Chapter 18: Propose

Erik heard her clear voice over the crashing waves against the rock and his heart pounding in his ears. The urgency of it, racked with sobs, was enough to make him loosen the noose from around his neck and untie the punjab from the porticullis. Then, walking through the water to the lever, he raised the porticullis, allowing Veronique to enter in the gondola.

Veronique smiled through her tears as she watched Erik let her back into his life. She had saved her Angel from a terrible fate, and she immediately said a silent thank you to the Heavens for saving the man that she loved. Steering the clunky gondola through the narrow opening in the stone, she held tightly to the long staff.

Erik waded out into the cold waters and lifted Veronique out of the gondola. He carried her to the shore, then went back to guide the gondola to it's dock. When he returned, he smiled at her and said, "Y-You came back." His face was wet with tears, and he raised his gloved hand to wipe the dampness from his eyes.

"I had to... You have my music, and I want it back." Her response sounded colder than she had meant it. Quickly recovering, she said, "But that's not the only reason I came back. I was thinking, Erik, and I realized that even though you are the Phantom of the Opera and you killed my parents, you are my Angel. My Angel of Music. And I still love you..." She once again began to sing to him, knowing that the song she had chosen would bring him back to her.

"Pitiful creature of darkness
What kind of life have you known?
God give me courage to show you
You are not alone!"

And, with that, she had sealed her fate. He immediately swept her into a passionate and tender kiss, a kiss stronger than any they had shared before. It seemed that time had slowed down for them, that they would never let go of each other. But they had to. Erik had a burning question on his lips, and he had to ask her once again.

"Veronique, you have made my life complete. Will you seal my fate and become my bride?" He took the beautiful ring out of his pocket and knelt down again in her presence, praying that she would not question anything.

He waited with bated breath as she opened her mouth to respond. "Yes. Yes, Erik, I will marry you!" With those words, he slipped the ring onto her delicate hand, and she gazed at how it sparkled on her finger.

Erik couldn't contain his excitement. He just couldn't wait to keep Veronique forever. "We have no time to lose!" He quickly kissed her, then he pulled her over to the headless mannequin and gave her the wedding dress and veil he had been saving for this moment. They were now past the point of no return, and there were to be no backward glances from this moment...