Rekindling the Music of the Night

By: K.C. Vaillancourt

Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera or lyrics of any songs I use.

Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.

Author Note – Thank you to those who take the time to review, follow, or favorite my Phanfic. Your support means more than I can say and is what keeps the creative juices flowing.

Again I apologize if the author note in my last chapter angered, offended or turned people away from this story. It was certainly not my intention. I hope people will continue to review, follow or favorite. Erik and Christine's journey is truly just beginning.

I am warning you upfront this chapter contains some adult content but nothing explicitly graphic. This is a T rated story and I don't feel one small scene will change that.

I think this was my favorite chapter to write so far. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

This is also the last of the old chapters to go back up. I promise a new chapter will be up by Sunday. Thank you so much for sticking with me.

A Night to Remember

In the cover of the early morning darkness M. Firmin walked cautiously through the streets of Paris. It had taken two days but the Count De Cherbourg finally delivered the signed bill late the night before that officially annulled Vicomtess De Chagny's marriage to the Vicomte De Chagny. He saw the Surete and a few men around the opera house. He hid further in the shadows. He looked out seeing the stables were close and unguarded. He made his way there and after looking for what felt to him like an eternity he saw a stone with a faintly carved OG.

He removed it and inside were two satchels. He smiled when he opened them. As promised they were filled to the brim with franc banknotes. As he was putting the papers in the make shift mailbox he noticed an envelope that he had missed when he grabbed the satchels. He saw it was addressed to him and bore the seal of the phantom.

M. Firmin,

I hope you have come bearing the requested document and not only to take the money in these satchels. If that is the case, know I will find you and death will be a blessing when I am through with you.

If you have done as I asked then I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. Not only for what you have done for Christine but for the Giry's and myself. I feel it is only fair to inform you that you will have a target on your back. The Vicomte will find out how his marriage was ended.

I assume that with the wealth you now find in your possession you are planning to leave France. After you finish this letter walk to the back of the stable and you will find another stone with a faintly carved E. Inside will be a lever to a secret exit so you may escape undetected. I suspect we will not meet again. If that is the case I wish you a happy life.

Your Friend,

OG

M. Firmin reread the letter to make sure he had read it correctly. The opera ghost not only paid him for his help but offered him a means to escape before the Vicomte came looking. He put the stone back and did as instructed. When he walked to the back and found the stone he pulled the lever. A door opened and he quickly walked through it. He found himself on the back side of the stables along with a chestnut stallion tied to a post with a red rose on the saddle. He attached the satchels and mounted the horse. He turned him around and without looking back rode off.

Madame Giry looked out the attic window through her unswollen eye and watched as the sun was rising. She and Meg had both been beaten from head to toe, whipped until they bled, and subject to any other means of torture they could think of that did not kill them. Through all the pain neither woman gave them any information. Madame Giry looked at her daughter who had passed out from the pain she was subject to the night before. Tears came to her eyes as she starred at her daughters bruised and bloodied face.

After last night Anton had left them alone to decide what their lives meant to them. He warned them if they continued to be tight lipped there would be no reason to keep them around any longer. "Meg." Madame Giry whispered trying to wake her daughter. "Meg."

Meg slowly opened her eyes and nearly screamed as pain surged through her body. She lifted her head. "Maman?"

"I'm here." Madame Giry assured her. "For once we are alone. Anton and those other two oafs left us to contemplate our situation."

"They're going to kill us aren't they?" Meg whispered with tears in her eyes as she looked at her mother. "We have to tell them something, anything." Meg whispered as she tugged at the rope holding her to the chair she was in. "We can tell them Erik and Christine were going to London. I doubt they are even there. Erik will have changed where they were going after the confrontation with Raoul. They said if we were cooperative they would let us go."

"We will do no such thing." Madame Giry stated firmly and took a deep breath. "My dear Meg, I hate to acknowledge such a terrible truth but the moment we were brought into this house I knew we would never be leaving, unless it was to be buried."

"Maman don't say that."

