Author's Note
I'd like to take this moment to praise Gerard Butler's performance in "The Phantom of the Opera." It's a shame "No One Would Listen" was cut from the movie. This Chapter I dedicate in his honor. Thank you for your beautiful voice, Gerry, and for bringing The Phantom to life for all of us! You are my living Erik. -hugs-

CHAPTER 47

Several weeks came and went. The Opera Populaire had completely been repaired on the outside. All that remained was remodeling the theatre and stage. The last piece to go up would be the new illustrious chandelier made up of exquisite Swarovski crystals, a gift from Erik to make up for his destruction of the opera house.

Meg had tried out for the production of "The Game of Love and Chance" after she had recovered from her injury and won the role of Lisette, Silvia's servant.

As expected, Madame Giry was not thrilled, but after sitting in on several rehearsals, she found her daughter to be quite amazing.

Almost all the roles were filled but they had yet to find the productions two main stars, Silvia and Durante. They were still months away from the grand opening, but the managers had hoped to fill the last two spots sooner. Casting calls were done daily, each ending in disappointment. For now, rehearsals were done using stand-ins.

Raoul's injuries had healed completely and due to his new title, the overwhelming workload kept him from making his journey to Montpellier as he had planned. It didn't bother him much, since he was able to spend a lot more time with Meg.

They both agreed to keep their relationship at a slow pace out of respect for their parents. A long courtship seemed to ease all of their minds and they had spent several evenings dining between both estates.

Madame Giry was well received by the Marquis and Marquise de Chagny. They had admired her during her earlier years, when she would grace the stage with her ballet. They were saddened when she announced she would no longer be able to perform.

Nadir had been called away by his servant, Darius, after a month of being in Erik's estate. There was an urgent matter that needed his immediate attention. He hated to leave Erik since Christine had not come out of her coma yet, but there was nothing he could do.

He assured Erik he would return from Morocco as soon as he could.

Erik wanted to know what held such great importance in Morocco, but Nadir insisted that it would be impossible to say for certain until he got there. He found it strange that Nadir was being so secretive, but he decided to let him be.

Nadir had spent enough time tending to Erik's needs and now that he was fully healed, there was no real need to keep him bound to his service. He wished his Persian brother well and Nadir gave him his blessings in hopes that someday soon his Christine would return to him.

Erik found himself completely alone once Nadir had left him. It had been two weeks since he had left for Morocco, and sitting with Christine without interruption made Erik become more and more disheartened. It was hard for him to go day to day without any sign. She had stopped talking in her sleep altogether and she was non responsive to the violin.

Erik opened the windows to let the cool evening breeze in; the scent of the roses outside filled the room immediately. Walking back to the bed, he cuddled beside her and traced her face tenderly.

"Christine…" he whispered. He placed a kiss to her lips and began to cry, his tears falling upon her face. "Come back to me, mon ange, I beg of you," he uttered as his voice trembled.

Feeling hopeless, he got up from the bed and walked out onto the balcony. His sorrow slowly turned to anger as he looked to the night sky.

"What compels you to curse me, God? Have I not suffered enough in your eyes? You give me hope and then you take it away from me like I am a pawn in some twisted game. You continue to test my will to live, and this latest act of yours could not be any more sadistic. What more do you want from me? You are supposed to be a loving God, a merciful God, but I have found neither to be true. Your wrath upon me I can accept, but that beautiful angel that sleeps beyond me does not deserve this from you. She does not deserve this at all!" He broke down in anguished tears as he fought against himself to end it all by throwing himself off the balcony.

A single star shot across the sky, catching his attention, as he watched it trail off and disappear. He closed his eyes and thought of the night he and Christine had bound themselves to one another under this same sky. He cursed himself for his suicidal thoughts as he thought about his wife again.

Erik took in a shuddered breath and began to sing to try an ease his pain.

Christine, please hear me
Wake to my song
Come to where you belong

He walked back into the room and viewed Christine lying peacefully in the bed.

Each day I wake to you
I long to be with you
I have been lonely
My heart dies each day without you

He made his way over to the bed and crawled in beside her.

Each night I hold you near
To keep me from my fears
Darkness surrounds me
Save me from this waking nightmare

Erik ran his fingers through her silky curls, and kissed her cheek tenderly.

Do not leave me here all alone
Angel wake--I need you
I can't go on
Without my light, my dawn

Tears began to escape him again, falling upon her face as he held her close to him.

