A/N: THIS IS IT! Thank you to everyone, again, for reading this! And for the ending that all of you were waiting for! I will admit I was tearing a little bit and I hope you all like how it came to be. If not, then you try writing this four times!

I hope that since many of you like this, then you would also like my other suspenseful story, A Deadly Obsession. I also have the sequel to Lessons on Love coming out soon so check that out if you're interested. And special thanks to my betas for helping me so much! Onto the epilogue!

Epilogue

Christine held onto to Raoul for dear life, his love proclamation repeating in her mind. He loves me! He loves me!

"I love you too," she whispered, wincing at how hoarse she sounded. Not the way she imagined her love declaration, but at least it was out. A tiny smile curved at her lips as Raoul's face lowered to kiss her. The kiss was languid and gentle, making her heart soar with the unspoken promise that was sent by the loving gesture. He pulled apart and held her closer.

Christine wrapped her arms around his neck, letting reality wash over her. Erik was trying to kill her, to free her soul and in the short couple of seconds, Christine was gone. There was a brief pause before she saw nothing but light and from the intense light was a voice. A gracious, soothing voice almost motherly encompassed her. Then before she knew it, she felt something separating and Raoul was urging her to wake.

It was over. It was all over.

Everything felt, as it should have been. She had Raoul and Erik was gone. But as the thought became clear, a pang went through her heart.

He was gone.

After every nightmare she endured, Erik was gone. For good.

But she couldn't bring herself to find the joy in it. She had plenty of reasons to. He was the one who stalked and terrorized her for years. But she couldn't find it in herself to relish in his defeat. In the end, he was a poor spirit whose Fate was unknown once again.

Silent tears leaked from her eyes. Why?

Raoul mistook her tears for relief and carefully scooped her up. He winced as his thigh throbbed, but he needed to get them safely out of here. Who knew how long it has been or if help was on its way? He didn't want to take the risk and stay if he had to.

As he lifted her, the waves of dizziness overwhelmed Christine and she fought to remain conscious. Hard as she tried, her weight plus his injuries and exhaustion took both and Raoul had reluctantly set her back down, moaning in the process.

"I'm going to see if there's another way out," Raoul told her. She nodded as he began wobbling around the house.

Christine held herself as a dreadful sense of loneliness swept over her and for the first time she actually missed Erik. To her annoyance, she wiped away the batch of salty tears and placed her hand on the cold stone.

A tiny object pressed into her skin and as she looked down, she was surprised to find the golden ring. The ring that Erik had worn on his finger that once had been her past life's. The ring that had remained in his possession all these years, waiting for her promise to be fulfilled. The ring that had symbolized his love and then in a reverse role—her love for Erik.

It stared up at her as she tried to conjured memories of the ring, but failed in doing so. Her mind was blank as to when Christine Daae first received the token of Erik's love. She wasn't sure if she could count that as a blessing or not, but she couldn't leave it there.

Scanning around for any sight of Raoul and not seeing him, Christine picked up the ring and gazed as it lied on her palm. The metal was cool, not warm after a century of being attached to its owner. Though, the feel of it was enough to bring forth memories of her encounters with Erik.

Funny, she mused. This whole thing was started with this ring and a promise sealed with a kiss.

The longer she looked at it, the more she was beginning to see the light. She did love Erik that was no lie. But not in the way he would have wanted or her to give. And there was something about the ideal of the ring that made her realize in a way she continuously believed--

"A promise should always be kept and it did," she murmured, gazing with newfound sincerity for Erik's actions. The promise was kept.

She knew in her heart she couldn't hate the man or the ghost. But she truly hoped he was able to find redemption, even though she couldn't be with him. Mercy was always given to those in dire need and Erik was one soul who deserved mercy the most.

Sighing, Christine slipped the ring on her right finger. It was the least she could do, she thought, in his memory.

She heard footsteps rushing and the brunette lifted her head up to see elation written over Raoul's face.

