A/N Here is the next chapter. I hope that you all enjoy it and please let me know what you think of the basic outline so far. I hope to make this story really fantastic so your help would me the world to me. I love criticism, but don't be rude.

Please review

Stephanie Lynn

Ch. 3

Christine nervously paced back and forth through the foyer of her home. So many thoughts were flying through her head, but she just hoped that this meeting would have nothing to do with Erik. She didn't need stress caused by him added to her already hectic life. M. Andre would be there soon, but she couldn't stop the strange feeling that was running through her veins.

You are probably worrying over nothing, her mind mused. M. Andre had said he wanted to make a proposition to her husband and her. A proposition consisting of what? She did not know.

"You know that you look absolutely adorable when you worry!" Raoul told her standing in one on the entrance ways that lead to the mansions many corridors.

He looked perfectly handsome where he stood. His hair was pulled back nicely, but a couple of strands hung loosely next to his face making him look relaxed. His blue eyes were shining so brightly and his skin looked beautifully golden. He wore his normal attire of casual yet sophisticated clothing.

"I am not worried about anything!" Christine exclaimed far too unbelievable for even herself to believe it.

Raoul smiled, not being able to control his amusement, at his wife. "Really...Yes, I think I believe you now. You aren't worried about anything at all." He said sarcastically.

Christine, letting herself relax a bit, smiled at her silliness. "I am a nervous wreck…aren't I?" Christine asked embarrassed.

"Tell your husband what has you so worried." Raoul said as he moved closer to her. He embraced Christine and squeezed her tight. He knew what she was worried about because it truth, he too was worried about the same thing. He just wanted Christine to know that he loved her and if it came down to it…he would fight for her heart all over again.

Christine pulled away to look her husband in the eyes. She smiled when she thought about how he had always been with her. Helping her and guiding her with all the love and support a person could want or need. "Okay, so I am very worried, but what if he has to ask us something dreadful. What if Erik has done some other heinous act and they want us to help fix his mistake. What then?" She cried.

Raoul would do his best to hide his fear. Christine needed him to be strong for her. He smiled and rubbed her arms in a soft manner. Smiling he began. "Then we deal with the problem the best way we can. I also don't believe Erik would do that. He let you go, remember. There isn't much more to it."

"You think so?" Christine asked. Her doubt was clearly expressed, but he gave her a reassuring smile.

"I know so, so stop over reacting and be the normal happy, pleasant Christine that I love and adore oh so much." Raoul told her as he pulled her into another hug.

Christine smiled at Raoul's chest. "Thank you my love. You always know what to say to make me feel better." Christine replied.

"Yes I do." Raoul said agreeing.

Christine smiled and was about to playfully give a rebuttal when a knock was heard at the door. Christine felt her body tense up. She looked over at the door then slowly she turned to look at Raoul.

Looking down at Christine he gave her another reassuring smile. "Go to my study and wait. I will escort M. Andre there myself." Raoul told Christine as he gave her bottom a light tap to send her on her way.

Walking away, Christine chuckled at her husband's playfulness. She walked silently to Raoul's study thinking about what M. Andre could possibly want. She wanted to know so badly that it was killing her and even though she had been curious about Erik the past five or six months that she had been married, she prayed the news had nothing to do with him.

She came to two wooden doors and quietly opened one to enter a very plain and boring room. Raoul's study was never a place she enjoyed being in for too long. She always felt like the dull colors and furniture was sucking the life and happiness out of her. Sadly she walked over and sat in one of the chairs that sat in front of Raoul's desk. She looked around the room once more and took in a deep breath. Here she was…sitting…waiting…with nothing to do.

Of course you have something to do, her mind quipped, you are waiting to know what M. Andre wants from Raoul and you.

Christine shook her head at her mind's sarcastic comment. Trying to calm herself, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Suddenly she was in a different place, a place she could only dream of now…

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation…"

Christine could hear Erik's voice…calling to her…caressing her softly and sweetly. She could see his eyes boring into her body reading the deep layers of her soul. She missed the look of undeniable love that Erik gave her even when she did not deserve it. Erik was something she could believe in even when she knew he wasn't there.

It was his love for her that made it all so believable because no matter what she did she knew Erik would always love her.

"Christine! Christine!" Raoul's voice broke through her vivid hallucination.

Christine opened her eyes to meet the bright blue sparklers of her husband, Raoul de Changy. She smiled, hoping Raoul couldn't see the flushing of her face. She looked over to see M. Andre smiling at the young couple, alarmed that she had forgotten he was there for that single moment she stood up and bowed politely.

"Excuse me, it's lovely to see you again M. Andre." Christine said cheerfully.

Andre smiled in delight. "I would just like to say that I am thrilled that the two of you have agreed to meet with me." He said to Christine and Raoul.

Raoul smiled back, showing that he was ready to get down to business. "Yes, we did agree to take a meeting with you. So now let's get down to business."

Andre smiled and nodded. "Yes, let's begin."

Raoul went and sat behind his desk while Andre took the seat next to Christine. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he finally began to talk.

"I would like to start off saying that without you Madam de Changy, the opera is not doing as well as it could." Andre began nervously. "That is why I want to formally invite you back to the opera as our Prima Donna."

Christine felt her mouth drop open; she had not been expecting that. She couldn't believe what she had just been asked…a chance to go back to the opera, her home. She looked over at Raoul and could see the surprise in his eyes. He looked at her and she could see that he was asking her what she thought. Unsure of how to answer him she looked back at Andre, but she was speechless.

Andre could see the conflict of the young couple. "I know that this is a lot to ask of you. I mean after all that happened, but I believe that you could help bring back the former fame of the Opera Populair." He told them. "People miss your voice."

Christine looked back at Raoul. "What should I do?" She asked.

Raoul ran his hand over his head with a dazed expression. "I am not really sure."

"I know that women of your station don't usually work in opera houses or work altogether, but we would be willing to pay very handsomely. Everything you ask for…you will get." Andre told her. "To ask something else of your family, we would like to also invite the de Changy family back as patrons of the opera."

This time it was Raoul's mouth that flew open.

Andre smiled nervously. "Please take a few days to think it all over and then you can let me know." He said standing up. "I think I should be going now."

"I will walk you out." Raoul replied as he too stood up.

"It was nice to see you again M. Andre." Christine said as he and Raoul began for the door.

"It was nice to see you also, Madam de Changy. Please just come by the opera once you have made a decision." Andre said to both Christine and Raoul

"Yes, we will let you know soon enough." Raoul said.

"Good day." Andre said and walked out the door with Raoul in tow.

Once she saw the door shut she flew out of her seat and began pacing around Raoul's study. What the hell was she going to do? She didn't know. If she went back to work she would see Erik again.

She knew she would because she didn't think she could perform every night on stage without his guidance.

But then again, if she went back to performing on stage the ladies of society would surely have some horrible things to say about her then. Not that they didn't already say mean things about Christine. She wanted to see Erik, but she didn't want to have to deal with society.

She could feel her heart breaking all over again. She knew what she had to do.

She was going home.

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