Everything was so perfect.
by LiltingBanshee
Author´s note: Ok, guys we´re at the end. I´m quite sad to let go of this, but everything has to end some time. Hope you enjoy the last chapter:)
phantomfan1911: Thanks, everything should be fine now:)
Wandering-Phantom: Thanks:) yes, I´m sorry we´re at the end. I checked with Christine about the borrowing Erik-thing. Ehhh, you´ll probably do wise in not asking again;), but she said to tell you that Raoul is free to use in any way...:)
Erik´sTrueAngel: Yes, they´ll be fine now:)
Phantomandvampirelover: Thanks, hope the ending is to your liking:)
lady kathrin: hehe, glad you found it funny. Erik in a piece of fur is quite tempting;) I´m so happy you liked the story, though it has to end.I thought of doing a sequel, but I think it stands pretty well as it is:)
phantomann: Thank you. I´m so sorry for your loss. I was walking at the cemetery close to my home about 6 months ago and came across the grave of little Maeve, who was "born asleep". It was the saddest thing I´d ever seen. Loosing a child must be unbearable. I´m glad you and your husband made it through. Hope you´ll be happy in the future:)
Shdwcat27: Thank you, hope you´ll enjoy the last chapter. There should be no obvious use for Kleenex...I hope:)
ilustgerik: Thanks, Don´t worry about it coming to an end. You´ll have enough to do with continuing your own story so I´ll have something to read;)
Right, the last chapter sob thanks for all your support.
Christine was enjoying some quiet time to herself in the apartment.
The sun was out and it was a fairly warm day.
She had been to the cemetery to put fresh flowers on Sean´s grave.She sighed. She had come a long way.
These days she was able to go and sit at his grave without dissolving into tears completely. It was not easy. Most of the times she would get that familiar lump in her throat and sometimes the tears would overwhelm her, but she was also able to just sit and tell him how life was treating his family.
Erik had been right, he would always be with them.
After buying a few groceries she had returned home and was now relaxing and planning dinner.
Sitting on the sofa she was shuffling through an old photo album.
She smiled at the pictures of herself and Meg in their teenage years, what a goof-ball she had been at 16.
As she turned the page she found a picture of herself and a young man sitting at a fountain.
'Raoul', she thought. He hadn´t at all been happy when she had gone back to Erik. At first he had begged her to go back to France with with him. He had even offered to let her take Sarah with her – he would care for them both.
When she politely had declined he had gotten upset and said she could waste her life with her deformed husband for all he cared.
She had calmly told him that she would rather live her life with a man with a deformed face than with a man who had a deformed sould.
That had shut him up.
She knew from Meg that he had gone back to France a while ago.
Next to catch her attention was a picture og her and Erik.
She remembered Meg had taken it on the opening night of one of Erik´s productions.
They looked happy. Erik´s arm thrown protectively around her shoulders and herself looking up at him, totally in love and holding the single red rose he had given her.
Oh yes she remebered that night clearly. It was her 20th birthday and the opening of the last of his productions in which she had been a chorus girl.
Though they had only been seeing each other for a couple of months at the time he had proposed to her that night.
She had accepted at once and had let him to her bed for the first time.
She smiled as she continued through pages of wedding pictures. That wedding had fulfilled all her dreams.
Tears of joy stung in her eyes when she reached the pictures of Erik holding the new-born Sarah. He had lost his heart to that little girl instantly.
She was just about to close the album when another picture caught her eye.
Sarah was smiling happily at the camera. Her long dark curls framing her face sweetly. Christine was sitting next to her, her long curls pulled away from her face in a ponytail. She too looked happy. Erik was on Sarah´s other side, his hair slightly windblown. He was smiling too, but not at the camera. Instead his attention was directed at the two girls beside him. His love for them both was so obvious even in a picture.
Christine ran her fingers over the picture. It was taken shortly before she discovered shewas pregnant with Sean. It was unbelieveable how an existance that was so perfect could be turned upside down so quickly.
The sound of faint crying pulled her from her thoughts and she got up and went to her and Erik´s bedroom.
The babygirl was fussing in her bed and Christine went over to pick her up.
