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

[Guile]

Erik felt as if tears were going to come to his eyes at any moment. The fear and pain in his daughter's vice was almost unbearable and he felt himself holding her tighter because of this. "I know you love me, Catherine. I can tell it from the tone your voice, in your eyes, the way you've always smiled at me. I don't need to hear your words to know it, sweetheart, and I hope the same goes for you. Don't ever doubt how much your mother and I love you. I wish I had been able to tell you every morning and every night since the first year of your life. Circumstances arose that did not permit me to do this, but that doesn't mean I love you any less than little Jonathan, who I pray I will be able to do this for." Erik relished the kisses Catherine gave him. They were so powerful, so full of love, that Erik could not doubt his daughter's words - now more than ever. "I love you, my child. I thank God every day for you and your siblings, as well as your mother." He assured her as he broke their embrace at last. "You all have given me the one thing I wanted most out of life: undying love."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine squeezed once more then pulled away from him. "I doubt nothing that you've told me, Daddy." She assured him. "You never once lied to me and I won't lie to you...ever." she hugged again. "So, what was it that you wanted to tell me, Daddy?" Alistair cut in, Lucy on one arm and Derek hanging back on his other side. "Did you read my work when I asked you not to, then you felt so guilty that you had to tell me?" He was both amused with himself, and serious at the same time. "I wanted it to be a secret."

 

[Guile]

"I know you won't, my wonderful child." Erik smiled warmly at her before they were interrupted. He looked down at Alistair who, much to Erik's delight, had linked arms with Lucy. Still, Erik was in a bit of a jam. He chuckled nervously, hoping that his son hadn't caught on, and shook his head. "Oh, no. No, artists respect other artist's work. I would never read your piece without consulting you first." Which, was not a lie. Still, he wasn't going to tell Ali the whole truth. "What I wanted to tell you?" Erik asked himself, searching his mind desperately for an answer. "Well, it...it is no longer important, son." To distract him, he offered something. "You know, we still have a family outing to go to. Why don't you have Lucy and Derek, here, come along - should they wish to of course." Erik smiled sincerely, praying that this distraction would be enough to make his son forget.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, no...no, I couldn't impose, Monsieur." Lucy shook her reddish brown hair. "No, it wouldn't be right to disrupt a family outing." Derek nodded his agreement. "We must go. We'll be back later." Derek assured them as Lucy kissed Alistair again before bowing to Erik and disappearing from sight. "Always on the move, that one." Andrew chuckled. "Now, about that family outing? You didn't have Catherine cook, did you?" He teased, to which his wife kissed his cheek. "That's it. You get nothing tonight." Andrew looked defeated. "Please?" Catherine responded. "No." This went on for a while.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled as Alistair received yet another kiss, yet he didn't try to insist that they come along. Well, they can visit later. There will be plenty of time to get to know the young girl who has stolen my son's heart. He chuckled, overhearing the conversation taking place between Andrew and Catherine. "Poor man." Erik joked. "You're going to have to learn when to tease and when not to. I've gotten myself into a sticky situation every now and then, but you...you should watch yourself, Andrew, or Catherine will end up kicking you out." He laughed at his tease. "But no, you are safe. You didn't really think I would let her cook, did you?" Erik quickly turned on his daughter, teasing her as well. "Not after what you informed me before, Andrew. No, how could I ever trust her cooking again?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I thought you ate the Monday Surprise." Catherine eyed her father, hurt. "You love my cooking, don't you?" She was losing her sanity as the two most important men in her life clearly admitted to hating her food. "Well, I guess I won't do it again." Andrew smiled at his father in law. "Of course, Daddy." He laughed. "Believe me, I'll get better." With those final words, he scooped up his wife. "Now, either you give me what I want or you will sleep outside our home with your father's horse as your only companion." He kissed her cheek, but Catherine growled. "Forget it. I won't." "But, it's been a few days since you became mine and you have yet to let me have you." He argued. Catherine covered her face, her embarrassment. "After dinner, then."

