Chapter 41

That following night Erik looks for Christine. He first stops by the Daae mansion to see if she was there, but no one was home. After he leaves, the family comes out of the library to know that Erik and Raoul are looking for Christine.

Five months go by but still no sign of Christine. Raoul was concerned about his fiancé but was more concerned about his career by the time it was a month after her disappearance. So, for him to concentrate on his career, Raoul has hired men to find his fiancé. As for Erik, he never gave up. He searched everywhere inside and out of Paris. Erik even searched other major citifies in France to find her. But, unfortunately, no one has seen her and has heard from her since she left. So Erik returned to his home to retrace his steps and look for clues.

But while the months go by, Erik, not even Raoul, suspected that Madame Giry, her daughter Meg, Christine's family, Eliza, and Raoul's father and stepmother Emily knew about Christine's disappearance and her secret.

While the months go by, Christine tries to live her life as a new person and give her child what she can. But yet, every night, she thinks of Erik, hopes that he is alright, and hopes what she did was the right thing for herself and her child.

One day, in Erik's lair at sunset, Erik is pacing back and forth in his room. Thinking of all the possible places Christine could be but has no luck. Erik looks at a map and thinks to himself, "Where are you, Christine? I've looked at every possible place in France that you can be, but yet I can't seem to find you. I hope you're ok. My dreams are repeating themselves, but they always tell a different story. Am I starting to go insane? Maybe I should talk to someone about it? No, they'll think I'm crazy." Erik sits down to pause and gather his thoughts. "I think I need some fresh air. Not only am I going to try one more place. But maybe going to the country for a bit might help clear my mind."

A few hours later, in Burgundy, at the Daae Mansion, Meg arrives at the front door and enters. "Morning Monsieur Daae!" She says as she turns to the living room and sees Gabriel reading the morning paper.

Gabriel smiles, walks towards Meg, and says, "Good morning Meg! How are you? And your mother?"

"She's fine. Just nervous about Erik and is sad that she can't be here for Christine."

"I understand, and it honestly hasn't been easy for her."

"I know."

"So, are you here to see Christine?"

"Yes! She wrote to me asking about coming to visit her."

They turn as they hear the sound of someone coming down the stairs. Christine sees them and walks towards them. Christine smiles and says, "MEG! I miss you!"

Meg hugs her best friend and replies, "So do I!" They chuckle then smile at each other as they reminisce on how much time has passed. Meg glances down, sees Christine's pregnant belly, and asks, "How are you? You look great!"

Christine chuckles and replies, "Thank you."

"How far are you now?"

Christine places Meg's hand on her belly and replies, "I'm about twenty-eight weeks now. I have two months left."

"Wow! That's amazing," Meg said with happiness. "Anyway, are you ready?"

Christine lets go of Meg's hand and replies, "Oh yes."

Meg turns around to grab Christine's coat. Christine turns to Gabriel and says, "Uncle. I'm going to town for a bit to look for some more things for the baby. And spend some time with Meg for a bit. Also, we are out of my favorite tea. Is there anything you want me to get while I'm out?"

"Well, now that you mention it, I do need to return these books," he replied. He goes to his desk and gives Christine the books. "There might be some things in the kitchen that we might need as well. But are you sure you want to go out?"

"Yes," she replied. "I'm tired of being cooped up all day. Plus, I think some fresh air might do me some good."

"Well, if you're sure."

Eliza approaches from behind with a coat for Christine and herself. "Don't worry, sir. I'll be with Christine the whole time," says Eliza.

"Alright," he implies as he touches Christine's shoulders. "Just be careful."

Christine smiles and says, "Yes, uncle. Love you."

"Love you," he replied.

Christine, Eliza, and Meg leave the Mansion. A few seconds after they leave, Charlotte walks towards her father and asks, "Father, where's Christine going?"

"Just to town," Gabriel replied as he turns to face his daughter. "Don't worry, Eliza's going with her." Charlotte lightly smiles, then turns to the window as she is concerned for her cousin.

A few minutes later, in Burgundy, Christine, Eliza, and Meg arrive and walk around the city. Christine turns to Meg and Eliza and says, "Eliza, why don't you get something's in the market. Meg and I are going to return these books to the book shop."

Eliza tilts her head slightly and asks, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Alright."

"Meet me at this store in thirty minutes."

"Ok."

Christine searches in her coin purse and gives Eliza some money. "Here's some money," says Christine.

"Thank you," Eliza replies. She turns and walks away. Christine and Meg walk out together.

Simultaneously, Erik gets off his horse and ties the reigns to a pole on the other side of the city. He then walks amongst the people in the town; he notices every tiny detail that is different. "Wow, this place is pretty," he sighs. "I don't know why I haven't come here sooner. Oh, and they have a marketplace. Indeed there isn't anything that I need. But I could use more wine. I am out of my favorite wine, after all."

A few minutes later, Christine and Meg arrive at the book shop. The Owner is sweeping around when he hears the bell's sound at the top of the door ringing. He turns as he sees Christine and Meg entering inside. "Ah, if it isn't the most beautiful singer Christine Daae," he shouts as he comes downstairs. "So, what can I do for you?"

"Well, thank you," says Christine as she smiles and turns to Meg. Christine approaches the Owner and pulls out her uncle's books from the basket. "I'm here to return these books to my uncle."

The Owner nods his head and says, "Ah yes, thank you."

He takes the books from her. "Oh, your uncle has requested a couple of more books to read. Excuse me a minute." The Owner leaves and goes to the back of the store. Christine and Meg look around the store. In the back, the Owner shouts out, "So, how's the baby?"