"Oh what´s the matter with you darling? Are you hungry?", she cooed as she lifted the little child into her arms. She kissed the baby´s soft cheek and rocked her gently.
She had gotten pregnant shortly after her and Erik got back together. They had both been over the moon, but the fear had still plagued her mind.
'What if it went wrong again? What if something was wrong with the baby?'
Luckily she had shared her fears with Erik and Sarah and combined with some professional help she had had a quite enjoyable pregnancy.
Ciara was born on a sunny March morning, healthy and ready to take on life.
Erik had been with her and she had felt his tears of joy mingle with her ownas the mid-wife had placed Ciara in their arms.
Sarah had taken the role as the older sister very seriously and Christine felt so happy at the pride evident in Sarah´s eyes when she was around Ciara.
When Ciara had celebrated her first birthday only a few weeks ago, Sarah had offered to make her birthday cake.
It had been a lovely cake, but the kitchen she had left behind had very much resembled the mess Christine and Erik had awoken to one Sunday morning many years ago.
Later in the evening when the guests had left and Sarah was doing homework, Erik was cleaning the kitchen.
Christine sneaked up behind him and planted a kiss between his shoulder blades.
"Thank you for doing this", she whispered.
He turned around and treated her to a long sweet kiss.
"Christine, you said things would be easier with the new baby because we had a teenage daughter to help us. However you never mentioned anything about me cleaning up after said teenage daughter", he said trying to sound insulted.
Christine giggled softly against his lips. "Oh my poor man, is there anything I can do to make it up to you?", she said and gave him an innocent look.
He pressed her body against his and smiled. "I can think of a few things", he said and kissed her neck.
Christine swatted him playfully "Erik! Your oldest daughter is still awake!".
"I know, but when she´s sound asleep you´ll be all mine", he breathed into her ear.
Christine smiled at the memory as she settled on the sofa to feed Ciara her mashed carrots.
She was almost done with the feeding when the frontdoor opened.
"Mummy, I won!", Christine lifted her head and smiled at her 14-year old daughter who came through the door holding the largest trophy Christine had ever seen.
"Oh Sarah, congratulations, I´m so proud", Christine exclaimed and kissed Sarah´s cheek as she plumped down on the sofa next to her.
Ciara, sensing the mood, squealed happily and banged her hands against her chair.
Sarah padded her sister´s dark hair gently and showed her the trophy.
"See that Ciara? You´re going to get one of these aswell one day, ´cause I´m going to teach you how to dance", she said enthusiastically.
Christine smiled and looked to her husband who pushed through the door carrying Sarah´s backpack, dressbag and several additional bags revealing that he had treated Sarah to some goods from the stands at the competition.
With Sarah watching Ciara she got up and went to help him. He put the bags on the floor, enveloped her in his arms and kissed her.
"I take it it went well", she smiled as he released her lips.
"You should´ve seen her Christine. She kicked their butts", he grinned.
Taking her hand he walked into the livingroom.
"Sarah, put your bags in your room before dinner", he said.
"Sure Dad", Sarah said and left her trophy on the livingroom table.
Erik went to lift Ciara from her chair.
"Hello my little devil. Have you been nice to your mother today?", he smiled and kissed his daughter´s nose.
Ciara giggled and planted a big sloppy mashed-carrot kiss on her father´s cheek.
Christine laughed and handed him a napkin from the table.
Encouraged by her mother´s reaction, Ciara happily began to blow spit-bubbles and Erik raised an eye-brow at her.
"You think this is funny, you little show-off?", he grinned ruffled her baby curls.
Christine put a hand on his arm. "Would you give her a bath? I´ll go start dinner", she asked softly.
"Sure", he said and bounced Ciara in his arms. "Let´s go get you cleaned up little monkey".
When dinner was over and Ciara safely tucked in, Erik was cleaning the kitchen and Christine was enjoying some time with Sarah.
They were in Sarah´s room.
Christine was putting away some of the things that had been scattered over the floor and Sarah had settled under the covers, her eyelids already drooping.
Christine sat on the bed and gently smoothed the curls away from her daughter´s face.
"You did well today sweety, I´m very proud", she said softly.
"Thanks Mum, it felt really good", Sarah smiled.
