Rekindling the Music of the Night

By: K.C. Vaillancourt

Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera or lyrics of any songs I use.

Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.

Author Note – Thank you so much to all who have taken the time to read, review, follow, or favorite my Phanfic. This has been my most successful Fan Fiction to date and I can't thank you enough for helping make that happen. Sorry it has taken so long to update but hopefully this long chapter makes up for it.

I also want to thank Christineoftheopera for pointing out that "I Dreamed a Dreamed" from Les Miserables was what Madame Giry was writing in her journal entry. I didn't mention it solely because it's not sung but after reading that chapter through again I realized that as you read it you can't help but hear the song in your head as you read if you know it.

I'm putting an OOC warning in this chapter for Meg, Christine, and Erik but as most if not all of you know grief can make people act OOC even if they don't intend to. I just wanted to let you know.

I wasn't completely sure how you address a priest in France and it turns out there are many ways. I decided to go with the most informal which is "Pere" then his sur name or last name. His clothing may or may not be historically accurate along with what he says during the funeral. As with everything else, I did look it up and went with the majority of what I saw on the various history websites I visit.

What Erik sings at the Funeral is "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by Ian Hughes from The Snow Queen. It can be found on ITunes. I found it there but I'm sure it can be found elsewhere as well.

Christine and Erik also sing "For Good" from Wicked with a few words tweaked as I tend to do with most of the songs I've used.

I decided to start telling you the songs I'm using so you have the opportunity to find them and know the melody before you read. Since I'm using songs, whether sung or spoken, I feel fit this story from many different places. When I get a chance I will go back to earlier chapters and add in the songs I used then too. As I reread some of my earlier chapters I found knowing the melody behind the words helped to understand that character and what they were feeling in the situation much better.

That's enough from me. On with our story.


Saying Good-Bye

Meg arrived at the cemetery just after ten in the morning. The air was cool but she didn't notice as she got out of the driver's seat of her chaise carriage and tied Cecile to a tree. She starred at the imposing iron gates. She could feel tears coming but forced them back as she passed through them entering the cemetery. The train of her black silk and velvet day dress grazed the ground as she walked. When she was looking for an outfit for her mother she found the dress in her closet and immediately recognized it. It was the dress her mother had worn to her father's funeral. It seemed fitting that she wear it today. She had also dyed her hair back to its natural blonde and pulled up into a tight bun.

The mausoleum quickly came into view and she saw the men she hired were already there setting up for the service. A couple of them she knew from the opera house. One of them saw her coming and walked up to her immediately pulling her into a hug. "How are you holding up?" He asked as he let her go.

"I guess, as well as can be expected." She answered in a distant voice.

He stood to the side showing her the arrangement of the pews. "We weren't sure how you wanted them. If this isn't what you had in mind we'll…"

"They look fine." She said. "Thank you for all your…"

He waved his hand. "Your mother pushed the managers into giving me a job when I had nothing, because of her I was able to feed my family."

Meg didn't get a chance to respond when she heard the sound of carriage wheels behind them. The hearse carrying her mother's coffin was driving up and they both moved to let them through. She could feel her eyes filling again and began walking back toward Cecile letting the men continue to set up uninterrupted. She pet her mane as she let her mind wander. There was nothing left for her to do. No more people to meet with or decisions to be made. She could feel her immense sadness and anger beginning to creep in. When she was running around Paris getting everything arranged she could push those feelings aside. She had things to do to keep her mind occupied. She didn't have to feel it. Now there was nothing to keep the pain away.

She looked at the gates of the cemetery. It wouldn't be long before she would have to walk through those gates again. When she did she would have to face that her mother was gone, forever. Leaving her alone in the world to deal with the pain and try to fill the void in her heart. "After today I'll have a new purpose to occupy my pained heart." She said to herself and sighed as she pulled her mother's journal out of one of her satchels. She never finished reading the final entry and had sworn to herself when she woke this morning that she would before the funeral began.

She flipped through the pages and began where she had stopped before. As she read she pictured her mother sitting at the kitchen table waiting for her to return as she wrote.


So different now, from what it seemed. Now life has changed the dream I dreamed.

I have missed you every day since you were taken from us but I know there will be a time when we will be together again. It has been some time since I have written in this journal but I am certain you are watching over us and know that Christine came to me looking to be reunited with Erik. She reminds me so much of you. She has your kind heart along with your passion for music. I always knew she would return to him even after she married the Vicomte. When I saw the faint bruise on her cheek the night she came to me and then when Erik told me what she endured I could have killed the Vicomte myself for what he put her through.

I feel guilty now for how harsh I was with her when she first inquired about Erik. I am sure Meg was too since we cared for the heap of a man he was after she left but then I remembered what you said to me and you were right. They are each other's other half. They share a love as deep as ours was and I will do whatever I have to do to protect that. I am on a dangerous road now Gustave and I know there is a possibility I will not survive.

If death is what god has planned for me next I am at peace with that since I have been fortunate enough to live such a full happy life. I have been loved by not one but two wonderful men the first of whom gave me my beautiful daughter.

