Hello, my Phantom fans, I am back! I know it has been forever.

I am sorry that I did not update. I have been very busy for the past couple of months. My teaching job starts again, studying for my exam, rehearsing for the musical "Beauty and the Beast," and spending time with my family. Again, the next chapter will take some time because of life and my next update is my "My Magical Wish" story. Please be patient with me.

I do have something to say… I JUST SAW THE LOVE NEVER DIES TOUR! OMG it was amazing! I was so happy that I saw the musical and I want to see it again.

Again, I want to thank my friend OtherCharacterNut for proofreading this chapter and helping me with the song in this chapter. Seriously, I do not know what I would do without your help. If you have not read her stories, I recommend you read them. They are truly amazing! Also, I want to thank everyone who helped/advised me with my writer block for this chapter. I really appreciate all the help.

Also, please check out my Twitter page, my YouTube channel, and my Polypore page to see posters and what clothes Brie is wearing in each chapter. Anyways, do not forget to favorite, follow, review, and enjoy this chapter.

Also Merry belated Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

Also, I do not own anything except my OC Brie.

Brie's POV

I slowly opened my eyes as the sunlight hit my window. I was confused to where I was, until thoughts of last night hit me; my reunion with Erik. At first I thought I was going to run into his arms and never let go. However, it's been two years for me since I have seen him. Things have changed since the last time I was in this world. And to top it off, it has been ten years for Erik. My thoughts went to Adam. He seems like a nice guy; an artist and a heart of gold. I could see the love and passion he has for his art. His love for this world Brieanna.

I looked at the time to see it was 7 in the morning. Only one hour until I have to go to my private voice lessons; the one Erik is forcing me to do. After changing into a dark purple dress and braiding my hair, I slowly walked out of my room. I could see Raoul and Christine sleeping soundly in their bed. I looked into Gustave's room. I smiled when I saw the boy snuggling in his pillow. I promised myself that nothing will harm him; I will make sure of it. I wrote a note saying I will be away for a couple of hours. Before I grabbed my purse, I heard snoring. I looked on the couch and smiled at the site. Adam was deep asleep with the art book on his chest. He must have come home later and fell asleep while reading his art book. Without waking him up, I took the book out of his hands and placed a blanket on him. Looking at the sleeping man, I smiled before softly closing the door.

I walked out of the hotel and headed to Phantasma. Once I reached the gates to the amusement park, I started to get nervous. What if this was a mistake? Will I be safe? Should I just go back and run? No, absolutely not! I knew I had to do this. I made a deal and I will not break my promise. I gripped the song sheets, took a deep breath and walked into the park.

I was in awe at the hustle and bustle. I could see dancers stretching and applying makeup. I looked to see a stable boy feeding carrots to the horses. I could smell the sweet aroma of chocolate being made. My mouth started to water with hunger. Maybe I'll have a taste later today. Some of the workers and entertainers paused what they were doing and stared in awe at the sight of me. I tried to ignore it, but I was starting to feel very uncomfortable.

"Watch out!"

I gasped as a worker all most ran me over with a wheelbarrow. I moved right out of the way just in time.

"Excuse me Miss. I did not see you there," cried out the worker as he continued pushing the barrow.

I sighed before calling back, "It's all right. It was my fault." He looked back to see me. When he saw my face, he gasped and tripped on his feet. I placed my hand on my mouth when he fell to the ground. Without thinking, I rushed over and helped him up. "Are you all right?"

"Yes Miss Daee, I am so sorry I did not recognize you."

He thanked me for the help and began to push the wheelbarrow away. I turned around and nearly screamed. Standing right behind me were the three people who brought me and my family in the mysterious carriage. They smiled and stared right at me.

"Oh my gosh, you three scared me. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

The tall skinny man bowed with his top hat. He lifted his face and showed his razor sharp teeth. "Forgive us, Miss Brieanna. We did not mean to startle you."

I smiled and said to them, "It's all right. I get scared easily."

The round man grasp me hand and kissed it. "It is lovely to see you again."

I smiled as he released my hand. They kept on staring at me as I backed away slowly. I hate to admit it; I was becoming more and more freaked out. As I continued to back away, they would step closer to me.

"It was great to see you too, but I must be going," I said.

As I started to walk away, the lady called out to me, "Our Master told us to bring you to him."

I stopped and looked back at their smiling faces. "Your… your Master?" I shivered and asked, "Is the Phantom your Master? Who are you again?"

The short lady curtsied and said sweetly, "I am Miss Fleck."

