A/N: Well here it is... it's getting near the end, meaning, the next chapter is to be the big finale (this is a pretty short story) followed by a short little epilogue. I hope you enjoyed this story. Please review, and I appreciated all my previous reviews as well... (I also want to know whether you think I should continue writing?)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera, it belongs to those great masters mentioned beforehand... (wails at the unfairness of patents and copyrights... okay maybe it isn't unfair.)

The Way Things Might Have Been

Chapter 6: Celebration

The entire building was filled with life and activity as everyone prepared for the "Bal Masque" that was to be held tomorrow night, heralding in a new year. It was an annual celebration and the most looked forward to event of the year. Although every single pair of hands, feet, eyes, and etc. was to be used in preparation, only those performing the choreography, invited, or the most important of the theatre workers would be celebrating with the Parisian aristocracy in the entrance hall. Everyone else would be enjoying themselves in the bowels of the opera house, having a drunken fest hidden from public eyes.

The cleaning staff was busy, well, cleaning and polishing everything single item until it shone with pride. The sculptors and designers and seamstresses were also busy creating costumes and masks, putting on the finishing touches. Others were busy making fans to be used in the staircase performance. The performers were rehearsing under Mme. Giry's watchful eyes, and her strict reprimands were a deterrent for anyone who was distracted by the other ongoing activities. Erik was tuning and practicing with the orchestra as M. Reyer made sure that everything was visible from his standpoint in the balcony above the main staircase and ascertained the positive that he was visible to everyone else. It was vital that he could be seen since he would be conducting from there. The instrumentalists would be relying on him to keep on time, while the vocalists and dancers would be relying on the music provided by the musicians. Many of the little ballet rats couldn't help but stand there staring until they were shooed back to practice as well by an excited Meg Giry. She was supervising the younger ballet classes while her mother was occupied by rehearsals. Christine was sent on errands all around, usually helping Meg with the restless girls. The managers, meanwhile, were busy getting in everyone's way by trying to interfere in business that they had no business in.

Work continued on in this manner until long after dusk. Meg and Christine limped together slowly back to their bedroom late that evening after seeing all the younger ballet rats back to their dormitories from which they had graduated from after full-time performing. Their feet were sore from holding their weight, although it wasn't much, all day.

Meg couldn't help grumbling, "I'd never thought that I would miss those dormitories since we left, but I never realized how long the hallway is from there to our room. I think I need a soft bed right this moment," as she stopped to rub her sore feet.

Christine laughed, "I would heartily agree except that we at least have some privacy now, although I can never be sure with you as a roommate."

Meg placed on a hurt look, "I meddle only because I care." She gave another agonizing groan.

"You will stop groaning once we start showing each other our costumes and start talking about the masquerade tomorrow."

Christine was right as they spent most of the night discussing the fore mentioned topic. Meg was going to attend as Mme. Giry's daughter, and she had invited Derrick. Christine was to accompany Erik that night. They fell asleep that eve thoroughly exhausted yet comfortably satisfied.

The next evening…

"Hurry, Christine! People are already starting to arrive!" Meg was busy putting on her white mask. She was to be an angel that night, and the dress she wore was very agreeable to Derrick although not to the taste of Mme. Giry.

Christine was hurriedly pulling on a light pink gown decorated with pink roses on above her undergarments and corset. It was a gift from Erik. Along with the dress, he had given her a white silk mask embroidered with red, pink, and white roses. It was meant to be held up with a thin green stick, imitating a flower stem. It was a beautiful and expensive outfit, leaving it to Christine's imagination as to how he had obtained it. Actually, she wouldn't have been all that surprised if he had made it. When Christine and Meg met their partners, ready to descend down the grand staircase, she asked him. Erik's answer had been surprising, when he had finally recovered from being struck dumb at the sight of her.

"You are half correct, my dear. I had made the mask, though not the dress and I don't regret any of it. You look like a goddess, Christine."

She blushed, and unable to respond, she remained silent. She knew her presence was a comfort to him. He was as tense and stiff as a statue. He was not comfortable in public situations, and this was no different. However, she wanted him to relax and enjoy himself. "Erik, calm down," and to bring the effect of her words, she placed a firm kiss on his lips while still hidden from public view.

Erik smiled down at her, "Thank you." Then they turned to face forward again. In front of them was Meg with Derrick, and then it was Mme. Giry, and in the front were Carlotta and Piangi. They were walking down together with the managers and their partners. When they caught sight of the managers as a rooster and a ram, Erik couldn't help but comment, "How… fitting for them." Christine and Meg had to smother their giggles while Derrick chuckled.

From the moment they entered the ballroom, the concept of time disappeared. The first of several dances flew by. Christine saw Erik visibly relax and their attention was focused mainly upon each other. Christine also found out that Erik was an amazing dancer. "Is there anything that you cannot do besides flying?"

"Actually, I am an avid believer that mankind will one day find a way to fly. Besides that, no, nothing comes to mind at the moment. We are however, garnering a lot of attention it seems, and I cannot imagine that it is only me who is responsible. You dance extremely well my dear."

