Chapter 11

Erik arrived quickly, only stopping to sleep. He arrived at Miranda's while Christine was busy teaching lessons. He sat down with Miranda who enjoyed her breaks during the day while Christine taught. "Miranda," he said agitated with Christine so near, but determined to convince her that he would work things out. "I am rich now, I could take Christine and disappear, but I do not think this is right. I could also disappear, I know, but how could I leave her again, and my child also. I would like to at least be able to look over any child of mine. And…I know it is selfish of me but I can't risk imprisonment of any sort again. My time in the carnival was not the only prison I have known…"

"I know," she said, grasping his hand, "Christine has told me. Erik you are safe here. I have thought of a plan to explain your presence at the Opera house, making it easier for you. You will simply do more repairs, what you can do, and you will be in my "employ" if anyone enquires of your presence there. I would like to use the Opera house to teach and put on performances, my school is outgrowing itself. This is only a house after all, and I would like some peace. Christine has been teaching voice lessons regularly and this would make it easier for you to see her. Why don't you give this a chance? I know it is not ideal, but it could work Erik."

He sat at the table in the kitchen, and marveled at this woman who had saved him once, and who was saving him again. "Of course. I am at your service Madame," he stood and bowed, a low sweeping bow. She laughed, "and congratulations, dear Sir I hear you are a Baron and a father now", and it seems your wife is through with her lessons for now…" she trailed off as he had quickly left the room.

Erik started work again on the Opera house, accomplishing much, quickly. He soon would have it presentable and safe at least for lessons, performances would come later. He only stopped to "visit" Christine at Miranda's school. Raoul's doctor assured him her teaching was fine the duration of her pregnancy, but any intimacy was discouraged. Erik knew better. He also took great pains to insure she was eating properly, and took care of her. He was worried about the issue of the deformity, but had discussed this with his friend, the surgeon and he seemed to think, that his deformity had been most likely the result of his mother's extreme stress and heartbreak, and the depression that had ensued, causing her to not care for herself properly, or eat well. Claude had told Erik some details about his mothers situation that he had known from the Baron.

He filled lonely time at night with his music, losing himself within as he had always done before. Some of his early work, the lighter, more comedic he gave to Miranda for the students instead of sending it to be published. He had no need for money. He decided if any interest was taken in the Opera house he would buy it, but for now it was still too risky.

Raoul was becoming quite mobile again and able to attend to his duties as Viscount more thoroughly. He was called away frequently, depositing Christine at Miranda's. Her happiness he attributed to her pregnancy, and his own regained health. He wished to find this person who had helped them so much, but could not gain any information from Miranda. Christine and Erik treasured these absences and spent them shut up in the Opera house.

The day came when she gave birth to a girl she named Mary, a beauty of a child who had the dark hair and eyes of her mother and olive toned skin. The family could not be happier. Erik was miserable not being able to see his child, but soon they appeared in the park again, and so did the lonely painter. Christine did not take long to be back at school, convincing Raoul she neither wanted or needed a nanny for the child, and that Miranda wanted to help care for the child. The Opera house had been almost completely repaired, in her absence. Erik had worked feverishly, night and day. It would soon be ready for the dance schools move. Erik delighted in this child. Instead of Miranda taking care of her during Christine's lessons, he did. He knew this child would never know him to be her father, that was fine but he would protect her as one and care for her as one.

When the repairs were finished and the school was moved in, he took over the role of piano teacher. His daughter learned quickly and was somewhat of a prodigy, much to all of her parents pride. Raoul had grown more curious about who had helped him with his problem. He pressed the doctors for information and all they could tell them was that it was someone who had never given them a name. He thought of the mysterious composer of late, and wondered, coming to the conclusion that this was a mystery best left unsolved. In his heart he knew who had been responsible. If he had any suspicions about his very talented daughter, he kept those to himself and was grateful for his recovery and happiness and accepted things as they were.

The years went by, the Opera house again filled with music, Christine and Erik producing, several more children. Their secret intact. When Raoul was home extensively during holidays Erik would travel. Christine had told Erik of Miranda's story which he had known, but had never knew the details. Through extensive enquiry and travel he found this man, serving in the Indian Civil Service, a post-rebellion organization in India, where he had been for many years. He had written to Miranda, so many years ago, addressing letters to her maiden name, not knowing she had changed her name to his and she had never received his letters. Upon finding out she had never married, he left with Erik to go back to Paris where he promptly, and properly married her. He stayed with her and the school in Paris, getting to know his daughter, who had recently married herself, and his subsequent grandchildren.

Erik eventually bought the Opera house, Andre and Firmin happy to unload their burden to a Baron, and sold his lands in England, leaving Claude the cottage and much of the surrounding land. He had acquired great wealth from what was now known as the Bayer aspirin company.

Although Raoul had never had much to do with the school, he did manage to meet the children's beloved music teacher several times briefly. By then Erik had developed an insatiable taste for the sun and remained very dark, looking very French. If Raoul had noticed a resemblance to the "monster" of the past, he managed to conceal this. The children grew older, all equally talented in their own way, each knowing and loving the schools treasured music teacher. Eventually Christine grew ill, long tortuous long years for Erik as she drifted away from him. Miranda, now officially Madame Giry again, sadly closed the school, as she was growing older, had a married life, and Christine grew very ill. She still managed to arrange perfect moments of beauty for Christine and Erik, though few and far between, in Raoul's very considerate absences. Erik became the Opera Ghost once again, after her death, living out his last years writing their true story for his children.

He and Christine made a promise that when they had all passed, the children would be made to understand who he had really been. It was all arranged. They would inherit his unpublished works, the Opera house, and his vast wealth. Their story would be told. And they would be together at last.

The End.