Thank you everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
This chapter includes the Vanderbilts. I've based Henry (who doesn't actually appear!) and Cissy on Alfred and Elise Gwynne Vanderbilt, but changed their names as one: It felt a bit weird writing about real people doing things in a fictional world, and two: I don't really know much about them and how they behaved.
I rather enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope it pleases :)
"Mother, why are you wearing your wedding dress?"
"Because it's customary for a newly married woman to wear her dress to social functions during her first six months of marriage."
"Oh. Does that mean father has to wear his wedding suit as well?"
Christine smiled. "No, my love."
"But why?"
"I… You know, Gustave, I've no idea."
"I think that's very strange."
Christine laughed. "Yes, I suppose it is a bit. Now, are you all ready for bed?"
"Yes, mama."
"Good boy." She pulled back the covers on his bed so he could climb in. "We'll be home late, so if you need anything Francine will take care of it," she said, tucking him in and giving him a kiss.
There was a gentle knock at the door, and Erik poked his head around. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Christine replied, standing and smoothing down her dress. She leaned over a little to run her fingers through her son's hair. "Goodnight darling, we'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, mama. Goodnight, papa!" he called out to his father.
"Goodnight, son."
Christine closed the door behind her as she left, and then smiled up at her husband. "Don't you scrub up well?"
Erik chuckled, but it wasn't enough to hide his nervousness. He looked a little worried and he kept fiddling with his bow-tie.
"Oh, darling - we really don't have to go if you don't want to. I'm honestly not fussed."
"My dear, I'm perfectly fine," he reassured her. He gave her a quick kiss. "Besides, you've been hidden away for too long. I want to show you off, my beautiful wife."
"I'm not a trophy, darling."
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Hmmm, well I don't want 'showing off' if it means you'll be uncomfortable all night."
"I'll survive, I'm sure."
Christine wrapped her arms around Erik's neck and pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. "All right, but as soon as you feel you want to leave, we will."
"You've got yourself a deal."
Erik and Christine had been invited to the first big social event of the year - the Valentine's Day ball hosted by the Vanderbilts at The Plaza Hotel, an impressive building only recently opened in Manhattan. They'd never met the Vanderbilts, but ever since Erik and Christine's engagement had been announced, people had been even keener to meet the millionaire impresario and his famous soprano wife-to-be, and now that they were married, that keenness had intensified. Heaven forbid Erik let them get a reputation for being rude and unsociable, so he'd told Christine to accept, more for her sake than his.
Erik took Christine's hand and led her into the living room. "Before we go there's something I'd like to give you…"
On a little side table, next to a vase of beautiful red roses that he'd given Christine earlier that day, sat a rectangular box covered in red velvet. Erik picked it up and handed it to her with a smile. "Happy Valentine's Day… Again."
"Oh, Erik, you really shouldn't have…" Christine opened the box and gave a little gasp. There, nestled in the white silk lining, was a stunning pearl and diamond bracelet.
"To match your necklace and earrings," Erik explained, removing it from the box and clasping it around his wife's wrist.
Christine took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately. "I adore it. Thank you."
He ran his thumb across her cheek. "You're very welcome, my love. Come, we should get going - we don't want to be late."
"Ah, the famous Mr Y! Or, indeed, Mr Erik Muhlheim. Albert Sinclair, of Sinclair Shipping."
Erik eyed Sinclair warily as he shook his hand. "Pleasure."
"Dear fellow, the pleasure is all mine." Sinclair stopped a passing waiter and grabbed two glasses of champagne, handing one to Erik. He raised his glass. "Cheers."
Erik raised his in return, knowing the protocol but really not comfortable in this new, very strange social situation. Still, he had to try his best.
"I was so sorry to read about your accident in the paper. Was he mad?"
"Oh, er, yes, yes he was."
"Thought so - no sane person would do something like that to another human being, surely?"
"You'd be surprised what humans can do to each other," Erik replied, taking a mouthful of champagne and letting it glide soothingly down his throat.
"Yes, yes, I suppose you're right. Well, I admire your courage, anyway. Also, congratulations on your marriage - between you and me, I don't blame you for keeping the wedding off the radar. I find these social occasions ghastly at the best of times. I have no idea who most of these people even are."
