A/N: Thanks to all who are reading and reviewing. Your praise is wonderful. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Chapter 14 will be split into two parts. It's rather long but I couldn't get it any shorter. Please enjoy this one. And I know that I used the word passion a lot in the last one. Sorry! I'll try not to do that again. Enjoy Chapter 13!

Chapter 13 – The Return of the True Diva

The fog had finally begun to rise as the doors to the Opera Garnier opened. Carriages sat outside upon the cobble stone, containing some important guests. Paul and Arnaud quickly rushed outside and watched as the doors to several of the carriages opened. Arnaud smiled as he saw Jonathan step out of one. Quickly rushing over, Jonathan and Arnaud shook hands.

"Is the opera ready for opening night, Arnaud?"

"Beyond ready. You will be excited to see it, Monsieur de Wynter. It is the best production yet."

"I have no doubts. I hear that you have a new financier and that is why this production is going on."

"Monsieur de Wynter, we are very humbled by your contributions, but this gentleman, who wished to remain anonymous, wished to fund the entire production."

"How generous of him."

"We have reserved you and your guests Box Five for your enjoyment."

"Thank you."

Arnaud turned and watched as another carriage door opened and Alexander stepped out. He smiled and walked over. Arnaud captured him in a hug and pulled back from Alexander.

"My God! You've gotten taller."

"The last time you saw me, Arnaud, was when I was seven."

"And you have grown."

Alexander laughed at the statement. "Yes, I have."

"You look exactly like Raoul."

"He should. He has his father's genes."

Arnaud looked up and saw Raoul de Chagny step out from another carriage. He used a cane to support himself but still looked youthful for his age.

"But the boy has spirit like his mother."

"I hope someone takes after me."

The angelic voice caught Arnaud's ear. Has she come? Has Christine de Chagny returned to Paris?

A slender leg stepped from the carriage, helped by Raoul. Arnaud slowly looked up and saw Christine standing there in a beautiful navy gown. Every curl upon her head was placed accordingly and no expense spared. A shawl covered her bare shoulders and she stood closely to Raoul. Arnaud could see the fear in her eyes once she looked upon the opera house.

"Madam de Chagny, what an honor."

Christine smiled at him. "Arnaud, please do not call me that. After all, you are my best friend's husband. I expect to be called Christine and nothing else."

"As you wish."

Arnaud slowly walked over to her, still taking in her beauty. No wonder Raoul had wanted to marry her. She was absolutely radiant. Everything about her spoke beauty and grace. Angelina took after her in that respect. Her skin was still milky white, as he remembered from his and Meg's wedding. Her smile was radiant and her laugh – like an angel.

Raoul took his wife's hand as Arnaud kissed the back of the free one. "Your children are very lucky to have such wonderful looking parents."

"If you are trying to impress us, Arnaud, there is no need." Raoul had replied. "We're staying whether or not you want us here."

Arnaud laughed at the comment. "You are very welcome at this opera house. It is an honor to be standing in the presence of a true diva."

"What is this I hear about someone debating my abilities?"

He cringed at the thought. The news of Brigitte had reached Christine. He had hoped that Angelina would leave out that small detail.

"Madam Raineau meant no disrespect, Christine."

"I am not afraid of insults, Arnaud. It is the feelings of my daughter that I worry about." She stepped forward and looked at Arnaud. "If Angelina feels the need to defend me she will. Madam Raineau has not known wrath until she has incurred my daughter's."

"I shall remember that."

Raoul stepped along side Christine and looked at her. "Speaking of Angelina, why don't we go inside and show her we kept true to our promise."

Raoul took Christine's hand and they both began into the opera house. The love and devotion of the couple was still apparent. Raoul did not let go of her hand and Christine's gaze never left his. Her smile still lit up his heart and his touch still touched her soul.

Their fate was entwined long before this moment. Their children only secured it. Angelina and Alexander were their pride and joy. They could not have hoped for better children. Both were well educated and very intelligent. Although both had separate lives, each one still continued to rely on one another, much like Christine and Raoul did. Their family was a rare one indeed. They all loved one another and would do anything to see that they were not harmed.