My poor Meg. She will be in excruciating pain if something happens to me as she was when her father passed. I wish she had found someone to share the kind of love we did. Someone who could help her through the grief if something does happen but she is so consumed with taking care of me that she puts her own life aside.

Through all of this I pray that Meg does not feel neglected because of all I do and did for Christine. As I write this I wonder how she could not. I always pushed her harder than any student I ever had. I guess it is because I knew she had the talent to be great and I wanted to see her succeed. I know there are also times I pushed her aside treating Christine as my own and not her. I will carry guilt over that for the rest of my days. All I can say is that at the time I felt sorry for Christine because her parents were gone and Meg had me.

She does not know it yet but once Erik and Christine are free of the Vicomte I plan to separate from them and ask her to join me. Perhaps we can open a ballet school in London together and get back some of the time we should have had together when she was a child at the opera house. When we are settled my hope is that she will find someone out there that will care and love her like she deserves. Of course grandchildren aren't far from my mind either, it is time for me to end this entry. Meg will be returning soon and I must be ready so we can depart.


Meg closed the journal and stood staring blankly ahead of her holding it tightly to her body as she fought back tears. "Oh Maman." She whispered to herself and stopped fighting it allowing tears to slip down her cheeks.

"Mademoiselle Giry." A man said as he walked up to her. He repeated himself when he got no response. "Mademoiselle Giry?"

Meg shook her head refocusing her eyes and quickly wiped away her tears thankful she had decided to forgo wearing make-up. Pere Lambert, dressed in an ankle length black cassock with white buttons, stood in front of her with a sympathetic smile on his face. "I'm sorry I…" She began but he raised his hand.

"It is I who should be sorry for disrupting your thoughts on such a sorrowful day." Pere Lambert said.

"It's alright." Meg replied as she put the journal away. "Is there something you need me to do?"

"I know we discussed this yesterday at the church but I would like to go over the service with you one last time before people begin to arrive." He told her. "Of course if you are not up for it…"

"No." Meg said letting out a calming breath. "No, I'm alright. I think that's a good idea. I want things to be perfect today…for her."

"I thought you might my child." Pere Lambert said as he held out his arm. Meg took it and walked with him back into the cemetery.

Christine sat at the dressing table fixing her make-up for the second time after it had been ruined by tears. She thought perhaps it would be better to wear no make-up at all but since she had already begun to reapply it she decided to finish. She stopped when the caught Erik's reflection in the mirror.

He was fastening the last vest button of his black three piece suit. Even through his mask she could see the depressed look on his face that she knew matched her own. Five days had passed and news of Madame Giry's murder, who was wanted for the crime, and the true identity of the opera ghost spread through Paris like wild fire. The Surete had yet to come up with any leads as to Raoul's whereabouts or anyone known to associate with him. More members of the De Chagny staff had come forward giving detailed accounts of how unstable Raoul had become over the years. None of that matters today. Christine thought forcing herself to keep her mind on the present. Today is about Madame Giry.

Christine picked up a thinner make-up brush but no matter how hard she tried her mind continued to wander to the days following that night.


After taking Cesar and Arturo for a proper ride they emerged from the opera house and for the first time walked the streets of Paris, together. It felt surreal to Erik. He was nervous about being in the crowded streets during the day. He had of course been around people when it was daylight but always kept to the shadows whenever he could avoiding the busier streets and anyone he could. He took to hiring various people he saw in the street in need of money to get what he needed.

Christine knew his mother and others had drilled into his mind that the world would never accept him. That he didn't belong among the rest of society. The experiences in his life only reinforced those beliefs and so he hid himself away. Now, after years of hiding his entire world was changing as he tried to become a part of the world he thought would reject him. She knew he noticed the stares from the people they passed but to her delight none of them seemed to fear him like he thought they would. Anyone they passed stared for a moment but then returned to what they were doing. Christine heard a few whispers following them but the gossip was mostly about her, Madame Giry, or Raoul. Erik seemed to enjoy being among other people after a while. When they returned that evening Christine still felt the need to offer to return to staying in the shadows, away from prying eyes.

That offer touched Erik in a way she would never know. He told her he had watched her when they were out. He could see how happy she was to be walking by his side and reminded her that this was what she had always wanted, a normal life. It's what he promised to give her when he proposed and he refused to make her hide away with him because of his fears. He knew he would adjust to this new way of life. It would just take time.

A more difficult test of his comfort came the next afternoon when they went down to the headquarters of the Surete. A place and people he had hidden from for the past six years in order to stay alive. Once they arrived they were immediately led to M. Chevalier's office. He immediately yelled at the young man who led them for disturbing him until he looked up and saw who was standing behind him. "Miss Daae, Mr Destler." He said and showed the young man out. "Thank you for coming." Christine could feel anxiety radiating from Erik after the door was closed. She tightened her grip on his hand to try and assure him everything would be ok.

