Chapter 13
"Let me go! I don't want to go to an orphanage! Let me go!" Meg cried as the two muscular police men dragged her off in the pouring rain to a dark carriage waiting outside the steps of the place Meg's mother was murdered. Tears mixed with the icy rain as they ran down her cheeks wildly. The night grew deathly cold that Meg shivered and cried down the steps of the Palais Garnier. She thrashed about trying to get free of the horrifying life that it ahead of her. "Someone please help me!"
One of the police men opened the carriage door allowing Meg to step inside before he said. "Come on in you go."
"NO! I don't want to leave! Help!"
"Stop!" I shouted from the top of the steps. They didn't hear me so they continued to push Meg into the carriage. Meg saw me and tried to wiggle her way to get to me but it proved a useless attempt. I looked towards the roof to try and find Erik so he could help. He said he would be there if trouble aroused but he was nowhere in sight. Running quickly down the steps, almost slipping on the wet brick, I reached where I could grab Meg and take her away from all of this. But the two men would not permit it. I tried to get at Meg but I was only pushed to the ground by the man.
Don't take Meg away, she is only a child. "MEG!"
"Stop this nonsense!" A voice from the Palais Garnier bellowed. I turned my head as I sat there on the cold wet ground. The police men froze saluting Rauol marching towards them with the angriest expression on his beautiful face that made me shake.
When he reached to where I was laying he extended a hand. His features were set into a kind expression that warmed me. It was not the same way Erik warmed me but in a sweet safe way. I smiled accepting his welcoming hand as he pulled me up off my feet. He looked into my eyes for a moment then looked at the two policemen; His horrid expression returning. "Where were you taking her?"
"To the orphanage, sir." One of the policemen stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Does she not have a family member to take care of her?"
"No sir."
"I will be her family, then." Raoul and I said at the same time. We looked at each other confused. The policemen stared at us shocked at our sudden rashness. I didn't back down my offer. I knew I had to be the one to take care of her and I would be damned if he took her from me.
However he just smiled and turned his attention to the frightened girl halfway in the carriage. "Meg, come here."
Gratefully she ran straight towards us. I opened my hands out to accept her in a hug. I cried quietly, holding her so no one could take her away from me ever again. She held me tightly not wanting to leave. Her tears ran down her cheeks but I wiped them away telling her that everything was going to be alright. Then I felt Rauol's arm hugging me protectively. It felt like we were a family trying to hold one another so we don't break apart into nothingness. I felt safe. I felt strong. I felt strong as I stood there with Meg and Raoul.
"Christine Daae will have full custody of Meg Giry. Anyone that objects to this decision will have to answer to me. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Raoul sternly commanded police officers. They looked to the roof of the Palais Garnier and their expressions turned bleak. They looked at the Viscount de Chagny and nodded, quickly getting into the carriage and then rode off. I stared at Raoul amazed. He was so kind and gentle. It made my heart flutter and brought warmth in me. He looked at Meg and I. "Come let's get out of this rain and dry off.
As we walked inside I looked up to where the police officers were looking and I saw the Angel of music's dark figure hide away. I smiled at the reassurance of his protection.
Meg had drifted far behind of us. Raoul didn't notice but I saw her as a young man embraced her in the shadows. He petted her head when she buried herself into him. I couldn't tell who it was. The feeling that I did know was what bothered me so greatly. Who was the boy in the shadows, who's the one hugging Meg. Then it hit me, like a chandelier to the head. Marco. It was Marco and my little Meg together. I felt a sort of bubbly feeling watching them together. Almost like a sister would when she watches her younger sister goes down the aisle. They were so charming together that I felt weird spying on them. So I instead paid attention to what was ahead of me.
"I must ask you, where have you been?" Raoul asked me.
"I have been staying at a friend's house in Paris so I could help her with her sick child." I conducted the lie for a just-case-I-run-into-Rauol purpose. It was so simple that he nodded and didn't press me any further with anymore questions. But I myself had a quite a few. "Where were you when Madame Giry was murdered?"
He looked at me stunned at my forceful question. "I was escorting Mademoiselle Meg to your dressing room like Madame Giry told me after we walked out of a business meeting of the Opera."
The weird thing is that I believed him. He said it so genuinely that it made me believe him.
"Did she say anything else?"
