My Angel of Music

Is it Really Goodbye?

Hey everyone!  Okay, I need your help with something.  Can you guys give me some advice?  Should I end the story soon, or should I make a second one?  Please give me your thoughts!  Just private message me:)  Thanks!

For a few more hours, we all spent time together, laughing, playing, cuddling, and singing.  It was the happiest we had been since Elsa was born.  That sounded horrible, but it was true.  Elsa was asleep in Erik's arms, and Annabel's eyes were getting heavy.  I looked at Erik and he looked back sadly.  He nudged Annabel gently, and pulled her into his lap and handed me Elsa.  Annabel widened her eyes in an attempt to wake herself up.  "Annabel Lee, I need to tell you something very important."  He said gently to the sleepy girl.  

She looked up at him curiously.  He took her hand in his and looked at me.  I shook my head.  "No, Erik."  I whispered.  I knew what he was going to do.  He was going to tell Annabel that he was 'leaving' because he thought he was.  But if everything went as planned, he wouldn't be going anywhere.  But he ignored me and continued his somber conversation with our young, confused daughter.  

"Annabel, I might be going away for a while."  He whispered.  Annabel woke up immediatley and quickly leaned closer into him.  "No, Father!  Not like you did before!"  She cried.  She was referring to the time Erik had to go to America for ten months to write music for an opera house.  It was absolutley dreadful, he not being at home.  Annabel was sad all the time.  I was worried and stressed, even lifeless.  I understood Annabel's protests.

"Yes, my swan.  I have to.  But I promise I will be back someday."  I saw tears well in his eyes.  Annabel started to shake her head furiously.  "No, Father, no!  You can't!"  She screamed, waking Elsa.  "You don't know what it was like without you here!"  She cried.  Erik furrowed his brow and straightened up.  "How was it like, Annabel?"  He asked softly.  Annabel sniveled and wiped her nose.  

"The house was sad and empty.  Mama cried all the time, and there was no smiling.  Mama never talked, and she just sat in the music room singing and crying."  She whispered, looking at me warily.  I sighed and let a tear fall from my eye.  Erik looked at me, despair and confusion written clearly on his face.  "Is that true, Christine?"  He asked quietly.  I pressed my hands to my face and nodded as my tears were all let loose.  

Erik pulled me to him and held me while I cried.  Annabel started to sob and scream as Erik tried to calm her.  "Annabel, I don't have a choice!"  He growled, as he lost his temper.  I shot up and glared at him.  "But that's the thing, Erik.  You do have a choice."  I hissed.  Annabel just whimpered as she stared at us, confused.  He shook his head and turned his attention back to Annabel.  "Swan, I need you to do something for me."  He whispered.  She nodded and let him take her small hand.

"I need you to make sure Mama is happy when I'm gone.  Make her play with you, and sing to her, okay?"  He asked.  She let her tears fall but she nodded her consent anyways.  He smiled sadly and lifted her from his lap.  He shakily began to stand from his bed, to my dismay.  "Erik!  What are you doing?"  I hissed.  He ignored me and scooped little Annabel into his arms.  "Erik, you need to rest!"  I scolded.  I stood and, with Elsa, followed him.

He was carrying Annabel to the room she had been sleeping in.  I followed, though I disagreed.  

We reached the room, and he slowly walked to her bed and gently tucked her in.  He placed a kiss on her forehead and wiped a stray tear from her cheek.  

"Night time sharpens.  Heightens each sensation.  Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.  Silently the senses abandon their defenses."  He sang softly as he caressed her cheek.  I stood in the doorway, watching sadly.  He gave her one last kiss on the cheek, and stood to leave.  I handed him Elsa, and he hugged her small body to his chest.  He walked her to her crib and planted a kiss on her forehead before setting her in her bed.  As he walked towards me, tears streamed freely down his face.  I was in hell by letting him suffer like this.  My heart was aching at his tears.