He is the next chapter. I feel so much better because this one hasn't taken me as long. Thank you to those who reviewed. I really appreciate reading what yall have to say. For those of you who read and don't review, I ask that you would because I enjoy getting yalls feedback. So here it is and thank you and please review!!!!!!!!!!

Stephanie Lynn

Ch. 23

The roar of the audience's approval was overwhelming for Erik. He could not believe any of this. They had actually liked the show… his music, his life! After going through all the strife that cultivated his life, he finally felt accepted. He looked out into the audience to see the women's tear stained faces as they clapped with enthusiasm. It was a different feeling not being shunned because of his ugliness. He looked over at Christine as she took her bow. She had never looked so beautiful and he had never been more proud of her.

Christine smiled at the response the show was receiving. A standing ovation… the dream of every performer, she mused. She couldn't help but feel proud of Erik as she took her bow and allowed the audience to appreciate her performance. As angry as she had been over the idea of Erik exploiting their past, she was actually proud that she could help tell their story. He had been right; their story was far too great not to share.

She looked up at Erik as he stood next to her. Christine had been surprised to find that he was already gazing at her. He smiled at her, his eyes telling her how proud he was of her. She smiled back showing that everything was going to be okay. For them being able to act out their pasts and make it out smiling showed a lot growth for both of them. They would be okay, even if they were not together.

Even though the thought broke her heart, Christine had decided that Erik was too important to her to not have him in her life.

As the cast took their final bow and the curtain closed, Christine took a deep breath and smiled. She was done for the night and happily welcomed the thought of climbing into the bed waiting for her at the home that she shared with Meg and Madam Giry. She was exhausted!

"Chrisitne!" Meg's excited voice yelled at the top of her lungs. "Oh Christine! You were so wonderful, just like you always have been!"

Christine laughed at her friend's excitement. Meg could be like a firecracker, the moment something excited her she was off and running. "Thank you so much Meg. You were superb also!" Christine replied with enthusiasm.

"Are you coming to the cast party? Oh you should, we would have a ball!" she told her.

"No, not tonight." Christine replied happily, she had actually never really liked cast parties. Everyone was drunk and rambunctious, that was typically not something Christine favored, it brought back memories that she would have rather forgotten.

"Oh… well, you shall be missed terribly." Meg told her sadly. "I have to go, but I will see you later."

Christine nodded at her friend, happy to see her so happy. "Bye, Meg. Have fun!"

Meg smiled. "I will!"

Watching Meg scurry off, Christine turned and made her way to her private dressing room. It was true that she was still considered a young girl, but she had been through more than anyone her age and because of that, it had caused her to prematurely age from within.

It was sad at how old she really felt.

Sitting at her vanity she gazed at herself in the mirror. Christine couldn't help but see the Christine of five years prior. Her face was still as smooth and tight as it had been back in Paris. The long chestnut curls that fell past her breasts, bright sparkling blue eyes, snow white skin, and full luscious lips… it had all remained the same. Even after giving birth, her body had bounced back to what it had been. She really did not look any different which was a complete contrast to how she felt inside. She didn't feel the same about anything anymore.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a few light taps on the door. Had she been thinking any harder she was sure she would not have heart them at all. Getting up from where she sat, Christine walked over to open the door to find Erik on the other side.

As they stood just looking at one another, it was difficult to find the words. They stared up into each others eyes; a vast amount of emotions flashed through their eyes. Christine had been fairly certain that she could see desire running through Erik's eyes, but she was also certain that her eyes mirrored his.

What she wouldn't give to…

"May I come in?" Erik finally broke the trance.

She nodded dumbly and moved aside to let Erik on through.

His movements were so graceful; it was as if he had floated on air inside the room rather than walk. Christine slowly shut the door and took a steadying breath. She turned to see a smiled across his face. As much as she wished she could, she couldn't bring herself to smile for him.

"You were absolutely beautiful tonight." Erik said softly as if it were a simple fact that everyone's brains should possess.

Christine nodded, not entirely sure how to responds. Be honest, her conscience mocked. "So were you. How did Bella enjoy it?" she forced herself to ask, for if she didn't remind herself of that girl then she would cease to exist for Christine and because Christine couldn't have Erik, she needed her to exist.

"I wouldn't know." Erik replied simply. "Hell, I'm not even sure she watched the performance."

Confusion splashed itself over Christine's face. He didn't know? Why would he not know? How could he not know? Bella was his girlfriend; she would have bet anything that she was the first person Erik would want to see after the curtain fell. "I do not understand, Erik." Christine admitted.

Erik inched his way closer to Christine, slowly so he wouldn't scare her. His stomach was alive with butterflies and he couldn't believe that here and now he would confess everything to her. Christine saw the look of pure happiness in Erik's eyes and felt herself wanting to take a step back from his step forward, but she made herself stand tall. She would not let him scare her.

"I ended things with Bella tonight! Before the show to be precise." Erik told her, the words dripping with excitement.

Christine couldn't help herself, she stepped back. That only made Erik frown. "Erik! Why did you do that?" Christine asked him harshly.

He could feel his heart fall into his stomach. What the hell did you expect? For her to run into you arms and yell yippee!, Erik's subconscious mimicked. He had to think fast. "I was living a lie, Christine."

She actually laughed at that. "What?"

He nodded. Keep going. "I am not going to lie to you. I did love Bella. Her love for me was something I had only ever dreamed about. To be loved without question. It was something you could never give me although Lord knows I wished time and time again that you could." Erik told her steadily.

His features remained very clam and confident. Christine on the other hand felt belittled and shamed. She was embarrassed when tears began to slide down her cheeks. "What the hell are you doing!?" She screamed at him. "Have you not made me suffer enough? Have I not been made sure that I regretted ever leaving you?! Why are you doing this to me!?"

He felt stupid; he was not supposed to be insulting her. He was supposed to be confessing his love for her. He felt his heart bleed as he watched Christine sink to the floor and land on her knees.

Finish telling her, his subconscious told him. "Although I loved her, I knew that I could never love her as I had loved… well, as I have loved you." Erik told her slowly. He just needed to finish saying what was left within his heart.

Christine felt the sobs take over her body. He couldn't be saying this, not after everything.

"I know that you have made mistakes and I certainly do not wish to punish you for them any longer, but I am the one who had made the greatest mistake. That was letting you give up on us. I love you. It is as simple at that. I love you and you love me. Maybe this time we can actually give our love a fighting chance." He pleaded with her.

Christine buried her face within her hands. Life was cruel. One would have thought that through everything she had gone through that she would have learned that, but she hadn't and nothing was so cruel as having love stare you in the face and then coldly reject you. No, nothing could compare to that type of pain.

As much as she wanted to face him, shoe couldn't. It was too hard for her, too much going back and forth between yes and no. Christine knew she wouldn't make a decision tonight.

"Leave me, Erik!" her voice yelled out to him through her hands.

"Christine, please don't send me away." Erik begged. He needed to know, he wanted to know that she would forever be his.

Suppressing the sobs that had presently taken over her small frame, she looked him dead in the eye. The anger that he saw there could have haunted him to the depths of Hell.

"Leave me!" She shouted at him once more.

This time, he knew better that to disobey.

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