Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, or Meg, or Madame Giry, or any other characters from the ingenious mind of Gaston Leroux! Or anything by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Anne, however, she's mine...well, she resides in my head until her story is done.

AN: Did you know that I had every intention of having this entire story written in 50 chapters? You see how well that turned out for me! Random question for my readers. The definition for fanfiction is - "stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creator." So...does that mean Webber's POTO is a fanfiction? 'Cause that kinda blows my mind!

Chapter 53

I was sure that I would never again feel such a thrill as I did during those few minutes singing. My entire world seemed to freeze and time stood still. Nothing existed in this little world of mine but the music and my love for Erik. I sang for him, but I sang to him. I sang to the world, declaring that my love for him was as strong as the foundations of the earth and would last until the end of time. I came to realize that in truth, nothing else would matter so long as Erik and I could be together...and that we would be together no matter what.

When it was all over and I slowly came down from the heaven of my own making, there was a brief moment of silence, the kind you feel when you wake up from a dream so real that it takes a moment for you to realize that you were now awake. When my world settled and the clouds had dissipated my eyes focused on the crowd in front of me. They were applause and for a moment I had to listen hard for it, for my mind was still not with me. Then it became uproarious and loud and I saw that they were pleased and it looked like they were somewhat amazed at what had just happened. I was pleased, and I hoped that Erik was as well. For if this was the thrill of singing, then I would gladly sing for the rest of my days.

The managers came to stand on either side of me and I was taken down the steps I had just ascended and I was surrounded by people I did not even recognize. All were giving me their praise and wonder at my voice, asking me where I had been hiding, who my teacher, and if I would be singing at the Populaire often. I simply brushed aside their questions, telling them I was singing just the once and would probably no longer sing for such an audience as grand as this. The meeting I was dreading was the one right in front of me. I tried to avoid them, for I did not want to spoil my evening with such disagreeable people. However, it was as inevitable as the sun rising and setting.

"Well, mademoiselle," the Viscount de Chagny began, giving me a look that I could not place. "You have certainly been keeping secrets."

I smiled as pleasantly as I could to the quartet standing in front of me. Elizabeth and her husband, as well as the Viscount and Viscountess were a group of people I wanted to pass over as quickly as possible. "Well, I think we all have things we'd best not let people know about, isn't that true? And besides, you all never asked."

Christine opened her mouth to speak but Elizabeth was quicker. "You've certainly changed a bit these last few months, Annie."

Using my name in such in an informal manner irritated me and I tried to keep the ice from my voice. "Well, it's good to see that some things never change, Madame. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to retire for the evening."

"So soon?" The Earl of Manchester's voice was one I had never heard, I realized, and I turned to look at him questioningly. "The night is yet young."

I smiled and nodded, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of my evening with one whom I loved so very dearly. "That is very true. I do hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening." I gave a brief curtsy and turned to leave. I was stopped once again only this time a hand had been placed on my arm. I turned back a sharp reply dying on my lips when I saw that it was Christine who had stopped me. There was something in her expression that brought me to a halt and instead of wanting to leave, I wanted to hear what she had to say.

"May I speak with you a moment?" She asked, her voice soft and held a touch of curiosity.

I nodded, slowly, finding her request to be a bit strange since our last encounter had been quite...physical. "Yes, Madame, but only a moment. I must retire for the night." My confusion only deepened when she laced her arm through mine and we began walking around the hall.

"I found your performance to be very beautiful," she began. She did not look at me, but rather she looked around the room, her eyes almost holding a twinge of fear. "You have been well taught."

I stopped walking and looked at the Viscountess. She had to know. There was no way that she couldn't. At that moment, I desperately wished for Erik to be close by, however I knew that he would be waiting for me and that I would have to end this conversation quickly. "Thank you. I had a good teacher when I was younger."

"Younger? Not now?" She looked at me and took my hands in hers. "Anne, I beg you. I know who's been teaching you. It is so apparent in your effortless singing. He's a monster. A madman. He's..."

"The man that I love, Madame," I replied, coldly, pulling my hands from her. "Now, if you have nothing else to say, you will kindly keep this conversation to yourself. I have no desire to have my happiness taken from me by someone who didn't know true love when she saw it the first time."

"Anne! That was absolutely beautiful!" Meg's voice sounded from behind me and I felt her slim arms wrap around my shoulders in a tight embrace. She took my hands and grasped them tightly. "It is a shame this was your only time. You have certainly astounded all of Paris!"

I saw the rescue for what it was and smiled gratefully at my cousin. "Thank you, Meg. It was certainly an experience I will treasure, and I'm glad that my first and last time was to be so well received."

"You better be careful, mademoiselle," Christine's snapped, her eyes dark with anger. "It never stops with just one song. He'll consume you...until there is nothing left."

