Music of the Night: The Phantom of the Opera Returns (Guile & Melody)

[Guile]

"I will never stop loving you. After all that we've been through, you should know this. Never once did I stop loving you, nor could I ever do so later in life. No, that ring on your finger will stay there for as long as you allow it to, Christine. And should I be a lucky man, you and I will both pass on from this Earth with our rings still on our fingers." Erik whispered all that he said, smiling down at Christine as he became lost in her eyes as was typical for him. However, the mention of their anniversary pulled him out of his thoughts. "You are very right Christine. What shall we do about that?" Then, an idea came to him. "I think I have a way that will make it so neither of us ever forget our anniversary. We could get the date engraved...just on the inside of our wedding bands." Then, he added with a chuckle, "unless my lovely wife considers that cheating."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I could only pray that my husband, my partner in life wouldn't lie to me at all." Christine smiled as she came across fond memories of her younger self. Looking up, she realized that the moon was gone. Oh, how these memories pleased her to see flash through her mind. "I don't call that cheating, but my question is how will we actually keep track of what day it is? Ask our friends?" She started humming Beneath a Moonless Sky as she waited for an answer to the predicament at hand.

 

[Guile]

"Lie to you? Christine, you know that I never could, nor would I ever want to." Erik smiled at her, but was soon lost in the beauty of her voice. Yes, she was only humming, but her voice was still so lovely. Oh, and what a beautiful song! Erik had to shake his head slightly to remind himself that she had asked a question. "We shall get a calendar." He came up with suddenly. "I never had any use for one, but now seems like the perfect time to try new things." Erik chuckled at his next sentence. "And if that does not work...we can always steal the Opera's newspapers for the date."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Again with the stealing, my angel?" She laughed at the thought. "You truly are awful, darling." She kissed the tip.of his ear. "I believe a calendar is such a lovely idea, no need to steal any more. I can go out myself and get something to give us the date." She kissed him. "So, do we stay and enjoy this moonless night or do we go home to our children." "There's no need!" Alistair spoke among the trees, in the shadows.

 

[Guile]

Erik chuckled at Christine's response to his suggestion. "I may be an awful thief, but just remember that you married me." Oh, the tingling sensation that went through him when she kissed his ear! And then his lips! It was beautiful, as always. Erik was about to open his mouth to respond to Christine when Alistair spoke from the trees. Erik rolled his eyes, a smirk on his lips, as he tried not to laugh. "Didn't your parents ever teach you not to eavesdrop on others' conversations?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I'm quite aware of my marital status, I get hell for it every day." She was sincere with her words, though she tried to make it sound light and happy. She kissed his chin now, laughing, until her son tackled her from behind, causing her to stumble as though intoxicated. "Ali, what's wrong?" She ruffled his hair for a moment as Alistair responded to his father. "I don't know, sir. You should ask him when he gets here, after you stop spying on me with Andrew's sister." He smirked, speaking to the Phantom rather than his father. That's when he turned his attention to his mother. "You forgot to say goodnight to us." He took her hands. "What about goodnight kisses?" He smiled as Christine put her palm to his left side. "Oh, my darling. I do apologize."

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed at Ali's response, but had a fake, astonished 'did my son just say what I think he did' look upon his face. The man was at a loss for words until he hear his son asking Christine about their forgotten goodnight kisses. Just the sight of his Christine and their son together was enough to make Erik's heart swell. However, he knew exactly how to tease his son, and he would not miss this opportunity. "Surely a young boy who is bold enough to gawk at young girls does not need his mother to provide 'goodnight kisses.'" Erik smirked at his own tease, knowing very well what Alistair truly thought of girls at the present time. Though, inside, Erik prayed that his children would never grow up. It was a silly thing to wish for, as it was impossible, but Erik never wanted to loose his children. If only they would stay young forever. On second thought, if only I would stay young forever as well.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Alistair smiled up at his mother, not removing his gaze for a while as Erik spoke, and, when Erik's words pierced his ears, the young musical genius's face turned a deep shade of red, though none could see it in the moonless sky. "I want her to, sir, but you keep her away so often that she'll forget." He smirked. Christine reached under Ali's arms and hoisted him up. "Now, don't blame your father for being the way he is. Fourteen years is a long time to be alone after you're in love, then he missed your first seven years." She held the back of his head and kissed the boy's cheek. "He's not a terrible father, my son."

 

[Guile]

A low rumble of sound came from the back of Erik's throat, sounding something like a growl, though his smile was clear as day. "I beg your pardon, Alistair. However, she is my wife. I believe I am allowed to take her away when I please." He chuckled, reached over, and ruffled his son's hair as he smiled at him warmly. "I suppose we'll just have to learn to share her, won't we?" Erik couldn't help the warm sensation that came to his heart at Christine's words. However, he teased a little. "Oh, so I've not gotten to the level of 'terrible father' yet. I'm just at 'bad', aren't I?" Erik grinned at his wife.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Yes, alright, that's all good and well, but she has a new baby now." The boy argued with his father, letting out the same growl when his hair was messed with, though he was in his striped, long sleeved pajamas and bare feet. His hair was a mess anyway. "Hey!" He attempted to straighten it back to the way it was. "Fine, we'll share her, but I and my siblings get her first! If she tires when she's with you, so be it." He took Christine's hand and marched back the way they had come. "Ali, how did you get here, darling? Where are the others?" She held tightly to her son's hand, not liking the way that the silence spread over them. "I took a trolley by myself. I paid for it too." He smiled up at the astonishment on his mother's face.

