Erik's POV

Meg had shot my Christine! I had been standing on the pier, working the gun away from her grasp, fighting tooth and nail to pry it from her fingers, when all of a sudden, it fired. I looked down at my stomach, expecting to see myself bleeding, but instead, my angel dropped to her knees. Oh, how I held her close to me as she lay dying in my arms. I cried, oh, how I cried for her to stay with me…

"Christine, no…" I sobbed. "No…"

And then, she closed her eyes and slipped away…

I woke gasping for air. It had been a dream, a dream and nothing more. When Gustave and I had returned from breakfast, I had laid down for a nap. Even now, as I sat up in bed fighting to catch my breath, I heard my son's laugh. It was a far distant sound, making me wonder where he was. From the night table, I reached out for my leg, attaching it in place and standing. I ran my fingers through my hair, approaching the window to look outside, only to find Christine and Gustave playing some sort of game. I stood there watching Gustave as he playfully wrestled Christine outside of the studio. Oh, how their smiles and laughs warmed my heart. After watching them play for a few moments more, I grabbed my waistcoat and headed towards the backdoor, destined to make my angel's night one that she would never forget. I needed to apologize for my anger and ill temper, I needed to make her feel loved and wanted. For days, I had pushed her away and made her feel as though she were nothing more than the dirt on my feet. No, Christine was more, she was everything! The sun, the moon, the stars, she was life itself!

My leg throbbed with a dull ache as I headed towards town. Oh, how I wanted to tear this blasted contraption off my leg and throw it into the ocean… The only reason I even dealt with the irritation was because it made me able to walk. Without it, I'm not so sure if I would be anywhere but in bed. I decided that I would take my angel out to dinner somewhere special, and then, afterwards, I would spend the night in the Phantasma Hotel, hoping to make everything between us right again. Yes, it was perfect! But, first, I needed to buy an apology gift, one that screamed how sorry I really was. How I would have loved to buy her a ring, but at the moment, it didn't seem appropriate. Therefore, I scoped the jewelry shop, searching every display case for something that would brighten her spirits. On the night of her performance, I had presented her with a necklace that matched her blue and green attire. Yes, I could have bought her another necklace, but it didn't seem sentimental enough.

And that's when I seen it! It was a beautiful diamond bracelet, one with small music charms dangling off of every corner. Oh, Christine would surely adore it! Even as I held the gift in my hand, I could stare into the diamonds and already see the beautiful smile she would give me. I had it wrapped up in a box, complete with a red bow on top. I placed the gift into the lapel of my jacket, and headed back home to fetch my angel before the street lights could come on.

I entered my home, hearing the water running in the bathroom. I slipped past my mirror, having a look at myself to be sure everything on me was perfect. After running my fingers through my hair one final time, I approached the bathroom door and lightly tapped on it with my knuckle.

"Christine, are you in there?"

There was silence, and then her voice. "Just go away, Erik."

"Christine," I stopped myself, wondering what to say. It was apparent that she was angry with me and I couldn't blame her. Oh, what have I done? "Christine, I was thinking that perhaps you and I could take a walk tonight. The weather is so decent. There won't be many more nights that we'll be able to tolerate walking in."

There was another long pause of silence, before the door opened. Christine blew past me, her body wrapped in a large towel. Oh, she was angry, so angry with me. I hobbled at her pace, begging her to listen to me.

"Christine, please speak with me. One walk is all I ask."

"And I've asked you for many things, Erik. Begged for them!"

"Christine, stop…" I pulled on her arm, causing her to turn and kick my leg. Oh, how it hurt…I lost balance, falling to the floor, and grasping hold of the footstool that was placed at the edge of my armchair. I was angry, extremely angry, but not enough to make the situation worse.

"Christine," I stumbled to my feet. "Could I be wrong for once?"

She stood in front of my wardrobe, throwing on a clean dress, never paying any mind to me.

"You're wrong all the time. You don't want anything to do with me… You've been this way since your accident."

"I'm sorry, Christine. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry. It is hard for me to live like this, live with the constant worry of disappointing you, and having a woman in my life. Please, just say that you will come walking with me tonight? I will do anything for you, just please say that you will do this one thing for me?"

There was a long pause of silence, and then, my angel nodded.

"All right, Erik." she sighed. "Just give me five minutes to get ready. But know, that this does not mean that I have forgiven you."