M. Chevalier sensed Erik's discomfort as they sat down. "Mr. Destler, I know you have spent years hiding from us due to the Vicomte's deception. I will tell you what I told Miss Daae. You have nothing to fear from us. As far as we are concerned you are an innocent man." Erik nodded in response loosening his grip on Christine's hand as he felt himself calming down. Christine glanced at him and smiled then turned her attention back to M. Chevalier. She noticed the dark circles under his eyes and took in his disheveled appearance. She wondered if he had slept or been home since she last saw him. "Miss Daae…" M. Chevalier began.

Christine held up her hand. "I appreciate your politeness but if you don't mind can we please drop the formalities and call each other by our first names."

"Certainly." He agreed. "I want to thank you again for coming in. I know this has to be a difficult time for both of you."

"It is, but if any information we give you leads to Raoul it's worth it." Christine said. She took another quick glance at Erik who seemed content to let her do the talking. "Is there any new information other than the gossip we have heard on the streets?"

"Unfortunately not." Javert told her. "We are fairly certain someone told him we were coming for him. A witness told us he saw four men fleeing the Boucher estate on horseback before we arrived. We can only assume it was Raoul, Anton, and two other men we have yet to identify." As he was speaking he took a small stack of paper from a drawer in his desk and picked up a pen. "I can imagine you don't want to be here any longer than you have to. Christine if you would please recount for me what you told me the night of the murder." She nodded and he wrote quickly as she spoke being sure to record every word. He stopped her when she was speaking about the opera house and looked at Erik. "Did the Vicomte ever approach you during that time?"

"No." Erik responded. "I tried to limit my contact with the outside world as much as I could due to…"

"Christine told me it was because of your, deformity, that you kept yourself hidden from public eye."

"Yes it was."

Javert sighed. "I know Christine has stated that you are the same man she unmasked six years ago. However her word alone is not enough. I need, proof, visual proof."

Erik immediately knew what he meant and was about to say something but Christine spoke before he could. "Javert." She said. "You already said he was a free man. Why tell us that if you had doubts about his identity?"

"Christine please." Erik said letting go of her hand. "It's alright." He looked at Javert. "I understand your need to be sure it's the same man behind the mask. Besides, if Raoul is apprehended the court will need the same proof, correct?" Javert nodded. Erik let out a deep breath as he removed his mask and wig proving to Javert he was the same man he had seen the night of the fire at the opera house. "Because of my true face the only people I willingly had contact with was Christine, Madame Giry, and occasionally her daughter Meg. Raoul most likely heard the rumors that circulated the opera house about me and decided to make rumors reality in order to get Christine for himself."

"That seems to be the case." Javert said. "Thank you for your cooperation. If it makes you more comfortable please feel free to put your mask back on." Erik nodded his thanks. Christine continued her statement and when she was finished Javert noted a few things Erik had to add. "Between all of the statements we have gotten and the evidence we found in the attic we are getting the word out to other towns and cities to be on the lookout for these men. Unfortunately it will be a slow process but I promise you he and his companions will be brought to justice."

"Please don't make promises you aren't sure you can keep." Christine said knowing how crafty Raoul could be. "I hope you haven't made the same promise to Meg. She doesn't need false hope right now."

"I haven't spoken to Meg since the night her mother was murdered." Javert informed her.

Christine wasn't sure why but she was immediately concerned and stood with Erik following her lead. "If there is nothing else you need we should be going."

"Of course." Javert said standing to shake her hand and then Erik's. "I want to once again extend my deepest condolences." He looked at Erik. "And apologize for the years you had to live as a fugitive."

"Thank you." Erik said and took hold of Christine's hand as they turned to leave his office.

Just before Erik opened the door Christine turned toward Javert. "Thank you for all of your hard work. Please take care of yourself and don't let this situation with Raoul consume you." Javert nodded knowing exactly what she meant.

As they walked back out onto the street Christine turned to Erik. "I'm sorry you had to…"

"It's alright." Erik assured her. "I had a feeling Javert would need to see what laid under my mask."

Christine nodded still feeling a bit guilty. "We should go to M. Firmin's and check on Meg."

"Christine as I said when we discovered Cecile was gone she most likely went home."

"I need to be sure." Christine said looking up at him with those beautiful brown eyes he could never say no to.

When they arrived M. Firmin welcomed them both and offered his condolences. "It is still hard to believe she is gone."

"I know." Erik said in a whisper.

"Is Meg here?" Christine asked inwardly reprimanding herself for her rudeness.

"She left a while ago to continue making her mother's funeral arrangements." M. Firmin informed them. "She tries to sneak in and out but I always hear her. Even when she left the night her mother was killed. When she came back she told me she had gone home."

"I'm sure she needed to return to a place where she could feel close to her mother." Erik said glancing at Christine. "That's why she came for Cecile."

"Is that the name of the horse she rides?" M. Firmin asked. Christine nodded lost in thought. Why didn't Meg come to see them when she came for Cecile or when she returned? Surely she needed help making the arrangements. How could she deal with her grief while at the same time handling all there was to do to prepare for a funeral on her own? She could feel the same anxious thought creep in that kept her awake at night. Did she blame them for her mother's death? Erik tried to reassure her that she didn't but his assurance seemed to fall on deaf ears. Christine wandered into the sitting room while Erik and M. Firmin continued to talk.

