There Are Dreams That Cannot Be: A Phantom of the Opera Phanfiction [Completed]

Chapter 13 ~ The Angel of Music

Erik's POV
I was utterly astonished when I heard her sing. She sounded a million times better than Christine did, and she hadn't even been trained! I took her hand and we half ran to the music room together. God, I loved her so much. I sat down at the piano and Ryleigh stood next to me, smiling slightly although I could tell she was nervous. "It's alright, mon ange. Don't be nervous" I encouraged her, smiling up at her and squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"I've just n-never sung for anyone b-before" she stuttered nervously.

"You just sang in front of me, and you sounded absolutely beautiful. I promise that you will be just fine" I said, smiling up at her.

"O-okay" she said timidly, although she gave a little half-smile.

"Could you just sing a major scale, please?" I asked her kindly. She nodded and started singing softly. She sounded beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I kept making her go higher and higher, knowing that she could hit those notes if she just tried.

"I don't think I can go any higher" she said, slightly out of breath.

"I know you can. Just relax and don't think about how high the notes are" I coached, knowing that she was able to do it. "Just stand up a little straighter" I said kindly, standing up and putting my hands on her abdomen, helping her adjust her position. I could hardly focus when we were standing that close. My breathing got so heavy that I returned to the piano so I would hyperventilate from us standing so close together. She started singing again, and she hit notes that Christine couldn't even dream of. We finally stopped lessons about an hour and a half later, Ryleigh seeming both excited and relieved.

"I-I didn't know I could s-sing that high" she breathed heavily, a look of awe plastered on her face.

"I knew you could. You are by far the best singer that I have ever heard" I replied.

"Thank you" she replied softly, smiling.

Then the two of us walked into the living room, sitting down on the couch. Ryleigh crawled into my lap and curled up on my chest, sighing in contentment. I smiled down at her as I stroked her hair lightly. She looked as if she was about to fall asleep, and I wasn't going to stop her. Her eyes were fluttering open and closed rapidly as if she was trying to stay conscious. She eventually gave up, her eyes slowly beginning to close. When she was half-asleep I leaned down and kissed her softly. "I love you, my Angel" I whispered softly.

"I love you, too" she replied, barely audible, as she drifted off into unconsciousness.