Disclaimer: Erik, Christine and Co are all property of Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber etc. I own the plot.

Chapter Two: A Loving Reunion

Erik stood concealed behind the huge willow tree watching Christine. He smiled softly as he heard what she was doing with the rose. He walked towards her from behind with the natural silence and grace of a cat. If Christine was surprised when the reflection of the Opera Ghost appeared beside her, she didn't show it. "You have made a choice?" She asked, her voice quivering with a nervousness that shocked Erik. He nodded silently. She turned to look him in the eyes. "And your answer? Please do not play mind games with me, Angel… I have suffered enough." She whispered brokenly. It was then that Erik noticed the shadows under her big, brown eyes. He also saw how much paler and thinner she was, he vaguely noted that she probably hadn't eaten or slept since they last met, two days ago. Christine's pretty, brown eyes met Erik's extraordinary ones. His eyes were an enchanting blue-green colour that were so dark in the moonlight that they appeared almost black.

"You were not the only one to suffer. After the events of Don Juan…I was almost totally broken." He paused and took a deep breath. "I could think only of the angelic woman who had abandoned me. Just like most other people in my life." Christine hung her head in shame and despair. However, Erik put his finger under her chin and lifted her face so he could look into her eyes as he spoke. "I slowly lost hope; I knew it was my entire fault that I had lost you. I loved you so much I became deadly terrified of losing you. It made me become possessive and jealous, I did many horrible things because of those feelings. I did not realise this until you were gone. When I found your letter I was overjoyed. I finally got a second chance to redeem my actions, I had never dreamed of such a blessing." He turned and looked into the swirling stream below. "I am now totally at your mercy; I can only hope that you will accept my apology and my promise never to harm anyone else again, unless they are a dangerous threat to you." He stared hatefully at his reflection.

Christine took a moment to dry her eyes. "I am honoured that you trust me enough to make yourself that vulnerable to me. I love you, more than anyone else in the world. I accept both your apology and your promise. I would love to have a second chance with you; if you are half as willing as I, then I am sure we can make it work out for the better this time." Christine began to apologise for her own behaviour but Erik waved it off. "You are still willing to take me back? Even after all my crimes? But… I deceived you, I tried to kill your lover, I-" Erik was cut off by Christine's finger on his lips. "I will see to it that you are not held responsible for what you did, don't worry about that, I have a plan. As for my personal opinion, it was all in the past and you had your reasons, besides, you knew no better. I forgive all of your crimes. I will say it a thousand times if I have to. You" She prodded his chest. "Are." She did it again. "Forgiven. Please say you believe me and that I don't have to give you another lecture." She was about to do it again when she realised how close they were to each other. "I believe you." He whispered as it also dawned on him how close they were.

Christine gathered all of her courage together. "I love you, Angel." He opened his mouth to reply when she cut him off with a timid kiss on the lips. Embarrassed, she tried to pull away but he stopped her by winding his arms gently around her waist. Her heartbeat sped up at the tender expression on his face. "I love you too, Christine." He whispered as he cautiously kissed her back. After a moment he hesitantly deepened the kiss and she responded quite happily. They both came up for air a few minutes later.

"I hate to interrupt the moment." He said breathlessly, exhilarated by his first kiss. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring. "But you wanted this?"

"Yes." She replied as she pulled an envelope out of her purse. On the front was the name and address of the Vicomte Raoul De Chagny. She opened the envelope, slipped another note into the ring and closed it then dropped it into the envelope and sealing it. "Will you come with me to post this?" She asked her new lover with her most adorable little smile. "Of course." He answered straight away with a smaller but just as happy grin. "Anything for you my love." They clasped hands with a smile and walked to the post box that was not very far away. They both smiled softly when she dropped the letter into the box and it disappeared from sight. "I am all yours now." She said as she planted a kiss on his 'good' cheek.

TBC…

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