Madame Giry smiled at her. "I love your optimism but you know I am right."

Meg looked around trying to find something, anything she could use to free herself. She refused to give up and accept death as her fate. "What should we do?"

"Somehow you have to escape." Madame Giry said as she watched her.

Meg stopped and looked at her mother. "What about you?"

"Meg, we won't be able escape this place together. You are young…"

"No Maman." Meg shook her head. "Either we go together or we don't…"

Madame Giry's voice became deadly serious. "Meg Giry if you have a chance to escape and find help swear to me you will take it." Meg said nothing but nodded her head. "Swear it Meg."

"If I see an opportunity to escape, I swear I will." Meg whispered holding back tears at the thought of leaving her mother behind with these animals.

Downstairs in his study Raoul was pacing back and forth as Anton told him they were still nowhere. He had stayed away from the Giry's focusing his efforts on the search continuing throughout Paris. "You have done everything to try to get them to talk?"

"Everything aside from severing body parts." Anton told him and couldn't hold back a grin. "I sent Vincent and Victor home so their absence over the past two days wouldn't become a subject of concern. I suspect the Giry's are sleeping. If not they are contemplating their future as we speak. The way I see it if they are unwilling to talk after what we have done there is only one thing to do."

"You're suggesting…"

Anton nodded. "If we let them go they will immediately go to the Surete and we will be the ones on the run. We can dispose of them tonight and begin the steps of leading a false trail to their whereabouts."

Raoul thought about it for a moment and shook his head. "No, not yet. The Surete are too close to us right now. Madame Giry was right. If a search begins for them we will be the first suspects." He stopped pacing as an idea came to him. "Perhaps there is still one more thing we can do."

Anton followed Raoul back up to the attic while he laid out his idea. He smiled as he approached the two women. "Good morning ladies, I hope you have finally decided to be more cooperative?"

Meg turned her head and spit at Raoul. "How's that for cooperative?"

"Even if we knew anything we would not betray Christine or Erik to the likes of you." Madame Giry followed up. "You couldn't even interrogate us yourself. As I said you are a coward. You do not have the stomach for it, unless of course it is to keep your wife inline."

Raoul ignored Madame Giry and looked at Anton. "I suppose you were right. We have no choice. Take Meg first."

Madame Giry didn't take her eyes off her daughter as Anton undid her binds. He roughly brought her to her feet and started to drag her from the room. "Meg!" Madame Giry yelled struggling in her bonds and sounding as distraught as she could.

Meg noticed Anton didn't redo her binds when she was brought to her feet like he usually did. Perhaps he thought she was weaker than she really was. She looked back at her mother. "Maman, I love you." Madame Giry mouthed the same to her and nodded slightly. Meg knew it was now or never. With everything she had she balled her hand into a fist and punched Anton in the face.

He grunted in pain and let go of Meg. He fell to his knees when he felt her foot collide with his groin but didn't have time to register the pain as he felt a blow to his head from a brass candlestick Meg was able to pick up and he collapsed. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Raoul coming for her and threw the candlestick at him turning around to run as fast as she could. When she reached the ground floor she threw the front door open and ran outside toward the stables. She knew she had no time to properly saddle a horse and jumped on Cecile bareback galloping out of the stables.

Raoul stood up coughing and gasping for air. It had all happened so fast he didn't have time to duck and the candlestick hit him in the chest knocking the wind out of him. He paid no attention to Madame Giry when he saw Anton on the floor. He immediately ran to his side. "Anton! Anton!" Raoul shook him and continued repeating his name.

Anton grunted as he finally opened his eyes. He tasted the blood from his nose and his head was throbbing. "What happened?" He asked sitting up and placing a hand to his head feeling the large lump that was forming. When he took his hand away he saw his head was bleeding as well.

"That whore of a girl is feistier than we thought." Raoul told him looking at the attic door. "She made a run for it but she couldn't have gotten far in her condition. Go to my room, I will send Rosalie. She will tend to you."

