Travel time. It feels weird, it being so close to the end. Just a reminder, when it is complete I will be doing a mass edit- mostly for grammar and to make it a bit nicer, but the story and basic dialog will still be the same, I might even add in a few small things here and there. Here we go, first of the last three or four chapters. Also be ready for some fluffs

O.G.

The next few weeks for the couple passed in a rather passionate and comfortable pace. The wedding was drawing near and each day Christine seemed to relax a bit more. It was as if his continual improvement reassured her it was truly happening. Also she was growing more and more eager for the big surprises Erik kept hinting at.

Erik for his part was only improving in his voice and mobility. Which in turn helped his confidence. For the first time in what felt like years, he finally felt like himself… No actually, Erik reflected one night, watching Christine lazily read before bed, He felt like he was a better version of himself. Because of her. Instead of spending his days hunched over an organ, despising the world, he was instead chuckling and talking to his beautiful blond soprano, watching little Darius try new magic tricks. His house was filled with laughter, warmth, and actual joy that it had never felt before. And it was all because of her. Her willingness to stay by him despite all odds, her forgiving heart, her fierce strength, her gentle spirit. All of it was because of her.

He was shaken from his thoughts by her high bell of a voice "Erik? Won't you at least give me a hint to what your planning? It is driving me insane! Or at the very, very, least let me see what you are composing?"

He chuckled and pulled her closer as she sat down her book. This was now a night time ritual for them. She would read or write for an hour while he daydreamed or perhaps composed in bed until she was ready for bed. On restless nights or nights one was struggling it was common for them to try to sleep for a while before rousing the other and both of them get tea instead until the anxiety passed. But more often than not it was a good night these days. And on good nights, after she put down the book she would start her investigation and interrogation.

He merely chuckled and shook his head before letting her lay on his skeletal chest. "No, no, no. I would hate to endanger the look on your face that you will have when you find out. And I am merely composing what I promised to compose."

She seemed to pout and asked in a rather huffy- and in his opinion, an adorable voice- "You keep saying that but you never explain what promise."

He only grinned at her. He had long since figured out she had forgotten her long ago request when he was dealing with his throat. Which he understood completely as their lives had been very hectic for so long and were only now truly settling. And in all honesty he loved the idea of surprising her with it. But due to her curious nature she was constantly trying to peak and he was constantly adjusting so she could not see.

He merely said "And you will find out that promise in due course. Now love, I truely suggest we try to sleep. Unless… you have something else in mind?" He asked slightly hopeful.

But she shook her head and blushed awkwardly. "Erm no… I er- started my monthly. And don't want to ruin the sheets and random cramps do not exactly entice me."

He nodded understanding and his eyes glittered with faint worry "Would you like that tea to help? I wished you had said something earlier when they started and I would have made you some medicine for it."

"I am fine. Asal brewed some for me." She said, burying her face in his chest further. At this point in their relationship, he felt no embarrassment over such things, but he knew Christine still did on occasion.

Hoping to make her relax he stroked her hair soothingly and said "Are you going to be alright tonight love? Sleeping I mean."

She huffed again and tentatively nodded. She knew what he meant. He was asking if she wanted to stay up and avoid bad dreams or episodes that she tended to have at this time. But tonight, she felt a bit more relaxed than she normally did so she hoped it would last long enough for her to rest.

He merely kissed her head in response and continued to stroke her hair back. He wished and was really considering humming but he wanted to save the first time he did any form of vocal music for their wedding.

After about ten minutes he felt her give a sigh of annoyance. He could feel her shoulders trying not to tense and knew her mind was still whirling and trying its hardest to bring up every memory or thought possible. He knew she wanted to sleep badly, and he understood why as they had a busy day tomorrow to plan for the wedding next week, as far as she knew anyways. And he also knew she did not want to be groggy from medication.

He racked his brain for a bit before finally coming up with a solution. He kissed her forehead and began to slide out from under her saying "One second my love."