"How is Meg?" Erik asked watching as Christine sat down then returned his attention to M. Firmin.

"She keeps to the guest room when she is here. When I do see her she puts on a brave face but I can tell she is grieving heavily. I don't see how she can't be. Since she returned she has kept herself busy doing anything she can in preparation for the funeral. In the next couple of days she plans to reach out to anyone she thinks her mother would want there." M. Firmin told him.

"Has a date been set?"

"The funeral is to be held at noon two days from now in front of the Daae Mausoleum." M. Firmin informed him surprised that Meg had not told them herself.

"We should be heading out." Christine said emerging from the sitting room. She looked at Erik and he nodded noticing the tears in her eyes.

"Thank you for your help." Erik said as they left to head back to the opera house. They were both silent as they walked until Christine stopped them. "What's wrong?"

Christine sighed. "I have nothing to wear for the funeral, well nothing that would be considered appropriate for a woman to wear." She smiled looking into the distance. "Madame Giry always hounded Meg and me to be ladies. I was surprised she never said anything about my clothing when I showed up at her door."

"She knew you were in hiding. I'm sure she cared more about your safety than what you were wearing."

"Perhaps." Christine replied.

"If what you wear to the funeral is important to you we should go remedy that right…"


"Christine." Erik said placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Christine."

Christine turned around looking up at Erik. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"

"It's time to go." He informed her.

Christine turned back to the mirror and quickly finished her make-up. She stood up and as she took her first step forward the heel of her boot caught the hem of her dress. Before she could fall she felt Erik's strong arms catch her. She let herself sink into his embrace taking a few slow deep breathes then reluctantly pulled herself out of his arms and walked over to the floor length mirror. She was wearing a black silk corset dress with a floor length bustle skirt that flowed into a court train behind her. Fine black lace trimmed the square neckline and cuffs of her pleated sleeves.

Luckily her clumsiness had done no damage. The part of her curly hair she had pulled back into a bun was still in place but she did notice a few wrinkles in her dress. She began to fuss over straightening them but then stopped and sighed. There's nothing to fix. I'm just wasting time, trying to avoid what's coming. She thought to herself. She tried to adjust her corset into a more comfortable position but that proved impossible. "I wish I had let the thought of having something ladylike to wear pass through my mind and then disappear." She grumbled. "I haven't worn an elegant dress like this since the night I left Raoul. I forgot just how uncomfortable they were."

Erik walked behind her and looked at her reflection. "With how many layers I had to help put on you I can imagine how uncomfortable you must be but I have to say, you look stunning."

"Thank you." Christine said turning to face him. "You look quite handsome yourself. I only wish we were dressed up for a more enjoyable event." She felt tears welling up in her eyes again but didn't allow them to fall. "I don't want to go." She whispered and swallowed hard. "If I do it'll mean she's really never coming back. I'm not sure I can handle that." She paused. "I know how selfish that sounds. She was Meg's mother, not mine. Today is about them."

Erik rested his palm on her cheek. "Today is for all of us." He said softly. "Antoinette was a mother figure to you since you were seven and the only family you knew after your father was gone. It is only natural for you to feel the way you do." He pulled her into a tight hug which she gladly returned. Erik was deeply saddened by the loss of Madame Giry and could feel tears in forming in his eyes but was determined to honor her final wishes. Meg and Christine would need his strength today. "We can handle this, together." He said as they parted and began fastening their cloaks. They left for the tunnel in silence and made their way to the public stables of the opera house where their carriage was waiting.

Neither of them spoke on their way to the cemetery. Christine watched as various people went about their daily activities as they passed. Soon they were outside of the city and all she had to look at were trees. Today would be the first time they would see Meg since that night. Christine couldn't help but feel that she was avoiding them which only solidified her fear that she blamed them for her mother's death despite Erik's continued assurance that Meg knew they were not to blame.

All too soon they arrived and Erik was helping her out of the carriage. He tipped the driver who rode away toward the carriages of the people who arrived before them. She held tightly to Erik's hand as they walked toward the mausoleum. Father, please lend me your strength today and once again help me say good bye. She prayed silently.

There were two rows of three pews with an aisle down the middle. So many people were there Christine knew some would be standing. She looked ahead and saw a closed coffin resting on a pedestal at the bottom of the steps. It had a spray of deep red roses and pure white gladioli accented with ivy and salal greens covering it. On either side were matching standing sprays. The cemetery looked like an elegant outdoor church. They saw Meg walking away from a group of women Christine recognized as former chorus girls from the opera house. She gripped Erik's hand tighter as they walked up to her.

Meg saw them walking towards her and immediately felt a bolt of anger radiate through her body as she looked at them. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself before they got to her. Without a word Christine pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry Meg." She whispered in her ear. "The cemetery looks beautiful, your mother would love what you've done."

"Thank you." Meg whispered back. As soon as she let go of Christine she was immediately hugged by Erik.

"I know there's nothing I can say that hasn't been said or will help you to feel better today." Erik said letting her go.

