Chapter 21
Aisling sat in her dressing room as she prepared for the night's show. This felt almost like the performances back in Paris. She would wait for hours for her chance, anxiously awaiting to sing for hundreds of people, and would lose herself to the music until it was time to return to Earth. Only this time, the Phantom is allowing her to sing in his theatre. However, she felt even more nervous than she did when she sang behind his back. Perhaps it was the excitement of that world that gave her the courage to sing; the idea of being a stranger in that world sharing the music of her own, or the idea that the Phantom may be listening to her no matter the reason. She was terrified to go back on the stage. It all seemed so easy when she was younger. But now was not the time to get cold feet. She needed to do this for herself. She's been deprived of music for so long that she nearly forgot the feeling of singing on a stage. She needed this.
She stood in front of the mirror in her dressing room and looked over her dress for the evening. She was wearing a gown of vibrant orange with red down the front and flecks of gold separating the two colors. Her sleeves started as two straps then extended out over her shoulders and arms folding over each piece of fabric like a waterfall of burning colors. She wore orange and red eye shadow with some black eyeliner that looked like a pair of wings and her lips painted a deep crimson. Her short brown hair was loose with only a lone clip in the back of her head. The clip was shaped as a phoenix; gold metal accenting the shape with red gem stones adding details to the bird and strings of red and orange beads for the tail. Aisling could hardly believe this was her reflection she was staring at.
"You look beautiful mommy." She looked down to see her daughter standing beside her. She smiled and placed a hand on the girls head.
"Mister E spared no expense for me." She said. "Sweetheart, could you hand me that choker on the table? The black ribbon with the sun on it." Rosetta walked over to the table and picked up the choker then brought it over. Aisling took the choker and tied it around her neck.
"Mommy, why do you still call him Mister E?" Rosetta asked. Aisling shrugged.
"I'm not sure dear," she said, "is there something else I should call him?"
"Just call him Erik. That is his name." Aisling laughed at her child's logic.
"You're right. I've also noticed you've been calling him 'papa'." She asked. Rosetta's broad smile shined brighter than her sun choker.
"He is my papa." She said. "I've always imagined who my father is. But now I understand I've always known who he is, even though I didn't know at the time. That's why I can call him so." Aisling felt her heart swell at her daughter's decision.
"My little girl." She said and kissed her forehead. "When this is all over, we'll finally be a family. Nothing will keep us apart ever again." The ten year old nodded her head and gave her mother a hug. Just then, the door opened and Erik stepped into the room. He was dressed to the nines with an expensive looking suit and shoes, his hair slicked back, and a white mask upon his face.
"Papa, doesn't mom look lovely?" Rosetta asked. When Erik laid eyes on the woman before him, his breath caught in his throat. Seeing her like this set his heart ablaze. Her beauty is intensified by the bright colors she now wears and her eyes held an intensity in them he'd only seen the night of Don Juan.
"She certainly does," he said, "as beautiful as when she first sang in Paris."
"And you Erik, you look just as you did before. The Phantom of the Opera, once again." Erik came over to her and caressed her cheek. Aisling's eyes closed and her cheek followed his movement savoring his touch.
"Rosetta," he said turning his attention to the young girl, "if you don't mind, may I have a moment alone with your mother?"
"Can I go exploring?" She asked. Aisling gave Erik a worried look.
"I'd prefer that you not wander off alone." Aisling said. "I don't want you getting hurt or lost." Aisling remembered what happened in Love Never Dies. She wasn't about to let her daughter be kidnapped by someone because her child was unsupervised in an unknown environment. Erik seemed to sense her anxiety and went over to the dressing room door giving it three quick knocks.
"Yes?" Said a female voice on the other side.
"Madame Giry, would you mind coming in for a moment?" Erik called back. He opened the door and Madame Giry walked in. When she caught sight of Aisling she was also surprised by what she saw. She could hardly believe this was the same woman she met only eleven years ago. She seemed so young back then and now she was grown up.
"My dear, I hardly recognized you like this." She said.
"I hardly recognized myself Madame." Aisling said.
"Madame, would you mind taking Rosetta for a little while?" Erik asked. "I'd like to speak with Aisling in private." Madame Giry gave him a meaningful look and smiled.
"Of course." She said. She held her hand out for Rosetta to take and the ten year old went with her without hesitation. Erik walked them to the door and closed it behind them. Once they were finally alone he approached Aisling again.
"Alone at last." He said leaning his forehead against hers. "Soon we will have all the time in the world."
"Just wait until you're a father." Aisling said. "You never get a moment's peace. When Rosetta was born I spent all my time taking care of her. Your life will revolve around your children if nothing else." Erik gave her a sad look.
"I wish I could have been a father to our child." He said.
"As do I." Aisling said. "But we can't change the past. However, Rosetta is quite taken with you. It's not too late to be a father to her. Besides, there are other chances." Erik gave her a confused look but she countered him by giving him a hopeful expression. After a moment, the realization hit him.
"You want more children?" He asked.
"Don't you?" She asked. Erik thought for a moment.
