Chapter 9: Life Continues : From Children to Adults
1 year later
To: The Vicomte de Chagny and his wife
From: The Comte de Champney and his wife
You have been asked by the Comte de Champney and his wife to become the godparents of Gérard and Dominique de Champney.
Sincerely,
Erik and Meg de Champney
Christine smiled and at the small note and entered the house. She walked into the breakfast room and sat beside Raoul. He looked at her and she handed him the note.
" When is the baptism?" Raoul asked
" May 24th," Christine said
Raoul grabbed Christine's hand and kissed it.
" We'll have to visit them," Raoul said
" It's been a year since they got married and ended awful fight with the authorities," Christine said, " It's time they had some happiness."
Meg walked down stairs and heard music playing outside. She pulled her robe tightly around her as she walked towards the veranda. She opened the door and saw Erik playing the violin and the children in the strollers. She smiled and walked out and Erik looked at her.
" You surprise me each day Erik," Meg said
Erik smiled and kissed her and looked at the children.
" They love your playing Erik," Meg said
She lifted one of the boys and Erik lifted the other one.
" Gérard and Dominique," Meg said, " They have their father's good looks and hopefully his talent."
" I see a lot of you in them Meg, and little of me," Erik said
Erik looked at Dominique as he fell asleep in his arms.
" I guess we can tell who sleeps more," Erik said
" Just wait," Meg said
Erik kissed Meg and they looked over the land Erik had bought beyond his estate. Meg could see Erik had come a long way since that horrible year. He was free from the law and no longer had to worry about corrupted authority. She looked down at Gérard and kissed his head.
" Their going to be so happy here Erik," Meg said, " There's only the best."
" Yes, only the best," Erik said
He looked at the rose bushes blooming for miles, the fresh blue water of the pond, and miles of healthy green grass.
" Only the best," Erik whispered, " because they deserve the best."
2 Months later (May 24th )
Erik and Meg looked at Christine and Raoul as they came in. Madame Giry walked in and kissed her daughter and son-in-law.
" Meg, they've grown since the last time," Christine said
Meg smiled as Christine picked up Dominique and held him.
" Christine, you said you had some good news in a letter, what was it?" Meg asked
" We're not going focus on my happiness, this day is for your children Meg, they should be happy," Christine said
The baptism began and Meg looked at Erik as he just stared in complete happiness. She grabbed his hand and watched as their children were baptized, Erik looked at her.
After ceremony they went back to the estate to celebrate. Gérard and Dominique were showered with gifts from friends and family of the de Champney.
2 years later
Erik watched Meg from box five, teach her young ballerina's and the older ones as well. He found that there wasn't a moment that he didn't think of her. Erik looked at his sons as they watched their mother dance. He lifted them up on his lap and they smiled seeing their mother on stage.
" Does she dance all the time father?" Dominique asked
" Yes," Erik replied
" I want to go down, can we father?" Gérard asked
" Not while rehearsals are going on," Erik replied
One of Erik's students came out and warmed up and looked up at Erik. He gave a nodded and listened to her sing.
Afterwards they went downstairs and Dominique and Gérard ran to Meg. She smiled and hugged them, then looked up at her husband.
" Trouble?" she asked
" None, memorized by their mother's gift," Erik said
She smiled and kissed Erik and Dominique and Gérard looked at their parents. They shook their heads and some of Meg's students showed them around the opera house. Meg grabbed Erik's hand and then embraced him with love arms.
" Are you happy Erik?" she asked
" I couldn't be happier if I tried," Erik said, " I have a beautiful wife, and two young sons."
" I'm extremely happy Erik," she said
She stood up on her toes and kissed Erik. He grabbed her hands and pulled her into his arms.
Later, that day, they went to town and Erik and Meg bought some things for the boys. Erik watched Meg pick out some things for them and he went off to another shop. He spoke to the shop keeper and he nodded. Erik watched from the shop to keep an eye out for Meg and the boys.
" Comte de Champney, do you want them wrapped," the shop keeper asked
" Yes, please," Erik said
The shop keeper wrapped up the gift and Erik paid and went back in time to see Meg finish.
" Are you ready my dear?" he asked
" Yes, what did you get?" she replied
" Just something I had made, for the house," Erik said
Meg gave him a look and nodded with a smile on her face. Erik smiled and lifted Gérard into his arms. Meg laughed as she looked at Erik and Gérard seeing their features were almost exact. Where as Dominique took on a softer side of his father's features. Dominique grabbed Meg's hand as they walked along the busy streets.