Before she could ask what was happening-- Adele, Meg, and a whole band of officers followed after. Raoul was directing the officers to a hidden room, the one where Erik had taken Raoul out. The joy he once had was replaced with a somber look as he limped over to the stone door.

Almost immediately, Meg hugged Christine, tears seeping from her blue eyes. "Thank God you're all right! I was so scared…"

Christine gently smiled and returned the hug. "It's okay. I'm fine. We're fine."

Adele had her turn in hugging the soprano as soon as Meg stepped aside. The older woman's eyes were glistening with tears too.

"Praise the Lord that you and M. de Chagny are alive, but where is Detective Kanye?"

Christine frowned. "Detective Kanye? He came too with Raoul…?" The Daroga. Oh my God… was he referring to Kanye?

Adele's visage fell. "I suppose not everyone was fortunate enough to escape his fury."

Christine felt more tears coming and tried to blink them back. "He was going to help Raoul rescue me. Oh Adele…"

The ballet mistress tenderly wiped the tears from the American's face. "Don't cry, my dear. He did his duty as an officer of the law. And he will be remembered for that."

Christine nodded, though that didn't make her feel any better. If only Erik hadn't… She mentally shook her head. No. Don't think of him. It wasn't his fault. Nor mine. Adele is right. She's right.

"So where is Erik?" Meg questioned, breaking her from her reverie.

Christine sighed sadly and gazed down at her ring finger, the gleaming gold glittering back.

"To a better place, I hope."

xxXXxx

Six Months Later

Detective Nasir Kanye was given a proper burial and memorial once his body was recovered. Unfortunately, his widow had to decide on a closed casket. Raoul, Christine, Adele, and Meg were all there for the funeral as the brave officer was laid to rest.

Raoul felt completely guilty for his death and blamed himself, despite Sasha Kanye's assurances that her husband wouldn't have any of it.

"He died doing what he loved most," she said with an endearing reflective look. "Serving justice and protecting everyone around him. He would be pleased to know he was able to do some part in recovering your lady friend."

Christine still felt she was indebted to the man who had truly risked his life for her. If only the events had occurred differently, like they had done years ago when the similar actions took place underneath the opera house and the promise was bestowed. They all had survived everyone that is until poor Erik ended his life.

But, as Adele Garrison pointed out, "You cannot undo the past, no matter how much you would like to. Detective Kanye's death was a horrible tragedy but good usually has a way of coming from the bad."

And it had.

Christine never experienced anymore past visions. They were finally over. For good.

She had an establishing career in the opera world as the l'Garnier's leading lady and she had good friends and a terrific boyfriend.

What more could she asked for?

Yet, she found herself constantly reminiscing about Erik.

Christine was thrilled she no longer had to worry over any potential threats, but she felt like a piece of her soul was missing. And it was the part that longed for Erik.

She truly wished she could have helped him; alas there was literally nothing she could have done. Erik was difficult to sway and she found herself missing his voice and his ever-expressive eyes. His face didn't frighten her no more and she often dreamt of him each ending with him being ripped from her embrace.

Yes, she had Raoul but a part will always mourn for her past love. And her beau understood without being told. Even though no words were needed to explain, they knew they couldn't condemn Erik. He wasn't at fault for his anger towards Raoul. In his justified mind, Raoul was the enemy—the enemy, yes, but redeemed.

Christine would never forget that night when she and Raoul were in the hospital after leaving the theatre. Thankfully, the wounds weren't too serious but the internal wounds were.

He was so ashamed of himself… of what his past life had done to her. Raoul was near tears as he confessed all that he saw while under Erik's influence. It was no wonder why he came to hate his great-great grandfather so much. It had been him.

She held him as he cried on her shoulder, sobbing how sorry he was. She knew he expected her to perhaps hate him, maybe even turn away after all that's past. But she couldn't and she didn't want to.

