Author: Sparkling-Diva
Rating: PG-13 (possibly more later)
Genre: Romance/Drama
Pairing: Christine/Erik
Feedback: Yes, please! Also being nice would make me happy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gaston Leroux's Phantom or anything I might refer to based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of it. I also do not own the song "Out of Reach" by Gabrielle.
Summary: Christine makes an important decision that could forever change the lives of many…
Author's Note: Yeahy! New update! Enjoy and have a great weekend everyone!
Chapter 13It was late that evening when Christine had woken up and began to look for Erik. She passed through the river that was somehow shimmering in the dark. There was something about it, the hazy foggy mist, and the candles that made it all magical and mystical. She finally spotted him sitting on a rock looking away and holding something.
"Erik?" she asked.
The masked man turned to her with a surprised and said, "Christine, I didn't realize you were there."
"What are you hiding? Is that my surprise?" she asked jokingly.
"Possibly…" Erik said, "Sit down and let's talk first."
"Alright," she said sitting on a rock across from him, "What is it?"
"Christine…you are a woman now," he began.
"Umm...yes I'm quite aware of that fact."
Erik chuckled, "I've known you for nearly a decade and I-I love you."
Christine smiled but remained silent.
"This is not easy for me to do but I think that this speaks for itself," he said handing her a small navy blue bright blue.
Christine gently took it with surprise.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Open it," he said.
She carefully did and gasped as she saw what was in it.
A ring.
"Erik-"
"Christine, I-"
"How did you find this!"
"Excuse me?" Erik asked.
"My mother's wedding ring! How did you find it!"
"It-It's yours!" he asked shocked.
"Yes! The night of my performance when I was younger, my father was planing on giving it to me as my gift . He gave this very ring to her when they got engaged. When he fell ill and left, he said he might have dropped it. But you found it Erik! You found one of the only possessions that are left of my mother and father!"
"How can you be sure?"
"The inscription."
"What does it say?"
"It should say 'Forever our love will remain. Come what may.' "
"May I see?"
"Of course," Christine said handing it back to him.
Low and behold he stared at the inscription on the inside to discover that it truly was the ring she had spoken highly of.
"Is it the one?" Christine asked.
"It is-," Erik said.
"Oh, Erik!" she exclaimed taking it from him and smiling with hapiness.
She read the inscription and tears tolled down her eyes. She then gave Erik a hug and said, "Thank you, Erik! This is the best gift I've ever received!"
She then noticed how he wasn't moving. "Erik, is there something wrong?" she asked pulling herself away from him still holding the ring in her hand.
"It's just-"
"Just what?"
"I wasn't aware this was yours. I thought…"
"What?"
"I would give this to you and," Erik sighed before proceeding to kneel on the floor, "…and well, umm…Christine would you marry me?"
Christine just stared in shock at him and then looked back down at the ring.
"I don't have much to offer you. This, I know but I love you and I always will. You don't have to say yes. You can think about it. You can wait. I just want to be with you."
There was silence.
"Christine? Say something please. Please don't leave me all alone with this burdening silence."
There was another moment of quite before Christine slowly looked up to see Erik with his mask looking down.
Slowly she approached him and removed his mask, placed it aside, and raised his chin so he would see her in tears.
"Now, ask me again? I want to hear it from the real you."
Erik took a deep breath before asking again, "Christine? Would you- would you marry me?"
Christine smiled through her tears and whispered, "Yes, I will!"
Erik smiled happily and sighed in relief. He was so frightened of what she was going to say but now he knew everything would be alright.
Erik and Christine joined each other with an embrace a long passionate kiss.
"When?" Christine asked after they broke it off.
"Tonight."
"To-tonight?"
"Yes. It can be private just the two of us. Will that be alright with you?"
"Yes."
"Go and get ready. I'll meet you later at the stroke of midnight," he whispered before leaving her alone to prepare.