PhantomFantasy: If replying this way did not require so many steps, I would do it more often, but I fear you are too quick a reader! so let me again say thanks for all your wonderful reviews, for this story and for Angel of Persia. I too enjoy me a scary Erik every now and again, and you might think about trying out Mystery Behind the Mask next...or Siren of the Sea, both are fun, smut light and Erik is smoking hot. ha ha. He is pretty awesome in Seeing is Believing too...but that is just MY opinion. ha ha. Thanks again and please know that even though I can't respond as I would like, I am enjoying your comments very, very much. FP33

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Well this is it folks. Thank you so much for all your support and I hope this last chapter allows you to 'close the book' with a smile on your face. When you are done, please take a moment to send me a review and tell me what you though...even if you are reading this story a year or two down the road...I would still love to hear from you...I am STILL around!

Chapter 21

Redemption

The years passed quickly, as years of happiness tend to do, each day a new discovery for the two children as well as Erik and Christine. There was not a more devoted and attentive husband and father and from the start he took up half the responsibilities of raising the twins. If it weren't for the necessity of her feeding the two, Christine felt she would never have needed to rise from her sleep, should either of them cry at night. For Erik would bound from the bed like a spring and rush in to calm his children before Christine even had a chance to open her eyes. Even when they didn't cry, and had grown accustom to sleeping through the night, Christine would often awaken to find Erik missing from her side, and slipping silently into the nursery she would find him sitting between the two cradles, singing softly to them as they slept.

"You are spoiling them," Christine quietly scolded him one night as he held his late vigil over the cradles. "It is getting so they refuse to even take their naps if not accompanied by a song," she smiled down lovingly at her husband. "Still, it is quite understandable, since it was your voice I first fell in love with, and wake each morning eager to hear." She reached over and blew out the candle, checking one last time on each child as the moon shone through the window and bathed them in its silvery light. Then taking Erik's hand she drew him back into their room and their private world of love.

Erik never stopped doing every little thing for Anthony and Erika, even if it was as silly as racing out after the first snowfall to build them a snowman, never mind the fact that they were only two months old. Christine held them up to the window so they could watch their father as he huffed and puffed happily in the yard. Christine smiled kindly at him, knowing that he had not had much of a childhood himself, and he was now living his missed one through his own children. He stayed outside building long after the two infants had grown bored and fallen asleep, and though it was almost an hour before he came back in, completely soaked to the bone and his hands like ice, Christine didn't have the heart to scold him. His childlike look of satisfaction melted her heart, for Erik had not only built a snowman, but a snow-woman, two snow-children and one snow-cat. Since the children were asleep Erik suggested he take Midnight out to show him his masterpiece, but Christine forbid it, seeing that she better put her foot down somewhere.

Erik had suggested that Raoul and Meg postpone their wedding until Anthony and Erika were old enough to serve as ring bearer and flower girl, but the anxious couple said they couldn't wait that long. Erik and Christine's blissful life had inspired them and they wished to begin their lives together as well. So that spring, under the flowering trees, Meg became the Vicomtes de Chagny, as Erik and Christine looked on with pride. For after all, it hadn't been for them, the two would never have got together.

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Five more years past, and the children grew in vibrant health and happiness. Both Anthony and Erika had shown a mastery of music at an early age, Anthony already quite proficient at the piano and his voice held the promise of growing as magnificent as his father's. Erika on the other hand preferred the violin, taking after Christine's father she insisted, and practiced constantly to become a singer like her mother. Erik had begun to teach them both English and Italian, their having already mastered their native French. Though Christine had at first argued that it was too much for ones so young, they picked them up quite easily, excelling past even their father's expectations. They were truly indeed most extraordinary children and even if not, there was no way to convince their parents otherwise.

It was in the late fall of their sixth year together that something odd happened. It was strange, but somehow right.

Erik had set aside rehearsals that day at the Opera House. The huge curtain had become torn and old over the past years and a new one had been ordered. So with both Firmin and Andre away on vacation, and the prosperous Opera House being left in Erik's skillful hands, it was up to him to see to the raising of the new one.