The round man flexed his arm and said, "The Mighty Squelch."

I gasped when the tall man was suddenly behind me and said, "Dr. Gangle."

All three of them bowed to me and said, "At your service."

As Squelch and Gangle grabbed my hands, Fleck smiled at me and whispered, "And his."

"This way Miss Daae," Gangle whispered in my ear.

I looked at him and asked meekly, "Where are we going?"

The three of them led me to me to a brick wall. I was confused; why are we in front of a wall? I looked behind me and realized that no one was paying attention to us. I turned around to see Squelch released his left hand. He raised his cane and used it to tap it on the wall. I was in shock when the bricks shifted and moved aside to reveal a wooden door. Squelch pushed the door open. Fleck walked in with Squelch following her. I slowly walked behind them. As my foot hit the wooden floor, torches magically lit up, revealing a spiral staircase. I looked behind me to see Gangle closing the door. I heard stones shifting and I knew the brick wall moved back into place.

As we walked up the stairs, I swear I could hear a hunting music playing. I felt a chill go down my spine when I heard Gangle sing behind me, "Come along and follow us."

Fleck turned her head and sang, "Come and follow faster."

Squelch took another step on the stairs and sang, "Come along and follow us."

As we continued to walk up the stairs, I held on the rail. We were high up. One slip and you will tumble down the stairs. I held up my dress so I wouldn't trip on it.

The trio continued to sing as we continued our climb to the top. "Come and meet the master. Hurry up and follow us, hurry if you care to… Soon the dark will swallow us, follow if you dare to…"

When we finally reached the top, there was a purple curtain. Fleck moved aside the curtain to reveal another wooden door. She tilted her head, indicating me to open the door. I gulped and my hands were shaking. Behind this door was where Erik waited for me. I knew I was going to face him sooner than later.

"Is this where Erik wants to meet me? To have my voice lessons?" I asked softly.

Gangle's sharp teeth gleamed as he replied, "This is where he works."

"Step lively, Miss Daae," Fleck said with a grin.

Squelch chuckled as he added, "He is waiting to you."

The Trio stared at me, waiting for me to walk into the Phantom Lair. I gazed back at the wooden door. Well, here goes nothing. I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the doorknob. When I slowly walked into the room, I was surprised at the sight. There was a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The sun was shining through a circular window and the sun rays hit the chandelier creating manicure rainbows all around the room. On the walls there were paintings of landscapes and different shapes. There were mannequins wearing costumes and masks. There were music boxes and musical machines. There was a grand piano in the center of the room. I saw a large mirror in the corner of the room. There was another spiral staircase that led to the upper area of the room. This place was absolutely beautiful; like an artist's dream room. I was not aware that the Trio snuck away, leaving me alone.

One music box caught my eye. It was a little ballerina in a pick tutu. The music box reminded me of the one I had when I was a little girl. I walked slowly to get a closer look. I slowly lifted my hand and lightly touched the ballerina's head. I gasped as the music box came to life. There was a soft melody the music box was playing. The little ballerina on the music box started to dance to a familiar musical tune. I smiled and softly touched the machine again. I was so lost in the music's lure that I started to sing.

"Masquerades, painted wings, things I almost remember..." I slowly backed away from the music box as I continued to sing, "And the song Phantom sings, once upon a December..." I looked around the room and closed my eyes. "Someone holds me safe and warm; petals fall in a golden storm. Figures dancing hauntingly, across my memory..." When I opened my eyes, my imagination took flight. I was back in the Opera House. It was the Masquerade Party, with dancers spinning around me. The whole room was covered in silver and gold. I felt the joy in the magic and music returning to me. I started to twirl as I continued to sing out loud, "Someone holds me safe and warm, petals fall in a golden storm. Figures dancing hauntingly, across my memory..." I looked into a standing mirror and now I was wearing my 'Think of Me' dress. My hair was in curls with little diamonds. I smiled in my reflection. I felt so happy, so free. "Worlds away, long ago, glowing dim as an ember... Things my heart used to know, things it yearns to remember..." I turned around and I saw my Mom and Dad, Amber, Christine, Meg, Madame Giry, Raoul, Adam, and Gustave staring at me. Raoul and Adam stepped aside and Erik walked up to me. He looked so handsome in his phantom outfit. My heart started to flutter at the sight of his eyes. I smiled as I sang softly to him, "And the song Phantom sings..." I felt him grab my hand and kissed it softly. My heart soared. "Once upon a December."

