Christine awoke early in the morning, quickly heading to the small bathroom to get dressed. She frowned at the sight of her large, swelling stomach. She grabbed her corset and tied it as tight as she could, squishing her stomach down a bit. Four months had passed since she came to London and her pregnancy was becoming obvious. She was around 5 months along and was really feeling it. She was growing weaker each dat and going through far more pain than any normal woman would go throughwhile pregnant. Lately, Christine had been feeling alone and miserable, even though she had Annette watching over her. Christine tied the corset as tight as she could, trying to conceal as much of the buldging stomach as she could. Christine sighed and stood up as straight as she could. Slipping the rest of her clothing on, she pulled back her hair and headed downstairs. As soon as she got into her workroom, she knew something asn't right. She clenched her teeth as pain shuddered through her body. She tried to focus on her work, but found she couldn't. The pain she'd been going through lately was unbearable. She had to tell Annette. She'd been trying to avoid telling Annette that she was ill for some time, but she could not hide the pain anymore. Christine slowly made her way out to the front desk, seeing Annette hunched over some paperwork.
"Annette... may I speak to you?" She asked nervously.
The older woman looked up to Christine. "You do not look well," she said, examining her face. "Are you ill, child?"
Christine bit her lip and nodded. Annette stood and went to Christine.
"I knew this would happen eventually. It is just dye fumes, darling. I have another job you may do, I will put someone else on the dye room. Follow me."
Christine was shocked. Dye fumes? She didn't even have to lie! She followed her employer down to the storage room.
"Every week, sometimes twice a week, I make deliveries to the Opera House being built across town. The owner loves the costumes my girls can make and places new orders all the time. The first production at the Opera House will be a big one, too, so we must deliver at least every week before the Opera House opens. Would you be interested in delivering with me? I could sure use some help."
Christine looked at all the costumes. She longed to be back in a theatre, even if she was not the one onstage. She quickly agreed.
"Good! Here, help me grab a few costumes. I will take you on my delivery today. Come now," she said, showing Christine which costumes to take.
Grabbing as much as she could carry, Christine made her way out to a carriage Annette had gotten to take them to the Opera House. They made the short trip down to the location and Annette quickly got up, moving very fast for a woman her age. Christine followed, quickly looking around the building as she walked. It was magnificant! The high ceilings were covered in murals and marble pillars lined the walls. Annette chuckled as she saw how amazed Christine was. "The owner designed this building. He is quite the man." Christine smiled and went back to the costume storage room. After hanging up all the costumes, Annette led her back out. Christine froze when she head a familiar voice coming form the theatre. She peeked in one of the doors, stunned by who the voice came from.
A masked man stood onstage, directing the company around.
Erik.
Christine's mouth flew open in shock, not believing what she was seeing. He was there, just across the theatre from her. Before she could process her thoughts, Annette had taken her arm gently.
"I know it is fun to watch rehearsals, but I'm afraid we have a few other deliveries to do," she said, pulling Christine from the door.
Christine couldn't believe it. He was here, in London! Why had he come here? Why had he left her in Paris? When they got back into the carriage, Christine quickly turned to Annette.
"Madame, who is the man who owns that Opera House?" she asked.
Annette looked up from the costumes. "Well, I believe his name is Erik, my dear. He is a very good man, but very mysterious. He wears a mask to hide half of his face, you see. But he is very kind and I can tell that he very much enjoys his job. I believe he is from Paris, just like you!"
Christine's heart pounded in her chest. It was him. As much as she wanted to speak to him, she would not let him know she was in London. She was still a bit angry that he left her, especially when she really needed him. But she did want to see him, just to see him still alive and happy was a blessing. So Christine continued to deliver with Annette to the Opera House every week, always making sure to take a peek into the theatre to see her angel.