Christine was just returning from the office where Erik had sent her to search for one of the huge metal rings that would hold it to the rod. It had apparently been overlooked in the box when the others had been extracted and she raced down through the isle waving it proudly.

"Ah, my lovely wife has saved the day!" Erik said, kissing her briefly as he turned back to the waiting men. "The curtain shall rise after all."

Everyone found Erik to be very gracious and easy to work for, and they greatly enjoyed his bouts of good humor, even in the face of delays and occasional mistakes.

Christine smiled up at the stage as she watched him work, even now the mere sight of his majestic form setting her heart afire. She began to leave, figuring it was time to start lunch for Anthony and Erika. The children would be back from their day with Meg soon and she was certain they would be starving. It was then that she noticed a loan figure who sat in a seat in the middle of the auditorium, watching the work as it continued on the stage. The Opera House doors were usually unlocked during the day and people frequently came in to look around and admire the architecture, but for some reason Christine felt oddly drawn to this person. So walking up the isle she greeted the elderly woman kindly.

"Are you perhaps waiting for someone working on the stage? They will be done soon," she said.

The woman looked up at her when she spoke, apparently having been lost in thought and had not been aware of Christine's approach. She seemed to ponder her question for a second before replying.

"No, I am not waiting for anyone. I just came in to look around and needed to rest a bit," she turned her stare back to the stage, her eyes once more getting that detracted look. Christine misunderstood this for a dismissal and began to leave, but the woman stopped her.

"Wait…please," her voice was almost urgent. "Could you spare a few minutes to talk with an old lady?" She asked, patting the seat beside her.

Christine came back over and sat down in the chair, still feeling this odd sensation from the woman.

"Did I hear correctly when the gentleman on the stage referred to you as his wife?" She asked, the absurdity of her question surprising Christine.

"Why yes. We have been married for six years now." She turned her attention to Erik as he worked with the large curtain. The love and devotion that shown in her eyes did not go unnoticed by the woman and it seemed to make her both happy and sad at the same time.

"And…the fact that he must wear a mask doesn't bother you?" She inquired.

Christine had been asked that very same question many times over the past years. Most of the people were just curious and did not mean to sound rude, while others were nosy busy bodies who only wished for a piece of juicy gossip. Each time Christine had held her head high and answered from her heart, satisfying those with good intentions while shaming those who didn't. Yet the tone of voice this woman used confused Christine. She couldn't tell exactly where her motives for asking lay, so she chose her answer carefully.

"It bothers me that I know he will always be just a bit self-conscious about it. That when people first meet him they see only the mask and not the kind and gentle man he is. but as for me personally, no the mask, nor what is behind it, has ever bothered me," Christine's eyes had strayed back to Erik once more as she spoke, and when she turned back to face the lady, she was startled to see that the woman was crying.

"Bless you child," she whispered softly as she wiped her tears with a tissue.

"What for?" Christine asked in amazement.

"For showing a foolish old woman that there is still compassion left in this world. That it hadn't died years ago as I had believed," she sniffed, patting Christine's hand gently.

"I'm sorry, Madame, I don't quite understand what you mean," Christine said, still confused.

"That's all right dear. You don't have to," the woman answered.

Just then the door at the top of the isle opened and Anthony and Erika came running down towards her, followed by a weary and eight month pregnant Meg.

"Mommy, Mommy!" Erika cried as she ran towards Christine. "Look what I picked for you in the park," she said proudly as she handed her mother a slightly wilting dandelion.

"Oh thank you, sweet heart. It is beautiful," she put it to her nose and inhaled deeply. "It smells so nice too, thank you," she kissed her smiling daughter's cheek in gratitude.

"I had saved a piece of candy for father, but it started to melt in my hand and Aunt Meg said I better eat it before I made a mess," Anthony said, but he didn't sound too remorseful about doing it.

"Well it was a fine thought and I am sure your father will appreciate it," Christine told her son, rumpling his hair. "So are you hungry?" She asked.

"They shouldn't be after all they had at the park today, but you know kids, always a bottomless pit." Meg answered as she came up.