"No, there isn't." Meg said trying to keep the edge out of her voice. "But I appreciate your sincerity and honesty. I'm sorry for not coming to the opera house to ask you before now but would you be one of the pallbearers when it comes time to…"

"I'd be honored." Erik said as he saw the tears in her eyes threatening to spill.

"Thank you." Meg said and noticed people arriving behind them. "M. Firmin is sitting in one of the front pews and I asked him to save seats for you both. If you'll excuse me I have to greet the other guests who arrived."

Without another word she walked away. Christine watched as she hugged and shook people's hands trying to keep up her façade of calmness. "I'm worried about her."

Erik let go of her hand and placed an arm around her waist. "She's holding herself together because she thinks that's what her mother would want her to do, just like you are."

"I'm not…" Christine tried to say.

Erik turned her so she was facing him. "I can see the tears you're trying to hide just as I am. We have lost a woman who meant more to us than we can ever say. We don't have to be strong today."

"Yes, we do. Not only for Meg but for Madame Giry. You read her letter it's what she wanted."

"She requested that I not cry when today came." Erik reminded her. "As she wrote it she must have known it was a nearly impossible request. She isn't going to be disappointed if we can't hold our sadness at bay." Christine nodded and leaned up to gently kiss his cheek.

A somber cloud hung over the cemetery and while they waited for the service to start Erik and Christine wondered around briefly talking with people Christine had not seen since her days at the opera house. They were both relieved that anyone they spoke with didn't seem to pay attention to Erik's mask and treated him like they would any other man. Erik noticed he had become much more comfortable around people and that they really were as accepting of him as Christine said they would be. A few people were surprised when she introduced him as her fiancée so soon after her marriage ended. They struck up a conversation with M. Firmin and Javert as they waited for the service to begin.

When it seemed that everyone had arrived Pere Lambert walked up the steps toward the mausoleum stopping halfway. He turned to face the crowd. "If you would please take your seats we will begin the service." He waited until everyone who could be was seated and looked down towards Meg, who was sitting between Erik and M. Firmin as he began. "From dust you came, to dust you shall return. We have gathered here today for a number of reasons. We are here to pay tribute and respect to Antoinette Giry who has passed on into the afterlife. She was a beloved member of this community and contributed years of her life passing on her knowledge of dance to young women. We are also here to show our love and support for her daughter Marguerite Giry. Not only have we sensed our own personal feelings of loss over Madame Giry's passing, but our hearts have been drawn toward her daughter, and will continue to be with her." Many people in the crowd began to dab their cheeks as he spoke. "Finally, we are here to seek and receive comfort. We would be less than honest if we said that our hearts have not ached over this situation and are not too proud to acknowledge that we have come here today trusting that God would minister to our hearts giving us strength." He paused. "At this time Meg has asked me to invite anyone who wishes to come forward and share their own stories about her mother."

Pere Lambert stepped aside. One by one people came forward to share their memories. Meg couldn't help but smile and people in the crowd laughed at some of the stories that were shared about Madame Giry. Most were about when she was at the opera house but there were also people present who knew her from before Meg was born. She couldn't help but shed a few tears when those people shared stories about her mother and father. She hadn't known her father long and was happy to be hearing about the love her parents shared from others.

The voices of other's who spoke grew distant as she thought of her parents. When her mother had first told her that she wanted to be interred in the Daae mausoleum it had shocked her. She had always thought her mother would want to be buried with her father. Now as she sat here she thought about the journal entry her mother had written. Her mother's marriage to her father had been arranged but they grew to love each other. The way she wrote about Gustave Daae, it seemed like they shared a different kind of love. Something she would only understand if she experienced it herself.

She jumped when she felt M. Firmin squeeze her hand as he got up. She saw Javert walking down the steps and realized she hadn't heard a word he said. I hope I didn't miss anyone else. She thought to herself as M. Firmin began to speak. "My father used to tell me we do not meet people by accident. That they are meant to cross our path for a reason. I will admit when I first met Madame Giry I could not find the reason why she was meant to cross my path. She had no desire to meet her new mangers since she was busy with rehearsals for the night's performance. In the brief time I knew her I discovered the reason, dedication. Her life was dedicated to helping others achieve greatness. She loved her protégées like her own daughter and wanted nothing more than to help them reach their full potential." He paused. "As you all know she could also be a force to be reckoned with and I highly respected her for standing up in a world where women are told to stay in the background. I would be lying if I said I am not still in shock that she was taken from this world far before her time." He paused wiping away a few tears that escaped his eyes. "As Pere Lambert said this service is not only for Madame Giry. She is in Heaven. This is a time for the ones who are still here, so we can grieve together. There are moments in life when we wish we could bring someone we love back down from Heaven. To spend the day with them just one more time, give them one more hug, kiss them goodbye or hear their voice again. To have one more opportunity to say I love you. Today is one of those moments. We know the measure of a life is not in its duration but in its donation. When I think of the donations Antoinette Giry made to this world and how much she had to contribute I will smile, thankful I was privileged to know her."