I folded my hands in front of her, as if thanking her silently over and over again. And with that, I left her to her privacy.

Christine's POV

I didn't think much of Erik, not after the way he's acted over the past few days. I wasn't sure why I had agreed to meet Raoul the following day…anger perhaps? I wasn't sure, but when my angel asked me to join him, I didn't deny him. After dressing, I followed him outside, keeping my distance as he and I descended towards Phantasma. He tried to interlace his arm with my own, but I wouldn't have it. When we arrived at one of his restaurants I followed him inside, staying close as he seated me at a private table.

"So, Christine." Erik took his seat across from me, removing his jacket and placing it behind his chair. As soon as he did so, he cringed in pain, reaching for his side.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes, just give me a second…"

It was obvious that he was still feeling uneasy from his accident a few weeks ago when he lost his kidney. When the pain subsided, our waiter approached our table, pouring us each a glass of water. When he left us again, I looked down at my menu, reading over the choices, not really paying any mind to Erik at the moment.

"You're still angry." he stated. "I can tell."

"I'm perfectly fine, thank you."

"Christine," I felt him reach across the table and take my hand into his own. It was obvious that he wanted me to forgive him, but the truth was that I was still angry.

"Erik, I just want to eat dinner."

"And you will," he assured. "But, oh, Christine I've made a huge mistake. I am really sorry…There is a demon inside of me, one that takes control of every emotion I have and turns it into something evil. I know you hate that demon, and I promise you that I will try harder."

But I didn't say a word. What could I say? Throughout our entire meal, I could sense that my angel were in pain. He constantly squirmed around, making it obvious that sitting up straight was bothering him. I wasn't sure if it were his legs or his side that were bothering him, but there was most certainly something. I hardly said a word to him as we ate our meal, for I was still angry. But then again, I had a right to be…

Erik's POV

Ever since my shooting, my side never hurt me as much as it did now. Throughout my entire meal, my side throbbed with a dull ache, one that left me weak. I couldn't enjoy my dinner, not while this pain was coursing through my body. When dinner was over, I paid and stood to leave with Christine, not really gaining any of her trust back. It seemed as though this night had been a total waste…Perhaps tonight wasn't the best night to confess my love to her. I knew with the way she felt, her attitude would only worsen if I came out with such a confession. Even as we walked along my closed park, I fingered the gift for her that was in my pocket, my hands sweating around its surface. But, I stopped her on our walk, right in front of the gates of Phantasma.

"Christine," I placed my hand against her shoulder, causing her to turn. "I…I know tonight hasn't gone like I wanted it to, but…" I reached inside of my pocket for the wrapped gift, bringing it out and placing it into her palm before closing her fingers around it. "I wanted you to have this."

"Erik," she tried giving it back to me, but I wouldn't allow her to do so.

"No, Christine, I need you to know how sorry I am. Angel, please just open the gift. If you're not satisfied with it, I swear you can do what ever you like with it…Throw it onto the beach for all I care."

She looked down at the gift, and then back at me.

"Erik," I placed my finger to her lip, silencing her and begging her to open it. She did, painfully slow, pulling back the paper and then, opening the lid with caution. Even when she saw the diamond bracelet, she didn't say a word, only began to cry.

"Have I done something wrong?"

She shook her head and wiped away her tears.

"Not at all, Erik." she sniffled. "It's beautiful, really…but…"

My heart ceased within my chest. "But what?"

We both found our way to a nearby bench, sitting down beside one another as she looked down at her new bracelet that was still in the box.

"Raoul found me in town this morning." she cried. "He said you didn't deserve me, that the way you've been treating me is wrong."

Oh, how my heart constricted. How dare he approach my angel! Oh, how dare he!

"He wants me to meet him for lunch tomorrow."

"Lunch? Christine, please…" I was on my knees now. "Oh, Christine I beg you…please, don't see him. I'll try harder, I'll do everything within my power to treat you like an angel. Just please, please don't see him."

"I…I wish to see him." she said. "But, I only wish to see him in order to tell him that our marriage is over. Will you go with me, Erik? Will you accompany me to lunch?"

If there was anything I didn't want to do, it was see that bastard, but for Christine, I would do anything. And so, I nodded.

"Of course, Christine."

With that, my angel placed on her bracelet and interlaced her hand with my own.

"I could never leave you, Erik. Yes, you may make me angry sometimes, but…Ever since we kissed on the night of my performance, for the first time in ten years, I felt whole."

