Okay sorry for the long wait, but I had so much work to do that I was only able to work on my shorter chapters for my other story, The Phantom of MSU. But I am eager to start on this one again, so no more talking from me.

Chapter 44: Widow of the Vicomte

Erik and Christine were finally on their way back to the De Chaney residence. Christine had a pit growing in her stomach from fear and Erik watched her carefully noticing that every once in a while she'd give her skirts a good twist.

"I assure you darling that they will only come to tell you that he is dead."

"That's not the problem," Christine said twisting her skirt again.

"Then what is the problem?"

"Even though I'm glad to have you going with me I fear the police may find you in the house. Then what am I to do? Stand back and watch them take you away or come to your defense?"

"They won't find me. No man is better at hiding than I am; you know that. Come here," he said holding out a hand and moving over a bit so she could sit beside him. "Everything will turn out all right in the end. You and I will wed, we'll watch our granddaughter grow up, and we'll watch the operas together until we are finally laid to rest. We jumped many obstacles to get where we are now, but that doesn't mean it has all been in vain; now does it."

"I guess not. It doesn't completely ease my feelings though."

He wrapped a protective arm around her and kissed her hair. He knew all too well that his actions had caused her fear and it was now up to him to set things right again. Until everything was taken care of and she was officially a widow would she become his; something he had wanted all his life.

They pulled up in front of the house and while Christine kept the driver busy Erik slipped out and hid behind a bush. She went up to the front door and quickly opened it allowing for Erik to slip by and get inside. Christine came in behind him and she was surprised to see him already looking the lower floors over with curiosity.

As he looked around the sitting room his eyes fell upon a small piano along the back wall. "Where did you get that?" he asked going over to it as Christine pulled the blinds as too much light was flooding into the room.

"Raoul gave it to me as a wedding present. Let's just say a certain someone inspired me to try and learn how to play."

"Really now; I knew I had power over you in some way Christine, but never the power of inspiration."

"Oh, stop doubting yourself already."

"Um…Christine…when this is done and over with…can we possibly…?"

"Yes, Erik we can bring the piano back to the lair."

"Wonderful, I always wanted to try some calmer pieces and the organ usually only produces heavier notes."

Before she could respond there came a loud knocking from the front door. Erik froze and Christine took a second to look at the door and then turn back to see an empty space. "Wow he's good at that."

The knock came again. As she went to the door she could hear Erik's voice all around her.

"Just think of something that makes you sad and go along with that. We want to fool them. If anything goes wrong I'll be here to help out. Don't worry my love for the Angel will never leave your side."

She felt comfort in his words, but wondered where he had disappeared to. She opened the door to see a couple of police men standing outside her door. They carried rifles and she looked at each of them fear in her eyes. "Can I help you officer?"

"Forgive me Madame, but I have some terrible news. I almost hate being the one to tell you, but we found your husband died inside your dressing room at the Opera House. The evidence shows that it was a suicide."

Christine at first stood wide eyed and then began to cry. "Just think of it as they've come to tell me that Erik has died instead of Raoul." She knew right away that the tears would come even though Erik was very much alive.

"Raoul's dead. Oh my god, this is awful," she sobbed allowing one of the officers to comfort her.

"Would you like us to leave the body here with you or to take it to the funeral home?"

"To the funeral home if you don't mind. Tell them I'll be there in two hours time to arrange for the burial."

"Of course madam, but we warn you to be careful. There are mysterious people about and we would hate to have something happen to you as well."

"Thank you for your concern, but I'll be all right."

"Good day Madame, we're sorry for your loss."

They turned and left. Christine closed the door and collapsed onto the floor right beside the door. The thought of Erik passing on and it being announced to her made her sob as she held onto herself. Suddenly strong arms embraced her and the familiar smell of Erik's cologne drifted into her nose. He let her tears fall upon his shoulder without a care and held her close.

"What did you think about to make you cry so much? Surely you weren't thinking about Raoul."

"No, I thought about how I would react if someone had said you were dead. I guess I took it a little too far."

"Why would you think something like that? The only reason why I would ever consider ending my life of suffering would be because you left me and never returned. I missed the feel of you wrapped in my arms and see no point in living any more."

"Oh, Erik I'm sorry. I'm so glad you're alive."

xxxxx

Some time later they were in Christine's room as she got ready to go to the funeral home. The thought of going frightened her and she begged Erik to accompany here. But he was nervous and refused to be seen.

"Erik, please do this for me. You can go as Monsieur Armand. I have plenty of make-up," she collapsed in front of him.

He had been sitting on the bed and he reached a hand down bringing her eyes up to face him. "Even if I'm not there in physical form I'm still there in spiritual form you know that don't you?" She nodded. "I'll accompany you there, but that is all. From where I'll be hidden I will be able to see all and make sure nothing happens to you; for if I was there it would be harder on you to play the part."

He kissed her deeply trying to wet her dry lips. He wanted to wipe away her tears, but that would ruin the entire image. Then he helped her to stand and change into a simple black dress and black laced veil.

