Beauty and the Phantom: a Beauty and the Beast/Phantom of the Opera crossover

Tale as Old as Time

Chapter 18
Erik slowly opened up his eyes and tried to focus them in his hospital room. The dim light made it hard for him to see anything to begin with. He ran his hand over his chest and felt the bandages from surgery. He was lucky the bullet didn't kill him, but he knew someone out there was looking out for him. His whole body ached from his kidnapping, but he had worse before. His eyes followed the IV, heart monitor and other machines in the room. It reminded him too much of the hospital room he had been in as a small child. He glanced to the other side of the room and saw Belle, sleeping in the chair.

"You stayed again." He smiled, noticing she was starting to wake up as well.

"Of course." She carefully walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "How do you feel?"

"Not bad for someone who got shot." He laughed, but quickly regretted it.

"Did they tell you what the damage was?"

"They said the bullet hit my rib cage, broke the rib, bounced off and surprisingly didn't hit any internal organs. During surgery they went it, patched me up, removed the bullet, and that was it. I had a blood transfusion to replace the blood I lost, but other than that, I'm fine."

"I'm so glad you're alright, Erik." She kissed his forehead. "Erik, one more question."

"Anything, darling."

"Why did you come after me the other night?"

"You're going to think it's stupid."

"No, tell me."

"I was going to ask you to stay." He answered, partially telling the truth.

"You were?" Her heart raced.

"Yes. I love you, Belle. I can't be without you."

"I'm glad you said that, because I now have another proposition for you."

"Ask away."

"Come with me."

"What?"

"Come with me to the United States."

"You really want me to?"

"I spoke with Bernadette and I told her the only way I'd do it was if she casted you. So I sent her a video of the two of us singing and she loves you! She would be honored if you joined the cast!" Belle answered eagerly.

"May I ask what she casted me as?"

"I think I'll let her tell you." Belle smiled and opened the door. Bernadette walked in the room.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Erik! I'm sorry to hear about the shooting, but I'm glad to see that you're on the road to recovery. You two have an amazing chemistry, and so I have decided to cast you as our Phantom, if you would like the position."

"I'd be honored. Thank you." Erik clasped Belle's hand tightly.

"I'll alert the cast that we are now filled, but we will push rehearsals back just a bit so you can recover some more." Bernadette smiled and handed the two their contracts.

"Thank you so much, Bernadette. We'll see you in New York." Belle hugged her. The casting director smiled and left the room.

"Does my father know about this?"

"Of course. He's the one who recommended that I follow my heart. My heart wanted You and the tour." She answered, kissing him. Erik smiled and quietly sang, getting into his character.

"Christine, I love you." Belle pulled out his mask and gently kisses him again.

Epilogue
*June 15-Opening Show in New York*

The crowd roared as the cast came out for their curtain call. Belle couldn't stop smiling and Erik was unable to take his eyes off of her. The music ended and the director, Jack Nichols, came out on the stage.

"Thank you all for making our opening performance a great one as we begin our tour. We have talent from all over the country as a part of this cast, and two of our performers actually came the whole way from London. I am honored to introduce the beautiful Ms. Isabelle Peterson who played our Christine tonight." He extended his arm to her as she bowed again. "And our mysterious Phantom of the Opera himself, Mr. Erik Cooper." Erik took another bow as the crowed roared again. "Now something you may not know about these two is that the chemistry you saw on stage was real. These two are a couple and a lovely one at that. So I am honored to be a part of what you are all about to witness." Belle looked at Erik confused as he took her by the hand and took her down center stage.
"Erik, what are you doing?"

"Just trust me."
The orchestra began to play. He pulled Belle close to him and gazed into her beautiful green eyes. He began to sing.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Lead me, save me from my solitude.
Say you want me with you here, beside you." He dropped down on one knee and pulled a ring from his pocket. Belle covered her mouth in shock, her heart beating wildly. She couldn't believe this was actually happening.

"Anywhere you go let me go too. That's all I ask of you!" Belle couldn't get a word out, as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. She nodded and Erik slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her. The crowd cheered.

"Congratulations, Isabelle and Erik! The best of luck as the two of you continue the tour and as you make wedding preparations." Jack said to them as they exited the stage.
Belle kissed Erik again as he twirled her around.

"How long have you been planning to do this?"

"Since you made your debut in London. The dinner you and I had...I was going to propose then. Things sorta got crazy from there and so when we came on the tour, I got the rest of the cast in on it."

"I'm so happy you did."

"I guess I never formally asked the question. I just got down on one knee." He laughed.

"Go ahead." Belle grinned.

"Belle, will you marry me?"

"I'd be honored to." She answered, kissing him again.