A/N: I love Erik in this chapter. But then again, I love Erik all the time. Helena is my creation, and I like her a lot. She is a nice foil to Christine's character – not near as wishy washy. Christine, however, has grown up a lot since the events of the Opera Populaire. Ah, but whom will our fated hero choose? On with the story...

Ch. 22 – A Proposal

In the months following the unexpected revelation of his heritage, Erik's life had began to blossom as he would never have believed it could. He had accepted his title and his family name, becoming legally, Comte Erik Alexander Frederick de Chagny once and for all. He had visited the graves of his parents and his brothers, stopping to lay a white rose on the grave of Philippe, his twin whom he had never known. His architectural designs were now the most highly sought after in the whole of Europe. His third opera had been published and was the talk of the France, now being performed as far away as America, last he had heard. He was the head of the vast de Chagny empire, and he suddenly found himself with a gaggle of extended family members where he had once had none - all of them seeming genuinely eager to welcome him into their hearts, though it was true that all except Helena knew nothing of his former life as the Opera Ghost. With his new face and the general acceptance of the Phantom's death, he seemed thankfully free of that shadow forever.

Perhaps most fulfilling of all, the home that he had designed for himself was nearing completion. As he walked through its magnificent hallways, he felt he would burst with pride. He had been a ruthless taskmaster, his taste for perfection driving the members of his work crew to near insanity at times, but in the end his demanding presence had forced them to excel in their work to a level which he would never have believed possible. He stepped into the conservatory, the magnificent grand piano sitting exactly in the center, the focal point of the room. High above it, a domed ceiling, made entirely of stained glass, and etched into the glass, carved figures of delicate, ethereal angels lifting their magnificent voices to the heavens in song.

Even if Christine would never see his tribute to her, he was glad he had decided in the end to retain the little touches he had added to his design on her behalf. He was at peace with her memory now, and as he walked through his home, the tiny details he had added to please her only served to help him remember her.

The rest of his furniture would arrive soon, along with his newly hired household staff, and by the end of the week, his new home would be ready. He smiled a smile of deep satisfaction. Behind him, he could hear familiar footsteps, and his smile deepened as he recognized the sound. "Helena, come join me as I explore my new home." His eyes twinkled with delight, as he turned to face her. In a voice that could only be described as playful, something that he never was, he declared with boyish pleasure, "If I hadn't designed it myself, I would fear becoming lost!" Happy that she was there to share his excitement, Erik impulsively swept Helena into his arms and swung her around, setting her down blushing and breathless beside him. If his melancholy demeanor had been attractive to her, this jovial, playful, boyish side to him was irresistible.

Unable to control the urge any longer, Helena reached up, swiftly claiming his smiling lips in a kiss. Erik's reaction was one first of disbelief, and then of complete confusion. While he enjoyed Helena's company immensely, and considered her now to be his closest friend, he had never imagined that anything more might come of it. Although her kiss could have been most enjoyable, he found that it distressed him to think of the complications it would mean for their previously relaxed relationship. And there was something else too, a vague feeling of betrayal towards the love he had held for so long. Gently, he ended her kiss, lifting her shoulders and holding her at arms length for a time. Finally, deeming it was safe, he dropped his hands to his sides, and gazed at her awkwardly. Feeling he should say something, he began, "Helena, I..."

Her fingers moved to his lips, stopping him before he could speak. "No, my darling Erik, this time, it is I who will speak." She dropped her fingers from his lips and moved them instead to gently touch his cheek, her clear blue eyes holding his with a soft intensity, so that he was, in fact, rendered speechless. "Erik, I think you have known that from the first night we met, I have been attracted to you. The more I learn of you, the more time I spend with you, the deeper in love with you I fall."

She smiled sadly at the hopelessness of her plight as she read her answer in his eyes. "My love, I know your heart has always belonged to another, but perhaps in time, you might learn to love again, if you would only allow yourself the chance." She dropped her hand uncertainly, lowering her gaze. She had laid herself bare, and now felt vulnerable, having received nothing in return.

Erik moved to comfort her instinctively. He had never meant to cause her pain. He was simply inexperienced in interpreting the thoughts of women, and was angry at himself that he had not been more aware of her feelings. Helena took desperate refuge in his arms for a moment, then, collecting herself, she pulled away. Drawing herself to her full height, with her head held high, she brought her eyes up to meet his, becoming once again the proud noble woman he remembered from their first meeting. Her tone was formal as she addressed him now, seeming strange after the intimacy of their exchange just moments before.

"Erik, I came here to make you an offer. As you know, our family is of great importance to me. You and I are now all that remain of a proud bloodline that dates back to before this country was formed. If we were to unite our two strands of that bloodline, we would be able to ensure its security for the future. By combining our fortunes, we could return the de Chagny name to all its splendor of the past." She took a deep breath. "My proposition is this: marry me, and together we will rebuild this great family, and help it to live on for generations to come." Her tone softened, and she looked into his eyes, her feelings clear for him to see as she added, "And perhaps we might even find love along the way." She turned from him swiftly and with her head high, left him standing dumbstruck. Erik thought vaguely that she seemed to have a distinct talent for doing just that.

In his room later that evening, Erik could not sleep. Tossing and turning long into the night, he finally gave up the effort, and chose instead to lay staring at his bedroom ceiling. He couldn't accept Helena's offer, could he? Despite his harsh exterior, he was somewhat of a romantic at heart and had always believed he would marry for love, not for wealth or to ensure a bloodline. And yet, Helena was offering him her love as well. But as to what he felt for her, he was still uncertain.

He turned onto his side, a storm of emotions raging inwardly. Helena was a beautiful and confident woman. Well-bred, sophisticated, yet courageous and kind – any man would be fortunate to call her his wife. He enjoyed her company immensely, and it pained him to know that he had hurt her by not responding to her kiss. But what could he do? She knew that his heart had always belonged to Christine, would always belong to her. Yet she had still made him her offer, willing to take what he could give, hoping for more in time should he find himself able to give it.

This very moment, for once in his life, he wished he had someone to talk to, someone who could help him sort out this mess. He felt utterly unqualified in such matters, having had very little experience with women in the nearly thirty-seven years of his life. Would what he had to offer her be enough? And could he live with himself if he betrayed the love for Christine that he had clung to for so many years?

Looking at the second pillow of his enormous bed, he thought at once how wonderful it would be to have someone lying there, someone who cared for him that he could hold on a night like tonight. Christine would always be first in his heart, but what good would it do to hold onto a memory forever, one that could not hold him in return?

With a sudden recklessness, he decided he would risk it. If Helena would still have him, he was ready to open his heart once again. Perhaps this was God's way of making up for the loss of Christine - by opening the door to something new and unexpected. As he stretched out peacefully at last, his decision made, sleep came quickly to claim him.