So sorry for the delay, just been busy with holidays and a few family issues rising up. But it's good because look who updated! Hahaha I hope you guys enjoy this. Strap in your seat belts because you are in for one heck of a ride! Happy Thanksgiving!

Chapter 18

In the mist of love-fest, I grew serious. With a groan I said,

"I have auditions on Monday." I set my head on Erik's chest.

"I thought you were excited for auditions, sweetheart." He said

I sighed, "I am...but it's just...this is Phantom we're talking about. This is big!"

"And you will blow them away and get the role of Christine that you deserve." He said quickly, making my task seem simple.

"Erik, I don't deserve anything. I'm just me. Nobody sees me like you do." I hugged him

"That's what's wrong with the world today, they can't recognize true talent." He muttered angrily.

"I'm nothing special." I told him

He tilted my face to see his eyes " You are to me. Once we finally get your gift out to the world, people will see what I see." He kissed my nose.

I leaned into him. "And what of you? People need to see what you can do. The things you compose are incredible. You could be famous."

He chuckled "I don't need to be famous. I just need you."

"You have me." I wrapped him in a tight hug "Forever." I pressed soft kiss to his lips, thrilling at their touch.

"Forever is a long time, sweetheart. You sure you want to put up with me for that long?" He smirked, a silly twinkle in his eyes.

"I will never have to put up with you, dear. You are a joy in my life." I caressed his cheek, my other hand dangerously close to his mask, my fingertips brushing the edge.

"I'm sorry." I said quickly, dropping my hand.

He noticed my touch, and caught my hand. "Don't be." He pressed soft kisses against my fingers. "You...have every right to know about it."

"Erik you don't have to-" I began to protest before Erik cut me off

"No, you should know. So there are no more secrets, nothing hidden." He held my hand in both of his."

"Only when you are ready, darling." I pressed

"I..am." He nodded. "Please let me explain. My parents were rich people, as you can see." He gestured around the house. "My mother was an opera star in Europe and my father a successful attorney. You might think the pairing of the two was quite odd, but while my mother was touring in America, she met my father at a performance. They fell in love and were married within two months. It was quick and rushed, but they were happy. They had tried to have children for several years, but to no avail. They tried one more time and soon found that I was in the works." He smiled before continuing. "My mother's pregnancy did not go well. She fell and it caused her to go into premature labor. I was born 4 months premature."

I gasped, feeling tears press into my eyes. I gripped his hands, waiting for more.

"The fall is what caused my...deformity. My parents were loving towards me and treated me with the love every child deserves. I didn't need to hide my face. Mother taught me music and Father taught me business. My memories of them are faded and few, but they are happy. They... died in an fire at a performance hall." Tears filled his eyes. "They were going to see a musical. A fire broke out because someone dropped a lit cigarette. The autopsy relieved that my mother was expecting again. It was a little girl." A sob shook his body. "I didn't just lose parents that night, Kirsten. I lost a sister. A sister! All because of an idiotic move."

I reached to embrace him "Ohh my darling. I'm so sorry." The simple words didn't seem enough. My tears fell, rolling down my cheeks as I wiped his tears away.

"It's alright, my love. It was a long time ago." He sniffed. "You know what show they went to see?" I shook my head, but I had one in mind.

"The Phantom of the Opera." He smiled sadly, his eyes distant. "In their will, they left me a mask. They knew that the world wouldn't accept me as they did. They did it to protect me."

I reached to caress his face, touching the mask softly for the first time. The porcelain was smooth and cool beneath my hand. He pressed his hand to mine.

"You can accept me, can't you Kirsten?" His eyes pleaded with me, that same look Ramin's eyes held during Stranger Than You Dreamt It. But this wasn't a musical, this was life. It scared me. Didn't he believe me? Didn't he know how much love my heart held for him?

"Erik, you are more than accepted. You are loved. Believe me when I say I love you with all of my heart. You make me more than I am. You are my everything."

Hiccuping sobs escaped him "Oh Kirsten. Never in a million years did I think I'd hear those words directed to me."

I smiled, holding him close. "You better get used to it, my love."

Monday morning dawned, my stomach already wound in a knot. Erik promised to meet me after school to see me before I auditioned. I needed his comfort desperately. I knew he believed in me, but did I believe in myself? Mom kissed me before I left, promising that everything would go fine. It lessened my nerves, but not for long. As I prepared for homeroom, Rory bounded up to me.

"Good morning Kirsten." He flashed a dazzling smile before kissing my cheek.

I shrugged out of his embrace. "Morning Rory."

He furrowed his brow. "What's wrong hon?"

I sighed. I couldn't tell him. "I'm..having family issues. I need some space. I hope you don't mind."

Concern filled his eyes. "Of course dear. I'm here if you need me."

The rest of the day ran by without much excitement. All I felt during it was the numbing nervousness that built up. I went home and freshened up, feeling ready to vomit. I had to please Erik. Just then, my phone rang and I was thrilled to see that it was my Phantom. Of course, I didn't call him that to his face, but it was my secret name for him.

"Hi sweetheart." I answered.

"How are you feeling, love?" He asked, that velvet tone comforting me.

"Fine." I lied

"Be honest." He said quickly

"I feel like crap." I sighed, giving in.

"You are going to be amazing, darling. I'm nearing your house, I'll pick you up." He said softly.

"Good. I need you, honey." I felt some tension ease away.

"I know. Be there in two minutes. Love you." He hung up before I could reply.

