Chapter 9: Two Parents, One Child
1919
The car once more started up again and Meg watched out the window, she sighed as she saw the cemetery coming into view. Meg watched as it came closer and she looked out with hope that she would see him again. She felt tears fall from her face and she wiped them away.
" Oh, Erik, I'm so weak without you," she whispered
1873
Meg danced once more and let her mother take care of Gabriel while she rehearsed. She continued to stand up to Erik and refused to let him see his son. It had been 1 year since Erik had told her he could not marry her and one year that she told him he could see his son.
Meg finished and took her son into her arms and smiled at him.
" Oh, your so handsome," she said
Meg and her mother walked to her room and Meg changed Gabriel for tonight's show. The door opened and Madame Giry turned around slightly startled at who she saw. Meg turned around holding Gabriel in her arms and gave Erik a look.
" Let me hold my son Meg," Erik said
" He doesn't like you Erik," Meg said
Erik walked over to her and she turned away holding Gabriel close.
" This child is half mine," Erik said, " And you know that Meg, you can't deny me the privilege."
Meg turned around and looked at Erik, she looked at his attire seeing once more it was different.
" Mother could you take Gabriel," Meg said
" Yes," she said
Meg placed Gabriel into Madame Giry's arms and she looked at Erik. Erik watched as his son was carried away.
" He needs a father," Erik said
" He doesn't need a father, he has a man figure in his life. Monsieur Devereux, the manger," Meg said
Erik stood in front of Meg and grabbed her hands into his own and she turned away.
" You've forgotten Meg, that I am his father…I am the only man that can teach him what he needs," Erik said
" Of course you are Erik…I forgot. I believe you also forgot that when our son is old enough…he will ask why his mother and father don't sleep in the same room. Or why his father stays in the shadows. You were right Erik, I was wrong, marriage isn't for you, especially if you hide all the time from what matters most," Meg said
Meg pulled out a dress and laid it out and Erik wrapped his arms around her. She stopped and felt him place a kiss on her neck and she turned around.
" Meg, I want our son to be happy," Erik whispered, " I want him to grow up like a normal child…not like did. I don't want him hated."
Meg looked at Erik and touched his face tracing the mask. She looked at him and shook her head.
" I love you Erik so much, but this child isn't yours," she whispered, " You can watch him from the distance."
Meg let tears fall from her face and Erik breathed deep. He looked at her feeling anger rage through him. He gripped her shoulders and she breathed deep.
" Why?" he questioned, " Why are you doing this to me Meg?"
She looked at him and he pushed her away.
" You will regret this Meg, that child is mine…why else would he look like me?" he growled
Erik stormed out and Meg fell to her knees and cried.
" I love you Erik," she whispered, " but Gabriel can't see his true father."
That night the show began and Meg looked up at the boxes, she saw Madame Giry and Gabriel with the manger and his wife. She smiled and gave a wave to them and then went to warm up for the show. She prayed for a second and then as the show began Meg and the others danced before the large audience as curtain warmers. Meg watched every corner knowing Erik would try something. Meg danced with confidence and yet she felt herself falling in her act of performing.
By the first two acts Meg had relaxed a little. Meg breathed easier and then walked on stage with the others. She danced with no thoughts just as she should have been doing the whole time.
Suddenly the doors opened and smoke filled around the auditorium, Meg looked ahead. The lit stage became dark and the small lights around were out. The audience began to panic and then sudden flames ignited in the middle of the stage. Meg turned around as she saw someone rise from the stage.
" It's him," whispers started
" The Phantom of the Opera," whispers continued
Meg looked at the infamous red attire upon her lover, he stepped out of the ring of fire and looked at everyone. Meg breathed deep seeing the black mask, it was not the black mask from before…it was that of a devil. It wrapped around most his face and the horns of the mask showed over his head.
" Erik," she whispered
He drew a sword and cut a piece of scenery and the audience gasped.
" I have come to collect what is mine," he announced, " I'm afraid there isn't much to say."
Erik looked up at the box and pointed to the manager's box.
" Madame if you would be so kind to bring my son down," Erik said
" No!" Meg cried
She grabbed his hand and Erik turned to her. He pushed her off him and pointed his blade at her.
" Be silent! I will not let you steal what is mine!" he snarled
Erik walked off the stage and looked at Madame Giry. He stood there waiting for her to nod.
" Give me the boy Madame," Erik said, " If you do so then your daughter and this opera house will remain to stand."
" This isn't you!" Meg cried
Gabriel began to cry and Erik looked at Madame Giry as he reached out his hands.
" From one parent to another, let the crying child be held by his father," Erik said
Meg looked Erik as he reached out his hands in the direction of the crying child. She got up and walked towards Erik and reached out her hand.
" Let my child know his father," Erik said
" He's not your child Erik, he will never be your child," Meg said, " He is my child."
Erik turned around and looked at Meg and walked towards her.
" You might have given birth to him Meg Giry, but I am the one who helped him grow," Erik said
" Heaven and Hell are two different worlds…they can never exist as one," Meg whispered
" Then let Hell rule," Erik said
She looked up at him as they stared at each other…Meg's eyes full of hope and Erik's eyes full of anger.
" Marry me Erik and you can see him every waking moment," Meg whispered
" Marriage is for the weak of hearts…forgive me Meg, but marriage has not made anyone happy. It won't make us happy," Erik said, " If you marry it is because you are weak."
" Then you are a cold hearted man," Meg cried, " My son will be nothing like you…that is why he is not your son."
" Then let us be against each other, let Heaven and Hell once more fight for what is between them," Erik said
He wrapped his cloak around him and vanished and with only seconds he appeared in the manger's box.
" Mama!" Meg cried
Erik grabbed Gabriel from Madame Giry's hands without giving her a chance.
" I will see you in Hell!" Erik shouted
He once more vanished and Meg narrowed her eyes.
" Erik, you've become the devil himself," she whispered