Hey everyone, thanks for the reviews….I don't own Phantom…Enjoy!
Christine's POV
When I awoke from a total disastrous night, I paced the lair several times. I had asked Erik to kneel down on one knee, as if expecting him to propose to me. I could never ask him for such a thing, not after what I had done to him. After pacing for ten minutes, I approached Erik's bedchamber, to find an empty bed. I immediately began to worry, and entered to search for him. I called his name over and over again, but I didn't get a reply. It was when I heard someone coming down the stairs did I run out to the main room to find Erik standing in the doorway, shivering.
"Erik, where have you been?" I questioned angrily.
He shivered in the doorway, and I couldn't understand where he had gone to. Quickly I removed his cloak, and rushed his feverish body to his bed. He didn't say a word to me, as I lied him down, but I wasn't expecting him to either.
"You're going to kill yourself."
"I'd rather die, Christine…."
I took a step back and looked him in the eye.
"What on earth are you talking about, Erik?"
Erik sat up, and I could see that he had tears in his golden eyes.
"I went to see Madam Giry today, she said horrible things to me. She told me that she never wanted to see me again."
Within seconds, he was back down within the sheets and breathing heavily again. I walked out of his bedchamber and into Gustave's. He was sitting at his desk drawing a picture and only turned when he felt my presence.
"I'm going out for a while, Gustave."
"Where to?" he asked curiously.
"To see Madam Giry. I'd like it if you stayed here and kept Mr. Y company."
Before I could even throw my cloak on, Gustave was up and running towards Erik's bedchamber. I would only be gone for a short while, and I knew with Gustave at his side Erik would be just fine….
Erik's POV
I lied there in silence, staring up at the ceiling. That was until I heard someone approaching and turned to see Gustave entering. He jumped up onto my bed as if jumping into a pile of leaves, causing my lungs to ache again due to the sudden movement.
"Hi Mr. Y."
I grasped my chest in agony, and sat up.
"Could you not do that again." I replied angrily.
"Sorry."
"Where is your mother?" I asked.
"Out."
This was perfect, and exactly what I wanted. I quickly threw back the covers and easily got out of bed.
"Mother says you should stay in bed." replied Gustave as he tried to pull my shirt back towards the bed.
I pulled away, and rushed over to my nightstand.
"I need your help with something." I said as I opened the only drawer on my monkey music box. Inside I pulled out the only item I had kept within it for ten whole years; Christine's ring. I had kept the ring she placed within my hands on the night she left me. It was probably the only thing besides a picture of her that I owned. I closed it within my hand, and turned around to face Gustave once more.
"I need you to help me with something."
"What?" he asked.
I knelt down on one knee, as if proposing and grabbed Gustave's hand gently.
"What are you doing Mr. Y?" he asked.
Quickly without another word, I shouted out the only words that were on my mind.
"Will you marry me?"
Gustave quickly backed away, and began to laugh hysterically.
"Mr. Y, what on earth are you doing? I think mother has overdosed your morphine."
I quickly stood back on my feet, and shook my head. I had made a complete ass out of myself without even knowing it.
"No Gustave, I want to ask your mother to marry me. I wanted to know what you thought of my proposal."
Gustave sat back down on my bed, and looked as though he were confused.
"My mother is certain to say no, due to the fact that she's already married."
I sat down beside him once more, and held out the pink diamond ring.
"I overheard her say that she left him. I love your mother Gustave, and I want to marry her. If you feel uncomfortable with me asking her, I won't do it."
Within an instant, I heard Gustave sigh and laugh at the same time.
"It's about time, I'd thought she's never leave him."
"That doesn't bother you?" I questioned.
"Bother me?" he laughed. "I hated that man since I could walk."
"So you'll help me?" I asked.
"Of course, Mr. Y."
I smiled, and got down on my knee again. Before I could even continue, Gustave pulled me up to my feet.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Proposing." I replied.
"Like that? She'll never say yes, to something like that." he said
I sat back down on the bed beside Gustave, and glared down at the ring.
"What am I thinking, Christine is never going to say yes to me."
Gustave patted me on the back, and I saw him smile from the corner of my eye.
"Of course she will, I mean she said yes to…to him."
