So, here's our second-to-last chapter! Thank you for reading, following, commenting, and I'm really grateful you enjoy it!

*-* Masquerade

It had come. The day of the ceremony of the awards to the Cast Members, for their years of service. It was already Christine's ten-year mark. Before Guest Flow, she'd done some rides and some waitresses jobs, and of course, her very latest, performer in the shows. Erik would also be celebrating his 25th year of work, but he wouldn't be there.

"Erik, darling. The theme is masquerade! You'll be able to attend and no one would have anything to say."

"I can't. It's too soon."

"You're ready. I know you are. You've made great efforts these past few months, and this your chance to shine as well, to show them who they have to thank for most of the good things that have happened in the park. And with the masks, you won't even have to be afraid of the rest. Why don't you give it a chance? Not for me, but for yourself? You deserve it, Erik."

But he was adamant. He wouldn't be going. Working as a consultant, behind the scenes, was different to showing himself in front of a crowd. There would be pictures taken. Articles written. His role had remained a secret, and that would change everything.

She sighed, and set out to prepare her own costume and mask.

"I'm going to perform, you know. That night. They've asked me, and I said yes."

"Of course you did."

"Won't you come and see me?"

"I…"

"I know you want to. You risk nothing. You can be invisible, as you were before. Come and be with me, please."

He said nothing, but she felt she'd made a point. If there was one thing he was partial to, it was her singing. He couldn't resist the appeal of hearing her, whenever it was.

And if he had to brave a crowd to listen to her, for there were no hidden corners in the new Arena where they held such events, despite his tries to make a few, he would do it.

It was the day of the masquerade. Meg was there, as well. It was her ten-year Disneyversary too, and they would be able to celebrate it together. So of course, Christine had gone to Meg's home to prepare herself. Since he wasn't coming, there wasn't any point in staying with him for this. And she'd missed such a simple, friendly outing. She hadn't done this in years, prepping herself with her friend, anxious over make up, dresses and hairstyles.

But as they laughed and smiled and made grimaces in front of the mirror of her bathroom, she felt another kind of freedom coming back to her. And by the gods, it felt so good.

Meg's costume was an angel's, all white and wings and fluffy. Airy and light and beautiful, her mask only covering her eyes. Christine had been a bit more classical, coming back to the origins of the tradition: a Venetian dress and mask, in shades of red, white and gold. She'd had help from her new friends at the costume department, and they had worked well: the dress was beautiful. A modern twist on an otherwise old style dress. And she'd donned a hand supported mask, all black.

Together, they left her home and took Meg's car to the parking reserved for the party.

She'd seen the Arena on many occasions, by now, but this time they'd outdone themselves. As they entered the party, they were photographed and saluted by the ambassadors and the CEO, Cate herself.

"What a joy to have you both here," she said. "Christine, isn't it? I have heard of your successes in our entertainment pole. We're blessed to have such talented Cast Members. Thank you!"

They shook hands, and then she told a bit of the same to Meg. Then they took their places in the dimly lit room, all little tables of four scattered around the room, facing a large stage.

They took their seats. Raoul had come and took one as well, as a personal guest of Meg's, while another remained empty. Christine's heart beat a bit faster when she saw it, but she dismissed it. After all, the party had barely begun, and some Cast Members were notorious for being late, despite many, many years of work.

Christine hugged her friend, complimenting his fine costume and how handsome he looked. He was an old soldier, in black and gold, and together with Meg, they made a very pretty couple. Meg was giggling as they held hands over the table, and Christine felt a small pang of jealousy. What she wouldn't give for her own partner to be with her tonight…

Slowly, the room filled with people in costumes, masked and happy to be here. Finally, at 8:30, the ceremony began. Cate took the stage, and began thanking them again for their long years of service.

"Now, tonight, as we honor you, my dear Cast Members, who are the soul and heart of the park, there are two special people I want to shed light on. Please welcome on stage Miss Christine Daaé!"

A spotlight she hadn't noticed fell on her, nearly blinding her, and she made her way to the stage under the sound of applause, trying not to fall. Up the stairs she went, and grasped Cate's hands again.

"Ten years she had devoted to our dear park, from the very moment she turned 18. She has gone from position to position, in Food, Merch, Operations, and very lately, in Entertainment."

Further applause.

"You have enjoyed a great success in that position. So, as a favor to all the people here, who might not get to hear you and watch you perform, could you please sing us a song?"

That part she had rehearsed for and was ready. And yet, it was different again. She knew these people. Some of them she had worked alongside for months, or even years, and she'd never shown anyone that side of her, always keeping it safely locked inside of her.

But tonight, she would share her gift and her emotions with the world.

The piano started behind her, and as she looked, she found the face she most wanted to see. He was there. Hiding, of course, but he had come, nonetheless. And this time, he'd outdone himself, theatrical man he was. All in red, with a real Skull as his face, fluffy hat and puffy sleeves.