You gave me life anew
Love like I never knew
Christine, please hear me
Wake to my song
Come to where you belong

Erik could barely sing his last few notes as the tears overwhelmed him.

Christine, please hear me
Wake to my song
Come to where you belong

As he whispered his song to a close, feeling completely defeated.

He cried for her as he held her face close to his. "Mon ange, return to me! Please!" He pleaded desperately. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each finger lovingly, and then placed it against the marred side of his face, closing his eyes tightly.

Christine began to move her fingers slightly across the uneven skin.

The tension in Erik's face began to ease as he felt her delicate fingers tracing him. "If this is a dream, let me never wake," he whispered as he concentrated on every movement her fingers made.

"I l-lo-love you, Erik…" Christine breathed.

Tears slipped from Erik's closed eyes as he heard the voice of his beautiful angel in the dark recesses of his mind. He placed his hand over hers as she continued to feel every inch of his deformity.

He turned his head to kiss the inside of her palm adoringly. "Let me die now in this moment. I wish this to never end."

Christine spoke again as Erik slowly opened his eyes. "Don't leave m-me, Angel. Not after I have r-re-returned to you…" Christine stuttered in a sigh.

Erik turned to her and searched her face wildly.

Christine fluttered her eyelids open and looked into his red swollen eyes. She smiled tenderly as she took in the sight of his face.

Erik could not believe she was awake. He prayed his eyes were not playing tricks on him.

"I knew you would c-come for me," Christine said as she watched Erik's tears cover his face.

"Hold m-me, Erik," Christine whispered.

Erik brought her up carefully, wrapped his arms around her delicate frame. "Oh, Christine… don't ever… leave me again! I thought… you would never… return to me. I could not bear… to be without you, mon ange…" Erik stuttered between breaths as he cried. "Thank you, God! Thank you!" Erik thought as he held Christine preciously.

The two lovers held each other throughout the night as Erik told Christine everything that had come to pass. Christine did not believe how long she had been in her coma. It seemed like only yesterday when she was taken away by Philippe. She was surprised to hear about his death and everything that Raoul had done for them. Most of all she was thankful that Erik was able to put aside his differences with Raoul. She hoped perhaps one day they would at least be able to tolerate each other.

Erik woke before Christine and prepared himself for an eventful morning. He went to his study to write a few notes…one to Madame Giry to inform her that Christine was now awake and the other to be sent to the doctor in town so he could do a full diagnosis on his wife. He gave the notes to Nicolas then went to the kitchen to have the cook prepare a light breakfast.

From the kitchen, he ventured toward the garden and picked several white roses and a single red rose. He entered the tower, making his way up to the master suite and placed the red rose beside Christine. He then proceeded to scatter the white roses all about the bed.

Christine was a vision of loveliness in a sea of roses. He smiled at his handiwork and then retreated downstairs, back to the kitchen.

Picking up the tray of fresh fruits, tea, and sweet rolls, he made his way back up to the master suite and carefully placed it on the table beside the bed. He took his violin from its case and stood before her. He played "Caprice No. 20" by the great Italian violinist Niccolo Paganini.

As Erik lost himself within the music, Christine woke and took in the sight before her. She took the single red rose to her breast and smiled. The smell of the warm sweet rolls filled her senses as the music Erik played soothed her soul. She turned to her side and watched as Erik became one with his violin. She could spend the rest of her life watching him bring music to life.

As the song came to an end he slowly opened his eyes and saw her looking back at him with a smile.

"My beautiful morning rose," Erik said as he watched the roses kissing Christine's form upon the bed. "I'm sure you are famished. I have brought you a light breakfast from the kitchen, compliments of the chef."

He placed his violin on the chair next to him and took the tray off of the table. Sitting beside her, he carefully set the tray in front of her.

Christine's eyes lit up at the sight of the fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. She took a fork and placed a strawberry in her mouth as Erik poured her some tea.

"Be sure to pace yourself, mon ange. I want you to be able to keep your food down. You will need a few weeks to regain your strength," Erik advised.

Christine nodded her head and smiled at him.

He picked up a blueberry and brought it to her mouth as she slowly opened it. He smiled back at her as she took it in her mouth and chewed happily.

"I've missed that look, my hungry little kitten," Erik sighed contently.

When Christine had finished her breakfast, Erik drew a warm bath for her. Taking off her nightgown, he picked her up off the bed, and walked toward the bathroom. Stepping inside, he stopped before the tub, slipping her slowly into the water. He lathered her hair with the rose scented soap, and then rinsed it. Taking a small cloth into his hand, he rubbed the lavender scented oils into her skin, covering her entire body.

