romancebookworm4ever: Okay, Frederick is yours in more of a spiritual, metaphorical sense. Really, you are his true love, I'm sure.

Pertie: Honestly I think that is the most humbling review I have received so far. I am so honored. Thank you for staying with me to the bitter end.

MadameOG: Great to hear from you. Wow, what a compliment! And I am sorry I made you cry so much. Love your screen name.

Ch. 49 – A Great Triumph

There was complete silence in the opera house. No one moved or spoke, afraid to break the spell of what they had just witnessed. Nearly a full minute went by without a sound in the packed auditorium. Then suddenly, the applause erupted, rolling forth like thunder. Women and men alike stood dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs, and throwing flowers onto the stage, as the cast appeared on for their curtain call. Special applause was received for the man who had played the dark figure so brilliantly, allowing the audience to share in both his pain and his triumph, but when Bella took the stage, the applause grew tumultuous.

The audience became alive with whispers that they had just witnessed the debut of a great new diva. Flowers rained down on the stage, and Bella stood smiling serenely in the midst of it all. As the crowd continued its adoration, Bella raised her face to her father's box. Erik watched with a lump in his throat as she touched her fingers to her lips and then extended her hand to him in gratitude for all he had done to bring her to this day. His hand shook as he returned her loving gesture.

As the crowd quieted and returned to their seats at last, Bella spoke, her strong voice ringing throughout the theatre. "My dear friends, I thank you humbly for your kind applause, but the man who truly deserves your praise is here tonight, and I would like very much if you would give him the credit that he has deserved for so long. I give you Comte Erik Alexander Frederick de Chagny, my father and teacher, and the brilliant composer of this great work." Once more she extended her hand to him and the audience stood once more in enthusiastic deafening ovation, turning to face the box.

Erik felt stunned as Erik-Philippe and Alexander helped him to his feet. Tears filled his eyes. There had been a time when he had never expected anyone to ever hear his music, let alone know he was its creator. Looking out over the revering crowd, at his beloved daughter standing with such unconcealed love in her eyes, hearing his three sons around him applauding and cheering with pride - it suddenly occurred to Erik that all the events in his life had been leading up to this moment. The darkness and the light, the good and the evil, the pain and the joy had all worked together to end in overwhelming goodness. At that moment, he felt he could not have asked for one more thing from this life. All had indeed been made right.

He bowed humbly to the audience who continued to cheer for sometime before finally making their way to the exits. Two hours later, his family and Monsieur du Prix still sat on the opera stage visiting and laughing together. The triumph of the evening had left them all far too excited for sleep at first, but now the emotional evening had begun to take its toll. One by one, the children said their goodbyes to their father. He embraced each one and kissed them on both cheeks, something he rarely did, but tonight had been a special night, and he felt overcome with gratitude and love.

Erik-Philippe was the last to leave. As he hugged his father tightly, he stepped back, his eyes shining. "I am so very proud of you, Father." Erik was at first rendered speechless by his son's sudden display of emotion, but when he found his voice at last he replied quietly, "To hear that from such a fine man is truly an honor. Thank you, my son." With a nod, Erik-Philippe took Bridget's hand and turned to leave.

Now, only Erik, Bella, and Monsieur Du Prix remained. Erik had noticed that throughout the evening, the two had been very close, talking and laughing together. He had watched how the two seemed to light up in each other's presence and how tenderly the young man treated her. The picture seemed familiar and right somehow. Erik turned to pull on his cloak, and donned his top hat once more.

Before he could say his goodbyes, Monsieur du Prix stepped forward. His voice was quiet, but firm as he stood unwavering before Erik's questioning gaze, "Comte de Chagny, I wonder if I might speak with you a moment before you depart." Erik was weary beyond words from the night's excitement, but he bowed his head slightly in assent. Du Prix seemed suddenly uncertain. His eyes traveled to Bella and his resolve seemed to grow. "Sir, I am in love with your daughter, and I would ask you for the honor of her hand in marriage." He bowed low, and over his head Erik could see Bella nodding vigorously and mouthing the words, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" A smile played across his face at his daughter's excitement.