"Thank you so much for taking them today. There won't be many sunny days left before winter sets in," she told her friend.

"I enjoyed it. They are no trouble at all and besides I need the practice," Meg said, patting her stomach. "I better go though, Raoul is

expecting me and you know how worried he gets if I am even a few minutes late. "

"I thought he agreed not to call out the police again to search for you if you were delayed?" Christine said, remembering how embarrassed Meg had been to find out that a manhunt had been issued because she had been shopping a little longer than expected with Christine. Raoul had been worried that she had gone into premature labor somewhere and he couldn't find her.

"Oh he swore he wouldn't do that again, but you never know what his warped mind will think of next. In fact I found out that he paid the doctor to cancel all of his appointments for the next month and engaged him as my personal physician. Can you believe it, on call 24 hours just for me! How ridiculous, and I though Erik had gone overboard on this protective stuff when you were pregnant. I think Raoul is twice as bad." Meg said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with you on that one, but Erik is still a close second," Christine laughed as she bid Meg goodbye.

Anthony had noticed the lady beside Christine by now and looked at her inquisitively.

"Who are you?" He asked with all of his childish forwardness.

"You remember your manners, young man," Christine told him, then turned back to the woman. "I'm afraid I didn't catch your name." She confessed.

"It is Ms. La'Shey." The woman told her almost hesitantly.

"My name is Christine and this is my daughter Erika and my son Anthony," she introduced, proud of the way Erika curtsied and Anthony bowed politely.

Again a strange look came over Ms. La'Shey as she reached out her hand and touched Anthony' cheek.

"Anthony… what a handsome young man you are," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "And you, Erika…you are so pretty," she finished touching the little girls soft curls. "You and your husband must be very proud."

"We are." Christine assured her.

Just then a cheer went up from the stage and Christine turned to see that the raising of the curtain was complete, the men all standing back to admire their work.

"Daddy's done!" Erika said, clapping her hands. "Can we go see him now?" She begged.

"All right, but stay by the first row until he comes down," she instructed as the two rushed off, eager to share their day with Erik.

Christine and Ms. La'Shey watched as Erik jumped off the stage when he saw them coming and swept them up in his arms, spinning them around amid fits of laughter.

Ms. La'Shey gave a sigh of regret as she rose slowly to her feet.

"Well I must be going. It has been lovely meeting you and your children Christine. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me," she reached into her handbag and extracted something wrapped in a silk handkerchief. "I wonder if you would be so kind as to give this to Erik, your husband. It isn't much, but he may find it interesting."

"I would be glad to, but I could introduce you to him now if you wished to give it to him yourself," she offered, stepping into the isle so the woman could get by.

"No. I would much rather you give it to him for me," she turned to go then looked back. "And tell him…tell him I'm sorry," then she began to walk slowly up the isle towards the door, leaning on the outside chairs for support.

Christine watched her go for a second then headed down to where Erik and the children were talking.

"Who was that?" Erik asked, spotting the woman as he set Anthony and Erika down.

"A very strange lady. Well not so much her, but the way she acted. She asked a lot of questions about you then she asked me to give you this and tell you that she was sorry." Christine said, handing him the handkerchief.

"Sorry for what?" He asked as he took it.

"I don't know, in fact I couldn't make heads or tails out of most of what she said." Christine shrugged.

Erik began unfolding the handkerchief, but his hands froze as he saw what lay inside.

"Oh, what a handsome pocket watch," Christine exclaimed, seeing the intricate design engraved on it.

Erik carefully opened it up, his expression of disbelief was tinged with sadness. Inside the watch was a small picture of a beautiful woman and a man standing together. Christine at once recognized the resemblance between the woman in the picture and Ms. La'Shey. Christine guessed it was a picture of herself when younger, but as for who the man was, that remained a mystery.

"How strange of her to give you this." Christine said.

''Her name…?" Erik whispered, looking up at the woman who was still walking up the aisle. "Did she tell you her name?"

"Yes, she said it was Ms. La'Shey." Christine told him, his manner beginning to frighten her slightly. "Who is she Erik?"

