A/N: So this chapter isn't nearly as long as I hoped it would be. But it's all I got. Hopefully the two chapters I just updated will hold you guys for a bit. PLEASE review. I'll update again as soon as I can. Oh, and I almost forgot. One of my reviews for chapter 13 was (and I quote) Guest: Would you let her! Since I cannot PM you, I give you this brief messgae:

Guest: No, I wouldn't... that's why the story isn't over yet.

Anywho, review. Tell me your thoughts, ideas, etc. Thanks for being patient with me! :D

{Rose Diamund}

The Wicked

15. A Little Fall of Rain

The early afternoon was warm, a cheerful yellow sun pointed down upon Paris, warming the spring air. And despite the lovely weather, Christine Daae was miserable. Nine weeks had passed since she had last seen Erik, and since then not a note was given to the Opera owners. There hadn't been a warning, or any command from the Opera Ghost. It was almost as if he really had disappeared – although she knew he'd never leave his lair. Or would he? Christine rolled back her shoulders until her back was touching the leather seats of the carriage. She tilted her head to see out the window better, and then called to the carriage driver, "Just here will be fine, Monsieur."

The driver stopped, and Christine handed him a few coins for the trip. She walked toward the cemetery, carrying a small bouquet of flowers in her hands. She came to her father's grave, and sat down the flowers, "Father." She whispered, staring up at the huge stone grave, "you promised me to guide me. You promised that you'd send me an Angel." Her voice cracked as she spoke, and a huge lump grew in her throat, "but you have not given me an Angel father, you have given me a man, so deceitful and cruel. Your promises have been untrue. I am still suffering, every time I am awake." Tears fell down her face, "But I still wait for you. I still yearn for your help and guidance, for I need it now more than ever." Christine raised her eyes to the sky, to see that a few light grey clouds had rolled in front of the sun. "Father?" She whispered to the sky, and she closed her eyes, blocking a tear from falling down her cheek. "Please protect me. Please help me. Forgive me, please. Forgive me."

From behind the large stone grave, Erik listened closely, his eyes closed at the sound of his beautiful Christine's voice. She sounded so lost, so scared. Once, he would have been the one to coax her. But not anymore. And then the words he had prayed so much not to hear escaped her lips.

"Father, I have married Raoul. Do you remember him? My old friend. Our old friend. He had returned to the Opera. Father, he says he loves me. But," Her voice grew soft, "I don't believe I could say it back to him and truly mean it. Because…"

Erik held his breath, straining back sobs.

"Because there was someone else. But… he is gone now. I think he'll always be gone."

Erik couldn't help but look at her, her hair tied back. Her eyes shimmering with tears. She was sitting on the steps, eyes raised to the top of the grave, which read DAAE.

A cry escaped her lips, "I can't live without him. I have been waiting all these weeks… Almost two months he has left me."

A light drizzle began to fall from the heavens, and each raindrop shimmered in the veiled sunlight like a diamond.

"But there are some things that are worse… much worse…" She sobbed to the skies, rain mixing with her tears. Only, the rain was warm and tender, but her tears were cold. Cold like her heart. "I can hardly confess it, even to you."

Erik pressed himself into the wall of stone. He felt a stick crack underneath his boot.

Christine looked up, "Is someone there?"

Damn. Erik cursed himself for being such a fool. Why had he followed her here?

Christine's face went from confusion to utter horror, her whisper was urgent, "Erik?" Her voice grew louder, "Erik?" Nothing stirred. "Erik! Please!" She was almost screaming now, and the rain fell down harder. Her eyes wandered, but then, slowly she stood up. She walked carefully towards the back of the huge grave.

And the she saw him.

Her face was a mix of anger and relief. "Why are you here?" She screamed over the storm that was growing minute by minute.

"I needed to see you, Christine."

"Do you have any idea how much grief you caused me? Disappearing for all this time? Do you know – "

"Yes, Christine. Believe me, I know."

Christine's voice grew quiet, and her expression turned to fear, "No." She said, "You don't know. Nobody does."

"What do you mean?" Erik inquired.

She shook her head, tears – or raindrops? – falling off her face. "Oh, God. Nobody was supposed to find out."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry Erik. I'm sorry for everything. Everything. I've married Raoul and now it's all gone wrong." Christine cried miserably.

Erik took a step forward, seeing Christine flinch as he did. He gritted his teeth, she was still frightened of him. "Christine, please. You'll get sick – "

"It would be for the best if I was," Christine replied.

Erik shook his head, "What has happened? Please, you were about to tell your father – "

"I can't. Oh, God I can't."

"Christine – "

"You don't understand!" She whimpered, "God help me." She mumbled under her breath. She began to sob harder as the rain picked up, her breathing became uneven. "I'm so sorry," She kept whispering. And Erik wasn't sure to whom she was speaking.

Finally, she looked up at him and whispered to him, "Please forgive me."

"Oh, Christine." Erik replied, "What would I forgive you for?"

Christine's head spun, and she almost wasn't able to allow the words to escape her mouth. It all felt unreal. Like Erik couldn't be there, like it was all a dream. And oh, God, did she wish that it was. She swallowed hard, looking up at Erik with eyes that were so desperate and sorrowful. She shivered at the cold of the rain, but she told herself how she deserved it. She was a whore, as Raoul had said. She was a fool. What had she done? Her voice was hardly audible over the storm, and when the words left her mouth Erik's heart stopped beating in his chest. "I'm pregnant."