Wanted

Chapter 21

Christine tossed and turned all night. It felt weird to not be sleeping next to Erik. When the morning sun shined through the window she looked over to make sure Gustave was alright.

"Good morning, Gustave." Christine whispered. Gustave slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. Christine picked him up and carried him into the living room where she found Madame Giry and Erik talking. She had not expected him to be here.

She tried to tip toe back upstairs without him noticing her. That didn't work out, however, when Gustave noticed his father. "Papa!" Gustave exclaimed and Christine had no choice but to walk down the stairs.

Christine set Gustave down and Erik kneeled down, motioning for him to walk over. He stumbled a bit but eventually made it over to Erik. Christine didn't feel comfortable around Erik, so she turned on her heel and walked back upstairs.

Upon seeing him again, the memories of the day before reentered her mind and made her start to cry. She hugged her knees to her chest. The door cracked open a few moments later and Meg stepped in.

"Oh Christine." Meg whispered pitifully as she pulled her best friend into a hug. "Christine, are you planning on divorcing him?" The little blonde asked curiously.

Christine cried harder at this question. She didn't want to. She wanted to be able to work this out. But she realized that was practically impossible. "I still love him, Meg. I always will." Christine whispered. "But I can't stay in an unhappy marriage with a disloyal man."

Meg nodded in understanding. "He's still downstairs though. Maybe you should go talk to him." Meg suggested but Christine shook her head.

"I'll go downstairs to check on Gustave, but I'm not talking to him." Christine said as she stood from the bed and walked downstairs. As she got a closer look at Erik she noticed something was off with him. His eyes were red and puffy like he had been crying. His hair was disheveled. He was wearing what looked like his pajama shirt. Surely he wasn't ad upset as Christine.

"May I talk to you in private?" Erik asked and Christine slowly nodded before following him into the kitchen. Erik leaned against the counter and sighed.

"Believe me when I say this, Christine." Erik pleaded and Christine let out a soft chuckle. "You must know that she kissed me." Erik said and Christine shook her head.

"You had her pressed up against the wall!" Christine screamed at him.

"She ripped my mask off! Then screamed like everybody, beofe slapping me. I tried to keep my anger in check, but I couldn't. I pushed her against the wall and she kissed me. I didn't kiss back!" Erik yelled and Christine stepped back. She could see the anger invading him and it scared her. His inner Phantom was returning.

Erik noticed this and his eyes immediately softened. Tears brimmed his eyes and he fell to his knees in front of his angel. "Forgive me, Christine. Please, Christine! I can't live without you." Erik cried and Christine sighed.

"Are you telling me the truth?" She asked and Erik nodded through the tears. Christine sighed and pulled Erik to his feet. "I need a few days to think this over." Christine said as she rested a hand on his shoulder before walking out back to their son.

Christine was sitting on the balcony of Madame Giry's house. Erik had left a few hours ago. Gustave was with Meg. Christine thought of Erik's distressed face when she didn't seem to believe him. Her heart was telling her to run into his arms and forget that anything ever happened. But something was keeping her back.

"It's funny how
The walk of life
Can take you down without a fight
So many years
Can leave behind
Regretfully until it’s time
To realize that a moment
When you turn around

I‘m coming home
To breathe again
To start again
I’m coming home
From all the places
I have been
With nothing but a voice within
That calls me…
Calls me home

Back in the day
When I was younger
I was so lost and proud
I’ve gained the world
But it will never
Compare to what I've earned
In the quiet moment
When the earth holds still

I‘m coming home
To breathe again
To start again
I’m coming home
From all the places
I have been
With nothing but a voice within
That calls me…
Calls me home
Calls me home

I’m coming home
To breathe again
To start again
I‘m coming home
To breathe again
To start again
I’m coming home
From all the places I have been
With nothingBut a voice within
That calls me…"

Christine was pulled out of her song when Meg opened the balcony door and pulled her inside. "We have to go now!" Meg said and Christine looked at her confused. "Erik is about to climb up the highest roller coaster at Phantasma!" Meg yelled as she sprinted down the stairs with Christine at her heels.

"Why?!" Christine demanded.

"The cart got stuck on it's way up. Erik is climbing the rope ladder up." Meg said as they ran out the door. Upon hearing this, Christine ran as fast as she could to Phantasma. She ran to the roller coaster where a large crowd was gathered around.

When they arrived, Erik jumped over the gate and removed his waist coat. "Erik! Please don't do this! It's too dangerous!" Christine yelled but Erik already had his hands on the ladder.

"I have to, Christine! It's my job!"

When he started climbing, Christine sobbed and held a hand against her mouth. She watched in terror as Erik struggled to keep his footing.

When he reached the top he pulled a lever that sent the cart moving again. Erik looked down as the safety team appeared. They quickly pulled a net out and Christine realized what they were about to do.

"Sir, we're going to need you to jump down. The net will catch you!" One of the men yelled. Christine sobbed louder at this news. She could see Erik take a deep breath before jumping off the ladder.

Luckily, he landed on the net safely. Christine ran forward as the medics helped Erik off the net. She embraced her husband and let her heart speak for her. She cried into his shoulder and Erik gently rubbed her back. "You had me worried sick!" Christine cried.

"I love you, Erik Destler. I love you more than words can say."

Cast:
Erik Destler ~ Ramin Karimloo
Christine Destler ~ Sierra Boggess
Madame Giry ~ Liz Robertson
Meg Giry ~ Daisy Maywood
Gustave Destler ~ Hadley Karimloo
Safety Medic #1 ~ Will Swenson
Safety Medic #2 ~ Andrew Kober
Safety Medic #3 ~ Adam Kantor
Safety Medic #4 ~ Rodney Ingram