Author's Note
I'm adding this author's note to the top in honor of Charles Hart. His beautiful composition of Music of the Night has been a true inspiration for this chapter.

Dear Mr. Hart, I've changed your lyrics to fit my story, but only for that purpose and I am not making any financial gain from this or my story. I fully acknowledge the credit goes to you, Sir Lloyd Webber, and Leroux. Thanks for giving us the musical score for The Phantom of the Opera!

Now, with that said, to my faithful readers, you will see why I give the amazing Charles Hart credit. -bows to the master-

CHAPTER 27

La Maison de Roses was a fairytale home come to life. Something so picturesque only existed in books. Christine was eager to tour this majestic dreamland that was now hers to share with her Angel of Music.

As the carriage pulled to the front of the estate, they were greeted by a stout man with a heavy moustache. Christine surmised that he was not much older than Erik.

"Welcome home, Monsieur Delacroix and Mademoiselle Daae!" The man said cheerfully, opening the carriage door. He bowed and offered his hand to Christine.

She smiled at him then carefully descended from the vehicle.

Erik followed behind her and placed a firm hand on the man's shoulder. "Nicolas, was everything prepared as instructed?"

The man straightened his posture before his master and nodded. "Oui, Monsieur Delacroix. Everything you requested has been seen to."

Erik smiled at his butler. "Splendid! Mademoiselle Daae and I will be out on the terrace. Please have Adele and Josette serve us at the specified hour."

The butler nodded, and Erik and Christine disappeared through the front door of their home.

Walking out onto the stone terrace, Christine noticed the cozy setting before her. Two gold candelabras stood tall accenting an intimate table with a beautiful setting for two of bone white china with gold leaf designs.

Erik gracefully seated Christine before seating himself. They spoke of the estate and of his mysterious surname.

"Delacroix? I thought you didn't recall your surname, Erik?" Christine asked intrigued.

"It comes as a bit of a surprise myself, mon ange. I've had someone close to me working on my background for some time now and he's only been able to gain knowledge of my surname. Nothing more." Erik said, rubbing his fingers across Christine's hand nervously.

She thought it best not to pry too much into his personal affairs. As much as she wanted to know more about him, she would wait until he felt the need to give her more information. It pained her to see the hurt in his eyes when he had told her about his youth. The evening was perfection and she didn't want to ruin such a magical night.

As they sipped a light red wine, they were served an exceptional culinary course made up of Parisian Brochettes, Soufflé au Fromage, Emince de Volaille sauce Roquefort, and a Saint Honore Cake.

After dinner, Erik gave Christine a tour of the grand salons and ballroom. All three of the rooms were glorious, but the one she favored most of all was La Beauté de Musique. It reminded her so much of her Erik.

The mural on the walls depicted a scene of a forest and streams, scattered wild flowers, and finishing the masterpiece was the Greek God Pan. He was half human and half beast. Pan was fond of music and had invented the syrinx, which he played so masterfully.

Catching her eye, Christine walked up to the beautiful rosewood grand piano that was polished to such a high shine that she could see her reflection in its finish. There were inlaid carvings of leaves on both sides of the case and the legs finished into lion's paw feet. It was an instrument of unsurpassed beauty.

"Play something for me, Erik?" Christine requested.

"I was hoping you would ask, but only if you would accompany me, mon ange?" Erik replied.

"I would love to! What will you play?" she asked.

"Let me start and it will come to you, Christine." Erik smiled at her as he took a seat at his bench.

Christine walked up behind him and rested her hands upon his shoulders. He took in a deep breath relishing in her touch then began to stroke the keys with effortless abandon. She recognized the tune immediately. It was one of Erik's songs that he loved to sing with her. She closed her eyes and let the music fill her as she sang. When Erik joined her, their voices rose to such heights that surely the heavens must have wept. When they sang together, they created more than just music.

As the song came to an end, Erik got up from the bench and pulled Christine close to him, kissing her passionately. Christine was left breathless under his enchantment, as they parted.

"Come with me, mon ange." Erik took Christine by the hand and led her out of the salon.

He guided her through the estate and up the stairs into the East Wing.

"Are you bringing me to my room, Erik?" She asked. "It's a bit early to end the evening now," she thought.

"Non. I wish to show you something." He smiled back at her then brought her inside the Master Suite.

Erik stopped in front of an oddly familiar mirror at the far end of the room.

"That's not what I think it is, is it Erik?" Christine asked curiously.

"Since the opera house is under construction, I figured they would not miss this," Erik caressed the border of the mirror and continued, "besides, it is what brought you to me, so I find myself sentimentally attached," he grinned.

Christine couldn't believe he was able to get that mirror from her old dressing room at the opera house and bring it up here to the estate without fail. "But for what purpose?" She wondered.

As if reading Christine's mind, Erik pushed the mirror aside and revealed a staircase that spiraled along the inside of the wall.

