Hey guys, this is actually the other chapter "Sleep Song" but I've changed the title and made it longer because the new chapter seemed too short to have on its own so I put them together.


Chapter Twenty Seven – Tragic News

Christina's POV

Suddenly my phone rang from the other room. Erik jerked away from me looking alarmed. "It's Ok, it's just my phone!" I said quickly with a little laughter. "Hang on a sec" I trotted across the landing holding my skirt so I didn't trip. I pulled my phone out the pocket of my jeans. It said Dad was calling. "Hello?" I said holding it to my ear. "Christina?" I smiled "Hey dad, how's it going over there?". He replied "Things have been great, Juliette had a lovely birthday and we've all had a lot of fun." I smiled and saw Erik watching me curiously from the doorway. "That's great Dad, I'm glad you all had fun. So what time will you and mum be home tomorrow?" I asked. "Actually we're about to leave right now." I blinked in surprise. "Are you? Well that's a surprise. Do you know when you'll be back then?" "We'll probably be back by five-thirty, you're more than welcome to join us for dinner if you want to." I smiled "Yes of course I will and I think I stay the night." I said. "Lovely, see you soon sweetheart." "Bye Dad" I said and hanged up.

Erik's eyes were fixed on my phone. "Erik?" I asked staring at his strange fixed gaze. "I just find it so magical that people can communicate in different places with small devises just like that. And also that torch-light you didn't need to light with a match." I looked down at my mobile "I can only imagine how weird it must be to you, Erik." "No, not weird Christina. I find it magical, including other things like the carriages without horses, the music boxes which have never ending music, and the boxes which have moving pictures inside that talk." I knew that he was talking about cars, radios and televisions. "Well at some point, I'll show you some of these devices and how work. I'm sure that you'll find them more extraordinary than they appear." Erik's answering smile was heart-warming. "I would like that."

A few minutes later I changed out of the dress and hung it back up in the wardrobe with the shoes. "Erik?" I asked as I stepped out of my room to join him on the landing "Yes, my love?" he asked. "Would you take me back up? I would like to go back home and wait for Mum and Dad to arrive." "Of course, love. Come."
By my request Erik led me to the exit onto the street. "Are you sure you want to go back tonight?" He asked when we arrived. "Yes, pretty sure." I said "Because I know that they're going to want to ask me how it all went." Erik nodded in understanding "Well I hope you have a nice evening with them" he said and reached into his suit jacket pulling out a silver key and handing it to me "Here, you'll need this to get outside" He then wrapped his arm round me, hugging me close to him. I buried my head in his chest holding him just as close to me. "Thank you Erik, I hope you do too." I stood up on my toes to kiss his lips. His hand tangled into my hair as he kissed my back. When we broke apart I opened the door and stooped to walk through the low tunnel. When I made it to the Iron Gate at the end of the tunnel I stuck the key into the lock and turned it. I went through and closed it behind me locking it again.

I stood up straight and I found that I was in an ally which wasn't a pleasant place. It was dark and damp, littered with beer cans and cigarette butts and it also smelled some-what like it was used as a toilet. I held my sleeve up to my nose to muffle the stench and looked to my right. I saw the late afternoon light shining at the end on the ally and hurried towards it, my bag banging against my hip. At the edge of the ally I found myself round the corner from the main road. I made my way along the pavement and crossed the road carefully heading towards the house.

I knew Mum and Dad weren't back yet because the car wasn't parked in the drive. So I went and unlocked the front door with my house key. First I dropped my bag upstairs then went back down to the kitchen. I cleared up for a bit then I looked up at the clock and decided that now was a good time to think about dinner. First I looked around for something to cook, but I eventually decided that I would get a takeaway as a treat for Mum and Dad. I browsed through the different menus and decided to buy a curry. I called the number on the menu and made an order. Twenty minutes later the doorbell rang and the man with the orders was there. I paid him and took the bag to the kitchen. The curry inside the bag smelled absolutely fabulous. So I set the table in the dining room and served the three meals onto plates in the kitchen.
Just as I placing the plates on the table I heard Dad's car pull up outside. When the front door opened Mum's voice called "Christina, are you home?" "Yeah! Yes I'm home" I called back, placing down the last plate. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see mum in the doorway. I stepped forward to hug her, then dad who had now joined us. "What's all this?" She asked, gesturing towards the set table. I smiled and stepped back "Well I thought I would save you the time of cooking for ages when you got back. After all I know how long it is to Juliette's and back from here." They both kissed my cheek and went to the kitchen to get some drinks. Then we all sat together and dug into our fabulous curry.