This had always boggled my mind. I had always wondered how Raoul proposed to her, and I knew the boy knew.
"Did your mother ever tell you how he did it?" I asked.
Gustave nodded.
"Yes, and I can't even believe that she said yes to it."
"How did it happen?" I asked.
"She told me that Raoul and her were walking down the streets one night, and he just got down on his knee and asked. I'm only a child, but I would have never said yes to something like that."
I was about to change the subject, when Gustave continued.
"I didn't mean to stop you from fake proposing to me, but I can't let you just pop the question. I think you should do it in a special way."
"How?" I asked.
"I may only be a child, but my mother has told me many stories about how she thought it would happen."
"Do you think she'll say yes, Gustave?" I asked. "I want your honest opinion."
"Yes, I do…but you just have to do it in a special way. You should make this your own little creation…"
I smiled. "You're right."
"So when are you going to ask her?" he asked.
"Tonight, during rehearsal."
"You can't honestly be going to rehearsal tonight? You're not ready to sing yet."
"No, I'm not singing, I'm just going to sit and watch."
I knew exactly how I was going to propose to Christine, and I knew she wouldn't be able to resist saying yes…
Christine's POV
I had walked to Madam Giry's house, only to knock and have no one answer. I didn't understand what went on between her and Erik, but I wanted to find out. As I was about to leave, the door opened, and Meg stepped out, dressed like one of the characters out of Erik's opera.
"Christine, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"I wanted to speak to your mother." I replied.
Meg walked the streets with me, and I couldn't help but feel that she knew about what went on.
"My mother is out." she replied. "She said she needed sometime to herself."
"What went on this morning?" I asked.
"Raoul came to pack up his things, and reminded my mother how badly Erik had been treating her."
I stopped walking, causing Meg to stop as well.
"Erik does not treat her badly; he doesn't treat anyone bad."
"No, I mean Raoul told my mother that back in Paris, he made her his post man, and slave. You know it's as true as I say it is Christine…"
"But he's changed, Meg. Surely you know this as well."
"I know, but my mother can't see it."
The conversation was over, and together we walked to the opera house. It was nearing time for rehearsal, and I was going to see it that Erik didn't attempt to sing one line. I walked alone down those dark hallways to get to my dressing room. Once I opened the door with my name carved upon it, I was shocked at what I saw. There on my dressing table, was a dozen red roses with a letter sitting up against it. I smiled, and picked up the letter to read it. My heart leapt at the first line….
"My darling Christine,
Please forgive me for my actions the past few days. I love you terribly and I know you still do as well. I want you to meet me on the roof after your rehearsal.
Sincerely, your one and only love…"
I knew it was from Erik, and I couldn't wait to see him. I wondered why he wanted to meet me on the roof, but I would soon find out. After smelling the beautiful roses, I dressed in my costume, and walked out onto the stage ever so happy. Erik was sitting down in the front row of the audience, looking over his music one final time, and my heart leapt at the sight of him. I could have kicked myself in the ass for ever denying him love. I loved him now more than ever, and I couldn't wait to be in his presence once more. My day dream was cut short, when I heard Erik shout up to Gustave, who was standing at the edge of the stage with his violin.
"We're going to start from the beginning again. Gustave, this means you'll start off with the music."
When everything got silent, Gustave began to play the score Erik had written, and seconds later Meg began to dance. The beginning didn't really have much of my character; mostly all my parts were with Erik. Meg's role was a gypsy, and I was supposed to be the one to save Erik from her evil clutches. I went off into a daydream, remembering when Erik and I danced together during Don Juan. How I wish I could have gone back in time and change the events of that night. If only I would have stayed with him, if only I wouldn't have been so cruel…suddenly my daydream ended when I heard Erik calling for me once more.
"Christine, Christine…"
I looked towards him, and smiled.
"Yes?"
He glanced down at his music, and then back up at me.
"Have you forgotten your lines?" he asked ever so seriously.
"No, why?" I asked.
"Because we have moved onto page eleven, and when Gustave started playing, I didn't hear your voice."
"Page eleven is a duet." I replied. "A duet between you and I."
"I know that." he said angered. "I want you to pretend that I'm singing with you, and sing it for me. We both know I'm in no condition to sing."