"Here, your journey begins, my fairytale princess." Erik took Christine's hand and kissed it.

She looked at him perplexed.

"Do you trust me, Christine?" He looked at her intently.

She nodded, not being able to form any words.

"Go up and find what I hope is your destiny."

The mirror slid back into place as Christine stepped forward into the tower. She turned around and noticed she was alone.

"Erik? Where are you?" she asked, in a slight panic.

"Shhhh… don't be afraid, mon ange. I am with you." Erik whispered into her ear.

Christine knew he was throwing his voice as she slowly walked up the stairs, but it didn't matter. Even though he was not physically with her, his voice always calmed her. With each step her heart raced. She wasn't sure what to expect. She was excited yet uneasy at the same time. She looked ahead of her and could see an open window with the moonlight shining through it. The closer she got, the smell of roses filled her senses.

As she made it to the top she noticed a single blood red rose with Erik's trademark black ribbon tied around it. She picked it up and looked outside of the window. The view was spectacular. The moon was bright as it lit up the various colors of the roses in the garden below her. She sat upon the windowsill and looked back at the rose in her hand. Bringing it up to her nose, she inhaled the delicate fragrance, closing her eyes and abandoning her senses to it. As if in a dream, she heard him, her Angel of Music.

Erik sang in a whisper:

I have brought you
to this tower
to ask of you . . .
share my kingdom
and love I'll give
freely with music . . .
music . . .

Christine stood up and looked around. She was still alone. "Erik?" she called into the night.

Erik answered in another whisper:

You have come here,
for one purpose,
and one alone . . .
Since the moment
You came back to me,
I have needed
to ask you,
to guide me, to be,
my life's music . . .
love's music . . .

The song was familiar to Christine, yet the words were different. "Erik? Where are you? She asked, but then heard his voice coming from beyond the window. She looked down across the garden, but could see nothing but the roses before her.

Erik shifted his tone as he sang seductively:

Night-time sharpens,
heightens this sensation . . .
Passion stirs and
wakes my declaration . . .
Silently your senses
give in to my intentions . . .

Christine began to shiver under his alluring voice. She stood in the tower mesmerized, clutching the rose to her breast. She felt a breeze against her body and as she turned, like magic, he appeared before her. In one graceful movement, he whirled his cape off of himself and transferred it onto Christine's delicate shoulders to keep her warm.

Gazing into Christine's eyes Erik continued his confession of love.

Slowly, gently
the bloom unfurls its splendor . . .

Erik covered his hand over Christine's and brought the rose between them. She focused on the rose and he nodded at her, as he proceeded to sing.

For you, my life -
and love I will surrender . . .
Tell me you will stay,
That you'll wake with me each day,
give your heart and soul away
to me tonight, I love you -
please say yes
and be my wife . . .

The light of the moon danced across the rose as she realized its tiny secret. Christine pushed back the petals carefully with her finger and retrieved its treasure. Tears flooded her eyes at closer inspection of the jewel. It was the rose shaped ring she had been captivated by.

Erik stepped back and drew in a breath as his voice became stronger within the music.

Marry me,
and surrender to your
wildest dreams!
I shall love you
like you've always dreamed before!
Joined as one,
let our love
begin to soar!
And we'll live
as we've never
lived before . . .

Erik moved closer to her and brushed away her tears upon her face.

Softly, deftly,
My love will surround you . . .
My soul, I'll bare
for you I give my life to . . .
Open up your mind,
be my wife and we shall find,
that together we can love
in paradise -
I promise you
my Angel of the night . . .

Erik held Christine tenderly within his arms. She looked up at him with her eyes still swimming in tears of happiness. Erik took her hands in his and sang his love's plea with raw emotion.

Just say yes
and we'll journey
in sweet music's world!
Let me love you
as a man
like none before!
Let our hearts
Take us where we
long to be!
Destined souls
in God's eternity . . .

Falling to his knees, her hands still securely within his, he gazed into her eyes with utmost adoration.

Christine, darling,
I pledge my love with this ring!
Hold me, love me
make my life worth living!
Let the dream begin,
let my love fill you within
with my heart which beats with love for you tonight -
I've always loved you Angel of the night . . .

Christine's tears washed over her. She fell to her knees beside him looking into his eyes intently. Erik raised his hands to her face and traced it with his fingers, finishing his proposal.

You alone can make my song take flight -
say yes before the man you see tonight . . .


Author's Note x2
This is for all the my readers! I hope it was not too disappointing or too fluffy. There is more to this in the next chapter... he's not done yet. -wink- You all have been really phantastic to me thus far and with every review and reader I pick up, I am still very humbled to all of your kind words and support. I bow before you all for your overwhelming kindness. -HUGS- To: Poetzproblem, since you do not have a posted email, I couldn't send you a personal thank you. Your review was beautiful! I present you with Erik's Trademark Rose and dedicate the next chapter in your honor. Your writing has been inspiring. I'm a fan of your fics. -smiles-