"No she was muttering to herself about how someone was going to get an earful that was all." Raoul stated. I laughed that I could picture Erik getting scolded by Madame Giry. Rauol looked at me strangely and I ceased my laughing.
"You have grown very beautiful over the years." Raoul complimented. Blushing silently I turned my head away from him so he could not see me in this state. I stayed silent the rest of the way until just before the staircase.
Walking through the Palais Garnier in wet clothes felt like something from one of the old movies that I would watch with my grandmother during her visits. The one where the two lovers go inside to get out of the rain and they kiss finally realizing they are falling in love. However that was not my case. I wasn't thinking of falling in love but not slipping. I tried not to slip but it seemed unattainable to stay on my feet when we walked on the smooth granite flooring. Suddenly I slipped falling perfectly into Rauol's caring arms.
"Be careful Christine." He warned helping me back to my feet.
Once I had regained my balance I said "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
If I recall something similar happened to us when we were younger."
Yes, it was when were younger by the shore and I lost my red scarf. You went out into the cold sea water and fetched it for me. You were drenched from head to toe and when we went inside to dry you off you slipped and fell on the floor taking me down with you. Tell him for me please.
Christine? You're Christine? No answer from the voice that seemed to have resided in my head.
How do you know my name, oh right you are in my body.
Then something seemed to click in my head. That was you back then, you nearly killed me!
No, no, no, frighten you but I would never attempt to kill you. After all I want to get my body back in perfect condition. I just want everything to go back to normal. I hate that I am only here part-time.
How did this happen? How am I in your body?
She sighed in my head. I don't know, one minute I was in the middle of the stage, ready for the rehearsal the next everything went black.
Did the ground come out from under you?
Why yes, yes it did. How did you know?
The same thing happened to me.
Really? Christine asked incredously. Then she though for a moment. What is your name? You know mine but I do not know yours?
My name is Roxanne.
Well Roxanne, could you tell Rauol about him retrieving my scarf I hate seeing him like this?
I sighed there was no helping it. Christine could literally not leave me alone. I thought that I owed her enough to tell Rauol about what has happened. Raoul and I were now walking up the grand stairway to the second level. Taking in a deep breath I regained some of my courage and said. "We were younger when you went to fetch my red scarf from the sea."
He nodded remembering something that I had never experienced and continued "We went inside to dry me off."
"And you slipped dragging me with you."
"You do remember it then!" Raoul exclaimed happily. He stopped to turn to face me and held my hands in his. "I believed you did not remember me even after we had seen each other at the café in the morning. I am truly sorry if I had done anything to hurt you. Why did you make it seem you didn't remember me? It hurt me that you didn't recognize me that it shattered my heart into pieces."
No! Christine exclaimed. Tell him I love him and that I would never hurt him like that without proper cause.
I can't.
Please, I beg of you.
"Raoul you must know that I would never try to hurt you. You are so dear to me that I would ever try to harm you in any way. I fainted and could think properly remember. The doctor even said so." I explained. That will have to suffice, for now Roxanne.
He nodded understandingly and kept silent for the rest of the way. Meg had finally caught up with us when we had finally reached the Dressing room. We exchanged a brief good-bye and Raoul walked back down the corridor and out of sight. Closing the door as well as checking the mirror for someone in particular I felt safe enough for Meg and I to change out of our wet garments. I found extra gowns for the both of us in the closet. After we got into our dry clothes I started to dry off Meg's hair with a towel she had found. She sneezed and started to shiver under my hands.
"Meg are you alright?" That was one of the most idiotic thing I could have asked her. 'Are you cold?' would have been better for this circumstance. No the only thing I could think to ask to a girl whose mother was recently murdered was if she was ok.
But she didn't cry. This small frail girl was so strong that she didn't allow herself to cry any longer. She just looked at me and smiled. My heart nearly broke at that sad sweet smile. "Yes Christine, I'm alright."
I stayed slight for a moment not able to respond. I continued to dry off her hair. Meg didn't like the silence all that well. "The Viscount De Chagny is very handsome."
"Yes he is handsome." I replied not sure where this was going.
Meg just nodded. "He would make a fine husband."
Yes he would. Christine agreed in my head.
will butt out of this conversation? "I think he would make a fine husband."