"What about her?" Anton motioned toward Madame Giry who grinned as she looked at them.

"She isn't going anywhere." Raoul said as he helped Anton to his feet and they left the attic.

When Madame Giry heard the turn of the lock she lowered her head and let her held in tears fall. "Please lord watch over my daughter. Let her escape and find safety."

With Anton in his room Raoul ran downstairs and saw the open front door. He saw a maid about to close it but stopped her. "Send Rosalie to my room." The maid was about to speak but he cut her off. "Just do it." He ran out of the mansion toward the stables expecting to see Meg struggling to saddle up Cecile but instead found her stall empty. He mounted his own horse and galloped out of the stables after her.

Meg saw the opera house in the distance but pulled Cecile to a stop when she saw the men stationed around it. She saw some of them in uniforms of the Surete but some of them were ordinary men. They must be Raoul's. She thought to herself and concluded that some of the Surete must be too. She turned around and rode in the opposite direction unsure of what to do next but knew of one place she could hide where she would be safe, for now.

She approached the back of the opera house and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was unguarded. She stopped at a stone wall and nearly fell off of Cecile. She found the stone to open the door and led Cecile in quick to close the door behind her. She turned and froze where she stood when she saw two familiar horses. "Cesar? Arturo?" She stepped forward and then saw the abandoned carriage. Perhaps they had come here to escape and left another way Meg reasoned. She patted the heads of both horses. "Erik would never leave either of you behind." She whispered.

She noticed each of the stalls were cleaned out and they had fresh food and water. She didn't think it over much longer as she felt dizziness overtake her and she fell to her knees. The adrenaline surge she had gotten was passing and she began to cry. "Maman." She whispered over and over. Cesar lowered his head and tried to comfort her but Meg pushed him away. She knew she had to get help for her mother. She tried to get up but the pain in her body was so overwhelming she wobbled to the empty fourth stall and collapsed passing out.

"Erik wait." Christine said as they walked through the tunnel from the stables.

He stopped and turned around. "What is it?"

Christine was silent as she listened but after a few moments she shook her head. "I thought I heard something in the stables. Are you certain no one knows they exist?"

"I suppose if someone looked hard enough but when I was out to get breakfast this morning I noticed as you predicted the chatter has died down since no one has found us. Most likely what you heard was the aggravated stomping of our horses. They haven't gotten a proper run since we arrived.

"If the chatter has died down perhaps we can leave here soon to meet up with the Giry's."

Erik paused before he answered. He had checked last night and the satchels were still where he left them. He knew Christine was eager to leave but knew he needed to give M. Firmin a little more time. "Perhaps we should stay one more night to make sure it's not a ploy of the Vicomte's." Christine thought about it and then nodded in agreement. She took his hand continuing their way back to their room.

The morning after Erik had told her about M. Andre he gave her a tour through the catacombs of the opera house. She was amazed at how much had laid below her feet that she never knew about. She nearly screamed when they came across a body. It was the same man who had tried to grab Christine at the cemetery. Erik surmised he must have fallen into one of his traps.

Christine wondered if they should do something with him but Erik felt it was wiser to leave him as he was and led her away. After that Christine preferred to stay in the rooms near the stables. When they entered their room Christine yelped in surprised when she felt herself being whirled around and pulled into his arms. "I have obliged with your request of the removal of my mask when we are alone. Will you do something for me?"

"I would do anything for you." Christine told him.

"I need to go out for a while. While I'm gone all I ask is that you not enter the music room."

Christine thought it was an odd request and wanted to ask why but held her tongue. "You have my word. When will you be back?"

"I shouldn't be long." He answered vaguely. He pulled her into a kiss before taking his mask and disappearing from the room.

Christine removed her boots and made herself comfy on the bed. She looked at the left side of the bed and sighed. After what had nearly happened between them two nights before Erik insisted she take the bed while he slept on the chaise lounge in the music room. She tried to change his mind but knew when to yield in a losing battle. She pulled herself out of her thoughts and picked up the book she had been reading the night before as she waited for Erik's return.

