A/N: Hey all! I hope you enjoyed the previous chapter! I was wondering about that fluff. Okay, so now we'll focus mainly on getting the marriage work AND getting a place to live. Well, I kinda have to break my promise because the Le Fop Moron is going to be in here. But he's needed, again! Whee! Enjoy this chapter! I'm so happy 'cos I finished the last chapter today!
Disclaimer: It's kinda sad because I would love to own everything from the masquerade scene. Every dress, every prop and the score! But you see -- I don't and I can't.
To the reviwers who SO ROCK! ROCK THE STORY!
Phantom's Bride: Thanks for reviewing! Well, I will remind AGAIN that update soon usually always means the next day the update is ready. LOL! Here ist he update!
Darkmoonlightnightbright: I know! Aren't they just so cute! Raoul and Christine look cute together sometimes too but E x C is FOREVER!
Twinkle22: I found it sexy too : ) That fits his description really well. How many times have we seen people saying Erik is sexy? I don't think that is in countable condition. ; ) Hehe, enjoy this update : )
Erik-Meister: Really? You think the song was perfect? Thanks to you too: ) Here is the chapter you awaited. Or atleast I think you did. LOL!
Happiness Fooled: Ooh! You play netball? Me too! But actually, I secretly prefer netball. Once, I tried playing streetball and I came back wih a dislocated arm. Don't worry, it wasn't THAT bad. A few days and it was alright. But it really hurt so streetball -- Is so violent! LOL! Kidding, maybe just a little rough!
Mz. Kelsi: Really? I hope you read the first fic. It's logical to read that before he sequel, right? LOL! Yeah, it really fitted him because I don't think Erik always meant to hurt Christine on purpose.
eternalmasquerade: Thanks for your great compliment!
Pertie: LOL! You know, I'll take that to consideration. But it would be kinda hard to fit that in here. You know, maybe I could try next time. But the next time would be -- uncertain but I'll try! I promise: )
Phantom-ErikLover666: I recently found out about the song actually. I hope you enjoyed that previous chapter and this chapter too!
intoxicated by eriks music: I have only one thing to show and that is >> : ) Hehe! Thanks for loving it! I love your story too!
Lindsay: Nah, that's not the end. LOL! Chapter 10 is the end : )
xAdenX: Really now? No, that's not really insane because your exactly same as me! I never liked the 'The Reason' that much till I deicded to put it in. I hear it like once everyday now! LOL! Here is the next update!
Lady Skywalker: Hehe, sorry about that. But the line was down that day. What could I do? LOL! Hmm, I don't know how long this Chapter actually is but I would consider it quite long for me. I had to rack my brains for stuff to write. Enjoy!
WashoopiCandi: Hehe! It's cute isn't it? The proposal I meant. Hoobastank's song is actually quite nice and I've recently come to the liking of it! Thanks for your compliment!
Generosity Goes Long
Erik opened his eyes the next morning.
When you live below darkness underneath the Opera House, you get used to knowing what time it was and whether it was day or night or whether it was time to wake up.
He could tell it was really early and the sun hadn't come up yet.
Erik felt different this morning.
He didn't know why at first but when he turned to his side, he saw a face of a young woman with brown curls lying next to him.
Christine and him stayed up all night talking about what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives together (and of course a few disagreements here and there but that's what you get!).
But after that, Christine was so tired that Erik carried her to the sawn bed and tapped on the Monkey in Persian Robes musical box and began to play the symbols.
He touched Christine's face and whispered in her ear:
Masquerade…
Paper faces on parade…
Masquerade…
Hide your face so the world will never find you…
A/N: Think of Erik singing it like in the 2004 movie, the last part, a few seconds before Christine came in to give him back his ring. But here, that scene NEVER happened. So, go watch the movie if you didn't see it! He sung it so wonderfully!
He sung it so gently and softly that Christine lulled to sleep almost immediately.
Christine slept there, so beautiful and so vulnerable that Erik wanted to make love to her that very moment but he respected some issues he had now.
So he just went next to her, gently holding both her hands with his own and fell asleep.
Now, Erik lay there, staring at Christine who was still sleeping soundly.
