Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera, its characters or songs.
Please enjoy the fourth chapter: The Music of Memory.
This chapter starts somewhere in the midst of Erik's reading and piano playing.
Christine slowly closed the door behind them and turned around to sit on her favorite golden chaise lounge. Gilles had taken the India green armchair that sat beside a light brown oak table. "Doctor Gilles, have you discovered what plagues my husband's mind? I do not want to be in the dark, and do not tell me the answer is not for a proper lady's ears, for we both know I am much more than proper."
Gilles smiled at Christine's remark. "Have I not told to call me Gilles? Christine, I know for a definite fact that you have not been a proper lady for the last five years." He shook his head. "But we are not talking about you, we are discussing Erik's situation. Christine, Erik has amnesia. I do not know the cause, so I will need more time to discover it. And there is another thing I'd like to discuss with you before I leave."
Christine looked at Gilles with curiosity. "Please feel free to."
Gilles took a deep breath. He slowly told Christine the news.
Christine stared at him, wide-eyed. "Are you sure?" she asked uncertainly. "Maybe it's just a fluke?"
Gilles shook his head. "No, Christine, as it was the last time, it is definitely not a fluke. Congratulations. Or perhaps I should say I'm sorry. I'm not sure which is more appropriate."
"Are you sure positive, Gilles? I cannot bear any jokes at the moment," Christine added. She so hoped her ear had deceived her, but Gilles' eyes read true.
"As I have told you many times, Christine, I did not go through five years of medical school training to become a physician on your behalf and not use all my knowledge I have gained. Really, Christine, you know me better than that." Christine apologized for disbelieving the considerate doctor who had done so much for both her and her family. "Apology accepted. I know it is hard to hear this type of news when your husband has just forgotten everything he holds dear. It's shocking."
Gilles patted Christine's hand gently and looked into her eyes with remorse. "Would you like the twins to stay with Jacqueline and myself for a few more days? My wife simply loves them; she has become very fond of them both. Little Carla is a vision of you, with her father's talent. She been a great help with Jacqueline, like a little nurse. Dimitri is an outstanding young boy even for four years. He's like his father in talents, looks—apart for the fact that he did not inherit his father's… ah… face… and he is very protective of his sister. Isn't Carla the older of the two?" Christine laughed. Oh how she missed her little angels. She loved them both so dearly and did not wish to be separated from them for long periods of time.
"It would be best if they stayed with you for a little while longer. I cannot bear to see either of their faces if they learn of what has befallen on their father. I just cannot."
Gilles nodded. "I know it's hard, Christine, but you must not keep this secret from your family, my dear. Secrets can taint and destroy relationships that have proven to withstand the test of time. Oh, and I almost forgot. Monsieur Firmin is hosting a masquerade ball to celebrate the New Year; you and Erik are invited. In fact, if you both are not present, I will drag you and your talented husband here by the hair. So, really, it is mandatory that you both attend."
Christine shook her head and smiled. "If my doctor commands."
Gilles smiled. "Yes, I do." That was all he had to say. The two burst into laughter. "It will be in three days' time. Will you accompany me to the door?"
"Of course." Christine smiled, grabbing Gilles arm as they walked towards the front doors. "If I will see you at the masque then and am I to guess the twins will be with you?"
Gilles said nothing but placed his hat on with a large smile and began his trip home. Christine laughed as she closed the door. She began walking towards the library when she heard the beginning of a memorable song. She smiled and gently leaned against the door, pressing her ear to the wood material just in time for the lyrics to begin.
In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind
As Christine sang, she walked slowly towards the piano, a trace-like look on her face. Erik turned to see her walk towards him as she continued to sing until it was his turn sing.
Sing once again with me, our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn form me to glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind
He sang as his fingers gently caressed the pianos ivory keys. Christine placed careful hands around his mask and slowly took it off.
Those who have seen your face draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear
She gently kissed his deformed face.
It's me they hear
Their voices began to meld together as they continued the beautiful song.
