Chapter 2. I'm on a roll ;). Enjoy ;D
Christine's POV
'Christine Daaé, will you marry me?' Those words would not process my mind. It had been 3 months since Raoul had nearly been shot by meg on that blasted pier. In a way, I was glad he'd left us and sauntered back home to his posh estate with his rich mummy and daddy back in France. It had freed my poor son from my husbands servitude to alcohol and gambling. And now I was happier. Erik gave me things that Raoul never did. But yet I mourned him greatly. He was still my young sweetheart. He was still that boy who left me a single red rose every concert night. But he'd changed when we'd married. Deep down, I knew he'd suspected Gustave's paternity since he was born. Maybe that's how alcohol grabbed him. Gustave had missed Raoul. Of course he would, he was the man who was his 'father' for 10 years. But of course, Erik was his real father. They'd bonded so well. I didn't know if Gustave would accept my angel. But he did. Within 2 months he began to call him papa. I remembered this moment clearly.
'Monsieur Erik?'
'Yes, my son,' Erik asked him looking up from his paper work.
'I drew something for you.' Erik glanced down at the paper. It was labelled 'ma famille'. His heart melted as he saw the neat drawing his son had done for him. 'My angel you have to see this!' He called. I came whirling in, with a bright smile on my face. 'What is it, mon ange?'
'Gustave drew me something I wish for you too see.' On the paper was the three of us. Gustave was on the end with his name underneath. Next to him was a young lady with a beautiful smile. Me. It was labelled 'Christine , mama.' Holding my hand was Erik with his mask positioned exactly to scale on his face. Underneath it said 'Erik, my papa.' Erik gulped back the lump in his throat. Not once had Gustave called him papa. 'Do you mind if I call you papa instead of monsieur Erik?'
'Why of course. I would love you to,' he ruffled his sons hair. Gustave leapt into his arms thankfully. 'Merci beaucoup, papa.' I watched with sympathy. My angel could be so kind when he needed or wanted to. Especially to Gustave. And that was how it had been ever since.
But my mind refocused on Erik's dreaded question. At our romantic candle light dinner. There was only one answer. 'Yes, my angel,' I accepted. Erik breathed out and slipped the ring onto my finger. My face beamed up at him. Finally, I'd marry my Angel of Music, after so may years. To show how much this meant to me, I crushed my lips against his. He slipped his arms around my waist, securing my hold. 'We have to tell Gustave,' I breathed against his lips.
He nodded and added 'it'll have to be tonight. We've got rehearsals for the Don Juan reprise tomorrow. Oh and The De Chagny seniors are coming to assure your divorce is going ahead.'
'Of course, I forgot that,' I whispered. How could I forget?'
'it's easy to forget. And I'm sincerely looking forward to meeting the de Chagny family tomorrow.'
'Erik, do not even think about arguing with the Count and Countess.'
'On the contrary my dear. I was going to come to make sure all goes okay on my sons and fiancé's behalf.' I raised one eyebrow. That wasn't like Erik at all. He sighed knowing I had caught up with his little mind game and diverted the subject. 'Shall we go and grace our news with our son?'
'And Antoinette and Meg.'
'But of course,' he held out his hand.
Erik's POV
She accepted. I was engaged to Christine. She truly loved me. As we walked to The Giry's apartment on the outside of Phantasma, that's all that whirred in my head. Joyous music, filled my mind. It always changed to suit my mood. And my mood now was ecstatic.
We stopped outside the Giry's door. The walk was faster than It normally was. But it didn't matter. Christine knocked on the hard wood. I heard Gustave excitedly shout 'I'll get it, I'll get it!' From inside. Meg swung the door open. 'My my, your early. Come on in.' We scooted into the 3 bedroom apartment that meg shared with her mother. 'Erik! Christine!' Antoinette greeted us happily.
'Mama, papa!' Gustave ran to us as we appeared through the door. I hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go. I love my son with all my heart. Always have, always will. 'We've got news,' Christine spoke. The whole room stopped still and looked at us 'we are to be married.'
Did she just blurt that out? Christine! My flawless cheek turned bright red. I was blushing. I'd never really, properly blushed before. Not as much as I had then. 'Erik is it true?' Antoinette asked
'Yes it is, take a look at Christine's ring,' I lifted her hand which held the sparkling diamond. Megs eyes lit up. 'It's beautiful,' she whispered. Then she laughed and embraced my angel. Both their hearts were full of joy and it leaked out for one precious moment.
Then I remembered Gustave who was staring up at me. I bent down so my eyes were level with his and asked him if he was fine. He suddenly began to whoop hysterically, chanting a little song while he skipped around. Christine pulled away from meg and began to giggle at her son. I had to join in. Gustave was so sweet. 'My Erik,' Antoinette hugged me tightly.
'Will you be attending, Madame?'
'Of course,' she told me 'I wouldn't miss it for the world. You've gone so far, Erik. I never thought you'd fall for someone but who doesn't love Christine? Youve changed so much, since that time I took you to the opera populaire.' She changed the subject when she felt me tense in her embrace 'you two better be going. It's way past Gustave's bedtime.'
'Of course!' I straightened up 'Gustave! Time to go!'
'Aww, papa. Can't we stay a little longer.'
'We certainly cannot. We have an important day ahead of us.'
'Goodnight, Madame Giry. Goodnight Meg,' Christine smiled as we left the flat.
'Mama?' Gustave asked
'Yes, my darling.'
'I'm scared.'
'Why?' I asked with surprise
'Its Raoul's parents, they're really scary.'
'Remember, what your mother told you. Look with your heart and not with your eyes,' I ruffled my sons hair. Gustave nodded and skipped ahead. 'Im not excited to meet them either.'
'They're not all that bad,' Christine assured. My sweet angel, always has a piece in her heart for everyone. Even the fop and his snob family, which personally I don't think possible.
'But you know I don't like people. It's awkward.'
'I'll be there, don't you worry darling,' she kissed me on the cheek. I laughed and pulled her lips around to meet mine. 'Ugh, why do you always have to do that,' Gustave turned away.
'Do what?'
'Kiss! In public!' He shook his head. Christine laughed and broke away from my hold but i did not protest.