I nodded, and stepped closer to the edge of the stage.
"You're Hideous
You're horrid
You belong in hell.
How could I love any part of you
When you're under the devil's spell.
You're mother hated you
And so do I
You'd be better off alone
Why can't you just die..
You're in this freak show
And that is that
You'll spend your days in a cage
Full of rats…"
I paused, not knowing what to do now. It was Erik's turn to sing, but I knew he couldn't. it was then that he glanced up from his music, and turned the page.
"Like I said, pass over my part, and sing your next line."
I took a breath, and continued.
"Something inside me says there's love
Sometimes I can feel it
Am I your dove?
We're just two people
On different paths
How could you and I love
It makes me laugh..
When I see you in that cage
It breaks my heart
And sends me into a rage…
If I shall free you I shall die
We'll be tracked down
How can I lie…"
It was then that Erik stopped me once more, and smiled.
"That was good enough, you can go change now. I shall work with Meg on her dancing a bit more."
Rehearsal was over, and Erik was going to meet me on the roof. Quickly I ran back to my dressing room and changed. I then grabbed my cloak, and ran up the stairs to the roof. This was it, I was finally going to find out what he wanted! I turned the handle on the door, and stepped out into the night air only to have my heart break into two. There standing in front of me wasn't the man I had expected to see, no, there in front of me was Raoul.
He smiled. "Ah, Christine. I loved your rehearsal tonight."
"What are you doing here?" I asked angrily. "I told you I didn't want to see you again."
"You seem angry that I showed up. Who did you think left the roses and the note in your dressing room?" he questioned sarcastically. "Ah yes, let me think….the monster? Did you think he even had the slightest of feelings for you?"….
I stood there stiff as ice, not knowing what to do…
Erik's POV
After I gave Meg a few tips on how to dance the way I wanted her to, I asked her to escort Gustave to the lair. I was alone now, and able to fulfill my wish to propose to Christine. Everything I needed to do the job was in my dressing room, and so without a moment to spare, I opened my door, and gathered up the items. I had cut the thorns off a red rose, and tied a black ribbon around it, but tied within the ribbon was the ring. After handing her the rose, I'd kneel down, and ask her. As I approached her dressing room door, I took a breath, and tried to remember what I wanted to say to her. After feeling confident enough, I knocked and took a step back. After several seconds, no one answered and the stem of the rose began to slip within my sweaty hands.
"Christine." I called. "It's me, I would like to talk to you."
Once again no one answered, and so I entered to find an empty dressing room. Before leaving, I noticed the roses and a note lying on her dressing room table. I picked up the note, and read it word for word. Who on earth could have written the note was beyond me, but being the curious stalker that I was, I headed towards the roof. Even when I was climbing the stairs I heard a man talking, and when I approached the door way I saw him…Raoul! that sneaky bastard was standing beside Christine. He had written the letter, and he had the nerve to come to MY opera house! I snuck behind one of the stone gargoyles I had on the roof, and listened to him talk to her.
"I know you still love me, Christine. Tell me you don't love that beast. He doesn't deserve you."
"Yes he does! I told you it was over Raoul…I don't want to be with you anymore."
"But I'm sober, don't you see it! I won't drink again, this I swear to you. I love you Christine, and I can't go back to Germany without you."
I watched as Christine backed up against the wall, and lowered her head.
"There was love once, Raoul but I cannot leave him."
"I want you to look me in the eyes Christine, and tell me that you love him."
My hands became even sweatier and I watched as she looked at the boy and open her mouth. She was going to say it, she was going to tell him that she loved me…My dreams slowly ended though as she then closed her mouth and turned away.
"In my heart, I know there is love for him. When he is with me I feel it, but when he is away I don't. I am certain of one thing though, I know I do not love you."
Raoul then got to his knees, and pulled at Christine's dress.
"Please Christine, I beg of you. Come with me before it's too late."
"Too late?"
"Yes, come with me before he fulfills his lust to bed with you. That is all that monster wants, he wants your body and nothing more."
Christine pulled away in such anger, and began to cry.
"That is a lie Raoul! Erik loves me and I know he does. I gave into his lust for me a few nights ago, and the next morning his love for me didn't change."
