Chapter Twenty Four – The Surprise Song
Christina's POV
"What time is it Erik?" I ask letting go of him. Keeping his arms wrapped round me, he turned his head round and I noticed that he was looking at a clock that was hung on the wall. "Twenty minutes past nine." That wasn't bad because Meg wouldn't be in a hurry at this time. "Of course, you're rehearsing today. Do you need to meet Meg soon?" He asked. I shook my head. "No, there's no rush. Why don't we go and get some breakfast?" He nodded and we both got to our feet.
Soon I was sat at his kitchen table and spreading jam onto some cut up baguette slices. "Are you feeling better Erik? I mean after the bad spell you had last night." Erik was silent for a few seconds then he said "Yes, I feel a lot better, thank you." I smiled and took a bite of one of my baguette slices. "I guess my presence last night helped you sleep." Erik nodded and his warm smile lit up his face. "Having you there last night, with me was so wonderful." The loving look in his eyes was so heart-warming and I couldn't be happier than I was now. Especially knowing that I had slept with him again in the same bed. And tonight we probably will again.
Erik's expression then slowly faded to one of sadness "My presence didn't seem to help you though." He said, his voice fading along with his expression. "Oh no!" I quickly said reassuringly "It wasn't a nightmare. It was nothing bad at all, it was just a dream which unfortunately ended with the falling feeling. Nothing for you to worry about Erik really." He dropped his gaze down to his cup of tea. "But I do worry about you Christina, because I love you" Smiling I reached across and took his hand. "I love that you care about me" I said. His smile returned and he lifted my hand to his lips.
An hour and a half later I was dressed and Erik had brought me back up to my room through the mirror. "I'll meet you back here at five O'clock and then we can go back down" I said and Erik nodded "I'll be here don't you worry. You have a good day with Meg." I stepped forward to hug him. "Feel free to watch us if you get bored" I say. He chuckles "I wouldn't ever want to miss a moment of hearing you sing." He placed a kiss on my head and we parted.
Leaving the room I walked all the way to the studio which I found deserted when I entered. Obviously Meg hadn't arrived yet so I took a moment to read through the songs notes. Ten minutes later Meg hurried in very looking flustered. "Oh do forgive me….if I'm late!" she panted "I was halfway here when I suddenly realized...that I'd forgotten my…dance shoes. So I had to run back for them." I shook my head pointing at the clock "No don't worry Meg, there's no need to rush. We have the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon to rehearse our song. You sit down and catch your breath and then we can get started."
Meg and I had a lot of fun. First we sang through our song, then we choreographed our moves then we stopped for an hour to have our lunch. Meg had brought us both sandwiches that had been made by her mother, and they were very scrumptious. As we ate I found myself staring round the room wondering where Erik's peep-hole or invisible window was. But I could see nothing. Then again I shouldn't because the opera ghost's secrets shouldn't be visible to the naked eye.
When we got back up we put our dance moves together with the song. It took some time, then again most performances do. And by late afternoon we had every note pitch perfect and every move right. "Looks like we're in good shape for tomorrow Meg" I said. "I'm a little nervous about it though Chris" said Meg. I nodded and patted her shoulder "I know, everyone gets nervous at auditions. I'm a bit nervous too, but I'm not going to let that get in my way." Meg nodded. "You're right Chris." We gathered up our things and I looked at my watch, it said fifteen minutes to five. I had loads of time but I was still going to go and wait for Erik. "You have a good sleep Meg." I said as we left the room. "You too Chris." And we both hugged each other. "Thank your mother for the sandwiches" I said as we parted "Will do!" Meg called.
I skipped over to my room and found Erik waiting when I stepped in. "Ten minutes early" I said after a quick glance at my watch. He grinned. "Well I had nothing better to do today so I stayed watching the both of you. Then when you both left the studio I came straight here." I laughed and stepped over to join him. "Come on let's go" I said. Smiling, Erik put his arm round my waist and we both went through the mirror.
When we got back to Erik's house, we went to the kitchen to get some dinner. Tonight he made us both beef stew from what was left of yesterday's meal. It was so wonderful that I asked Erik to give me a second helping.