I prepped one more time and waited outside for him. When he pulled up, my mother called "Break a leg, Christine!" She smirked. "You'll get it. You'll do wonderful." She blew me a kiss as I left.

I slid into the car flashing Erik a weak smile. "Come here you." He smiled before pulling me into a soft kiss. I hugged him close, feeling safe in our embrace.

"I needed that Erik. You have no idea." I wrapped my arms around him.

"I'm here for you honey. Always." He kissed my forehead.

I released him, knowing that we had to get going. As we drove, Erik had me sing slow, gentle scales.

"Did you sing at all today?" He asked

I shook my head. "Not a note. I was afraid to."

He nodded, "Good girl." He reached for my hand. "Don't be nervous, you're going to be fine."

"And I chugged tea like a maniac." I blurted randomly. I had to get my nerves under control.

"As long as you didn't have a lot of dairy, you'll be just fine sweetie." He assured, a small smile graced his lips.

As he parked the car in the student parking lot, I shifted in my seat. "Are you sure I can do this?"

Erik pulled me close. "Of course you can. You were born to perform, sweetheart. I know you are nervous, and you have every right to be. Alfie Boe once said that when you have nerves, it means you care about what you're doing. Be grateful for those nerves and use that energy to fuel your performance. If you do that, you'll get along well." He kissed my forehead.

I found strength in his words. Beaming, I said "Let's do this!." I hurried from the car with my new found energy. The cold wind nipped at us, tugging at our coats. It was only the first of October, but I could already feel winter on the way.

Erik grasped my hand as we walked into the school, gazing at his surroundings. "I was home schooled as a boy, as old fashioned as that sounds. I never had stepped foot in a public school til now." His eyes shined as he feasted on the environment.

I shrugged. "It isn't anything special. You were kept from the bullies and the drama. I wish I could have had that."

He stopped. "You were bullied?" There was fire in his eyes.

"No." I shook my head quickly. "But I saw people picking on other kids, being nasty and rude. Making people miserable. Don't get me started on the drama. It was 'He said this, she said that.' 'She broke up with me so this is how I'll get revenge.' Trust me, you didn't miss a thing." Erik smirked, staying silent though I could see he was holding something back.

I gripped his hand as we neared the auditorium. My audition would be private and no one else would be around the drama department until my time slot was finished and the next person on the schedule would come. We were allowed to have one person come with us for support and said person would have to wait silently in the hall. That's the part I was worried about. I wanted Erik in the room, playing the piano, beaming at me with that same sweet smile. He was my muse, I guess you could say. I feed off his music and the way he played. Would I perform as well without him? The lose knot tightened once more as my name was called.

"We'll give you a moment to collect yourself." A petite woman said before going back inside the room.

I felt my breath quicken. "Hey, hey, hey." Erik gently took my face in his hands, caressing my cheekbones. "Look at me." He begged.

I lifted my gaze to meet his. The depth of his sea-colored eyes warmed me. I found peace there. My breathing slowed, never breaking contact. "That's it...that's my girl. Deep breaths." He spoke softly. I nodded dumbly. "Just relax, sweetheart." He pressed a lingering kiss on my forehead. "I love you." He murmured against my skin. I smiled, still in awe of those words.

"I love you." I whispered. With that, I squeezed his hand, said a prayer, and stepped into the room with a poised smile and holding my head high.

It was over. The worst was behind me. Everything was in the past and my fate was in the hands of the judges. I had given it my all for Erik. He was my everything now and my true reason for performing. I loved the thrill of it and knowing that he would be at my side took things to new heights. I tried not to get my hopes up, but I hoped I would please him with a big role. I could perform the way he wanted me, shine like he wanted me to. I closed the door behind me to see Erik leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"How'd it go?" He asked, a smile toying at his lips.

I smiled, "Not as good as when I sing with you, but it sounded great. They were so happy with my choice because it wasn't a show tune, it's a song Christine would sing. They were so thrilled...and hopefully entertained."

He swept me in his arms. "I'm sure they were, love." He kissed my nose.

"Could you hear me?" I asked.

"A little." He replied, "It was beautiful. It makes me feel so good to hear you sing. Like I can jump on the rooftops and proclaim to the world that you're mine. That I can show you off."

I smiled beneath his nonstop praise. Hopefully he wouldn't be jumping off rooftops anytime soon. I giggled, "Ya wanna blow this Popsicle stand?"

He chuckled reaching for my hand. "You bet."

I practically floated down the hallway with his hand in mine. Before we could reach the exit, a guy stepped into the intersecting hallway. I stopped dead in my tracks as Rory Chandlen bumped into us. His gaze met mine and then traveled to Erik's. Eyes wide with shock and disbelief, he stumbled backward. Trembling, I looked up at Erik, at a loss for words. His eyes were narrowed and I saw burning coals glowing. Terror gripped my soul. His strong arm wrapped tightly me and forcefully turned me to the door. As he pushed it open, Rory shouted,

"You sure as heck have a family problem! A sick, twisted problem!"

"Don't talk about him. You have no right. You don't know him." I found my voice as it trembled weakly.

"Kirsten don't." Erik's tone was frighteningly firm. "Leave him be."

"Yeah take advice from the creep, Kirsten! Leave it be." His words were acid.

I shrunk under his cries as Erik lead me through the door, leaving them to die in the icy wind.

Are we freaking out? Are we crying? What's happening? How do my lovely readers feel at this point? This has been my favorite chapter to write so far, and I've been wanting to write it for a long time. Just a side note, GO SEE THE NEW JAMES BOND MOVIE! So good! Review please