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled at his daughter, trying not to laugh as he felt a bit guilty that she was truly hurt by his words. "Oh, Catherine...you know I'm only teasing you." He chuckled at Andrew's words, but didn't tease the poor girl any further. He would leave that to her husband. As Erik listened to their exchange, he hid his laughter, pretending to be sickened by such talk. "Dear god..." He made himself act as though he were going to be physically ill. "I know you two are married and such activity is bound to happen, but do neither of you have any respect for the father of the bride? The last thing I need to hear is confirmation as to when you are to take my daughter, Andrew." Erik shuttered visibly, still teasing although he was partly serious. "What will you do next? Describe everything to the whole family in detail?" He replied sarcastically, unable to hide his laughter any longer.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, I just might, Father." Andrew winked at Erik. "But, don't worry. I'll not make you see it." He chuckled, menacingly as he walked off with his bride. "I don't know how long we'll be, so don't wait up for us." He kissed Catherine as they disappeared around another corner. "I will make you feel like a queen, my love." "Hang on. I want to go to the family outing." Catherine argued, struggling. Andrew dropped her, unable to hold a struggling woman. "Alright!"

 

[Guile]

Erik stood in shock, his mouth open just enough to signify this. He let out short huffs of laughter, as if he were trying to speak words but didn't quite know what to say. "Wh-why...I never!" Erik knew Andrew was only joking, however, he also knew he was only joking about describing their actions to the whole family. What was mildly unsettling to Erik was that he knew his daughter was going to be taken by this young man tonight. He shivered again at the thought and turned to Christine exasperated. "I told you! What did I tell you? First he walks around shirtless and now he's so bold as to tell me when he's going to take my daughter!" Erik would have laughed, but he was in genuine shock just as much as he was amused by Andrew's joke. "What will he do next?"

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Catherine had fallen on her little tush as she was dropped by her ever so gentle husband. "Hey!" She exclaimed as her dress was now more or less in shambles, yet they weren't even in the catacombs yet. "Well, darling, I'm sorry, but with you struggling, I couldn't hold you." He helped her up and held her close. "Fine. Let's go." He led her outside. "Fine, fine, don't worry about that. They deserve privacy, Erik." Christine laid her knuckles against his skin, stroking it. "Now, about your river expedition. Will it be safe for the children? I don't want them to fall in, my love." Christine couldn't help but smile. "He's just being a man. After all, remember when we did the same thing, having Catherine as a result?" She smiled, chuckling. "I won't have rushing water around them. It should be low tide."

 

[Guile]

Erik was still staring off in the direction that Andrew had carried his daughter off in. However, his attention was quickly diverted from them when he felt Christine's soft knuckled on his skin. For just a moment, Erik closed his eyes and sighed softly, thinking about just that night that his dear wife spoke of. He opened his eyes and took her hand in his, placing a tender kiss on the knuckles that had just been brushing against his skin. "How could I forget it, my love? Still, it's unsettling - for lack of a better word - to know that Catherine will be doing the same thing." Erik sighed, then forced himself to smile which wasn't too difficult. "Of course, you are right though, Christine. Not only has she done this before, but she and Andrew are married. I suppose I will have to learn to live with it." He chuckled before turning his thoughts to their outing. "You needn't worry about the outing, my dear. It will be perfectly safe for the children. We shall just have to watch them and keep them close - no running off where they can't be seen." Erik eyed the children as if warning them to do as they were told.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine felt very uneasy, showing such affections to, for all the managers knew, was a complete stranger in their business. Still, her attention was diverted when Erik returned the affection. It was then that her world around her disappeared. Debienne, Poligny, Meg and Madame Giry were all gone. "Erik, I love you." She told him for the second time in the last half hour. "I would never think of leaving you now. I would never look at another man whilst I am married to you." She brushed her nails against her husband's lips. "Now, let's go back." "I don't believe we've met before, sir." Debienne came forward. "I already know of Madamoiselle Daae, but nothing of you." He looked Erik up and down. Madame Giry started fidgeting.

 

[Guile]