I told them about the audition and how well Meg and I did. I left out the part about Rosetta not wanting to start any trouble. They were both so proud of me and said that they were sure I would get a good part even if I didn't get cast as the leading lady. "But I believe you may get the lead" said Dad. "Monsieur Pascal showed me some of the reviews you received from that other show. You'd be amazed what most of Paris said about you." I let out a small laugh "I bet I would" I said taking small sip of Rosé. "And I am sure" Dad went on "That they would not allow a star like that just to go into a chorus for their next show. So I am positive that you will be given a big part in this." Mum nodded "So when do you find out?" she asked. "Tomorrow…. around midday I think." "Well tomorrow we will all find out. And no matter what part you will get sweetheart, we will be supporting you all the way." I reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze "Thanks Mum".

Dad and Mum then told me about Juliette's birthday the day before. The dinner they had was wonderful and the family were all so happy to have us back in France. Mum then told me how Juliette had completely understood why I couldn't come and that she was very proud of how successful I had been with my singing.
When we'd finished I helped take everything into the kitchen which still had the lovely smell of curry in the air. Mum then brought a bag from the hall into the kitchen. "What's in there Mum?" I asked. "Some of Juliette's homemade strawberry meringues" she said, taking a big plastic tub out of the bag. "She insisted on me bringing some of these back for you. She had made quite a lot of them anyway and we didn't finish them all yesterday." My smile stretched wide and I came over to look at them. The meringues were snow white with scarlet strawberry's arranged around them. When I bit into one, the sweetness spread all over my tongue making me almost giggle. "Nice?" Mum asked "Delectable!" I exclaimed.
We sat in the lounge eating the rest of the sweet meringues and watched TV for a bit. Then Dad got to his feet. "Sweetie, we're going to go to bed now. The party went on till very late last night and we didn't get a full night sleep." I nodded in understanding. "Ok, Dad. Goodnight." The both gave me a kiss before heading upstairs. I stayed in the lounge for an hour watching TV until I began to feel a bit tired. I switched everything off, checked the front door was locked and quietly went upstairs.

When I got into my room I closed the curtains then went into my bathroom to change and brush my teeth. I was just about to climb into my bed when I heard something that made me freeze. It was a tapping noise. I turned round slowly, it seemed to have come from outside the window. Heart pounding, I cautiously approached the window and reached out a trembling hand towards the curtains. Then the tapping came again making me jump and my hand flinched away for a split second. Trying to stay brave I took hold of one of the curtains. Carefully I pulled it aside, what I saw nearly made my heart leap and all my fear vanish instantly. Erik was right outside my window his white mask glowing.
Still stunned and wondering how on earth he was outside my window, I gestured with my index finger for him to wait a moment. I let go of the curtain and trotted across my room and carefully opened my door. Grateful that Mum and Dad's bedroom door was closed, I tiptoed across the landing towards the balcony door. Erik was already standing out on the balcony waiting for me. I unlocked the door and stepped out to join him in the cold night air. "Erik, how did you get up here?" I whispered. He gave me a proud grin "The trellis" he said pointing. I then saw how it came up and was in-between both my window and the balcony. "You're so incredible" I whispered. A cold breeze sent a shiver my spine making me tremble. "Come inside, quietly" I whispered and led Erik in closing the door behind us. He was just as quiet as I led him across the landing into my room.
When my door was shut I turned round to face him. But Erik seemed to be busy looking round my room. "Do you like it?" I asked and he turned to me and nodded. "Yes, it's lovely." I went to him as he examined the books on my shelf reading some of the titles.