Erik relaxed a little. Maybe this Sinclair wasn't so bad. "I completely agree. Actually, the wedding was entirely Christine's idea. I knew nothing of it until the actual day."
Sinclair looked surprised. "Well, I've never heard of that before. I assume you were all for it, having 'done the deed', as it were."
"Of course. My wife is a remarkable woman - I'm very lucky."
"You are," Sinclair smiled, genuinely. "She seems to be quite the hit as well," he said, nodding over to where Christine was caught between a gaggle of women, poised and elegant with a smile that lit up the entire room. Erik couldn't tell if she was enjoying their company or not, but she would never let on in front of them for her good manners would simply not allow her. She was a star in every right.
Sinclair chuckled. "If only you could see how proud you look. I'd say she was just as lucky as you. Come on, I have some friends I'd like you to meet. We're all dying to know how you built Phantasma, and in return I'm sure we could all bore you to death with our dull-in-comparison enterprises," he joked.
Erik smiled. "Lead the way."
"Oh, Christine, I'm so glad you could join us - why, you're an utter delight!" Cecilia Vanderbilt, known to her friends as Cissy, gave Christine's arm a friendly squeeze.
Christine smiled a little shyly. "That's very kind of you."
"And that dress is stunning. What a beauty you are. The materials are exquisite. Who made it?"
"Alexander Elliott. He did such a wonderful job in such a short space of time. I couldn't thank him enough."
"Oh, of course, Alexander - he's one of my favourites."
One of the other women turned to her, clearly eager to speak. "I must say, your husband is very handsome, but the other side of his face - you have an awfully big heart to marry a man so injured. How do you cope when the mask comes off?"
"Charlotte!" Cissy scolded, looking absolutely scandalised.
"No, I didn't mean…"
Christine glared at her. "I don't 'cope', I don't need to 'cope'. I love my husband very much and his face is not an issue. He is a beautiful, kind man with a big heart, and how dare you ask me such a thing, a person who I've only just met!"
"I'm… I'm so sorry, Christine…"
"It's 'Mrs Muhlheim', thank you very much," Christine all but spat, before turning and storming off. Cissy went after her.
"Christine! Christine, please, I'm so sorry. That was unforgivably rude of her."
Christine stopped and sighed. "There's no need for you to apologise on her behalf, it wasn't your fault."
Cissy put a hand on her arm. "I know, but she is a guest of mine and that holds me partly responsible. But I want you to know, I wasn't thinking the same as her - we're not all like that."
"Thank you." Christine gave her a small smile.
"Why don't I introduce you to my husband? I know he'll be thrilled to meet you and Erik."
"Say, it seems one of the ladies has upset your wife," Sinclair said, gesturing over to where Cecilia Vanderbilt was chasing after Christine.
Erik frowned and put down his glass. "Gentlemen, please excuse me," he said, standing from the table he was sat at with Sinclair and his friends, nodding politely at them before hurrying away. Christine looked so angry - what could they have said?
Erik pushed his way through the crowd of people, some trying to get him to stop and talk to them once they saw his half-masked face and instantly knew who he was. He brushed them off politely as he went, and when he reached Christine, he was relieved to see that she looked a little calmer. "Christine!"
She turned at the sound of his voice, and she looked so relieved to see him that it sent a jolt of affection straight to his heart.
"Darling…"
"Whatever's the matter?" he asked, cupping her cheek and looking at her in concern.
Christine shook her head. "Nothing, don't worry. I'm fine now. Erik, this is Mrs Vanderbilt…"
Cissy held out her hand and Erik kissed it politely.
"Please, call me Cissy. How wonderful to meet you at last, Mr Muhlheim."
"Call me Erik."
Cissy smiled. "Erik. I'm afraid a so-called friend of mine said something to your wife that was completely out-of-line. I can only apologise - it won't happen again. Now I was just saying that you should both come and meet my husband, wherever he may be…"
"Ah, we've met - he came over whilst I was talking to Mr Sinclair."
"Oh, yes, Albert - lovely man. Decent. Not many of him about, unfortunately - excluding present company, of course."
