Disclaimer: See chapter 1
This is the first Epilogue I have ever written. What the heck is an Epilogue anyway? I know they taught me this in school, but that was way to long ago.
Well this Epilogue is sort of an end to I Sing For You Alone, and also a beginning to my next fic. You knew I was going to say that didn't you? I have received too many requests not to end the story where I did. It must go on.
I would also like to inform you all that I have another fic in the works that would not be allowed on ffnet, because it contains the lyrics from a song on the Phantom Soundtrack. Not only does it contain the lyrics, but also the entire fic is based around that song. Each chapter is titled from a lyric in the song, and that chapter speaks of something from Erik's past, written in first person POV, similar to a sort of journal belonging to the man himself. So if any of you would like to read that fic please either email me, or let me know in your review. I will send it out one chapter per email about every day or every other day, along with review responses. Mrhaha. Had to say that.
So anyway, on to the epilogue.
Venice, One month following the trial.
Lily sat at the grave holding the white lilies that Erik had taken from his private garden. For the first time she read the words on her father's grave.
Monsieur Gaston Giroux
Born January28, 1810 – Died December 07, 1870
Musical Genius and Loving Father
"Oh father if only I had listened to you. If only you had stayed with me that night. I needed you." She whispered.
It was the dead of night with only a few street lamps shining into the cemetery. Erik was standing quietly behind a tree several feet behind her. He had meant to stay in their carriage. He hadn't wanted to eavesdrop on her words to her father, but he felt as if he needed to be there for her.
"If only you were here right now. I wish you could meet Erik. I finally learned the lesson you tried to teach me so long ago. I looked inside his heart and soul, and found the man who makes me whole." She paused to place one of the five lilies on the grave.
"You should hear me now father. I have regained my voice. I have taken back what was stolen from me. I would have never been able to do that with out his encouragement." She paused again placing another of the five lilies on the grave.
"The man who did this to you is now burning in hell. I know you would not like me to think that way, but I am not the naïve little school girl anymore, and hell is too good a place for that monster." She said placing yet another lily on the grave.
"I have made a new life for myself in Paris. I am happy, and I am content. If only you could see." She said placing the fourth lily on the grave.
"And most importantly I know the truth about you papa." She broke down crying. "I know now what you were willing to do for me. I know now that you would have killed him for me. I know now how much you truly did love me." She dropped the final lily on the grave placing her face in her hands letting the tears take her. Five lilies. One for each year since he had gone on to heaven.
Erik felt his heart aching at her bittersweet words. He knew that Lily had always thought that her father was disappointed in her for allowing that beast to rape her. That fact had hurt her more than the cruel act itself. She hadn't spoken about her conversation with Philippe LaChance before his death, but he somehow knew that something was said that had served to absolve her over the death of her father. She now delighted in her role at the opera and seemed to live her life as if every moment might be the last. Lily had truly taken back what was stolen from her.
Part of him wanted to go to her and console her, but he knew she had meant to speak to her father alone. So instead he turned and made his way back to the carriage. From the carriage he could not see Lily past the towering mausoleums. He waited several more minutes, which finally became almost an hour's time.
"Lily where are you?" He whispered stepping down from the seat. It had been too long. She should have come back by now. He made his way between the mausoleums, until he could see her father's grave.
She was not there. He spun around looking in all directions for her. He could see her nowhere. He rushed to the grave and saw the lilies she had placed there. They were crushed, as if they had been stepped on. He could see that the grass growing on the grave had been trampled. There was a piece of fabric lying on the ground next to the headstone. He picked it up and breathed in deeply. It smelled of her. That beautiful scent he had become so accustomed too. Lavender. It was her cloak. He looked the cloak over frantically for any clue what might have happened to her. He found that clue. Caught on a loose thread was a cuff link. On the cuff link were the initials P.L.
He ran all of the facts he had obtained through his mind and looked around one more time. There was no doubt in his mind what had happened. She had been taken. By whom he did not know. He looked around frantically again trying to discern what direction they had gone, but there were too many footprints to make out any distinguishing trail.
His mind was becoming panicked. She was gone. He had lost her. Where was she? He dropped to his knees clutching the cape and threw his face to the skies and let forth a bloodcurdling roar. "No!"
Then he let his head drop as his eyes closed, his whole body beginning to shake with the suppressed sobs, and he whispered one word. "Lily."
Well that is the end of I Sing For You Alone and the beginning of Lost Love. I will begin to post chapters from this new story in the next few days, so stay tuned.
And now a warm thank you to all my faithful reviewers who are numerous. Since single review responses are not allowed I will just say that you have all made my writing experience a pleasure. So please remember to review, and or email. I love to hear from all of you. And I will email you back.
Meluivan Indil