Later on I was sat with Erik in the same place by the lake as we had yesterday evening. This time I was reading him "Fern Hill" by Dylan Thomas. My head was rested against his shoulder as I read, and his arm was wrapped round me.
(Christina)
Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs
About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green,
The night above the dingle starry,
Time let me hail and climb
Golden in the heydays of his eyes,
And honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns
And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves
Trail with daisies and barley
Down the rivers of the windfall light.
And as I was green and carefree, famous among the barns
About the happy yard and singing as the farm was home,
In the sun that is young once only,
Time let me play and be
Golden in the mercy of his means,
And green and golden I was huntsman and herdsman, the calves
Sang to my horn, the foxes on the hills barked clear and cold,
And the sabbath rang slowly
In the pebbles of the holy streams.
All the sun long it was running, it was lovely, the hay
Fields high as the house, the tunes from the chimneys, it was air
And playing, lovely and watery
And fire green as grass.
And nightly under the simple stars
As I rode to sleep the owls were bearing the farm away,
All the moon long I heard, blessed among stables, the nightjars
Flying with the ricks, and the horses
Flashing into the dark.
And then to awake, and the farm, like a wanderer white
With the dew, come back, the cock on his shoulder: it was all
Shining, it was Adam and maiden,
The sky gathered again
And the sun grew round that very day.
So it must have been after the birth of the simple light
In the first, spinning place, the spellbound horses walking warm
Out of the whinnying green stable
On to the fields of praise.
And honoured among foxes and pheasants by the gay house
Under the new made clouds and happy as the heart was long,
In the sun born over and over,
I ran my heedless ways,
My wishes raced through the house high hay
And nothing I cared, at my sky blue trades, that time allows
In all his tuneful turning so few and such morning songs
Before the children green and golden
Follow him out of grace,
Nothing I cared, in the lamb white days, that time would take me
Up to the swallow thronged loft by the shadow of my hand,
In the moon that is always rising,
Nor that riding to sleep
I should hear him fly with the high fields
And wake to the farm forever fled from the childless land.
Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means,
Time held me green and dying
Though I sang in my chains like the sea.
I lowered the book and looked up at Erik. "It's a very good poem" I said. He kissed my head "I have to agree with you. You have very good taste in books." "From all the titles I saw in your library you have an amazing taste too." Erik chuckled. "Well if I couldn't see the world, I could at least open a book and learn a thing or two about it." I turned my gaze from him and stared across the lake "We may sit in our Library, and yet be in all quarters on the earth." I felt Erik kiss my head again. "So true, Mon ange" My smile stretched wide. "It's also the same with a show. Whether you're performing or in the audience you almost get transported to another place or another time. It's almost magical." Erik's hand stroked my arm "The theatre is magical Christina. The cast and crew make the magic from all the hard work and effort." I laid my head against his shoulder again and his arm hugged me close to his side.
We stayed sat in silence, resting against each other filled with complete bliss.
"Erik, I want to show you something." I said quietly. "What is it?" he asked just as quietly. I got to my feet and went over to his magnificent organ. I sat down on the bench and stared at the many piano keys. Even though the piano we had at home was out of tune I had always tried to play tunes. Despite it being out of tune I had once dedicated myself to learning to play song, and incredibly I had succeeded.
Now I began to play on the song on organ's keys and the tune came out so beautifully. The tune was so beautiful that I closed my eyes for a few moments and let the song flow around me. Still playing, I opened my eyes again and turned to look at Erik. He was standing there staring at me, a look of absolute astonishment on his face. He came and stood at the side of the organ and watched me as I continued to play. Now I sang the lyrics to the well-known song.
(Christina)
There's a calm surrender to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind can be turned away
An enchanted moment, and it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with you
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight?
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
There's a time for everyone if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight?
