Alright everyone(: Chapter 3! Read, and review as always! xxx -Ann

The smell of the hospital burned Erik's nose. He hated hospitals. Even the very sight of them made his very flesh crawl. Again, he reminded himself that he was for his angel, his Christine. Gustave sat comfortably on Erik's knee, still looking a bit pale. He snuggled his face into his father's neck, before looking at Erik.

"Papa, what do you want to do after mother gets out of the hospital?" Of course, neither Erik nor Gustave were certain that Christine would make it through, but they kept their mind occupied with the happy thoughts. They talked on and on about the beach, and living at Phantasma in Erik's home. He told Gustave all about the beautiful architecture, and most of all, about his music room. Erik mentioned the Grand Piano that he brought over all the way from the Paris Opera house.

"Soon, my son, it will be all yours. You can compose til the sun comes up!" Erik was beaming at the thought. He pictured all of them, around the piano. Gustave playing, Christine singing, and Erik would be there, watching her, and their son, happier than they ever have been. The doctor had informed Erik that Christine needed surgery in order to remove the bullet. The very thought of his angel in surgery made him want to faint.

She had done nothing to deserve this, as they spoke, she was being poked, and prodded at. "It will be about 20 minutes sir, but we're not sure how long it will take her to wake up. We suggest giving letting her stay here for at least 5 days. It may even be longer than that! Ther-." Erik cut the doctor off.

"Just ensure that Ms. Daaé has the best care. I will cover all costs." And with that, the doctor walked away to return to his work. Erik was exhausted. It was nearly one in the morning! He usually went to bed very early, due to an early start-up at Phantasma. When he went back to the waiting room, he saw Gustave, curled up in a little ball, awkwardly sleeping in a chair. He picked his son up, and as he did, Gustave's little hands wrapped around his father's neck. Erik couldn't help but stand for a second, and savor the moment. He approached a nurse and quietly asked where Christine would be staying after her surgery.

They walked down a long hallway, until they reached a grand room. It had a view of the ocean, which was clearly shown through the enormous bay window. He knew Christine would only get the best as long as she was with him. He made that promise to himself after he saw the insolent boy, the Vicomte treating her. Erik needed to stop thinking about him, for he was long gone. Erik set Gustave down on the couch that was adjacent to the bed. A knock at the door startled Erik.

The doctor entered the room. "Christine had a very successful surgery. The bullet has been removed and she is on her way to recovery." The doctor helped the other nurses wheel Christine in to the room on a stretcher. They began to pick her up, as Erik gently guided her head to a pillow. They set her down and left the room.

To Erik, Christine looked much like a doll. The way she had to be picked up, and placed somewhere just seemed too unnatural. He took a chair over to her bedside, and held her hand as he looked across all her features. Erik always thought that Christine was gorgeous when she was asleep. To him, she was always beautiful, but when she was resting, or asleep, she always looked so at peace. He kissed her hand and placed it back on the bed. He brought over a pillow and laid on the floor. It was cold, and hard. It made him think of his childhood, being back in the freak show. A tear fell down his face. He closed his eyes, as the darkness pulled him under.

The next few days went amazingly well. Christine needed to stay in the hospital for at least another day before they could move in to Erik's home. The doctors and Erik were both surprised at Christine's recovery time. She still needed some assistance but she was starting to walk by herself. Christine and Erik paced up and down the hallway for Christine's therapy.

Christine stumbled, but Erik caught her just in time. He held her there and kissed the top of her forehead as he propped her back up. "I feel like a child!" Christine giggled.

"And you will continue to be under my care until you are completely healed my dear." Erik smiled. He was so happy. Neither of them had a care in the world. Everything was perfect.

"I think I'm going to get a snack."

"Who do you want to go with you?"

"Erik, I don't need someone always watching me! I'll take a wheelchair. I'll be perfectly fine!" Christine glared at Erik. He knew that look. Erik knew that no matter how much he protested, and fought the idea, she was going to get her way. Even though it killed him, he knew that she was a mature woman. He guided her back to her room as she sat down in the chair. Gustave was sitting on the bed with a piece of paper and a pen.

"Look father!" Gustave had an enormous grin on his face as he handed his father the piece of paper. "I've been writing music! I don't think it's very good, but it's a start! What do you think?"

