Till I Hear You Sing(Final Book)

Chapter 8- Oh, The Places We've Been.

Christine Destler
    
       "Good morning, Mon Ange."

      I smiled, turning to face my husband. "Good morning, love."

    "How is my beautiful wife?" He asked, kissing my hand.

      "Wonderful. What would you like to do today? It's a very special day, after all," I noted.

      "A special day indeed, Christine. Today marks the second best day of my life," he grinned.

      "Second?" I asked, curious as to what could top our wedding day.

      "First is always going to be the day I dropped that chandelier," He winked.

       "Yes, because chandeliers always matter more than your devoted and loving wife," I said sarcastically, rolling out of bed.

     "Don't be upset. Today's no day to be upset," Erik reminded me. I nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck.

     "Where are the children, exactly?"

      "Already at Madame Giry's. We have the entire day to ourselves," he whispered into my ear, and I smiled, pulling away to go to the kitchen.

      "What with all the drama, I'm rather surprised that we've even lasted three years," I admitted.

      "We almost didn't."

      "Ah, yes. I remember. The almost divorce."

     "That is the worst thing that happened to me," Erik shuddered.

      "Erik, you were beaten and whipped," I said, an underlying tone of shock settling throughout my voice.

       "Yes?"

       "And almost divorcing me is worse than that?"

        "Of course it is. You're my world. I'd take a thousand beatings over losing you anytime," he shrugged.

      "I would hope you'd choose to lose me over inflicting any sort of pain to yourself," I sighed, shaking my head in disagreement.

       "The pain of losing you is a thousand times worse than being beaten," he chuckled. I shook my head, still disagreeing.

      "I suppose I should go get ready. Our day has barely begun," I smiled.

       "Meet me in the music room once you're done," Erik added as I walked to our bedroom.

"You aren't actually going to make me practice on our anniversary, are you?" I groaned. He chuckled.

"Just wait and see."

As soon as I finished getting ready, I briskly walked to the music room. I could hear him playing a rather familiar tune as I walked down the stairs. I smiled. This was a very fond song.

Wandering child, so lost, so helpless, yearning for my guidance.

He grinned as I sat down next to him, watching him play.

Angel, or father, friend, or phantom, who is it there, staring?

Too long you've wandered in winter, far from my fathering aid.

Wildly my mind beats against you,

yet the soul obeys.

Angel of music, I denied you, turning from true beauty!

Angel of music, my protector, come to me strange angel!

I am your angel of music

Erik sang into my ear, wrapping his arms around me. I laughed as he continued to sing.

Come to me angel of music

I am your angel of music.

"Indeed you are," I laughed as he kissed my forehead and continued to play the piano.

We sang for hours more, reminiscing and overall just enjoying being in the moment. It wasn't often that Erik and I got a break, but it was the moments like these that made everything worth it. It was the moments like these that reminded me of how much I truly loved my Erik.

You, alone, can make my song take flight.

Help me make the music of the night

I watched in awe as Erik played the piano, singing alone to his work of genius. I watched his facial expressions, as he furrowed his brow when he concentrated, as he closed his eyes, getting lost in the music that bound me to to him.

I never grew tired of watching Erik. That was the one thing that never changed in our world. The music would never change, never die, never alter. It was always the same music. And it always brought the same beautiful light to his eyes, always brought the same rush that coursed through my veins. It always brought back beautiful, wonderful memories- memories that I wouldn't exchange for the world.

"It's still so surprising to think it's only been three years since we've been married," I spoke up. "We have three children now, we almost got divorced once. And we've been to so many places."

"Ah, yes. We went to London. Well, I went to London," Erik chuckled.

"My heart was there with you," I noted, and Erik nodded.

"Can you believe that seven years ago you terrorized the opera house? Seven years ago, I was in love with Raoul. Life was so different four years ago."

"We were younger seven years ago. You were just sixteen seven years ago."

"Young and blind," we said at the same time, laughing.

"If I could go back, I don't think I would change anything," I admitted.

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Everything that happened was worth it. Everything that happened only made us stronger. And now, we have faced hell and quite honestly worse than hell. I don't think anything could harm us anymore," I said confidently.

"I wouldn't allow it," Erik clarified, standing up from the piano to walk over to me.

"Of course you wouldn't. You'd never let anything hurt your family. I know that," I replied.

"I know you feel the same way. I love my family too much to let anything happen," My Erik grinned.

"I love you," I said, thinking out loud.

"I love you more than I could convey, my love," Erik whispered, cupping my face.

"Happy anniversary, my Erik."

"Happy anniversary, my most beautiful Christine."