She looked up in confusion and with an air of drawing into oneself at the loss of contact, but nodded. He rather quickly slipped on a night robe before hurrying off to the music room.

She looked in confusion at the closed door. She had learnt that with his health restored he had a tendency to do that, go off to fix something without explanation. A trait she figured he developed after being alone for so long. But after the first few times she began to trust him in his odd solo missions.

And sure enough her trust was rewarded by the soft sounds of perhaps the most beautiful music coming from Eriks violin behind the door. She grinned and gave a small laugh to herself. She knew what he was referencing. Soft memories of the random nights she stayed at the opera and not her adoptive mother. Ones where he would simply play away her loneliness until she drifted to sleep.

And soon that nostalgia and rather gorgeous music floating about the room, made her eyes feel truly heavy. And when she was almost completely asleep the music faded and Erik slunk in through the door quietly. He slipped into bed and kissed her forehead once murmuring "Night my angel." before she finally drifted to sleep in his arms.

oOo

The next morning she woke rather confused. Erik was not next to her as he normally was, half awake and doodling on a sketchpad or playing with her hair. Instead it was a rather excited ballerina shaking her shoulder lightly. Christine blinked groggily. "Wheres Erik?"

Meg rolled her eyes and giggled "He went with Nadir, to arrange a few things next week, and he insisted I take you out for a day to relax, as you both have been so busy."

She looked at Meg as if she had two heads. "But I thought I was going too?"

Meg shrugged and added quickly "Last minute change I suppose. Honestly I think it is rather sweet of him. So come on and get dressed. It will be fun."

She blinked a few more times before sighing in defeat. "Alright, alright. Let me get dressed. Maybe I can grab him a birthday present while out."

Meg nodded triumphantly. "That's the spirit, I will go wait in the living room then. Don't take too long." Christine was too groggy to deal with her energy so instead she merely grumbled about annoying ballerinas while she changed.

Within thirty minutes the two were going out, Christine was still rather nervous. But it was still better than the last few times she went out Meg noticed. And it was nice, to not have death hovering over them all, like the shade in a dense forest.

Once on the streets Meg asked cheerfully "Want to go to the cafe for breakfast? I have a lot to fill you in on with the drama upstairs."

Christine rolled her eyes, lightening slightly. She felt so normal in that moment and god did she miss that feeling. "You always did get into the thick of it. Alright alright. Coffee sounds amazing right now." She said with a nod.

The morning passed by in a peaceful whirl. Christine learnt much to her great surprise that Meg was dating a small thin flute player who was even shorter than her. Nothing like the typical men Meg dated. But Meg merely shrugged "I see what you mean about personality just sweeping you off your feet you know? Also he has to be the funniest man I have ever met in my life. And adventurous too. Why the other day we-" And Meg began to prattle on again while Christine sipped her coffee.

Soon enough the two were out on the street again window shopping. Christine was looking for a while but soon stopped dead in her tracks as a grin stretched across her face. In the window was the perfect present. She showed Meg who burst out in more giggles, agreeing it was indeed perfect. And within an hour they were on their way home, excitedly talking about the new technology, and debating how they could carry it all the way down.

Strangely enough when she asked how they would get the heavy, wrapped, equipment down, Meg was rather dismissive. "Oh, I am sure Nadir can help us."

Christine looked confused "I thought he and Erik were out all day?"

Meg blushed and said after missing a beat "Oh, well perhaps he is home. Or Darius is."

Christine eyed her suspiciously "Meg… You are a crap liar. Also that sort of thing takes all day… Meg, what are you hiding."

"Nothing!" Meg said sitting up and looking away out the carriage window.

"You know I can make you squeal…" She said ominously, to which meg said quickly turning back;

"You do that and I tickle you!"

Christine huffed and crossed her arms. "Cheater."

"Winner." Meg said smugly.

Then suddenly the carriage stopped in front of the opera. Christine looked confused. "Meg, why are we going the long way?"