"I don't want to wake you, Angel…" he whispered and kissed her lips gently.
She stirred a little but didn't open her eyes.
He quietly slipped out of bed and drew open the curtains.
At that moment, he saw some movement nearby where he stationed the boat and he sharply turned there to see Madame Giry and Meg walking up the steps.
"Ah, there you are. Good morning, Erik!" Madame Giry greeted, carrying a basket under one arm.
Meg waved and smiled.
Erik yawned, "My Mademoiselles are early this morning…"
Madame Giry gave the basket to Meg and said, "Prepare this and hasten your steps this time, Meg."
"Yes, Mother…" Meg nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Madame, you needn't to be so harsh on her…" Erik said.
"Erik, what I do with my daughter is none of your concern. She has failed to teach you how to cook and so this forces me to still prepare food for you!" Madame Giry exclaimed, making her way towards Erik.
Erik felt guilt washing over him.
It was partly his fault as he always wanted to talk about Christine to Meg instead of learning.
"It's isn't her fault…I mean – "
"Erik, that's enough. I know what to do with her…"
Then, Madame Giry peered behind the drawn up curtains and spied Christine sleeping there.
"It's a little early for joy isn't it, Erik?"
"Nothing happened!" Erik said and felt himself growing red.
"Never mind that, it's good to see that you have reunited with Christine. I knew you would when I saw her returning with her belongings…"
Erik shrugged, "Why did she return anyway? Not that I'm complaining but I'm just curious. She never told me..."
Then, Erik growled, "Was it something the Vicomte did?"
"Calm yourself, Erik. I needn't to hear this in the morning. All in good time you shall know. There are some important matters I'd like to discuss with you over breakfast…"
Meg walked over to them and when she saw Christine there, she gave an excited squeal, "Ooh!"
"Nothing happened! Unfortunately…" Erik grinned.
Over breakfast, Madame Giry got down to business immediately.
"Erik, the Opera House is to open in a week and I want to know what your plans are."
Erik shrugged, "I don't know. I haven't been thinking about that lately…"
"I'm pleased about you and Christine together BUT you are most certainly not allowed to end your days with her below here! You are to take back what you used to have and go to the two directors' office AND tell them your apology and ask for composing music for them back!"
Erik sputtered out his drink, which unfortunately aimed right at Madame Giry's face.
A/N: I found this part really funny…I don't know. I find almost every lame thing funny. Maybe that explains why I am the manager of the ever popular Laughing Like Nuts Inc.
Meg was dying with laughter but stopped immediately when her Mother glared at her.
Madame Giry used the kitchen roll to wipe her face before raising her eyebrow at a furious looking Erik, "I will pretend, that didn't happen at all…"
"You don't expect me to just waltz right into there pretending NOTHING happened at all! I have a reputation with them, Madame! Is that even legal for the most wanted man in the Opera House to walk right into the managing directors' office!"
Madame Giry's expression remained unreadable.
"Erik, I'm not joking. Do I look like I am talking rubbish? I'm not really in the mood to talk rubbish these few months."
Erik stared hard at Madame Giry, "But if I do so, even if they do allow me to work for them which I highly doubt so, they would never allow me to continue living down here!"
Madame Giry did not hesitate, "True. I know that, but that's what we are prepared for…"
"We! Excuse me, Madame but you knew! If so, then why are you even thinking of putting me through such an inferno! You know very well it's going to hurt one way or another! And if this is going to hurt Christine, I will NOT!"
"You better quiet down, Erik. I don't want Christine to wake up just yet…" Madame Giry said.
"Please Erik, it's the best you can do. We will settle about the home later. Right now, you need your job of 20, 000 francs back before you miss it!" Meg suddenly spoke up.
"Dot it for Christine, Erik. If you must…" Madame Giry said.
An hour later, Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre were in the office discussing about the big opening.
"Andre, this is absurd! We could never afford to get more fireworks! We already have plenty! We need to save it for extra costs which are MORE important!" Monsieur Firmin argued.
"Nonsense, Firmin! We can deal with these kinds of issues any other time. We need to open the night with a big – "
Suddenly, the room had a slight breeze in it.
"Did you leave the window open, Firmin?" Andre accused.