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
I stopped playing and turned to face Erik. His face was lit up by a big and loving smile. I stood up and he took me in his arms. "Oh, Christina. That was so beautiful. Why didn't you tell me you could play so well?" I smiled and said. "I was saving it as a surprise for a special moment of happiness." I felt Erik plant a kiss in my hair. I let him go so I could face him. "But I'm afraid that is the only song I can play" Erik still smiled and took my face in his hands. "It may be the only song you can play. But it is a beautiful song and you play it beautifully" I smiled and Erik leaned in to kiss me full on my lips. When our kiss ended he said "Time you got some sleep. You need to look your best for the audition tomorrow." I nodded and we went back to his house. When we arrived at my room Erik left me to get ready.
I was now in my pyjamas and lying flat on my stomach, on my huge bed writing my diary.
18th October 2010
Dear Diary
I had a lovely night with Erik back down in his lair. But last night I had the strangest dream. The strange thing about it was that wasn't like a dream at all, it was more like being taken back in time. It was of the night that Christine and Erik had parted and she was expressing her sadness about leaving him and how much she still loved him. I also saw Erik and witnessed his sadness of his broken heart. I know it sounds truly crazy but I was actually there, I could feel it, everything was so real. But they couldn't see me, I was nothing but an invisible ghost to them.
I know I should tell Erik but I want to wait and see if it will happen again. If it does then I might consider telling him. I mean he does have a right to know.
Meg and I had a great rehearsal. We set and ran through our audition song and it looks like we're in for a good chance. Let's just hope things will all go according to plan and there will be no glitches. Wish me luck.
I closed my diary and placed it on the mahogany bedside table. Then I got down from the bed and went in search of Erik. I found him in his room, most of the lights were out except for a few candles that were on the organ where Erik was sitting. He was playing tunes then writing them down with a black feather quill on a huge sheet of paper. The music was gentle and soulful and it gave me the feeling that I was floating off my feet.
I slowly walked over to him. Erik must have sensed I was there because he had stopped playing, placed his quill back in the ink bottle and turned round to face me. He had changed out of his usual black tux and white tie. Now he was wearing a Black velvet robe over the loose, plain white shirt he slept in. On his legs he had a pair of black pants but his feet were bare. His mask and wig still remained on his head as always.
"Do you want me to come and tuck you in?" he asked kindly. But I felt it was time for me to tell him about the separate room's issue. I took a deep breath "Erik I don't like the idea of us sleeping in two separate rooms. I mean when two people are in love they want to sleep together. And you're making it look as if you don't want me to sleep with you." Erik's eyes were full of surprise and confusion. "You….want to sleep with….me?" he asked in a tight voice. I nodded "Of course I do." He blinked in surprise.
Then he gestured to his masked face. "You want to sleep with this?" he questioned. I sighed "Erik, don't make yourself believe you are a monster or a thing, because you're not. I've told you many times that I love you. And besides you didn't seem to mind sleeping with me all those weeks ago when I first came down, and last night didn't seem to bother you."
Erik lowered his head and closed his eyes. "That first night you came down I was intending to take you back up to your room through the mirror. But you fell asleep so I had no choice but to keep you down below for the night. When I became sleepy myself, I didn't want to come up here and leave you all alone in an unfamiliar place. So once again I had only one option, to sleep beside you. So then you wouldn't be alone and I would be near at hand if you needed me. Last night I let you stay with me for my own comfort. I needed your love and care to heal the wounds of the nightmare I'd had. But now I can't bear the thought of you waking up next to the face of a monster then start screaming. You said so yourself, this morning you'd had a nightmare." I stepped forward and placed my hands on his shoulders. "Erik, stop it! That dream I had, it wasn't a nightmare caused by your face. The only bad bit about it was the ending in which I had a falling feeling, just like I told you. And my dear Erik, you are not a monster. Your face doesn't bother me at all, in fact I love it, you're human just like me and everyone deserves to be treated as equals, including you."
Erik silently rose to his feet and looked down at me in wonderment and disbelief "You…love…my...face?" I smiled and started to sing.
(Christina)
The first time, ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars
Were the gifts you gave
To the dark, and the endless skies
I took Erik's big hands into mine.
And the first time, ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like the trembling heart
Of a captive bird
That was there, at my command, my love
I leaned in close and touched my left cheek to his unmasked one.
