"I lost my mother

I lost my father

Please do not let me lose you too

To lose you now

I don't know how

I would ever live on.

We made such beauty

Within our love

You made my spirit soar

High above

Your touch which sends sweet shivers through

This body whose heart only beats for you."- Excerption straight from the diary of Christine Daae.

Christine's POV

The following morning, I awoke to an empty bed. I had slept longer than I usually did because of how exhausting Christmas was. After changing into one of my dresses, I walked out into the kitchen to spot Erik sitting at the table reading over one of his music manuscripts with a steaming cup of tea placed beside him. He was wearing nothing but his black robe, and his mask was firmly in place incase Eudora came walking out. Though, from the quiet atmosphere, I guessed that she was still asleep.

"Can't sleep?" I questioned, walking to the cabinets to see what I could whip up for breakfast.

"I guess you could say that."

Erik's tone was saddened, and I knew exactly why. I knew he was probably experiencing horrible nightmares from yesterday's events, or his head was filled with too many horrible thoughts.

"Erik, you don't look well at all."

I pulled a mug out of the cabinet, and ran my fingers through his damp hair.

"You're feverish."

"Oh, Christine." he pressed his eyes closed, and reached his trembling hand out for his tea. When his fingers grasped around the ceramic cup, he couldn't even hold it because of how badly he was shaking.

"Erik, come on. Your little stunt yesterday had sickened you even worse than before. You're going to lay down this instant."

I pulled Erik to his feet, only to have his knees instantly weaken. He was so sick that it was a wonder how he even got out of bed. I supported most of his weight, which wasn't much at all, and escorted him back to his room.

"I'm going to run into town to buy some groceries." I told him, throwing the blankets over his ill body. "I shall return soon. Eudora needs to get out for a while. Some fresh air would do her good."

"I…I'll come…with you." Erik was trying to sit up in bed again, but I pushed him down.

"Don't you dare move from that bed, Erik. Come with me? You're literally sitting on death's door. If you step outside you'll be sure to die before you even cross the street."

He began coughing, his cough being more violent than it had previously been.

"You sound terrible."

"I feel fine."

"Don't lie to me. Now do me a favor and stay in bed. I'll be back later."

After tucking him in, I walked down the hall to Eudora's bedroom door. I didn't want to just enter without permission, so I softly knocked. When I did, I didn't get an answer, so I knocked again.

"Eudora, it's mother. Are you awake?"

"Just go away." came the small saddened voice.

"Eudora, it's just me. I was going to go out for a while and wanted to know if you were interested in joining me?"

"No."

"But it's just me, Eudora. It will just be the two of us."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise."

I couldn't leave things the way they were. I opened the door, and closed it behind me as I approached her bed and sat down beside the heap of blankets that were piled over her.

"Eudora, I know you're mad and that you feel upset, but your father and I….."

"Don't call him that." I heard her groan. "Don't call him my papa. He's not my papa, mother."

"Eudora, but he is. Erik and I were in love many years ago and out of that love came you."

"Then why did you lie to me! Why did you make me think he was my uncle?"

I pulled the covers off of her small body, and lifted her into my lap.

"Eudora, this doesn't change Erik. He's still the same person, only closer to you now. You loved Erik when he was your uncle, and you should do the same now that he's your father."

"I don't want to see him! I don't want to know him…"

"Eudora, we did this for a reason. I was married when I ran away from my husband."

"Why did you do that?" she sobbed. "Why would you leave your lover to come over here for another man?"

My daughter wiped her eyes, and I continued with my story. She needed to know the truth, all the way from the beginning.

"Eudora, I've known Erik a long time. When I was a dancer in the opera house, he taught me how to sing. He loved me, but I was already in love with another; Raoul. We were childhood sweethearts and I thought he was the better choice. It was only until I actually married him that I realized that he was anything but. He beat me, Eudora, he abused me. That's why I ran from him. I came over here and found Erik, and we fell in love. I was married, Eudora, that's why Erik was kept as your uncle."

"And what of Raoul? Where is he? Are you still married?"

I shook my head.

"He died when he got into a confrontation with Erik and I. I was pregnant with you, and he wanted to hurt you because you were Erik's and not his."

"Then why keep the secret after I was born? He was dead, mother."

"For Erik's safety. We weren't married and we knew better than to do such a thing knowing what the public would say. This was his only way to see you, Eudora."

"I still don't want to see him. I don't want him, mother. I don't want him as my father."

"Why would you say this?"

"Because he wasn't my father when I was born, and I don't want him now."

I knew if Erik were listening to this, he would fall over and die. I only thanked God that it was just the two of us sitting here.