 

[Guile]

Erik's mouth hung open slightly before he let out a laugh at his son's words. He jogged slowly to catch up with them, and when he did, slowed to a walk beside the two. "You better not tire out your mother before she comes to me! You have gotten seven years with her! I believe she and I deserve to make up for lost time, do you not agree?" Erik chuckled, but as Alistair explained how he had gotten there, he raised his brow. "You paid for it, eh? And with what money, may I ask, did you pay with? The last time I recall, you were jobless and living off of your mother and I." He laughed once again, despite being just as astonished as Christine was at the moment.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine listened to the two 'boys' argue. "Now, listen to this before answering that question, my son. You must not blame yourself for the decision that your father and I made regarding the safety of you and your siblings. He told me to go, and I obeyed." She then mumbled something about the night prior to her wedding to Raoul and fell silent to allow her son a chance to answer Erik. "I do agree, but, shouldn't you also spend that time making it up to myself and Lillith at least?" He took his father's hand at last. "Says you, Father. I work delivering paper every morning. How do you get your money? Oh, that's right. You frighten people into it." Christine came out of her thoughts. "Alistair, don't you dare speak to your father that way!"

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled at the feeling of his son's small hand in his. "You're right, son. I want to make it up to all of you. I promise to do my very best when it comes to that." He started laughing at Alistair's retort and placed a hand on Christine's shoulder. "It's alright, my dear. He's right, though I could have gone without the sarcasm, young man." Erik raised a brow at him, then continued on to explain himself. "Yes, Ali, that's how I go about it. However, when you have a face such as mine, you can't really just go out and get a job, now can you? I needed something to support myself with and, now, I need money to support not just I, but you, your siblings, and your mother. The Opera House is running splendidly and makes a good profit - the managers can afford to pay me every month for the advice I give them on how to run the Opera...and the assurance of no disasters, provided they do as I say. Though, I must say, I prefer your way of doing things, boy."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Well, I don't really like doing it. It takes time away from my family." Alistair smiled up at his father as the boy lifted their entwined hands to his face and just left it there. Christine sighed, feeling as though her husband were undermining her again. "As you wish, my love." She placed her other hand on his as she heard the blessed sound of a yawn escape the boy. "I'm sorry, I just can't help it. I've grown up hearing sarcasm so much that I tend to use it often." Christine looked down at him, smiling. "It's fine." She looked to her husband. "So, did you enjoy our anniversary?" She grinned widely.

 

[Guile]

Erik laughed at Alistair's excuse, never once wanting to take his hand away from where it rested so close to his own flesh and blood. "Well, I can't imagine where you hear all of that from." With a chuckle, he smiled at Christine and his eyes lit up at the mention of their anniversary. "Enjoy it? Christine, I enjoy every second I spend with you." Erik placed a soft kiss on her cheek, a quick one for Alistair's sake, before adding something to his answer. "However, it was a very special day and I enjoyed it very much, as I hope you did. I will treasure it always, darling."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Well, we should enjoy the real first anniversary in close to a year, my love. You have eleven months to do something big." She laughed as Alistair finally fell asleep. Christine picked up her son and started singing Look With Your Heart to help him sleep. Casting a sideways glance at Erik, she smiled and cut the song short, for the boy was asleep. "I'm sorry if me singing these songs stirs up memories, my love." She kissed him at once, before he could say anything.

 

[Guile]

"Eleven months, you say?" Erik grinned at her, admittedly a little grateful that Alistair had finally drifted off to sleep. "Well, that gives me plenty of time to procrastinate and throw something wonderful together at the last minute!" He chuckled softly, not wanting to wake their son, at his own joke. Then, he went silent suddenly. It was Christine's voice that did that, or rather, the song she was singing. Erik remembered it well, yes. It was a beautiful song, but yes, Christine was right - it stirred up many memories. However, not all of them were bad. Erik had no time to respond though, for her beautiful lips were upon his own as soon as he opened his mouth to speak. He happily returned her lovely kiss before reluctantly breaking away just enough to respond to her. "They are, but a good few of the memories are beautiful. I do not mind at all, for your presence makes even the bad ones bearable."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"You have nothing to worry about, love." She promised. "I'll let you in on a secret. When he was just a tiny thing, Alistair would always fall asleep quickly to any song that one would sing." She still had her hand on the back of her husband's head. "He was always the quieter of the two and always the one, when learning to walk, to get back up and try again almost immediately. Sadly, when he started to look like you, Raoul denied him. The boy would always ask to be played with, and yet, Ali got ignored, favoring Lillith, for she looks like me." She sighed. "I truly needed you, my Erik. You would have been a blessing to a lonely boy craving male attention."

