Ok, I know it has been a year. Yes, I am still alive. And yes, as always, I want happiness for Erik and Christine. I just for so long could never quite get my brain to work out how to end this. But today, the muse descended, and I had to write it out. So please accept my most humble apologies for this having taken so long. I hope there is still an inkling of interest in this. And now, here is the conclusion.

It's been only a year since our wedding. A wonderful year has passed with us happy in our home. It's odd to me that I do not miss performing in the Opera House as I thought I would. But being a wife to Erik has more than made up for anything I could miss by being a grand diva on stage. I truly love him so much. Occasionally I think about what I could have lost had I not tried to make things right between us that night. What we would lack in life had I been too afraid, and he too proud. But overcoming weakness has instead given us all we could ever hope for, and more in fact.

A soft knock comes, and I murmur "Come in, dear." Erik strides in, a smile on his face as usual. "How are you, my dear?" he asks, brushing a curl back from my face. He kisses me gently before I can reply, then his eyes fall on the tiny bundle in my arms. "We're wonderful," I answer, tugging the fold of the blanket so that Erik may see his sleeping son. Little Gaston was born only five weeks ago, and already neither of us can imagine our lives without this tiny miracle. Holding him up, I allow Erik to take him in his arms, knowing that he cannot go long without holding our boy. I only thought I understood the love that showed in Erik's eyes before Gaston was born. Now I see it shining in fuller measure every day. He moves around the room, standing by the window as he talks and sings softly to Gaston, even as he sleeps. I watch for a moment, falling in love with him all over again.

As I rise, he turns toward me, concern showing. "Alright, my love?" he asks. With a nod, I come to stand by him. "Yes, darling, I'm fine. Merely rousing myself so that I may begin to prepare for our family's dinner." Mamma Giry, Meg, and Monsieur Khan are coming for dinner, having not seen Gaston since he was first born. I want to put myself together, at least close to how I would have before being a mother made changes in my life.

Knowing Erik will relish the time with our son, I begin my toilette. As I'm arranging my hair, he interjects "Leave it down, my love. For me, please?" Nodding, I blow him a kiss and agree. "Perhaps the dress I wore the day after we were married as well? It will appropriate, considering yesterday was our anniversary." The grin on his face grows. "And a happy anniversary it was," he intones, causing me to blush and giggle as if a virginal chorus girl again. Learning how to express our love for each other has been a wonderful lesson from my former tutor.

We finally make our way downstairs, and Erik lays little Gaston down in his crib as I begin cooking. Wrapping his arms around me, he whispers "A moment, dear wife." I turn to face him, wondering why he appears so serious. Kneeling before me, he kisses my hands. "Christine, a year ago you made me the happiest of men. I feel unworthy of this, but please, never forget how I love you." Standing, he takes a small box from his pocket. As he opens it, I gasp when I see the beautiful pearls lying inside. He takes the strand, clasping it around my neck. "Beautiful," he groans, making me believe he's not speaking of the gift, but giving me one of the compliments he's so fond of.

With a kiss to his lips, and then both cheeks, I murmur "Thank you, my wonderful husband." He pulls me back for another kiss, hungrier this time. "When our guests are gone, my darling," he purrs, "I will expect more effusive thanks from my wife." I start blushing again, his meaning clear and stirring me. "Of course, my husband," I whisper with a wink. How Erik laughs and plays now is wonderful to see. I'm constantly amazed by the man I married, thankful I looked past his disfigurement to find the most wonderful of husbands. What I might have lost if I had not gone to the stage that night, if I had not called for him.

He goes once more to check on the baby, and I simply watch him. He's looking down on him, completely happy and content. Now there is love, now there is laughter. Now the music in our lives is filled with joy, not sorrow. With a little one to love, our happiness has grown every day. We join in song, in laughter, in love. I sigh as I think of how all the sadness of the world no longer rests in his eyes.

TADAA! There you have it friends! I hope you all enjoyed how life turned out for our two lovers!