"Things are going to change around here, Eudora." I softly told her. "Erik and I are in love and when things clear up him and I are going to be married."

"Don't marry him, mother. I don't want you to marry him! It's supposed to be the two of us! That's how it's supposed to be!"

"Erik is your father, Eudora, and he has a right to love me just as he loves you. We are going to move in here and be one happy family. It may take time for you to see this, but we will be happy."

"I'll never be happy! Never! Not while he's around! He is nothing! Nothing, mother!"

"He is your father, Eudora!"

"You lied to me my whole life, mother! How could you ever expect me to just accept him as anything but my uncle! You lied to me! You lied!"

I sighed, thinking of how to make things better.

"I'm sorry, Eudora."

"No you're not. You're just saying anything and everything possible to make me feel better. If you were sorry, you wouldn't have lied to me in the first place. Now leave me alone…."

I didn't know what else to say. I had lied to my daughter and now she was angry. I couldn't blame her. How was I to expect her to love Erik as her father so quickly? This was going to take time, and the best thing to do now was give her the privacy she wanted.

"I'm going into town. I guess you wouldn't be interested in joining me?"

Eudora plopped onto her bed, and turned from me.

"I guess not. I'll be back soon."

I felt terrible for leaving my daughter, but what else was I to do? She was upset and there was nothing I could say to make her change her ways. After putting on my cloak, I left the flat, and headed towards town. Usually when I traveled into the city, no one noticed me at all. Today however, it was extremely different. Everyone who seen me walking by leaned over to whisper to the person standing next to them. Some even gave me dirty looks…..Had the word of what Erik told the freaks the day before really gotten around that fast?

"Christine!"

I heard my name being called, only to turn and see Meg running towards me. This was not what I needed right now. Did she not realize that we were still enemies? I ignored her, and continued walking to the stores I had wanted to visit. But Meg wouldn't give up, I could still hear her running towards me.

"Christine!"

"Go away, Meg."

"Christine, please stop."

Deciding to see what she sounded to serious about, I stopped and turned to face her.

"Meg, what is it? I thought I told you to stay away from me and my family."

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself….not after I saw this."

She revealed a rolled up news paper from behind her back, and opened it to show me the front page. It completely stopped my heart! There on the front page was a picture of Erik and the most degradable headline I had ever seen. "Mister E: The Phantasma Rapist."

My jaw dropped, and I couldn't breathe. How could they write that! Erik would never hurt a single person! Not anymore!

"Christine, I know the press has written some horrible stories about Erik, but this has gone too far. Even I know this story isn't true."

"It's all because of what he said to his employees yesterday."

"But it wasn't true, Christine." Meg assured. "He was only protecting you."

"How did this get out to the press!" I demanded. "Who told the press this story!"

"I don't know, but someone squealed. The story has even more lies than I have ever read. It goes on and on about how he held you as his prisoner and continuously raped you for years."

"That's not true!" I cried. "Why would you even bring this up to me!"

I was in tears now. It would have been better if I didn't even know this existed.

"Because I am your friend, Christine. You shouldn't have things like this written about you. Especially when it's not true."

"Erik said those things yesterday because he wanted to protect my name. The press has ruined that too."

"I can set things straight, Christine." Meg promised me. "I can make things better. I'll find a way to talk to the press for you."

"Meg, please….I don't want nothing to do…"

"You don't ever have to speak to me again, Christine." Meg replied. "But I'm not going to sit around and let the press call you such horrible things. Just give me a few days, and things will be set straight."

I didn't say thank you, or anything to Meg. I didn't believe she was going to set things straight, and therefore, I didn't thank her. I just walked away as if our conversation never happened. Shopping was painful, extremely painful because no matter what store I entered, people seemed to whisper, giggle and gossip behind my back. By the time I made it home, I was so upset, that I found myself in the kitchen sobbing over the groceries I was putting away. This day had gone horribly wrong. If only Erik had told the truth. If he had told the truth, none of this would have happened. Perhaps people would still be gossiping, but at least I wouldn't be known as the "Victim."

"Christine?"

I knew Erik was standing in the doorway, but I wouldn't speak to him. I couldn't cry over this….No, there was nothing wrong with me.

"Go back to bed." I ordered wiping away my tears.

"I heard you crying. What's wrong, Christine? Please don't lie to me."

"I said nothing!"

That was it, that was the last straw. I broke down to my knees, and began hysterically sobbing into my hands. I felt like a monster by the way I was treated in town this afternoon. Not only that but even my own daughter hated me now.

"Mon ange, is it me? Is it your Erik? What has he done?"

