Author's Note: As you can tell, I like to keep myself busy by writing! Thank you to all who take the time to read my stories, and I really appreciate the follow/favs I've been getting. I will update this story quite often, so check back often for updates! Thank you and enjoy!

The sick man lay sprawled out on the divan, his fever higher than it'd ever been. He coughed madly, his tired eyes staring up at the ceiling. He needed the aid of his wife. She had been taking such good care of him, and he needed to thank her.

Raoul de Changy knew he was dying in that instant. He had been ill for a couple of weeks, and he and his wife knew he would never get better. He had to say goodbye to her. He also needed to give her instructions on what to do once he'd passed.

Raoul's family did not support him and his wife. They did not like that she was not from a wealthy family. She had been a simple chorus girl, and even after she had become a well-known diva in Paris, they insisted that he marry someone from a higher status.

But he loved Christine Daaé. She had been the light of his world; he would have given anything to make her happy.

The de Changy family had forbid Raoul to live in their mansion as long as he was married to Christine. Of course, Raoul was sent away with money, but he had practically lost his Vicomte status. Raoul did not care though, for he was still married to the most beautiful, caring woman on Earth.

"Ch-Christine…" he groaned, his chest beginning to hurt again. Raoul heard her footsteps hurrying towards the living room, and soon he saw her angelic face in the doorway.

"Yes, my dear, I'm here," she said, kneeling beside him and taking his hand.

Raoul gazed into his wife's beautiful eyes. He had been so lucky to have her. Christine was gorgeous; she had perfect, chocolate eyes that always held a twinkle of joy. Her eyes matched her chocolate and chestnut curls, which flowed wildly from her scalp and down her back. Her skin was creamy and smooth, just like silk, and a few small freckles dotted her nose. Her lips were like flower petals, pink in color and soft as satin. Christine was a masterpiece.

Not only was she gorgeous, she was also extremely caring and nurturing. Ever since Raoul had fallen ill, Christine had been by his side, helping him dress, bathe, get around, and do chores. She had cooked and cleaned for him while he was weak, doing everything she could to make sure he was allowed rest.

Christine was an angel sent from God above, and soon Raoul would be able to thank his Lord for sending Christine to him.

"Christine… I must speak with you. I'm afraid I do not have much time," he mumbled, his voice weak and shaky.

Fear and sadness filled his wife's adoring eyes. "Anything, Raoul. Go ahead, I am listening."

Raoul slowly pulled his hand up, finding his shirt pocket and pulling out a folded piece of paper.

"Christine… in this note, I have included information on what you are to do when I pass. I have written everything about how I am to be buried and where, and what you should do when you are alone. I have also included all of the money I have left so that you may find a new life somewhere. Maybe you could sing again, I know you would love to do that. I love you, Christine, and I want you to be happy…"

Christine laid her small hand on his face, caressing his cheek lightly. "My love, I will be happy. I promise you that I will be happy. I just wish you did not have to go…"

Tears threatened to fall from his dear wife's eyes. Raoul quickly brought a hand to her cheek, wiping a tear with his thumb. "Don't cry, Christine. I will be alright. I just need to make sure you are alright."

Christine nodded sadly, then pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "I love you, Raoul," she whispered.

Her husband placed the folded paper in her hands, breaking from her lips and planting a kiss on her forehead. "I love you too, my dear. Now I must ask you to go. I wish to die in peace."

His words hurt Christine a little, but she obeyed his wishes. Letting a few more tears fall onto her cheeks, she kissed him goodbye and left him alone.

As soon as the door to the parlor had closed, Raoul de Changy was gone.

Christine knew that he would die right after she left. She tried to push the thoughts from her head as she went quickly to the dining room, sitting at the table and unfolding the note. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she carefully unfolded his note.

My dear wife,

If you are reading this, you must know that I have now passed. I am so sorry, my love. Thank you for the care you have given me, for it kept me alive and happy for as long as possible. I love you, my dear.

Since I have passed and you are now alone, I must help you figure things out. As for me, I wish to be buried in the de Changy private mausoleum. My family cannot deny me of that, for it was promised to me at birth. You may contact the coroner as soon as you finish reading this note. Give them the instructions on where I am to be buried and they will take care of it from there.

I do not wish for you to give me a funeral. If my family wishes, they may have one. Otherwise, I wish for you to move on with your life. I have left all of the funds I have left in the top drawer of my bedside table and it is all yours. I realize that it is not much, but it's all I had. It should be enough to get you anywhere you would like to go and get you into a home. After you find a home, you must find employment. I hope you find something enjoyable; maybe you could even find employment singing! I know you do love your music.

