Music of the Night:

AN: Well, here it is the last part, which was my original conclusion. The thing with Rafe, I just kinda accidentally stumbled upon. Oh well, here it is!

Epilogue:

It wasn't very hard to find a replacement for Rafe. He did, after all have an understudy. So, the production went on time. Carlotta still played her part… she was just too… perfect to pass up.

Rafe, mysteriously, disappeared. Willow never was really sure if Erik went back afterwards and finished him off.

They were nearly completely through the production when Willow saw a familiar face in the crowd. Erik was pulling her along the 'dungeon' and she actually stumbled.

Out in the crowd, Willow's mother stood with a disapproving look on her face. She righted herself quickly, and shook her head at Erik's inquisitive look. He continued on with the song, but there was something different about the performance. They could always blame it on the sudden change of Raouls. It would have confused anyone.

After they finished and took their bows, Erik noticed that there was one woman in the crowd who did not cheer. That one woman had Willow's hair color, and he saw the similarities between the two. Willow's hand was already flying up to her wonderful masked scars.

After taking yet another bow, the cast was allowed to exit the stage. Both Erik and Willow were clapped on the back many times, even though Carlotta was trying her hardest to get the approval and congratulations of everyone who passed her. Willow tried to make a hasty retreat, but didn't seem to manage.

They had actually made it to the parking lot, after promising everyone that they would show up bright and early to rehearse for the afternoon performance of the next day. When Erik was unlocking the car, Willow was spun around violently, and slapped roughly in the face. A voice that she had never wanted to hear again nearly shrieked her name. "Willow," that same hand that had slapped her face scrubbed viciously at the makeup which hid her scars. "What, did you think that you could hide from me?" She held up her hand, and Willow's makeup was rather evident against her mothers perfectly tanned skin. "Did you think that you could hide how disgusting you were with this makeup, did you think," she raised her hand back once more, as if to slap Willow.

However, her hand never struck. Erik's hand grabbed hers and held her back. She looked up at the Phantom with disgust on her face. "I don't think that you know who you're messing with boy. I suggest that you just back away right now before—"

"Before I kill you." Erik stated very calmly. "I suggest that you follow your own advice and heed my warning."

She looked at Erik as if he had done something rather stupid. Willow was pulling lightly on his arm. "Just… just come on. Let's go home."

"Home? Are you living with him now? Are you a whore as well as stupid?"

Erik's face darkened, and Willow's mother was suddenly sent spinning away from them both. "I advise you to watch your mouth."

"Are you just going to live with a man in sin? Are you that big of a whore?" Her mother didn't seem to understand when well was enough. "To think, this is the trash that I raised."

Suddenly, inspiration struck Erik and Willow at the same time.

When Willow said, "That's my husband you're talking to."

Erik said, "I would watch how you talked to my wife."

They both looked at one another, smiles spreading across their faces. Perhaps, if Willow's mother would leave soon enough, it could lead to something else.

"Well, I never…" Willows mother looked rather hassled. She then advanced towards Willow, "I don't want to hear about you crawling back to me when you have three children and this despicable man will not support you. If you would have just listened to me and taken the job that I had told you—"

"I would have never met the man that I love." Willow opened the car door behind her. "Goodbye mother." She looked at Erik, who nodded and got into the car. They left her mother standing in the parking lot, and looking properly offended.

Silence ensued once they had made the dignified retreat. Finally, Willow spoke. "Did you really mean that back there… not that I am… but… that you…"

"Would you really want me?" Erik asked, when Willow couldn't seem to finish her sentence. She looked up at him as if he had asked her a very stupid question.

"Of course I would want you. I do want you. I love you."

"Then… there is only one logical thing to do, isn't there?" Erik mused silently, and pulled the car over. He looked over at Willow, his eyes half hidden in the shadows of the car. "Will you marry me?"

Willow couldn't talk for a moment. The only thing that she could do was nod stupidly. A smile lighted Erik's face that no one had seen. He thought that he had already felt moments of pure bliss… but no… this was it.

When they kissed, everything seemed to fall into place. Erik was finally happy… and Willow was the one person that she had been born for.

XXXxxxXXX

AN: -looks around with shifty eyes- I haven't already had him propose have I? Well, eh, if I have, sorry. Anyway, yay, they get married and have many beautiful children! THE END!

If I were to do a sequel to this, what would you guys want? And also, I would like to pose a question. You remember my story 'The Phantom and the Fop'? How would you like for me to do a re-write of that?

Let me know!

Amandathevampirelove