And the first time, ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy
Would fill the earth
And last, til the end of time, my love
I took a step back from him and let go of his hands.
The first time, ever I saw
Your face, your face
Your fa-ace, your face
When I finished the song Erik's smile was so heart melting. He came forward and placed his big hands round my waist, looked intently into my eyes then leaned in and kissed me. I began to kiss him back then I suddenly stopped. "What is it?" he asked leaning back to look at me. I reached up and slowly removed his mask, he didn't protest this time, just closed his eyes. I laid the mask aside but kept my eyes on his face. When he opened his eyes I gently took his left cheek in my hand in my hand and leaned in touching my check to his deformed one. "That's better" I whispered. He sighed in contentment and placed his arms round my back. When I leaned back to smile at him he was smiling too and started to sing.
(Erik)
I bring you a song
And I sing as I go
For I want you to know
That I'm looking for romance
(Christina)
I bring you song
In the hope that you'll see
When you're looking at me
That I'm looking for love
(Both)
I'm seeking that glow
Only found when you're young and it's May
Only found on that wonderful day
When all longing is through
I'm seeking that glow
Only found when a thrill is complete
Only found when two hearts gently beat
To the strength of a waltz that's both tender and new
(Erik)
I bring you a song
For I'm seeking romance
(Both)
You're by my side
There's a moon up above
It shines with a light that's so mellow and bright
It's easy to see
That tonight we shall fall in love
(Erik)
I bring you a song
For I'm seeking romance
The moment our song ended we leaned in to kiss each other again. The kiss was long and loving. His hands caressed my back while I stroked the black hair of his wig. As we were still kissing, he slipped his arms round the back of my legs and lifted me up. Still not breaking from our kisses he began walking then sat down somewhere. I opened my eyes for a moment and saw that we were now rested on his bed.
Erik and I finally broke of our kissing and just sat with our foreheads rested against each other. "Mon ange, Mon amour" Erik whispered. My hand came up to his neck. In that moment a stream of words suddenly seemed to speak to me inside my head, just like the song I'd sang when I first descended down here all those weeks ago. And just like all those weeks ago I sang out the words.
(Christina)
Angel of music
Guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Angel of Music
Hide no longer
Secret and strange angel
Erik's forehead suddenly jerked away from mine making my eyes flash open. his whole expression was dumbstruck. "That song….how do you know it? Where did you hear it?" He asked with a hint of desperation in his voice. I turned my head away and stared at the floor. I don't know, the words just came into my head. Just like the song we sang when I first came down here. I don't know where they came from." I turned back to look at Erik who was still dumbstruck. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder. "The strangest thing is that I feel like I've heard these songs before. But I just don't understand." Erik brought his arms up to embrace me close to him. "What do those songs mean Erik?" I asked burying my face in the skin of his neck. "They're songs from my past Christina. Songs that Christine and I sang" He said quietly. "Really? Oh my god, that is so amazing".
Erik swung his legs up onto the bed and removed his velvet robe. We both got under the warm covers and rested side by side. The glowing candlelight got dimmer and dimmer as we both lay on our sides facing each other. Erik's left hand gently caressing my cheek. "Do you think I will succeed in the audition tomorrow?" I asked. He nodded and stroked his fingers into my hair "I have no doubt that you will triumph. With all the great reviews you have received, I believe that you and Meg will walk away with the parts." I took his hand, kissed it, then shuffled closer to him so that there was no space between us. My hand rested on his bare chest stroking the smooth hairless skin. His hand was on my back hugging me close to him. "Goodnight Christina" He whispered planting a kiss into my hair. "Goodnight Erik" I whispered back resting my head on his shoulder and drifting comfortably off to sleep.
Author's notes
Hi guys, sorry for it being so long. But I got a new job and have been very busy with Drama things. But as I always say, I never abandon my work.
Hope you Like this new chapter.
PLEASE post me your Reviews.
The Songs in this Chapter were
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
Looking For Romance (I Bring You A Song) - Bambi
Angel Of Music - The Phantom of the Opera