A Heart Misguided (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 15 - Alyxandria

Christine's POV:

The woman who had her back to us stood up and I could see her hands were shaking. She turned slowly and I saw shock written all over her face. Her mouth moved but nothing came out. Erik took one step toward her and said,

“Mother, I returned.” Tears were poring down her face as she ran forward and hugged him tightly. Her head only came up to his chest and it looked rather amusing. I heard her sobbing out,

“My boy, my boy.” I looked at Erik. He was in shock. He carefully put on arm around his mother and said,

“Mother, what happened? Why are you doing this?” She looked up and him and said,

“Because I didn't do it enough when you were little. I am sorry, Erik. I never should have done it to you.” She pulled away. Erik looked at her and said,

“How did you know my name?” She tilted her head in confusion.

“That is the name I gave you. I never called you by it though and for that I am sorry. You deserved better.” I wished I could see Erik's expression but I was sure it was one of confusion. To the tell the truth I was confused. Erik looked his mother dead in the eye and said,

“I gave myself that name. I didn't think I had a name.” His mother sobbed slightly than said,

“You did. Your name was to be Erik Alexander Destler. It was the name I chose before you were born. I was sure I was going to have a son.” I looked at the woman. That was why her hair was gray. She had gone through so much. She had wanted a son and thought she had had a monster. Erik reached forward and hugged her. I was sure that this was the first time his mother had ever let him even touch her. Finally he pulled away and said,

“Mother, I want to introduce you to my wife, Christine Daae.” His mother looked at me and said,

“You are the famous singer that vanished seven months ago.” I nodded. She looked at her son and than at me, and said, “That can mean only one thing. Erik, were you the Phantom of the Opera?” He lowered his head and said,

“Yes, I was. Not anymore. Christine and I have started a family. We are moving into a house in the neighborhood.” His mother looked at my stomach and saw the bump.

“You're pregnant, aren't you, Christine?” I nodded. She walked over to me and hugged me gently.

“Well, I guess I will be a grandmother after all. Now, please come in. You must be hungry.” She quickly lead the way into the house. I looked up at Erik and saw him fighting back tears. He remembered the house. He remembered it all. I didn't know what had happened there but I knew it wasn't good. Erik looked around and I saw a broken mirror in the corner. He hissed and I saw him mother jump. I wrapped an arm around him and whispered,

“What was that mirror?” He sighed and whispered,

“That is the mirror where I first saw myself free of the mask.” I knew his mother heard him but she didn't saw a word. She gestured for us to sit in front of the fire on the couch. She pored some tea and sat down on a chair. She was silent and had stopped crying. She looked at Erik and said,

“You can take off the mask if you need to. I am sure your wife has seen you without it.” Erik growled slightly. He kept his mask on unless they were alone.

“I would have thought you didn't want to see it, Mother.” She sighed.

“I would like to know how much you have changed.” He looked at her with his eyes glowing.

“Don't scream.” She nodded and bit her lip. He pealed the mask off and she didn't make a peep.

“You have grown up, Erik. You're not so different from the boy I remember.” She smiled and he picked up his cup of tea. He smiled at her and the ice was broken. We sat in silence for a while until his mother said,

“Erik, can you forgive me for hurting you? I know I wasn't ever what you needed for a mother. I was horrible. More than horrible. You are moving here to live and I would like to make it up to you. Please, Erik.” I looked at her. She begging her son. Erik crossed his legs and folded his arms. He stared at the fire that was so similar to his eyes. He finally look at her and said,

“I forgive you.” She smiled and they both stood. They met halfway and hugged. I felt a tear slid down my cheek. It was sweet. Erik finally had a reunion with his mother like he should. Suddenly I saw movement at the door. It was a girl about ten years old. She had black hair and pretty brown eyes. She was much like her mother. But she wasn't normal. Her nose was deformed and her eyes were deep set. It wasn't as bad as Erik but she still was like him. She cleared her throat and Erik and his mother turned to look at her. I heard Erik draw in a breath. His mother sighed and said,

“Erik, allow me to introduce you to your sister, Alyxandria Destler.”