Erik's POV:

I didn't know why I asked her that. She might love me but no one would ever want to bind themselves to me. That she even said she wanted to stay with me forever was shocking. But marrying me mean she was mine. I didn't want to scare her away but I wanted a wife and family. She looked so shocked. I lowered my head as I realized she must not want to. Tears were pouring down her face as she grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet. A moment later she was kissing me like there was no tomorrow. I wasn't sure what this was about but maybe she wasn't rejecting me. She pulled away and hugged me.

“Erik, I will marry you.” I crushed her against me as I realized what had just happened. I would be normal. I would have a normal wife and family. A normal life. This young ballet rat was going to give me that. No, she wasn't a ballet rat, she was Eva and the love of my life. I had a wife.

Evangeline's POV:

I couldn't believe what he had just asked me. I didn't think he would have the courage to do it. At first I didn't know what do say. Then he looked down and I realized he must be thinking. That is when I kissed him. I hoped it would do something about the fears that were rising in his mind. I told him I would marry him and hugged him. When he pulled me against him I knew he wasn't ever going to let me go. He led me back to the chair and I settled into his lap again. He slipped the ring on my finger and I admired the plain gold band. I wasn't one for flashy jewelry so I was very happy that it was plain. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran my fingers over his black hair. It was so soft. I was one lucky woman. He held me close and didn't say anything. I looked at his face and saw tears running down his cheeks. I quickly wiped them away. As I did this I remembered when we had wished on the shooting star.

“Remember, Erik? Remember when we were on top of the Opera House and we wished on that shooting star?” He nodded. I smiled and continued, “I told you a lie up there. I told you that I wished that your wish would come true. I really want that but the wish I wished on the shooting star was that I could be your wife. I knew you loved Christine and my heart broke.” He stared at me in shock.

“Then why did you encourage me to go after Christine?” I could see his confusion.

“Because she was perfect. She was beautiful and talented. She had your heart and I didn't. I knew that losing her would break you. I didn't want you to be hurt. That is why I did my best to put you two together even though it broke my heart.” He pulled me against him and whispered,

“I will never break your heart again if I can help it. I promise to make you as happy as I can.” I smiled and said,

“I promise the same to you.” I laid my head on his heart and listened to the steady beating. Then I remembered something.

“Erik, how are we going to get married? You are a wanted criminal.” He sighed and said,

“I don't know. I was kinda hoping we could find a priest that would be willing to keep quiet for enough money. I am a wealthy man.” I thought about it for a moment.

“Erik, did you have a plan for alerting the world to your death?” Erik gave me the weirdest look.

“Yes, Christine was supposed to put a notification in the paper, stating that I was dead.” I smiled and said,

“I have a plan. How does it sound to you if we get married in Spain? I know a minister there who would marry us. And we could put a notification in the paper stating your death and no one would know the difference except for Christine and Raoul and we could write them a note to keep quiet.” Erik looked at me and raised his eyebrows.

“Would we be staying with the same relatives you went to see two weeks ago?” I nodded. My uncle was an accepting man and wouldn't mind Erik too much. Erik sighed and said,

“Well, I guess we better start packing. We are going to Spain.”