Angelina walked across the stage, barefoot and afraid. Gabriella watched her as she continued to pace back and forth.

"I wish you would stop pacing."

"I am so afraid."

"I do not know why. You were born for this role."

"I surely hope so."

"And as you can see, the entire opera house has been newly refitted." Arnaud's voice echoed through the opera house.

Both Gabriella and Angelina looked up and saw Arnaud leading several people to the stage. Angelina's face lit up.

"It's my father. He came!"

"This is all wonderful, Arnaud. However, I am interested in something else." Raoul spotted Angelina as he finished his statement. "I rest my case."

Angelina ran right into her father's arms. Raoul held onto her as if all of the life was draining from her. He didn't realize how much she meant to him until this moment. He quickly pulled back from her and looked upon her.

"You've changed."

"I have?"

"You have grown more beautiful. I did not think it was possible."

Angelina blushed at the sentiment. "I did not think it was possible either."

"Where is Angelina?"

Angelina's eyes went wide and she looked over to see Christine standing just behind Raoul. How could I have not seen her? Christine held out her arms and Angelina quickly fell into them. Both embraced each other – taking in unspoken words to one another.

"Arnaud will not tell me what role you are playing in the new opera."

"It is a secret. I told Arnaud not to tell you." She smiled devilishly at Christine.

"Not even a hint?"

Angelina quickly shook her head. "I cannot stay. I must rehearse. It is good to see the both of you."

Angelina quickly ran off with Gabriella not far behind her. Christine and Raoul looked at each other and smiled.

"She is the same way you were."

"Do not say that, Raoul."

"But it's true." Raoul kissed Christine and gently put a hand to her face. "She loves to dance and to make a spectacle of everything. And she is beautiful, just like you. She will find love soon enough." He glances at Jonathan as Jonathan watches Angelina run right past him.

"What role could she possibly have?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

He watched from the rafters, careful not to make a sound. Watching below he not only caught the sight of Angelina but the one person he never expected to find: Christine. Just when Erik thought all thoughts of her were pushed aside, they resurfaced. They were unwanted memories and they came to him in waves.

He had finally moved on with his life. A new student and possibly…Get rid of the thoughts, Erik. She would never think of you in that respect. You are her teacher and she, your student. Nothing more.

But that was the same way he thought of Christine when had first laid eyes on her. Her father had promised her an Angel of Music just before he died. Madam Giry had told him this. In order to relieve the suffering of a child, he came to her. His voice soothed her.

But with renowned hope, the girl had begun to sing. He had lost all sense of reason and had set out to make Christine the girl who would rise to the top. He would become her teacher. Christine would sing his opera. He could not do it himself so he would use Christine as a vessel to ensure everyone would hear his work.

As time progressed, Christine became more to him then that. He loved her. He never thought he could love someone as much as he did Christine. She became an obsession – a need.

Then Raoul came. He was her childhood sweetheart and nothing would deny their love or their passion. It had broken Erik. It tore him in two. He swore revenge and Don Juan became something more then just his creation. It became a way for him to "claim" Christine and show her that she didn't need Raoul and that she needed him.

Things went from bad to worse. And at the end, he had let the both of them go. She kissed him, setting his soul free. In a moment of love and devotion, he told Christine to go and leave him to his heartache and pain. She had returned and he had thought for good, but no. After ripping the necklace and ring from her neck at the masquerade ball, he had given the ring to Christine as a promise to her. She returned it to him, giving him a piece of her that he could hold forever.

It had taken years to try and get over her. Years passed and the heartache still remained. Angelina came into his life and the pain began to leave a little faster. But now all hope of it ever leaving haunted him. Memories racked him and the pain set in. A single tear rolled down the unmarred side of his face. He did not even bother to brush it away.

The presence of Christine would not disturb him. His new student was to perform Don Juan tonight. She would give Paris something to talk about. Angelina had made great strides in the past few days. But with the final plan in place, Angelina would become something she never expected: a star.