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     I ran towards the theatre, my thoughts a tangled mess and my clothes soaked through from the rain. Even as I stepped across the threshold and into the lobby, I knew something was wrong. It was too quiet.

     "Oh no. No, no, no," I muttered, my breath hitching. "Please don't tell me I missed it."

     The gala celebrating The Phantom of the Opera's twenty-fifth anniversary was taking place this evening, but there was supposed to be a performance of the production beforehand, starring Sierra Boggess as Christine Daaé and my boyfriend, Hugh Panaro, in the titular role. Glancing down at my watch, I saw that the performance was supposed to start in fifteen minutes, and yet, there was no one around. I'd managed to get another nurse to cover my shift so I wouldn't miss the show, but there didn't seem to be a show.

     Surely Hugh would've told me if they moved the performance up, I thought. Maybe they delayed it because of the rain?

     Walking through the inner doors and toward the lowest level of seating, finding the theatre dark except for a single spotlight, which shone down on the stage. Moving to one of the cushioned seats and slumping against its velvet-lined exterior, I rummaged through my purse and eventually found my phone. With a weary sigh, I selected Hugh's number and held the phone to my ear.

     When he answered, I asked, "Hey, where is everyone? Aren't you supposed to start soon?"

     "No," he answered smugly. "That was a lie."

     "What?" I said, practically yelling into my phone. "Do you know how hard it was to change my shift? I'm already stressed as it is, I don't need anymore anxiety."

     Silence reigned on the other end, and I feared I had been too harsh.

     Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I started, "Look, Hugh, I'm—"

     Before I could finish, something moved onstage, and I looked up to find Hugh stepping into the spotlight. His polished dress shoes sparkled and he wore a white dress shirt and bow tie beneath a black waistcoat, trousers, and tuxedo. He held out his hand, silently beckoning me to join him onstage. Unsure of what was about to happen, I slowly got to my feet, walking towards the stage and up the steps. I began to apologize for snapping over the phone, but he stopped me before I could finish.

     Clasping his hands behind his back, Hugh smiled, "Forgive my deception. The show is today, but not until this evening. For now, we have the theatre to ourselves."

     I arched an eyebrow, "Then why'd you have me come so early?"

     "Because, my dear angel, it's our third anniversary," he replied, guilt seizing my heart in its grasp and twisting painfully.

     My hand flew to my mouth, "Oh my God, I can't believe I forgot about our anniversary. I'm such a terrible girlfriend. I—"

     "Stop, stop, stop," Hugh interrupted, rushing forward and taking my hands in his. "Just stop. You're not a horrible girlfriend, and this was meant to be a surprise, anyway, so I'm actually glad you forgot. Otherwise, you would've suspected something."

     A small smile crept onto my face, and Hugh tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, his hand resting lightly on my cheek. As if just noticing my haggard appearance, Hugh's brow furrowed with concern and he whisked me off to his dressing room, insisting that I dry off.

     When I told Hugh I hadn't thought to bring a change of clothes, a mischievous glint twinkled in his eye and he said, "Not to worry, there are plenty of costumes for you to borrow. This is a theatre, after all."

     Lowering me into one of the armchairs, he quickly disappeared into the hall, reappearing a moment later with the white nightgown Christine Daaé wore when the Phantom first brought her down to his lair.

     When I saw the outfit and rolled my eyes, Hugh shruggled innocently, "What? We can't have you catching a cold, now can we, Miss Violet?"

     Begrudgingly, I slipped into the nightgown - which was surprisingly soft against my skin - and tied the sash. Once I had done so, Hugh reached into an interior pocket of his tuxedo and produced a red rose with a black ribbon tied around its stem. Smiling, I took the rose and inhaled its heavenly scent, my shoulders relaxing as some of the tension melted away.

     "Now, Mademoiselle, if you would..." Hugh said, his voice dropping several octaves as he offered me his arm.

     I blushed and took his arm, allowing him to lead me back to the stage, which had made a miraculous transformation in the short time we had been backstage. Soft candlelight reflected eerily in the fog that seeped over the edge of the stage, concealing the floor underfoot. Upstage, an iron gate had lowered into place and the shape of an antique mirror was recognizable beneath a large sheet.

     I gasped softly, and when I turned to Hugh, he smiled and sang:

"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.

Silently the senses abandon their defenses..."

     Gesturing for me to stay where I was, Hugh stepped over to the podium in front of the organ, flourishing to the room around us:

"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor.

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender.

Turn your face away from the garish light of day!

Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light,

and listen to the music of the night."

     If there had been a light in that darkness, my gaze would not have been drawn to it, for my eyes were fixed solely on the mesmerizing man before me. Outstretching his arm towards me, he pinched his thumb and middle finger together:

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams.

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar.

And you'll live as you've never lived before."

     Slowly, he stepped down from the platform, his eyes never leaving mine as he drifted towards me:

"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.

Open up your mind!

Let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness,

which you know you cannot fight.

The darkness of the music of the night."

     His hand slid to my waist and he slowly turned me in a circle, gesturing to the magical scene around us:

"Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world.

Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!

Let your soul take you where you long to be!

Only then, can you belong to me."

     Hugh's voice softened to a whisper and his arm wrapped around my torso, pulling me closer so my back was pressed against his chest. When I relaxed against him, I could feel his heart pounding, my own heart beating in time with his. His cheek pressed against mine, he slowly rocked me back and forth:

"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication.

Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation."

     He brought my hand to his face and spun me around:

"Let the dream begin!

Let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write.

The power of the music of the night!"

     Grasping my hands in his, he led me toward the mirror, speaking the last two lines as he got down onto one knee, "You, alone, can make my song take. Violet, help me make the music of the night."

     He tore the sheet from the mirror and I turned to find Sierra standing in Christine's wedding dress, grinning from ear-to-ear as she handed a small box lined with blue velvet to Hugh. When he opened the box to reveal the most breathtaking engagement ring I had ever seen, I tried to speak, but words eluded me.

     "Well, my angel, will you marry me?" he asked, and I choked back a sob, nodding emphatically.

     "Yes, yes, of course!" I shouted, jumping up and down and tackling Hugh into a bear hug once he had slipped the ring onto my finger.

     He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly as I kissed him, Sierra hugging the both of us as the rest of the cast emerged from the wings to congratulate us.