Disclaimer: Erik, Christine and Co are all property of Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber etc. I own the plot.
Chapter Thirteen: Epilogue Part One
14 years later…
The Destlers were having a family picnic to celebrate their youngest daughter's fifth birthday. The children were behaving well, mostly.
"Alexander Beau Destler, give your sister back her hair ribbon and apologise at once." Scolded Erik as his ten year old son messed about with the blue ribbon. The boy obeyed at once, knowing he would be in trouble if he ignored his father's commands. "I'm sorry Angelique." He said sincerely as he played about with his brown hair and tried to give her puppy eyes with his own brown eyes. "I was only having a bit of fun."
"Apology accepted" Said the girl sat on the blanket next to her father; with her youngest sister sat on her lap. Angelique Laurette was a beautiful young woman, at fourteen years old she looked exactly like her mother except she had her father's straight, raven hair and blue-green eyes.
Her little sister Aimee Rose was four years old. Her features were a perfect mixture of both of her parents. Her long, curly brown hair was tied back with a pink ribbon and she wore a pretty pink dress. With her big brown eyes she was irresistible to the sternest of people. "Mama, where is Bell?" 'Bell' was Aimee's name for her other sibling, Bellamy Ciel Destler. The boy was an exact replica of his father (without the deformity) with the eyes of his mother. He was twelve years old and a very quiet child. He loved music and art and was very talented at both. He loved his youngest sister specially and got on very well with most people he met.
"Bellamy, where are you?" Called Christine. They heard footsteps and Bellamy came over with his sketchbook. "Yes Mama." He said. "Did you need me?" Christine smiled softly. "No my love, Aimee was missing her brother." The boy smiled and picked his beautiful little sister up and showed her his latest drawings. "Why don't you go and find Boyce? It is nearly time to go home" Said Erik. The four ran off happily and when they found the big, black dog, Alexander started a game of some sort with a ball.
"Are you happy Erik?" Asked Christine as she watched their children serenely. "Yes. More than anyone else in the world." He replied with a big smile. "Thank you Christine. For everything that you have done for me. Without you, I would still be alone under the opera house with no idea what true happiness was. I love you." He kissed her soundly.
"I love you too." She said and they kissed again. However, the tender moment was interrupted by Aimee. "Eeewwww! Mama and Papa are KISSING!" She called. The couple pulled apart and smiled in exasperation at their daughter. Erik grabbed the girl and planted kisses all over her face. "No Papa! Mama help!" She yelled as Erik tickled her. Christine laughed. "Leave the poor child alone Erik." She said then laughed again as Aimee walked off after sticking her tongue out at Erik. They kissed again but broke apart when it started to rain.
"Home time!" Erik called as he and Christine quickly packed the picnic stuff into the basket. The family clambered into the carriage and rode home, after a lovely day out.
TBC…
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