Father Once Spoke of an Angel

By: Stealiana

A/N: I have never seen Les Mis, but apparently, great minds thing alike. And I understand that "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is already the name of either a book or a poem (I have not read it, thus my ignorance on the subject) - you'll see why I named it this at the end of the chapter!

Who is Christine's suitor? What will Eric do when he finds out? Read on to find out, for this is when the fun really begins!

Chapter 13: For Whom the Bell Tolls

"Those look absolutely delicious!" Christine felt her mouth watering as she stared through the window.

"Pick one!" Adrian smiled. "I'm feeling generous - whatever you want."

"Oh no, you don't have to -"

"No, I insist!" He looked over her shoulder into the window. "This is the best pastry shop within miles; you have not lived until you've had one of their sweets!"

"Well…" She acquiesced. "I think I would like that one…" She pointed to the back of the case.

"Excellent choice!" He said. "That happens to be my favorite."

"You're just saying that!" She smiled. He laughed.

"As usual, you're right. I actually like that one, with the almonds." He moved to the door and held it open for her.

"I'll wait out here." She waved him on, continuing to look through the window. Her eyes followed him as he went to the counter. His gestures were so graceful and his movements so fluid. His green eyes sparkled with laughter, even when his lips did not make a sound. She turned away, not wanting him to catch her staring. He made her feel so secure; his soothing presence and his easy way of talking kept the evening lively and in constant motion. It was all she could do sometimes to keep up with him. Despite his voluble nature, he listened when she spoke, paying close attention to what she said. Everything seemed to come naturally to him, and it always seemed as though he enjoyed making her the center of the world. She leaned against the window, smiling faintly into the night air.

"Here you are," Adrian carefully handed her the wrapped delicacy. "It was all I could do not to eat it myself." Christine laughed.

"A gentleman to the end, are you?"

"But of course." He smiled. "You don't mind walking back, do you? I think it's rather nice out - unless of course, you'll catch cold?"

"No, I would love to walk back." She smiled. "You don't need to treat me like a piece of china. I won't shatter."

"Well, I must beg your forgiveness, then!" He apologized. "But I'm sure you understand when I say that beautiful things do not stay that way unless treated correctly." Christine felt a blush creeping up her neck.

"Well, I… I thank you for your concern, but I'm sure I'll be fine."

"If you believe so, then that is proof enough for me!" He offered her his arm, and she took it, grateful to be able to face forward instead of looking at him. Knowing his green eyes were upon her made her feel hot and embarrassed, heightening her consciousness of her actions. She stumbled on the uneven cobblestones, and felt her face flare when his hand steadied her.

They walked in a growing silence, which had not touched the two since he had knocked on her door earlier that evening. The quiet was satisfying to her senses, and it gave her a chance to gather her wits about her once again. She could not understand why she was so flustered - this was not the first time Adrian had taken her out, and the other times she had been so calm.

"Christine…"

"Yes?" She answered immediately, her nerves rattled.

"I have a question."

"Then ask it, by all means."

"Well, I hope you don't think I'm being too forward… but…" For the first time, she saw his face wrought with concern. "You don't have any… benefactors, do you?"

"Benefactors?" She repeated, confused. "I'm afraid I don't understand…"

"Christine, I know you're not a fool, and you know what I mean. Don't toy with me!" He pleaded.

"You mean…" Her eyes grew large in shock. "Do you mean to ask if I have any… gentleman providers?" He avoided her sparkling eyes.

"Well… yes, I am." Tension filled the air in the split-second of silence before her laugh splintered Adrian's anxiety.

"Goodness no! Whatever gave you that notion?" Adrian's face flooded with relief, and his lack of composure was evident.

"Well, I… I suppose… It was only natural that… I mean…" She turned to him and placed her slender finger across his lips, smiling gently at him. His inability to speak for once was so endearing; it was empowering to have this blonde man captivated, his eyes pleading for her to say something.

"You don't always have to talk, you know." She whispered. "Walking alongside me is enough." She took his arm and started moving again, Adrian silently accompanying her. His willingness to do her bidding tickled her insides, and she could not repress the constant smile that rose to her lips.

"I merely thought," Adrian tried to defend himself. "I merely thought it highly unusual that a woman so… new to the Opera would already be holding principle roles."

"Are you implying I'm not worthy?" Christine bantered.

"No! No, that's not what I meant at all! I think your singing is the most divine sound to ever grace my ears! I did not intend to insult your talent in any way. But," he lowered his voice. "It is well known that others have connections with extremely wealthy patrons."

"Yes," Christine agreed wryly. "It is too well known amongst the little ones."

"Well, then you can see the reasoning for my anxiety." Adrian stated firmly.

