Hello readers!

Am I the only one who hates getting up early? lol Probably not...right now I just feel that incredible erge to go back under the blankets, sigh and fall back asleep. I'm usually not the "sleeping type", but today I would have made an exception...

Okay well, this is not really important. This chapter is though! ;) I bet you want to know what happens next! Here we go then.

Enjoy!

Kaya

Chapter 25

Putting his cloak, fedora and gloves on, not to forget his mask, Erik left the house of the lake more nervous and apprehensive he has ever been in his entire life. What would occur on that night would be life changing, whatever decision was taken. When he finally arrived to the De Chagny manor, the Phantom was not really surprised to see someone was already waiting for him, the front door opening before he had time to even knock.

Madame Giry was the one who waited for Erik. When she was told about this visit, dread filled her entire being. She could only hope he and her niece were right to want this meeting. Elizabeth silently greeted her old friend and let him inside, taking his cloak and hat before she led him to Raoul's study where the viscount was probably already pacing…

Erik had thought it would be Catherine opening the door to him, hoping to be greeted with a smile and a kiss, but she was nowhere in sight. Her absence made even more nervous, if possible, unsure if it was a bad sign or not… He started when he felt Madame Giry's hand on his arm, stopping him in his approach of the study.

-"Why do you want to talk to him?" Elizabeth asked, somehow worriedly

-"You'll know at the same time as him. I want you to be there for it concerns you also."

-"Very well then." She agreed, paling slightly

Madame Giry opened the door to Raoul's study without knocking. The young man stood behind his desk, hands clasped in his back as he gazed through one of the many windows. Erik's anguished feeling only amplified, Elizabeth could tell, even if his features and breathing were calm. It was his clenching fists that betrayed him.

The viscount finally turned to politely greet Madame Giry and that…man. He gestured for them to take a seat and he did the same, his eyes never leaving the Phantom, just in case… Then, somehow, his good manners flew out the window and he just could not help but say what was on his mind at that moment.

-"You have a lot of nerves, monsieur, to come here after all you did to my wife and myself." The viscount hissed coldly. "I want to know why you felt the need to come here immediately."

This time, Erik realized that he had little to no power in this place. He was on De Chagny's playground and he would have to thread very carefully. He had the hardest time keeping his temper in check, but he knew he had to, for his and Catherine's sakes. And so, Erik looked the young man before him right in the eyes and spoke, at last.

-"Elizabeth is all that remains of Catherine's family and you also treated her as though she was part of yours." The Phantom began rather calmly, though his heard was beating faster with each word. "I came here to ask you both for Catherine's hand."

-"Never!" Raoul yelled, jumping on his feet

Madame Giry rose on hand in the younger man's direction, silently asking him to calm down as she stared at her old friend. There was no malice in his eyes, only desperation and hope mixed together.

-"You really want to marry my niece, don't you?" Elizabeth asked, though she knew the answer

-"With all of my heart, yes." Erik breathed

-"And what does Catherine think about your proposal?" Madame Giry continued

-"I do not have the right to speak for her." Erik answered

-"Indeed." Raoul snickered, his hands shaking with anger. "Please, Madame Giry, would you be so kind as to fetch you niece for us?"

The old ballet mistress nodded and quickly left the study, leaving the Phantom alone with his enemy. The viscount poured himself a glass of whisky, politely asking his…guest if he wanted anything. Erik shook his head no, suspicious that his…host might try poisoning him…

-"We'll see if your proposal pleases her." Raoul said doubtfully

-"If she is pleased, will you let her marry me?"

-"If she says yes, I will do everything in my power to maker her change her mind. I still see a possessive, dangerous man in you, Phantom!"

-"If she does not want to marry me, I will disappear from her life, forever. If she accepts my proposition of marriage, I beg you not to take her happiness away."

Those words shocked the young De Chagny, making him calm down but only slightly. It was at that moment that Madame Giry returned with her niece, Christine following close behind. Catherine's face was instantly illuminated by a radiant smile as her eyes fell on her beloved. She ran to him as he rose from his chair, but she chose not to hug or kiss him in front of the others. Instead, they silently agreed to only hold hands.

Raoul silently gestured for them both to sit on the couch as he tried to let the picture of them together sink in. He had to admit, he was amazed by Catherine's change of behavior. Never before had he seen her produce a real smile. Her eyes sparkled when she saw the Phantom the same way Christine's were whenever she would look at himself. He finally decided to break the heavy silence by clearing his throat loudly.

-"This man came here tonight to ask for your hand in marriage. What do you think about this?" Raoul asked a little too detached for Catherine's comfort

-"I say that my heart belongs to him and I would truly feel alive once I am his wife and I have the guarantee to be with him forever."

Erik did not expect such a heartfelt answer and his heart swelled with even more love for his beautiful angel. It seemed she wanted to marry him just as much as he did. Tightening his hand around hers, Erik hoped she would look at him, but she did not. Her eyes were locked to the viscount's. She was one strong little woman…and she wanted to marry him…Oh, how I love her.

-"I won't let you marry him." The viscount spat after a moment. "The Phantom is a wanted man, a murderer."

-"He is not that man anymore!" The young woman answered fiercely, her dark eyes filled with anger. "It won't stop me, we'll go where no one can find us…"

Erik had to do something and rose from his chair, taking Catherine by the shoulders. She was shaking with rage and as soon as he found her eyes, he managed to calm her a bit. He smiled tenderly at the woman he loved, taking a deep breath.

-"I can't let you ruin your life by becoming an outlaw like me." He whispered, his heart aching probably just as much as hers. "Maybe…maybe the boy is right."