"Warm Bodies" by Isaac Marion
"Harry Potter" by J.K Rowling
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
"The Cornicles of Narnia" by C.S Lewis
"Ballet Shoes" by Noel Streatfeild
"The Northern Lights" by Philip Pullman

"Do you recognize any of them?" I asked. "Some of them" he replied still reading. I was now grateful that Mum and Dad's bedroom was on the other side of the house and not next door to me. So there wasn't much risk of them hearing us.
"What are these stories about he asked pointing to "The Twilight Saga" by Stephanie Meyer. "It's a famous love story" I explained stepping to his side "It's about this vampire that falls in love with this human girl. But despite his love for her he loves the smell of the blood." Erik stared at me in amazement "Does the girl fall in love with him?" I nodded "Oh yeah, her love for him is just as strong. But in the third book a love triangle is formed, because another guy who turns out to be a werewolf, is also in love with the girl." Erik was staring at me in even more amazement "It all comes down to her choosing which path to take. The one to becoming immortal with the vampire or staying mortal with the werewolf." I took a deep breath. Staring at the titles. "Does she love the werewolf?" Erik asked curiously "He's her best friend in the beginning, then he gets on her nerve for a while trying to force her to choose him. But eventually she finds that she really does love him."

Erik turned away from the bookshelf and sat on the edge of my bed. I stayed put trying to read his expression. Erik seemed far away, deep in thought. "What is it Erik?" I asked. He snapped out of his reverie and looked at me. "That plot you just told me about, it's reminded me of one that was quite similar, minus the vampire and the werewolf." His head lowered again and I saw a glint of sadness on the unmasked side of his face. I suddenly understood and went to sit next to him. "It's like what happened to you and Christine isn't it?" I said placing a comforting hand on his back. He turned and looked in to my eyes seeming to hold back tears. Without another word he pulled me to him and I hugged him back. "Shh, Erik it's alright" I whispered. For a while we just sat there holding each other and not saying anything.

Then I let out a small yawn and Erik let me go. "You should sleep now love." He whispered. I nodded "Yes and you should as well. Come I'll walk you to the door." We both padded softly across the landing and onto the balcony. We both gave each other a goodbye kiss and I watched Erik climb down the trellis. When he reached down the ground I leaned on the railing and looked down at him while he looked up at me. He blew me another kiss and hurried off, his black cloak billowing behind him. As I watched him disappear down the road I quietly whispered into the dark night. "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

When I slept that night I went back into the past. What I saw made me smile straight away. Christine was sitting in the fire light cradling a tiny baby wrapped in a white blanket. I stepped close to her to get a closer look. The baby was beautiful. It seemed to have Christine's beautiful face and dark hair but its eyes were bright blue just like mine and my Dad's. Christine lifted the baby up to kiss its forehead. "My dear Gustave. My gorgeous son. I know you're only a week old and may not understand this, but I need to tell my thoughts to someone and not to thin air." She looked up from her child and stared into the space above her. I walked over to the sofa and took a seat next to her.
"It has been a whole month and my poor Angel has not visited me. You wouldn't remember him, he came one night while you were still in my tummy. There was a moment where I said to him that I somehow wished he could have been your father. I know it is wrong to love him more than your father right now. I mean I did make the choice to follow Raoul away from that place that night, this was the choice I had made." She turned her gaze to the small droplets of rain trickling down the window. "But I now have this empty space inside my heart that I believe my angel filled in all the time I was with him. And when he visited me a month ago I felt that that space was filled. It's as if he is one that makes me complete, I mean he was there for me when I had no one and no comfort when I was an orphaned child." She stopped talking and dropped her head letting two tears drop from her beautiful eyes.
Little Gustave let out a small murmur and Christine smiled. She got to her feet and I watched her as she placed him inside his cot and kissed him again. She gave her baby a sad smile then she seemed to be singing a story.

