The Phantom of the Opera: A Beauty and a Beast (Guile and Melody)

[Guile]

Erik couldn't help the anger rising inside of him at Christine's explanation. "Is that truly all, Christine? No. No it isn't, is it?" He growled, still trying to force his temper back. "If you left for the baby's sake then you wouldn't have been so upset when you saw me again, here. God, you insult me, Christine!" Erik ran his fingers through his hair, exasperated. "What you're trying to tell me is that I wouldn't have been a good father - that I wouldn't have been able to raise our child. Then, you try to lie to me and pretend as if the only reason you left me was for the child's sake. No, Christine. I am not a fool! You left because you do not love me...you never did. You love that fop of yours and you always have! The least you could have done was let me see my child. He belongs to both of us, whether you want to admit it to your precious husband or not. This child was not yours to just take away from me." Still, Erik did not leave. He could not leave her here alone like this. Standing by her side, taking deep breaths to calm himself, Erik planned to do as he was asked: help her and then leave, no matter how much it hurt his already broken heart to do so.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I would never reach for you again." Christine's brow furrowed. "I may have loved you once, but that is gone now! I'm married!" She held up her right hand, revealing her wedding ring. "Please, just go away. I don't want you chasing me any more. You have your life and I have mine." She could barely move. The baby was on his way, Christine was in so much pain. A blood curdling scream could be heard. "I left because I couldn't take the fighting between the two of you!"

 

[Guile]

Erik could say nothing back to her. He saw the ring and it broke his heart, even though he already knew her and the Vicomte to be married. Erik's anger turned to sorrow and his facial expressions followed. "Christine..." he whispered to her, "I have no life without you." It was as if he were talking to himself, even though she could hear him. However, Erik was ripped out of his sorrowful thought of lonely tomorrows by Christine's horrible screaming. "I am staying, Christine. I am staying to help you through this." He took a hold of her hand and grasped it firmly in his, giving her that to cling to. "Whether you like it or not."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine needed him to hold. He just felt so good to her. "Erik, Erik please." She sat up, leaving space behind her big enough for a man to sit and hold her. "Please, God, help me!" It hurt so badly. The baby started to emerge, but Christine took no notice of that. "I knew I would see you again. I know that you couldn't leave me, unlike, unlike me." Her tears were now because of the pain she had caused him. "My angel, I've missed your song." She gasped, sweat dripping down her chest. "I don't want you to leave, but you must."

 

[Guile]

"No, Christine." Erik whispered to her. "I won't leave you...not now." He sat behind her and rested her head back against his chest. Erik reached his arms out around her and took her hand in his. "It's alright, Christine. You're going to be alright." He tried his best to sooth her. "I'm right here...you are safe." Erik held her and waited, allowing her to cling to him if she needed to in order to relieve the pain she was feeling. "It's almost over, Christine. Just keep pushing and soon you'll have your baby in your arms." He whispered the promise in her ear, his heart racing in anticipation and anxiety.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine couldn't help but lie back, against Erik. "Erik, wh-what if Raoul sh-should see us?" She breathed heavily. "I can't...I can't be with...w-with you." She started crying, both in pain and sadness as the last chance to push came. The baby was free. Christine started crying heavily now. She was a mother! "Oh, oh God..." she laid back, her now damp hair plastered to her face. "He's...I can't see him.." she gasped.

 

[Guile]

"Hush...just breath, Christine." Erik tried to comfort her, not wanting to think about what would happen should the Vicomte come in. I am only trying to help her...he would have no right to be angry with her or me. Then, the baby was at last born and Erik got up off the bed. He supported her and helped her lie back on the bed, and went to the baby with rag. Luckily, Erik had a knife on him and was able to cut the cord before he started cleaning the now-crying child. When at last their son was clean, Erik wrapped him in the clean, dry cloth and let himself look at his son closely for the first time. It was only then that it hit him - he was holding his child. His son. "Gustav..." Erik whispered before turning to Christine and brushing the damp hair back out of her face. "Christine," he whispered softly to her, "your son is beautiful." He went to hand the small bundle in his arms over to her, but first, he placed a soft kiss on the baby's forehead so tenderly - as if he would never be able to hold his son again. When the baby was in her arms, Erik began dabbing her forehead and cheeks with the cool, wet rag from earlier. "You did it, my angel. You are a mother." His eyes seemed to grow weary-looking. But I will never get to be the father...