Once upon another time he never even imagined he'd have the same life as any other man. Never to know how it feels to be loved by another or to have a family of his own. When he met Aisling he began to hope. She gave him the change to be a normal man by giving him her love and devotion. Even when she was lost she remained loyal to him, as unconscious as it was. When they found each other again, he believed God granted them a second chance and was determined to hold onto her if it killed him. Before he knew it, they were living in a beautiful house outside of Paris surrounded by rose gardens with a living breathing wife. If only they weren't haunted by ghosts of the past. Imagine, the Phantom of the Opera haunted by ghosts. He began losing hope that he could live a normal life. He's had to fight all his life to hold onto his happiness and now it was once again in his reach. Though he missed many moments in his child's life and his wife was left with only his memory and his child, he was determined to make it up to both of them. He also wanted to experience being a father. To bring a new life he created out of love and teach them about music and finding the beauty underneath. Now was his chance.
"I want to be a father." He said. Aisling beamed at his declaration. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder.
"I know you'll be a wonderful father Erik." She said. Erik returned her embrace and place a kiss on her temple.
"I've already begun looking into new houses. We'll live somewhere with plenty of greenery but still close enough to the city. There will be a large garden where we can regrow our roses and perhaps some fruit trees as well with plenty of space for the children to play. We must also make preparations to move your belongings from your current residence…" Aisling couldn't help but smile at Erik's earnest to start a new life. She still remembered the first time he spoke of their plans back in his world. He searched endlessly for the perfect home for the two of them and talked about everything that would go into it. She knew he'd been denied the chance of a normal life for so long that it made her happy to see him taking to his new role. Even now, she felt glad seeing him making preparations for their home.
Leave the past behind. She thought. Just then there was a knock at the door. Erik paused in his thoughts and answered it.
"Yes?" She said opening the door.
"Mister E, I have urgent news." Said the voice at the door.
"What is it?" He asked. The man spoke in a hushed voice so Aisling couldn't hear him. However, Erik's expression became grim as he continued to speak. She wondered what happened to warrant this change. Erik quickly dismissed him and made to leave.
"What's wrong?" Aisling asked.
"There's an urgent matter I must attend to." He said. "Don't worry, I don't intend for anything to interfere with the show. I will see you after your performance." He gave her a peck on the lips before taking his leave. Aisling looked at the door and continued to wonder what he had heard.
Gary handed his ticket over to be scanned. He still felt he was crazy for doing this. He was walking into his domain after all. Yet Phillipe insisted he take the ticket and see the show. He still felt the man to be untrustworthy, but what other choice did he have? His daughter chose that thing; that monster for a third time. Once his ticket was handed back to him be proceeded into the theatre. He wouldn't deny the design of the building was impeccable. Only a man of great talent could incorporate such beauty into this large space. He made his way up the steps toward his seat. According to his ticket he was to sit in box 1. At least he'd have a good view of the stage. He made it to his box and went inside finding about six seats in two rows. He took one seat in the front row and looked out at the theater. The room was already beginning to fill up even though there was plenty of time before the show. The grandeur was never ending as he took everything in. To think such a madman designed this entire building.
"Are you impressed?" Gary jumped at the sound of the voice beside him and found the Phantom sitting nonchalantly in the seat to his right.
"You knew I was here?" He asked.
"I have eyes and ears all over this theatre monsieur." He said. "However, your nerve is to be admired. I would believe this is the last place you would be after your betrayal to your daughter." Gary clenched his fist. He wanted to retort by saying it was his fault for seducing his daughter but the words wouldn't form in his mouth.
"I heard she planned to sing tonight." He said instead.
"Do you intend to stop her?" He asked.
"No doubt you would stop me if I tried." Erik let out a sort of laugh. He would stop him if he tried to interfere.
"After the performance she will sing. She will be formally introduced as a member of the company as of tonight." Gary wasn't sure how to feel about this. He knew he should stop his daughter from singing tonight, but something in the back of his mind told him he should not judge too quickly. Perhaps her performance tonight would be the true judge of this man's worth.
"You have confidence in her?" He asked.
"She is my pride, monsieur. I know she will be glorious." He turned his eyes toward Gary without moving his head. "Do you doubt your daughter's talent?"
"I know she's talented, I've heard her sing before." Gary said.
"Have you?" Erik asked.
"Of course. I've been to her school concerts and I was there when she sang in Boston." Erik just laughed and shook his head.
"You left her when she performed in Boston and, even so, you were not truly listening to her. You were hoping she would walk away from the stage. As for her school performances, she would sing with dozens of other students." Erik stood from his seat and walked passed him toward the door. Just as he opened the door, he paused. "If you truly listen to her, you'll understand her talent."
Phillipe and Raoul sat at the far end of the theater. They could have obtained tickets closer to the stage, but Phillipe thought it best to avoid the Phantom's notice. If their plan is to go through, they must keep a low profile within the Phantom's domain. There was a reason why he gave a ticket to Mr. Warner. He knew his presence would not go unnoticed in the theatre since he is the father of his little tart. His presence would be a perfect distraction to keep him from focusing on any other potential dangers.
