The LAST chapter. It's bittersweet for me, readers. One: I got to finish my most popular story and two: I had to finish my most popular story. I'm in love with these characters, but I know I must move on. I have one other fully written POTO story that I will work on a get uploaded in a more timely fashion. Everyone has been so supportive in kicking my ass and keeping me on track. Anyway, enjoy!
Startled by what she just witnessed, Lea stumbled back until her legs hit the armchair Jane had just been sitting in. She was gone. The phantom had played his final card and ensnared Jane for good.
How could she compete with the man that obviously had her heart?
At the thought, Lea's own chest squeezed with an unfamiliar ache. And for the first time in over 12 years, she felt tears sliding down her slender cheeks. The one person that made her happy was gone and she was stuck on the other side of the curtain. A quiet sob shook her body as she gave in to the emotions that she had since repressed.
Her turmoil consumed her in such a way that she didn't notice the figure that quietly stepped out from behind one of the mirrors and toward her shaking form. A hand gently touched her shoulder and wise green eyes met hers, "Mademoiselle, are you quite alright?"
Lea gasped and jerked back in the chair, started by the woman in front of her. Worn but well-made fabrics formed to the woman's athletic frame. She remembered seeing her speaking with the reporters as Madame Giry, ballet instructor and previous Prima Ballerina.
Quickly, she pulled out her handkerchief and started dabbing her running makeup.
"Ah, well, yes, I—"
A firm hand stilled her shaking ones, "Please, you're only making it worse." She gave Lea a thoughtful look, "Let me."
Gently, Madame Giry started wiping away the makeup, revealing Lea's gentle pink skin underneath. Splotches of red marred her cheeks due to her sudden release of emotion. With almost absentminded care, Giry brushed away the stray hairs that clung to Lea's damp face.
Lae started at the woman in front of her. Laugh lines and crows feet played at the edges of Giry's refined face. She had aged like a fine wine, but sadness pulled the strings behind this tower of strength. Lea was drawn in.
"Beautiful." The whisper slid past her lips and caressed the older woman's face. Giry's eyes widened as they locked with Lea's. A blush crept up on her face and her delicate hands covered her cheeks like a fresh debutante. "My goodness, the things you say."
Lea gently touched her hands, "What is your name?"
Giry cleared her throat and tried to concentrate on cleaning the rest of the woman's face, "Antoinette Giry."
"Antoinette." It purred off her tongue and that blush bloomed on Giry's face again.
"And yours, Mademoiselle?"
"Lea Dulone."
"Why are you in the catacombs, Lea?"
She could listen to Antoinette say her name forever, but the reminder of the woman behind the curtain made her smile falter.
"I thought I was here to start anew. I thought I was in love. Only…I do believe I've made a fool of myself." The tears flowed once more down her face, only caught by Antoinette's gentle hands. The ballet instructor turned to the curtain to Erik's room and a woman's breathy moan echoed around them, the pieces fit together.
She looked back at the lady, for that was what she most definitely was, and felt her heart reach out to her. While she was happy Erik and Jane finally saw through their differences, it seemed to be at the expenses of Lady Dulone's heart.
"Come along my dear. Let's go get you a nice cup of tea and a warm blanket."
Lea looked up at the woman and the hand she was offering. A small, genuine smile curled at her lips and to Antoinette, she looked beautiful.
"I'd like that."