Angel of Music
"Momma, when's daddy going to be home?"
"I'm not sure, why don't you go play with your dolls."
"Momma can you tell me a story?"
"Not right now Lotte, go play by yourself for now, I'll tell you a story later."
Christine de Chagny sighed as she watched her daughter go upstairs. It's been nearly 7 years since the chandelier crash, since her career at the opera house, since she married Raoul, since the Phantom…… She couldn't help it when times like this happened, when her thoughts would drift back to him and the life she had at the opera house.
It was not rebuilt and Andre and Firmin had moved to Australia. All the other people at the opera house were now at other opera houses or have different jobs.
Christine couldn't help thinking about the Phantom again. He had given her everything and only asked to be loved in return. He was so dark, enchanting, mysterious……..but in the end he was only a man.
"Countess?"
Christine was immediately brought back to reality.
"What is it Richard?" She asked their butler.
"The Vicomte has sent note that he will not be returning tonight."
Christine nodded and Richard left the room. She decided she should go upstairs to tell Lotte the story she promised. When she entered Lotte's room she was immediately greeted by Lotte jumping into her arms.
"Momma are you going to tell me a story now?" Lotte asked eagerly.
"Yes Lotte, I'll tell you a story about ……hmm……the Angel of Music." Christine answered. She knew Raoul wouldn't like her talking to their daughter about the past, but he wasn't here right now.
"Once there was a chorus girl that lived in the opera house. Her father had died but he promised he would send the Angel of Music to her. Then one day when she was praying to her father she heard his voice. The Angel of music was singing to her through the walls! He would sing to her softly and comfort her. He was warm and gentle and patient with her. He also tutored her everyday so her voice improved greatly. One day the Angel took her to his home and confessed his love for her. That's when she found out that he was only a man hidden behind a mask because he had a terrible deformity."
"Did she love the Angel?"
"Yes, she did. She loved his voice and the way he sang to her. But there was another man she loved, they were the best of friends when they were younger. He was handsome and he promised her that he would love her and protect her."
Lotte's eyes widened in curiosity as Christine continues.
"So she left the Angel and went with the other man." Christine was starting to feel her old wounds open up again.
"But why? She loved the Angel didn't she?" Lotte's expression looked almost worried.
"Well yes," Christine explained. "but he was a ugly monster that hid behind a mask."
After a long time both mother and daughter were deep in thought.
"I would have chosen the Angel." Lotte said finally breaking the silence.
"Why is that?" Christine asked her eyes starting to water.
"Because you told me that people should not be judged by what they look like on the outside, but by what they are like on the inside."
Christine was fighting to hold back her tears now.
"And the Angel was beautiful on the inside" Lotte continued, "He was beautiful for his voice and he's love for her.
By now Christine's cheeks were wet with tears.
The End