I couldn't tell him what I was crying about. I couldn't find it within my heart to be mad at him.

"Erik, just please go back to bed and leave me be."

But Erik wouldn't. He tried to lift me up by my arm, and that's when I snapped. I hadn't meant to do it, and if I would have thought things through, I wouldn't have turned around and slapped him in the face. My strike was so hard that he stumbled backwards and landed up against the counter. His hand embraced the part of his cheek where I had hit him, before turning around and leaving the kitchen like a scared child. When I finally had control over my emotions, only then did I dare to walk myself into Erik's bedroom. He wasn't laying in bed, but sitting at his desk near the window looking over a few of his manuscripts as if none of what just happened took place.

"Christine, just leave before we both lose our tempers." was his angry answer. How did he know I was in the room? Then again, Erik was strange like that. He knew when someone was around even before they entered a room.

"Erik, I lost my temper. I didn't mean to strike you, honest. I've just been having a terrible day. The worst since my father died."

"And yet you have the audacity to take it out on me? Is that what I am to you, Christine? Your punching bag? This isn't the first time you've hit me. I don't like it, Christine! I never hit you, never would I ever raise a hand to you or Eudora! And yet, you hit me….."

"Did…Did I hurt you?"

"You're god damn right! You did!"

His anger had finally come out, but I didn't back down.

"It won't happen again, I swear."

"Is that how you empty your anger, Christine?"

He turned to me, his hand rubbing the part of his face that I hit.

"Hitting me? I know your Erik should be punished, but….it hurts so much."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and pressed my lips and tears to his sore cheek. I was such a monster, how could I hit the one I love? Raoul had done this to me, and I had ran from that life. How was I any better? Erik should be running from me….

"You're crying."

I wiped my eyes, and buried my head into his back.

"Christine, please, tell me…."

He turned, and pressed me close to him, his arms wrapping themselves tightly around my body.

"Tell me about your day, Christine."

"No, it was the worst day ever. You don't need to hear such things, Erik."

Erik stood up from his seat, backing me up towards our bed. When I felt the mattress against the backs of my legs, I fell, only to have Erik come with me. He pressed light kisses all the way down my neck, as I stared up at the ceiling wondering what to say to him.

"Tell your Erik about your day." he cooed softly into my ear. "Let him take away the pain of it all."

"Eudora doesn't want to talk to either of us." I started, deciding to tell him about the smallest thing first.

"I can understand this. We lied to her, and it's going to take time for things to heal."

His lips were now over mine.

"Do not worry about her, Christine. Eudora will understand someday."

I had wanted to end our conversation here, but Erik could tell that there was more. He could see it within my glossy eyes.

"Mon ange? What else? I know there's something bigger bothering you."

When I didn't answer him, his lips pressed themselves up against my ear.

"Tell me, Christine."

"I….I went into town today. They know, Erik….the people know about what you said yesterday."

"How?"

"The papers…..The headline is horrible." I sobbed. "They called you a rapist, and the whole article explains about how I was your prisoner and how you continuously raped me for the past few years."

I saw Erik's fists turn white as he stood up and punched the wall with all his might.

"How dare they!" he shouted, a violent cough interrupting his rage. "I'll kill every one of those bastards! I meant to protect you! And what happens? Your name is destroyed as well!"

He tried to grab his cloak, when he weakened at the knees and went plummeting to the floor. He was coughing uncontrollably, blood spilling out of his mouth and staining the floor boards.

"Erik!"

I ran to his side to help him up, but he didn't stand. He couldn't even lift his head! I knew something was terribly wrong with him, and there wasn't any time to waste. I managed to get him back into bed, but the blood continued to come. I never ran so fast in all of my life! I threw on my cloak, and headed towards town to fetch the doctor. I should have done it the moment Erik dived into the ocean to find Eudora yesterday, but he seemed alright.

When the doctor followed me back to the flat, I was told to stay out in the main room while he looked over Erik. I was like an expecting mother, pacing the floor outside of Erik's room, not knowing what to do. I felt helpless against everything. My Erik was in his room possibly dying, and where was I? standing outside the door like a stranger. It would have felt better to have Eudora at my side, but she was still locked away in her room. She didn't want to talk to me, and I couldn't blame her.

When the doctor came walking out of the room, he bumped into me due to how close I was to the door.

"Christine?"

"Yes? How is he?"

The doctor didn't look too promising as he took my by the arm and lead me out to the main room. It was there that he sat me down and explained the condition that my lover was in.

"Doctor, how is he? Will his cold go away?"

"Christine, his cold will go away, but it's not the cold that caused the blood."

