Erik had long since finished his song but refused to leave her side. Christine was fast asleep and he actually prayed that she was dreaming something pleasant. With the door shut and Christine asleep Erik sat in the chair next to the coffin with his face in his hands. He let himself be weak in this moment. His thoughts were on the child. Christine's child. His child.
Erik had always created things. He taught himself how to paint, sculpt, sketch, and compose. He never thought that he would have the chance to create life. He wept for that life. He couldn't help but be in love with someone he would never know because he had been the one to create them. What he saw in his mind was a beautiful child with Christine's eyes and spirit. He saw a perfect child. He could see himself playing with the child and teaching the little one to play the piano. He saw a wonderful life for his child that was now lost to them forever.
Erik had never realized exactly how badly he wanted a child until he saw the blood on the bed. When Giry told him the news he could feel his heart breaking. He kept telling himself that they would have another chance and they can try again, but a part of him feared that they would never get that lucky again. He cried because he felt he had let down Christine and his child. Scenarios played through his head where he never left that morning. Raoul never hurt Christine. The baby was fine. He hated himself for seeing those scenes because it all happened and they had to accept it before they could move on.
He heard the door open. Erik quickly wiped his face and put on his mask. He looked up to see Philippe standing there. Before Philippe could say anything, Erik put a finger to his lips then pointed to Christine. Philippe looked and smiled softly at Christine sleeping. He found it a little odd that she was able to sleep so soundly in a coffin. He looked back to Erik and whispered, "Mother and Father are here."
Erik looked a little shocked but nodded after a moment of thought. "I'll be there in a moment." Philippe nodded then left. Erik sat another moment staring at Christine, then sighed putting himself together. He stood then quietly exited the room and went down the hall.
Edward stood as he always did, tall and confident. He wore one of his finest as to intimidate others around him. Erik was impressed that there was a small amount of sympathy in his eyes. Selene was in one of her more simple dresses and looked at Erik as only a mother could. She could see the hurt in his eyes. "Erik," Selene said walking to him and putting her arms around him. She pulled away after a moment. "Nadir told us what happened."
"He couldn't have told you everything." Erik replied.
Selene scrunched her face. "What do you mean?"
"Christine," He held back tears refusing to cry in front of Edward. "Christine, was pregnant." He struggled to say. "She lost the baby." He choked out.
"Oh mon Dieu." Was Selene's only reply.
"Erik," Edward said his normally intimidating demeanor falling away. For the first time in years he looked at Erik in a fatherly way. "I'm truly sorry to hear that. I promise you that Raoul will be dealt with properly. This won't be swept under the rug."
Erik didn't believe him, but he nodded anyway. He knew that if Edward didn't handle it properly then Erik would act and end the boy once and for all. "He will make good on that promise Erik." Philippe said seeing the disbelief in his eyes.
"Where is Raoul?" Edward asked.
"The chamber. Philippe can show you." Erik replied monotoned not caring if Edward was judging him.
"And Christine?" Selene asked. "Where is she?"
"Resting." Erik replied. "Unfortunately, I don't think it a good idea for the two of you to meet tonight mother." Selene looked at him concerned. "When she heard you may be coming she told me that she hoped you didn't, because she didn't want this to be how you met."
Selene nodded. "I understand. But please if there is anything I can do just tell me. I can only imagine what she is going through."
Erik started to speak when there was a scream from his bedroom. Erik ran as fast as he could to the room. Christine was awake and attempting to climb out of the coffin. Erik rushed to her afraid she would do herself further harm. "Christine what's wrong? What happened?" He demanded as he held her shoulders trying to keep her in the coffin.
"Stop! Let me go! I have to get to her! He has to be stopped!" She screamed fighting with him.
Erik climbed into the coffin and pulled her tight to him. With her back on his chest he held her arms to her as she continued to try and fight him. She cried and screamed but he wouldn't let her go. "Christine, it's alright. I'm here. I've got you." He repeated until she stopped fighting. Afterwards it was just a rough sob. "Shh. It's alright. I've got you." He kept saying as he lay them back down into the coffin.
Philippe and Selene stood in the doorway. "I think Erik has it covered." Philippe said leading his mother away from the scene.
Erik loosened his hold on her arms and she immediately held her stomach curling into a ball. "He killed her." She said sobbing.
Erik kissed her head allowing a tear to escape. "Shh. I know."' He held her close for comfort. It seemed like hours before she finally stopped crying and they just lay there. She didn't go back to sleep even though Erik could see that her eyes were very heavy. "You should try and get a little more sleep." Erik whispered.
She shook her head. "No." She replied in a raspy voice.
"Christine," He started to argue but she interrupted him.
"Every time I close my eyes I see him. I actually had a dream that started out perfect. It was you and me. Then there was our baby. She was perfect. But Raoul came. He killed her. Our perfect little girl." He could feel her shaking still and heard her sniffle. Erik was silent. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to comfort her. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
"No. I've already told you that none of this is your fault." Erik replied.
"No." Christine said turning on her back to look up at him. "You didn't even want a baby. And yet here I am going on about losing her."
"Don't say that." Erik wanted to scream but refrained. "Why would you say that?"
Christine looked at him slightly confused. "It was a conversation we had a long while ago. You told me that you didn't want children. You said that you feared they would look like you, and that you didn't wish that upon any child." She explained. "I remember right after you said that, I vowed that I would change your mind."
Erik shook his head. "Je suis desole mon cheri. Don't you dare think for a second that I would not have wanted this child. And don't you dare think that I am not mourning with you ma amour." He gently wiped away tears from her face. "You really think it was a girl?" He asked. Christine nodded. "We should name her then. I feel it faux to refer to her as just 'the baby'. Don't you agree?"
Christine nodded. "Je suis d'accord." She whispered. "Something meaningful."
"D'accord." Erik replied and thought. "Gala."
A small smile tugged at her lips. "What does it mean?"
"A girl who is brave, happy, and peaceful." Erik explained. "I believe she would have been a very brave girl. Constantly on some sort of adventure like her mother."
Christine's smile grew a little and she let out a small laugh. "That would have caused her a lot of trouble."
Erik chuckled. "I agree, but she would have been a happy child. No matter how much trouble she would get herself into." Erik watched as Christine smiled and put her head against his chest. Her eyes grew heavier. "Most importantly though. I believe she is at peace, and that is what we must hold on to my darling."
Slowly Christine closed her eyes snuggling into his chest. "She would've had your eyes." She murmured.
Erik smiled. "With your little curls." He said petting her hair.
"And you talent." She said quietly drifting to sleep.
"And everything else I adore about you." He whispered holding her tightly. In his mind he prayed. He actually prayed. Something he hadn't done in nearly a decade. He prayed she would have pleasant dreams. He wouldn't even mind a dreamless sleep for her.