(Christine)
When it's all began
We knew there'd be a price

Once upon a dream
I was lost in love's embrace
There I found a perfect place
Once upon a dream

Once there was a time
Like no other time before
Hope was still an open door
Once upon a dream

And I was unafraid
The dream was so exciting
But now I see it fade
And I am here alone

She looked up from the cot and seemed to be calling to afar.

Once upon a dream
You were heaven-sent to me
Was it never meant to be
Was it just a dream?

Could we begin again
Once upon a dream

She looked back down at her son and said "Oh Gustave, I know I do still love him, the angel I don't even know the name of. Mostly because I saw his loneliness and pitied him. Remembering how alone I was." She crossed the room and sat on the window seat where Erik had come though before. But I stayed where I was, sat on the sofa. She began to sing again and for the first time I sang with her.

(Christine)
I sit and watch the rain
And see my tears run down the windowpane

(Christina)
I sit and watch the sky
And I can hear it breathe a sign

(Christine)
I think of him
How we were

(Christina)
And when I think of him
Then I remember

(Both)
Remember

(Christine)
In his eyes I can see
Where my heart longs to be!

(Christina)
In his eyes I see a gentle glow
And that's where I'll be safe, I know!

(Christine)
Safe in his arms, close to his heart

(Christina)
But I don't know quite where to start

(Christine)
By looking in his eyes,
Will I see beyond tomorrow?

(Christina)
By looking in his eyes
Will I see beyond the sorrow
That I feel?

(Christine)
Will his eyes reveal to me
Promises or lies?

(Christina)
But he can't conceal from me
The love in his eyes!

(Christine)
I know their every look
His eyes!

(Christina)
They're like an open book
His eyes!

(Both)
But most of all the look
That hypnotized me!

(Christine)
If I'm wise
I will walk away
And gladly

(Christina)
But, sadly
I'm not wise
It's hard to talk away
The mem'ries that you prize!

(Christine)
Love is worth forgiving for!

(Christina)
Now I realize

(Both)
Everything worth living for
Is there, in his eyes!

(Christine)
Love is worth forgiving for!
Now I realize

(Christina)
Now I realize

(Both)
Everything worth living for
Is there, in his eyes!

When the song ended I stepped right up to Christine as she stared out at the rain, pattering on the window pain. And taking a deep breath I reached forward to try to touch her shoulder. But suddenly there was a loud beeping sound ringing in my ears and I woke up out of the dream in seconds. The beeping was just my digital clock's alarm going off. I reached over and switched it off, then I dropped back down on my pillows and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes I looked at the time and saw that it was nine am in the morning.

There was a knock on my door and Mum entered wearing her dressing gown and carrying a cup of tea. "Morning sleepy head." She said cheerfully. "Morning" I mumbled still waking up. Mum placed her cup on my bedside table and went to open the curtains. She sighed as she stared outside. "I'm afraid it looks like rain." I stayed lying down, but I could easily see the hint of dark in the overcast clouds that filled the sky. Mum turned back to me her usual bright smile lighting up her face. "Still" she said, coming over to sit on the edge of the bed. "Let's not let that dampen your spirits. You have a cast announcement to prepare for." "I know" I moaned as I sat up stretched. "The moment of truth".

