A/N Well it is almost over and I am sad that it is. I hope you enjoy and review. Also I am so thankful to all that do review this story, it inspires me.
Ch. 18♪
Anna never knew what it was that made her look, but there he was in box five. She was fairly certain that she had seen Erik, but then in the blink of an eye he was gone.
The first act finished with no major problems as did the second act. Even though Anna had been in many plays she soon realized that operas were much more strenuous to perform.
People loved Anna's voice and after ever song she sang she could see the look of awe and wonder on the audiences faces. No doubt wondering where her musical talent had come from.
Another thing the audience loved was Christine. Her voice was so heavenly that it could truly make angels weep. Erik had done a wonderful job with her voice, and part of Anna ached because she knew that Christine would sing to Erik once more tonight. Every night Christine sang, she was singing to Erik. Her Angel of Music.
Anna walked on stage to start the third act. She was alone on the stage in the make believe chapel. A tear escaped her eye as she thought of Erik again. Why was he not here?
Anna opened up her mouth and began to sing.
No matter what they tell up
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What we believe is true
No matter what they call us
However they attack
No matter where they take us
Well find our own way back
I cant deny what I believe
I cnat be what Im not
I know I'll love forever
I know no matter what
It was then that Anna realized she was singing the songs Erik had written for her. He had written this opera so she would finally be able to showcase her talent. He had bent over backwards for her to be able to do what she loved. To sing. Tonight she was singing for him. Richard's voice broke her out of the trance she was in when he had begun singing.
If only tears were laughter
If only night was day
If only prayers were answered
Then we would hear God say
No matter what they tell you
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach you
What you believe is true
And I will keep you safe and strong
Shelter from the storm
No matter where it's barren
Our dream is being born
Anna's voice picked up beginning to sing with Richard's
No matter who they follow
No matter where they lead
No matter how they judge us
I'll be everyone you need
No matter if the sun don't shine
Or if they skies are blue
No matter what they ending
My life began with you
I cant deny what I believe
I cant be what I'm not
I know this loves forever
That all that matters now
No matter what
Anna could feel the tears falling and the audience probably thought that she was doing a great job with acting distraught, the truth was that she really was distraught. Anna picked up her now shapely body of a four month along mother to be and walked off stage. At least no one could tell that she was four months pregnant.
Over the time of rehearsals and preparations for the show, M. Cann's voice had greatly improved. He would no have no trouble ever sweeping a girl off her feet. But he seemed to have no trouble with that before hand.
The rest of the show had gone on well enough, and now it was time for Richard's solo. Anna managed to get through the fog of people to stand backstage and watch Richard. She was him onstage dressed in dress pants and a poets shirt. His back was facing her so she could not see his face. The music began and that was when she heard his voice.
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears
It was Erik.
Anna was shocked beyond words. How was he here. She could already feel the tears welling up in her eyes. He was here and that was all that mattered. Anna turned around when she felt a shove. She turned to see Christine and Richard.
"Go Anna, go and find your way." Richard told her.
He gave one more push and soon she was bathed in the spotlight. Erik turned to face her and all she could do was stare at him. His eyes were piercing right through her like they always had.
Shamed into solitude
Shunned by the multitude
I learned to listen
In my dark my heart heard music
Erik had thought of these words a few months back before the Opera's downfall. But now it seemed Anna had inspired these words to come alive once more. It really was no one but her. She had been there and loved him. She had asked to see his face and she still loved him.
I long to teach the world
Rise up and reach the world
No one would listen
I alone could here the music
Anna had tried so hard to not cry onstage as she was, but it proved to be no use for she was crying thousands of rivers. Erik had walked over and taken her hands in his and sang with his whole heart to her.
Then at last a voice in the gloom
Seemed to cry, I hear you
I hear your fears, your tourment and your tears
She saw my lonliness
Shared in my emptiness
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears
No one would listen
No one but you
Erik took the last part of the chours to tell her she was the one. But he was truthful. She was the only one to really care.
Heard as the outcast hears
At the last few bars Erik had begun to let his own tears fall. He loved this woman with all his might. She began to sing to him and her words shocked him.
Say you'll stand beside me
Rise up and fall with me
Say you'll love me
Forever more
Spend each night with me
Wrapped up, inside of me
Say you'll want this
From this day forth
How could she know words like these? Words that had been his undoing. Words just like these.
"Erik." Anna whispered softly to make him open his eyes to look at her
That's all I ask of you