"Well, thank you."
Next to Erik, Christine beamed proudly.
"Christine, as soon as I find my husband I shall bring him straight over to you. Please, excuse me."
As Cissy left, Erik took hold of Christine's hands. "You look a little tired, my love - are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine, honestly," she said, giving him a reassuring smile.
Erik didn't look convinced. "What was said to you?"
Christine sighed. "Nothing, it doesn't matter. It was just Cecilia's friend, Charlotte Williamson, speaking of things she had no right to."
"It was about me, wasn't it?" Erik asked, softly. "About my face. Curious, was she?"
"I'm sorry." Christine hung her head.
Erik placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face back up. "Whatever for? Don't let her upset you – she's not worth the bother."
"I know – you're right." She leaned into him. "Why don't we have a dance? Remember that waltz I taught you the day after our wedding?"
He grinned. Of course he did. He also remembered what that close dance had led to, and understood completely why there had been scandal over it when the waltz had first become popular. "As if I could forget," he winked, and Christine blushed.
"None of that here," she lightly scolded, trying not to smile and letting him lead her to the floor.
They came together and moved in perfect time, not a step out of place. Erik pulled his wife a little closer and whispered in her ear. "Told you I hadn't forgotten."
"Apparently not. I'm glad we can do this - it's been a while since I've danced. Oh…"
"Christine…" Erik held her tighter as she suddenly stumbled a little, her hands grasping his arms. "What's wrong?" he asked, worriedly.
"Nothing, nothing, I…" Christine took a deep breath and blinked a few times as if clearing her vision. "I'm just a little hot and dizzy. Could we perhaps get some air? I'm sure I just need to cool down."
"Of course." Erik put an arm around her and guided her towards the courtyard.
"Actually, do you think we could go across to the park? It's a little crowded out there. I'd rather not be bombarded with questions."
They left the hotel without much attention drawn to them, Erik collecting their coats from the attendant, and crossed the street to the park. It was quiet, the sky clear and cool, the stars twinkling brightly. They took a stroll around the pond, and soon Christine was feeling herself again.
"That was very strange indeed, but I'm feeling fine, now."
"Well, it was awfully crowded in there. Perhaps you're right - you just got too hot."
Christine hugged her husband's arm. "It's so lovely out here."
"Very soon you'll be able to walk here whenever you like. Next week, in fact. Did you tell anyone we were moving here?"
"No, not yet. Did you?"
"No. I thought we'd have enough questions fired at us without everyone suddenly wanting to know all about our new home as well."
"I can't wait though, can you? It really is stunning." Christine sighed contentedly and looked up. "Isn't the view glorious tonight?"
Erik looked at her. "It's always glorious."
"Well, not when - oh…" she said, realising her husband was looking at her and not the sky. "You're such a romantic." She leaned in to steal a kiss, then giggled when Erik took her hand and pulled her into the trees. When he was sure they were hidden enough, he pushed his wife up against the trunk of one and kissed her deeply. Christine gasped into his mouth and ran her hands across his back, grabbing at his coat. "What if… someone… sees us…" she breathed, in-between kisses.
"Shall I stop?"
"No!" She pulled him closer and Erik smiled against her.
Moments later there was the sound of the undergrowth crunching, and they pulled apart breathlessly.
"What was that?" Christine whispered, holding on tightly around Erik's neck.
"Wait here." Erik stepped away quietly, turning and looking into the trees. He moved forward silently, towards where the noise had come from, ready to pounce on any sneaky reporter lurking in the shadows, or anyone from the ball who might be spying on them. Suddenly, something leapt out in front of him, and he jumped, cursing as he did, and then laughed in relief.
"What is it?" Christine asked, moving toward him.
He turned to her, grinning. "A rabbit! Nothing more than a pesky rabbit."
Christine put a hand to her chest, and let out the breath she had been holding. "Oh, thank God. Perhaps we should get back before anyone does see us."
Erik took hold of her hand. "I suppose. We don't want any scandalous gossip going around." He kissed the tip of Christine's nose, smiling. "It was fun, though."
"Oh, absolutely."