"Erik…how is it you make me feel so wonderful even though I'm living a nightmare right now?"

"I guess I just have this kind of effect on you. Soon the nightmare will be over Christine. Touch me, trust me," he sang the last words out to her as she raised her hand up and lovingly caressed his cheek.

The carriage ride to the funeral ride, but Erik held her close to him wanting badly to please her and make her feel loved again. It had been awhile since he had last given her that kind of love, but he knew right now was not the time. But he promised himself that later he would do everything in his power to get that beautiful smile of hers to shine once again.

xxxxx

Christine walked into the funeral home with a deep sense of discomfort within her stomach. Erik had already hidden himself and she looked around wearily for him hoping to spot him and feel comfort, but he had hidden himself so well that even she couldn't find him.

A man walked up to her and studied her through his glasses. "May I help you Madame?"

"I'm Christine De Chaney. My husband was brought in earlier."

"Ah, I was wondering when you would arrive. His body was taken to be prepared and I was wondering if you would like to invite anyone to the funeral process or burial?"

"No, the only ones that knew us were to busy to attend on such short notice, but they do send their regards."

"I see. Now you do understand that seeing as the Vicomte had no surviving family and that you have no heir the entire fortune goes to you?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Then come with me please. There is some paper work I need you to fill out and then we'll have the burial."

Erik watched her from the rafters becoming annoyed by a pigeon that had followed him somehow and was cooing loudly in his ear. He swiped at it and it flew away. "Stupid rat with wings!" he thought with a heavy sigh. He felt like such a coward sitting up there while Christine was in pain and turmoil.

When she finally emerged from the room he could see that her eyes were red from crying and she held a handkerchief to her lips. Either she was thinking him dead again or she was a really good actor. Inching his way along the rafters he followed her into the morgue where the finishing touches were being put on Raoul's body.

For a long time Christine just gazed up the body for this was her first time seeing Raoul dead. The image was haunting and Erik was grateful they had cleaned the body up at bit, so it didn't look as bad as when he had found it. The image gave him a chill down his spine and he shook his head trying to get rid of it. This was going to be the one murder that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

"Madame, do you have anything to say before we lay him within the coffin?"

Christine thought for a second. What was she to say if she was going to make this somewhat believable? She went back to her original idea of Erik passing on and was sure Erik heard it.

"I want to say that he touched my heart with the voice as pure as the angels in heaven and he brightened my day every time he smiled. I loved him with all my heart and will love him even in death. He had made me feel loved and together we shared so many enjoyable moments laughing and smiling or just enjoying one another's company. I will miss him and pray that he watches over me and my loved ones."

Erik was trying to keep from crying. He knew right away that the speech had been for him and not for that fop. Raoul wouldn't have deserved something so beautiful and heart felt as that, not in a thousand years. He wanted so badly to jump from the rafters and embrace her, but he controlled the urge telling him self that soon he would get his wish.

The coffin was carried outside into the cemetery to an unmarked grave, because the tombstone was still in the midst of being carved and shaped. The hole had already been dug and after a few words the coffin was finally lowered into the ground and covered with dirt.

Erik had watched the whole thing from behind one of the larger tombstones. Seeing the Vicomte finally placed within a grave put a smile to his lips, but it soon became a frown, because he remembered that it had been he, who had put it there in the first place.

"Madame we will be sending the papers to your house within the week. You are welcome to stay for awhile or visit anyone else in this cemetery, but I have other things to attend to, so I will leave you," the man with the glasses said to her.

"Thank you Monsieur," she said her eyes fixed on the mound before her. But as soon as she was sure she was alone she took off through the graves towards the one she was most familiar with; her father's.

She fell to her knees in front of the tomb almost afraid to look up. "Oh, father I have failed you. I thought I would be happy with Raoul like you had wished, but I didn't see much happiness in our marriage. His heart had changed from one of love to one of anger and hatred toward the one I really loved. Erik had given me the will to live on even though Raoul had hurt me. We had a child together and she granted us the most beautiful gift father; a granddaughter. If you were here you would have been a great-grandfather. You can still be one even in death. Forgive me."

Erik had followed her after she took off and was now watching her confess her mistakes to her father's tomb. Slowly he stepped into the open and went towards her. She sensed his presence and looked up.

"Erik…did you just hear all that?"

He nodded and moved closer to her. "Christine, that eulogy you said was beautiful, but I know it wasn't for him was it?"

"No, every word was for you."

"I know."

In one motion he had engulfed her in his cape and held her. The joy of holding her overwhelmed him and brought tears to his eyes. All he wanted was to comfort her and make her feel better, but what good was he when he too was crying? He was surprised when her hand went under the mask and she removed it.

"What are you doing? People will see me," he exclaimed trying to get the mask back.

"Calm yourself. No one is around and I'm only allowing you to clear your tears. It hurts me to see you cry my love. Please don't cry anymore," she begged.

Yeah I finished it. Grrr, distractions from people and such throughout the evening, but the chapter is finished. Hope you guys like it. I hope to hear from you.