OK, I think I've been generally forgiven for killing Amarie... That's good, because it would suck if I had to end this fic with all of you hating me...

NO! It's the last chapter!

Well, I hope this is satisfactory... Please, enjoy...

XxXxX

Seven years later…

Erik sat alone again…

He paused for a moment, then his fingers swept over the keys of his organ once more, pouring out a beautiful melody. He suddenlybroke off, picking up his quill to write the notes down.

He wascomposing once again…

Years of rehabilitation and hard work had restored some of Erik's old skill to him. He was only a mere shadow of his former talent, but at least he could still do what he always loved to do… pour out his heart and share his soul through music…

Erik used a ruler as he wrote the music down to keep his lines straight… Of course, he would need a scribe to rewrite his ink scratchings later. A blind man's writing was, at best, difficult to translate…

Erik was almost finished when he suddenly froze. The small hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He felt a presence behind him. He could hear it breathe.

They were alone, he and it. It was by itself. Erik stilled his breathing. The tension in the air was like a thick blanket of fog, closing in around Erik and the one who stalked him. Neither said anything. Neither moved. But this was how it would always be… that tense moment of nothingness just before the predator attacked. Then there would be nothing Erik could do…

Erik's muscles tensed as he waited for the attack… he did not have to wait long…

The predator sprung…

A five-year-old girl launched herself into Erik's lap, squealing happily.

"Amarie-Rose!" Erik scolded lightly as he mussed up her hair. "You know better than to sneak up on me when I'm working!"

"You're always working, Papa!" the child giggled. "Mama says to get away from the organ and get ready, or we'll be late!"

Erik held his daughter close to his chest as he recalled the last seven years. Erik O'Reilly Giry had died the night he left Paris. He assumed the new alias, Erik Gobeil. For the first several months, Erik lived with Madame Giry. He invested the little money he had made at La Soleil Rouge, and soon it had grown to a substantial amount.

The floundering Opera Populaire finally went under, and Andre and Firmin were forced to sell the building before returning to the junk business out in the country. Neither man was ever seen in Paris again.

The Opera Populaire was sold to a man who would have torn the old building down, had Erik not intervened. He paid a great deal for the building, after which he immediately had it renovated, until the old building looked grander than ever before. In less than a year, Erik had opened the Opera du Fantôme, and it was more successful than he could have ever dreamed. Erik became quite wealthy, later opening up several other theatres and conservatoires throughout France. He employed Madame Giry as head ballet mistress in his prestigious opera house, paying her almost triple what she had earned working at the Opera Populaire. He hired several other men to manage his theatres, but Erik himself managed the Opera du Fantôme. Of all his theatres, it was the most successful. He was known throughout the country as a successful businessman, and was well-respected among the upper-class citizens.

Despite all of his good fortune, Erik's memories of his own suffering gave him a heart of true compassion for those less fortunate than he. He earned a reputation as a kind and generous man who never hesitated to give to the poor and destitute. In truth, Erik Gobeil was the man that every man wanted to be like.

But the most important thing Erik did was marry Christine…

They had helped each other through their grief; Erik's over Amarie and Christine's over Raoul. They rebuilt an old friendship, grew to care for each other, and when Erik's theatre became successful, he asked her to marry him. She tearfully accepted as he slipped his ring onto her finger. At last, they could share their love with each other and be a family.

First came little Amarie-Rose. A year later, there was Erik Raoul Jr. Now, Christine was in her eighth month with their third child. It was more than he could have ever asked for…

"Papa!" Amarie protested from his warm embrace. "Too tight!"

"Sorry," he said, letting her slide off his lap. He felt her grab his hand and pull him from the bench. Amarie led her blind father away from the organ and handed him his cane.

"Come on!" she said impatiently. "We'll be late! I want to see your opera!"

"She's right, Erik…" Erik smiled at the sound of his wife's voice. "Angel in Disguise has been the most anticipated opera since your theatre opened. It would not do for its composer not to be present at the premiere."

Erik walked towards her voice. "Well, then," he said. "Let's not keep them waiting." He put a hand out and touched Christine's swollen belly. He felt a tiny kick against his hand. Erik never grew tired of feeling his child move about inside of Christine. With a smile, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.

"Ew! Papa!" Erik Jr. cried out, making his presence in the room known. "That's yucky!"

"Yeah, Papa!" Amarie joined in. "Gross!"

"What can I say?" Erik asked innocently. "Your mama brings out the worst in me." He turned back to her with a smile on his lips and growled playfully.

Squealing, the children ran from the room before their parents could do anything else that was 'yucky'. Erik turned to Christine once again.

"How is our baby doing?" he asked softly.

"Going to be a little dancer, the way she kicks!" Christine replied.

"That's what I like to hear. Perhaps I'll put her to work in my theatre."

"No, you'll be too busy doting on her."

"True… very true…" Erik was about to lean down for another kiss when Amarie's impatient voice called from outside.

"Mama! Papa! Hurry! We'll be late!"

Sighing, Christine took Erik's arm and the couple wandered out into the foyer, where a servant handed Erik his cloak and hat, then wrapped a warm robe around Christine's shoulders.

Erik and Christine left their large home and went out into the frigid December air, out to the carriage where Amarie and Erik Jr. waited with the driver, Noggs. Erik helped Christine step into the carriage. Once everyone was in and settled, Erik addressed the driver. "To the Opera du Fantôme, Noggs."

"Of course, Monsieur Gobeil," came the reply.

Erik felt a small jolt as the carriage began to move. Then they were moved away swiftly, off to see Erik's opera.

Christine squeezed his hand. "Oh, Erik… it's so lovely tonight… I wish you could see it… the stars are so bright… it's snowing… oh, it's so pretty…"

"Yes, it's beautiful," Erik agreed.

Christine shot him a double take. "You mean… it sounds beautiful," she said.

"No. I mean it's beautiful. You know me well enough by now to know I don't say things without meaning them."

"But…" Christine sounded so confused. "How do you…?"

"I simply know it is beautiful," Erik explained. "How can it not be? I am here: alive and happy, surrounded by my three angels…" He reached out and placed a hand on her round stomach. "Well… I suppose it's four angels now, isn't it?"

Christine smiled and kissed his unmasked cheek, entwining her fingers with his. She rested her head on his shoulder. He felt her warm breath on his neck.

Erik almost couldn't believe that a man who was once called a demon could be blessed with a lifetime beside the woman he loved, and children who looked beyond the mask and saw a loving father. He silently thanked the Powers That Be for giving him a second chance at love. He certainly hoped he hadn't disappointed Them…

Erik raised his face to the night sky. As the wind blew past his face, he remembered… A red-haired, bouncy little girl for whom his eldest child was named, and who had shown him kindness, happiness, trust, but most of all, love. He never saw her face, but he remembered each hug, the warmth of her hand, and the sound of her laugh. Even now, he knew she was there, watching over him.

Amarie had kept her promise…

"Your four angels love you very much," Christine whispered into his ear.

Erik smiled, raising his face to the night sky once more.

"Yes. And my Angel in Disguise makes five…"

THE END

XxXxX

Aww... Things turned out not too bad for Erik after all...

I know some of you were probably expecting me to do something like give Erik his sight back, but I thought that would be just a little too unrealistic.

I can't believe it's over!

Well, I would like to thank all of you for sticking with me on this and reviewing frequently. Special thanks to the Lady of Mirkwood, my proof-reader... I think she reviewed every single chapter! And as for the rest of you... Well, you know who you are! An e-hug goes out to every single one of you.

Thank you so much!

Luv you all!