You Alone Can Make My Song Take Flight

Erik's Eyes: Part Four

"Christine…" The whisper of her name ensnared something in my heart. It cannot be her! I must have been mistaken … if it truly is her…that would have to mean…NO…she cant be…dead!

"Yes, Erik…It is I…"

"But you…you're not supposed to be like this…you're supposed to be with Raoul…happy and…" I couldn't bare to say the word. Tears started to fall down my face.

"…alive…" She filled in the word for me.

"Yes alive," I moaned. Anger towards my own misguidance overtook my emotions. "If only I had not been pre-occupied with the other woman…if only I had paid closer attention…watched over you better…Who has done this to you? Was it Raoul? I will avenge your death…I WILL…" She cut me off with her hand on my shoulder.

"It couldn't have been helped…and besides, you love Gabrielle…"

Gabrielle. Her name echoed in my ears. Is that her name? The name of an angel…how proper…BUT NO! This is my love…this angel here…and yet…was she…was she still? It ruined me to not know the true answer.

"Admit it…you love her much more than you ever did me…"

"Do I? How can you tell?"

"Oh, Erik…be rational! You loved her the moment you saw her."

"How do you know that?" I was astounded by her confidence.

"Erik…the way you stare at her…and the way you once stared at me are entirely different. When you looked at me there was longing and desire in your eyes. But with her, all I see is pure and undying love. And you were willing to die for her."

"I was willing to die for you…" I remembered the night I forced her to choose between me and Raoul. I recalled the gunpowder I had placed beneath the Opera house, preparing to send us all into a fiery grave together if she chose incorrectly. It sickened me to think I would have done such a thing to this divine creature.

"No, Erik...you were not prepared to die FOR me…only WITH me…you knew that if we died together, we would remain together in death…but yet for Gabrielle it was different. You were going to die to allow her to live. You hadn't one selfish thought in your head…only the want for her to be thriving and alive."

"But Christine,…I never knew you had died…if I had known…"

"What? You wouldn't have fell for Gabrielle…you would have been mourning for my loss, not heard her cries for help, not saved her from being raped, and then eventually not have been able to save her life. She would have died…and you would still be condemned to Hell." She smiled at me and through her light I could see the same woman I once had been so obsessed over. "She IS an angel…the kind that you need. You do not need me anymore…Gabrielle is yours for eternity. I was happy with Raoul and now, you will be happy with her."

"Yes…I love her so much…it almost pains me…the love I feel for her." I spoke from my heart. I accepted all that she told me as the truth and allowed myself one last thought on her behalf. "Christine? How did you die? Was it…terrible?"

"My angel…no…I died while giving birth. I think that it was a great way to go…while bringing life into the world."

"Raoul's child?"

"Yes…a daughter…"

"And she lived?" My tone was peaceful.

"Yes. Our darling baby girl, Helene…"

"Helene, The light of the sun." The name and it's meaning seemed fitting for a child of Christine's.

"Now I can watch over and protect her more effectively than if I were living."

"I suppose…" I felt a slight grief for her, but I supposed she was right and at least she would be able to embrace her daughter in a heavenly way.

"Do not mourn for me. I am happy…as you will be…"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because you have the eternal love of an angel…and I am NOT speaking of the angel you currently stand before." I smiled at her words and bid her farewell. She placed her small hand on my shoulder and urged me to leave. I regretted having to go back to the pain, but adored the idea of going back to Gabrielle. Gabrielle. Her name…an angel…my savior! I was so grateful towards Christine, for I could now be certain of the great future Gabrielle and I would share, with love in every moment.