As I rubbed the last of sleep from my eyes I noticed that mum was looking at me in a strange way. "What is it mum?" I asked. She reached for her tea and took a sip. "Sweetheart there's something I want to ask you?" Her voice was serious but still gentle. "Last night I got out of bed to go to the loo and when I came out I heard something." My heart began pounding fast with worry. Had she heard Erik while he was here in my room? I did my best to keep my expression straight and not change to worry. "I peeped into here and I realized that it was you Christina. You were singing in your sleep." My heart immediately relaxed but now I was the one who was confused. "Was I?" Mum nodded. "And it's what you were singing, that I want to talk to you about." I remembered the song and guessed what she probably was going to ask me about. I was right.
"Something about a man and the love and pain in his eyes. I am guessing that this man is someone who is close to you. Am I right?" I didn't answer straight away. I looked at the window then down at my hands. "Yes Mum." I confessed. Was that too much information? I began to worry. "It wasn't about dad, was it?" Mum asked and I shook my head still staring at my hands. "Is it someone you love?" My heart was pounding again, should I tell her? I didn't know what to say. After a long silence Mum took my hand and said "Sweetie, I'm not trying to interrogate you. I just want to know if this guy is your boyfriend or something. That's all." I got out of bed and went over to the window staring outside. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to tell Mum, she wasn't a person that would reveal someone's deepest secret. But Erik was more than a dark secret and I had given my word to not tell anyone who about him. But I knew I could never talk mum out of this without her getting suspicious. I decided to tell her but not reveal too much information at the same time.

"Yes Mum, I do love this man. With all my heart. And probably even more than he loves me." She came up behind me and put her arm round my shoulders. "Oh Sweetie that's wonderful" She said. "I'm so happy that you've found someone. How long have you known him?" "Since the day after we arrived here. He is actually the man I told you and dad about after my debut. The one who had been coaching me on my singing." I said. "But why did you keep it a secret all this time, dear?" I closed my eyes. "Because….Because he is not like other men Mum. Just like I told you that night. All his life he has been scared of the outside world. Because other people have shunned and despised him before they even got to know him. And for so long now he has lived in solitude and all alone"
There was a long silence. "Why do people judge him so bad?" Mum asked softly. But I didn't answer. "Is it because of how he looks?" Holy crow, was she reading my mind?! Deciding to stay truthful I said in a tiny voice "Yes". Mum turned me around to face her and I was surprise to see that she was smiling. "Sweetheart, I'm so proud of you." I blinked in surprise. "Why?" She put one of her hands on my cheek. "Because I've always know that you could see the best in people. And the fact that you have seen into the heart of this man, I can see that it has made him happy." I flung my arms around her and she hugged me round my waist.

"Mum" I said stepping back. "Don't tell Dad about him will you? I will, just not yet." She nodded. "Tell him whenever you feel the time is right." I smiled feeling reassured and hugged her again. I felt luckier than ever that I had a mother that could actually understand. And that she could see that there was good in Erik, even though she had never seen him or met him. Still hugging me she said "Just tell me one more thing dear, what's his name?" One more thing surely wouldn't hurt. "His name is Erik." I said and pulled back to look at her. "Well dear, when you next see him tell him this from me. Only when he feels ready, I would like to meet him face to face." My eyes widened but then I knew that Mum would not judge him after all I just told her about him. Then again she had never judged anyone badly. Even people with OCD, autistic conditions or that sometimes just looked out of place from others. Mum could always see the good in the hearts of people. Now I knew where I had got it from. "Yes, of course I'll tell him." I said Mum gave my forehead a kiss then retrieved her cup from my bedside table. "I'll leave you get ready."

Two and a half hours later. While I was in the kitchen with Mum and Dad my phone buzzed. I found a message from Meg telling me to come to the theater straight away as they were starting to take their seats in the auditorium. "Meg says it's time." I said, pocketing my phone. "Good luck Christina" Said Dad coming over and kissing my cheek. "Thanks Dad" I said giving him a quick hug. "Just remember what I told you last night sweetie. No matter what part you get, Dad and I will be supporting you all the way." I leaned in to hug Mum tight. "Yes of course I'll remember Mum." When I let go I started to head off but I halted in the doorway and said. "As soon as it's done, I'll come back straight away and tell you guys everything." "We'll be right here waiting for you." Said Dad. "Love you" Said Mum. "Love you too!" I called over my shoulder and hurried through the hallway and out the front door.

