Chapter 13: How I See You

Madame Giry and Nadir waited in the parlour whilst Meg was currently performing and little Reza napped as he rest his head on his father's lap,

"Do you think it will work?" Nadir asked as he sat on the couch,

"I hope so" Madame Giry whispered and looked towards the door of Erik's chambers.

Hope had her eyes closed as her hands gently cupped Erik's cheeks and she felt the energy flow through her; She soon opened her eyes slowly as she felt Erik's disfigured cheek grow smooth beneath her palm,

"Is it done?... Did it work?" Erik asked as he saw Hope nod gently, removing her hands from his face and Erik stood before approaching the mirror that had hung on the wall since Phantasma was built but it had also been covered with a piece of material the same duration of time.

Erik's hand shook as he slowly removed the piece of material allowing himself to see the reflection that now showed his chiselled featured with a small trace of stubble that lined his chin,

"Is... Is that me?" Erik asked in a murmur,

"Yes" Hope replied softly with a sad smile which Erik caught sight of within the mirror and turned towards her,

"Why are you sad?... Did the process hurt you?" he asked concerned but Hope shook her head slowly,

"No, it's just... You don't look like my Erik... Not that you're... 'My' Erik. I just mean that you..." she babbled before letting out a soft giggle,

"You look wonderful" she finished gently and Erik smiled, turning back to the mirror and fixed his suit,

"I... Surely this is a dream" he said,

"It's no dream... That's definitely you, Erik" she assured and Erik laughed and smiled brightly before turning back towards, Hope,

"Thank you" he bid and Hope was stunned when he grabbed and kissed her but it was over quickly when they stepped away from each other,

"I... I am so sorry. That was inappropriate of me" Erik said awkwardly as Hope blushed but she smiled reassuringly,

"No, No. It's ok... Erik, I..." she tried but there was a knock on the door,

"Erik, Hope? Is everything ok in there?" Madame Giry from outside,

"Yes, Madame Giry. We'll be right out" Erik replied before looking back at Hope,

"Sorry, what were you going to say?" he asked gently,

"I... Nothing. I just wanted to say... How proud I am of you. The man you have come to me, this kingdom you have built... Christine didn't know what she lost. Even before all this" she said softly and Erik smiled warmly,

"Thank you" he bid and gestured over his shoulder,

"I have a lot of work tomorrow. Christine and Raoul's ferry is to pull into port in the morning" he explained,

"It would be best to get a good night's sleep" he finished softly and Hope nodded,

"Yeah... I promised to read Reza a story and tuck him in" she replied before a long moment of silence which eventually resulted in them finally leaving the room.

Madame Giry had fainted when she saw Erik's face and Nadir couldn't help but chuckle,

"Whoa... Now that is definitely... Different" Nadir said before gesturing to the unconscious, former ballet mistress,

"I'll get her back to her chambers" he said with a chuckle before doing so and Hope lifted a sleepy Reza into her arms,

"Goodnight, Erik" she bid gently,

"Sleep well, Hope" he replied softly as he watched he carry Nadir's son to bed.

After reading Reza his bedtime story, Hope returned to her room and got ready for bed; She found herself brushing her fingertips against her lips as she remembered the brief kiss she and Erik had shared; Unaware that Erik sat in his chambers doing exactly the same thing.

What does Erik look like now?... Gerald Butler in Tux!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996