Chapter 32

Towards the evening, in a manor house on the hill in France, Christine sat in her bedroom looking into the mirror with her wedding veil on. She smiled sweetly to herself; she knew how good it would be to finally start her life with Raoul. She had enjoyed the manor, but was looking forward to the time when they could be together alone, without the watchful eye of his family. Their wedding was in several days, the culmination of months of planning. Under his family's supervision, it would be a gala affair with hundreds of guests. Just the thought of it made her a little upset, because she would much rather have had a small, intimate affair with just close friends and family. It was a small price to pay for all the generosity they had shown her.

Pulling the veil off and setting it on her dressing table, she suddenly remembered another time, a darker time, when she had removed a veil before. It was when she had accepted the Phantom's terrible proposal. She immediately became lost in her memories. Raoul had told her that the Phantom had died, labeled a freak, alone in a ditch. She had cried for him that day, mourned him. Strangely enough, deep in her heart, she still felt this presence, as if his spirit remained with her.

Maybe I just can not accept that he is gone. Oh, Christine, why are you letting him wander in your mind tonight, to confuse you? She thought.

Having some time to think since she found out about his death, she had tried repeatedly to push her feelings for him aside. They still haunted her soul like his spirit seemed to. He was a murderer, a terrifying man who betrayed her trust yet, the last few moments she saw him, after their magical kiss, she felt hopelessly drawn to this deeply passionate man who walked away from her, broken and weak. He had freed her then, but by releasing her, her heart opened up to him, and it was not just pity anymore. She remembered how he looked; the deep sadness, the longing, the adoration in his eyes as she gave him back the ring.

Why had she given him the ring? She simply wanted him to have it, a part of her. It was a symbol of the undying connection she felt with him at that moment. Christine's eyes lowered and became moist as she remembered his expression as she left on the boat with Raoul. She could not help but to look back at him; she could see him become more devastated with each inch she moved away. She breathed deeply and brought herself back to reality.

Maybe I just need a walk in the gardens, to bask in the evening glow to dispel this melancholy.

After putting on a warm green cloak, she quietly walked down the stairs and out onto the back porch without making a sound. She did not want to be joined by anyone. She found strength and solace as she strolled through the rose garden then out to the fields behind the house. She picked a beautiful red rose, smelling it as she walked into the field. The sky was ablaze with color, darkening every minute. Inexplicably, she wandered towards the forest, feeling drawn to the dark woods to the north of the house. After strolling for a few moments, she looked up and stopped short as she saw a man in a dark riding cloak, standing next to a dark horse just on the edge of the forest. She stood still and watched him for a few moments. His head was bent over a sheet of paper. She saw him sigh, shake his head, fold the paper and wrap it tenderly. Curiosity overrode her good sense and fear. She started to walk towards the man slowly, not making a sound. His masculine physique seemed familiar. Then, as if he had sensed her, the man turned his head slowly towards her.

Erik stood next to Caesar on the edge of the forest next to the DeChagney's mansion. He had traveled there, as if beckoned, after the discussion with Nadir. For him to move on, he felt he must put his past to rest; he needed to revisit and heal old wounds. He was sure Christine was in the house, preparing for the upcoming wedding he had read about in the Parisian social papers. He had looked longingly at the gardens and in the windows for hours, hoping to catch just one more glance of his Angel of Music. After a day of watching without success, he was resigned to the fact he would probably be discovered soon so he should leave. He opened up the brief note he had written for her eyes only, and read it again. He hummed the melody he had written on a musical staff at the bottom of the page. She would recognize it immediately, he was sure. He folded it gently and wrapped it with a black ribbon.

Now, how am I going to get this note to Christine? It is imperative she receive it. I may need Nadir to help with this, too.

He sighed and shook his head in frustration. He had come all this way from Capellen just to be stopped a few yards from his goal. Suddenly, strangely enough, he felt a strong presence. He turned slowly towards the house, surprised to find Christine standing just yards away in the center of the field. He breathed deeply, feeling passionate pangs resounding in his chest. They were very mild now, but his heart still started to beat wildly. Her expression was that of curiosity; she did not yet recognize him. His scarred side was obscured by his hair and the low light of evening. He had no idea how she would respond to him. He leaned forward, swallowed hard, took a breath and pulled his hair back, looking up slowly.

Christine stood her ground as the man turned to her. He was tall and slender, well built, with strong shoulders; what she could see of his face in the dim light was very, very familiar. His hair appeared dark in the impending darkness, and hung over the right side of his face sensuously. He was obviously shocked to see her, but he stood still, almost paralyzed. She started to breathe quickly, wondering…

Could it be…is this a ghost?