When I arrived at the doors to the auditorium I went straight in. Most of everyone was there. I spotted Rosetta sitting in the middle front row looking as if she owned the place, Stefano was at her side as he always was. Luckily this time she didn't hear me enter. I scanned the seats searching for Meg. I spotted her, Leo and the other girls sitting some way back from the front. In the middle of the stalls. I ran down an empty row so I would get to them quicker. "Hey Chris." Said Meg when I reached them. "Hi guys" I said sitting down in front of them. "You nervous?" I asked. "I'm more nervous now then I was at the audition." I gave her hand a squeeze but said nothing because I was feeling a little nervous myself.
Behind me, I heard Monsieur Pascal's voice. "Can I have your attention please?" I turned back round to face the stage. Both Pascal and Jean-Andre were standing side by side. Jean-Andre was holding a sheet of paper which I assumed was the cast list. "Now everyone, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. The cast announcement" Said Pascal with a big smile on his face "We all had a busy night, discussing the casting but now we finally have the finished decisions right here" Said Jean-Andre. "We're only going to announce the main cast because there are so many of you. But when this is done you can see a cast list copy pinned on the notice board in studio one. Which will include the chorus, dancers and speaking roles. Now without further ado let us get started." I waited, my heart pounding as they announced through the minor roles.

Then they finally got to the principals. Boq was to be played by Leo. I turned round to give him a quick thumbs up then Meg gave him a quick kiss. I turned back to see that Gilles was cast as the Wizard. We heard him cry out in delight few rows behind back. Nessarose was going to be played by Amy, who was amazed. Then Jean-Andre announced "Madame Morrible and Doctor Dillamond will be played by Rosetta and Stefano." My heart leaped with relief, she wasn't playing the leading lady. It seemed that Pascal and Jean-Andre had taken a massive leap of faith doing this. I looked over at Rosetta but she and Stefano seemed to be frozen in their seats. I could picture her sitting mouth agape with shock. Rupert had been cast as the leading man Fiyero. I could not believe this, was his acting and singing that good enough to make him leading man material. Well the answer was clearly in front of me.

"Now we come to the two leading ladies of the show, Elphaba the wicked witch and Glinda the good witch." There was excitement building in Jean-Andre's voice as he said this. I reached back and felt Meg grip my hand tightly. "Ladies and Gentleman, Glinda will be played Meg Gilson and Elphaba will be played by…. Christina De Chagny!" My heart leapt again, this time with even more joy. There was a burst of clapping and cheering from all round us. I jumped out of my seat and spun round to hug Meg tightly. We had done it. We were going to play the leading ladies of the show. Oh, how amazing it was. I then felt people patting me on the back and hugging round both us.
But though all the clapping there was a voice I could easily pick out. I turned and saw that Rosetta was standing on the stage and was confronting both Pascal and Jean-Andre. However I was the only one that seemed to be listening. "The De Chagny girl! Have you both gone mad?! She's only done one show and you think she's better than me?!" Pascal stepped forward and held his hands out in a way to calm her. "Singnora, calm down. It's not that we think she's better than you. It's just we can't always have you play our leading lady." "Yes" said Jean-Andre "We need to let the other ladies have a chance. Singnora, be grateful that we have at least given you a principal character to play." But she didn't accept this "I am the only one who can play the female leads in your shows!" But both men seemed to have had enough of this. "Rosetta, we have cast Christina and Meg. If you want to be in this show then be grateful with the role you have. If not, then you can't be in the show at all." Rosetta did not answer, she just stood there and stared them down like a snake. I turned away and responded to everyone who was now congratulating me.

When I finally detached from the crowds I gave both Pascal and Jean-Andre a hug to say thanks. Then I hurried off too my room. I hadn't looked up at box five for Erik, but I was sure he had seen and would be waiting for me. Once again I was right. I ran into his arms and he whirled me round and round. "Oh Christina" he cried happily "I can't tell you how proud I am of you." I buried my face in his shoulder "I can't tell you how happy I am." He kissed my hair. When he put me back down I gripped his forearms. "Come on! We have to go and tell Mum and Dad!" I pulled him through the mirror but he suddenly stopped me. "Christina no, I can't." he said sadly. "I reached up and gripped his shoulders. "Erik you can. I know you can. Mum spoke to me this morning you see. She had heard me singing in my sleep about you and asked me about it. And I had to tell her a little about you." Erik's eyes widened in terror but I quickly continued. "But don't worry. I said nothing about the past and you being the phantom. Just that you are a man who has been lonely for so long, and had no real love all your life because of how you look. Also that we love each other so much. She understands and has given her word not to tell a soul." Erik still looked shocked but at the same time surprised. "She….understands?" he asked in an inaudible voice. I nodded "Yes Erik, and she wants to meet you. Come let's go!"