Erik walked away from the doors and looked up at the tunnel leading to the stables wondering if it was worth a look to see if someone had discovered his secret. He walked down the tunnel about halfway and listened. All was silent. Erik left the tunnel and turned right disappearing through a hidden door. He weaved his way in and out of different tunnels until he found himself in a small alcove that separated the two stables. He removed a stone and to his delight he found the satchels gone. They were replaced by two envelopes. One was addressed to Mademoiselle Christine Daae and had a red rose attached to it while the other was addressed to OG. He opened the note addressed to himself.

M. Opera Ghost,

The Count De Cherbourg and I were able to successfully complete your request. Inside the envelope addressed to Mademoiselle Daae is her copy of the bill that annuls her marriage from the Vicomte De Chagny. You gave me your word I would be safe from you if I was successful. In return I give you my word that your secrets are safe with me. I am leaving France behind to see what new places are out there. I wish you and Miss Daae much happiness.

Yours,

M. Richard Firmin

Erik put the note away and smiled as he held the bill in his hand. He wished he could see the look on the Vicomte's face when he found out his marriage to Christine was over. He wanted to return to her immediately and give it to her but held back. Instead he exited the alcove and slunk through another series of tunnels with only the echo of his footsteps as company. He approached what looked to be a dead end and felt around until he found what he looking for. A door opened and he stepped into the music room. As she promised Christine was not in there. He placed the envelopes on the dining table and looked around the room.

He knew what he wanted to do but felt the setting wasn't quite right. He left the room the way he came and began to figure out the things he needed to create the perfect evening.

At the De Chagny mansion Gerald answered the door and was greeted by two men. One he recognized as M. Javert Chevalier, the head of the Surete. The other was a younger gentlemen he did not recognize but was obviously a messenger judging from the satchel he wore and his clothing. "Good Afternoon gentlemen, how may I help you?"

"Is the Vicomte De Chagny at home?" M. Chevalier asked.

"He left earlier this morning…" Gerald began to explain.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Anton asked as he walked down the stairs. He looked at Gerald. "You may go." He turned his attention back to the two men.

Javert ignored the injury to his face. "I would like to wait until the Vicomte returns. The young man however is not with me."

"What can I do for you?" Anton asked the messenger.

"I was asked by the Head of the Chamber of Deputies to deliver this to the Vicomte." He said handing the envelope to Anton.

Anton pulled a couple francs from his pocket and tipped the messenger. "I will see to it he receives it."

"Thank you, monsieur." The messenger said as he turned and walk down the steps to begin the trek to his next destination.

Anton looked at Javert. "M. Chevalier, if you would follow me we can wait for the Vicomte in his study."

Javert nodded and followed Anton to the study. "Would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you." Javert answered thinking it was a bit early in the day for libations. Anton placed the envelope on Raoul's desk and poured himself a brandy before sitting next to Javert. "If you don't mind my asking how did you injure your face?"

"I got into it with some young kid who was trying to prove himself a man." Anton lied. Rosalie had done a good job patching him up and he took a sip of his brandy knowing it would dull the pain.

Javert didn't believe him but decided not to press the matter. "Do you expect the Vicomte to be back soon?"

As the words left his mouth the door opened, a disheveled Raoul entered the study. He had dismissed Gerald as he walked into the mansion and was unware that Javert was waiting for him. He quickly tried to put himself together. "M. Chevalier, have you come with news of my wife?"

Javert stood shaking Raoul's hand but before he could answer Anton spoke walking over to his desk. "This came for you while you were gone."

Raoul took the envelope and opened it. He unfolded the paper and as he read it his eyes widened. "It's not possible."

"What is it Raoul?" Anton asked. Raoul said nothing handing Anton the paper. He read it and looked up at Raoul. "This has to be a mistake."