Christine had noticed the stares, but she did not believe it to be entirely because of their dancing. Most of society had never seen Erik before and was most likely wondering who he was. He certainly stood out when it came to physical appearance, and he exuded an atmosphere of mystery. (Meanwhile, Carlotta scowled at them whenever they were near her.) Christine's curiosity was piqued by his dress attire as well. He was wearing forming evening dress, a black cloak, and a white mask that covered the entire top half of his face down to right below his nose. "Erik, what are you dressed as?"

Erik smiled, "I'm the Phantom of the Opera, of course." His piercing blue-green eyes never left her face as he whispered, "And I am here to steal away my bride-to-be." Her unspoken question was answered next. "Patience, darling, you'll have to wait and see."

They only stopped dancing twice in order to catch their breath. They conversed with Meg and Derrick as well as Raoul and Charlotte, who had arrived too.

Their last dance of that evening was marked by Erik's kiss. Smiles were pasted on the couple's faces, denying everyone else's claim of existence in their world that night. They joined everyone in watching the performance on the staircase. It was indeed a sight to marvel about. However, as everyone else continued on with the merriment afterwards, Erik led Christine away. They stopped to say goodnight with friends and acquaintances, and Erik gave Madame his compliments for a job well done. They had almost left the crowd behind when they were intercepted by the managers.

"A moment please, Erik," M. Firmin requested.

Erik eyes flared up giving him a dangerous look. He was not happy at being interrupted. He managed a strained assent and bow of the head.

"We have decided to perform your opera in respect to staff opinions," explained M. Andre. In truth, they had been forcefully coerced by Mme. Giry and M. Reyer.

"Do you mean Don Juan Triumphant?"

"Yes."

Erik smirked and 'graciously' thanked the managers. He mouthed a "later" to Christine when he saw her curious glance. "I hope that I can be given full authority of managing, casting, and organizing my own work?"

"Yes, of course, full authority," M. Firmin mumbled, "we shall go now if you'll excuse us. Come, Andre, or we'll be late for our… appointments." With that, they quickly walked away.

Christine had to cover a smile since it was quite apparent that the two managers were nervous and eager to get away. Erik had that effect on people, and the managers had certainly forgotten who was in charge in his vicinity… or it may have been their drinks.

Erik turned backed to Christine, giving her a real grin. She could see the happiness in his eyes. "They're going to perform Don Juan Triumphant." He took both of her hands in his own. "It is an opera I wrote, and they're going to use it. I had given it to them a month ago, wondering if they would agree to use it, and they are." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "It's incredible, a dream come true, and I haven't had many of those besides you agreeing to marry me."

"It's wonderful Erik!"

"I'm also planning on having you play the lead, Aminta. We'll have tryouts of course, to make it fair, but I wrote that part with you in mind. You're also the best singer here so I have no worries."

"Erik, I'd be honored to be in it. I'd really only sung for you and papa before you. I also hope that you know that Carlotta will throw a cow when she hears of this though."

Erik smirked. "As far as I am concerned, she is a cow, or better yet, a toad. I'm not worried about her in the least, although I'm still not sure as to who will play the male lead, but come. I wasn't dragging you away to discuss this." He led her into the backrooms, avoiding the other revelers who were getting quite rowdy and vulgar with their over dosage of spirits. It reminded her of a not-to-pleasant experience she had before, but Erik had placed a protective arm around her. He led her up to the opera house roof.

As they stepped out into the cold, Christine's eyes were once again met with an amazing view of the city. She had seen it before, but it always swept her breath away to see itagain. It had a similar effect on Erik. He led her to the Pegasus statue in the corner and lifted her up to her seat, placing himself behind her. "I thought some fresh air would do some good, although there is a chill." He wrapped his cloak around her, and she leaned against him. "I wanted to give you something."

"Why?"

"I can't give you something just because I love you and your smiles?"

"No, I'm just curious as to the reason."

"Well… that is the reason." With that, he handed her a small pouch. "Open it."

Christine gasped when she took out a medium sized crystal cut into a peculiar shape. "Erik, what is it?"

"I wanted to show you something." He took out a candle and lit it. Then, taking her hand in his, he guided the crystal in front of the flame and stars of different colors appeared. She could even see the constellations, same as those in the heavens above them now. "Do you like it, Christine?"

"Erik, I love it." Tears steadily dripped down Christine's face as she watched the stars.

Erik gave her a soft kiss. "I remembered what you said that night in the carriage. You said that your only regret in living at the opera house was the lack of time you get to spend stargazing, so I decided to bring some of the stars to you."

She turned her gaze towards Erik, and in the darkness, his eyes were the most beautiful stars in heaven to her. She whispered softly, "Thank you, Erik." She settled into his arms and returned her gaze to the crystal.

A/N: I guess I should address something that just recently popped into my mind to explain. The lack of mention to Erik's mask has go with the theme that he has experienced the love of his mother and Christine and that sustains him through most of humanity's derisiveness, not that many at the opera house for the people have been given a fair chance to work with him as well as the fact that he has been at that opera house for the past ten years, and I'm sure new people are given sufficient warnings... hee hee.