Christine watched as M. Firmin sat back down and immediately felt butterflies form in her stomach as she and Erik stood. Meg stared at them as they turned to address the crowd and once again felt anger building inside her begging for release as she looked at them. She breathed deeply calming down and forced herself to listen as Christine spoke. "So many wonderful things have been said about Madame Giry I am truly at a loss for words. She…she…"

Erik squeezed her hand in support and spoke as she wiped away her tears. "Antoinette was like a sister to me. Not many know this but when she was a teenager training at the opera house she rescued me from a life of torture and helped me to discover who I was. There are no words to describe how grateful I will always be to her for what she has done for me."

"She took care of me after my father died without question." Christine said having regained her composure. "She had the biggest heart of anyone I ever knew and was instrumental in helping Erik and I find our way back to one another. We don't know what we will do without her and there was only one way we could think of to honor her today."

Erik cleared his throat and began to sing. "Do not stand, at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain." His angelic voice faded away and after a moment he spoke. "When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die."

Meg didn't realize she was crying until she felt the wetness of her tears trailing down her cheeks. His beautiful words of tribute replayed in her mind and she could see her mother's smiling face at the truth they held.

Christine waited a few moments before she began. "I've heard it said. That people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn." Her voice cracked as she glanced down at the coffin and held back tears. She swallowed hard and felt Erik's hand tighten around hers. She took a breath and continued knowing she could do it just as they practiced. "And we are led, to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe that's true but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood, who can say if I've been changed for the better but because I knew you. I have been changed for good."

"Unfortunately." Erik sang. "We will never meet again in this lifetime so I must say as we part so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way my story ends. I know you have re-written mine by being my friend. Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea. Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better but, because I knew you, because I knew you. I have been changed for good."

Christine's voice joined Erik's in perfect harmony. "Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood. Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea. Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood. Who can say if we've been changed for the better? We do believe we have been changed for the better and because we knew you...because we knew you...because we knew you...we have been changed, for good." People in the crowd clapped and wiped away tears as their voices faded away. They bowed their heads in thanks and without a word returned to their seats.

As Meg watched them she was truly touched by the beautiful tribute they had paid to her mother but still felt anger now mixed with resentment deep inside her overcoming her sentiment. Hold it together. She thought to herself. Now is not the time. The crowd was silent as she stood up and approached the coffin. She grazed the roses with her fingers. "I cried when Erik told me you were gone." She said silently. "I still cry today. Although I love you dearly I couldn't help you stay. A precious heart stopped beating, your working feet are at rest. Did god break my heart to prove to me he only takes the best? How could you leave me? How could you be at peace with death knowing I would be in so much pain?"

She sighed as she walked up the steps and looked out at the people that had come to celebrate her mother's life. She felt her heart swell with gratitude. "I couldn't have come up with a more beautiful way to pay tribute to my Maman. If she were here with us I know she would agree and be humbled by your beautiful words." She paused. "I want to thank everyone who came here today. There were so many kind words spoken and I will cherish them all. I love my Maman more than she will ever know. She was taken from us before her time by a monster who never should have been set free." She noticed the tension beginning to build at her words and recomposed herself. "She was a wonderful woman who loved life. She took things in her stride and always tried to do what she felt was right. Even though she hid it behind a stern exterior she was a kind woman who would help anyone in need. She loved teaching and watching her students succeed. When she was forced to leave the opera house…" She glanced at Christine and Erik noticed her tense at these words.

Meg looked away and continued. "We called home and could no longer teach she was able to find the silver lining in a dark cloud. She made a new life for herself without complaint. I remember when I was a little girl grieving for my father, she told me that God had a plan for everyone. I didn't understand what she meant then and now as a grown woman I have a hard time accepting it. How could God have planned such a violent death for a good woman who had so much to still offer the world? Good people like her are buried everyday while the monsters that kill them are free." She took a breath feeling her tears about to spill. "I'm sorry, I know Maman would want her life celebrated and not want any of us to wallow in sadness, or anger."

She walked towards the coffin and placed her hand over it fingering one of the roses once more. "I love you Maman and I will miss you until it is my time to join you." Tears stained her cheeks as she said her final good bye. She felt a pair of strong arms pull her into a hug leading her away from the coffin and knew it was Erik. She held onto him tightly as she cried.

Erik walked back toward the pew they shared with Christine, M. Firmin and a few others. He caught M. Firmin's eye who gave him a slight nod. He sat Meg down next to Christine and kneeled in front of her. "Christine is here next to you. I have to…" Meg nodded knowing what was coming next.

The doors to the mausoleum creaked as they were opened for the first time since Gustave Daae was laid to rest. Erik, Javert, M. Firmin, and three other men stood beside the coffin, waiting. Pere Lambert stood in front of the open doors. "The words have all been spoken, the songs have been sung. Now it is time to inter the body of our friend, Antoinette Giry to this mausoleum. Her soul is in the loving hands of God bringing an end to the final chapter of her earthly life, but it will not be the end of her story. The memory and influence of her life will remain within all of us." He stepped aside. The six men lifted the coffin and began to ascend the steps as he spoke. "We will now lay her body to rest. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. In the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life."