 

[Guile]

Hearing Christine speak of his son's earliest habits brought a warmth to Erik's heart. He had not been around to see his children growing up, but when Christine described things like this to him he was at least able to picture it in his mind. Her words had brought a smile to his lips, until she spoke of the way Raoul had treated Ali. Suddenly, guilt overtook Erik once again. "I am so sorry, Christine - to you, and our son. All of our children, truly. I wish I had been there for Ali, for all of them. It's one of my biggest regrets, as you know. No child deserves to grow up lonely, craving the attention or one, or both, parents. I really do want to make it up to them. I don't want them to be lonely anymore. I want to be the father they never had." Erik looked down at his sleeping son and smiled, thinking of ways that he could make up their lost time. Then, a thought came to him and he looked back up into Christine's eyes and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand lovingly. He let his touch linger for a moment before he actually spoke what was on his mind. "Was he good to you?" This was all Erik said at first, but then he clarified. "Raoul. I know what he did to the children and it infuriates me. And, as much as I hate him..." His words drifted off for a minute as he thought about what he was trying to say. "I suppose what I mean to say is that as much as I...dislike...the idea of another man with you, I would still hope that while you were married to him you were happily married. I don't want to think that you had to suffer all these years as well. But, I do want to know the truth." Erik asked her again, his tone a soft whisper. "Was Raoul good to you?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine closed her eyes again, still dreaming of her past life, her children's lives. It was a difficult subject, yes, very difficult indeed, but Christine could linger back in this life no longer. Coming back to her reality, Christine gasped as Erik caressed her cheek. That very same warm sensation came back to her all at once. Her face looked white, even in the dark. "I want you to feel no guilt. You could never have known. But, tell me one thing. Before I answer your question, answer mine." She paused on the top step of the Opera Populair. "Tell me, why did you not come back for me, knowing that I was raising one child with Raoul. Why didn't you wait for me that night? My wedding night to Raoul, while he was still at the party? Why did you leave me with nothing? Why couldn't you wait? I loved you, Erik. I would have followed you!"

 

[Guile]

Erik's eyes saddened as he thought back to that night and the guilt flooded him once again. "Christine, I loved you then as I do now - that's why I left." He closed his eyes for a few moments, unable to look into her own. "At the time, I thought that being with the Vicomte was the best choice for you. I wanted to stay. I wanted to take you with me, to be my own wife, but my conscience would not allow me to do so. I loved you and I did what I thought was best for you. I had hoped that the Vicomte would be able to provide for you better than I could, that he could be a better father than I ever could." Erik began feeling tears threatening to fall, but he fought them back as best as he could. "I was afraid that I would fail you, Christine."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Fail me?" She tilted her head, confused. "Did you not believe that I loved you for you?" Christine took his hands and squeezed. "God, did you at least consider coming back to myself and Catherine? Did you tell her goodbye?" She pulled him forward, tried to open the door, but it wouldn't open. "We've been locked out." Christine held her son tighter. "We need a way inside." Her voice was soft, not panicking. "We can't be locked out. Catherine's wedding is tomorrow." She wrapped Alistair in her own coat. "Where's the entrance to our home?"

 

[Guile]

"Yes, Christine. I was afraid that I would fail as a husband." Erik confessed. "I considered going back to you and Catherine all the time. I wanted you both to be with me so badly - I wanted you in my life. At the time, though, I thought Raoul was better for you." As soon as he realized that the door was locked, Erik placed his arm around Christine's shoulder and led her around the back to the entrance he had used before. "It's alright, it's just back here." He stopped when they approached the entrance and removed his arm from around Christine so that he could open it for them. When he did, Erik allowed his wife to enter first with their son before he followed her in. "Christine, I hate to bring up past memories, but I'm afraid that you've not answered my question." He stopped her just inside the entrance and waited to see what she would do or say.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Damn, I asked all of these questions to avoid his. I don't want to answer this. "He was good, for the first few years. He was always kind to me and Catherine. He adored her. She worshiped him." Christine sighed as the boy stirred and she continued her explanation. "Then, he found that he wasn't her father and took comfort in drinking and gambling." They had reached home, Christine laid Alistair in his bed, tucking his blanket under his chin. "W-We went into d-debt." She tried not to cry. "He would lose money, come home and beat the child. I would stand between them, then he got violent." Her hand skated across her neck. "Violent."

 

[Guile]

Erik could sense that Christine had not wanted to talk to him about this, but he had to know. Oh, the things she told him! It infuriated Erik, though he stayed outwardly calm. There would be no sense in getting angry right now - no one was present that he was furious at. In fact, the Vicomte had not been around for quite some time. "Christine...I am sorry that you had to live that way. No woman should have to live with such a brute." The motion of her hand across her neck did not go unnoticed by Erik. He could also tell that she was trying rather hard not to burst into tears. At that moment, Erik took her into his embrace and held her tightly. "My love, what did he do to you? Why would anyone want to hurt you? You are an angel..." He stroked her hair lightly and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Even I, the dreaded Phantom of the Opera, would never lay a hand on you in such a way. I don't understand how your childhood friend could do so. You don't have to worry about violence anymore. No one will hurt you ever again, Christine. I will make sure of that." Erik promised, meaning every word he said.