I wish you well, Christine. You have been the best wife a man could ever ask for, and I hope that you may find love with another man who can give you just as much love as I did. You are still very young and I am certain you will find a good suitor. Do not let my death prevent you from looking for love once more. You deserve all the happiness you can get.

I love you, my dear.

Raoul de Chagny

A few more tears slipped from Christine's eyes. Raoul had done so much to make sure she was taken care of, and she would be eternally grateful for all he'd done for her. She loved him dearly and mourned the loss of him for many hours. She sent a message to the coroner immediately, not wanting to face her late husband's body.

Christine went to the bedchamber and opened the top drawer of the bedside table. Just as Raoul said, there was a significant amount of money in the drawer. As she counted the funds, she found that she had more than enough to get anywhere she needed to go. Raoul had certainly taken care of her.

Where would she go? What would she do? Without her husband, Christine felt a little loss. She had always been a wild, free spirit, but she had never had to make such a big decision before. She could go anywhere. Italy, England, Spain, even America! She would have enough to go anywhere and begin a fantastic new life.

Christine sniffled and laid back on the bed. She had no idea where she wanted to go, what she wanted to do. She needed to speak with someone. She was not capable of making such a large decision by herself.

Christine decided that she would speak with the Giry's. It had been quite a while since she'd seen them, for they still lived in Paris and she lived Calais. The journey to Paris would take a little while, but it was well worth it. She needed to see her foster family once more.

As the sun began to set, Christine packed up her things and made her way to the front door. On her way out from the house, she saw the coroner's carriage pulling into the front drive. The man stepped out and tipped his hat to her, giving her a very apologetic look. Christine simply nodded, looking down and bringing her bag to her private carriage.

She instructed Raoul's private driver to take her to Paris as quickly as he could before he was relieved of his duties. The older man complied quickly, letting Christine get comfortably inside the carriage before he instructed the horses to go.

As the carriage lurched forward, Christine gazed out the window at her home. She remembered when she and Raoul had first moved in after their wedding. The house had been a wonderful little place to live. They had only been married for about a year and a half, but it had been a very happy marriage. Raoul and Christine had rarely fought, and their arguments never lasted more than a few minutes.

Raoul had been a wonderful husband. He had always taken care of his wife, making sure she was always happy and always buying her little gifts. Even though they hadn't been left with much funds, he always made sure he came home with something for her.

Raoul had loved Christine more than anything. Christine dabbed her eyes as the house disappeared from her sight. She would miss their home almost as much as she would miss her husband.

The sun set over the distant shore, and Christine found herself falling asleep as the moon and stars took over the sky.

The ride to Paris took a few hours and Christine awoke when the sun began to rise. She looked out the small window and saw the familiar streets of the beloved city she once called home. Paris was just as alive as she remembered it, and she could not wait to visit the Giry's. Their home had been on the far edge of the city and Christine knew she probably had almost another hour in the carriage to go. She took the time to think of what she would say to the Giry's when she arrived.

She hadn't seen them since her wedding day. She missed them dearly and thought of them often, but had never found the time to write much. She had exchanged letters with Meg every few months, but nothing more. The last letter she had sent was short and it's only purpose was to inform her dear friend of Raoul's illness. The Giry's had no idea he would die.

Christine remembered the last time she had seen Meg and her mother. After Raoul and Christine's wedding, Christine had spent a little time speaking with them of her plans to move away with Raoul. Raoul had wanted to get Christine away from Paris, for he was afraid that the past would come back to haunt them if they stayed.

A shiver went down her spine as she remembered her time in Paris. She remembered why she was forced to leave the beloved city, for Raoul was afraid that the infamous Opera Ghost would return for her. Even after news of the Phantom's death had spread through Paris, Raoul still felt uneasy. He had wanted to bring his wife to safety, even though Christine was not afraid of the Phantom.

She had been his friend, and she had almost been his lover. If he would have not sent her and Raoul away that night, things may have turned out differently. But he did, and there was no going back.

The carriage passed the old Opera House. It had not yet been restored after the fire that consumed it nearly two years ago. It hurt Christine to know that the place she had called home for so many years was nearly gone, and it hurt even worse to know that her Angel had died in there.

Christine shook the thoughts and memories from her mind. She had other things to think of.

Soon, the carriage came to a halt. Christine looked out and saw the familiar home in front of her. She had only been to the home one other time, but she would never forget it.

Christine climbed out of the carriage, thanking and paying the driver. As the carriage disappeared down the road, Christine approached the front door, knocking lightly.

"I'll get it, mother!" a familiar voice called.

Meg.

Christine heard the door being unlocked and it soon opened. The face of her dear friend peered out at her, and Meg's jaw dropped a bit.

"Christine?"