Disclaimer: All the characters of POTO belong to ALW, Leroux, and Kay and not to little old me.

A/N: Thank you all for your reviews! Here's a shout out to those who read this and hopefully I don't forget anyone- neo-lover72, StrangeGirl, Erik'sMistress, Lady Nessa, LoneGunGirl88, bundlesojoy, sakume, sarah, Jacina Branwen, LadyWater2010, babymene17, Megan, Odeta, Johnathan Cain, Affliction, Angel-of-Music1331, Kayla, Nicole Gruebel, LoverofBalto, Legolas-Obessesionist, JenniferJ, monroe-mary, Killthefop, some random Erik Phangirl, WildPixieChild16, CoolGirlEmily, Erik for President, EriksAngel1870, giraffegirl410, Han Futsu Anti Normal, Talz, BohemianCane04, Silent Masquerade, S.A. Dickon, SealMyFate, Lana Riddle, TheGoddessofDeath, Melissa Brandybuck, Clayphan16, Snuffy101, Hriviel, Maska, NightFallsSoftly, Erik's Angelic Beauty, Ally(Skye)EileenPhantom, elvinscarf, Misty Breyer, Erik's Musical Angel, Number 356, fleur, gondorian-gurl, Invader Vega, Gevaisa, Aleana, GoldenLyre, et-spiritus-sancti, LittleViperPhan, unleashimagination, phantom-lover72, and Racetrack's Goil.

And to any new readers as well! Your support has been great and I hope you continue to read me. Enough of my babbling and let's get to the last chapter!

Chapter 28- A Happy Ending

The next day Erik awoke and he knew today was the day he will return to Christine and make up for loss time. He was not a believer in God or anything, but he knew that whatever force brought him here would send him back to where he belong. He was stuck on this notion because of his dreams. The last one Erik could still feel the kiss lingering on his lips and Christine's words haunting his mind.

This was it.

He threw on the clothing he arrived in and decided against putting on the mask right away. There was no need of it here anymore.

Stephanie didn't know why, but she knew that this Erik's last day. Tears sprung to her eyes and she tried blinking them away. No, you don't know that for sure, she told herself. But can't you feel it? Her mind asked her.

And sadly yes. She did. And it came as a form of a dream to her.

Stephanie closed her eyes and imagined the setting perfectly. She was in a chapel of some kind watching a woman light a pearly white candle. Her head was bent so she couldn't see her face, but somehow Stephanie felt like she knew her. The woman was praying softly but her words grew louder for Stephanie to hear:

Her father promised her he will send the Angel of Music and he did. And lost his poor soul was until he was helped by another. And that another found out she was no longer alone.

With those last words, the woman turned.

Stephanie gasped and instantly recognized her. Christine Daae.

The rest was vague to Stephanie but she knew in her heart that it was about Erik's departure. Why else will Christine come to her? Or it could have been so much talk lately about her that inspired it, Stephanie did not know.

She had school today and for the first time she had a good enough reason for wanting to stay home. She never was for skipping without a call, but her parents wouldn't understand and they still didn't know that Erik was even here. But luckily, it was one of those days and Stephanie would be alone, and no one could stop her.

She quickly got dressed and hurried over to Erik's room. He seemed to be waiting for her.

"Today is the day, isn't it?" she asked.

At his nod, she drew in a shaky breath. "I don't want you to leave," she blurted out.

"Miss Larson." Erik went over and hugged her dearly. "I wish I could but we both know that will never happen."

He lifted her chin and a ghost of a smile crept across his features. "Let's go for a walk shall we?"

For over an hour, neither of them spoke as they walk through a neighboring sub. Erik didn't object to her decision of missing school and it was probably for the best. In this amazing period of the past few months, he couldn't believe the life changes he went through. And it had been for Christine.

Erik stopped suddenly and Stephanie followed suit. "Is something wrong Erik?"

He sighed. "Yes and no. No because I'm rejoining Christine again. But yes because I'll be leaving you behind."

He looked down at her, noticing the contact wasn't in. She looked so beautiful now than she did when they first met. And Erik had a small part in that.

"I'm never the one who can easily grow attach to certain things or people," he admitted. "But I'm truly going to miss your odd behaviors and this type of life. Who would have thought the future could be something to forward too? If I could I would love to take you with me and meet Christine, but your place is here. I can't be selfish in two different worlds as much as I would like. You have parents who love you very much and you do have a wonderful life to forward to. And you have Dan Shaw."

She snorted. "Don't be so sure."

He cracked a grin. "I'm sure all right. You don't think so but you do have an incredible beauty that put Aphrodite to shame. That boy is in love with you, whether or not he knows it or you believe it. I believe… it was Fate that brought me here to help you and Dan find each other."