"You gave yourself to him! When I am your husband!"
"I am not your wife Raoul! Not any longer, and you need to accept the fact that I'm staying with him."
"Out of pity."
Christine faced him once more, and shook her head.
"My love for him may not always be certain, but I do not love him out of pity."
Raoul ran to the door of the roof, and turned around to face her one last time.
"It's over Christine, and just know that you put the nail in that monster's coffin."
"Come near him or my son, and I'll put the nail in your coffin!"
I heard the door to the roof slam shut, and I couldn't help but begin to sob. Her love for me wasn't certain….she didn't hate me, but she didn't truly love me either. My heart ached for her, and I knew she would never marry me now….
Christine's POV
I waited for several moments to make sure Raoul was truly gone. When I was about to leave, I heard sobbing coming from a few feet away. I looked around where I stood, but didn't see anyone, that was until I realized that there was a slight movement coming from behind one of the gargoyles.
"Who's there?" I asked softly.
The sobbing continued, and then from behind the gargoyle came Erik. He ran straight past me and down the stairs…he had heard everything. He had seen Raoul and I on the roof, and he had heard what I said. I couldn't do this, I couldn't make him feel this way. I chased after him, and wound up in the dark candle lit hallway with Erik leaning up against my dressing room door; sobbing as if I had just said something cruel to his face.
"Erik, I didn't mean anything…"
"Just go away, Christine. My heart is broken."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I know the truth. You don't truly love me…you just go with it."
"I know there is love, Erik. When I'm with you I feel it. It's only when I'm away do I not feel it."
Erik wiped his eyes, and took off his mask. He then looked me in the eyes, as the tears still ran down his cheeks.
"Do you feel it now? Do you feel it when I look like this? Or is it only when I wear my mask?"
I wrapped my arms around him, and kissed his deformed flesh.
"I prefer you this way."
I know this had hurt Erik, because within seconds after saying what I did, he handed me the rose in his hand and walked away. I glanced down at its beauty, and leaned in to smell it when I felt something small, and cold dangling from the black ribbon that was tied around the stem. I glanced down to find a ring, but not just any ring, the ring Erik placed on my finger ten years ago. It was then I realized that he had planned to ask me to marry him after all. I ran as fast as I could to catch up with him, and found him gathering the remaining props that were on stage.
"This meant something, didn't it?" I asked softly.
Erik continued to move the props about the stage, as he answered me.
"Well it used to mean something, but after seeing you with Raoul, I knew your answer."
I quietly approached him, and had him stand up straight. I then handed him the rose, and took a step back.
"Try it again." I stated.
Erik glanced down at the rose, and lifted it to his face to smell its beautiful scent. Afterwards, he stepped closer to me, and placed it within my hand. As I was looking at the rose, Erik got down to one knee, and placed my hand in his.
"Christine, I know I'm not the best man at times but I want this to work. I want us to find happiness in each other's lives. Now I want an honest answer out of you, because I can't do this if I know your're not certain about your love for me. I never thought I'd fall in love with someone, let alone someone as special as you. It would make me the happiest man on earth if you would spend the rest of your life with me as my wife. So Christine DeChangy, would you marry me?"
The question was popped, he wanted me to be his wife! I quickly threw myself upon him, and cried Yes over and over again.
"Yes, Yes, Yes! I will marry you Erik…"
When I looked at Erik again, his face was full of tears, and he took the rose out of my hands to untie the black ribbon.
"Don't worry Christine, these are tears of joy; I assure you."
The next thing I felt, was the ring being placed on my finger. When I glared down at it, I smiled at the fact that he kept it all these years. When I kissed him, everything felt right and my life hadn't been such a waste after all. Everything was finally turning out right this time, and soon I would be married to Erik.
"I want to be married tonight Erik…" I replied happily.
"I don't think any church would marry the two of us…." he replied disappointingly.
"I know a place."
Indeed I did know a place that wouldn't turn us away…I had seen it several times walking through Coney Island, and tonight it would finally join Erik and I together, as one….
Sorry to leave you hanging….Next chapter shall be fun fun! Let me know what you think and I shall have the next one up as soon as I can.