Erik was lost in Christine's eyes, feeling disconnected from the world and everyone in it much like she was. The only thing he knew was Christine at that moment. He closed his eyes, sighing slightly, as his lips tingled from the touch of her nails against them. When he reopened his eyes he smiled at Christine. "I know you wouldn't, my darling." Erik whispered to her before adding a soft 'I love you.' It was then that she suggested leaving and he was about to when he heard the voice of the manager. Immediately, Erik's heart sank and he felt threatened - like a caged animal - though he tried not to show it as he turned to face Debienne. "Erik, sir." He did his best to sound completely innocent of all past crimes, trying not to let on that he was the dreaded Phantom of the Opera. "My name is Erik Destler." Knowing that the manager's didn't know the Opera Ghost's name, Erik felt no reason to hide that bit. He longed to correct them about Christine's surname, but he feared that doing so might allow them to catch on as to who he was. "What should you like to know about me, hm?" He forced a believable smile at them, as if he had nothing to hide. Inside, however, Erik felt very uneasy. He had never been so close to the managers before and longed to flee - to hide from them - as he always had.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine, on the other hand, felt a need for the managers to know about her marital status. They could be of use to her, should Raoul ever come back and try to take her back by fooling the two men. "Actually, Monsieur, I am Christine Destler. This," she squeezed Erik's hand, "is my beloved husband. He is very shy, that is why you've never met." Her gaze traveled from Erik's hands, all the way up his body and to his face. "He has a problem around people. An unsightly skin condition causes him to hide his face and he would very much appreciate it if you would give him space." Christine, normally bright and beautiful, was now quite protective, not only of her children, but her husband as well. "And this Phantom?" Poligny asked. "He's let me go. I know not where the man is now." Christine prayed that she was doing the right thing.

 

[Guile]

Erik was relieved when Christine quickly informed the managers of her marital status. He smiled down at her, no longer denying his own urge to place a quick kiss on her temple as she squeezed his hand. Christine, you are brilliant. Erik thought to himself, still smiling because she had come up with a perfect excuse for his mask and reasoning for never having been seen by them before. "It is true. Forgive my negligence, I should have introduced myself long ago but, as my lovely wife has told you, I prefer not to be around people for too long." He squeezed her own hand in return - a silent gesture to inform her that she had done well not to give too much away about the Phantom's whereabouts. Erik never knew when he may need to haunt them a little more. "Christine need not fear him any longer. I won't let him come near her." He smiled at her once again before looking up at the managers with a slightly more serious expression. "Though, I don't know where he's gone, I suggest you two be on the lookout. I don't trust the Phantom to stay away for too long."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Well, I'm glad to have met such a man as yourself, sir." Each manager let their hand out to shake his. "I'm just happy that we won't be hearing from that dreadful creature again. Perhaps he's finally at peace." Poligny suggested. "I hope so, sir." Christine agreed. "He's been with me for years." She removed her hand from Erik's and traveled up his back to his shoulder blades and let it rest there. "I'm sorry, Monsieur Destler, for interrupting that show of affection." Poligny finished, scratching his cheek. "Will you be attending a performance by your lovely wife and daughter then, well, when the season starts again?" Debienne asked with a smile. "I do hope you will. You look like the kind of man that enjoys music." He noticed Erik's hands, which were those of a composer and musician. "Do you compose?"

 

[Guile]

Feeling rather relieved, Erik no longer had to fake his smile. Still, he was hesitant to shake the hands of the managers, though he did so, each in turn. "I thank you, very much so. It's a pleasure to finally get to meet the managers of this lovely Opera House." He glanced around the place, as if this were his first time being inside. "Perhaps your Phantom is at peace. Though, I can't say I blame him for wanting to make a home here. After all, who wouldn't wish to live so close to the stage that you can practically taste the sensation that music brings." Erik chuckled, unable to contain his joy at finally behaving like a normal man, even in front of the managers! This certainly was a strange, yet rewarding experience for him. "Please, don't apologize. If anything, forgive my wife and I - we should be more aware of our surroundings before behaving as if we are alone." He joked, smiling down at Christine again as he felt her hands slowly making their way up his back to his shoulder blades. In return, Erik wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her just a tad closer to him - nothing too noticeable. "Oh, without a doubt, sirs. I wouldn't miss a performance of theirs for anything, I assure you." Which was the honest truth. It was then that Erik noticed Debienne was glancing at his hands. He did not draw attention to it, but answered his question. "That, I do." He grinned, happy to be able to speak honestly about this subject as well. "I've composed for many years, but I've not written any pieces lately. I find that my wife and children take up far too much of my time to do that." Erik half-teased Christine, whom he was smirking down at.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

At the word 'Phantom', both men shivered, as though it were a curse word that Erik was using. "Forgive us, but that thing has been tormenting us since the second we stepped foot inside this building." Poligny explained his actions. "All the money that has been wasted because of that man." In regards to the marital behavior between Erik and Christine, they both waved it off. "We understand. We were young and in love too, at one point." Christine felt herself blush, now pinned by the waist to her husband. Stepping on his toe was both accidental, and on purpose. The man blamed her for his time being wasted! "Oh, enough!" Christine teased, putting her full weight on the one foot.