Christine took Meg's hand as they watched what was happening with tears falling freely from their eyes. The men exited the mausoleum and the doors were closed securely behind them. When Erik saw Christine and Meg he rushed down the steps pulling them both into his arms.

Meg allowed herself to shed a few more tears but then forced herself to stop. She broke away from Erik and addressed the crowd. "Per my Maman's wishes there will be no reception following this service. I want to thank you all again for coming." Erik and Christine followed the rest of the crowd to the front gate and watched as one by one they bid Meg farewell. They stood to the side and waited, Pere Lambert was the final person to say good bye.

After he rode off in his carriage the three of them watched as the pews were loaded up into wagons and carted away. Then there was silence as the three of them were left alone for the first time in five days. Meg glanced at the couple a few feet away from her. Christine was wiping tears from her eyes while Erik comforted her. As she continued to look at them she felt the anger in her rising. She knew if she didn't let it out soon she was going to explode. She turned her back to them looking at Cecile trying to calm down. It was such a beautiful service, how can I allow myself to ruin…she froze mid thought as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed when she heard Christine's voice behind her.

"Meg, before we go I want to tell you again how sor…"

Christine never got to finish as Meg turned around and slapped her across the face as hard as she could finally releasing some of the rage she had been holding in since the night her mother was murdered. "I don't want to hear anymore apologizes from you. She was…" She stopped for a moment as she felt tears threatening to spill. She held them back refusing to cry anymore. "She was planning a future for us, she wanted to be a grand Maman. Now it's a future she will never have. My mother is dead because of you." Christine looked at her friend holding a hand to her cheek and fighting back tears of her own. She was about to speak but Meg wouldn't allow it. "When Erik told me she was gone I was sincere when I said I didn't blame you for her death. Then that same night I heard you both on the roof of the opera house and it dawned on me, if you hadn't come back none of this would have happened and she would still be alive."

"Meg…" Christine tried to say.

"Did you grieve for her at all? Were your tears today real or was it a chance to get attention and seize the spotlight with your tribute like you did to Carlotta to get Raoul to notice you. If it weren't for the three of you and the twisted triangle you shared…" She yelled and looked at Erik. "You had the opportunity to reveal yourself and declare your love years ago but were too much of a coward to do it." Her gaze shifted back to Christine. "You knew who you loved but instead of standing up and saying so you kept it to yourself"

"You know that situation spiraled out of control." Christine tried to remind her.

"I was there Christine." Meg spat out. "You had a chance to stop it but you didn't. You put us all, including Erik, through hell. You were spineless, dragging us all through your self-centered drama while you acted like a delicate porcelain doll. When all you are is a manipulative traitor. You strung them both along until you finally decided it was better to have money and a title then be with Erik. When your life with Raoul didn't live up to your standards you knew you had a backup…"

"That's enough." Erik's interrupted in a commanding tone as he saw the tears streaming down Christine cheeks. "I understand you're grieving, we all are. That doesn't give you the right to distort the past. You know what really happened and so do I. I take full responsibility for my part, I was a coward. Christine did what she thought was right at the time like any young woman in such a situation would do. You know what life was like for her with Raoul and to throw that in her face, is that the daughter Antoinette Giry raised?" Meg tried to slap him but he caught her by the wrist. She pulled her arm away and Erik took the letter her mother had written to him out of his pocket. He tried to hand it to her but she pushed his hand away. "Meg please read it."

"Nothing written on that piece of paper will change how I feel."

"This is not what your mother would want and you know it." Erik said his voice softening.

"No Erik I don't know it. If it was me who was murdered instead of her she would react the same way and don't you dare try to tell me she wouldn't."

"I warned you both." Christine whispered finally finding her voice. She had never seen such fury in Meg's eyes before. "I warned you about the danger that was coming. That's why I begged you to leave the country with us. I didn't want to see anyone I love get hurt, but you refused."

"Don't you dare turn this around and blame my mother for her own death." Meg said and couldn't help but laugh. "As for loving us, you could have cared less about me or my mother. Your one love and only priority has been Erik since we saw each other again at the opera house. Anyone else you encountered was simply a means to an end. You even used the night she was murdered. You didn't go there for her. You saw an opportunity to stick it to Raoul and clear Erik of everything he is guilty of. I may agree that Raoul deserved what you did but it had nothing to do with loving my mother and everything to do with making sure you get the happy ending you want."

"That's not true." Christine said trying to keep herself calm.

"Really?" Meg questioned. "You know, you show and say your life with Raoul was hell but was it really." She paused. "I have heard tell that some women in high society like it when their men…" Christine slapped her across the face so hard she nearly fell but stayed on her feet.

Christine immediately regretted what she had done but didn't back down. "I will never let those foul words pass your lips. Never, ever, for a moment think that what Raoul did to me was for pleasure." She yelled and took a deep breath before continuing. "I loved your mother like she was my own. We are both grieving for her and that's what you heard on the roof the night she was killed. Erik took me up there to tell me something your mother told him when he was young and we sang a song for her. If you would read the letter she wrote to Erik you would understand. You both knew the danger helping us would bring to you but you were determined to do things your way." She took another breath. "I'm sorry for the pain you're feeling. I know what it's like to lose..."