"Will you treat me this way even when I am fully recovered?" Christine asked, enjoying his touch against her skin.

"I shall never grow tired of taking care of you, my wife. I will treat you in this fashion for all the days of my life. I love you, Christine," Erik said devotedly.

Christine gazed into his eyes and wrapped her arms around him. "I love you too, Erik," she whispered in his ear then kissed his cheek.

He moved his head and met her lips with his. He ran his fingers across her naked back and slid them slowly along her side, then down into the water, grabbing hold of her thigh.

Christine grasped the back of his shirt within her hands as their kiss became more passionate.

"I have gone too long without your touch, mon ange, but we cannot continue like this," Erik breathed heavily, breaking their kiss. "You must fully recover and then I promise you may love me as much as you desire," he said as he stood up to grab a towel from the rack.

Christine pouted as he wrapped her within the warmth of the towel.

He picked her up and brought her back to the bed, then disappeared into the changing room to gather her clothes.

"I thought you might like to go out today. Nicolas has set up the gazebo by the Seine so that we may spend the day there comfortably," Erik detailed as he dressed her.

"I would like that. Thank you, mon amour," Christine said appreciatively.

As Erik placed her dress over her she looked at him inquisitively. "Erik, you forgot my corset."

"Mon ange, you will not wear that contraption in your condition. I don't know how you can stand to wear that silly thing at all. How is one to breathe in such a constricting device?" Erik said bemusedly.

"Every woman wears them, Erik. It's proper attire for a woman such as myself," Christine noted.

"You are not wearing one today and most certainly not going to wear one until you are better," Erik confirmed as he buttoned the back of her dress.

She sighed, not wanting to argue with him, as he reached for the hairbrush on the vanity. He brushed her hair and once she was ready, he excused himself to change.

After dressing, he carried her down into the sitting room.

Nicolas brought in a wheelchair and helped his mistress into it.

Erik turned to Nicolas and informed him to send the doctor down by the lake upon his arrival and to serve lunch at the specified hour, and then he looked to Christine in the chair and mentioned to her, "Do not grow accustomed to the chair, mon ange. It is only because the path to the lake is unsuitable for you to travel on so early into your recovery."

"I understand, Erik. I would like to be able to try walking soon," Christine said with determination.

Erik pushed Christine down to the gazebo and carried her up into it. There was a long bench with cushions, a small table and a rocking chair set up inside. He placed her onto the bench and seated himself beside her.

Christine watched as a family of swan made their way down the Seine. She was happy to be outdoors as the cool breeze blew against her skin.

Nicolas accompanied the doctor down by the Seine and spoke with Erik while he examined Christine.

As the examination came to an end, Erik turned to address the doctor. "How does my wife fare, Dr. Noreis?"

"She seems to be in good health. From what you have told me, it's a miracle she did not suffer any form of brain damage due to her length of unconsciousness, but then again she was responsive during her state when you would play music or read to her, so she had never fallen into a deep state of comatose. She will need several weeks to regain her strength and she is underweight. You will need to make sure she eats and gets a fair amount of exercise. You do not want her muscles to suffer from atrophy. Lengthen the time as she progresses, but for now, she should not overexert herself. She requires no medicines. Time will heal her ailment," Dr. Noreis diagnosed.

Erik smiled and shook the doctor's hand firmly. "I appreciate you making the trip doctor. I will see to it that my wife recovers fully."

"You have done a wonderful job, Monsieur Delacroix. I can see you are very dedicated and love her beyond comprehension. I shall come and check up on her in two weeks," Dr. Noreis said as he tipped his hat.

Erik asked Nicolas to walk the good doctor back to his carriage and to make sure the proper funds were given.

As he watched the two men disappear beyond the hill, he sat beside Christine again and brought her legs up to rest upon his lap. He rubbed her silky skin as he listened to her hum a tune he had taught her long ago as a child.

Author's Note x2
Christine's awake! -cheers-

Disclaimer:
I do not own any rights nor am I affiliated to the following: Marivaux's "The Game of Love and Chance," Niccolo Paganini and his composition of "Caprice No. 20", The Swarovski Group, and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Hart's "No One Would Listen" or Gerard Butler's performance of it. Thanks for the tune. You are the masters! I do love the original, but I have changed the lyrics to fit my story and no I am not making a profit from this or anything else.