"But you don't love him." That was not a question. I stopped drying her hair. Meg continued on though. "I think he is very nice but he treats me like a child and I do not like that. He makes me feel young and helpless that it makes me extremely angry whenever he talks to me."
Why would it matter anyway if I fell in love? Erik was going to help me find my way home and I would never see any of them again. I would never see Meg or Marco as they grow up. I wouldn't see Daroga or Raoul anymore. Erik would be but a distant memory to me. When that time comes I it would be awfully heartrending. But that wasn't what would hurt the most. What was worse was that I felt a pain in my heart whenever I thought of that. It could never go away after I thought about it. The feeling would linger making it feel unbearable to breathe. Meg seemed to have easily found the pain easily. I could only listen to her as tears fell down my face.
"But Christine I wanted to tell you something." She exclaimed joyfully turning her whole body to face me. I wiped the tears away and tried to smile.
"What is it?"
"The Angel of music he came to me today. He was so kind just like you told me. He had the gentlest voice when he spoke to me. His voice was so soothing that it made me feel so calm and free. I didn't see his face but someone who has that pure of voice must be very handsome indeed. He even called me mademoiselle when he told me to give a letter to the managers, can you believe it? He treated me with such gentleness that I felt like I could fly. Christine, he even promised me to sing to me sometime."
"Is this the first time The Angel of music has come to you?" I asked doubtfully. Meg had brightened at this new found gossip in which she knew and I didn't. I waited helplessly for her answer.
"No, I have heard him before once a long time ago. I even remember meeting him. I don't remember his face but I have heard his voice before."
"I see." I said understandingly. Erik would never traumatize a child by showing them his face he was much to sincere to scar them for the rest of their young lives
"So, where do I sleep?"
That is a great question. I looked around trying to figure out where Meg could stay exactly. This dressing room wouldn't be good enough for a growing child's needs but besides the house by the lake there was nothing else. I had no other alternative. I stood up and walked to the mirror. Touching the secret lever Erik had shown me I opened the secret door down the lair. Meg stared at me taken back, standing up to walk over and inspect the passageway. I grabbed one of the candles on the desk and lit it. I walked through the mirror then extended my hand out for Meg "Come to your new home."
…
When we reached Erik's lair Meg was the most silent she had ever been. I guided the boat to the small docking area which Erik had done countless times before. I also got out of the boat first like he had and helped Meg out of the boat without her remotely tripping. Slowly she stepped onto the dry land to wait until I was done tying up the boat. After that task was finished I stood beside Meg who gazed in awe and wonder. A sort of humorous feeling had risen up from within me then that almost laughed. This had to have been the same way I had gawked at this place when Erik had first brought me down.
Speaking of Erik he was nowhere in sight so I didn't have to worry about him soon, I hoped.
"Welcome to your new home." I greeted. "For the time being."
"Wow! Is this yours Christine?"
I laughed at the pleasant idea. "No Meg, this is not mine, it is the Angel of music's."
"So when you marry the Angel of music we will be a family together and live down here while you work and—."
"What?"Christine and I exclaimed at once. I could never marry such a person. True he is kind but… No! I would never!
I couldn't respond to either Christine or Meg. I could not believe what had come out of this innocent girl's mouth. As pure as this thought was she didn't know what was really going on! I couldn't marry Erik, I was far too young and for goodness sake this was the malicious Phantom of the Opera. I had seen his temper flair and it frightened me but I had also seen his tender side, the one that made me feel all warm inside whenever I thought of him.
"That is a lovely idea Meg but I'm quite sure that Christine would never marry me." A voice had replied in my voice's absence. Both Meg and I turned to find where that voice came from. To my surprise Erik was standing at the piano seemingly to have been waiting for our stared at us with a new look, one that I had never seen before. It was a look of hopelessness and kindness all mixed together that made my heart jolt out of my chest.
Did he mean you or me?
I don't know but as long as you are in my body neither is going to happen anytime soon.
Meg on the other hand, from Christine and I, was baffled and joyful at the sight of Erik that she almost looked like she would faint. Erik walked towards us and bowed graciously when he was a mere arms reach away. He smiled to Meg so sincerely. In return Meg curtsied and gave him her dazzling smiles. She looked at him in wonder and contentment that wiped away the memory of the down casted Meg she was earlier. Erik looked at me for a second only to be on Meg yet again.