"Your father died of sickness." Meg said. "My mother was murdered, left hanging from a lasso. You and Erik have a happy life waiting for you. I'm sure you'll bear his children. You'll live, she never will. She is lifeless, stuck in that tomb until the end of time and there is nothing either of you can do or say to change that. You've taken whatever time she had left and changed my life forever."

"I accept the part I played in what led to this tragedy but neither I nor Erik kill her." Christine reminded her.

"You might as well have." Meg said as she turned around to walk away but turned back. "I should thank you for two things Christine. You taught me that no good deed goes unpunished and from this day forward no good deed will come from me ever again. Also you were right, because we knew you…" She took a deep breath. "We have been changed for good." With those words Meg turned and walked away.

Christine watched as she got into the driver's seat of her carriage and rode away. "I knew she blamed me."

"She blames us." Erik corrected her.

Christine turned around and shook her head. "She might blame you for not doing things differently years ago but you heard her, she blames me for this. I never thought Meg was capable of saying such hateful things but she's right. If I had never..."

"Meg is in so such pain from her grief she is taking it out on us instead of the people responsible because we're here and they're not. If Madame Giry were here you know she wouldn't blame us for what happened to her."

Christine stood silently for a moment and Meg's departure played back through her mind. "There were satchels in her carriage." She said. "She's going after Raoul herself."

"It wouldn't surprise me. I'd do the same thing. Meg is a smart woman she knows what Raoul is capable of…" Erik tried to reassure her.

"You're right she does. Raoul and his men will kill her if she finds him. Maybe that's exactly what she wants. Maybe she is trapped so deep in her pain she doesn't see another way out." Christine look down at the ground. "I know what that's like. There was a time, after one of Raoul's beatings I was in our room and crumbled to the floor from the pain. I got on my knees and begged God to end my life that night. After a week passed and god had not answered my prayer I took a dagger Raoul kept on his side of the bed and sat with it in my hands. I swear I could hear it speaking to me. Telling me this was the way to end my pain but something stopped me."

Erik placed his hand under her chin gently forcing her to look up at him. "What stopped you?"

"The faith my father had taught me to have in god and that he never gives you more than you can handle even when it seems hopeless. He also used to tell me not matter how horrible things seem just remember how far you've come. Remember everything you've faced. All the battles you've won. All the fears you've overcome. Then I began to think about you, Madame Giry, Meg, all the people I love began to come into my mind. I knew I could never cause the people who loved me, even Raoul, that kind of pain. So I put the dagger away and never looked at it again, that was about a month before I left." Christine told him. She could tell Erik was deep in thought. He couldn't believe Christine would ever think of doing such a thing to herself. "Erik." Christine said pulling him out of his thoughts. "Erik I don't want to assume but have you…"

He nodded. "There were many times I considered ending my life thinking the world would be better off without me. Then I would hear the beautiful music above me and somehow it always stopped me." He took Christine's hands in his own. "I know the eyes of a desperate soul who wants to end their own life. I truly believe Meg isn't looking for Raoul so he will kill her. She wants to find him and dispense what she feels is justice."

"Raoul will be ready for her and she will walk directly into a trap." Christine said. "Madame Giry's last request of me was to keep Meg from doing something foolish. Raoul will kill her without a second thought. We can't let that happen."

"I doubt Meg would have left without a plan. She'll have to stop along her way." Erik was quiet for a few moments. "Perhaps she will use the list of safe places I gave Madame Giry. Raoul is on the run, it will take time for her to find him. Whether she wants us to or not you're right. We have to find her before she finds him."

Christine threw her arms around his neck pulling him into a tight embrace. "Thank you." She whispered in his ear.

"There's no thanks required." He whispered back and pulled himself out of her arms. "If we're going to find her we need to hurry back to the opera house for our things and leave Paris, now." He took her left hand in his. "It might be a good idea to remove this."

Christine looked at her engagement ring. "Why?"

"You said it belonged to your mother. If we do find Raoul and things don't go our way I doubt he would hesitate to take it from you. I would hate to see something so precious to you lost."

"I hadn't thought of that." Christine admitted and allowed Erik to remove the ring placing it in his pocket. "As soon as this is over…"

"I will put it back on your finger where it belongs." He promised leaning down to kiss her cheek.

They walked back to their carriage and rode back to the opera house. "Where should we start looking for her?" Christine wondered.

"Her home." Erik suggested. "If we don't find her there we'll begin working from my list. She is bound to go to one of them. We'll visit them one by one city by city until we find her or Raoul."

Christine nodded in agreement. They rode the rest of the way in silence. Once they were back in their room they packed and readied the carriage discussing their plans further. They had already planned to leave Paris to help in the Surete's search for Raoul, if they found Meg first they hoped they could get her to see reason and the three of them could search for him together. Night was falling by the time they were ready to go but that didn't stop them. Christine sat next to Erik as he whipped the reins and their search began.