Author's Note: Well I said I would never abandon a story and I can finally say that I have not! Wow this was a long time coming. Lots has happened. I have wrapped up the story. Whew! Enjoy the last chapter!

6 Months Later

Christine laid next to her husband and watched him sleep. There wasn't a day that had gone by since that terrible event that she didn't check to make sure Erik was still sleeping beside her. His back still had marks from where he was whipped. His ribs were still sore but he was alive and back with her again.

After Christine and Amanda went back to Madame Giry's house it was a waiting game. She was going sick with worry, not knowing if Erik was alive or dead somewhere. Christine didn't have any major wounds and the doctor said she just needed rest and relaxation. She wasn't able to relax. The days started to go by and after a week Christine started to fear the worse.

Madame Giry went back to the opera house to see if she could find any sign of Erik but was unable to locate him. Christine demanded to go with her but with everything that had happened the police were still on high alert. The Chief of Police had bought their story about Corbin being the Phantom...to a point. He was skeptical that this man wasn't deformed as he had reports that the Phantom had the face like death. He also was confused as to how his men turned on him and then so many of his men showed up dead as well. He knew something was off but he didn't want to look into it. He considered the case of the Phantom of the Opera closed.

However, it would look extremely odd if Christine showed up at the opera house since that place held many bad memories. So Christine waited. In the days that followed Bedelia had become a good friend of Christine's. She thought it funny that she would take the girl so quickly considering who her brother was. But sometimes family relations cannot be helped. Madame Giry and Meg had also taken to Bedelia just as much if not more. Meg's boisterous personality might be good for the quiet and timid Bedelia.

It had been over two weeks with no word from Erik. Raoul was finally well enough to make a visit. He was so apologetic but Christine assured him there was nothing to forgive. She was the one that was grateful to all of his help. Raoul continued to visit every day after that. At first Christine was worried that he would try to renew their relationship thinking that Erik was out of the picture. But soon she saw that he was favoring Bedelia's company. She was painfully shy and also oblivious to Raoul's attention. Raoul would have to be patient with that one she had thought.

Christine started visiting the cemetery that her father was buried at. She would cry for not only her father but Erik. She had now all but given up hope that he was dead.

"Oh Erik, my poor sweet Erik" Christine sobbed into her hands. How was she and Amanda supposed to move on? How was she to move on? Then there it was. A subtle sound but it made Christine's heart race. The sound slowly grew louder and Christine stood up to see where the sound was coming from. She knew that sound. She prayed that she wasn't dreaming but there at the entrance of the cemetery as a man leaning against the gate singing.

Christine cried and laughed at the same time and broke into a run. As soon as she started running Erik joined her. He tried picking her up but they both fell to the ground laughing and crying. Christine kissed Erik all over the face.

"You're alive! You're alive" Christine repeated.

"I'm sorry that I kept you waiting," Erik rolled so that he was partially on top of Christine. He stroked her hair and wiped her tears. "I have missed you."

Christine smile faded and she hit her husband. "How dare you make me worry! Where have you been? You have a lot of explaining to do."

Erik helped Christine to her feet. "I know I am sorry." He led her to a bench inside the cemetery and drew his cloak back around his head. "After you left me I was able to make it back outside the Opera House. But I was in bad shape. I knew I wouldn't be able to travel far and I was worried that I would be found. I kept to the alleyways and the shadows as best I could. At some point I passed out. When I woke up I was all bandaged up and in a little makeshift bed."

Erik touched his face. Christine noticed for the first time that he had no mask on. She had grown accustomed to his face but he always wore a mask in public.

"My rescuers were a bunch of kids. I think there were about 4 or 5 of them. I didn't have my face covered but none of them seemed frightened of me. Well none but one of them. I was in and out of consciousness for a while. I kept trying to tell them to get a message to you but I think they thought I was delirious. And perhaps I was. I don't remember much."

Erik squeezed her hand and smiled.

"A few days ago I finally woke up. I was still too weak to move or do anything. One of the kids named Mariah tracked down Madame Giry's house and filled me in on what happened at the Opera House. I have been using those kids as my spies for a few days now keeping track of you."

"And you didn't think to have one of them tell me where you were or just that you were a live?" Christine asked searching his eyes.

"I didn't want to risk any unwanted attention. I had to make sure the police were satisfied and no longer looking for me. And, I don't know," he looked at her sheepishly. "I also wanted to see if you were better off without me. It is because of me that we even were in this mess."

He looked away from her and bowed his head. Christine gently grabbed his chin and placed a firm kiss on his lips. "For better or for worse. That is what I promised you. I do not blame you one bit. Corbin was the monster. He made his choices. I love you. Amanda and I need you."

Christine's eyes widened. "Amanda! She will be so happy to see you. Come let us go and get our little girl."

The reunion was a happy one. Madame Giry found a mask for Erik to wear, seeing how only two people were fully comfortable with his face. Once they had been reunited they didn't stay long. Erik was worried that the police were still watching the house. They left that night. Christine was sad to leave her friends but felt once again her life was complete. A weight had been lifted from her chest. Her Angel was alive.

They returned to their cottage to gather up a few of their things. Erik no longer felt safe there. They left and found a new home. It was actually Bedelia's family home. No one had lived there and she couldn't find a better person to have living there than her new friends. It wasn't as private as their cottage and not as small either. Bedelia came to visit and set the neighbors hearts to ease. The story that they were going with is that Erik is an uncle who was deformed in the Opera House fire. Everyone accepted that without another thought.

Erik's eyes opened. "You still watching me sleep?"

Christine kissed his lips. "I just want to make sure you are not going to leave me again."

"Never," he whispered kissing her back. "Are you happy?"

"More than I ever will be." She said snuggling up to her husband's side.

The End