The evening came and they had dinner and Erik walked over to Meg and placed a rose in front of her.
" Your red rose for the day," Erik said
" Thank you my darling Erik," she said
" Father why do you give mother a rose a day, when you can give her dozen of roses from the garden?" Dominique asked
Erik smiled and looked at Meg who lifted the rose to her nose.
" It's a story that when your old enough, we will explain," Meg replied
" It's a token of my endless love," Erik said simply
" How did you and mother meet?" Gérard asked
Erik sat down and said, " That is a story I would be honored to tell you."
" Are you going to tell us?" Dominique asked
" No," Erik said, " After your lessons perhaps, but it is not a dinner story."
" What is a dinner story?" they both asked
" There are no dinner stories, expect daily events," Erik said, " Your past is a story told through your life not in one setting."
They ate and then there were lessons in the music room, the sounds of the violin, the oboe and piano, were heard. Meg listened as her three charming men played for her. She turned the pages for Erik as he played and the boys played off Erik's music.
" Mother do you sing?" they asked
" Singing has never been a gift, only dancing," Meg replied
" You hum," Erik said
She looked at Erik and nudged him, as a smile caressed her lips. Erik continued play and Meg hummed for Erik.
4 years later
" Célina," Christine called
" Don't worry, she's fine Christine," Meg said
" So, where is Erik today?" Christine asked
Meg sighed and said, " Business in Paris, he's talking about an investment that will bring life back to the past."
" Ah, I see," Christine said, " Sounds to me Erik's become popular with the investors."
" What about Raoul?" Meg asked
" He's as well on business in London, he won't be back for three weeks," Christine said, " It's so lonely without him. You don't realize you miss someone until their away from you."
" Christine, why don't you and Célina stay here until Raoul gets back. There's more than enough room and that way Célina can play with the boys," Meg said
" Are you sure?" Christine said
" Christine, your practically family," Meg said
" Thank you Meg," Christine said
The three children sat in the boat that floated in the pond.
" Row gentlemen," Célina said
" Why can't girls row a boat?" Dominique asked, " They're so pushy too."
" Cause they're weak, and that's why they look to us strong and handsome gentlemen," Gérard replied
A gentle wind blew and Célina's sunhat blew off and fell into the pond.
" My hat!" she cried
" I got it," Gérard said
" Don't go after it young master," a servant called to him
" Don't worry about it," Gérard said
He jumped off the boat and into the water and the servant rolled her eyes.
" Young master," she called, " Your mother will be angry."
Gérard came up and swam to the hat and then climbed up, he handed to Célina. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
" Thank you Gérard," she said
" It was nothing, I was just being a gentleman," he replied
" Show off is more like it," Dominique said
The three children went all over the land and then went horse back ridding. Christine and Meg watched them and smiled at how well the children were getting a long.
" They're so precious," Christine said
Meg smiled and leaned against the veranda railing. She smiled at her young boys and the young girl.
That evening Erik came home and heard singing in the music room.
" Good evening monsieur, Madame de Chagny and her daughter are here, they're in the music room," the servant said removing his cloak
" Thank you," Erik said
He went down the hall to the music room and opened the doors.
" Good evening," Erik said
" Father's home," the boys called
They ran and hugged Erik and Erik stumbled back from the sudden tackle.
" I guess I was missed," Erik said
" Did you bring us back anything?" they asked
" Then again maybe I wasn't," Erik said
Meg smiled and walked over, she kissed him.
" You were missed by me," she said
He looked over at Christine and gave a nod. She gave a curtsy and walked over, then kissed his cheek.
" Hello Erik," she said
" Was it your voice I heard Madame?" he asked
" Oh, Erik you know I don't sing unless I'm on stage," Christine said
Erik looked over and saw Célina.
" Who is this beautiful young girl?" Erik said
" Good even Monsieur de Champney," Célina said
Erik smiled and knelt down and she walked over to him and hugged him.
" My dear you have a beautiful voice just like your mother," Erik said
" She's taking lessons," Christine said
" By no Phantom teacher I presume," Erik joked
" No, by a friend of Raoul's, but I do prefer the Phantom teacher," Christine said
Erik looked at Meg and grabbed her hand.
" Did you teach my mother monsieur?" Célina asked
" I did," Erik said, " and she was a very stubborn student, though she grew up."
" Erik," Christine said
Erik smiled and looked at Meg and Meg nudged him.
" Please, come join us for dinner, I have news for you all," Erik said
Erik escorted both Meg and Christine.
