I don't own POTO...Remember, Prequel in the works!
Chapter 14: Twas the Night before Re-opening...
By PittsBurghFuzz
Christine and Erik went to their favorite breakfast spot to get a bite to eat before the last day of practice. Erik and Christine had some muffins, of various flavors.
"Erik, I can't wait for tomorrow night!" Christine said almost like a child.
"Neither can I Christine." Erik replied.
"Well, let's not forget about, them."
"Oh, yeah." Just as Erik took a sip of water, Madame Giry rushed to their table.
"Erik! Christine! I have a note!" Madame Gory yelled, nearly out of breath.
Erik took the note and opened it.
Dear Count Erik Phantasmo,
I apologize for all of these notes. I understand that they are such a nuisance, but I need to contact you. Do not forget about tomorrow night's performance. Be there, or something worse than Meg in my possession can happen! Remember to take my smaller carriage to the location I mentioned a while ago. Remember to bring your charming wife. If you don't, I will have to find her myself and Meg will not be freed. By the way, this is not the last note I will be sending you Opera Ghost!
Sincerely,
Mastermind
"Do you think he will show up at the opera?" Christine asked.
"No." Erik replied. "He's too smart to go there himself. Although, it would be more romantic if he went himself. Madame Giry, did anyone purchase box five yet?"
"Why no. Why?" she told him.
"Strange. I would have thought this guy was poetic. Does he suspect me to be in box five?"
"He never mentioned anything to me Erik. Anyway, I will see you two at the Opera House soon."
"Till then." Erik stated.
Madame Giry walked away. Christine then looked to Erik.
"You best be careful alright?" Christine told Erik.
"Christine, I was the Opera Ghost, I have an almost omniscient presence!" Erik proudly said.
"But Erik, you are in another person's terrain! You won't be able to watch over everything like you did before."
"But you forget that I am also a master magician, a creator of illusions."
"Still, you have to be careful."
"Don't worry, I just want you to take the same advice." Erik then looked at his pocket watch. "Oh look at the time, we best be going to practice."
"Yes, you're right."
They rushed to the theater and were attacked by all of the people who needed to write articles for their papers. When they finally arrived in the lobby, everything was being cleaned again. Riscarri then walked up to the couple.
"Ah Count and Countess Phantasmo, I'm glad to see you here early!" Riscarri stated.
"I like the clean scent in here. I cannot believe that this venue is re-opening!" Erik replied.
"I will see you later tonight I presume."
"Yes you will, on stage. However, I have plans after the show."
"Such a shame, I was going to take you to my mansion and show you my collections of wine and my observation deck."
"That is for another time that I simply can;t wait for. However, I now must practice. Good day Riscarri."
"Good day Phantasmo."
Erik and Christine went backstage to check on the sets and costumes. Erik had already brought up the costumes a few weeks earlier. Some of the old costumes from other productions were used for cost purposes. Christine wore her costume, and looked like an aristocrat. The girl's fiance was portrayed by an extra. He was decent looking and played a snobbish character well. Erik went into his costume and looked very elaborate. That was one thing with Erik, he was almost never boring. Erik and Christine did some songs and the chorus was used in a few segments as well. Erik made this play specifically for Christine's talents and abilities as a singer. Erik then looked up to box five. He remembered when he first used box five. Best seat in the house. It was kind of funny how many people did not even take box five. Riscarri came down to the stage to bring good news.
"May I have your attention?" He asked. The cast and crew stopped. "We have a full house tonight! Someone finally bought box five!"
"Will they use it?" one ballerina asked.
"I don't know, but we have sold every seat in the house!"
He left and Erik had to excuse himself and Christine to leave. There were more people outside than there were earlier, but Erik and Christine were able to get to the lair eventually. Erik and Christine, little known to each other, were each thinking about their marriage outside of town a few days earlier. It was simple, but at least it happened at all, and they were happy about that. Christine also told Erik a secret.
"Erik, I need to tell you something." Christine said to Erik.
"Yes Christine." Erik replied in an almost cautious tone.
"Erik, I'm pregnant." Erik then stared into Christine's eyes, with her not knowing what his response would be. He then grabbed Christine slowly.
"Erik, are you okay?" Christine asked.
Erik nodded. Tears were running down his cheeks. "Yes Christine, in fact, there is only one other occasion where I was happier."
"And what is that?"
"When you admitted you could love a loathsome monster like myself." Christine then held Erik tighter. Erik did not want to hurt Christine especially when she was pregnant.
"Is there anything I can get you Christine?" Erik asked.
"Yes, I have a craving for some chocolates." Christine replied.
Erik brought a her chocolates of different varieties. "Erik, can you play your music?"
"Of course." They went to Erik's room and he played a lovely melody. It was peaceful and tranquil. It was by no means threatening. Erik seemed to be very quiet about the baby, but in his heart, I knew he was truly happy.
"Christine, I am sorry if I appeared to be unhappy at the news." Erik said out of the blue.
"Its okay Erik. It is a lot to take in for once." Christine replied.
"Yeah, I guess that's what it is." Erik then returned to playing his melody.
Erik was thinking about the child. Great, Christine is pregnant when all of this ensuing chaos is around us. I wished she didn't have to go, especially after I found out that she is pregnant.
"Erik, just think of it, our beautiful child with us, our own little family." Christine said happily.
"Yes, how wonderful that would be." Erik replied happier than he had been the last few minutes.
"Erik, I truly think my father sent me more than just the angel of music."
"What do you think he sent you?"
"He sent me you, and our child."
"I think God has repaid me for my suffering."
"But Erik, you were abused and-"
"Yes, but he has brought me so much happiness and I have nearly forgotten my miseries of my past. All I have now are thoughts of joy."
Christine grabbed Erik joyfully and they both started laughing like young children do. Christine nearly knocked Erik off his bench.
"Christine be careful, don't forget, we must be careful."
Christine looked down as he said that.
Erik then whispered: "That doesn't mean we still can't have some fun."
"Oh Erik, I am so content being here with you in this home of yours."
"Yes, but I must find a better place for our child to grow up in, as opposed to this dangerous lair."
"You make a valid point, but where Erik?"
"I'll find somewhere , don't you worry about that."
Christine took Erik's hand and looked at it. "A working man's hands: dirty, but respectable."
Erik laughed and he and Christine kissed. "Erik, what is that medallion hanging around your neck?" Christine asked.
"It was from an old friend from a long time ago. He is dead now. I already spoke to you about him" Erik stated in a stern tone.
"Erik, why is that you cringe about your past whenever I mention it?"
"I apologize Christine, its just a topic I do not wish to speak of."
"That's fine Erik. I just hate to upset you."
Erik took Christine's hand. "Christine, you never upset me, the topic itself upsets me the most."
"But I mentioned it."
"You didn't cause the darkest parts of my past, you only made my life worth living."
Christine then slowly took off his mask. She felt his face.
"Erik, please don't completely hide yourself from your child when they get older."
Erik touched the hand on his face and told her: "I know, I can't hide from my children forever. It will be only be a temporary fear."
Christine placed her head on Erik's chest. It was warm and welcoming, unlike how he was years ago. Erik placed his hand on Christine's stomach and thought that in nine months, a new child would be welcomed into the world. Erik was glad he became less dismal and brooding and more peaceful and less terrifying than it had been. He knew what really scared Christine, it wasn't his appearance that was the only factor involved, it was his anger that was bundled inside and burst into a violent rage. Erik was finally happy with himself at last.