Okay, deep breath. Here we go, the last chapter. How sad. Well, I hope you've enjoyed it, and I hope my ending is satisfactory. I couldn't help having a "happily ever after". Please let me know what you thought. I own none of the characters in this chapter... Hmm. Well, that's all, folks. Have an awesome day!
Chapter 12 (Epilogue)
Life resumed as it should at the Opera Populaire. The only interruption was the wedding of the owner, Erik Marquette to the new prima ballerina, Meg Giry. It was a splendid affair, more extravagant a wedding than anyone had ever attended before. The entire Opera House was converted, everything was covered in white, and there were literally hundreds of guests. The most stunning of all features, however, was the bride. Her long, elegant gown sparkled and flowed, a graceful train billowing out ten feet behind her, her golden hair was pulled back neatly into an extravagant bun, a fine veil covered her resplendent face. There never was a more beautiful sight. And the groom stood, strong and stern, covered in black from his shoes to his mask, save a single white rose place upon his lapel, matching the bouquet carried by his beloved. The ceremony was carried out without any difficulty, and despite the reception being thrown in their honor, the new couple was nowhere to be found.
"Erik, where are we going in such a hurry?" Meg laughed as he pulled her, practically running, through the passages beneath the Opera House. He did not answer her, only kept moving, until he stopped suddenly before a doorway.
"I had to get away," he told her breathlessly, kissing her neck, her collarbone. "We had to get away."
"Why?" she breathed, seeing the hunger in his eyes.
"Because I, no, we have been denied this for far too long. And what I intend to do is not to be witnessed by a room full of people," he growled, opening the door and ushering her into the chamber. It was mostly dark, lit by only the soft golden glow of a few dozen candles framing the four-poster bed in the middle of the room. The floor, the bed, everything was strewn with white rose petals.
"Erik, the roses..." she whispered. "Why white now, when you were known by red for so long?"
"Because, my love," he said softly, slowly removing her gown, "red was a life full of heartache, pain and betrayal. White, now, with you, for the purity of spirit you have given me, and for the joy and love that will grace the rest of our lives." He plucked the veil off of her head, letting her hair out, pulling her down next to him on the red sheets. "Love that starts now," he whispered, capturing her mouth. She gave in to him and kissed back, completely lost to the joy of this new life, this new love, and the man who had accepted her so completely for simply treating him as a human, rather than the Phantom he had, for so long, tried to be.
Nine months later, a daughter was born to the joyous couple. Erik held the tiny child, his child, tightly in his arms, afraid to ever let go of this dream that was too good to be true. He gazed at her blue eyes, so deep as to shine black, and wept gently for the second chance he had been given. For, leaning over to kiss his exhausted Meg, he knew; this was the start of an entirely new chapter, one filled with hope, redemption, and endless love.
AN: Aww. How sweet! Erik's a daddy. Okay, sorry it was so short. I rather liked how it turned out in my head, though, and I really hope you enjoyed it. Again, please review and tell me what you think. I truly love friendly criticism. Please? Ah, well. It was a nice try. Thank you to everyone who's reviewed at all. It's been fun. To those dozens of people who I know read this story but don't review: What have you been doing? Just, you know, a few words would be nice. Only once! I mean, come on, you could write the word "good" and I'd be happy! And to everyone, as always, happy reading!
P.S.- Have you all read my Erik/Christine fic "Beyond the Mask"? If you like, I rather think it's good, as do my readers, so, please read and review. I really do want to know what you all think, what I can do to make the stories better for you, the readers. So again, read, review, we all go home happy. Gracias to all.