Javert was becoming a bit annoyed at being ignored and cleared his throat. "May I see it?" Anton handed him the paper and Javert looked it over. Even he was surprised at what he read. "Citing extreme brutality at the hands of the Vicomte De Chagny the Chamber of Deputies here by annuls the De Chagny marriage at the request of the Vicomtess restoring to her the name Christine Daae." When he finished he handed the bill back to Raoul.

"France repealed the divorce laws. This can't be legal." Raoul exclaimed looking at Javert.

"That may be so but this bill was signed and sealed by several ranking members of the chamber which not only makes it official, but legal. I am afraid M. Vicomte, your marriage is over."

"Is this why you came here?" Raoul asked waving the paper in his hand and taking slow deep breathes to calm himself.

Javert shook his head. "Unfortunately I have come with more news you will not like. I am pulling all of my men from your search."

"What?" Raoul nearly screamed.

"I told you from the beginning I could only assist you for a limited amount of time. Our continuous searches of Paris have yielded nothing…"

"He has my wife…"

"That paper in your hand." Javert glanced at it. "Says otherwise. She is as the English would say a Feme Sole, an unmarried woman free to do as she pleases."

"What about the phantom?" Raoul asked grasping at any straw he could.

"He is a ghost, if he is real at all. We can't apprehend a man on one man's, even a Vicomte's, word that the man unmasked at the opera that night was in fact the mysterious phantom. There is no proof he killed anyone which is why I have decided that the Suretes involvement in the search for Miss Daae and the phantom must come to an end."

"Since when has the presumption of innocence mattered to the Surete." Anton commented.

Javert narrowed his eyes at him. "Since I took charge."

Raoul could feel himself losing his temper speaking through gritted teeth. "The phantom is real. He tried to kill me. He is murderer…"

Javert held up his hand and shook his head. "You are the only one that seems to think so. I'm sorry about the end of your marriage and your obvious frustration but I am not going to put any more of our resources into this matter. You are on your own." Javert turned and left the study showing himself out.

Once the door to the study was closed Raoul picked up the nearest object he could get his hands on and screamed as he through it at the door. "Damn it." He walked to his desk and took a closer look at the bill. As he was looking at it for the third time a name stuck out. "De Cherbourg."

"What?" Anton asked walking over to him.

He pointed to a name on the document. "Count De Cherbourg."

"I don't understand the significance."

"When M. Firmin and Andre managed the opera house I heard them saying they had become close with them." Raoul pounded his fist on the desk. "That's how he made it happen. He went to M. Firmin and got him to use his connection to end my marriage. I should have known Firmin was lying when he said he never had any more contact with him."

"Should we pay him a visit?" Anton asked.

"No." Raoul said shaking his head. "He'll have left Paris by now. Perhaps even France."

"What about Meg?"

"Another dead end." Raoul ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "I think it is time we…"

"We what?" Anton interrupted. "Give up. The Raoul I know would never…"

"Look at where we are Anton." Raoul exclaimed. "I am a shadow of the man you knew before I was reunited with her, no better than the phantom himself. Christine was right about something she said in the cemetery."

"What would that be?"

"He and I had switched places, me being the man obsessed with her willing to kill for her while he protects her. I should have known Christine could never love another but him and let her go years ago. My marriage is over, perhaps I should take the advice you gave me when she first left me and find another woman more deserving of me."

"What about Madame Giry?"

"Even with what she has been put through she would disappear if we let her go and never utter a word."

Anton crouched down next to his friend. "Raoul I have known you your whole life. You may not like it but you have always been the man you are now. Christine didn't change that. You put on the same mask any man would for a woman they wanted to court. You can't let this man get the better of you. You can't let him take not only your wife but your reputation. Not to mention the various murders he's committed."

Raoul looked at Anton and couldn't help but laugh. "You're right. I chose my path and the man I wanted to be before she came back into my life. I may hide it from the world but the man you know is the man I am. I will be damned if he ruins the name De Chagny and walks away with what's mine. What do you suggest we do?"

Anton looked above them. "The Surete need proof before they will seek out the phantom. Let's give them what they want."

"If you are suggesting what I think you are and we fail it could lead to our end." Raoul pointed out.