However, Raoul's intention of coming to the theatre was to see his dear Christine again. The earlier image of Christine with a new sweetheart was still engrained in his mind and felt as if his heart has been broken in two with an ice pick. He hoped there was some chance he could win her back, but he sees that she has moved on with her life since the night of Don Juan. It hurt to know her feelings have changed; that his Little Lottie has grown up past their childhood stories and fancies. Yet, seeing her with someone that makes her happy, he cannot help but feel glad to know his friend has someone. When Christine appeared on stage for her aria, she was glowing. She looked like a supernatural being upon the stage and her voice added to the appearance as it rung out through the space.
She was happy. He couldn't deny it. This was where she belonged. That's when he began contemplating what her life would be like if she stayed with him. She would have had to give up her life as a singer to be a vicomtess and live within the upper social circles he inhabited, or once inhabited. Could he have subjected her to such a life? Had he once thought to subject her to suck a life? He always knew his family was against Christine despite his protests. His brother would never have acknowledged Christine as his sister-in-law and his friends would see her as only marrying him for his money. It would not be long before her spirit was completely broken.
Perhaps, all those years ago, he became too carried away over rekindling his relationship with his childhood sweetheart. That's when he remembered when he first came to her dressing room the night of Hannibal. She tried to tell him something as he left her to fetch his hat…
"Things have changed, Raoul…"
She'd already grown into a different person. Why hadn't he realized it then? His Christine was nothing more than a distant memory. He's been left behind with a memory. If he didn't try so hard, he could have remained friends with her even now, but her love for him was different than his for her. He stood from his seat and made for the door to the box.
"Raoul, where are you going?" Phillipe asked.
"I need some fresh air, I'll be right back." He said before leaving his brother alone. He walked through the corridors until he made it to the lobby. He made it to the front doors and placed his hand on the handle. He paused for a moment and turned back toward the inner theater. So much went wrong because of him. How he wished he could turn back time and change the way he acted to his friend. He took a deep breath and turned toward the box office where the ticket seller sat reading a book.
"Excuse me?" He asked. The man in the booth looked up and placed his book aside.
"Can I help you?" He asked.
"Can I borrow some paper and a pen?"
Aisling began pacing her dressing room. It was finally sinking in that she would have to sing for hundreds of people. She was terrified. Her old habit of trying to talk herself out of the show reared itself as she thought about everything that could go wrong and all the reasons why she shouldn't go onstage. The more optimistic side tried countering these doubts about everything good that would come from this show and that this show would be just fine. She needed to get out of her dressing room.
She opened the door and heard the music from the night's performance fill the air. She'd been told that this was an original production by the company and she could tell. Erik's style was recognizable in every note she heard. She looked off to the side and saw Madame Giry still showing Rosetta the goings on back stage with Rosetta drinking in every word the matron said. Aisling was happy to see Rosetta so interested in the theatre's workings. She truly is her father's daughter. Rosetta glanced over in her direction and waved excitedly with a wide smile on her face. Aisling chuckled and waved back. Madame Giry also looked in her direction and gave her a warm smile.
What a family we'll be. She thought.
Aisling made her way toward one of the wings so she could watch the performance. She made her way through the stage hands and actors until she finally found the curtains. As she looked out onto the stage, she saw Christine singing a beautiful aria. She nearly forgot just how beautiful her voice was. To think they had the same teacher felt almost surreal, especially given their separate vocal ranges. Aisling remembers when she was younger. She was considered a soprano in her earlier years and was able to hit some of the same high notes she does. However, by the time she made it to high school, her teacher told her she was an alto voice; a higher alto voice, but nonetheless. It took her some time to come to terms with this knowledge, but in time she accepted it. She also remembered that Erik still taught her to sing, despite her lower vocal range. In her days as a phangirl she always wished she could reach the same level as Christine to be worthy of the Phantom. Little did she know that she never needed to compete with Christine since they were already on the same level.
The production looked wonderful and every voice and movement was perfect. When the ballet segments began, she was glad to see Meg dominating the stage as prima ballerina. Each movement she made was charged and intense. Seeing her dance made her want to move along with her. How far she came from being just another little ballerina at the Paris opera. Both her friends have flourished in this world. What would happen after this was all over? Would there be a chance that they would return to their world? Would she ever see their world again? Would they stay in this one? The story of The Phantom of the Opera ended with Christine disappearing after the night of her kidnapping never to be seen again. She'll ask everyone after this is all over. For now, she had to concentrate on her performance.
Before she knew it, there was a thunderous applause and the entire cast filed onto the stage for final bows. The moment of truth has come. Her anxiety returned to her full force at the idea of performing. She hasn't sung in so long, what if her voice doesn't serve? What if she screws up? Can she do this?
"Aisling." She turned to see Edward standing beside her. "We need to get you into position." He took her hand and led her away to prepare for the show. Aisling didn't have the time to worry. She had to succeed this night. As long as she sang for her Angel, she wouldn't fail.