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine waited a long time, just breathing. She could still hear nothing but her own heavy breathing. "O-Okay..." She gasped for breath. "I a-am calm." She laid back as the baby was cut free and she heard his name. It's a boy? It's a boy! Christine could not believe a single moment of this was real. "You mean our son." She corrected him. She felt the pain that he did. Erik would never raise their son. "Is there any way that you would at least watch over him, like you did me?" She asked her lover. "Please, just see him from time to time?" She started crying, out of pure joy. "Please, he needs you."

 

[Guile]

Erik slowly closed his eyes, feeling tears just on the brink of spilling over due to her beautiful words and the sight of their son. When he at last regained the ability to speak without choking on his tears, he opened his eyes and looked at Christine. "Yes, Christine." A tear rolled down his cheek anyway, but he couldn't have cared less. "You know that I will do anything for you and our son. I want to be here for him and you...I want to see him grow up." Then, he added with difficulty, "even if I'm watching from the sidelines," and attempted to wipe the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Thank you." That was all that Madame de Chagney could say to the father of her child. Her lips hovered over his, wanting to touch. "I should do this quickly, before Raoul comes to me." She laid her hands behind his head and pushed him toward her. "My friend, this kiss is so special to me, I.promise, but I am still a wife." She kissed him quickly, letting her tongue through the doors of his mouth. "Please, try to understand how hurt I'll be if you leave. I want you to stay, but I don't want you harmed." She could think only of him at the time. "Maybe we could spend time as a family some other time." She watched the freak show from the window. "I told little Gustav that I would take him some time."

 

[Guile]

Erik first felt the pressure on the back of his head, then the soft, warmth of her lips on his. It was a beautiful feeling, one that Erik had missed very much. When it ended, Erik felt his heart torn in half, as if a part of him had been ripped away. "I understand, Christine. I understand completely." He took her hand in both of his, and brought her knuckles to his lips, placing a kiss on them. "Forgive me for being angry with you earlier. I was upset and I said things that I should not have." Erik smiled at her warmly before continuing. "I will not leave you, not entirely." He saw what she was gazing at through the window. "You told him that, did you?" His grin widened as he felt he had something he could offer her, something they could enjoy together sometime. "Christine, I am the new boss over there." Erik informed her, pointing through the window to the show. "It's a short story, but quite unbelievable. You'll just have to believe me." He chuckled, feeling happier than he had in a long time. "I am going to take you up on that offer to spend time as a family - there's nothing I want more in the world. Feel free to come to me anytime you wish to see me - I don't live far away. When Gustav is old enough or, perhaps when you get curious enough, I could show you both around Phantasma. Naturally, it's free of charge for you two. Come anytime you want, Christine. You are always welcome." Erik reached out and placed his fingers lightly upon her cheek and caressed her skin lovingly. "I understand you are still his wife." He whispered. "Just remember to understand me...and how much I love you and cannot stop."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Oh, that's exciting, Erik!" She grinned and held his hands tightly, the baby on her lap. "And, don't worry. I'll forgive you, even if you had struck me I would forgive you." She blushed when his warm lips touched her knuckles. "You have been my companion for a long time. I would never dream of completely leaving you." She hugged him, taking up her little Gustav. "Would you like to go with Daddy sometime?" Christine asked the baby, upon whose face you could see the biggest smile ever. "That's a beautiful smile, my sweet." She chuckled and handed him to Erik. "Here, mind his head, now." She watched the baby. "Please, just be safe, alright?"