"Since we began down this path you have always given Erik credit for his cunning and intelligence. Do you think he would leave Paris with Christine without knowing her marriage was over? They're in this city and now Meg could be with them. She will never leave her mother with us. They will come for her and with the right breadcrumbs we could lead them right into the hands of the Surete."

"Let's get started." Raoul and Anton began to discuss their plan. He had a second chance to trap the phantom and this time with Anton at his side he would not fail.

Christine continued to read as she waited for Erik to return. She wasn't sure how long he had been gone. There were no clocks in the room but she was sure it had to be hours just like the first time he had left her alone here. Although unlike the first time he had left she trusted he was safe. He had left so many times since then it almost became second nature to her. She finished the last page of her book and put it down on the bedside table.

She got up and decided to change into something a bit more comfortable since she never left the opera house anyway. Although with Erik it didn't seem that bad. She slipped on a black and red silk night dress Erik bought for her. She sat at the dressing table and started to brush out her hair. She silently thanked Erik for helping her dye it back to its natural brown unable to live with it blonde anymore.

She sat back down on the bed and began to read Les Miserable for the second time when she heard the door being opened. She grabbed for the dagger under her pillow just in case. When she saw Erik walking in she put the dagger back getting up to greet him.

Erik smiled as embraced her tightly, he wondered if she had an idea of what was in store for her this evening by what she was wearing but dismissed the thought. He gave her a slow tender kiss after she removed his mask. "You look beautiful."

Christine felt her cheeks warm at his compliment. "Thank you. Where have you been?" Instead of answering her question Erik took her by the hand and led her from the bedroom into the music room. She gasped when she walked in. It was filled with dozens of deep red roses and glowed amber from the numerous candles that filled the room. She looked over at the dining table and saw an elegant meal for two set up. "How did you do all of this?"

Erik grinned as he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "The opera ghost never reveals his secrets."

Christine could feel the little hairs on the back of her neck stand up as his breath caressed her skin and turned around their lips inches apart. "Not even to me?"

"Not tonight." Erik replied with a grin and led her to the table. They started eating and after a few moments Erik broke the silence between them. "I heard on the street the Surete have removed their support in the search for us."

"Will it be safe for us to restart our journey?" Christine asked anxious to meet up with the Giry's and be on their way to their new destination.

"Raoul's men are still searching but I think it will be safe."

They continued to eat and when they were finished Erik decided it was time. "I have something special for you." Before Christine could ask he produced the envelope left by M. Firmin and handed it to her.

Christine saw it was addressed to her and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "What is this?"

"Open it." Erik urged excited to see her reaction.

She did as he asked and unfolded the paper she found inside. It looked official and she began to read it. Her hands started shaking as she read it through and began to read it again in a whisper. "Citing extreme brutality at the hands of the Vicomte De Chagny the Chamber of Deputies here by annuls the De Chagny marriage at the request of the Vicomtess restoring to her the name Christine Daae." When she finished she looked at Erik with tears in her eyes. "This can't be real. It's not possible. France repealed the divorce laws."

"They did which is why it was never brought before the chamber. When I went to see M. Firmin I didn't only go there to make sure he had kept his word. I asked him to use his friendship with the Count De Cherbourg to pass the bill." Erik explained. "I hope you're not upset that I did this without telling you. I didn't want to get your hopes up in case he wasn't able to do it."

Christine wiped a tear away. "How could I be upset? You have given me what I thought was impossible. I…I can't believe you did this for me. My marriage to Raoul is over. I'm free of him."

"Yes you are." Erik whispered happy to see the joy in her eyes as her tears dried.

She folded the paper and placed it back in the envelope. "How much did it cost you?" She noticed Erik's raised eyebrow. "I'm not naïve. I know you couldn't have done this without paying for it."

Erik stood up and took her hand as he got down on one knee. "You're right there was a price but it's miniscule compared to seeing the happiness in your eyes."

