Remembering the Angel

Remembering her Angel

Christine's POV

Christine cried, and cried. Damn the opening of the show. Damn the world she thought the knew. Her Angel was a Phantom. Her life caused death. She couldn't think straight, everywhere was a blur. She wanted so badly to believe he was a changed man, and yet he lied.

But he didn't, not exactly. He had told her he couldn't tell her everything. She had asked for what he could give, and he told her a great deal. Christine said she did not want to know. Now that she did, who was she upset with? The man Erik used to be? Her own choice for ignorance? Deep down she knew what she was upset with, it was just as hard to admit it to herself as it was the first time. But when she did, she found love.

Suddenly, a broken voice rang through the vents of her room. A beautiful, broken voice, it pulled her soul. Her heart ached to go, like it was going home.

She rose, enchanted, and slowly wandered toward the sound. Out on the balcony she saw the light of the morning, each day comes with a new beginning. Today would begin the rest of every beginning to come. Then she turned to the entrance to the aerie.

Christine knew what would happen if she walked up the stairs. She would accept Erik, and all his forms. For she knew now she was in love with them all. It was where she belonged, she was sure of it now. With him.

Still frightened, but sure, she followed the song as far as it would take her, back to the room of her lessons with the man already in there.

She peeked around the doorway and drew a sharp breath, she saw that her Angel was breaking.

The Phantom leaned over the piano, sobbing, but also singing the most heart-wrenching song Christine's ears had ever heard.

"Let hopes pass, let dreams pass, let them die! Without you what are they for..." He turned and caught her eye, but remained on the floor. She took slow steps over to the sobbing man.

"I'll always feel, no more than halfway real! Till I hear you sing..."

"Once more..." Christine shakily finished for him, and knelt down beside him stroking his face.

"Oh Angel. Look what I've done to you." she shook her head.

He reached up and took her hands in his. For a moment they both stared down at their intertwined hands, until Christine reached up one hand and placed it over the mask that had returned to his face.

"Christine...please, you've seen me before as a man, please," The Phantom achingly met her eyes, "Remember that I have changed. Remember how much I love you. Need you." he whispered,

 "Please." he begged, the word a near silent prayer. 

She looked at him in his eyes removed the mask, let it fall to the floor and touched the wounds on his face.

"I have seen you in all forms. Phantom, Angel, Man," She smiled at him, "I may have been a frightened girl long ago, but I was never scared of you. I was scared of what your love would do to me. I am not scared anymore. I love all your forms. I love you." Christine heard her Angel gasp, he looked as if he was about to say something but she interrupted him, "I love you."

She held his scared face in one hand, and with the other she brought his hand to her bandaged waist and whispered, "and look, I have scars now too."

His hand shook as she allowed him to touch her, though it was simple, and small, it meant too much.

"You are still perfect, mon ange." he whispered, and sobbed once more.

"No, no more tears," Christine wiped his eyes, "Forgive me, please."