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled as soon as she hugged him. It was so wonderful feeling her so near once again and her words were such a huge comfort. "Of course, Christine." He said as he took Gustav into his arms, begin very careful with the frail newborn, as she had instructed. Erik held his son close to his chest and smiled down at him, looking into his eyes and scanning his features. Oh, he was so very beautiful. "Hello, my son." He whispered, unable to stop smiling even as fresh tears of joy began welling up in his eyes. "Daddy loves you, Gustav. You be good for your Mommy when I go." Erik looked up at Christine now, his eyes shinning, even as he addressed her earlier words. "Christine, you know I would never strike you. I could never. But I thank you for forgiving me...I am grateful. I couldn't bare to have you upset with me. I've missed you so much. I though of you every day, from the moment I woke up until the time that I went to sleep. And then," he told her, looking back down into his son's eyes, "I would dream about you, Christine." Erik did not mention crying himself to sleep every night, sobbing her name. Nor did he mention what had happened with Meg and how he felt, how he still felt, as though he had betrayed Christine in come way. No, now was not the time to confess that. Later... "Meg and Madame Giry are here with me. They've been too good to me - smuggling me over here and helping me to get settled. Despite their efforts to cheer me up though, I haven't been truly happy until today when I found out you were here - until I heard your voice again."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I've missed you as well. As I said before, you were my first friend as a child, after Father died and Raoul left me." She laid her head on his chest. "And, I'm assuming that they are helping your people now?" She tried to put it as nicely as she could, instead of saying creatures or workers, for they were people, though they were different. "I will always be here when you need me." She kissed his cheek, smiling again. That's when Raoul could be seen trudging up to their home. "Christine?" He asked.

 

[Guile]

"Well, now I am here to stay. I'll be just a few minutes walk away from here." Erik smiled before returning the kiss she placed on his cheek , by placing on on hers. "And yes, Madame Giry and Meg have been much help to us. They've been quite understanding through it all. Poor Meg was frightened at first, but she has come around as I thought she would." He smiled, then he heard Raoul coming. Erik reluctantly passed Gustav back to Christine, placing a tender kiss goodbye on the child's forehead, then on Christine's temple. "I will leave now. I do not wish to upset things with you and Raoul." If she comes back to me...should she ever want to...I want it to be because she loves me - not because Raoul hates her and doesn't want anything to do with her. No, for now, I must stay out of the way. "Remember, my dear, that I am right here. I am not going anywhere and you are always welcome. If you need anything, ever, promise that you will tell me. I shall provide it, Christine." Erik stroked her beautiful, brown curls once before turning and slipping out of the room. "I love you two." He whispered to them before he was completely out of earshot.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Christine watched her go, still cherishing every touch that he placed on her body. "My Phantom." She mumbled, careful to be quiet with Raoul around. "Thank you for understanding me." She held her son. "Gustav, this must be a secret." She whispered, smiling in the process. "You must be silent about your father being here." She pressed her finger to her lips to affirm what she was asking of him. "Christine?" Raoul had come home at last. "Christine!" His eyes lit up, pride and joy overtaking him as soon as he laid eyes on the bundle in Christine's arms. Placing a tender, loving kiss on his wife's lips, he reached for the boy. "I should have been here, my dear. You must have been so frightened, all alone with no one to help." He now had the baby. Christine shook her head up and down. "I was a little scared, I'll admit." She kissed him as well.

 

[Guile]

Erik had been able to slip down the stairs and out the back door just as Raoul was entering the house. Once he was safe outside, he breathed a sigh of relief. Once he was far enough from the house, he began laughing. Erik wasn't sure why he was laughing - he supposed because of all the joy bottle up inside him. It didn't know how else to come out, so it came out through laughter. "Christine...I have seen my Christine. I have seen Gustav. I have held my son!" He stopped laughing, taking in what he had said. "My son...I have a son. I am a father!" Erik's grin couldn't have been wider as he made his way back to Phantasma, taking his own sweet time. Oh, he felt as if he were in Heaven.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg and her mother both looked rather rattled. They, along with the others, had finished setting up at last, without the 'ringmaster'. They had heard Erik act like a little boy not far away. "Well, well, the prodigal son returns." Madame Giry chuckled to herself. Meg smiled at her. "Mother, it's alright. We got our work done." She disappeared behind the curtains, to watch as everyone topped off with a drink or two in celebration. Meg refused a drink. "No thank you." She started brushing out her hair, preparing for that evening. "I hope they like me." She whispered to herself.