"Don't you mean you came here so I can help you with your girl troubles?" she teased.

He chuckled. "That too. I haven't given up hope on you and you shouldn't either."

"I guess I could try," she agreed. "But I'm not guaranteeing anything spectacular."

"Miss Larson, my time spent here with you was remarkable and I wouldn't change it for the world. I would definitely do it again if I could. I'm a new man now and I know there are some miracles for you in store as well. You… mean a lot to me. And… what I'm trying to say is, I love you, like a sister," he rushed.

She laughed as tears sprang down her face. "I love you too Erik. You have no idea how much I will miss you."

"I do," he murmured and they held onto each other for a few moments. He pulled back and wiped away her years. "You know if you hurry you can make it back for the rest of the day."

"Yeah but couldn't you stay longer?"

He sadly shook his head. "Just remember our time spent together and tell Harper good-bye for me."

"I will," Stephanie promised.

"Good," he said. "I'll miss you always."

"Maybe you could name your kid after me," she joked.

"I will be glad to. Farewell Stephanie."

Her jaw dropped at the mention of her name. He never called me Stephanie before.

Seeing her surprised look, Erik chuckled and began walking away from her. She moved to head back but something made her stop.

Stephanie turned just in time to see him fade into nothingness. It was like he was never here; yet, she could hear his voice singing songs in her head.

It was tough but she made it back before sixth hour. Since this was her first time arriving so late, she was let off with a warning.

She spent the good part of the day crying now that Erik was gone. But something just clicked within her and she knew it had to stop. She would always miss the Phantom, but Erik wouldn't have wanted her to mope around over him.

So Stephanie came to school and entered Mrs. Davenport's class. She found Dan waiting. They made eye contact and she could feel the heat rising to her flush cheeks. It was at that moment she forgot she wasn't wearing her contact. Damnit.

He went over to her and smiled. "Stephanie, I want to apologize for my earlier behavior. I shouldn't have left you like that when I was trying to ask you something. I used Laurie as my escape foot because I wasn't sure what you would say."

"Dan," she cut in. It was the first time she spoke his name with him standing in front of her. It felt so right and she assumed he must have felt the same way for he was now gazing at her warmly.

"So now I'm going to chance it and there will be no running away," he said firmly. Taking a deep breath, he looked her squarely in the eyes. "Would you like to go out with me some time?"

"Yes!" she cried immediately, then realizing how loud she was, clamped a hand over her mouth blushing like crazy. Dan chuckled and removed her hand.

"My feelings exactly. I was afraid you wouldn't want to after I was behaving like a jerk." He paused, his gray eyes studying hers for the first time and twinkled at what he saw. "Say, you have gorgeous eyes. You should go without that contact if you don't mind me saying."

Erik opened his eyes, surprised to find himself in the same spot before he left, except he was on the ground. The chill air from the dank passageway crept over him and shuddered at its caress upon part of his face. Part? Erik's hand flew to his countenance and met the familiar hard porcelain. Frowning, he stood up, ignoring the oncoming dizziness, and wobbled over to peer through the two-way mirror.

Christine, his pure beloved Christine, was sitting in front of her vanity, brushing her locks lost in thought.

He took a shaky breath and just took in the holy visage. She was just as he remembered. For a moment, he thought he had died when he felt his body being rip away from one point to the next. He was positive he wasn't once his body-exhibited symptom of fatigue so he knew he was back indefinitely.

Glancing around, he noticed she was the only being in the dressing room. Perfect.

Go to her now! His mind encouraged him. Go you lunkhead!

His hand stopped at the lever and pulled back. Erik had never been this nervous in his whole life and there was his love, waiting for him. He took a deep breath and again moved forward when he felt something jabbing his thigh.

Erik reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box and opened it. Inside, was that heart-shape diamond necklace he saw at the mall.

He was at a complete loss for words and a tear of gratitude made its way down his unmasked side. He closed the box and placed it as his side. Erik lightly tapped his mask and stood straight up. Sooner or later this will come off. But until then I'll wait. Now Showtime.

The mirror swung opened and Christine yelped at the sight of the bulky dark figure that now stepped into her room.

He stopped halfway towards her and bowed. He was strangely handsome, she noticed, all in the disguise of the night and with that ethereal mask glowing off his face. Is this… my Angel? She thought.

"Christine," his rich deep voice sang in her ears. "Allow to me to introduce myself. I'm Erik, your Angel of Music, a man I'm afraid but there's so much more to me than you can see. And I wish to tell you something that I finally have the nerve to say after these past few months…"

The End

Again, thanks to all who has read and review this story! Please look for my new story, The Butterfly, which will hopefully be up this week. Just waiting for my beta to get back to me. It's an EC story of course!