer, he turned to look at her. Gently, he touched one of her tears, then tipped her chin up and kissed her tenderly. He broke off, looked at her strangely for a moment, then picked her up and carried her to his bed. He lay her down, then lowered himself next to her. Brushing the hair out from in front of her eyes, he wrapped his arms around her, kissed the top of her head softly, and held her close until they both fell asleep.