"And I felt the same way, ange…"

When she smiled, I took her by the hand, lifting her to her feet and pressing a kiss to her knuckle.

"Come along, Christine, I have something to show you."

Instead of leading her to the Phantasma Hotel, I took her by the hand and brought her somewhere special. Yes, I had first planned on bringing her to the hotel, but now, that didn't seem appropriate. My leg was beginning to kill me, but that didn't stop me from walking all the way to one of my workshops. I had several throughout my park, but this one would stun her. I pulled out my keys and slipped the correct one into the door's lock. Even when I peeked behind my shoulder and seen Christine gazing upward at the tall building before us, I knew she was already amazed.

"What is this place?" she asked.

I smiled and led her inside, flipping the light switch and allowing the blue lights to illuminate the facility. My angel's jaw dropped as she gazed at everything within my workshop. Every inch of the walls were lined with stained glass windows, a large staircase swirling upward in the center. The staircase, after all was indeed the reason why I brought her here.

"You work here?" she gasped.

"Sometimes." I took her small hand in my own. "I have many places where I work throughout the season. This workshop, however is used for a special reason."

I began leading her up each stair, cursing myself for coming here. I had to lift my leg over fifty times in order to reach the top, and in doing so, a sharp pain would course through my thigh. I stopped every few moments to sooth my thigh, but I could feel nothing but embarrassment. There were obviously things I would have trouble doing from now on in life, climbing stairs being one of them.

"Are you all right, Erik?"

My angel was behind me while we were climbing the stairs. I knew she cared deeply for me, but I was a stubborn man. If there was one thing I didn't like doing, it was telling other people about my pain. I had been brought up to endure every ounce of pain instead of whining about it to whoever would listen. I gripped the railing of the stairs and continued climbing without a single woe. When we finally reached the top, which was nothing more than a large observatory deck surrounded by open windows, my angel's jaw dropped once more. The only piece of furniture I kept up here was a desk… Sometimes working on paper work with such a beautiful view took my mind off of being lonely. My angel ran to the nearest window that was facing Coney Island, looking out at all the beautiful lights.

"This is such a wonderful place." she sighed, resting her head on her hands that were placed on the railing. Oh, that expression she gave as she stared endlessly out the window was the look one would give if they were in heaven…. I loved making her happy. But this was my chance… I slowly approached her from behind, my hands folding calmly behind my back to hide their shaking. I needed to do this right, otherwise, she would shun me for the rest of my days. Yes, I could have taken her to the Phantasma Hotel, made love to her, and then, confessed my love, but this seemed more romantic. I knew Christine knew that I loved her. I had confessed it to her that night during the Paris disaster. Though, it had been ten whole years since I had begged her, begged her to feel the same way.

"Christine," My angel turned to face me, her expression still looking the same as when she was looking out the window. This was my chance… "Christine, I know that we've been through a lot lately. I also know that I have made you angry. But…"

I paused, for I was so nervous.

"What, Erik?"

I took one more breath, before doing what I had planned on doing.

"Christine, I love you. I love you with all that I am. Without you, there would be no light, without you, there would be no me. If I could get down on my knees and beg you to do the same, I would, but sadly, I cannot."

Christine looked down at her feet, a gesture that sent my heart tearing into two. A few moments later, she looked back up at me, forming a half smile.

"I know you love me, Erik." she said. "I've known it since that night in Paris. Sometimes, you have a strange way of showing it, but I know how you truly feel."

"And I know you don't feel the same." I sighed. "I know where your heart lies."

Christine nodded. "Yes, you do."

Hot tears began to burn against my eyes, but I never allowed them to fall.

"I know you're going to see Raoul tomorrow to tell him that your marriage is over." I began. "And I know you said that you could never leave me, but that doesn't mean that you love me. I know your heart will always lie with someone much more handsome than I am, someone that will be as beautiful as you are."

I turned my back, allowing the first few tears to fall. But what was this? A few moments later, I felt a warm hand place itself against my shoulder. And, when I turned, my angel was standing there, a finger already wiping away my tears.

"And aren't you that person, Erik?" she questioned. "I know that you are. You are everything I could have ever wanted."

And then, we kissed. Oh, how that kissed filled me with the same love and passion I have always felt for Christine. Tomorrow would be it…Tomorrow, Christine would tell Raoul that her marriage was over, and then, we would finally be together forever more. My Christine at last…My Christine forever…