Meg accompanied me to my dressing room to help me pack my few belongings. It seems unreal to me that only moments ago we were discussing plans for me to be wed. As we begin, Meg hesitantly asks "Christine, do you really love him?" I smile at this timid question. "Yes, Meg, I really do. You know how miserable I've been lately. It's because he has stayed away from me. I hurt him terribly, and he left me. And it's been horrible without him." I look away, overcome with my feelings and feeling a little embarrassed at my candor. I wonder briefly if Erik is overhearing this from behind the mirror or any of his hiding places up above. I hope he is. I don't know if I can ever express these feelings to him, but maybe he'll overhear me telling my friend these things, and he'll understand.

We are almost finished when there is a sharp tap at the door. We look up as Raoul enters without even waiting for an answer. I'm shock by the impropriety of this, but I'm shocked even more by the hardened glare upon his face. He says sharply to Meg "Please leave us alone." She looks at me, waiting to see if this is what I want. I nod briefly, and she leaves, looking back once to ensure this is my wish. She must see my confusion and irritation at Raoul's brashness, for she nods subtly and walks out, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her. I stand up and ask "What's the meaning of this, Raoul?" He scowls at me as he speaks. "I have been informed of your plans to leave. But if I hadn't heard you speaking with Madame Giry, I wouldn't quite have the full story, now would I?" He approaches me, and I shrink backwards as I see his rage simmering in his gaze. Even Erik at his worst was never like this. Oh Erik, are you here? Please don't forsake me now.

Raoul begins pacing back and forth. "So, you're packing your things and running off tonight to marry another man? After all we've been through? After all your words of affection?" My eyes widen as I realize he simply thinks I've been trifling with him. He doesn't know that the Erik he heard spoken of is the "Opera Ghost" who others have been so terrified of. He just knows I have pledged to marry another man. That will make this a little easier and yet more difficult. God give me courage.

"Raoul, please," I start to say. I know what I tell him will be a mixture of truth and misleading, and I fix an expression of coquetry and teasing on my face. "You must understand how things are for us chorus girls and even for great divas on the stage. It's ungentlemanly of you to imply I was leading you on. I was simply giving you the attention I assumed all rich and powerful men want and expect." I raise my head high as I say these things, drawing on all of my training for the stage. I must do things this way. It is the only way. Otherwise he would do everything in his power to take me away from Erik. I flounce toward my bag and start placing the last few items inside. "Besides, your family would never consent to anything more than a flirtation between us. I would never be accepted by them as your wife!" I say those last words with my head thrown back and a laugh, as if the very idea is amusing. I must have learned more from Carlotta than I thought. I shrug my shoulders and finish airily "Erik and I will be happy together. He has no family to mock and hate me. I can be myself. He and I are in love, truly in love. He doesn't simply love the little girl he played the gallant for." I give him a knowing look with these words, and Raoul looks down at his feet, proving that I have hit a nerve with that statement. It was more accurate than I suspected.

I hear what seem to be skirts rustling outside, and I'm relieved to see Madame Giry enter the room with Meg close behind. Darling Meg must have told her mother what was happening. Madame looks coolly at Raoul and asks "Christine, dear, are you almost ready? Your dress will be dropped off soon, and we must get you ready. Remember, Erik is coming for you at seven." She raises an eyebrow. "Are you and the Vicomte finished?" I smile and say with a tone of finality "Yes, Raoul was just leaving. He was merely delivering his good wishes for my upcoming wedding." Raoul paled, but I knew him well enough to know that, no matter how familiar and comfortable he may act when we were alone, he would never contradict a lady in front of others. He grabbed his hat, executed a quick curt bow toward the three of us, murmured an irritated "Goodbye, Mademoiselle Daae", and walked out.

Meg shut the door behind him, and Madame came quickly to my side. Before she could speak, however, the mirror swung open and revealed Erik holding an exquisite white gown over one arm. He handed it off to Madame and took my hand. "My dear, are you alright? I overheard how he was speaking to you. You were so brave darling. Did you really mean those wonderful words you said?" I smile, noticing that Madame and Meg are pretending to arrange things in my bags and appear as if they can't hear us. I caress his face and whisper "Have I not told you enough how much I love you? Do you doubt me still?" He nuzzles my hand gently and whispers "I could never tire of hearing those words. But they are still so new to me that sometimes I'm afraid I'm simply dreaming." He kisses my hand and takes a step back. "Now, my darling bride," he says a little louder, signaling to Madame and Meg they can stop pretending, "I will leave you to get dressed. I must prepare as well. May I return for you in one hour?" He says this with a questioning glance toward Madame, silently asking not just her permission as my guardian but also inquiring if she has arranged the priest. She nods with a smile, and I speak "Yes, I will be ready in one hour for you, my love." He kisses my hand and says "One hour, then, and we shall leave to be married." He leaves through the passage with one last smile. I turn toward Madame and Meg, smiling as I do. Madame takes my hand, and then hugs me quickly before saying "Come, dear girl, let's get the bride ready."

And I think we may be done with the fop! Was it handled to your expectation?

Looks like we will be having wedding cake with the next chapter! YAY! Today, however, Gerry has cranberry muffins for you all. Enjoy!