Surprisingly he didn't resist as we went through the tunnels to the small door. Or even as we went through the small tunnel out into the alley. When I looked at the sky it was looking like a rainstorm was about to start, it was a shame since I was coming home with good news. Keeping hold of each other's hand we hurried through the alley, over the pavement and across the pavement towards the house. I ignored some kind of commotion that was going on some way down the road with crowds of people. I ran with Erik straight to the house and through the front door. "Mum! Dad!" I called "Come quick, we have great news for you!" Strangely there was no response, just silence. I looked at Erik who seemed just as confused as I was. They must have been home because the car was parked in the drive. And they were expecting me. I was about to call out again when I saw Dad starting to walk down the stairs. "Oh Dad there you are. We have some incredible news for y…" I immediately broke off because something was wrong with Dad. He was walking so slowly down the stairs with no excitement to my words at all. When his face came into view my own happiness began to fade away. His was all pale and his eyes were pink with tears. "Daddy!" I exclaimed and hurried forwards taking his hands. "Dad, what's wrong?" He gripped my hands tight still sobbing. I looked up the stairs but Mum hadn't joined us. "Mum?" I called up the stairs. There was no response. I looked back at Dad "Where is Mum, Dad? And why are you crying?" His eyes finally met mine and he placed his hands on my shoulders. "Christina" his voice was choked and stiff as if every word he spoke weighed a ton. "Mum….. is.….dead."

I remember a time where I was in the park with my school friends years ago when I was ten. I had climbed all the way to the top of the highest climbing frame to show them that I wasn't scared of heights. When I had reached the top I stood up and held my arms up triumphantly. While the other kids were clapping, something awful happened. A wasp flew at my face and I shied away quickly because wasps had always scared me. But at the same time I had forgotten where I was standing. I lost my balance and fell thirteen feet to the ground. Nearly all the breath had been knocked out of my lungs and I almost couldn't breathe at all. But after a few minutes I managed to get more air back into my lungs and even my breathing.
To my surprise and everyone else's I was able sit up and get to my feet with no pain. All the same I was taken to see a doctor to have my back checked. Luckily I only received a massive bruise. But the doctor said that if I hadn't landed on the grass I probably would have broken my back. Even though I had walked away from it I never forgot the moment of being unable to breathe properly.

That is how I feel right now I seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. "D…dead?" I gasped. Dad nodded sadly and said quietly "She went out to walk to the small shop at the end on the road. But there was a very drunk man driving down the road. He swerved violently and he lost control of the car and… and… and…it went straight to the pavement where Mummy…." He stopped and let a sob. "The man died in the crash with...Mummy." He stopped again and another wave of sobs came from his mouth. I took two steps back from Dad's touch. All my senses seemed to have switched off. I couldn't feel the ground beneath my feet, hear the sobs that Dad was crying, smell the cool air in my nose, taste the saliva on my tongue and now my vision was starting to blur. "Where… is… she?" I asked just as inaudibly as he had been. Dad wiped his tears with his fingers, took a deep breath and seemed to make his voice steady again. "Up in our room on the bed. I asked that she could be….so she would be comfortable."

