What If?
Part 2 – An Alternate Ending
Christine sat at her dressing table in her bedroom in the house of Mama Valérius. She stared blankly into the mirror, her chin resting on her hand. Her head shot up and she glanced around the room when she heard a mournful sigh echo around the room.
"Erik," she murmured to herself.
She was certain she could feel his presence in her bedroom. She thought she felt his warm breath fan across her cheek and his cold hand touch her shoulder. She thought she saw his love-filled eyes, burning deep into her soul. She was going crazy! She stood up and paced to her window where she drew the curtain aside, hoping she would see his silhouette in the moonlight, hiding behind the drapes.
Tears sprang to her eyes as she remembered all that he had done for her and the horrible words she had flung at him. He offered her a balm to the sorrow, which had filled the last few years of her life. She knew that in his eyes, he offered her his love. He offered her warmth and safety, which could only be found in the comfort of his arms. She had betrayed him once again.
Christine attempted to gather her cloak about her as she ran down the street to the Opéra Garnier. She had arrived back at her home – as she now thought of it – to find Erik gone. Having questioned the butler, all she learnt was that the master had left in a temper and did not give any direction or time he was expected home.
She knew where he would be. Tears were freely flowing down her cheeks, making it difficult for her to breathe and see where she was going. Crying out loud, she stumbled on the cobblestones and fell to the ground, injuring her ankle. Rising to her feet and swiping at the tears angrily, she continued on her way to the opera house, her cloak billowing out behind her, ignoring the pain shooting up her ankle.
Pushing open the gate at the Rue-Scribe entrance, she continued on her way, pausing only long enough to retrieve the key. As she reached the lake, she scanned frantically around for Erik. She saw nothing. The waters were dark and inky, but still. The rest of the labyrinth was hidden in shadows.
As she was about to throw herself into the waters to reach the other side, she heard a moan echo around her. Crying his name, Christine desperately began to look for Erik along the edges of the lake.
"Christine," Erik sighed her name.
"Where are you, Erik? Show me!"
"I am right in front of you," he said from the other side of the lake.
"I came back from Mama Valérius' to find that you weren't at home. The butler didn't know where you were. I am crying for you and me, Erik. I am crying because I was so foolish as to hurt and betray you.
"I was worried about Raoul. I was hurt by your deceit. I wanted you to hurt too. Please, forgive me. Erik, my dearest Erik, I am sorry for what I said," she whispered.
"Ah, yes, your little de Chagny. You will always be worried about him, won't you? Never me," he spat out jealously. "You will never love me! Just go, Christine, leave me be."
"No, Erik," she retorted in a quiet voice. "I came back because I am your wife. We are happy together. I am not going to leave you; you are my husband. I do love you, Erik. But it is a brilliant kind of love. I can admit it to you now, but I cannot admit it or believe it myself. It is strange, Erik."
He looked up from the waters. His yellow eyes, shining with hope and love.
"Please, Erik"- she held out her hand to him across the lake- "it's late. I would like you to take me home."
A few moments later Christine was safe in Erik's arms as they made their way back to their townhouse. Unconsciously, Christine twirled his hair at the nape of his neck around her finger as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"That is the second time you have saved me from my despair, angel. I am terrified that if I let you go, I will not be able to continue. I am afraid I am going to die of love. I want to tell you everyday that I love you. I wish I did not have to ask your leave to tell you that I love you, Christine. I promise you, I will do whatever you wish; all I want is for you to be happy, my love," Erik said in his most sincere and pure voice.
He paused to kiss her on her forehead, only to find that she had fallen asleep in his arms. Smiling down at his living wife, he continued on his way home, his heart lighter than ever.