DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. JUST CATHERINE AND EDWARD WHO ARE MY CHARACTERS.
Epilogue
Right before dinner is ready, there is a sound at the gate. Erik looks up and sees Catherine and Edward trying to get it to open.
"Welcome home, you two," Erik rushes to open the gate. Once the kids rush in, he pauses, "how did you get away?"
"They didn't. I brought them myself," Raoul steps into the light.
"Hm. So you brought them home. Well you clearly have some sense. What do you want in return? A gift? A round of applause? Forgiveness?" Erik mocks spitting out that last word.
"I was hoping actually to speak with Christine."
"Well you can't…"
Christine cuts off Erik, "What do you want, Raoul?"
"Can I speak to you, privately?"
Before Erik can say anything, Christine speaks up, "No. Whatever you have to say, you say to both of us."
"I've apologized to Catherine and Edward already…I'm not sure if they have forgiven though. But, Christine, Phantom, I was wrong. I should never have taken your kids. I love you, Little Lotte. Always have and probably always will, but Phillip is right. If I love you then I have to let you choose your own happiness and be content. I cannot say that I am happy with the choice made, but I'll live. I saw two days ago a family and I got jealous. I wished it could have been us. I see, although I cannot understand how, you and the kids love him despite his mask and grotesque face. But that is not my choice. It is yours. And I will live with that."
"You call that an apology. Calling my face grotesque and stating how you can't understand how she loves me?! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you where you stand?" Erik growls menacingly.
"Erik…" Christine calls calmly and then turns to Raoul, "I have to agree, parts of that apology could have been left out. However, I understand what you're trying to say." Looking at her husband and kids, she continues, "I cannot answer for my family, but I forgive. But don't think that I trust. I forgive you for me."
"She may forgive you. And the kids if given time may forgive. But just know that if you cross our family again, I will not hesitate to end you. Tread lightly, fop."
"Christine…" Raoul looks at her.
"I need time. I don't know you anymore, Raoul." Christine gathers her kids and turn to exit the room, "Leave."
"Her request has been made," Erik turns and pulls the lever to close the gate. "And who knows, Raoul, maybe, just maybe, I might forgive you…in time. But you had better head my warning."
Raoul watches the family retreat before heading home himself.
THE END