The man's chest was also moving with labored breaths. He looked down and pulled back his hair and revealed his deformed face. It was him!

She jumped back, shocked, unable to move or breathe for a second. As she saw him move a little closer, she started to cry uncontrollably, covering her mouth. Through her tears she saw him turn and mount his horse, ready to leave immediately.

"No, wait." She said, wiping away at her eyes. Erik turned the horse so he could face her again. "I was told you were dead." She said softly. "You just took me by surprise. Please, don't go." Erik looked at her sadly, now understanding her reaction.

"No, I am very much alive." He turned his gaze up to the mansion, then back to her. She walked a few steps towards him, following his gaze as he looked up the hill.

"Why are you here?" Christine queried, a fleeting sense of worry going through her mind. The last time they were together, Raoul's life was in danger. She could sense no anger from the man on the horse now, however.

"I just wanted to see you again." Said Erik. She was beautiful, standing there in the light of the evening, the wind blowing her raven locks away from her shoulders. The memory he had of her in his head paled in comparison with her beauty in person.

"It is good to see you under better circumstances…" She said. They both looked away, remembering the horror of the opera house. Slowly, their eyes met again, in quiet understanding.

"Are you happy, Christine?" he asked, his eyes softening, Her face grew a little sad and she nodded, almost apologetically.

"Yes." She said breathlessly.

"I am glad, Christine." He hung his head and nodded, smiling to himself.

It warms my heart to know she is happy. I guess I always knew, Raoul would keep his promise. Now, finally, I can be free.

Without another word, he dropped the note he had written on the ground and turned the horse to go. He did not want to see her any more. In his heart was a strange combination of sadness and relief. He did not belong there. A warmth and longing filled him as he rode away. He knew exactly where it was that he belonged.

Christine saw him drop the paper he was holding on the ground and turn to leave. She quickly gathered up her skirts and raced to pick it up. It was on parchment, tied with a black ribbon. When she opened it, there was a detailed drawing of a full red rose on one side. In unkempt script was this message:

"Dearest Christine,

I have caused you so much pain and anguish. I was a desperate, sad and lonely man.
I am deeply sorry for betraying you. Please find it in your loving heart to forgive me.

Congratulations, in advance, on your wedding. I wish for you all the joys that life can give. And please, please, never stop singing.

Forever your Angel,

Erik."

"Erik." She looked up at he man who was riding away slowly. She had never known his name until that moment. She then looked back down at the piece of music written on the bottom. She hummed the first few notes and recognized it in seconds. She stood up and started to sing it softly, her voice growing in volume as the piece progressed.

"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye.
Remember me, once in a while please promise me you'll try
When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free
If you find a moment, spare a thought for me."

Erik rode slowly away, satisfied that he accomplished what he had come to do; to ask for forgiveness and to say goodbye to his Angel of Music. He stopped the horse when he heard a clear, faint, beautiful voice rising in the gloom of the forest. He turned around and rode quickly back to the edge of the woods. Christine was there, standing where he had been standing, holding his letter close to her heart, singing for him. He sat still, eyes fixed upon her, getting lost in her voice.

I had forgotten how stunning she is. Her voice calls out to my soul. His mouth dropped open and his eyes grew full.

"We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember, stop and think of me.
Think of all the things we've shared and seen,
don't think about the things which might have been.

She was crying so much by this point that she was unable to finish. Eric continued the song softly in his own textured, sultry tenor:

Think of me think of me waking silent and resigned
Think of me trying too hard to put you from my mind
Recall those days, look back on all those times…
Think of the things we'll never do-
There will never be a day when I won't think of you…

Regaining her composure, she completed the last verse.

Flowers fade-the fruits of summer fade
They have their season so do we
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think of me!"

"Bravissima." He sang, after she finished. She smiled and blew him a kiss.

"Goodbye, Erik. My Angel." She said as she waved goodbye. He touched his hands to his lips, accepting her windy kiss, turned and disappeared into the forest.

His heart felt peace for the first time in a week. He was forgiven, at least by Christine. As he rode through the forest, he was bursting with anticipation as he thought of Elaine and Capellen. Caesar could not bring him there fast enough, he could not wait to see her again. It was finally time to go back home. He could only hope that Elaine would feel the same way.

Christine stood there for a long time, staring into the forest, the dark night approaching rapidly. She felt the wind grow cold on her skin, but she did not want to move, to leave this wonderful place, to abandon the magic of the moment.

"Will I ever see you again, dear Erik?" She breathed into the night sky, a smile on her face. Now, when she thought of him, Erik, it would be with contentment. These last few moments they had spent together would stay with her forever, as a pleasant, poignant memory. To forgive him pleased her heart almost as much as being forgiven healed his.