Well, while TigerLilyGrae is using… I mean borrowing Gerry ("using" sounds a bit too naughty, no?), I found us a substitute. Antonio Banderas will be baking and singing for us! (If you doubt the validity of having him here, go to YouTube and search for him and Sarah Brightman singing "The Phantom of the Opera". You will lose your drawers.) So, as Antonio starts us some Tres Leches, I give you the next installment of No Means No!
Again, I own nothing, never have owned any of it, and never will.
Recap:
Nadir's smirk grew as he said "Oh, you don't have to meet them." When the door swung open, Christine's eyes grew large as she gasped and then cried out "Meg!"
Christine was shocked to see her former dance instructor and her best friend walk into the room. She rushed to hug them both. "You are going to be here with me? But how?" she asked, looking to Erik and Nadir. Erik's eyes glowed, happy that his idea proved to be a source of happiness to Christine, as he had hoped. "Well, when the 'Opera Ghost' was giving final instructions to those empty-headed managers, he suggested that they allow Madame Giry to retire, with a rather large bonus. Then I suggested that she contact Nadir, who could arrange a better position for her." He said proudly. Madame Giry chimed in "Monsieur Khan let me know of what was being arranged here. I have been hoping to someday have a life outside the opera, let Meg know more of life than performing every night, and perhaps her gaining a good enough reputation to marry well. This life will be better for both of us. I cannot teach dancing forever." She said, and then continued "Plus, my dear Christine, I would miss you dreadfully. You are like another daughter to me. I would be happy to help you in the start of your new life."
Christine's eyes welled up with tears. "Oh Madame, it will be even more like home having you and Meg with me!" She hugged the older woman. "Christine, you are no longer my pupil. You may call me Antoinette." Madame Giry said with a smile. Christine laughed "Never could I do that with a straight face! You are like my mother! May I just call you Mama Giry then, to appease both of us?"
Antoinette's eyes beamed. "I would like that very much, my dear. Very much."
The gentlemen decided it was time to take their leave. After they said their goodbyes and got on their way, Nadir asked Erik "So, what will be the first order of business my friend? Arranging for your work? Or do we need to hurry up and get you two married?" he teased.
Erik chuckled. "I do believe that, as much as I would prefer to marry Christine tomorrow, you and I should first make arrangements for a bit of income to be made. I brought my designs, also my compositions. I thought we could start with selling a few of those, then eventually making it into my own business to design and build for others. But I do not wish to wait too long for our marriage either. How soon do you think we could be married?"
Nadir smiled at the excitement he was hearing from his friend. "Relax, son, relax. I'm sure that within a fortnight, you and Christine will be husband and wife."
Erik's heart stuttered a bit at that word 'Husband'. He had thought many times of Christine being his wife, but he had never thought so far as to label himself 'Husband'. He started repeating over and over in his head 'Husband! I will be her Husband! Christine will call me her husband!' until he thought he would go mad from joy.
Nadir had thought of something, but did not wish to bring it up in front of Christine, as it could be a rather sensitive subject. "Erik," he asked gently "I know from what you have told me that you left Rouen at a very young age. You said you don't remember much from that time, but I have to ask you something, as it will be needed, not only for the business transactions, but also for your marriage: Do you have a last name?"
Erik shook his head sadly. "No, my dear Daroga. I took the name Erik by chance. I never could quite decide whether I should even bother with giving myself a last name. To be honest, until the last few days I never thought the need would arise." He looked out the window, trying to collect himself.
Nadir felt compassion for him. The poor man had known nothing of love from his own family, that's why he had run away. Nadir knew, however, that he had a solution already in the works. Now was the time to let Erik know that he would no longer have to be a wandering soul, so lost, so helpless. "Well, then, it's a good thing I started the arrangements then!" he said jovially, trying to bring the mood up.
Erik turned to face Nadir with a puzzled look. "Whatever do you mean, Nadir? What kind of arrangements?" Nadir smirked, knowing how Erik hated to stay confused for long. "Well, when I told you and Christine you were going to be my 'family' I meant it, son! I have made arrangements so that you will be legally recognized as my son and heir, Erik Khan. If you can bear to put up with having me stand in as your father, that is." He said softly, now nervous that Erik would mistake this gesture of friendship as pity-driven charity.
Erik was astonished. Aside from Christine, Nadir was his only friend, and yet he never would have expected this to take place. Then he realized that this was like Madame Giry reaching out to Christine, and that there was no reason to reject concern and love, especially when it was given freely. "I would be delighted and honored, Father" he replied, emphasizing the title. The two men looked at each other, their friendship speaking volumes where words failed. Both men realized that this would never have happened if Christine had not chosen to show him love.
In a mansion in the fashionable side of Paris, a young man stood before his father, looking down at his shoes, red-faced. The older man yelled "I will not see you be made a laughing stock by some flying high CHORUS GIRL! If she promised to marry you, then by God she will keep her promise! Your brother made a fool of himself chasing those stupid loose women around till he killed himself! You have to show the world what kind of man you are! You will go and find that girl and bring her back here, and make her marry you! It is your responsibility to ensure our family line goes on, do you understand me?"
The son, still looking down at his feet, replied quietly "Yes, father."
The older man stood tall, and a frightening gleam came in his eyes. "I have my plans for this family, boy. The de Chagny family must go on."
DUH DUH DUNNNNNN! Oooh boy, that came outta nowhere, didn't it? We need a little drama for our couple, but I decided that Raoul needed some real motivation, not just wounded pride or a general Fop complex. So Daddy de Chagny comes into play…. *Cue villainous music*
I'm trying to have our characters be a blend of Leroux and Webber, and I hope you enjoy my hybrids here. I'm hoping to post another chapter by this evening, but my husband is sick, I have much housework to do, plus some grocery shopping for guests coming this weekend. But I shall do my best to give you all your phluph fix (phix?).
Antonio is cooking up a storm, and I'm dieting and can't eat all these sweets by myself. So, you know what to do. Go ahead, push that little button…. It's calling you…