Erik looked at the music intently. It was gorgeous. "My goodness son, this is amazing! How did you come up with the melody?"

"It was just in my head, so I asked one of the nurses for a piece of paper, and I wrote it down!" Erik showed Christine the piece as she began to hum it. It was the first time she sung since the night she had been shot. She still had every ounce of talent. Erik went to sit on the bed next to Gustave. Christine smiled and rolled out of the room.

She went to the cafeteria and got a plate of fruit and cheese. Erik had instructed her to only pick healthy foods. She thought it was a little silly but she knew that she would be scolded if she did otherwise. As she wheeled back down the hallway, she noticed a girl sitting on a stretcher staring at her. The girl looked completely discombobulated. She had matted blonde hair that was a ratted mess. She had no makeup on except for some mascara that was dripping down her face. Christine felt such sympathy for her… Yet, something was odd. For some reason, Christine thought she looked familiar.

Christine smiled politely, and waved at the girl. Suddenly her eyes got very wide and she began to breathe hard for about 30 seconds. She calmed down, and tilted her head to the side. Her eyes got wide again. Suddenly, she began singing a melody that Christine recognized all too well. "Christine, Christine, CHRISTINE!" Christine was frightened as 3 nurses rushed to calm her down and take her to her room. Two of the nurses pressed her arms down, as the other woman stroked her head shushing her. Another nurse came over to Christine to talk to her.

"I'm sorry she frightened you. Don't mind her. She's going in to the physiatric ward. Her name is Meg, she shot someone the other day! Can you belie-." The nurse got quiet as she realized that Christine was in fact the one who had been shot by the girl. Christine quickly said goodbye and wheeled back to her room. She wheeled in, got up, and stumbled to close the door before falling back into the room.

Erik panicked as he saw Christine lying on the ground. He and Gustave rushed towards her and helped her onto the bed.

"What on Earth is going on?" Erik was completely baffled.

"I-I-I… I saw… Meg." Christine was panicked. They all stood wide eyed. She explained their run in and how Meg had sung the melody that used to haunt Christine. Erik consoled Christine before kissing the top of her forehead.

"Soon, we will be out of this place. Meg is getting help. She will be nowhere near us, now I don't want you to worry anymore." Erik had a stern look on his face. Christine knew that he was serious. They both looked over at Gustave before they began singing together.

"Let me be your shelter, let me be your light, you're safe, no one will find you, your fears are far behind you."

"Say you love me."

"You know I do." Their lips met as they sweetly kissed each other. Gustave interrupted by spreading their faces apart.

"Uh, ew!" They giggled and laughed as Erik grabbed Gustave, and began tickling him. They all fell into a giant heap and snuggled next to each other. They all looked at each other with giant smiles. Christine smiled to herself, realizing that this was soon to become her life. It was like heaven on Earth. She would be with her angel forever.

As they all sat up and straightened themselves out, the doctor knocked on the door. He entered the room with a clipboard of paperwork.

"Congratulations Ms. Daaé, you are free to leave the hospital! I still recommend a lot of bed rest, and a good diet, but other than that, your recovery has been outstanding!" The doctor handed Erik the bill, as they said their goodbyes.

The family got into Erik's carriage as they rode to their new home. They talked the whole way there, of the adventures they would have. Christine talked about the trips they would have, Erik about the holidays they would spend together, but Gustave was most excited to get to compose with his father. As they rode up the hill, Christine and Gustave couldn't believe their eyes as they got a clear view of their new home. It was breath taking. Not a mansion as they expected, but a beautiful house.

"Here we are my dear, our home." Erik was beaming; he picked Christine up bridal style as Gustave hopped on his back. They laughed the entire way up, until Christine noticed a woman.

"Darling, is that Miss Fleck?" The woman was wearing a long black coat. She had dark hair, that was in a messy bun.

"She must be here to fill me in on the park." As they approached the woman, Erik cleared his throat loud enough for her to notice. Their faces were shocked as she turned around.

"Hello Erik."

It was not Miss Fleck.

DUN-DUN-DUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! Thought it might be fun to leave you with a little cliff hanger there(; Anyway, I will try to update soon! What will happen next? As always, please please please leave your reviews! I love reading them! And once again, shout-out to my 'Dear Old Friend' xMegxGiryx (: See you on broadway (; xxx -Ann