Through Music We Love

IV - Erik

I had Fleck, Squelch and Gangle bring Christine, Raoul and Cecilia to their hotel room so I could prepare. I had to be ready to face at the very least Cecilia and the most Raoul. Yet I had a plan to get Raoul out of the room, leaving only Christine and Cecilia.

I sent the note and once Raoul was headed to the bar I made my way into the room. Christine noticed me first, her face paled and she let out a harsh gasp. She then collapsed onto the floor causing Cecilia to stride into the room with her hands outstretched.

"Christine what happened? What was that sound?" She asked her quiet voice carrying perfectly through the room. I nearly swooned at her voice that I had so longed to hear.

"She seems to have fainted, Madam." I say in hopes she will recognize my own voice even though it shakes with emotion. Cecilia stiffens and turns her head in my direction. I had just finished propping Christine up in one of the armchairs when she gasped and stumbled forward.

Tears leaked from her closed eyes as she walked towards me. She was slow, cautious even, as she maneuvered around the furniture. She reached out a hand and grasped my jacket.

"Erik?" She whispered, her own voice trembling with emotion.

"Yes, my dear." I respond cradling her small hand in mine.

She broke down into sobs, clutching my coat as though when she let go I would vanish. I'd never let that happen, not again, I could never leave her again. I cupped her face and brushed away her tears. She hadn't changed at all after ten years.

Her fine black hair slipped down her shoulders like oil and her pale skin was overly flushed from her crying. All in all she was still as beautiful as the day she was taken from me.

I was pulled from my thoughts as she slid her hands over my face, stroking each ridge of my cheek and my mask. She smiled brightly as her tears ceased. "I've missed you." She whispers hugging me tight.

I slowly coil my arms around her, returning the hug. She was so warm. So kind. My Cecilia. I buried my head in her hair that smelled vaguely like flour.

"I've missed you more." I mumble.

She laughs, releasing me from her hold. "Can you lead me outside? Christine mentioned a balcony." She asks holding my hand tightly.

I slowly pull her to the balcony doors before pushing them open and leading her outside. She took a deep breath of the cool night air. I stared at her, trying to memorize her face in the moonlight. "You're eyes are closed." I mutter offhandedly.

She looks startled for a moment before she opens her eyes to reveal her beautifully colored orbs. "Its become a habit since... you know." She waved her hand dismissively. "Don Juan."

I looked away from her to my gloved hands. Everyday I regretted doing what I did. My stomach knotted itself just thinking about it. I tried to earn something I thought I needed only to lose the love I had. I lost Cecilia. "I'm sorry." I whisper.

"It's alright. It's not your fault they took me." She says laughing. Her smile lit up the night brighter than any lamp or star and my heart melted even more.

The utter joy that radiated off of her was beginning to become contagious. I chuckled a bit with her. We sat in comfortable silence just enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly there was a cry. "Mother! Cecilia!" A boy cried running onto the balcony and hugging Cecilia's skirt. "I had such an awful nightmare! The was this strange and scary person and they were drowning me!" He cried.

Cecilia crouched down to the boy's level and cupped his head in her hands. "Shhh, it's okay Gustave. No one is going to hurt you. I want you to meet a friend of mine." She stood and turned him around to face me. "Gustave this is Erik, Erik this is Gustave." She smiled.

I offered my hand to the boy, studying his features. His brown hair fell just above his coffee coloured eyes. His eyes still held the childlike innocence that I lost such a long time ago. He grasped my hand and smiled. "Hello Mister Erik!" He says.

I simply couldn't help but smile too. "The pleasure is mine. Welcome to my world."

"Your world?" He asks. I glance to Cecilia to see her smiling encouragingly.

"Yes you are in Phantasm now." I say grinning happily. I was finally with my love once more. I was with my Cecelia.