A/N: This is the end, and a quick thing: Please don't kill me (cowers in fear). I know that this update has been delayed mostly because of school, and I sincerely apologize. I hope you like the ending, and I also must say this: I wrote the poem/song in this chapter, and I believe that it is totally undeserving of being called Erik's because I beleve that he is a genius as well as all his works, and of course, I'm not. Please tell me what you think of it. Also, there was a glitch in the formatting so each line is actually a stanza... Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera; once again it is stilled owned by the aforementioned masters.
The Way Things Might Have Been
Epilogue
No regrets as we look towards the future for we hold the brightest treasure in our arms… A lifetime to look forward to and although life is transient, love is not…
Till death do us apart… or not.
1950
A young girl walks through Notre Dame's cemetery with her grandmother. The girl is a voice student in the French Music Conservatory.
"Grandma, are you sure its here?"
"Yes Marie, I've visited it several times myself. It is… a good source of inspiration. Ah, there it is…"
They walk towards two graves that stand side by side next to some rose bushes in full bloom. They are two medium-sized granite headstones, quite plain. One read:
Christine Daae Liszet
1854-1919
Her soul rests in Heaven as Angels sleep to her song.
A loving wife and mother
The other read:
Erik Liszet
1846-1920
His freed soul flies to Heaven as his music continues
to make even the Angels weep.
A loving husband and father
However, the item that attracted the eye was an angel that stood on the headstones, one foot and lower wingtip on each grave. The details were incredible making the angel seemingly alive. It was a different sort of angel, different from the others she had seen in cemeteries. Instead of serenely overlooking the graves, its eyes were facing skyward, filled with hope and its mouth was open in song. A tear ran down each cheek, and held in its hands was a carved music sheet with notes and words engraved onto it.
The grandmother whispered to Marie, "Legend says that he carved it, the headstones and angel, himself after she died. The only thing added on after his death was, of course, his epitaph. He stopped composing after she died. He knew he would die soon as well, because he couldn't live without her. He did however, write one last song… go ahead. Look…"
Marie did.
A soul of ice, Feelings of fire, Pure without vice, Burning desires.
A crystalline freeze, The flaming touch, A faceless breeze, Think of it much?
A haunting tune, Clear as the snow, Sing of the moon, Foggy as shadows.
A fleeting instance, Juggle the light, The bittersweet dance, The dark of night.
Birth of a song, An ancient chant, Short nor long, Unending it can't.
Carried by wind, Swallowed by air, Surrounded by kin, Lightness with care.
Force of nature, Pure of mind, The heart is sure, Love of all kinds.
Forever unique, With certain decision, Fierce and meek, Revolution.
Human emotions, Greater freedoms, Determination, Controlled vision.
A soul of ice, A heart of fire, One's sacrifice, Passions don't tire.
So Guide my soul, Free my heart, I need you, Now and Forever.
"Wow…" Marie breathed. "He really did love her didn't he, Grandma? He really was an incredible genius, I mean, we're working on one of his operas right now."
"I know Marie," her grandmother said, "but do you know what else people say?"
Marie whispered, "People say that a miracle surrounds this area. Those roses always, without fail, go to full bloom in the middle of May, and their always red and white. They also say that the stone is not affected by anything, whether it's time, weather, the bombs, or fire. Now, I believe it for sure!"
Her grandmother gave a light laugh, "I believe it too, and it's a great symbol to artists everywhere nowadays. It symbolizes the power of the arts at their full extent, a language of the heart and soul."
Marie then took her grandmother's hand and started to walk home. However, she took one last glance back, and as the sun set behind the two graves, she could have sworn that the angel smiled as it sung…
And in the darkness of that night, as the moon rose and the first stars appeared, a haunting melody entwined itself around the two graves, weaving an everlasting testimony that would continue to inspire generations afterwards…
Fine.
Wow! I'm finally done... (Bursts into hysterical sobs): Now it is high time to address all those who reviewed: ;) Just a note, all responses to reviews are from earliest reviewers to latest ones…
BroadwayGirl257: Forget about a single rose, I owe you a large bouquet… Thanks for everything; you have no idea what an encouragement you've been, and (sniffles) I'm really glad you liked the story... but I'm way undeserving of your praise, but thanks all the same. (YOU are a great writer.) I hope you will read some of my future stories… although I'm not sure when. (And Yep that was suppose to be eyes… Hehe.)
Christiane Xavier: I'm glad you found the beginning interesting, and I hope I didn't disappoint you with the rest of the story… Thanks for reviewing.
Golden Lyre: I totally agree! (chuckles happily)
Angel of Mystery: As you can see it has indeed ended as an E/C of which I'm extremely joyous of, though I hold nothing against Raoul except feeling as if he was an unneeded extra wheel in their romance (does a quick happy dance). I hope you liked the story.
ChesButler: Thanks… does a quick curtsey. Thank you especially for reviewing and letting your opinion known.
EriksLove: Well I'm finished… and for a lack of things to say, I'm glad you liked it and hope you enjoyed the rest.
GAKDragonMCP: I'm so happy you like the beginning and I hope you liked the rest as well. (Your rose should arrive anytime soon… wait maybe my hamster forgot to send it…)
Twinkle22: Once again, thank you sooooo… much for your support, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the story. I'm also glad that my story made you feel happy…
Buried Fairy Tale: All I can say is thanks, and your comment (Phew…) was invaluable to me…
Dark Wolf Girl 15: I'm glad that you enjoyed the first half and hope that the rest was just as enjoyable. Bye… (sniffle)
Mel: Thanks for you review… (clasps hands together and makes a polite bow of appreciation.) I having a lot of trouble expressing my gratitude with words.
phantomfanatic: hope you weren't let down ; )
intoxicated by eriks music: Yay hoo! Thanks for the great support, and I hope you liked the story.
Erik's True Angel: AWwww… (gives virtual hug) thanks for the great support and backing… It was truly priceless. I'm glad you thought it sweet, and I hope you liked the ending.
mrsphantom1029: I'm elated that you thought it was a great story, and I hope it was (twiddle my thumbs). Oh… and I love Franz Liszt's music as well : )
ladyerik: a very sincere thanks…!
scorpion's muse: Thanks for the comment about my writing as well as for the critique… LOL I based my story mostly around a theme, so I guess it is sort of plotless depending on what you're looking for. I'll try to do better next time…When I wrote this story I guess I had the plot bunny run circles around me instead of biting me (Hmmm… do I want it to bite me? Weird question… I know.) Anyway, I just hope that reading it was at least satisfactory for you… Oh, just a note, I'm generally a happy (cough) person so that may have affected the overall mood of the story.
Wow… that was long overdue. Once again, a large thanks to all my reviewers and a quick Ta-ta for now!
TheHamsterinMyMind