 

[Guile]

Erik joined in the celebration, but still managed to somehow avoid the people. He did that simply because he was lost in his thoughts of the events of the day. Plus, Erik didn't mind watching everyone else celebrate. Honestly, he had done barely anything to help them. It wasn't very fair to go out there and pretend like he did. However, Erik didn't refuse a drink when it came his way. Sipping it, his thoughts went to Meg. I must thank her! He slipped behind the curtains he had seen Meg disappear behind and made his way cautiously up to her, a bright smile on his lips. "Miss Giry," Erik said as if announcing his presence. "May I just say, you are a saint." He chuckled, placed his hands on her shoulders, and smiled at her through the mirror. "You don't know how happy you have made me today, my friend. I could never thank you enough for sending me off like that." From his pocket, Erik produced a white rose. He could not bare to give anyone but Christine a red rose, for that was symbolic to them, but he felt Meg deserved something for her upcoming audition, and as a thank you. "For you." He explained, handing it to her. "For reuniting me with my son today." Erik smiled at her. They both knew he had been reunited with more than just his child, but Erik did not want to bring up Christine too often in front of Meg. It was cruel to hurt her in such a way.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg still brushed her hair for a short time, praying that she got the part tomorrow. Still, she decided not to dwell on that much longer. It wasn't much longer until she felt hands on her shoulders. "Oh, Erik." Her face was red hot now. She wasn't expecting this to feel so nice after a long day in the hot sun. "How am I a saint when all I did was say that your lover wasn't so far off?" She raised a brow and took the rose from him. It was exquisite, to say the least. She would treasure it forever. "Erik..." she drew out his name, playfully, of course. "You and I both know that it wasn't just your son that I was reuniting you with anyway." She smiled at him. "You don't have to worry about Christine in front of me. I'm perfectly alright."

 

[Guile]

Erik smirked, taking in her words, and raised a brow at her - equally as playful. "Alright, Meg. You caught me red-handed." He chuckled at his own words before becoming partially serious again. "Now, don't be modest. You did much more than that and you know it." Erik smiled warmly at her, gratitude in his eyes. "I know it hurt to tell me that I could go to Christine. I know what it feels like, and the last thing I want is for you to feel that kind of pain. But, today...you sacrificed, in a way, a part of your happiness for my own." He took her hand in his and placed a soft kiss to her knuckles. "For that, Meg, I will be forever grateful. Your generosity allowed me to witness the birth of my son - to see Christine again and make amends. Bless you, Meg." Erik couldn't have been happier.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I couldn't exactly tell you that you couldn't go, now, could I?" She shrugged him off. "I was never really happy, so how could I sacrifice it, hm?" She was very stone faced as she said this. "But, that's over now. I'm alright. That's what matters." Her heart flipped three times, three seconds of not breathing is a long time, until Erik removed his lips from her hand. "Anyway, I have somewhere to be, so I'll dismiss you and finish getting ready." She smiled brightly. "Don't worry about a thing, dear."

 

[Guile]

Erik was still quite concerned for Meg's wellbeing, but he let it go. Though his eyes still showed the doubt he felt, he simply smiled at her. "I suppose you couldn't stop me, however, you let me go to her with a free conscious by telling me to do so. You did me a great kindness today, Meg, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Erik separated his hand from her own at last and bowed slightly to her. "Oh, yes, of course! Forgive me for disturbing you, Meg. I shall see you later." With a smile on his lips, he turned and left Meg to finish getting ready.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

After Erik had gone, Meg unballed her fists. "That was close." She opened a jewelry box and emptied it of all contents, just throwing her jewelry into an open drawer. Then, putting up the flower to her face, Meg sniffed it before placing it carefully in her box. "That should keep it safe." She hid the box underneath her bed, then proceeded with her make up and hair again. Of course, Meg wasn't really a singer, or so everyone thought. They were all focused on Christine to actually pay attention to the blonde. "Still, she's a good person. She's beautiful, without a doubt, but, I could outmatch her if I tried." She started humming an old song as she put in a pair of pearl earrings.

 

[Guile]

Erik felt as if he were walking on air, as if he were the king of the world. Nothing had ever made him feel this good as his reunion with Christine today had. Not only had he seen her again - something he thought he would die without experiencing again - but he had been there for the birth of his son. Another thing I thought would never happen. I held my son, my Gustav, in my arms. He is so small, so frail and innocent! Erik ended up wandering around the area, just thinking about what had happened that day. And Meg...she understands. She's hurting, I am sure, but perhaps I can help her get through this. She will find another man - one that will love only her and take care of her. I cannot provide that for her. She should not want me. I am too...lost. Lost in my own world, thinking always of Christine.