After The Phantom

Chapter 1: Say You Love Me

I stood there frozen not really knowing what to do as I watched him cry as he sang to his monkey. In a way those lyrics are him. How he hides his face from the world. I screamed once, not anymore because I was not afraid. I understood him, I accepted him. And in a way I think I love him. But I also love Raoul. My angel told me to go but I can't not yet. He saw me and slowly walked up with a shy smile on his face. I took of the ring and carefully placed it in his hand. He looked at it and then at me with such sadness. I could see he was full of hope and then I crushed it again. Just like I did before.
He smiled at me with a longing look and only looked deep into my eyes as he sang lovingly to me.

Christine I love you

I could not stop the tears from falling. I was devastated that this is how our story closes. I know that this is not what he wants but this is for the best. To protect me. He has done that for as long as I can remember but that is Raoul's job now. I kissed his hand and slowly walked up the stairs. I thought I was going to collapse because of how devastated I was. But I did'nt, I stoped and looked at him one last time still having the look to see if he changed his mind but no he slowly nodded saying to me that it was alright to go. I have my freedom. I looked away a little because the pain of seeing him like this was unbearable I think he feels the same way. Slowly I started to sing,

Say you'll share with me one love
One lifetime

I was looking behind me just a little to see him laying next to the veil crying I was waiting for him to sing back but he did'nt someone else did. Raoul.

Say the word and I will follow you

He thought I was singing for him but truthfully I was singing for my angel and hopefully my angel understood my message. Raoul took out his hand for me and I sobbed as I took it and we slowly walked up the stairs to the boat. Still I kept on singing with a sting in my heart.

Share each day with me each night each morning...

I looked behind me one last time and I am shore I heard him say I love you again and without Raoul knowing I watched as my angel sang out to me so that it echoed in the entire opera.

You alone can make my song take flight

It's over now the music of the night!

And then he was gone and my life was over in minutes. Raoul and I quickly got out of the liar safely and back into my dressing room. As we had planned before the show all our bags were here and I quickly put on a black coat Raoul but his on and took the bags and I followed him. We went out of the opera house and into our carriage as we were headed for his estate. Everything happened so quickly I did'nt even get to say goodbye to the Giry's well no matter I'm shore our paths will cross again. We arrived at the house, it was beautiful big and white and to much for my taste but I will become a rich wife and if this is how rich people live then I guess I have to live with it. If only pappa were here what would he say?

Raoul took me up to the bedroom that will be ours in a month he said that I could live in it to settle in and be comfortable. "It's all beautiful thank you." He kissed me softly and I felt nothing, there was no burning fire or lust nothing like my angels kiss...

"Goodnight Little Lotte" He said and closed the door. I took of my coat and noticed I still had the wedding dress on me. I can't have it for the wedding Raoul would'nt like it even if it is my style in every detail. Angel did a very good job with it. I took it of and found a long white nightgown and put it on me and carefully but the dress in a big brown box next to the mirror.
I climbed into the soft bed and prayed to God that he was alright. I can remember the deal we made when I was a girl not to love another person if I did the angel would leave forever which is precisely what he has done. What have I done?! I betrayed his trust and abandoned him. He loves me yes he may be 'a monster' but his heart is so great and only I have the key to it I petty him. And I love him. I love him.