 

[Guile]

Erik found himself becoming rather agitated with the way the managers spoke of him. He tried not to let his anger show as he responded to them. "Do you know the man behind this Phantom persona? Perhaps he has reason for doing the things he does. Forgive me, I do not intend to give excuses for him, but perhaps the situation should be thought through differently. If I recall, he had quite the eye for Christine. He is in love with her, is he not? Or, at least, he was. You say yourself that you were once in love. Then you should know the dangers, as well as the joys, that come with loving someone, my friends. Perhaps this Phantom was tormented one too many times by a love that he found to be...unattainable." Erik suggested in the calmest way possible, hoping they would see eye-to-eye with him for once. "This could be at least some of the reason behind why your Phantom is so irritable." He chuckled as if making a joke, before he felt Christine put her full weight on his foot. Biting his bottom lip, Erik attempted to keep himself from shouting because of the pain. "You..." Erik growled playfully, just to her, as he attempted to push her off of him.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

They both stuttered immediately. "W-We're...we apologize. We meant no disrespect toward your friend, sir." They told him this rather quickly, backing up as if in complete fright. "We are aware of the Phantom's affinity for Christine, no doubt about that." They pictured what happened years ago, when Raoul had chosen a seat in Box Five. "We meant no disrespect." They repeatedly told him before walking away. Something was different about this man that stole Christine's heart. Christine was rather enjoying the squirms of the two stooges, she was smiling so much that she barely noticed the growl that came from her beloved. "Me." Christine showed her pearly mouth. "Your wife that loves you so much and will do anything for you and that has to live to raise three small babies." She started explaining why she should live.

 

[Guile]

Erik had been thrilled with the departure of the managers, and the idea the perhaps he had put a little more understanding of the Phantom and his old ways into their heads. Now, he was left with Christine and her stubbornness. "Oh, don't make excuses for yourself as if you are exempt from the Phantom's furry simply because you have three small children at home." Erik teased her, lifting her into his arms suddenly. "They have a father too, you know. Perhaps they could do without a stubborn mother such as yourself." He joked, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Then again, I don't know if I could go even a day without you. So, I suppose you're lucky, Christine. You get to live...for now."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, I feel so very honored, my dearest." Christine crossed her arms over her chest. "Thank you so much for realizing how much they need me, especially Jonathan, whom we both know needs things that his father can't give him." She didn't need to explain further. "Don't kill me, or I shall haunt you from the beyond." She turned away from him. "I honestly hate that you would even consider that the children don't need me." She smirked. "I worked too long and too hard to have that taken from me." She remained silent now.

 

[Guile]

Erik lowered his gaze to look into her eyes as he raised his brow playfully, his smirk quite evident. "Now, Christine...you know that I'm only teasing you." He hid his laughter, even as she turned away from him. Still, his own gaze didn't falter. "Here, I admit that the children need you far more than they need me. All children deserve to have a mother." Suddenly, he felt his heart sinking as, once again, his mind was thrust back into memories he didn't wish to relive. How he wished he had a loving mother, especially growing up. It was so hard to live like that, knowing not even your own mother loved you. No, Erik vowed that his children would have their mother for as long as God allowed it. Christine loved them and tended to them as any mother should, perhaps even more than others. "You are a wonderful mother, Christine. I always knew you would be."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I just hope that you remember that, though your story didn't have a happy beginning, it will have a much happier ending." She looked back to him. Before the man could object, she managed a kiss. "You don't need to worry. But, I have to thank my mother in law." Christine smiled and kissed him again. "She was the key to bringing us together." That realization just caught up to her. "She caused you to go on the run,causing you to go to the circus, then our home."

 

[Guile]

Erik's eyes shimmered with the tenderness of her words, and he was unable to remove the smile from his lips, even when Christine kissed them. "I know it will, Christine. My life has gotten much brighter since I was a child, and it's all thanks to you, my love." He returned her kiss just then, breaking it just moments before she began to speak of his mother. "I suppose you are right, Christine. If not for her cruelty, I would not have you." Erik brushed her cheek with such tenderness from the tips of his fingers. "I would live through one hundred years of such pain if I had to do so in order to be loved by you as I am now."