Erik looked from Christine to the watch several times before answering.

"I think she is…my mother," he said in a low voice. "La'Shey was her maiden name, and this watch used to belong to my father. That woman could only be my mother."

Christine stared blankly at Erik. No wonder she had been drawn to this woman. The resemblance had been there if she had been looking for it.

"What should I do?" Erik asked, no knowing which way to turn.

"Follow your heart Erik," Christine told him, putting her hand on his arm. "Listen to it and let it guide you. It is up to you, I can't decide for you, but she did seem truly sorry and sad. Maybe you need to do this as much as she needs you to."

Erik looked from Christine to the departing woman and back again. Six years ago he may have been able to let her go without a second thought…but not now. Christine's love had changed him, shown him the power of forgiveness. There had been too many years of pain and all Erik wanted to do was put them behind him. He had his family, their love and he was happy. He now wanted to share this happiness with his mother.

So grasping the watch tightly, and kissing Christine, he headed up the aisle.

The woman was just about out the door when he stopped her.

"Mother?" Christine heard him call, fear and uncertainty showing in his voice. She watched as the woman stiffened, then slowly turned back around. Erik came forward until they were arm's length apart and though she could not hear what they were saying, she could read their actions. His mother seemed uncertain, her head lowered in shame, but Christine could see that Erik was trying to reach out to her. Whatever he was saying began to draw her out, his deep and mesmerizing voice obviously working wonders. She even glanced up at him, her eyes full of hope and tears. Then as Erik reached across the small space separating them, he instead reached across the years. The next thing Christine knew, they were caught in each other's embrace, holding one another tightly as if they would never let go. Tears sprang to Christine's eyes as she watched the mother and son reunite. There would be no more ghosts for Erik to lay to rest, no more regrets, nothing left undone. Their lives were complete now, Christine felt sure of this.

"Mommy," Erika said, tugging on her sleeve. "You're crying? Does the lady hugging Daddy make you sad?"

Christine knelt down and put an arm around each child.

"No my darling, it makes me very happy. You see that lady is your Grandmother and it has been a long time since your father has seen her, so it makes me very happy to see them together again."

"But you are crying?" Anthony pointed out.

"Sometimes, grownups cry when they are happy, not only when they are sad," she explained.

"Will I cry because I am happy when I growup?" Anthony asked.

"I hope so dear. I hope we will all have many more reasons to shed tears of joy."

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Over the many years that followed they certainly did. Erik and Christine's home rang with laughter on numerous occasions. The house knew much happiness through several grandchildren and a large supply of kittens, proudly sired by Midnight. Erik and Christine became pillars of the community and when the much loved and respected couple eventually died, minutes apart in each others arms, they were mourned by many. They were placed in the graveyard by the lake side by side, and their head stones read these inscriptions.

On Erik's:

"He was a Phantom set free by love."

And on Christine's was written:

"She was love set free by a Phantom."

Above them both stood a curiously old statue of a small angel made of marble, named Pierre, and though he knew and saw everything; he kept all his secrets to himself.

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Thus ends The Phantom Triumphant.

I would like to thank you all for reading and reviewing! I enjoyed each and every one of your delightful comments! You were all wonderful.

If you enjoyed my story, I would like to invite you all to join me on a pleasure cruise with a sexy pirate named…you guessed it…Erik! He and his ship, The Phantom, will be setting sail tomorrow. We have rounded up the whole crew for the voyage, Christine, Amir, Meg, M. Giry, Papa Daae and of course….Raoul.

So grab your life vests, your bottle of rum and eye patches and join in on the fun and adventure. It will be a long story, with many twists, turns, treasure, storms, battles, secrets, bad guys and love… but it will go fast since I will be posting DAILY again, unless I fall behind. It will be rated "T" but there will be some really good smut-light, but I will leave the full calorie smut and nocturnal activities to YOUR overactive imaginations. Ha ha.

I look forward to seeing you all there – so hit the "follow author" button and keep a weathered eye out for "Siren of the Sea".

Ok…now please hit the review button and tell me what you thought of the last chapter of The Phantom Triumphant.

Thank you again!