Confessions...

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 31

The play was marvelous, and Christine and Erik held hands the whole time. She was walking on clouds by the time they walked out of Erik's private entrance and exit door.

"Did you enjoy that?" He asked.

She smiled, nodded, and reached up to place a kiss to his cheek, "Immensely."

Erik grinned, took his coat off, and wrapped his coat around her shoulders to help keep her warm; the night air was getting rather chilly. There were several things he intended to purchase for Christine, immediately - one of those was a winter coat.

"We have about thirty minutes before I have to be to the studio, would you like to grab a cup of coffee?" Erik asked.

Christine was trying not to shiver, as the snow had just started falling. She had settled into the seat of the car and immediately started rubbing her hands together. She pulled his coat further around her and took a deep breath, invigorated by the scent of him, which lingered on the leather.

"We can grab one at the Starbucks down on 8th Street. They have the best and they close at 11:00." Christine offered.

They did just that, and started down the road toward the studio. Erik's stomach was turning in knots, a phenomenon he had not experienced for some time; he wondered if it would calm down as the night progressed.

The studio was in the southern part of the city, barely within the limits. Erik pulled into the parking lot and escorted Christine into the building. Vince was already there, but didn't seem surprised to see Christine.

"Ah, this must be school vocational tours….I wasn't aware that we gave private tours to certain 'students'." Vince teased.

Erik scowled at him, but kept on smiling, "Do you have to be here?"

Vince laughed at the mock expression on Erik's face. He could see that there had been some major breakthroughs in the relationship, he just didn't how major.

"Of course I have to be here…I can't depend on you to run things around here…mechanically inclined you are not." Vince emphasized with a nod of affirmation from Erik.

"He's right. I can write a textbook, write a song or an opera, play 3 instruments, speak 6 different languages, design a building from the ground up…but I can't fix a sound system, rewire a light switch, or understand anything about a computer." Erik admitted with a grin and a shrug of his broad shoulders.

Christine smiled and giggled, she had not known this about Erik, she was so happy to find out that there were things he could NOT do; somehow, it made him more human and less angelic.

"I'll be back in a minute." Erik said, as he headed toward the restroom.

Vince came over to Christine and gave her a hug.

"How are things going?" He asked.

Christine gave a shy smile, "He allowed me to remove his mask and see in my own way and at my own pace." She stated. "He's more beautiful than ever."

Vince felt tears in his eyes as he saw the picture of total love on her face.

"I knew you were the one for him." Vince whispered.

"I hope he knows that." Christine whispered back with a smile.

"You ready, my dear…you're up first."

With that, Erik came back toward them; none the wiser, as he walked into the studio and took his seat.

Vince was going the finger countdown, and the light came on,

"You're listening to 'Music of the Night', and I'm your host for the next two hours, The Phantom."

Christine closed her eyes as she listened to the lull of his voice…how did he do that? His voice was always sexy, but when he took on the "persona" of the Phantom, it took on a life of its own.

"Let's check with my assistant about our first caller."

Vince hit his microphone, and his voice hit the airwaves.

"Phantom, we have a special request tonight." Vince stated.

Erik looked amused and surprised.

"Do we?"

"She is visiting us in the studio and has requested to sing a song."

Erik looked over at Christine and noticed the smile on her face, he knew he had been set-up…but he was so looking forward to what she had planned.

"Well, that is a special treat…ladies and gentleman, let's welcome the former Broadway diva Lotte Chagny."

Christine shot him a, you-didn't-have-to-put-it-that-way, look; but she walked into the studio smiling and sat across beside him.

"Hello, Phantom." She emphasized, teasing him with her smile.

Erik raised a brow and cleared his throat, "Yes…well, Ms. Chagny…"

"It's Daae, now…I am on Broadway no more, and I am no longer married to the one who carried the Chagny name." Christine corrected.

"I stand corrected." Erik stated. "Well, Ms. Daae, it is an honor to have you in the studio tonight. Many of my listeners, I'm sure, have heard of you; if not actually had the wonderful experience of seeing you on stage."

"It is an honor to be here. I have listened to your show for many weeks now, since I moved to the Boston area."