When the young man straightened, he looked between the father and daughter, somewhat bewildered by their obvious amusement in such a serious moment. But as always, Erik kept his daughter's confidence and replied simply, "Monsieur du Prix, you are a good man, and very dear to my daughter. If you can promise me that you will love her and care for her as she deserves, then you have my blessing. But ultimately, Annabel is her own woman and the choice is hers and hers alone." Relief washed over du Prix's handsome face and grasping Erik's hand, he said sincerely, "I promise you, sir, with all my heart. I will do everything in my power to make her happy..." he paused, turning to Bella, "if she'll have me."

In response, Bella stepped down to him and kissed him soundly. "I accept." Joyful that his proposal had been accepted, du Prix sensed that the father and daughter needed a moment alone. With one last adoring look back toward Bella, he excused himself to see to the business of closing up the theatre for the night.

With his mind at ease now for Bella's future, Erik stepped forward wearily and drew his daughter into his arms. Stroking her hair as he had done when she was a child, he whispered into her ear, "You gave me your soul tonight, Little Bella. Your mother and I are so proud of you. I love you always. Be happy, mon ange." Bella nodded, clinging to her father desperately, though she knew not why. She rested her forehead against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her cheek. That sound had always been of such comfort to her throughout her life, and for some reason she felt she needed to hear it tonight. She sensed somehow that it would be the last time.

Finally, she stepped back, but was somehow unable to release his hand. Erik smiled tenderly down at his youngest child. "Why are you so afraid to let me go tonight, little one?" With tears in her frightened eyes, she clung to him once more and cried softly, "Papa, I love you so much! Please don't leave me."

Without her saying it, he knew at once what she feared. Gently he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "You are happy and safe. All my children are. My life has been so filled with joy and light that my soul is full with it. There is no room for more. I have fulfilled my promise to my family. Now, won't you let me go at last?" He lifted her chin so that her shining eyes met his own. "Your mother is waiting for me, and I have missed her for so long. Please ma chère, when the time comes, let me leave this world with your blessing."

Bella could not bear the pleading tone of his voice. She lowered her head and nodded miserably. He tilted her head down a bit further so he could kiss the crown of her curls as he had done so many times. Lifting her face, she whispered, "I love you, Papa. Thank you so much for everything." As he picked up his cane and turned to leave, she said quietly, "When you see Mama tonight, give her my love and tell her that I regret very much that I never got to hear her sing." Tears filled Erik's eyes and he nodded, unable to speak. He turned and began the long, slow walk up the aisle to the front door. Bella's eyes followed him the entire way, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Later that night back at the inn, Erik sat exhausted in a chair by the fire, still unable to sleep. He was restless somehow, and he knew not why. He leaned his head back against the leather of the chair and closed his eyes. He sat there for many moments, and then opened them slowly to see Christine standing before him. He smiled wearily. "Hello, my love. I thought I might not see you tonight," he said softly, glancing at the clock.

She knelt down beside him and whispered gently, "Tonight was Bella's great triumph, but it was yours as well." Erik smiled slightly closing his eyes once more. "Bella sends her love." Christine gazed lovingly into his aged face, caressing the lines that now marked it at last. "She has grown up beautifully. You have done well, my husband. You have kept your promise and you have done all that I asked of you and more. Our family will survive and prosper. Our love will be remembered. And you..." she took his hand in her own, "Your story will be remembered as well. Those people in that audience tonight, they will remember." She kissed his cheek gently as his breathing slowed.

He was so weary, but how he wished he could stay awake. She never stayed this long and he had so wanted to see her tonight. But he was so tired, so very tired...

Christine laid her head against his knee. She held tightly to his hand and closed her eyes, smiling. She had waited so long for this night. Tonight, she would not leave. She would be there to guide him home with her where he belonged at last.