"Christine, there you are! I was told you'd left, but I was sure you wouldn't have without saying goodbye."
"Not at all, we were just taking the air."
"Yes, these things do get a little claustrophobic at times, don't they?" Cissy took her arm. "Come, I've found Henry." They were just about to move, when a voice called out.
"Erik! I was wondering what had happened to you." Sinclair appeared through the crowd of people, and smiled when he saw Christine and Cissy. "Ladies."
"Ah, Mr Sinclair, allow me to introduce my wife, Christine."
Sinclair kissed Christine's hand. "Charmed. I've only heard good things about you, ma'am."
Christine laughed a little. "Well, that's good to know. Lovely to meet you, Mr Sinclair."
"Oh, Albert, please. Say, do you mind if I steal your husband away for a few minutes?"
"Go ahead."
"Yes, let's leave the boys to their own devices for a while, shall we?" Cissy said, humourously.
They went their separate ways. Erik followed Sinclair across the room towards the table they had been sitting at before. He was left alone for a moment while his new friend went to find drinks, and soon found himself approached by a pretty young blonde woman, who smiled coquettishly at him and slid into the seat next to his.
"Do you mind? It's all getting a bit hectic out there, and to tell you the truth, I'd rather been hoping to meet you. I'm Caroline Wilkes." She held out her hand, and Erik took it politely, looking a little uncomfortable as he did.
"Mr-" He stopped himself. "Erik Muhlheim."
"Oh, yes, I know who you are. Such a shame your wife has left you alone. Or not…" she moved closer to him.
Erik cleared his throat. "Well, actually…"
Caroline giggled flirtatiously. "I sing a little, you know."
"You do?"
"Yes. Perhaps I could come and 'sing' for you, sometime?" Her hand slid over Erik's, but Erik pulled his away quick as a flash.
What was going on? Was she flirting with him? Why? That sort of attention never happened to him. Ever. Not from people who weren't his wife, anyway. This woman was shameless, and he already disliked her intensely. "Madam…"
She tutted at him. "Now, now – no need for such formalities…"
"Caroline!"
Caroline moved back and looked up to see Sinclair glaring at her. "Leave the man alone – can't you see he's not interested?"
"I was only introducing myself," she said, innocently.
"Trying to seduce him, more like. Always the mistress and never the bride, isn't that right? Go and take your gold-digging claws elsewhere, woman."
Caroline turned on him. "How dare you. I-"
"What's going on?"
All three of them turned to see a clearly angry, but scarily controlled, Christine. Erik shuddered – he'd never seen that face on her before. He didn't even think his wife was even capable of pulling such a face, but here she was, sending the look of death straight towards Caroline. Thank God it wasn't directed at him – he was sure he would have burst into flames. He made a mental note to never get on her bad side. Beauty and fury had to be the most dangerous mix of all. And yet, somehow, it just made him love her even more.
Caroline forced a smile and held out her hand. "You must be Christine. I'm so happy to meet you. I was just telling your husband that I sing, too – maybe we could…" She trailed off as she realised Christine was ignoring her outstretched hand, her expression unchanged.
"How… quaint. What's your name?"
"Caroline. Caroline Wilkes."
"Caroline Wilkes… Sorry, I don't think I've heard of you. Where have you sung?"
"Well, I… I've only really just started."
Christine smiled patronisingly. "How lovely. It's always nice to have a hobby, isn't it?"
Erik cringed. Even Sinclair looked like he was ready to bolt. Caroline looked humiliated, briefly, then covered it with a smile and looked over her shoulder, calling out, to no one in particular, "What was that, darling? Oh, coming! Please, excuse me." And off she went, disappearing into the throng as fast as she could.
Christine turned to face her husband, her expression, now she was focused on him, nothing but gentle. Erik relaxed a little, but still felt the need to defend himself. "I wasn't-"
"-I know, darling. My apologies, Mr Sinclair."
"Oh, no need – she's nothing but a schemer, that one. She had it coming." He laughed. "You certainly gave her what for."
Christine blushed a little. "Well, honestly, what did she expect, behaving so brazenly in public, with me only across the room."