"Good," Christine replied. She or he squirms a lot. But that's ok." As Christine looked around, something catches her attention. She looked down and noticed two books from Victor Hugo. "La Esmeralda" and "Notre-Dame De Paris". Meg sees and sighs as she is intrigued by what the stories could be about. The book owner comes back and notices that they are looking at the books. The Owner returns from the back and sighs as he is happy to see Christine's taste in stories. He walks towards her and says, "Ah "La Esmeralda," and "Notre-Dame de Paris." Two of Victor Hugo's famous novels. Both tell tragic yet romantic stories."

Christine turns to him and smiles. "Both are about Quasimodo, correct?"

"Yes, they are."

"I've heard of Notre-Dame de Paris, but not La Esmeralda," said Christine.

"If you like, can you take both?" the Owner replied.

"Really?"

"Of course."

Christine reaches in her coin purse and asks, "How much?"

"Keep it," he replied.

Christine turns back to him. She stutters, "Oh no! I couldn't!"

"I insist. Besides, I have extra copies in the back."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," the Owner replied as he givers her the books. "A gift from me to you and your little one."

Christine looks at the books and smiles. She looks back at him with gratitude, "Well, thank you." They smile at each other. She looks down at the other books that she put down next to his register. "What about the others?"

"Oh no, I never make anyone pay. I only make them pay if they are late. Which luckily, your uncle has returned them on time for once. Plus, only if anyone truly desires a particular book can they buy the book whenever they like."

Christine looks back at the books and puts them in her basket. She then walks towards the door where Meg was standing and turns back to the Owner. "Well…thank you once again."

"You're very welcome, my dear," he replied. He waves towards them. "Goodbye."

Christine and Meg wave back at him as Meg opens the door. "Bye, thank you," said Christine.

"Bye," said Meg.

Once outside, Christine turns to Meg and asks her, "Meg, can you find Eliza? Just to check on her for me, please."

"Of course," Meg replied. "Will you be alright, though?"

"Yes, I'll be fine." Christine places her hand on Meg's shoulder and smiles. "Go." Meg nods then leave Christine. Christine leaves to find another store to visit. At the same time, Erik is walking around in the marketplace. As he looks around, suddenly, he hears a familiar voice.

"Eliza!" shouts Meg.

Erik turns around as he looks to see where that sound is coming from. Suddenly, when he looks over to a cart of fruit and vegetables, he sees a beautiful young girl with a basket looking eerily familiar; her clothes, hair, and eyes. Remind him of a girl who came to see Erik the night before he told Christine he didn't want to see Christine again. Eliza. As Erik walks towards her to get a better look, Meg approaches Eliza and talks to her.

Erik tilts his head and softly whispers, "Meg? Eliza? What are they doing here?"

A few minutes later, at a local store, Christine enters inside. The Owner of that store approaches her and says, "Ah, hello, Miss Daae! What can I do for you?"

"Yes, do you have any jasmine tea and maybe some baby items?" Christine replied.

At the same time, Erik walks by the front of the store and stops as he sees another familiar face.

The Owner answers, "You're in luck Miss Daae. We had just received Jasmine this morning, and we do have some baby toys that just came from America yesterday."

"Fantastic!"

"Why don't I get the Jasmine for you while you look at the toys, it's right at the front."

The Owner goes to the back of the store. Christine looks around and notices at the front of the store a teddy bear. As Christine walks towards the teddy bear, Erik takes a closer look. She sighs with adoration. "Awe, it's so adorable. It's perfect!" As Christine smiles at the Teddy Bear, she looks up. But once she does, she notices Erik staring at her. Seeing Erik standing outside the store makes Christine anxious. Erik is shocked and relieved to see that Christine's okay. Christine begins to hyperventilate as they stare at each other and has flashbacks of her memories with Erik. As she slowly backs away as she is spooked.

The Owner comes back with the tea but notices that something is wrong. He touches her shoulder and asks, "Are you alright, Miss Daae?"

Spooked, Christine turns to the Owner, back to the window but sees that Erik is gone. She stutters, "Yes, I thought I saw…Nevermind." Christine turns to the Owner with the teddy bear in her hand. "So, how much?"

A few minutes later, Meg and Eliza wait for Christine at their meeting point by the carriage. They turn as they notice Christine coming. "There she is," said Meg. However, as they see Christine, they see that something has happened as she walks past the store and their carriage. Meg and Eliza follow her as they are now concerned that something terrible happened.

Christine whispers, "Eliza. Meg. Let's go."

"Are you alright?" asks Eliza.

"It looks like you've seen a ghost," Meg replied.

"Please! I want to go home!" Christine shouts.

Eliza and Meg look at each other as Christine gets inside the carriage; they then soon follow. Once they are all inside, the coachman grabs the reigns and signals the horses to go. A few seconds after they leave, hiding in the shadows, Erik watches them as he is shocked to see that Christine is alright but that she has been staying in the town of Burgundy since she left.

A few minutes later, Meg and Eliza turn to Christine in the forest as they see that she is speechless, shocked, and has shed a tear. "Christine, will you please tell us what happened?" asked Eliza.

Not looking at Eliza and Meg, Christine mumbles, "I saw him. Erik. He was at the marketplace."

Eliza and Meg glance at each other then back at Christine. "Oh my god!" said Eliza softly.

Meg gently touches Christine's hand and asks, "Do you think he knows about the baby?"

Christine shakes her head. "I don't think so." Meg and Eliza turn to each other, feeling concerned. In her mind, Christine prays, "Please, God, I hope not!"