Chapter 15: This Can't Be the End
A/n I don't own POTO or anything that retains to it…story is mine…you already know this. Okay, so we leave with Christine recovering and Erik looking a lot like Tom Cruise jumping up and down on Oprah's sofa on that one episode…
Christine's good health soon faded. It seemed that every day she grew sicker, until she could barely open her eyes. Erik was now very worried about her. He had yet to propose to her, and her condition just seemed to be getting worse and worse. Madame Giry suggested she be taken to a doctor. Erik knew he couldn't go, and was reluctant to leave her completely under Madame Giry's care, but he knew it was for the best.
It had been two weeks since he had last seen Christine, but Madame Giry stopped by daily to inform him of Christine's situation. Apparently the doctor hadn't been able to help her. She was only slowly wasting away. This time when the old ballet instructor returned to his home, she had a very sad expression on her face, and her eyes were red from previous tears.
"What is it?" he asked nervously, afraid of her answer.
"I…I spoke to the doctor today…Erik….She's not getting any better…She's….."
Erik grew very impatient. What was wrong with Christine? "Well?"
"She's going to die Erik…there's no hope left for her."
Erik felt as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. He felt himself growing paler, the tears welling in his eyes, the pain of a breaking heart. "No, no, no, no…!" He fell to the ground, sobbing. It was his entire fault. If he had been with her she never would have fallen and they would be together right now.
Madame Giry looked upon the man crying before her, causing her to once again shed tears. Not just for the loss of Christine, but for the effect it would have on the man she had thought of as a brother. "Erik…"
"Leave. Now."
She made to protest. He couldn't be alone at a time like this. "Erik,"
"Go."
She knew there was no use in arguing any further. Before she left she added, "I'm bringing her back here. I think that's where she belongs." She walked away, once again feeling the salty tears on her lips.
The next day, Christine was brought from the hospital into Erik's home. She continued to rest in the swan bed. Her condition slowly worsened, and Erik had started to truly believe that Christine may truly die any day. This gave him the courage he needed.
One night, Erik slipped the small box into his pocket and sat besides the swan bed. "Christine?"
"I'm dieing Erik, aren't I? I'm not getting any better. It's all my fault now you're going to be all alone. You don't deserve this…"
"Hush, Christine. Never trouble yourself with such sad thoughts. You will be better; I promise."
"You're lieing to me-I know it Erik…You know I am going to die, just as much as I do."
"Christine, if you were to die, I would have never done this." And, with a swift movement of his hand he pulled out the box and put it in front of her, so she would not have to strain her neck to look. "Christine, will you marry me?" He opened the box, revealing the beautiful ring and its many tones of blue.
"Erik…Erik…" She closed her eyes gently.
"Christine?" He drew his hand to wrist. No pulse. She was dead.