"Have you figured out what you want for your birthday?", Christine asked. "It´s coming up soon".
"Oh, I´m happy just having you, Dad and Ciara", Sarah said attempting to look really angelic.
"Sarah you´re turning 15! I don´t buy that!", Christine chuckled
"Ok Mum I have 3 pages on the desk, have a look at those", Sarah smiled.
"Oh Sarah, you´re turning 15", Christine sighed. "Will you promise me to always be my little girl? You´re my first-born. You´re very special to me".
"Don´t worry Mum, I´ll stick around", Sarah said.
Christine kissed her forehead and tucked the covers around her.
"Goodnight love, sweet dreams", she said.
"Night Mum, I love you", Sarah yawned.
"I love you too baby", Christine smiled as she closed the door to her room.
Later Christine and Erik was on the sofa watching TV.
Christine was lying with her head in Erik´s lab and he was softly storking her curls.
"Did you enjoy your day", he asked her.
"Yes, I took Ciara for a stroll on the cemetery", she sighed contentedly, enjoying his caress.
"That sounds good", he said, half questioning her.
"It was one of the better days", she said reassuringly.
He squeezed her hand and she kissed his fingers gently.
She sat up and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"What is this program about?", she asked.
"About Opera houses and theatres around the world. It´s quite interesting. This is about the Paris Opera Garnier. I´ve always found it very exciting that it is build on an old lake", he said.
"Ew, that´s creepy Erik. Imagine what could be down there", Christine said and pulled a face.
"You´re such a girl Christine!", he chuckled.
She frowned insulted, which just made him laugh harder and kiss her hair.
They sat in silence for a while until Christine decided to play a little. She turned her head and started kissing his throat, trailing all the way up to his ear.
"Christine...I´m trying to watch this", he said attempting to sound stern, but the slight tremble in his voice gave him away.
"Don´t mind me", Christine whispered in his ear. "I´m just a shadow from beneath the Paris Opera house playing with your mind". She softly blew air along his neck which she knew he hated and he shuddered.
"Christine...", he whined and she smiled wickedly.
She was just about to pull another trick when he caught her by surprise by turning around, crushing his lips to hers and pressing her down on the sofa.
She sqealed and laughed as he tickled her mercilessly. He towered over her and looked into her eyes.
"What´s gone into you, you mean woman?", he questioned playfully.
She pouted her lower lip. "I felt neglected. You were far more interested in the stupid theatres than in me", she sulked.
Her facial expression made him laugh and he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
She put her hand on the back of his head and softly stroked his neck as she joined his laughter.
He quieted down after a while and she continued her caress of his neck as she felt his kisses along her collarbone.
"I love you", he whispered as his lips touched the soft skin beneath her ear.
"I love you too", she whispered back.
"Erik...", she wanted to catch his attention.
"Mmmm...?", he mumbled.
"Erik...listen to me", she said and he drew his lips away from her neck and looked into her eyes.
She traced his jawline with her index finger and smiled sweetly at him.
"Erik...I´m pregnant", she whispered.
He felt tears well up in his eyes.
"Oh Christine, really?", he asked.
She nodded happily and wiped a tears away from his cheek.
"I´m so happy Christine...how...", he chocked on thewords and put his head on her chest.
"Oh please, I think you know how!", Christine grinned through her own tears.
"No...", Erik chuckled. "I meant to ask how far along you are?".
"Nearly 3 months", she said.
He lifted his head and kissed her with so much love it made her stomach ache.
"I. Love. You.", he said and kissed her face in between each word.
"I love you too Erik", she said softly.
He looked into her eyes and tangled a strand of her hair around his finger.
"You have given me a life I never dared hope I could have, Christine. When I saw you auditioning for the chorus at the theatre all those years ago I fell in love with you instantly. I tried to ignore my feelings, you were such a delicate little thing, barely out of your teens and laughing and teasing with Meg during rehearsals. I was old and shouldn´t interfere in your young existance..."
"You weren´t old Erik, just more mature", she interupted him.
He put a finger to her lips to indicate he wasn´t done talking.
"It wasn´t just the fact that I felt old...why would someone like you ever waste a second glace in my direction. Someone with my face would never stand a chance..."
"Erik...", she tried again.