"What, I can't grab a few things I left in rehearsal?" she said defensively, telling the driver to go the normal entrance.

"No but you also can't hide a surprise to save your life." Christine huffed grumpily. Meg merely shrugged as they walked. Within ten minutes they were finally within sight of the house and Christine relaxed. But then her curiosity peaked as she spotted a very tall thin figure move across one of the windows. She picked up her pace and finally opened the door.

And much to her surprise she was met with a mound of suitcases and Erik, panting and leaning on one of them, Nadir teetering in the background under a stack of smaller boxes. She looked at him with confusion. "What is this?" She asked gesturing about.

"A surprise." He said before placing a small kiss on her forehead and walking off to the bathroom, calling out "Nadir I got the last few bags, go ahead and start bringing it up. Darius has the cart."

Christine crossed her arms and walked over to Nadir saying "He has not said anything! Please, Nadir tell me something! How long will it be? Why are we leaving before the wedding?"

Nadir gave a tired smile and said, lifting another suitcase "Christine, I believe this is for the wedding. That is all I shall say." Before going out the door. Christine grabbed a bag and made to go follow but was stopped by a long thin hand.

"Sit Christine, let us handle it. We did not expect you back so fast… So please, just relax love. God knows you have earned it." He said kissing her and leading her to a chair.

"But I don't mind helping. And I still worry about you tiring yourself…"

He tucked a lose curl behind her ear, looking into her eyes. "Love, I will be fine. Within the hour I am sure I will be resting comfortably. And I know you don't mind, it is one of the many reasons I love you. But I am doing this love, simply because you no longer have to do everything." Then he cocked his head and added "Though I know you hate sitting still. Perhaps a cup of tea before we leave? I am sure Nadir will be kissing your feet for that."

She giggled and gave in "Alright Alright. Just don't hurt yourselves…"

He gave a joking bow before going off. Within an hour they were indeed on a carriage. One of two. Christine was even more confused to see the others go in the other carriages as they set off. She leaned against him and asked "Why are we in two separate carriages?"

He studied her for a moment before giving in slightly. "Because… We are taking separate trains. They are going ahead but I felt you might enjoy a day or two in Perros before we go ahead."

She melted a bit at that. He wanted to let her visit her father before their wedding. She smiled, touched, but then said slowly "Thank you… That means a lot to me Erik." She could tell by her eyes he was smiling under the mask. "Where are we going after?" She added inquisitively, but he merely shook his head with a small chuckle.

"One surprise at a time my love." Then he shifted his mask again with a slight wince.

She watched him and her brow knitted with concern. "Face sore love?"

He looked at her with mild surprise but waved his hand "It is fine. Sweat and honestly just me not being used to it after so long." He said in a tone of mild embrasement.

She frowned and without question closed the curtains in the little carriage, plunging them into a soft darkness. "There, now you may take it off without worry. Besides I believe you promised me a bit of rest, so surely this will help." She said sweetly.

She only saw a pair of golden eyes shake in amazement before she heard his soft velvet voice say in a small chuckle "I did indeed. Alright, you win." She heard him move about, knowing full well he could see. Then she felt the seat bend as someone sat next to her. His hands came around her and they both laid down on the bench, she buried in his thin chest. Taking comfort in the clear breath she could hear above her head and the heart beat beneath her small hand.

The carriage bumped along as Nadir guided them all the way to Perros. They both rested for a while, dozing in and out with random conversation. Both being almost lulled to sleep by the rocking of the carriage. Finally the conversation drifted to plans after the wedding when Christine looked up in surprise at his answer. "You want to go back to haunting the Opera then? Even though they know?"

He nodded "Well, they do think I am dead, so to them I really would be a ghost. Especially since I have more to help in my efforts of haunting. Meg was quite enthusiastic of the idea."

"but what if they try to hunt you down again." But her concern was met by a chuckle.

