I'm baaaaaaaack! I'm hiding out in my room, away from the evil little cousins and I'm really, really bored.

The next few years flew by. Erik, of course, grew to be a wonderful father, and spent nearly every waking moment with Gustave and Dante. Both of the boys were extremely intelligent. Gustave was more interested in books, while Dante could've spent all day at the organ. In appearance, they were practically identical: they both had dark hair, nearly black, and deep brown eyes.

When the boys were three years old, I decided to take them into Paris. We would be leaving early in the morning, and Erik would be meeting us later in the day and that evening, we would take the boys to see their first opera.

The boys slept the entire way into the city. I was terribly excited. I hadn't been into Paris since Erik and I left, so I was eager to see how it had changed. The first thing that I wanted to do was visit the Opera Populaire and see how things had changed there.

I held Gustave and Dante's hands while we walked up the steps to the opera house. We walked in, and I looked around. It was just as beautiful as I remembered.

"See boys, this is where Mama used to live. Isn't it pretty?" Both of the boys were awestruck, but nodded in unison. I held onto their hands tightly as I walked to the stage. All of a sudden, I heard someone calling my name. I turned and looked and saw Meg. The boys, who were in love with their Aunty Meg, ran to her and she wrapped them up in a hug.

"Oh, you boys are getting so big! Pretty soon you'll be as big as your Papa!" This made them laugh. I went over and picked up Gustave as Meg picked up Dante.

"Christine, you couldn't have come at a more opportune moment...Carlotta just walked off!"

"Carlotta still works here? I thought that she left."

Meg started to tickle Dante, so her voice was slightly muffled by his hysterical giggles. "She left for a few months, but came back even more diva-ish than ever. But Christine, we need a leading soprano for tonight's performance. I can think of only one person to fill her shoes. What do you say, Christine."

I started to blush. "I don't know, Meg...I haven't sung in so long..."

Just then, Gustave butted in. "Mama, that's not true! You and Papa are always singing and you sing to me and Dante every night. You sang all the way here!"

Then Dante, Gustave's partner in crime started. "Mama, you sing like an angel. Papa always says that. He always tells us that you were the best singer here. Please Mama! Papa would be so happy!"

I looked at their pleading eyes, then I looked at Meg. "Meg... how can I say no. I don't want to, but I can't say to these precious faces." Meg squealed with delight.

"I'll go tell Andre and Firmin! Follow me!" I sighed and reluctantly followed her. Dante and Gustave with chattering back and forth about tonight's performance. I, on the otherhand, was terrified. I hadn't performed in front of an audience in two years, and I didn't know how could my voice was anymore. Erik and I had continued my voice lessons, but when the twins were born, they had gotten fewer and fewer.

"Monsieur Andre, Monsieur Firmin, I have found us a star for tonights performance!" I stood behind Meg, slightly embarrassed.

"Well, I hope it isn't that child. That wouldn't do very well, would it?" Andre chuckled at his lax attempt at a joke.

"No, Monsieur. Here she is." Meg stepped out of my way slightly. "You must recognize her!"

"Christine Daae! Well...as I have heard, you are no longer Daae, correct?" I nodded, and thenGustave started again.

"My mama is the best singer in France, no in the world!"

Andre and Firmin laughed at Gustave's outgoing personality. "Well, Madame, I suppose that we will have to give you a try. Hopefully this performance isn't as eventful as your last." I put my head down and the memories surged me. I became lost in these memories for a moment.

"Come, now, we must hear you sing. Quite ironic, we are doing Hannibal tonight, so I'm sure that you know the music. We will have you do the beauiful aria from Act Three. You remember that one, right. You know, 'think of me, think of me fondly...' That one."

I nodded and cringed at his short revival. I put Gustave down and took my place at the center of the stage. I inhaled deeply and when I heard the music start, I began to sing.

Think of me,
Think of me fondly,
When we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once again,
You long to take your heart
Back and be free -
If you ever find a moment,
Spare a thought for me...
We never said our love was evergreen,
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember,
Stop and think of me...
Think of all the things
We've shared and seen -
Don't think about the things
Which might have been...
Think of me,
Think of me waking, silent and resigned.
Imagine me, trying too hard
To put you from my mind.
Recall those days,
Look back on all those times,
Think of the things we'll never do -
There will never be a day,
When I won´t think of you...

I looked at the managers. "Did that suffice?"

Before they could answer, Gustave and Dante were cheering. "That was beautiful, Mama!"

Firmin looked at the boys. "I am going tohave to agree with them. That was wonderful. Go backstage and someone will fit you for costumes."

I inhaled deeply. "Meg, would you be able to make sure the boys don't cause any trouble for a little while?" Meg nodded and went over to calm the boys down. "Also Meg...I hate asking you to do all of this because you are busy, but could you send a note to Erik informing him of the change of plans tonight?" Meg nodded and I thanked her.

The rest of the day was a blur. The next thing I knew, I was taking my final bows. I scanned the audience quickly and saw Erik with the boys, who were cheering loudly. After the show was over, I went quickly to my dressing room. Meg followed me, and closed the door behind us.

"Christine! That was perfect! Perhaps even better than your performance before. Erik must be so proud of you!"

I knew I was blushing profusely. "Meg, help me change out of this costume. I can't breath in it! I think that I've gotten fatter over the years."

Meg laughed, but helped me undress. I changed into a much simplier gown, then Meg left to go change and celebrate the success of the show. I sat down and started to wipe off the layers of make-up on face, when I heard a knock on my door. I got up and opened it, only to be greeted by Erik's kiss.

"Eww...Papa, stop kissing Mama!" I looked behind him and saw Gustave and Dante with matching looks of disgust on their faces.

"Isn't it past your bedtime, gentlemen?"

Dante and Gustave exchanged glances. For being so young, they certainly acted mature. Finally Gustave responded. "Papa said that we could stay up late and watch you. Don't blame us, blame him!"

I looked at Erik and started lauging. He had this worried look on his face. "I thought it would be okay since tonight is a special occasion. Don't be angry with me."

I ran my hands through his hair. "Erik, don't be foolish. I could never be angry with you."

"Well, then I guess you won't want this." Erik presented me with his signature red rose with the black ribbon around the stem. I took it and held it close to my heard.

"Oh, Erik, you hopeless romantic." I kissed him again, expecting to hear the boys gagging again. When I didn't hear them, I looked around, only find them asleep in the small chair in the corner of the room. "Erik, look at them. They are perfect angels."

Erik wrapped his arm around my waist. "They are perfect, Christine. It's almost unreal. They can be a handful, though. I couldn't keep them quiet tonight. They were so excited."

I smiled happily. "Should we head home now?"

Erik looked at me and was grinning. "Actually, I had something else in mind." He walked over the mirror and somehow made it open.

"Erik...what are you doing?" He walked over and picked up Dante and I followed his lead by picking up Gustave.

"Come on, Christine. Remember the first time I took you down here?" I shut my eyes and remembered. I was so young andso naive. When I opened my eyes, Erik was waiting for me by the mirror. "Are you coming?"

I laughed again, and started to follow Erik through the maze that would lead us to his previous home.

Okay, I kind of ran out of ideas now. I didn't know how to end this chapter. And my annoying cousins keep interrupting me! GRRRR! Anyway, R&R please, and give me ideas and input!