"Not yet Christine", he smiled.
"When you offered your comfort to me that night in the theatre it felt like I was dreaming...".
Christine smiled remembering that night.
It was quite late in the evening, Christine was on her way out from the late rehearsel, when she remembered she had left her calendar on the stage.
Retrieving it she was just about to leave when she heard a strange sound, almost like someone was crying.
She looked around the theatre and saw a figure sitting in one of the back rowes.
Silently she stepped down from the stage and walked up along the rows of chairs till she reached the back row.
She recognised the crying figure.
"Mr. Destler...?", she said quietly.
His head shot up, his unmasked cheek wet with tears and his eyes red.
"Miss Daáe...I thought everyone had left", he said hoarsely.
"Ehh, I forgot something...is everything ok?", she asked.
"Yes yes, everything is fine. It´s just some old demons torturing my mind", he said and waved his hand at her to indicate for her to leave.
She ignored his attempt and sat down in the seat next to him.
"Do you want to talk about it?", she offered.
"W..what...?", he turned his face to her, unacostumed to someone taking interest in his misery.
"If you want to talk about it I´ll listen", she said and smiled.
"No, I shouldn´t bother you with my problems Miss Daáe. You run along", he sighed.
She said nothing and didn´t move from her seat.
He turned his head and gave her a puzzled look.
"Miss Daáe..., he was confused.
"It´s Christine", she said. "And I´m off stage, if I want to sit here I´ll sit here".
The determination was obvious in her eyes and he couldn´t help but smile.
They sat in silence for a while, and she felt herself release the breath she had been holding when she heard him begin to talk.
"My cousin has invited me to the christening of her child...", he said silently.
She smiled encouragingly. "Well, that´s good. A family gathering", she said.
"It could be good Miss...Christine. If it wasn´t for my fears...", he trailed off.
"And what do you fear?", she asked.
He hesistated for a moment. "I don´t fit into these things Christine. All those happy couples with their children and everything. I´m married to my work...and who would want to be with someone like this..." he said and indicated at his mask.
She looked at him. "I don´t know what you´re hiding beneath that thing, but I´m sure you´ll meet someone one day, who ´ll see beyond it. Your soul is very beautiful. You´ll have a wife and children one day", she said with a smile.
'Please say you want children with me!', her mind begged.
"You´re a good girl Christine", he said and squeezed her hand.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Go home Mr. Destler. You´ll have enough to do tomorrow correcting my singing", she said and stood up to leave.
When she was half way down the aisle she heard his voice.
"Erik", he said.
"What?", she turned around.
"It´s Erik to you Christine. Would you go with me to the christening?", he asked before his courage left him.
She smiled widely. "I´d be honoured to Erik".
Erik smiled down at her.
"I wanted for you to be that wife you talked about so badly", he whispered.
"And I wanted you to throw me down on the floor between the seats and make babies with me right there and then", she grinned.
"I would have, had you just asked me", he said with a smirk.
"We have been through a lot Christine. To think that we´re here now expecting a new baby...you´ve made my life perfect", he said and kissed her.
"I love you", was all she could say.
He answered her by deepening the kiss, the passion grew between them and she felt his hands on her body.
"I want you", he breathed into her ear.
"Take me. I´m yours, and always will be", she whispered.
Christine was lying in their bed. Erik´s head reasting on her chest as he was sleeping peacefully.
She smiled. It had been a great day. Erik had brought her and baby Michael home from the hospital.
'Michael Sean Erik Destler' she thought. It was a good name for her second son.
The girls had welcomed their baby brother with joy. Little Ciara had looked into the crib with great interest and had turned to her parents with a pleeding look.
"Mummy, can we keep him?", she had asked anxiously.
Both Erik, Christine and Sarah had laughed.
"Yes darling, we can keep him. You´re a big sister now", Erik had said and ruffled Ciara´s hair.
Christine turned her head and kissed her husband´s face.
He smiled in his sleep and she sighed contentedly.
For now, everything was so perfect.
That has to be my longest chapter ever! Thanks to all of you who followed my story, your reviews kept me going:)
I have some new ideas building in my head, so look out for new stories, hopefully soon:)
Hugs
LB.