Chapter 37: As Time Goes On.

It is not all together uncommon for human beings to be kind to one another. Kindness is an activity of human nature and yet so is scepticism and hatred. To some, what is different must always be looked on with disdain, and so that is how Erik believed he would always be seen. But compassionate hearts are not altogether unthinkable and he, though unsightly in the physical, was found to be a loving and beautiful person by one who could see deep within and forgo the outward appearance.

And so it was, for Erik and Meg, a beautiful and simple life together. She would not be without him if he would have allowed it and they remained very near to each other at all times. The wedding between them was small and quite. Held within the darkness of the theatre walls, Andre and Firmin, along with the brides mother were the only witnesses aside from God. It hastily took place on the eve of the dramas opening night. Meg wore a simple, white dress, no fancier then a night gown and Erik arrived without his mask. It was but the managers, Madame giry and the priest who were privy to knowing the Phantom's name, aside from his bride and they were sworn to secrecy. Meg could not help but smile through the whole of the service and when he had placed the cold gold ring on her finger she felt as if she would burst with joy. Their vows said and a kiss assured her that he had been feeling the exact same way. It was the happiest moment in either of their lives and they were over joyed to have shared it with each other.

When the service was ended, Meg was whisked off by her mother and into costume and makeup and Erik was left in solitude to marvel at what his life had become. Never had he felt so much happiness in all of his life. Never had he allowed such happiness to befall him and yet he could not deny the happiness of the woman he loved. He gave freely of his feeling to her and felt hers in exchange.

He took his place, shadowed by the curtains of box five and awaited the commencement of his newest work and to behold his bride, dancing only for him, on a night that could not bring more happiness to a man of music. For it was on this night that all of his toils and dispar had been dashed away. He had taken a wife, who loved him, and was soon to be witness to what his life's work had really amounted to.

Nerves had never been a problem to Erik, but on this night there was much to aware of. He wouldn't have admitted to anyone that he was terrified of what was to become of him. Had he been asked three years earlier he would have said he feared nothing, not even death. But on this night he felt a fear greater then anything he had ever anticipated, he was facing the future.

The performance of the Phantoms La Dance du Diable was met with rave reviews. Meg's performance brought the audience to tears. The duets of Genevieve and Rene produced and on stage chemistry that even the audience could not deny. The Opera Populair was once again shining like a star in the world of the arts. Madame Giry was held in great esteem for her ballet. Monsieur Reyer for his music and the Managers for their unusual plot to bring the Phantoms music back to the public. But most of all the Phantom was praised for his musical genius. Something he had always wished for and was never able to have.

Meg was swept up in the adoration of the public once the curtain fell. The back stage area and her dressing room were flooded with admirers but the simple gold ring on her hand was what eased her mind and chased away much of the adoration as she was already taken. However her dance was beyond anything anyone had seen and her skills were in very high demand after that point. She could not escape the offers to travel the world, to perform for royalty and nobility in many countries and yet she refused it all.

Meg had vowed early on she would dance only for Erik and now with her new iconic status she refused to leave the opera populair. When the run of La dance du Diable she vowed, to the press, not to take the stage until the Phantom had finished his newest work. She would dance only to his music as it moved her so deeply. Never did they lead it out that a union within the opera had occurred but the rumor of the Phantoms new love spread deep into the public. Meg disappeared into the darkness of the underground with her new husband as soon as she could escape the masses in the back stage areas.

Into the darkness of opening night, their wedding night, they fled into their palace under ground. And it was in this place that Erik led his new wife to their bridal bed. She did not quiver to behold him and gave of herself freely and passionately to him. He was strong and gentle and felt only their hearts and their passion as he laid with her. Smiling and whispering sweet nothings to each other, a deep, timeless, love had taken hold over them both, for the rest of their days, they could not have been happier. They would, from that moment on, be but one soul.

Erik and Meg were not the only ones to live happily, Andre and Firmin had finally realized what they had set out to do. They had saved the Opera Populair from ruin and gained their own iconic status at the same time. They had been offered many position with many great institution but they were all turned down. Working peacefully with the Phantom had gained them a great ali. Never would they worry again about the stability of their institution as it was always a place for the Phantom to publish his works and to see his beautiful wife alive with dance and moved by his passionate music.

Christine, on the other hand, did not have an easy life. She was left to start all over again and though the rumors of her turmoil and devastating behavior did not follow her into the world, she had to start from the very bottom and never gained any great esteem. She was but a chorus girl and would forever be that as she had long ago lost what the Phantom had given her. She still looked at Meg's fame as a waist of her own talent as it could have all been hers, but it was not to be. She lived and died a Chorus girl.

And so it was, the opera was saved and the music played on. But the greatest surprised of all was that Erik lived happily until his dying days. He had a full and respected musical career, a beautiful loving wife and a family he was most proud of. His son carried on in his footsteps with his musical genius and his mothers fair complection. He went on, under the ever watchful eyes of his father, to gain greatness in the world. But, alas, that is another story.