Christine leaned forward and kissed him letting a few happy tears that had reformed fall. "With my marriage over, maybe, we can stay in Paris."

"I thought you might think that, but part of you must know with your marriage over it will make it more necessary for us to go. Raoul will hear of this soon, if he hasn't already, and will be out for blood." Erik was silent for a moment. "There is the unfortunate fact that I am still a wanted man. If we were to stay here we will always be hunted and have to live our lives on the run. I think your idea to go to America is still the ideal solution."

Christine glanced at the envelope on the table and looked back at Erik. "I really do want to go to America and leave the past of Paris behind. I guess the thought of leaving is still a bit scary. When can we leave?"

"As soon as tomorrow if you like." Erik put his hand in his pocket. "There is one more surprise I have for you." He took a deep breath. "I know this is fast but we have spent six years apart, longing for one another. I know how short life can be and we never know which day will be our last." Christine gasped when he held up a familiar diamond cluster ring.

"I've had to live my life without you near me. The days were always empty, and the nights would seem so long. With you I see forever, oh, so clearly. I thought I was in love before, but it never felt this strong. Our dreams are young but we both know, they'll take us where we want to go. Hold me now, touch me now. I don't want to live without you. Nothing will ever change my love for you. I'll show every day how much I love you. One thing you can be sure of I'll never ask for more than your love. Nothing will ever change my love for you. I'll show you every day how much I love you. The world will change our whole life through but nothing will ever change my love for you. We know the road ahead will not be easy. Our love will lead the way for us, like a guiding star. I'll be there for you whenever you need me. You don't have to change a thing, I love you just the way you are. Please come with me and share the view. I want to see forever with you." Erik's voice faded and he waited as Christine wiped tears from her eyes. "Christine Daae, will you marry me?" The room was silent as Christine stared at the ring in his hand and took in the words of the beautiful song he had sung.

"When I was with Raoul I simply existed." Christine said through tears of joy. "I did not feel alive. I would count the minutes until the day ended and I could dream of you. You have reawakened my soul and I can't imagine anyone else I would want to share my life with." She smiled through her tears. "Yes Erik Destler, I'll marry you."

Erik slipped the ring on her finger and placed a hand on her cheek leaning up giving her a passionate kiss. Christine wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her forehead against his as their lips parted. "I didn't think it was possible for me to be any happier but hearing you say yes has proved I was wrong. I know that ring is a symbol from the past and was the one Raoul gave you. Once we get to America I will get you a new one if you wish."

Christine lifted her head so she could look him in the eyes. "This ring belonged to my mother and her mother before her and so on. My father gave it to Madame Giry before he died to keep it safe. She gave it to Raoul when he told her about us and that he was going to propose." She took a moment to calm herself as she thought about her father. "It was my father's wish that I marry the man I love wearing this ring as my mother did. I can't think of a more perfect ring, timing, or setting."

Their lips met once more and it seemed to ignite a fiery passion they both had been keeping locked away. Erik cradled Christine in his arms as she laced hers around his neck their lips never parting. Instinct seemed to be leading him as they left the music room and entered the bedroom. Erik stopped as he felt one of his legs hit the bed. He stepped back, opened his eyes and pulled away from Christine but kept her in his arms. "Christine…"

She took one of her fingers and placed it against his lips. "I know what you're going to say, it's not improper. Perhaps to the rest of the world it would seem that way but like you said we are not like the rest of the world. I want to do and be what is right for us." She looked into his eyes. "That's not the real reason, is it?"

Erik shook his head. "I want to be with you. My hesitation has nothing to do with the world above us."

"What is it?" Christine was surprised to see his undamaged cheek begin to turn pink. She couldn't think of a time he had ever blushed before.

"I have never…" Erik took a deep breath as he looked at Christine and whispered. "I have never been with a woman before. All I know of intimacy is what I have read in books."

Christine placed a hand on his cheek. "That is nothing to be ashamed of and with the life you have led I understand why. I only wish I was pure for you."

"You are pure to me." Erik said looking deep into her dark eyes.