"She expected to get her way, as always. About time someone put her in her place."
"Yes, well. Anyway, the reason I came over is because Cissy asked if I wouldn't mind singing an aria for her and a few of the guests in the drawing room across the lobby, and I agreed, so would you mind accompanying me?"
Erik smiled. "Certainly, my dear." He went to move, but Christine stopped him.
"Not yet, in about half an hour. You two carry on – I'll see you later." With that, she left to rejoin Mrs Vanderbilt and her friends.
Sinclair let out a low whistle as he finally sat down. "Remind me never to get on the wrong side of your wife. Of course, now I admire her even more. A wonderful woman you have there, if you don't mind my saying so."
"Not at all. She can be quite surprising at times."
"Indeed. Now, where were we…?"
"Ah, Erik! So glad you could join us. You're quite the composer, it would seem – is there no end to your talent?"
"Madam, you're too kind."
"Oh, nonsense." Cissy turned to the small audience that had gathered and cleared her throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce the world-class soprano Christine Daae, and her husband, not only the owner and creator of Phantasma, but also a composer of the highest caliber, Mr Erik Muhlheim, more famously known as the mysterious Mr Y." She turned to Erik and Christine. "It's an honour to have you here, my wonderful new friends." Cissy clapped, and her guests joined in. She took her seat, between her husband and Albert Sinclair, and nodded at them.
Erik flexed his fingers over the keys and looked to Christine, who gave him the cue to start. He began to play the intro to Love Never Dies, and as he did he snuck a look at his wife, who looked perfectly happy and at ease, a complete contrast to how she'd looked when she'd first been waiting to sing the song he'd written only for her.
As the introduction finished, Christine opened her mouth, and Erik closed his eyes briefly at the sound of her voice. Heavenly, as always. Note perfect. He allowed himself a quick glance to his right, and he burned with pride upon seeing the transfixed faces of the audience.
No one could have known, at the point, what was about to happen. Christine sang with a graceful ease, and there was no hint of a problem until after the second verse, when she, very suddenly, put a hand to her head, her voice trailing off as she became breathless. Everyone gasped, and Erik looked up at his wife, his hands stilling at the first sign of her distress.
"Christine…" He jumped up, reaching her just as her knees buckled and she fell forward in a faint, catching her in his arms.
Cissy, in a panic, stood and ushered everyone quickly out of the room. Through the commotion, Erik managed to carry Christine across the room and place her down on one of the sofas. "Fetch a doctor!"
"I'm a doctor!" a voice called out, and Erik turned to see a middle-aged man hurrying over to them. Cissy joined him, hovering behind him nervously. The doctor turned to her. "Mrs Vanderbilt, could you please fetch my bag for me."
Cissy scurried off, and Erik thanked God that doctors always seemed to have their medical bags with them wherever they went.
"Erik…"
Erik breathed a sigh of relief as Christine came round, and he stroked a gentle hand over her head. "My love…"
"What happened?" She tried to sit, but Erik stopped her.
"Just rest for a moment. This is Doctor…"
"Marlow," he smiled. "Mrs Muhlheim, would you mind if I did a quick examination?"
Christine nodded, then went even paler than she already was. "Oh… I feel…" She put a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide.
Erik, thinking fast, grabbed a wide vase that was sitting on top of a small table, upended it, sending flowers and water all over the floor, and held it beneath her mouth just as she vomited. Erik rubbed her back with his free hand. When Christine was done, she looked mortified and ready to burst into tears. He felt terrible for her. "Now now, it's all right," he soothed, putting the vase to one side. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, my darling." He kissed the top of her head, and she calmed a little. He turned to the doctor, who was taking Christine's pulse. "She felt a little unwell earlier, but seemed fine after she'd had some air."
"Hmmm… Ah, thank you," Doctor Marlow said, as Cissy hurried back in with his bag. "Now, if you both wouldn't mind waiting outside. Mrs Vanderbilt, perhaps you could arrange for some sweet tea to be brought in for Mrs Muhlheim?"
Erik tried to protest. "I really think I should stay…"
"Please, Mr Muhlheim, I insist."
"It's all right, darling," Christine said, looking at him reassuringly.