I looked away from him and stared up the stairs. This couldn't be true, it just couldn't. I hurried up the stairs but each step I took seemed to be sinking into each of the stairs slowing me down. My head was also starting to spin but I ignored it. Perhaps they had got it wrong. Perhaps mum had just been knocked out and was now in a death-like coma. I pushed the door open and stepped into the room. On the bed a white sheet had been draped over her. I was about to step forward but my blood froze to ice. If mum was under there then there should be a small movement made by her breathing. But the figure on the bed covered by the sheet was still as a statue. No! This could not be true, my lovely mother could not have died. She was a stronger women than any I had ever known. I Shakely stepped closer to the bed and reached out a trembling hand. Closing my eyes tight I took hold of the end of the white sheet and tenderly lifted it off the head. When I opened my eyes my heart suddenly jammed inside my chest. It was Mum. Her face was all pale as a sheet of paper and was stained with bruises and scars. My breathing became chocked and my eyes were starting to water. My legs seemed to have lost their strength and I dropped on the floor beside the bed. She was gone. SHE WAS GONE.

My rapid breathing became faster and as I closed my eyes in defeat the tears ran down my cheeks. My whole body then lost feeling and I leaned against the bed my head against her lifeless body. I couldn't hold it back anymore and screamed "No, NO! NOOOOOOO!"


Author's POV

Her cry brought both the men running. Erik made it into the room first. He froze with horror as he saw his beloved Christina sobbing uncontrollably on top of her poor dead mother's body. Gerard, still crying stepped forwards and gently lifted his daughter from the bed and held her close as she continued to cry. "Help me" he begged and he struggled to hold her up. Erik snapped out of his own shock and immediately without any trouble lifted Christina into the cradle of his strong arms. She lay her head on his shoulder still weeping. "Take her to her room… it's across the hall." Said Gerard. Though he already knew where it was Erik nodded slowly and left the room with Christina. Gerard straightened the sheet and gave his dead wife's lips a kiss, one of his tears dropping on her pale cheek. Slowly and carefully he covered her face again.

Erik entered Christina's room, went straight to her bed and sat down. He took his arm out from under her legs and lifted it to cradle her face. "Shh Christina." He whispered, rubbing her back with his other hand. When her sobbing still continued Erik did the one thing that he knew would relax her, sing.

(Erik)
Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise

Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away

Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you

Christina finally relaxed and her sobs fell silent as she fell asleep on his shoulder. Erik gently laid her back on the pillows and stood up. He removed his black cloak from his shoulders and draped it over her. Getting down on one knee he stroked her hair with a feather light touch. Seeing her broken and in pain made him feel the same. But this pain was worse than any in the world. To lose a loved one who was so close to you and loved you so much. Erik already knew from losing his beloved Christine all those years ago. But losing a mother seemed different to Erik because he had never known motherly love. His own mother had chosen to give him away without a second thought. And that was a pain that never died.

Shaking off the memory he continued to comfortingly stroke Christina's hair. He heard footsteps behind him and looked back to see Gerard standing there. Erik's heart began pounding fast as he looked into the eyes of Christina's father. She hadn't told Gerard about their love only her mother. What would his response be? So far Gerard's expression was showing no signs of fear, anger or disapproval. He was just as sad as Christina. He took a few steps closer, then to Erik's surprise Gerard dropped to his knees beside him and placed a hand on Erik's Shoulder. Erik was frozen for a moment in surprise from this. Then his heart relaxed and slowly put his hand on Gerard's shoulder. For he was broken too from losing his true love, and needed just as much comfort. But to feel acceptance from another human who wasn't Christina was unbelievable and Erik hoped it would last.


Author's Notes
Wow! What a long chapter it is now.
I know this chapter now ends with a very sad tragedy but most of the greatest stories in the world have sad deaths.
Don't forget to give me your reviews.


Review Responses

PhantomFan01 – It's lovely to know that you love this story so much. And I do agree with what you say about Rosetta.

Christineoftheopera – The reason I chose the song "What is this feeling" is because I felt that it requires energy as well as a good vocal performance.
And I have auditioned for musicals where I had to sing a song from the musical itself. Some theatre clubs or companies may not have the same rules when it comes to auditions.


The Songs in this Chapter were

Once Upon A Dream – Jekyll and Hyde

In His Eyes
– Jekyll and Hyde

Deep in the Meadow – The Hunger Games