I curtsied to her. "It is too late, Madame. The love I have for him has already consumed me." I took Meg's arm and the two of us walked away from the angry Viscountess. "Thanks for coming to rescue me."

Meg smiled and pushed her hair over her shoulder. "It looked like you two were going to have another fight right here at the party. Though it might do her some good to have a public set down, I don't think he would have approved."

I smiled to myself, my heart racing of just thinking about Erik. "Speaking of which, Meg I should go. My work here is done for the evening. I would now like to enjoy myself if that is alright."

Meg nodded, a bright smile across her face. "Of course. I'll take you the back way so that you can avoid the Managers and Madame Carrolton who seems to be on a hunt looking for you."

"Really?" I asked, turning to look behind me.

"Don't encourage her!" Meg whispered furiously. "She doesn't look pleased that you clearly out sang her tonight."

I laughed. "Meg, Madame Carrolton has been nothing but kind and gracious since I first arrived at the Populaire. There is no strain between us."

Meg gave a very unladylike snort. "Right, and La Carlotta was calm as a clam when Christine became the new diva."

I opened my mouth to say something in return, but chose against it. It was apparent that we were going to have to agree to disagree. I remained silent as Meg took me back to our room and whispered that she would make my excuses to the Managers and to the rest of the audience. She gave me a final hug and then was out the door, leaving me alone in the bedroom. It was hard to believe that the moment was now over. I had practiced like mad for the past week and I felt as if a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Sighing, I turned about seeing if Erik might have left me a note or if I was to simply wait for him. Walking over to my dresser I found a small piece of folded paper that had my name written across the front in Erik's elegant hand. I hastily picked up the note and quickly read its contents. I stuffed the note in the dresser and ran as fast as I could after I read his note. It bore only a few words: "The house by the lake."

By now the journey to his home required no thought. I knew it well enough I could have walked the path in my sleep. I was now able to run through the corridors and trap doors without falling prey to anything and to avoid any person who might be lurking there. It was not long before I saw the lights of the underground lake and my steps led me to a spot safely on the other side of the lake so that I would not have to cross the waters. My feet had barely touched the soft earth when I saw the door to his house open and he stood there ready to greet me. I couldn't help myself, in that moment. I ran to him and he came towards me, tightly embracing me, lifting me off my feet, and twirling me around. I felt dizzy though not from the momentum. I felt as if I had not truly descended from the euphoria I had felt when I had been in front of the audience.

"Anna, you were a triumph. Absolutely a triumph!" Erik kissed me as he set me back down on my feet. "I never could have expected such heavenly sound to come from any creature on earth!"

I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Erik, don't tease me so! The song was beautiful, and I felt...I felt...I feel as if I cannot come down to earth again!" He leaned his forehead against my mine and I tried to organize my thoughts and put them into order. "This unearthly feeling is something I never thought I would feel. Singing up there for all to see...singing of the love I have for you...I felt strong, I felt as if there was nothing in the world that would tear me from you."

"So you felt almost nothing as a singer and a performer then, Anna?" His teasing voice whispered in my ear.

"Dearest, I felt weightless, as if my body and my voice was not my own." I leaned against him, resting my head against his heart. I was comforted by the soft beat I heard and could feel reality creeping back in. "Indeed, if I were to think about it long enough...I should become afraid."

He slightly withdrew from me and I looked up into his eyes, seeing the love and devotion that was undoubtedly mirrored by my own. "Then do not think about it. Let us talk and think of other things." He led me into his house and we went to the music room. We sat down together, his arm resting around my shoulders so that I could lay against him. "Let us talk of the future."

I smiled, thinking of a future filled with only him. "When will our future officially begin, Erik?" I was speaking of a date that we would need to set for our wedding. Neither of us wanted to be parted for any longer than was necessary.

"How does tomorrow night sound," was his dry reply.

I chuckled and looked up at him. "One month, Erik. That should be enough time to get everything situated. Aunt Giry said that you wouldn't want to live here for much longer so I think some sort of house needs to be procured."

Erik smiled and pressed his lips to my forehead. "That is all taken care of. Don't you worry. All you need to do is get to the church on time."

"And find a dress. Meg and Aunt Giry should be in attendance as should your Persian friend." I could tell that I had made a disagreeable face by Erik's expression. "While our first meeting could have not been the greatest in the world, I can tell that he is your friend and he would want to share in our special day."

"Anyone else you would like to add to this party?" Erik asked, the amusement still very apparent in his voice.

I shook my head. "No...there is no one."

"Then in a month, Anna...one precious small month we shall be married. I'll take care of the church...just promise me you'll be there."
I nodded. "I promise, Erik."