Even though the past Raoul de Chagny was despicable that didn't mean the present one was too. Christine knew in her heart he would never do anything to intentionally harm her. She had come to terms with that a while back and only he had to do the same. They both were given a second chance, more so Raoul than anyone. And that night's painful lesson would forever stay with him, making sure nothing like before would ever happen again.

There would be no more pain. Not after what they witnessed within Erik. His torment was enough punishment to remain with them, reminding them how fortunate they were to have one another.

If only the same could be hold true for Erik.

xxXXxx

A week ago Raoul proposed and Christine gladly accepted.

Gazing longingly at the diamond on her finger as well as Erik's ring, Christine leaned against her husband-to-be as they strolled along the Jardins de Tuileries. The sun was shining brightly, the flowers were all in bloom and there were no worries of upending doom.

This is peace, she thought languidly.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

She smiled. "You know better my thoughts are worth more than that de Chagny," she teased good-naturedly. Tilting her head up, she closed her eyes as the warm rays danced on her skin. "I'm thinking how beautiful everything it is and how lucky I am to have you in my life."

"And I you," Raoul said softly, kissing her hand.

"I still wished that things turned out differently for him." Her chocolate brown eyes became sad, her thoughts once more returning to poor Erik.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Me too. But unfortunately life isn't a fairy tale where everyone has a happy ending."

"Yeah." She sighed. "But he didn't deserve it. After all those years of waiting all he wanted was the only woman he could ever love to love him back. I wished I could—"

"You do love him in your own way," Raoul whispered. "And the same for Christine Daae. It doesn't bother me anymore if it worries you. It's hard to let go of the strong bond you had with each other. I won't argue about that seeing how it led to this for so long."

Christine cocked her head at him and grinned. "Have I ever told you you're the greatest man ever?"

He smirked. "No but please do."

Christine giggled. "You are. You are."

They continued to walk hand-in-hand; watching teenage couples and elder loves tenderly embracing one another. If they only knew how precious it is to love someone the way they love you, Christine thought.

She pulled Raoul tighter to her, letting her mind wander over the past events. What would life be like if Erik had truly killed her to regain their love? At the time it terrified her, but now she wasn't afraid anymore. Death was as natural as birth. It's always there as part of the "circle of life".

She smiled softly to herself.

He did this to her. He helped make the idea of death less frightening than what it was. If she were to meet her Maker, Christine would have no fear for what will await her. All thanks to--

Her train of thought was broken when she heard laughter.

Beautiful, childlike almost with no hints of tragic loss-- light as a feather and pure quality.

The melodious laugh was soon joined by a much deeper, sonorous laugh so full of unrequited joy.

Christine stopped suddenly and turned to look behind her shoulder.

Standing amidst the roses was a man and woman.

The woman's long golden tresses blew in the easy breeze, her awestruck blue eyes filled with adoration and love. Her complexion was white and flawless, enhancing her beauty and charm.

She stopped giggling to look at Christine. A smile played on her rosy lips as she waved to her, the immaculate pristine gown shimmering from the sun.

The man, who had his back to her, now turned and smiled once their eyes met. He was incredibly handsome with his hair black as ink and the irises of innocent amber glowing. The years of neglect and abuse didn't wear him down as he stood straight and tall with all of the pride in the world on his shoulders. No sadness or fury could be found on his countenance, only gaiety.

His face was twisted so horribly but that didn't destroy the image of divine beauty surrounding the ethereal couple.

Smiling happily, Christine waved back to them.

The pair laughed once more and held hands as they danced in time of the wind until they slowly disappeared.

Then again, I guess the fairy tale ending does come true to some.

"Christine?" Raoul interrupted.

The brunette glanced up to him who shook his head. "Who were you waving to?"

She smirked as she answered, "Would you believe if I said it was angels?"

He chuckled. "I'd believe you all right."

"Good because that's what I saw."

Christine looked back to where Erik and Christine were, her smile never leaving her face.

"And they were the two happiest angels in all of Heaven."

The End