The Fifth Cellar (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 44 - Angels

Erik's POV:

My heart stopped as I screamed her name. The doctor who had gone to wash his hands came running back in. He stared at me and Eva then sprang into action. I couldn't think. For the first time in my life I needed help. I never needed help. I was self-sufficient. But I needed help now. I had lost my wife. I watched as the doctor and Daroga tried to bring her back. I couldn't hear anything. My ears were ringing. Suddenly our whole lives flashed back through my mind. When I had first met her and let her live. When she told me we were friend. When she helped me try to win Christine and I was only thinking Christine. When Christine left and I realized I loved Eva. When she told me she loved me. When we were married. When... when... when. Everything went through my mind. I held my hands over my ears and tried to block out the voices. The signs of madness. Daroga grabbed me and pushed me out the door. I walked down to the living room and collapsing onto the floor, started to sob. I had lost my love again. I looked around and realized that Daroga must have taken the baby from me. It was a good thing probably. I would have to raise her alone. I would live for her and her alone. There was nothing left for me. Had it not been for her I would have hung myself. I would have died but I couldn't abandon her. I wouldn't be selfish. I crawled to the couch and curled up on it. I stared at the wall and tried to reconcile what I was feeling. This was more than I thought I could handle. Suddenly I heard a notice at the door. I shot a glare at whoever was there. It was Daroga. His hands were covered in blood. He sighed and said,

"Erik, she is alive but unconscious. During the birth she lost a lot of blood and almost bled to death. The doctor managed to save her life. She will be weak for a while but he thinks she will live." I couldn't believe it. I had seen her die. But she was alive. I felt the weight of the world come off my shoulders as I shot up.

"Can I go in?" Daroga nodded. I ran up the stairs and burst into the room. I stared down at her form and was so relieved to see the color in her cheeks. I looked toward the doctor and walked toward him. I extended my hand and said,

"Thank you." He took it firmly and didn't flinch. I sat down beside her and he laid Belle in my arms. I looked down at my daughter and heard the doctor's voice break the silence.

"Monsieur Destler, she had a hard time of it. It might not be wise to have more children." I looked up at him. I smiled slightly but he couldn't see it because of the mask. We had run the risk once and it had almost killed my wife. I looked down at her form.

"I wasn't going to try again anyway. There is a high likely hood that the child would look a lot more like me then Belle does." The doctor raised his eyebrows.

"Does it have something to do with the mask?" I nodded. He smiled.

"Well, may I take a guess who you are?" I looked toward him and knew my eyes were glowing. I nodded. He might as well.

"Am I in the presence of the Phantom of the Opera?" I shot him a glare. How did everyone know who I was? He quickly answered my unasked question.

"Because how many men look like you? I can tell you are no fool. Besides, Nadir said that you had a odd past. I took a gamble that I was right. As a doctor I suspect that your deformity is hereditary. But it seems your girl escaped. If you had more they might also escape. But for your wife's health I would say don't have any more. Good night and keep them safe. Good bye, Monsieur Opera Ghost. I know you can protect them." He smiled and walked away. I looked back at my wife and ran my fingers through her hair. I was tired and slipped in beside her. I held her close to my heart with one arm and my baby with the other. I kissed her forehead and said,

"I love you." She shifted in my arms and whispered back,

"I love you more." I laughed.

"Not possible. Rest." She seemed to relax and while I stayed awake and watched over my sleeping angels. I had once thought that Christine was my angel. But no, Eva and Belle were my angels. The pain of loss had been replaced by the joy of the reunion. I would never let either of them go. I loved them too much. I knew one day my daughter would find a boy she loved and they would want to start their own family and I would allow it. But until then I would protect Belle with my life. If anyone tried to touch them, they wouldn't live for long. No one touches what is mine. Mine. I thought to myself. I finally had someone I could call that. It was a good feeling.