" Can I escort you to dinner Mademoiselle de Chagny?" Gérard asked
" Me too?" Dominique asked
" I would be happy too have you both," Célina said
Everyone sat down to dinner and Erik talked to them about having the Opera Populaire reopened. He already had invested money to have it reconstructed and Meg smiled at him.
" That's wonderful, so does that mean we're going to Paris?" Meg asked
" No, but I have already hired a manger," Erik said, " A fine woman, she's loved the Opera house since I was another man."
" Who?" Meg asked
" Your mother has been hired once it is reopened," Erik said
" Oh Erik," Meg said
" Christine, I have spoken to your husband and he too has invested money into the Opera Populaire," Erik said
9 years later
Gérard looked at Célina as she laid in the grass on the side of the hill. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
" What?" she asked
" Nothing just admiring your beauty," Gérard said
" Oh, Gérard," she said
She sat up and leaned to him, then kissed him.
" Mother told me how she and father met, mother's scarf flew away and fell into the sea and father and his governess were passing. He ran off despite what his governess told him and went after the scarf. It was only destiny that they would get married," Célina said
Gérard kissed her and she wrapped her arms around him.
" Célina!" Christine called
" Mother calls," Célina said, " Come my sweet we shall go to the Opera tonight."
" As you wish my lady," Gérard said
Gérard walked Célina back to the estate, they walked hand in hand together as they made it to the front door.
" There you are," Christine said, " Célina, you have lessons."
" I know," she replied
" Gérard, do you wish to stay?" Christine asked
" I have to head back, it's my mother and father's special day," Gérard replied, " Next time perhaps."
" Then have a safe trip," Christine said
Célina kissed Gérard, then went off to her lessons. He climbed onto his horse and rode off towards home. He entered the estate and hung his dress coat, then went to the music room. He saw his brother there but not his parents.
" Where's mother and father?" he asked
" They went to Paris, don't you remember?" Dominique said
" I thought we were going?" Gérard sighed
" Nope, they're visiting grandmother and the Opera Populaire," Dominique said
Dominique played the six chords over and over again. Gérard gave his brother a look.
" Would you play something else?" Gérard asked
" I've been playing these chords since mother and father left," Dominique said, " Why would I change now?"
Gérard shut the piano on his brother's fingers. Dominique pulled his fingers from under the cover.
" Why the hell did you do that?" Dominique growled
" Because you wouldn't stop," Gérard replied, " Why can't you be normal like everyone else? Why can't you go beyond the music and actually perform."
" Sorry, I'm not perfect," Dominique said
Dominique stood up and pushed past his brother and Gérard looked at his brother.
" I can't understand him," Gérard said
Gérard sighed and sat and looked at the piano, he began to play it out of boredom. Dominique stood at the edge of the stairwell and sighed, he was not like his brother. He had no one to make him happy. Dominique went out horseback ridding to enjoy the rest of the day alone.
Gérard looked out the western window, that looked over the lands of the estate, at his brother. He sighed and sat down on the windowsill, a servant came up and brought his tea.
" Thank you," he said
" Your welcome," the servant said
" Do you know when my parents will return?" he asked
" Not until late young master…they were to visit your grandmother," the servant replied
" Oh, ok," he said
She walked downstairs and Gérard looked out again. He wondered if everything was well with them.
That evening Gérard went with Célina to the local opera house to see a performance. She looked at Gérard and grabbed his hand, seeing he was worried.
" What is wrong?" she asked
He turned and grabbed her hand, then raised it to his lips. He shook his head and stroked her cheek.
" I am just thinking again," Gérard replied
After the performance Gérard took Célina out to the rose garden. He looked at her in the moonlight and smiled.
" Your worried Gérard, but about what?" she asked
" Not a thing," he replied
" Come now Gérard, you are afraid of something," she spoke softly
He pulled her close to him and kissed her deeply. He danced with her to the serenade of nature and they went off deeper into the garden.
" How I love you so my dear Célina, it was destiny that we came together," Gérard said
" Yes, destiny," she said
2 years later
Erik looked at his son as Gérard spoke of marriage to the daughter of the Vicomte de Chagny. He sounded like himself, when he fell in love with Christine.
" Gérard, your love for this woman is it pure?" Erik asked
" Pure as day, pure as the stars in heaven. Father, I would give her my heart for her hand in marriage," Gérard replied
" Then you must go to her father first and ask for her hand, do not ask her first," Erik said, " You are making a big decision."
