Chapter 29: Two More Days

Later that night Gerard and Erik sat in Erik's study. Upon returning from shopping, Gerard had found his son on the floor with his mother's ring.

"I wondered what happened to her ring. She did not have it on her when she died." Gerard sighed, "I still feel awful for keeping my relation to you a secret."

"I understand why you did. It was all right, Gerard. I have a father now and that is all that counts." There was a pause as they both stared at the ring, "I bet she was so lovely when you met."

"She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. I loved her greatly. And she loved you." Gerard smiled at his son. "She thought you were the most handsome young boy."

"The darkness down here must have affected her eye sight," Erik laughed.

"Well, even it did, she did not look at just your face, but your heart and your soul. She found beauty there."

Erik twisted the ring between his fingers, letting the diamond sparkle in the candle light, "I miss her."

"I do too, Erik. I do too."

They talked for a while. Gerard reminising over how he first met Belladova, and Erik listened intently, trying to picture the story in his head. After an hour later, Gerard finished, "Look at the time, Christine should be coming soon." Gerard stood to bid his farewell.

"Gerard," Erik stood, "Gerard I am tired."

"What?"

"I am tired of living here. Sure I have made it different, I've changed things, but it is not like normal people. There are no windows letting in sunlight, I am not certain on how much I want to live here anymore."

"How long have you been thinking this?"

"Well, a while. I thought redecorating would change my mind, but it hasn't. I do not want to live down here anymore. I'm not so sure I want to live in Paris anymore."

Gerard put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder, "I can not say I know how you feel, but where would you go? What about Christine?"

"I do not know where I would go. I've always dreamed and seen pictures, but I want to experience them and see them first hand. I want to see the pyramids, I want to see the ancient castles in Ireland and Scotland. I want to go to America, England, Germany. I want to travel--"

"Erik, those are wonderful plans, but how can you attempt to do this?"
Erik growled in frustration and grabbed his mask, "I hate this thing. I hate hiding myself! I hate my face!"

"Erik?" The sweet voice of Christine called softly in the distance. She appeared, "What is wrong, you sound upset."

Erik sighed back his anger and replaced his anger with a pleasant smile, "Nothing, Christine. Nothing at all." He quickly slid his mother's ring into his pocket.

She approached and slipped her arms around him and gave him a hug. "Are you sure? You can tell me anything."

"Christine, everything is fine. Gerard and I were just having a discussion." He reassured her in a calm voice.

Gerard grinned then heaved a sigh, "Right. Well, I will leave you two to be alone. I shall retire to my home. Good night."

"Good night Gerard," Erik said.

"Pleasant dreams," Christine smiled and they watched as Gerard left the room.

"Now, what was it that you wanted to tell me? Gerard said you had something important." Erik wrapped his arms around her and pressed her into a tighter hug. He then led her to the stuffed sofa so they could be more comfortable.

"Well, Phillipe visited my today. He was surprisingly pleasant, but something did not seem right."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know exactly, but he was acting a little strange, like he was hiding something, and for some reason I instantly thought of you."

"Of me?" He scoffed.

"Yes. It reminded me of what we have been puzzled about these past few weeks. About this new phantom."

"Do you think the Count is doing these things?"

"I do not know. I would hope not. What do you think?"

"Well, the man I caught a glimpse of was not the Count. Rest assured, though, if he is a suspect, I will keep my eyes open for him."

Christine smiled, "I can always count on you." She rested her head against his chest and he pulled her close.

"I am flattered," they sat in sweet silence for a moment, listening to the fire crackle and pop. "How are the rehersels going?"

"Very well. Two more days till opening night, I must say that I am a little nervous."

"You will do well. I will be listening."

"You will not watch?"

Erik shook his head, "I cannot very well purchase a ticket for a seat nor sit in my box--"

Christine huffed a playfull pout, "I really want you to watch," she puckered her lower lip and looked up at him with pitiful eyes.

Erik laughed, "Christine you amuse me."

Christine giggled, "I understand. At least you will be able to hear me sing, that is good enough for me," she smiled, patting his ruffled shirt.

"Oh, Christine, you are too good for me," he grinned down at her with his handsome smile.

*********************

The next night, Christine, still at the opera house, sat in her dressing room. The same room she had three years ago. The same room with the magic mirror. Beautiful red wallpaper decorated the wall with lines of little white flowers. The room was well furnished and very luxurious. Flowers filled the room and gave a potent scent. She sat at her dressing table reading the notes of her arias and operettas over and over again till her mind started to turn to mush. All the notes began to blur and at that point she glanced over at the clock that continually ticked the time; one-thirty in the morning. Christine heaved a weary sigh, propped her elbows on the table and buried her face in her hands. Rubbing her eyes she glanced in the mirror and saw faint circles appearing. "I must go home to bed." Christine sighed, collecting the papers back together. She would not do herself any good by looking like a zombie for the opera.

"Erik." She whispered, glancing at the large mirror that hid the secret door. She wanted to say good bye to him before she left. Christine left her papers on her desk and draped a shaul around her shoulders. Heading over to the mirror, Christine lifted her hand to the left corner of the frame. Hidden in the elaborate, gold design was a small button that matched perfectly to the other corner, but this one was a secret button to open the mirror.

Christine pressed it and stepped forward into enterance. The mirror closed behind her. Turning to her right, Christine blindly searched for the lantern that rested on a small shelf. After a short search, she found it and struck the flint and the fire danced on the stone ceilings and walls in the tunnel. Lighting the candle, Christine lifted the lantern in front of her. the light lead a bright and cheery way down to Erik's home and took the same bounce that Christine had in her step as she hurried through the familiar maze of stairs and halls. Christine knew she was getting closer as the air became warm from the fire from the study.

She opened a door to the study at the end of a hallway and closed the door behind her. She was about to call his name, but stopped when she heard banging keys and discorded chords. Her brow furrowed as she went to investigate. Stopping at the closed door to the music room, she opened the door just slightly enough to see with one eye. There was Erik sitting at a piano playing melodies and combinations of pieces. He would play a few chords then stop to write them down on the music sheet in front of him. He repeated this over and over. He must be writing a song! She was so excited she could finally hear him play a song he wrote. Her thoughts suddenly ended when he began to sing softly.

He played a soft and beautiful introduction, then after a while of humming, mumbling words, and fumbling the keys, clear words came out of his mouth and his voice was beautiful. The most beautiful, smooth voice she ever heard.