Life goes on…

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie - Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)

Karen - Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long,brown hair)

Ms. Jennison- Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 20

Christine hung up the phone and realized she had never felt so lost. She had fought many battles in her lifetime; she had won a few and she had lost a few, but they all rested in the hands of God and He alone knew the distraught and desperate state of her soul.

She sat on the couch, quietly praying and rocking back and forth, trying to ease the nausea that was settling in her stomach.

She prayed for peace and uplifting, but most of all she prayed for Meckenzie; not knowing the Lord's will was the hardest situation to be in – she only prayed that He allowed her to remain.

Erik had been the first person she thought of when she determined she could not drive. She needed his comforting presence around her, and the sound of his voice to calm her.

She moved from the couch, combed her hair, and changed her clothes; knowing that Erik would arrive to pick her up as quickly as he could.

She grabbed her purse as his headlights shined in the window; and, not waiting for him to come to the door; she walked out, locked the door behind her and headed for his car.

Erik had already opened his door and had his leg out to come and get her when she appeared in front of him.

He continued to stand, moved to the other side of the car, and opened her door for her; noticing the circles under her eyes from crying and the exhaustion in every movement her body made.

She slid into the passenger's seat and felt the peace of God overtake her. She knew He was giving her what she needed in Erik – never had she felt so certain of something in her life.

She followed Erik's elegant form as he went to his side of the car and got in. He had not said a word, but she knew that he would.

The car moved quietly and stealthily down the road toward the hospital. The hum of the engine and the lulling sway of the car, coaxed Christine into a fitful sleep, as she lifted her prayers to heaven.

Erik watched her try to rest beside him. He was tempted to reach his hand over and brush the hair from her eyes, but he resisted the urge. She was drained emotionally and physically, he didn't need to make it any worse.

Erik had been raised knowing there was a Higher Power guiding and instructing the whole of humanity, but after his parents and brother were killed, he renounced any knowledge of this Being; preferring to live in darkness.

There had been many times in his life that he should have turned to God and acknowledged Him; being very aware that He had spared his life for a reason – but Erik didn't even feel worthy of God…Erik had rejected Him, just as humanity had rejected Erik. Why would He want anything to do with one such as Erik?

But now, in the solitude of the night and with Meckenzie's life resting in the balance, Erik lifted his thoughts toward heaven.

'I know You are a loving and caring God; worthy of my praise and adoration…I also know that it has been my own insecurities and shortcomings that have prevented me from turning to You in the past.

'But God, I also know that I have finally found my reason for living…the reason You allowed me to remain on this earth when everything in me longed to cease existing.'

Erik looked over at Christine and his heart leapt in his chest, he could not imagine a life without her; but did she feel the same about him?

'I know I am not worthy of Your goodness, nor am I worthy of her…but as I once longed to cease existing, now I long to remain by Christine and Meckenzie's side, being to them what they need me to be.'

He smiled at her slumbering figure, thankful that she was resting, but knowing he had to awaken her in a few minutes, for he was pulling into the hospitals parking garage.

'I don't ask that she love me in return, I simply ask for her friendship – and for the friendship of Meckenzie; Oh God, heal that little girl – I know not the nature of her illness…but you do.

'Please God, don't let my lack of faith and knowledge get in the way of Your plans for Christine and Meckenzie – they both have so much to offer the world.'

Erik pulled into a parking spot and shut the car off. He leaned toward Christine and gently nudged her, causing her to awaken.

"We're here." He said softly.

He finished his silent prayer as she got out of the car.

'Amen.'

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

As they approached the ER entrance, Christine reached over and took his hand in hers, causing a bolt of electricity to fly through him. It was a simple act, but one that he had not shared with another for many years.

He looked over at her, and saw the tears that were threatening to fall again. He didn't know if he could stand to see her tears; but he would be as strong as he needed to be for her…that was what friends were for.

They silently moved through the ER and Erik felt the fear of being in a public place engulf him. He swallowed deeply and mentally calmed his racing heart; Christine did not need him to be an embarrassment to her.

Sensing his unease, she squeezed his hand and smiled a tired smile at him. She leaned her head on his arm, taking in the fresh scent of his cologne. The stares she was sure he was thinking were derogatory were just the opposite.

In the eyes of those watching them, Christine sensed approval and appreciation. The young women followed Erik's beautiful form from the time they noticed him until they past him, turning to see if the back side of him was as awesome as the front…and it was.

The registration clerk smiled warmly at them as they came toward her.

"My daughter, Meckenzie Daae, was flown here; may we go back and see her?" Christine asked in a small voice.

Christine showed her ID and insurance card, and the young woman went to go find out the nature of Meckenzie's illness, and where she was.

With her hand still in his, Erik led her to the waiting room and they sat down. Christine was trembling beside him, but Erik had no idea how to comfort her; he did not wish to overstep his boundaries, but something told him she wanted to be held.

He put his arm around the seat she sat in and marveled when she leaned into him.

"Tell me what happened." Erik murmured.

Christine sighed and enjoyed being close to him. She pulled back and smiled up at him, so thankful for his presence.

"She complained of a soar throat and body aches, so I took her out of school and left early. When we got home, I checked her fever and she was showing 100 degrees, which is slightly high. She has never been sick before, other than things related to her eyes, so this was as new to me as it was to her."

Erik listened intently, until Karen and Vince came through the doors, then Christine was in Karen's arms and she had succumbed to the tears she had so bravely been keeping at bay.

TBC