"This is us. There is no right or wrong. Only instinct." Christine began to sing. "Sinking, I'm sinking fast. In your eyes, the memories dance. You woke up this heart of mine. This crazy love. It's you and I. Can't you see? This was meant to be. We're far from where we've been. We'll carry on the ties that never end. Will bring us home again. The distance, so far and wide." She brought her lips closer to his. "I long for, you by my side. You woke up, this heart of mine. This crazy love, it's you and I. Can you see, this was meant to be? We're far from where we've been, we'll carry on, the ties that never end, will bring us home again."

Erik brought his lips to hers and their passion ignited once more both of their hearts pounding. Christine's feet touched the floor and she slowly felt the silk of her night dress sliding up her body. It fell to the floor and Christine pulled him back into their kiss. She began to undo his shirt pushing it off his muscular body as she felt her own undergarments being removed.

Christine laid down on the bed letting the silk sheets caress her bare skin as she looked at Erik. He looked back at her starring at the beauty laying before him. She drank in every inch of him she could see and looked back in his eyes seeing his intense hunger for her. As he looked at her he could see her fierce desire for him but needed to be certain. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

She smiled as she took his hand and pulled him onto the bed with her. "I have never been surer of anything in my life. I want to be with you."

Erik wrapped his arms around her as their lips met once more relishing in the feeling of her bare chest on his. She wrapped her arms around him caressing the bare skin of his back.

No more words needed to be spoken between them. Erik smiled as she let out a soft moan when he nibbled her ear lobe. He continued to her neck giving it a soft nibble as well loving the harmonic sound of her soft moans.

He let out a moan of his own as he felt her nails raking his back and her hips grinding against him. He continued on his path slowly moving down her body laying gentle kisses on her shoulders, chest and stomach stopping at her belly button. Her skin was soft and sweet on his lips. He brought himself back up to face her as their lips met once more.

Christine's hands found the button to his dress pants and with his help they joined her nightdress on the floor. They sat up embracing each other their hearts pounding as they kissed and their bare bodies pressed against each other. They let their hands roam exploring each other. They let out simultaneous moans of pleasure as they kissed when they both found the most sensitive parts of each other's body.

Christine broke their kiss and smiled at his expression when she pushed him down on the bed with a mischievous grin on her face. She leaned over him and began to cover him with butterfly kisses beginning with his mangled cheek. She stopped at his neck but instead of a gentle nibble she bit down a bit harder and smiled as she heard him moan louder.

Erik could wait no longer and wrapped his arms around her. He flipped her over so he was on top of her. He placed his hands above her head holding himself up as she wrapped her legs around his lower back pulling him closer as he slowly entered her. They both moaned in unison and their breaths came faster as their bodies moved as one. It felt natural to them to be together, like pieces of a puzzle. Neither had felt such utter pleasure before. They stared in each other's eyes as they began to move faster, sweat beginning to glisten on their bodies. Erik threw his head back in complete ecstasy as their pleasure peaked.

He stayed on top of her for a few moments as he caught his breath and came down from the intense pleasure he felt. He leaned down and she sat up on her elbows so their lips were centimeters apart. "That was…"

"Amazing." He finished for her in a whisper. She nodded and Erik moved from his position above her so he was lying next to her. He wrapped his arms around her as she pushed herself as close to him as she could. They starred in each other's eyes smiling.

"I feel like the rest of the world has melted away and there is only us." Christine told him as she caressed his chest.

"Tonight there is only us. No one and nothing else matters." Erik whispered back running his fingers through her hair. Their lips met again and it was not long before they were once again reveling in the pure ecstasy they brought to each other eventually falling asleep entangled together.

Author Note – The end of the De Chagny marriage may not be entirely historically accurate but for story purposes I felt it necessary to write it the way I did. I also know things seemed to go from zero to 100 with Erik and Christine in this chapter but with everything they have been through in their lives I felt this was the way to go with them.

The song from the proposal is a slightly changed version of Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You by George Benson.