"Then what is it?" I sat back in my chair and awaited the horrible news.

"How long have you known about his heart?"

"His heart?" I questioned.

"Yes, his heart."

"What's wrong with it?"

"He's suffering from a weak heart."

"A weak heart?" I repeated in disbelief. "How could he have developed a weak heart?"

"Many things. A tragic event, being overworked, many things."

"Is it serious?"

The doctor nodded.

"Extremely serious. He's exhausted, and needs to stay off his feet. I'm putting him on a medicine to take with his meals. It will calm his nerves and stop his blood pressure from rising due to anger. As long as he stays rested and calm his heart shouldn't cause him any problems."

"He runs Phantasma."

"Right, but when spring comes, he has to take it easy. The less stress on him the better."

"How's Erik now?"

"I gave him something to make him sleepy. He'll probably sleep for the rest of the day."

I thanked the doctor, and showed him out. Afterwards, I entered Erik's room to see him laying in bed with a bloody cloth sat on the night table. He still had some dried blood on the upper part of his lips, and I leaned in to wipe it away.

"You were overworked and yet you didn't slow down." I said.

Erik didn't say a word, and continued looking towards the window.

"You push yourself too hard."

Erik finally turned his head, and placed my hand over his chest.

"Do you feel that, Christine?"

His heart beat against my palm so strongly that I didn't sense a s single problem with it.

I nodded.

"It beats for one person and only one person; you."

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"About what? I didn't know about my heart."

"But you knew you were exhausted and yet you didn't rest. You had problems dwelling inside of you and still you didn't tell me. That's what I'm here for, Erik."

Erik's eyes were getting heavy, and I knew the doctor's medicine was working on him.

"Get some sleep."

I kept myself occupied with reading and cleaning the flat for the remainder of the day. That night, I cooked dinner, and made up a tray for Erik. As I let Erik's chicken cool, I knocked on Eudora's door hoping she would come out.

"Eudora, I made some dinner."

She didn't answer me.

"It's your favorite."

Still no answer. I knew she was extremely upset and so decided not to enter.

"You don't have to come out, Eudora, but….if you get hungry it's out in the kitchen waiting for you."

With that, I carried Erik's tray into his room to find him laying there with his eyes closed.

"Erik, I brought you dinner."

He opened his eyes as I placed the tray into his lap. I then opened the bottle of tablets that the doctor left for Erik's heart, and placed one of them onto the tray.

"What in the world is that?"

"The doctor said you need to take a tablet with all your meals."

"I'd rather not."

I wasn't going to take no for an answer. I held the pill up to his lips, and lifted the glass of water off the tray.

"Erik, don't make me shove this down your throat. You need to get better."

"Curse you, woman." he grumbled, placing the pill into his mouth and washing it down with the water.

"How do you feel?"

"The same as I did four hours ago."

As he chewed some of the chicken I made, I brushed my hand through his hair, relieved that his fever had come down a bit.

"After you're finished eating I'll get you your cough medicine."

"I feel like a helpless old man."

"You're not young anymore, Erik. You've been pushing yourself too hard, which is why you're in the situation that you're in now."

"So what am I to do? Lay here like a dying geezer? I have a park to run, Christine."

"I know that, but you need to take it easy. What you did yesterday was uncalled for and I thank God that you didn't die of pneumonia."

"And what? You'd rather let our daughter freeze to death?"

"Erik, you know I didn't mean it like that."

"I'm finished eating." he said switching the subject. "You can take it away."

I did as he asked, and kissed him on the lips.

"Sleep, my love. Perhaps you'll feel better in the morning."

"Perhaps we'll all feel better in the morning. Don't stay up too late, Christine."

"I won't."

After leaving Erik in the darkness of his room, I entered the kitchen to find Eudora's meal still sitting on the stove. Deciding to leave her be, I cleaned up, and gave in to wanting to check on her one final time before going to bed.

"Eudora?"

I knocked on her door, hoping she would answer me this time.

"Eudora, please say something. I'm beginning to get worried about you."

Still I didn't get an answer. When I couldn't hold myself back any longer, I opened the door expecting to find her in bed…only she wasn't! she wasn't in her room at all and to make matters worse, her window was open! I prayed this wasn't happening, but as I searched under the bed and in the closet onky find no signs of her, I knew this nightmare was coming true! My daughter was gone! And so were a few of her belongings. She had not done this on accident, no, our daughter had run away!

Ok, I promise the next chapter will be filled with fluff. I'll try to get another one up before Christmas, but I'm not promising anything. Depends on how much stuff I get done before the holiday. Please Review! Love you all!