"Mademoiselle Meg I welcome you to my home and your new haven." He greeted his eyes never wavered from hers again.
"Thank you Angel of music."
"Mademoiselle down here you may call me Erik if you choose to."
"Erik." She tried it out giggling at the familiarity of the name. Then she noticed something and became more serious. "Erik why is it that you wear a mask?"
To my great surprise Erik bent down onto one knee. Taking a deep breath he looked at Meg in a serious grown up sort of way. "It is to keep people from knowing my identity. As Angel of music not everyone could know that is what I am or the magic disappears. Now this is extremely important Mademoiselle, can I ask you to keep all of this a secret? This place and me for if anyone else were to know then we will disappear."
"May I tell Marco?" She asked sweetly batting her eye lashes. I couldn't help but smile at how many times I had given the same thing to my father whenever I wanted something.
Erik laughed at her request in a way that meant that she had stumped him. She also smiled as Erik laughed stood up and winked. "I believe it is alright if young Marco knows. Now I have a task for you while Christine and I get you settled in. Could you please go over to the other end of the house and find the monkey playing the symbols." He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a flash of silver. "Once you find it turn this key in the box three times."
Listening very carefully she took the key from out of his hand and nodded. She ran off to do her work as she made her way to the opposite end. Christine had suddenly seemed to have vanished leaving my thoughts alone. Which left Erik and I alone.
"We both know that she can't stay here forever especially when you have returned home and Christine comes back."
"Erik I couldn't let her go to the orphanage that would have been just cruel." I hissed keeping my voice lowered so Meg couldn't over hear our conversation. When he said the last part it stung.
"I understand Roxanne." He whispered softly. "I would have done the same thing."
I sighed frustrated. I looked back into Erik's warm reassuring eyes. That was mistake #1 on not helping the Christine-is-going- to-marry-the-Angel-of-music idea Meg had concocted. "I don't know what is going to happen to her. I plan to protect her for as long as I can."
Erik hugged me. Mistake #2. He hugged me the way that made electricity run through my body. I felt blissful that it made my heart sing. I didn't realize that tears were running down my face until it was too late. All of my cares and worries melted away into nothingness when he embraced me. "It will be alright. Everything will work out in the end. I promise."
I shook my head to tell him that I understood what he had meant. Then he gave a small chuckle. "So Meg Believes that you and the Angel of music should be wedded?"
I punched him hard in the arm as he continued to hold me. He only laughed and seemed to hold me more tightly in response. If only I could dream that He was hugging me not out of pity or friendship. I started to like the idea that I was falling in love with him if only he would love me back. How wonderful that would be.
Then from where Erik had sent Meg off the music of Masquerade filled to empty corners of the room. Meg twirled and danced her way towards us. Grabbing onto both of our hands she dragged us off to her accomplishment. She released my hand to let me sit down on the piano bench and held on to Erik's. He led her into a sweet dance. He moved so gracefully with her as he twirled her around. Even throwing her up in the air and catching her as she came down in a fit of giggles. It was at that moment that I pictured something wonderful and far-fetched from any stretch of the imagination. Instead of Meg I saw another little girl with blonde hair and dark brown eyes dancing with Erik. She wore a pink princess gown with a tiara and a smile that illuminated the room. I could feel the energy that was radiated from the two of them. I couldn't take my eyes off of her for a single second for I knew once I did the image would dissolve. I couldn't because in this magnificent daydream she was Erik's and my daughter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom Of the Opera.
You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge, In pursuit of that wish which till now Has been silent. Silent.
I have brought you That a new chapter to read and review. In your mind you've already succumbed to the story, dropped all defenses completely succumbed to my story. Now you are here reading. No second thoughts
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Now you must review and read on! hahahahahaha!
So all is well and good with Meg's life so now everyone may finally breathe a sigh of relief. I actually wrote and edited this chapter fairly quickly. It is probably because I am the Angel of Writing, jk. This chapter had not come to mind until afte I murdered Madame Giry. Oh, If you wanted to know when I was going to post the 'Poor foul he makes me laugh' chapter well you have to go to the end of the line and wait a little longer because I have a couple more Chapters to write. Trust me the next chapters are wroth it. If not then you can think I'm a total ass and read the next chapters bitterly. Your choice but please don't be too upset.
Thank you all again and I remain readers your obedient servant,
JMsoccer35