He nodded. "Very well. I'll be right outside." He left, reluctantly, and joined Cissy out in the lobby, where he paced impatiently, only stopping briefly to thank the maid as she arrived with Christine's tea. Cissy took it from her and sat with the tray on her lap.
Finally, after about twenty minutes, the doctor came out into the corridor, Erik hurried over to him. "Is she all right? What is it?"
Doctor Marlow held his hands up to placate him. "You have no need to worry, your wife is absolutely fine."
Erik looked confused. "But, she's sick…"
"No, no, not quite. Why don't you go in and speak to her?"
The doctor took the tea tray from Cissy and stepped back into the room behind Erik. Christine was now sitting up and looked much better. "Here we are," he said, with a smile. "Drink this and you'll feel much better." He poured Christine a cup with two lumps of sugar, then placed it down on the table to cool before leaving the couple alone.
Erik knelt down in front of his wife and took hold of her hands. "What is it? The doctor said you were fine, but I don't understand…"
Christine smiled widely, a look of barely contained excitement on her face. "I am fine. I'm… I mean, we… We're going to have a baby." Then she laughed, her hands going to her face, as if she still couldn't quite believe it.
Erik stared at her in complete shock. What? Did she just say…
"Erik…" Christine squeezed his hands, bringing him back to her.
"You… You're… We're…"
She nodded, still smiling.
"Oh… Oh! Oh, my darling girl! You clever, clever girl!" Erik pulled her into his arms. "A baby! Oh…" he sat back. "Am I hurting you?"
Christine giggled. "No, not at all." She tugged him back and rested her head against his. "A little, tiny baby…"
"Oh, Christine…" Erik rubbed his thumbs under her eyes to catch the tears that welled and spilled over, pretty sure his own were doing the same.
"I'm so happy. And this time, you won't miss a thing. How wonderful!"
Erik kissed her soundly. Just when he didn't think he could possibly be any happier, another blessing was thrown his way. "I'm so, so proud of you."
"It was both of us, my angel."
"Yes, but it's you who has to grow this little life," he said, putting a hand to her stomach, "and that makes you very special indeed. Did the doctor say how long?"
"Two months, maybe. A long way to go, yet."
"It will soon pass, and there's so much to be done, especially with the new house. But, don't you worry – I will build the most beautiful nursery the world has ever seen. Both of our children will have everything."
"Yes, Gustave – do you think he'll be happy?"
As Christine said that, a memory popped into Erik's head. "Do you remember on Christmas Day, when we were coming back from the church, and Gustave was watching those children playing in the snow? He wouldn't say why he looked so sad, but do you think it had something to do with not having any brothers or sisters?"
A look of realisation crossed Christine's face. "You know, I think you're right!" She smiled. "He'll be a wonderful big brother."
"Indeed he will. Now, I think we should get you home, and then get you out of that corset. I've read how some doctors think they do more harm than good, even those so-called pregnancy ones, and I quite agree. I know it's not fashionable, but honestly, with your insides being squashed together already, it would surely be better if it was left off?"
Christine put a hand to his face. "Yes, it would be. I was so uncomfortable with Gustave. I felt so restricted – it was quite awful. I'll have some new dresses made up. I'm sure some clever person can think of a way for them to be supportive and comfortable. I shall look into it tomorrow."
"Good." Erik looked down at her stomach, then bent down and placed a kiss against it. "Now, you grow nice and strong, do you hear me, little one? And when you arrive, I shall spoil you rotten."
Christine laughed, and then yawned.
Erik stood and held out a hand to her. She clasped it tightly, and he pulled her to her feet. "All right? I could carry you, if you're still feeling faint? You haven't drunk your tea…"
"No, no, I'm perfectly fine. I'm feeling much better, now. Besides, it would only draw more attention."
"Very well," he conceded. Then he grinned. "A baby! Have I told you how much I love you?"
Christine grinned back and wrapped her arms around him. "Every day. I love you, too, more than you could possibly imagine."
They left, carrying their secret with them. The world would know when they were good and ready. For now, it was only for them, and they would cherish it.
Thanks for reading! Please review :)