"I'm pleased you find this show to your liking."

"Oh yes, there are several things about it that I find to my liking." Christine teased, giving him a seductive wink.

"Really…and what might those be?"

Erik had the feeling he was about to lose control of the show, and there was no way he could prevent it from happening. He looked up at the laughing eyes of Vince and found no support for his predicament.

"You…" Christine said in a sultry tone.

Erik was dumbfounded, but intrigued. She was openly staking claim to him and found that strangely arousing. She handed him a CD, on which was an accompaniment track for the song she intended to sing to Erik.

"Could you please play that over the air while I sing in your live studio?" She asked.

"As you wish." Erik murmured.

"This song is dedicated to you, My Phantom, my love…it's time you heard…My Confession…"

"I have been blind, unwilling to see
The true love you're giving.
I have ignored every blessing.
I'm on my knees confessing…"

Christine centered her eyes on Erik as the words flowed from her like a prayer…

"…that I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty;
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession…."

Erik felt warm tears filling his eyes; stubbornly refusing to stay within the boundaries…

"…I have been wrong about you.
Thought I was strong without you.
For so long nothing could move me.
For so long nothing could change me.
Now I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am captured by your beauty;
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession…"

His next breath faltered in his chest and the tears cleansed the doubts he had been feeling about how she felt about him.

"You are the air that I breathe.
You're the ground beneath my feet.
When did I stop believing?
'Cause I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty;
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
Hear my confession."

Christine wrapped her arms around Erik…knowing she had just told him of her feelings, but there was one thing left to say…

"I love you, Erik…" She said softly, "…I have loved you since I first heard your voice on the air…then I found you…and loved you even more than I ever thought I could."

Erik didn't even care that she had just said his name on the air. He stood up and pulled his mouth to his in a passionate, yet tender kiss. She molded to him, feeling his heart beating wildly against her own…in harmony at last.

The kiss ended, leaving the listening audience with no doubts about what had happened. The phone lines were going crazy and Vince decided to make a public announcement.

"Yes, Boston…Christine Daae just sang a song to the Phantom and announced that she is in love with him over the air….they have known each other for three months…but they each had their obstacles to overcome…wait…" Vince stated, "…yes…the Phantom has taken his place at the piano and will now answer her confession with one of his own…."

Erik took Christine's hand and led her to the grand piano that sat in the corner of the studio. He sat gracefully lowered onto the bench and stood Christine to the side so he could see her the entire time.

So far, he had said nothing in response to her words…

"Never knew I could feel this way…

Like I've never seen the sky before.

Want to vanish inside your kiss…

Everyday I love you more and more…"

Christine raised her hand to her mouth and then allowed her smile to light the room. Her own tears fell in quiet celebration of what he was singing to her.

"Listen to my heart, can you it sing…

telling me to give you everything.

Seasons my change…winter to spring…

But I will love you…until the end of time…

Come what may…come what may….

I will love you until my dying day."

Erik saw the love shining in her eyes and knew he had found his home in her arms…there was no turning back…

"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place…

suddenly it moves with such perfect grace.

Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste…

It all revolves around you.

And there's no mountain to high…no river too wide…

sing out this song and I'll be there by her side.

Storm clouds may gather and starts may collide…

But I will love you until the end of time."

Erik smiled broadly while he sang the words. It felt liberating to be able to announce it to the world that he, Erik Thaddeus Trudeau, had finally found a woman who loved him…all of him.

"Come what may…come what may…

I will love you until my dying day.

O, come what may…come what may…

I will love you…

Until my dying day…."

Erik ended the song and stood up gracefully. He took the single, red rose that was sitting atop the piano handed it to Christine.

She put it to her nose to take in its rich, sweet fragrance and as she pulled it away, she caught a glimpse of the black velvet bow tied around the stem.

She turned it to her and gasped.

There, nestled in the tie of the bow was the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.

"Erik…." She cried.

He knelt before her and took her hand in his, "Christine, will you marry me?"

TBC

Songs are "My Confession", sung by Josh Groban, and "Come What May" from the movie,"Moulon Rouge".