She smiled, her heart stilled, and she started to sing.

As usual, the piano guided her, complimented her, wove its magic around her voice. And she sang back, sang with it, letting her love for the park, her gratitude and respect for her fellow cast members who had helped her be there, and most of all, to him. Her friend, her lover, her partner in all things. And in music.

She let her voice grow, her emotions visible to all as she fully turned to him, willing the crowd to see him, to notice him. To care about him, this man they owed so much to.

And as the song drew to a close, she went silent, the others holding their breaths. Silent tears on their cheeks, again.

Then they cheered. Again, and again, as she bowed, for once no tears in her eyes. Instead, at the end, she made her way to him, before he could leave, and took his hand, bringing him back in front of the crowd. He didn't seem to know what to do, his hand trembling in hers, but he held his ground, proud and dramatic.

Cate was back next to her, and she spoke when she could be heard again.

"Thank you so very much, Christine!" she said, drying a missing tear from her eyes. "That was exquisite! Now, we have someone else to honor, tonight. He has been a very private man, working in the shadows and never fully appreciated for the work he did for the park, but he has been willing to come tonight, to share another of his gifts for us. Please, applaud our beloved Phantom, Mr Erik Garnier!"

And Erik watched the crowd stand to their feet, as they applauded him. Cate went down the stage, to give the mic to a young woman, on the left.

"When I was in bad place, mentally, exhausted by what I had to do, you gave me… Something. Told me I mattered. And… I wanted to thank you. Because I'm celebrating 5 years here, thanks to you."

Erik stilled, his heart frozen. He remembered her, this young cast member from the Videopolis food department. Always had a nice word and a smile for the guests, and he'd wanted to help her.

Cate went to another man in his thirties.

"Ten years ago, I arrived from Venezuela. I was far from my family, alone, and didn't speak English or French very well. It was… Difficult for me. But you saw me. Left a note in Spanish, telling me I was needed here. With books on languages. I worked, and stayed. And now I created my own family here. Thanks to you."

Other witnesses came and spoke of what his small gifts had done, for them, and Erik was glad for the mask, because he broke down, unable to stop the tears. Christine was by his side, holding him against her, her hand his only support to stop him from falling to his knees, overwhelmed by the depth of what he was feeling.

Finally.

They noticed him.

They cared for him.

They appreciated him.

It seemed most of the people here had something to share, and so he would share something else with them. Another, last gift.

He started to sing. In very much the same way as she had done, he sang his thanks. That was the only way his voice would work, tonight, despite the tears in his throat, how full his heart felt.

And when he stopped, the room held their breath. Then they applauded once more.

Cate came back up, holding a little velvet box.

"From the company, I would like to give you this. A special pin, an award for the most special of our cast members. I am very honored to make you a recipient of the Legacy Award. May you work with us for many more years!"

Christine opened the box, to reveal a special blue nametag, and pinned it on his chest, pride and warmth and love in her heart, so full she would burst.

Finally, when everyone, it seemed, had shed a few more tears, they stepped off the stage, back to their little corner, hidden by the masks, and the party started anew. Other people took the stage, to receive other tokens of appreciation. And they ate and had other speeches, from other people of the company. As the evening went on, the stage was cleared, and a dance floor appeared, soft music replacing the talks.

Meg was one of the first to go there, bringing Raoul with her. Christine stayed, watching them with a warm eye. And yet, envy came back. Erik was there, though, with her. What did it matter if he wouldn't dance with her, there?

He noticed her wistful eye, on the young couples, and while part of him mistook it for longing for another, the rational part of him told him what she really wanted.

And he wanted to make her happy. He'd trusted her, to come and share his art and music and passion and it had worked, hadn't it? So… He owed her this. And for once, here, in this masquerade, they could be just like any other couple. Any other pair in love.

So he stood, and kneeled in front of her, offering her his hand.

"Would you like to dance, my dear?"

She grasped it in both of her hands, smiling prettily under her lovely mask.

"I would love to."

He led her to the dancing floor, and let the music sweep them away. How had they never done this, he couldn't understand, and so couldn't she. The proximity of their bodies, waltzing to the music, the scents and sounds and looks all around them, it was overwhelming, but in a good way. His hand on her waist, so very formal, and yet whispering of other times where that hand had been there. His heart beating against hers, as he led her expertly across the floor. The feel of her dress accompanying her every movement.

It was like another dream coming true.

They danced and danced until the party ended, and then they danced some more on the walk back home, two young souls waltzing under the moonlight.

Taking their masks off, in the safety of their home, they held each other, drunk on the music and the love they had both felt and shared that evening.

"Thank you," he whispered in the darkness of their bedroom. "For everything, my dear."

I must say, this chapter had me a bit tearing up. The end is coming, dear readers! But I hope you will find it satisfying =)