All of a sudden, I heard clapping behind me. Everything, including the party, the people, and my 'Think of Me' dress disappeared. I snapped right back to reality. I was back in Erik's private lair. I looked behind me to see Erik was standing on top of a spiral staircase.

He continued to clap as he said, "Brava Brieanna."

My face was burning red from embarrassment. How stupid could I be? I should have known he was here, watching and listening this whole entire time. I turned my head away with my long brown straight hair covering my red face. I heard the sound of footsteps walking up to me. I closed my eyes, refusing to look. However, I gasped when I felt a gloved hand grasped my chin and lifted my face up.

"Brieanna, my angel of music," he whispered.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to step away from his touch and it left me cold. "Let's just do this voice lesson," I said as I walked to the piano. I kept my eyes fixed to the song sheet as Erik walked slowly behind me.

"Brieanna, I do not wish for you to feel uncomfortable. No harm will come to you," he said softly, kindly even.

I stiffened. How was I supposed to react? Lean into him and feel him hold me again? Spin around and slap him? What would this Brie do? Should I be this Brie at all? It didn't matter. Two years or ten, this world or that, he still thought the way to my heart was through force and haven't we been through that already? Have we learned nothing? Too many questions and no answers. I looked back at him and stared firmly into his eyes. "What about harm coming to those I care about?"

Erik's eyes hardened and his shoulders tightened. I offended him. "I did not harm them," he hissed.

I blinked furiously at his response. "You did not harm them, yet! Last night you threatened to kidnap Gustave and kill Adam if I did not sing for you. As though I would hurriedly climb those steps and throw myself into your arms because of it!" I strongly stepped closer to him, my breath warming his mask. "If you missed me, want nothing more than to see me, to hear me sing, that is not how you tell me!"

Our faces were very close, so close that one more step and our lips would touch. I waited for him to do something; yell at me, threaten me, scare me into staying with him forever. Honestly, I was waiting for him to grab my face and kiss me no matter what! However, I was surprised to hear Erik... chuckling. He shook his head as his laugh deepened in his chest. I was so confused. What could he possibly be laughing at?

He looked into my eyes and said, "You've changed, Brieanna. You are not the girl you were ten years ago."

I took a deep breath and crossed my arms. "It's called growing up and learning from your mistakes, Erik."

He lifted his hand and softly caressed my check. My heart was pounding in my chest. I felt as though I was being hypnotized by his eyes again. For a moment it seemed like he was going to say something, but he stopped himself. I blinked and looked at the music boxes.

"Did you make all of these?" I asked him.

He looked at the painting and the machines. He slowly walked around the room as he replied, "Yes, this is one of my workshops. One of the things that help me with Phantasma… my world."

I softly giggled as I said, "I still cannot believe that you own Phantasma. I almost wish I could see all the secrets and magic in this place."

As I looked at the chandelier, I saw Erik's eyes glittering in the reflection of the crystals and I knew the wheels were turning in his head. I nearly gasped as he touched my shoulder and whispered in my ear, "I could show you the secrets of my world. I could show you things that you would never have dreamed before."

Hearing his voice, feeling him touching me, I almost replied instantly. I snapped out of it when I realized what he was doing. I cleared my throat and said, "So… the song you want me to sing is… 'Love Never Dies?'"

He sighed before taking my hand into his and led me to the grand piano. We were beginning with a warm up. He stared at me intensely as his fingers played on the keys and I sang a simple verse. Erik suddenly stopped and stood up.

"You need to remember to not sing from your chest. Your vocal cords will not be strong enough." I watched carefully as he walked behind me. I was stiff as he softly placed one hand on my shoulder. Instantly my back was straight. His left hand was softly placed on my stomach. I felt my breath leave my body when his warm gloved hand laid on my stomach. "Now… try to breath with your stomach and not your chest. Sing one verse from that song you were singing before," he whispered in my ear.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. After controlling my breathing and my body, I opened my eyes and sang, "And the song Phantom sings…" I slowly turned my head to look at Erik. He released me and slowly backed away as I finished softly, "Once upon a December..."

And there you have it, another chapter done. What do you think of the song version of "Once Upon a December" from the movie/musical Anastasia? I was listening to the song while I was writing the chapter. Again, sorry for the wait. Sadly, the next chapter will take some time so please have patience with me. The next update will be my "My Magical Wish" story and then I will be back with "Red Rose Nightmare." Do not forget to favorite, follow, review, and until then…

Grapejuice101