After the Ashes: The Phantom of the Opera After a Year
Chapter I:Returning Home Raoul's Point of View
A/N: This is basically an R/C PhanPhic based on the movie and the book combined, basically whatever parts I liked best from each. It does have the same characters and their personalities as they appear in the movie. So, hopefully, you enjoy... (Oh, and NO Raoul-bashing, Okay???)
I heard myself sighing yet another sigh. Christine smiled gently at me. I wondered if she felt the same way I did; that longing to be home, but the sad reality that summer, and our beautiful, beloved house by the sea was yet again over. I was, though, quite excited to be back in Paris, the place which I had loved, since I had seen it when I was young. I was quite fascinated with the garnier architecture, and the romantic phantasmal aura that buzzed in the Parisian streets. But this, of course wasn't what convinced me to come home early, at Christine's childing and big brown eyed stares.
I smiled to myself. I had spoken to the manager, Monsieur, du Bourg, the gentleman who had boughten the Populaire from M. Andre, and Firmin, for quite a sum. I felt a small grin work at my features. The small man seemed nothing like the previous owners. Quite practical, and very artistic, saying he had studied music for quite a time. As for the Phantom stories, he refused to believe a one; saying that they were mere coincidental tricks, and that, "Artists, you never know, Monsieur. Some can be quite a bit eccentric." I had swallowed back a snort. If the man only knew. Hopefully he wouldn't have to find out how wrong he was.
My mind pondered over this, until I glanced absentmindedly out the window as we were passing the Populaire, the connection to my recent train of thought. But now, my attention was now directed at Christine. She had that look in her eyes, and I knew. She was thinking-- dwelling on "him".-Erik, the Phantom. He was the very man that I hated, and just the thought made my blood boil with anger for all that he had put both Christine and I through. But in spite of all of that, I knew Christine still felt a compassion for the man. But that's the way she was, Little Lotte, she was sweet, young and innocent; and she always had a fascination for her angel of music. My mind reminisced to that day that Mouisuer Daae had told us that story, of Little Lotte and her angel.
Now my head was spinning, and I was remembering all that had happened to her and I in the past year. It had been an unthinkable time. Christine and I had gotten engaged filling my world with bliss. But Erik had other plans- plans that had shattered Lotte's fragile heart in two, and seeing that, nearly crushed my own. My thoughts were brought to a halt, along with the carriage. I soon found Christine's lovely eyes looking upon me. "Raoul", she said nearly laughing, "Come; have you forgotten what we have come home for?" Christine was right, I had forgotten. But then, I thought with a smirk, she usually was. She and I walked toward the doorstep, Christine still grinning, probably over my recent memory lapse. She adjusted the small ring on her finger, making it sparkle in the late afternoon sun. And seeing her sweet smile and loving brown eyes, I couldn't help beaming in return.