"Of course I didn't, you o'l fool! Do you think I'm a fool!" Firmin exclaimed.
"I think you are both fools!" a voice hissed and out of the shadows came Erik.
A/N: Oh, and when he came, he did this whooshing thing with his cloak that makes me go "Ooh! So hot!" You get what I mean, right?
"You! How dare you come – "
"Such atrocity! The nerve of you showing up here with – "
"Good gracious! The world is going to the dogs!"
"Will you quiet!" Erik snapped.
He drew out his sword from underneath his cape and pointed it at the directors.
A small voice in Erik's head (more like Madame Giry's voice) said in his mind, "Ah, Erik. That wasn't what I had in mind. I meant a civilized talk, if you please!"
Erik shook his head slightly before saying to the directors, "Please, messieurs have a seat…"
Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre hesitated but when they saw the shiny sharp tip of Erik's sword, they both sat their heavy butts down.
"What do you – "
"How can we help you?" Monsieur Firmin interrupted worriedly.
Erik raised an eyebrow and he took a seat across the table, slipping the sword back into his cloak.
"I – I have come to discuss about my Opera House…"
"Your Opera House!" Monsieur Andre exclaimed.
"Sit down, Andre!" Monsieur Firmin said.
"Yes…My Opera House. Apparently, you gentlemen are planning to open up her again next week, no?" Erik said.
"Yes…And I suppose you have a – "
"Andre! I mean, we certainly want to know what you think of that!" Monsieur Firmin quickly said.
Erik rested his head on his hands, looking bored at the two managers before saying, "I'd just like to say – I'd like to continue composing music scores for the opera…If you have a problem with that then you can state now what it is…"
Both of the directors blinked in shock at Erik's request.
Erik sighed at the silence.
"We – We were just – " Firmin stammered.
"I – I don't know what to – Firmin? What do you – " Andre stuttered.
Erik looked amused at the two directors who were struggling to say the right thing.
"I shall take that as a yes, gentlemen…And this is for the damages that I inflicted on that tragic night…Accept my deepest apology and regret. I have nothing more to say except, use this money wisely. I trust you will…" and Erik stood up and smartly placed a thick parchment on the table and left with just a swish of his cloak.
Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre carefully opened the letter.
"Oh my God, Andre!"
"40, 000 francs! That's his two month pay! Good lord, you have finally decided to be on our side now!"
In the letter was a small note that said:
Just a brief reminder, gentlemen. If you have any questions concerning the Opera House or anything you would like to know, please feel free to write to me and pass the letter to Madame Giry who by all means shall pass it to me.
O.G.
"What do you think, Firmin?"
"I'd say – We are in luck. We shall give the OG a chance, no harm in that. Besides, Madame Giry would be on our necks if we refuse this tempting offer of making peace – at last!"
Out in the hallways, Erik was walking slowly along the corridors just before he bumped into Raoul who was on his way to the directors' office.
"Victome…" Erik nodded coldly.
Raoul nodded, "Phantom…"
"Good to see you, again…How is Christine?"
Erik hesitated, "She's – She's fine…"
Erik added, "She and I will be married on the same night of the Grand Re-Opening of the Opera House…"
Raoul slowly cracked a sad smile and sighed, "If you would be so kind enough to tell Christine, I love her a lot and that I am deeply sorry…For the sorrows I have given her. And I hope – "
Raoul felt his throat stinging, "I hope you will have a happy marriage, and I demand you to treat her well…If I hear you have been treating her wrongly – "
"I won't. You know I won't, " Erik said shortly.
"Well, only you will know that, wouldn't you?" Raoul shrugged and he held out his hand.
"Treat her well…"
Erik stared for awhile and finally he accepted his hand.
"But I'll still despise you, Phantom…" Raoul said.
"Same here…" Erik grinned.
"I heard that you might be needing a house to stay, after you get married." Raoul remembered.
"Yes, I'm still working on that…"
"I think I might just be able to help you…But remember, I'm only doing this for Christine."
"That makes one of us relieved…"
A/N: Well, it's kinda sad actually. Because this story is nearly coming to the end. Oh well, all good things must come to an end. One more chapter to go!