Lullaby of the Heart

What unfolded next was given to me in great detail from the young prodigy himself, Gustave. He loved nothing more then to tell me how his mother rose to her highest triumph. I assumed that he was going to then tell me the magnificent story of his mother finally choosing, that they all lived happily ever after! But he then informed me that in this tale, not every one could win. And in winning there still would be much sorrow. To tell me the ending though, he felt he must tell me what brought them to where they stood now.

In the great Phantom's lair Gustave came to find Erik composing! He had never heard such music, it seemed to bring forth every feeling of love and anguish all in one. Even at his young age, Gustave could not help but stand at the arch, admiring the man as he played. He was an angel! The young viscount thought, an angel sent from Heaven to bless them with music!

Erik then saw the young boy and finished his piece. "Come here, my boy." He spoke so softly, "From out of this ugliness, I can produce light. My music...when your mother sings this aria, you will see. You will see light as you have never dreamed!" Gustave noticed the music was different. It was not the original piece he had given Christine.

"Is this a new composition? Is mother to sing this tonight instead?" The Phantom only smiled and took the piece into his hands.

"Can I tell you a secret, my young student? This piece is more then just a song. It is my chance to give your mother what she has been denied. My chance to see her...see her once again!" Gustave, at the time, did not understand completely. But he soon would understand the depth of those very sheets of music!

Then the great composer took Gustave by the hand and lead him down to where his mother sat in a dark room. She had said she was rehearsing, but she was not. She was sitting in the dark, watching the flame of the lone candle she had lit. The Phantom knocked, but did not wait for her to answer. He came in, sweeping and elegant! Gustave followed behind, but lingered by the door. He watched as his mother stood, her ruby lips parted but spoke no words.

"I have brought you a new piece, my angel. Here, I give you the finished score. Allow me to sing it for you...for your beautiful voice it will be no challenge, I promise." Gustave was wrapped in anticipation! To hear this great composer sing? He was mystified! He waited gleefully. Though, his mother looked more conflicted then ever. As if she could not listen to him! But her eyes never left him, as Erik sat at the practice organ that occupied the room.

Before he could begin playing, she finally found her voice! "No! Erik...I-I'll sing it. I'm sure I can find the notes." Erik turned his heavy gaze on her and said, "Nonsense. Sit. Listen." She obeyed. What was she to do? It was obvious she felt she could not control herself if she was to hear his voice. This only left Gustave desperately waiting for the fantastic man to begin.

He played. His overwhelming rifts and his devastating affeto. Then he began to sing. What a sound! Like that of fire itself! Warm, soft, yet full of fire and life! Gustave felt he was being consumed. He was broke from his trans when he heard Christine breath in sharply. His mother had seemed to disappear. She was replaced with the glow of an angel. Of Heaven itself! Now, Gustave could not look at anything else but his mothers face. She was smiling so peacefully, she was far past them all. He felt that should he try to get her attention, he would fail. She could hear nothing but Erik's music. His voice!

Gustave was sad to hear Erik closing in on the finale of the song, he sung:

Love puts you into a state of bliss.

A hibernation that ignites

the deepest part of your soul.

Love that suddenly starts burning,

with an intense flame.

It makes you one with life.

Feeling beauty no one else can.

It is then,

you feel you will stay idle forever,

lost in the lullaby of your own heart,

Eternally."

In a haze, the music ended. His mother indeed was lost in this lullaby. Erik stood from the organ, coming in front of her, kneeling. "My Christine..." Her eyes finally parted, to meet with Erik's night skies. She could not find a word to speak. She knew. Gustave saw it! She had made her decision! He felt he might reach the clouds he was floating so high! That darling boy loved his mother so much, to see her torment over gave him more joy than a young heart could feel.

"Erik..." Her chest rose and fell as she breathed heavily, unable to get enough air to support her words. She gave up on words, and kissed him! The angel Christine had lost all resolve, she had lost all restraint! Erik kissed her back! She pulled away long enough to remove his mask, and after a gentle stroke of his face, she kissed him again. Nothing mattered to the two but each other. At last! Their feelings bared! She knew she no longer could ignore this ache that twisted in her core, to ignore the undeniable love she felt for her Erik!

"My Erik, never leave me again! Never hide your face from me, never let me turn away from you! I love you and no power on earth can keep me from you again. Not even your own magic!" Erik let out a chuckle of a sob, holding his dear love to his chest.

"I will never leave you, My Christine. Even half a world away I could not leave you! Kiss me again, my love! Promise me, you are truly mine!" And she did! Gustave slipped outside of the room, unable to contain his joy! His mother, his breath of life, was finally happy! He had never seen her in such a glow! No torment laid behind her eyes, only joy!

A few moments later, Christine Daae came out of the room. She knelt to her son, "You knew. You knew all along, my insightful boy." Gustave only nodded with a smile. He placed his hand on her heart.

"And you, mother. The heart never lies." He kissed her head. She stood, with a resolve far greater then before, but she had begun to tremble slightly.

"Now I must find Raoul..." She sighed and held her face in her hands. "But what am I to say...?" Gustave held his mothers hand.

"The truth." Christine could not hold in the silent tears that fell at her son's words. She could not hurt Raoul..but hadn't she hurt him more with her lies? Her son was right. Gustave watched as his mother walked away. He knew she had to do this alone.