Angel of Doom and an English Rose (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 24 - An Angel and a Rose

Rosetta's POV:

I backed away from him and covered my face with my hands. I was such a fool. Such a fool. I heard movement but kept my face hidden in my hands. He couldn't love me. Oh, why had I said it?
Suddenly, I felt my hands being pulled away from my face and a finger lifting up my chin. I turned my eyes away from Erik but he whispered,

“Look at me if you can.” I looked at him. His lips were quivering and his breathing was erratic. His eyes were filled with disbelief. He cupped my cheeks in his cold hands and whispered,

“Repeat what you said to me.” His voice was breaking and I gave him a small smile before saying,

“I love you. I am in love with you, Erik.” His breath came as a quick intake and he whispered,

“How? How can you love one such as I?” I took his hands in mine and gave them a faint squeeze. He was in completely disbelief. I had no idea what he felt for me but I would tell him all I felt and bear with the consequences.

“I love you because you you. You are good beneath the surface. Death runs in your veins only because you know nothing else. There is so much more to you then what everyone sees. So much good hidden beneath the stone.” He choked back a sob and pulled me against him. I felt his tears on my hair and he murmured.

“I don't know who you are talking about but that can't be me. There is nothing about me that one could love. I am death in human form. There is a reason they call me the Angel of Doom.” I smiled faintly.

“I was right when I called you 'Angel.' You are an angel. But, most of all, you are the man I love.” More tears fell on my hair and he ran his hands through my hair.

“Oh, Rosetta!” He exclaimed softly and held me away from him slightly. He stroked my cheek with one hand and whispered,

“I love you.” I stared at him in complete shock. It couldn't be. I never once guessed he might have loved me. I smiled up at him and whispered,

“You love me?” He nodded.

“I do. I have for quite some time. I feared your reaction. I feared you could never love me.” I traced the edge of the mask and he pulled away slightly. I shook my head softly and said,

“Well, I do love you. I will always love you.” I looked up at him then my heart skipped a beat. Our faces were quite close if I say so myself. I looked at his lips and then back up at him. I leaned forward and whispered,

“Kiss me, please.”

Erik's POV:

My mind was still reeling from the idea of being loved. My mind was in complete confusion. Her question wiped all thought from my mind. She wanted me to kiss her! I looked at her and said,

“My kiss is death. It will kill you. I don't want to be the death of you.” She smiled up at him and said,

“Erik, please.” I looked down at her lips and moved slowly until they met mine. The moment they touched I felt sparks fly and I pulled her against me, claiming her mouth with mine.

It was my first kiss and it was perfect. It was filled with love and I couldn't explain it all. I held her against me and kissed her until I couldn't breath any more. When we both needed air, I parted, leaving her breathless. She smiled up at me. Alive. She was alive.
I gasped out,

“You aren't not dead.” She smiled and laid her head on my chest and whispered,

“No, I am not. I love you, Erik. I always will.” I held her against me and sighed happily. For once I was completely at peace. For once I wasn't the monster everyone thought me to be. I was a man and I had a girl. Rosetta loved me. I loved and was loved in return. This was a dream I never thought to ever have.
She looked back up at me and I kissed her again. She melt into me and I held her as close as I could. We parted and I just wanted to kiss her again. I could kiss her forever and not want to do anything else.

“Do you mind me kissing you?” I asked quietly. I didn't want to force her to do anything. If kissing me made her uncomfortable then I wouldn't do it. Not kissing her would be the death of me but I would do anything for her.
She laughed slightly and kissed me again before saying,
“No why would I? You are quite good at it. Very good.” I smiled and kissed her again. That was all the response I could think of. When I released her, she said,

“Now, it is really late. Why don't we go to bed and get some sleep?” I looked at her and smiled.

“Very well, Rose.”

Rosetta's POV:

I looked up at him in shock. My name was Rosetta, not Rose.

“What did you just call me?” He smiled and kissed my nose before saying,

“Rose. You are a true English Rose. Besides, your name is Rosetta. Am I allowed to give you a nickname?” I blushed and nodded.

“I guess. What shall I call you? What nickname should you like?” He pulled me closer to him and whispered,

“I need none. Just call me Erik.” I ran my hand over his hair and smiled softly.

“No, you need a nickname. Why don't I call you 'Angel'?” He looked at the ground and whispered,

“But I am no angel. I am only a demon. I don't deserve such a title. I don't deserve any of this. I don't deserve you, m-my love. I don't.” Taking his chin firmly between my thumb and pointer finger, I looked him directly in his golden eyes.

“Oh, Erik, you deserve much more. Oh, so much more. But, you love me and I you so I guess we should be content.” He grabbed me around the waist and whirled me around.

“I am more than content. I am overjoyed. This is a dream I thought I never would live.” He smiled and kissed me again. I held him to me until I couldn't breath. I pulled away and yawned. He chuckled and gathered me up in his arms. I was surprised how easily he carried me.

He walked into the bed chamber and laid me down on the bed then slipped in beside me.

I curled up against his chest and started to sing.

It's a reflection that you see in me
But I know it's not reality
Beneath the glitter and behind all the lace
Do you see my face?

I'll be the mirror, the spaces in between
It's not the truth, it's just a dream
I guess we all have to believe in something
In anything

Do you love me just the way I am?
Do you need me? Will you take a chance?
Do you see me for all that I can be
Do you believe, believe in me?

Sometimes you need to be lost just to be found
You need to go to come back around
You need to set somebody free for them to return
You live and learn

Do you love me just the way I am?
Do you need me? Will you take a chance?
Do you see me for all that I can be
Do you believe, believe in me?

I've heard it said that true love is blind
All this is just a state of mind
If you're not looking you will never find
You'll be left behind

Do you love me just the way I am?
Do you need me? Will you take my hand?
Maybe you'll see through the mystery
Do you believe

Do you love me just the way I am?
Do you need me? Will you take a chance?
Maybe you'll see all that I can be
Do you believe, believe in me?

He whispered into my ear,

“I do. Do you?” I looked up at him and kissed him before saying,

“Yes, I do. I always will. I love you, Erik my angel.” I cuddled against him and before I fell asleep, I heard him whisper,

“I love you too, my English Rose. I will always love you.” I smiled and fell asleep as he kissed me lightly on the lips.