"In order for you to be anxious, Monsieur," Christine smiled coyly. "You would have to be afraid that you were losing something." Adrian stopped walking, and turned to her, searching her face.

"Mademoiselle, you do a wonderful job hiding your cunning mind." He said softly. "I had more faith that you would know full well what I was afraid to lose."

"Perhaps I do know." She hunted his eyes as she murmured her response. "But I think it would be best if you simply told me."

"I do not want to say anything that is unwanted."

"What makes you think that what you might say would not be reciprocated?"

"Experience."

"What could have happened to make you think like that?" She mused, her face filled with sorrow. He averted his eyes.

"It is more along the lines of what did not happen." He smiled to himself. "A father's disappointment is always a wonderful way to build confidence, isn't it?"

"Your father…?" She gently clasped one of his hands in her smaller ones, holding it close.

"Yes, my father." He breathed in deeply. "The father that never wanted me to learn music. That told me if I left I could never come back." He stopped as he saw Christine's face fraught with pity. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone on like that; and you, with no parents…"

"I'm fine." She insisted, still wearing the worried look on her face. "It is you that concerns me."

"Don't waste another thought on my troubles." He fought his anger to smile weakly. "After all, if I had never come here, I would not be blessed by such a lovely woman holding onto my hand and shedding tears over me." He carefully wiped away the pools of water beginning to collect under her eyes. "Don't cry, you'll make your pastry all soggy." She looked down and laughed, her voice slightly muffled.

"I did not mean to upset you." He tried to comfort her, drawing her close, forgetting the rules of society. He rested his head on top of hers, gently rocking her in the shadows of the night.

"I only wish…" She tried to start, but her voice was too inaudible when she spoke into his jacket. He released her carefully, and she smiled into his eyes. "I only wish that life wasn't so difficult all the time…" He embraced her again, chuckling into her ear.

"Life could never be better, Christine, as long as you're standing here beside me."

The cathedral bells thundered out the hour, startling the couple into reality. Christine gasped as she realized what time it was.

"Oh no!" Her eyelids fluttered as she looked about frantically. "I had no idea it was this late!"

"Is everything alright?" Adrian asked, a tint of concern in his voice.

"Papa will be so angry with me!" Her fingertips rested on her lips, her mouth slightly agape in horror.

"Papa?" Adrian questioned. "I thought your parents were dead?"

"People call God their father, don't they?" Adrian nodded, still not understanding what she meant. "Well, he certainly didn't marry their mother, but God is their father." Adrian shook his head.

"You aren't making any sense, Christine…"

"That doesn't matter." She gathered her skirts in her hands and began to walk faster.

"Christine! What's the matter with you?" Adrian persisted, genuine worry and confusion overwhelming him as he hurried to keep up with her.

"I forgot I told Papa I'd be back… I was to have a voice lesson tonight…" In her haste, she nearly tripped, but Adrian's hands flew out to catch her.

"Christine, please… Can't you explain to me…"

"I have to hurry, he might still be there! I don't want to disappoint him."

"Who is he? Is he your instructor?"

"Yes, yes." She hardly knew the words coming from her mouth; she was so distracted.

"He can come back, then, he won't be angry."

"I believe you said 'Nothing is worse than a father's disappointment'?"

"Well, yes, but that's not the same."

"In this case, it is! Oh, Adrian, he's all I have to guide me. Without him, I'd be lost like a tiny boat in the waves of a storm! He might as well be my Papa, because he took care of me for so long…" They had reached the Opera House. She stopped to turn to him, her voice beseeching. "You don't need to understand right now, it will all make sense. But now I need to go and see if he is there. I didn't mean to break a promise."

"Sh, I'm sure it will be fine." Adrian comforted her. "It was an accident and I'm sure he'll understand." Her hands shook and her eyes darted frantically towards him.

"Do you think so?"

"Yes… Christine, why are you so frightened?"

"Because… I don't want to let down the people I love. I feel so guilty. After they've already hurt so much…"

"You need to rid yourself of that guilt, or it will be the death of you!"

"I know, I know. That's what Eric says." Adrian's mind jumped at the mention of the name. However, he wisely decided not to dwell upon it.

"Everything will be fine, Christine, calm down."

"Alright, alright… I am calm…" She smiled childishly as she turned to go. "…Thank you, Adrian."

"Wait." He reached out, his hand gently holding her back. "Before you go… it occurred to me I never answered your question."

"My question?" She repeated.

"Yes. What I was afraid to lose… is standing in front of me." She turned and grasped his hands.

"I know." He raised her hands to his lips and kissed them, before she smiled and disappeared behind the great Opera House doors.