"oh I'm not too worried about that. With the… real beast slain they are losing profit faster than you would believe. If I offer my donations, along with the publicity I'll bring, I dare say they'll be eating out of my hand. I might actually even get to direct if I play my cards correctly."

She smiled a bit at that. "I rather like that idea. You with a real job of sorts."

He rolled his eyes "any job is dirty if you look high enough." then he squeezed her hand and asked tentatively "Do you wish to continue to perform?"

Slowly, she nodded. "I do… I. Worried that stress will get to me even more now, after all I have been through…"

Erik squeezed her tightly to his chest, murmering "if it does, I'll be there to give you a break… Are… you okay? Working with me again."

She nodded "I think it will come as a great comfort actually… Perhaps this can be our new beginning?"

He smiled into the darkness as he said "I rather like that idea."

Before Christine could continue, the carriage stopped. Erik quickly replaced his mask and sat up. "ready?"

She nodded "Yes. I… Erik?" hepaused handle on the door. She continued slowly "You… don't think papa will ha-hate me now right? Because of…"

"no Christine. He wouldn't hate you at all. I think he is like me, and only worried for you. Hoping you will have happier times to come." He said on a gentle voice. Hoping to sooth her worries.

She slowly nodded. "O-okay… I'm ready."

He slowly opened the door and helped her out. Pulling her coat closer together as the air was particularly frigid. He himself was half frozen and he had been out of the carriage for less than a minute. Their breaths forming into guiding clouds as they slowly approached the snow covered cemetery.

On the edge of the cemetery, Hyacinth grew. A rather beautiful bright purple framing the peaceful and melancholy scene.

Christine started down the centre lane but, to Eriks surprise, she stopped in the middle of the path, and turned to go down a seemingly random row of lost souls. His curiosity however was answered as she went to a rather large patch of the deep purple bloom.

He handed her a knife to cut the winter bloom saying "my apologies. I did not think to visit a florist beforehand."

"it's alright." she said softly. She got together a small bouquet before walking over to her father's tombstone, marked by a small angel playing the harp. She placed the bouquet at its feet and stood quietly for a long moment.

Erik began to feel awkward and out of place in this private moment. He began to slowly stroll off, acting interested in the other silent monuments but her soft whisper of a voice stopped him. "Erik. Come here…"

He did so quietly. She tucked her arm around his. "Papa? It's been a while. I'd like to think you, and mother and mother V are well… there is someone very important I'd like to introduce to you… This is Erik. If… you have seen him from where you are I would imagine you have some questions for me. But… papa despite our confusing past, he's been there for me. He may have messed up a few times. Messed up badly. But he's more than made up for it. He's proven himself over and over… I can't help but love him. He's made me feel like me, for the first time in ages. And I know it has been many years since you could offer your blessing, but… I would like to think that if you could, you would. And papa? One more thing… If you have been watching, just know that- that I'm a lot better now, and am getting better every day. And I hope you don't blame me, for anything that has befallen on me this past year… I don't think- no, I don't feel like you don't blame me. Which… is a comfort." She paused for a moment to wipe her eyes.

With a small ragged breath she continued "I know you should be there tomorrow. I want you to be but… life taught me long ago not all things can be as they should. So I'll j-just… j-just pray you are there…" at that moment she broke out into small sobs, turning to cry into Eriks chest. Naturally he held her as she managed "I-lo-love you Papa…" and Erik had the understanding it was time to go.

Gently he held her close and helped her back to the carriage, both growing quiet in private somber thought. But, as they left, the mood lightened slightly as she said "Thank you Erik… I know it doesn't seem like it now, looking like a mess but I do feel a bit better. Telling papa. And… I can't help but feel he will be there, somehow."

Erik gave a small smile and held her hand "I'm glad." And then he kissed her forehead.

Still his thoughts still lingered at the grave. Something… sentimental tugged at him to return. As they approached the inn he decided he would visit again, alone. He needed to.

O.g.

Sorry it's been so long. But the story is so close to being done. Thank you all for staying on so long. Your support means a lot to me.