Christine:
Your spirit and my voice
Erik:
My spirit and your voice
Both:
In one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside
Christine:
My mind
Erik:
Your mind
Their voices echoed through the large room, flowing together in a beautiful harmony as the song soon came to an end.
He is there the Phantom of the Opera
He is there the Phantom of the Opera
Her voice began to turn from lyrics to a beautiful vocalized sound as Erik sang on.
Sing my Angel of Music
Sing my angel
Sing for me
Sing my angel
Sing for me
The song slowly ended and the voices of the two began to fade from the walls of the room. Christine took a deep breath. "I have not sung with you for years. I don't know why we even stopped. Our harmony is perfect." She gently placed his mask back upon his face.
"Would you like to sing another duet with me?" Christine nodded and went to grab the very song she wanted to sing with him once again. She walked back, carefully holding the song's score in her hands. "This one?" Erik asked, astonish by her choice.
"This one." Erik sighed and turned to the line where Christine wished to start. The silence in the room was soon filled again by the piano's amazing sound. Christine's voice soon accompanied the piano's music in harmony.
No thoughts within her head, but thoughts of joy
No dreams within her heart but dreams of love!
"Erik would you please skip ahead to here?" Christine asked pointing to the spot. Erik nodded and began to sing the lyrics.
You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now
Has been silent, silent
I have brought you that our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses
Completely succumbed to me now you are here with me
No second thoughts you've decided, decided
Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end
Past all thought of "if" or "when"
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
What raging FIRE shall flood the soul
What rich desire unlocks it's door
What sweet seduction lies before us?
Past the point of no return the final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets will we learn
Beyond the point of no return?
Christine began to sing with a deep feeling of love in her heart, the same emotion she felt the night they had first sung the passionate song.
You have brought me to that moment when words run dry
To that moment when speech disappears into silence, silence
I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining
Defenseless and silent, now I am here with you
No second thoughts I've decided, decided
Past the point of no return
No going back now
Our passion-play has now at last begun
Past all thought of right or wrong
One final question
How long should we two wait before we're one?
When will the blood begin to race
The sleeping bud burst into bloom
When will the flames at last CONSUME us?
Christine and Erik held each other's gazes as they began to harmonize their voices, filled with power and passion.
Past the point of no return the final threshold
The bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return.
As the lyrics ended, Erik grabbed her hands and stared into her eyes with love and sadness as his voice once again filled the air.
Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me from my solitude
Say you want me with you here beside you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Christine that's all I ask of…
Christine grabbed Erik gently and pressed her lips to his. Erik's eyes widened, but soon he closed his eyes and deepened the kiss. It lasted only a few moments, but it left them both breathless. "I am sorry, Christine, I do not what come over me. I should go." He lifted himself off the piano bench and began to leave the room. Christine knew if she didn't do something soon, he would become distant. A thought came to mind, and she took in a breath and allowed her voice to fill the room once more.
Remember me, remember the time
We spent side by side
Think of me now and forever
Please Erik try
You always said our love was evergreen
And as unchanging as the sea
So if you can still remember
Please remember me
Erik turned and stared at Christine, his voice suddenly filling her ears.
I never knew of the life with you
Or that I never left your side
If I could change the past
I would forever try
Erik walked toward Christine and gently touched his hand to her face.
Erik, you were the one I knew
Who would stay with me until the end
So if you can try
Please try to remember me
Flowers fade the fruits of summer fade
But our love will never die
Even if you left me
I'll remember
Erik pressed his lips roughly to Christine's. Christine pushed away for a second and they both finished the song.
YOU!
"Oh, Christine," Erik said as he kissed her once again, deeper than before. "How did I ever forget you?" Christine stared at him.
"What do you mean?" Christine stared at him with hope swelling in her heart. "Do you remember?" Eric looked at her with an odd expression on his face. "Erik?"
"I do not know what I've remembered but I know that I have many more memories to retrieve before I am cured."
Christine kissed her husband's lips again gently. "And I will help you."