Tori Chapter 26, a phantom of the opera fanfic

Only four more days in school before it's out for spring break...

Now then...on with it!

(Note: I'm perfectly aware that Judy Garland was born in, like, the 60's, but I don't have the patience to change it. Just substitute it for your own person.)

oo0o0oo

The days passed slowly for both of them. Erik regained his strength over time, just as the doctor had predicted. By the third day, he could get up and pace around the room, but only briefly. His bandages were off the next day, but there was still a scar where the bullet had pierced his skin. As he lay down on the bed, he watched with jealous but awestruck eyes as Tori worked away at something on the organ. Sometimes he would hear snippets of whatever it was that she was working on, but they were very brief and quiet, so that he had to strain his ears to the fullest extent to hear.

When she was not at the organ, Tori was in a chair by his side, the two talking together or Erik sleeping while Tori kept watch over him. It was clear that she was losing sleep over him; her eyes were slightly rimmed with bags and her skin was paler than ever. She did sleep still, though: first only a few hours, then soon very deeply as Erik recovered. After a week and a half Erik could finally walk around without having to stay in bed all day. Tori wouldn't let him near his organ until her stuff was cleared out, but even then Erik found that he couldn't play. He had musician's block for numerous reasons, but the main reason was this question: What was Tori doing, and why wouldn't she let him see?

Finally Tori called him to the organ, a relieved smile on her face. He walked over, one eyebrow raised slightly.

She blushed a deep red, her shyness getting the better of her.

"Erik, I...wrote a song for you..."

He brightened at the thought of hearing her sing. "I had no idea you could play."

"I learned when I was very young, but stopped at eight."

He gestured to the piece. "Start."

She took a deep breath, flexed her fingers, and positioned them over the keys. She looked at Erik, and he nodded eagerly.

Tori started to play out a cheerful tune, but in the lower register. After a brief intro, she started to sing.

And if I die today I'll be the happy phantom
And I'll go chasin' the nuns out in the yard
And I'll run naked through the streets without my mask on
And I will never need umbrellas in the rain
I'll wake up in strawberry fields every day
And the atrocities of school I can forgive
The happy phantom has no right to bitch
oo who
The time is getting closer
oo who
Time to be a ghost
oo who
Every day we're getting closer
The sun is geting dim
Will we pay for who we been
So if I die today I'll be the happy phantom
And I'll go wearin' my naughties like a jewel
They'll be my ticket to the universal opera
There's Judy Garland taking Budda by the hand
And then these seven little men get up to dance
They say Confucius does his crossword with a pen
I'm still the angel to a girl who hates to sin
oo who
The time is getting closer
oo who
Time to be a ghost
oo who
Every day we're getting closer
The sun is geting dim
Will we pay for who we been
Or will I see you dear and wish I could come back
You found a girl that you could truly love again
WIll you still call for me when she falls asleep
Or do we soon forget the things we cannot see
oo who
The time is getting closer
oo who
Time to be a ghost
oo who
Every day we're getting closer
The sun is geting dim
Will we pay for who we been

And if I die today...!

ah ah chasin' the nuns out in the yard...

Yeah la la la la la, la la la la la la la la...

She finished the piece softly, then sat staring at the keys, waiting for a reaction from Erik. When it didn't come, she looked up at him.

He was standing there with the world's biggest grin on his face. His blue eyes glimmered as he stood there, shaking, then finally he burst out into laughter, bending over from it all. A little hurt, Tori reached out to him, but instead he swept her up and squeezed her as hard as he could, whispering into her hair.

"Tori, that was the most gorgeous thing I have ever heard. It describes me perfectly and, if anything, is absolutely hilarious!" He laughed again, ruffling her hair and giving her a kiss. Tori breathed out with relief, the hard work and sleepless nights finally paying off, just to see him happy.

Suddenly, he became still and released her.

She looked up into his eyes, questioning. He looked nervous, even timid, and he shifted his weight from foot to foot, hands behind his back and eyes glued to the ground. Finally he released his breath, which he had been holding ever since he had released her.

"Tori, I...oh God...I was saving this for a...a later time, but I just think it's appropriate now."

He silently knelt before her. Tori looked down upon him, a little part of her mind knowing exactly what it was that he was going to ask.

"Tori, will you marry me?"

xxXxXxx

It's over.

That's it.

And this time, I'm not pulling a fast one on you. The story of Tori and Erik has just been wrapped up, before your very eyes. There might be a sequel popping up somewhere, and there's a 70 percent chance I'm going to appoint someone else to write it for me so that I don't overload myself with fluff. Yes, I know, the ending is very abrupt, but I just feel like it's wholeheartedly appropriate to stop it now. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to everyone, from the people who stayed devoted to this story from beginning to end to the people who glanced at the first chapter and decided that they didn't want to read it! Kisses to all, and goodnight!