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.
Summary: Christine makes an important decision that could forever change the lives of many…
Author's Note: Well, this is the last bunch of the chapters! I know that it is quite a lot but it will be really tough for me to get Internet access this summer. Anyways, I hope that you enjoy and have a great summer!
Chapter 51
"So you will give me lessons then?" Victor asked as he gathered some music pages from the organ.
It was a week later and Victor had gone with his mother's help to Erik's lair. What he could not explain was the emotional state she was in whenever she came near it. She just told him, "To stay safe and have Erik lead him back to the dressing room and not to enter unless she is there and no one else through the passage behind the mirror. Though it was strange, he obeyed and Erik helped him leave in fear of him getting lost in the labyrinth. Also a minor friendship began to arise.
"Yes. If you mother said."
Victor began to pace around when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He looked at a small space in a wall and saw some paintings and drawings. He looked at one that caught his attention and began to walk forward and asked, "Erik?"
"Yes?" Erik said still at the piano.
"Why do you have a drawing of my mother?"
In alarm, Erik turned around and began to shudder.
"Umm…"
"Are you in love with her?"
Erik then said, "I just drew it a while ago when we were friends."
"Are you still good acquaintances?"
"It's been a long time since we've seen each other," Erik confessed.
"You seem to care about her very much."
" 'Tis true. She was my only friend."
"Am I your friend, Erik? I know that you are mine."
Erik sat and smiled in silence as he said, "Yes. I guess that you can be my friend."
"Good. We get along so well…I just-."
"What?"
"Sometimes I wish that you were my father," the little boy explained.
Concerned, Erik asked, "What is troubling you about your father?"
Victor took a moment to hesitate and say, "We never get along. Neither does he or my mother. She cries at times…"
Erik sat down next to him and asked, "Why does she cry?"
"He hurts her."
"How?"
"With words about memories of her past and on how things should be."
Erik feeling something terribly wrong about this then asked, "Does he hurt you?"
The little boy whimpered before saying, "Sometimes…he just wishes that I was different. More like him. That's all. I know that I never will…"
Erik feeling sympathy for the boy patted him on his hair, "And music is your love?"
"Yes. My mother understands but he doesn't."
Erik thought for a moment before saying, "Well I do and you can assure yourself that I'll be here if at any time or moment you and your mother may be in pain."
"Really?" the little boy said with tears in his eyes.
"Yes."
At that moment Christine came in.
"Victor, darling? It's time to leave," she said.
"Good-bye Erik."
"Good-bye Victor. You're a special boy. Do not forget that."
Christine winced at that comment.
"I won't," Victor replied.
Erik then smiled and glanced up to Christine with his heart melting.
"Christine, may we speak?" Erik asked more calmly since their last encounter.
Surprised she said, "Victor you know the way out right?"
"Yes, mother."
"Wait for me back in my old dressing room. Make sure no one is there and wait for me."
"Alright," Victor said obeying.
Christine then turned to face Erik after watching Victor leave.
"What did you wish to discuss with me about?"
"He hurts you," Erik said approaching her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said turning around to hide her tears.
"That insolent boy. The one who stole you away from me."
"Erik…"
"I knew it," he said turning her around by her arm.
He then got a glimpse of a scar that was there.
"Where did this come from?"
"Stay out of things that couldn't the least concern you," Christine said with tears remembering a night about six years earlier.
"He did this to you…" Erik said in tears.
"And if he did?" Christine asked.
"I'm going to kill him!" he said backing away and rushing to the exit.
"No Erik," Christine said blocking his way, "I'm not going to let what before happen again. Don't. It was an accident."
"Tell me that you don't love me!" he yelled.
"Erik…"
"Look me in the eyes and say it!"
"I can't…"
"You can and you know it. Or was it just a ghost helped you sing that one night in the opera. Remember?"
"Erik, please do not swell on the past."
"Tell me, Christine! Tell me!" he said coming up to face her.
"I can't!" she yelled.
"Why not?"
"Because I could never lie to you no matter what I do. I can't…"
Suddenly, Erik grabbed her and kissed her.
After a moment the two of them were split and they both had tears.
"You still love me…" Erik whispered.
"So do you…" Christine replied.
"Why did you do this to me…why?"
"I didn't Erik. It's not your fault…it's mine. I was punished for my past."
"But you have nothing to be cursed of except for me."
"Don't say that, Erik…"
"Then why? You even have a child!"
Christine stammered. On her words, "I…"
"Leave me be Christine. You're a good mother. Go on with your son. He needs you. May God help you."
"Erik…there never will be a day when I won't love you…"
Erik kept silent and turned away.
Understanding, Christine just sighed and with tears left.