Raoul huffed from behind his desk but neither Catherine nor her dear Phantom paid much attention to him. She was staring at the man she loved, not believing what she just heard.

-"You mean to abandon me." She murmured sadly, feeling bile rising to her throat. "I don't want to go back to that prison of silence and sorrow!"

This was too much for Catherine, she had to get away from these people. Letting go of Erik's hand, she ran to her room as fast as her tired and painful legs would allow. When she was back in the safety of her bedroom, Catherine headed straight to her closet and chose a bag instead of her heavy trunk. She filled it with some clothes and undergarments as tears of anger spilled from her eyes.

She wanted to run away from this house of despair and sadness. She had no idea as to where to go. There was no way she could go to her aunt's place where Raoul could find her easily, or to the house by the lake, that would only put Erik in more danger. The absurdity of her departure did not even registered, she was way too upset… Catherine almost missed it when someone knocked on her bedroom door. Panicking, she quickly hid her leather bag under the bed.

-"I don't want to see anyone!" She yelled

-"Not even me?" Erik asked as he entered without permission

With her back on him, facing the bed, Catherine bowed her head, suddenly feeling quite exhausted. Erik went to her and as he was about to take her in his arms, Catherine turned and embraced him herself, burying her face in his coat. Folding his arms around her, Erik held her tightly, stroking her hair tenderly as she cried against his chest. It was at that moment that he noticed a leather strap coming from under the bed and he understood what she was up to.

-"Don't run away, mon ange." He whispered against her ear. "It won't do us any good."

-"I can't stay here…"

-"But you have to, mon amour." He sighed, pulling back to look into her eyes. "I negotiated an outing for us, on tomorrow night."

-"How did you manage that?" Catherine asked, eying him as he looked down as though embarrassed. "What?"

-"I…kind of begged the boy…" He frowned and she smirked. "So, what do you think? Would it make you happy?"

-"Being your wife is what would make me happy." She answered sadly. "I want to take care of you, give you back what Life took from you. I don't want to be alone anymore as I am sure you feel the same."

-"Yes, mon amour, but we must take things slowly. Maybe they will accept us being together if they see how willing we are to court properly. Be patient, my love."

-"Since when are you the patient one?"

-"Since my hastiness can put us at risk."

-"They hate me…" Catherine decided

-"No, ma chérie, they don't. They want what is best for you, they are concerned because they care."

-"You know better what is best for me. They don't see how sad they make me…"

-"They are blind because they love you and I would do the same, you know." He sighed. "I did horrible things in my life, things I am not proud of and they are frighten I might hurt you."

-"Can't they see how much you've changed?" She cried. "Why am I the only one to see your beauty?"

Beauty, this word sounded very strange when used in his intention. He was still not used to her acceptance, but his heart was filled with warmth every time she would show it to him. Before he could help himself, Erik took Catherine's face between his hands and kissed her tenderly as tears burnt his eyes of steel.

-"Why?" He whispered against her lips

-"Why what?" She asked softly, pulling back so she could look into his beautiful eyes only to see tears escaping from them

-"Why did I have to fall so deeply in love with such a beautiful creature? I'm but a repulsive ghost, while you are an angel."

-"You are a man, not a ghost." She smiled softly, taking his mask off so she could caress his deformed cheek. "Nor are you repulsive. The true beauty is found within, not on anyone's face. But know this, I want to drown in your amazing eyes. Your voice keeps me from having nightmares. Your words comfort me and your presence is intoxicating. To me, you are the most beautiful creature in the world and this is why I love you."

Erik stood there, frozen by the intensity of her words. My sweet angel, how I want to take you in my arms and never let you go. He was just about to kiss her once more, but he was unfortunately interrupted by Madame Giry, who just entered, closely followed by a very annoyed viscount. The Phantom was glad he had his back to the door so he was able to put his mask back on without much embarrassment…he could also hide his annoyance perfectly.

-"I would like to talk to Catherine in private." Raoul declared

Looking back at Catherine, Erik wanted to make sure it was alright with her if he left and she nodded, defeated. He bid her goodnight in a barely audible whisper, kissed her hand and left with Elizabeth in tow. It was only when the bedroom door was closed that Raoul dared to look at the young woman.

-"You really love him, do you?"

-"I don't know in how many languages I should tell you so you would finally understand." She laughed humorlessly. "Yes, I do love him, with all of my heart."

Raoul gave an annoyed sigh as he strode to the French doors leading to the balcony. Catherine kept her eyes on him as he looked out the window as though deep in thoughts.

-"He asked me for permission to take you out tomorrow night." He chuckled. "I actually enjoyed seeing him beg…"

-"…" Catherine sighed loudly

-"He told me where he intended to take you and as much as I wanted to refuse, your aunt convinced me to accept."

Catherine stared at him. He actually agreed to let her out with her beloved…just as Erik told her. She was completely shocked and Raoul immediately noticed her strange expression as he turned to her.

-"I will let him try to prove me he had good intentions towards you." Raoul declared in a business-like tone. "But if he as much as make you cry, even once, I will kill him myself!"

-"He would never hurt me." She answered confidently, ignoring his last comment

-"If it reveals to be the truth, maybe I will let the two of you marry." He granted with a frown. "You will always see me as the enemy, and it grieves me deeply, Catherine. I can understand that, sometimes, people can fall in love with the wrong person…Now, you should go to sleep, it is late."

The young viscount came closer to her and kissed the top of her head and left her to her thoughts. Catherine wondered if she just dreamed the fact he said she could marry Erik. Her heart filled with hope and overwhelming joy as she changed for the night. As she lay in her bed, thoughts of the future with her husband invaded her dreams.