Gérard looked at his father and nodded and then sat across from him.
" Father, why do you wear the mask?" he asked, " I am old enough to know why you wear such a mask. What lies beyond it father?"
" You're right Gérard, you are old enough, but what you see on one side of my face is not what is on the other," Erik said
His son looked at his father and stood up.
" Father, does mother know what lies behind the mask?" Gérard asked
" She has since she was a little girl, what lies behind this mask is me in a darker form, sit down and hear my tale my son. This will help you understand that I am no ordinary Comte."
Gérard looked at his father and sat down and Erik began his story, from his freedom of one thing to a prison of another. His son could not see his father in such a lonely place. He was powerful and wealthy, he couldn't see him with no power.
" The Phantom of the Opera," Gérard whispered, " But he's dead."
" He remains apart of me," Erik said
Erik traced the mask and lowered his head and removed the mask. He covered half his face, Gérard looked his father. He reached over and removed his father's hand, to reveal the disfigured half before him. Gérard saw fear in his father's eyes, that his own son would disown him.
" It's repulsive, I know, but that is what I lived with all my life," Erik said
" It's not repulsive father, it's just different," Gérard spoke
Erik looked at his son and Gérard stood up, he grabbed his father's mask. Erik looked at his son as he held it.
" If you are He, then He is apart of me," Gérard said, " So I too wear a false face."
" You are not like I, Gérard, a perfect face does not need to hide beyond the mask….my son you are the man that I could never be. Why punish yourself to a piece of scrap like a mask?" Erik said
He grabbed the mask and placed it on his face and looked at Gérard.
" Go and speak to the Vicomte de Chagny," Erik said
" I shall come back father and make you a proud man," Gérard said
" Go and do so," Erik said
Gérard was off and Erik looked out the window.
" My dearest son, you have taken on your mother's softness, but who has taken my heartless heart?" Erik thought
6 months
Meg looked at Erik as he sat in the darkness. He looked at her with pain in his eyes and she walked towards him.
" It was my fault," Erik whispered, " My darken secret drove him to the darkness."
" Erik, no don't say such a thing," Meg said
" He's fallen from heavens light, because of me," Erik whispered
Meg knelt down beside Erik and laid her head in his lap. He placed his hand on her head, then stroked her head. Meg looked at him and let tears fall from his eyes.
" Erik, it isn't your fault," Meg replied, " you had no choice in doing what you did."
" He was my son!" Erik shouted
Meg shut her eyes tightly to try to prevent the painful tears.
" And you are his father, he asked you to do it," Meg said
" No," Erik whispered
Meg closed her eyes tightly as tears fell from her face. She couldn't cry in front of her husband.
" I have only brought pain to this house," Erik whispered, " Perhaps I am cursed."
Meg rose and placed her hands on his face and Erik looked at her.
" Erik, you are not cursed, your son asked to you end his life. The infection in his body was to much for him. Dominique would have died, he was past the point of no return," Meg said
Erik pushed Meg away looked at her.
" He was well!" Erik shouted, " Well! Medicine could have cured him! He was strong and fighting!"
Erik looked at the dagger that laid in wrapped cloths, he removed it from the table. The skull dagger stared at Erik and he shook his head. He hurled it out the window and fell to his knees.
" My son, my youngest son, why was he cursed with my punishment?" Erik wept
Meg stood up and knelt down beside Erik, she took him in her arms and let him weep in her arms.
" Oh, my Erik, you saved your son from her misery," she whispered
2 months later
Meg grabbed Erik's hands as they stood at the funeral. Erik looked at tombstone and watched as they covered the coffin. Erik tossed a rose tied with a black ribbon.
" Only the reddest roses grows for a de Champney,"
" That's right Dominique the reddest of roses grow for only us," Erik thought, " Don't forget that."
When the funeral was over, Erik stood there with Meg. She held his hands in her own, as they bid their son good bye for good. Erik and Meg walked off and got into a carriage and went back to the estate, where there was more silence.
Days past and weeks vanished, but Erik remained in silence, he walked to the music room and looked at the violin.
Flash back
" From the top," Erik said
" Come on father, I'm tiered," Dominique wined
" Fine, go on," Erik said
Dominique walked off and Erik played the piano, but then the doors opened again. Erik looked up and saw his son standing there.
" You've return," Erik said
" I decided, I don't want to let you down father," he said, " I'm going to make you and mom happy when I perform at the Opera Populaire."
Erik nodded and stopped playing.
" Your dreams are as big as this room," Erik said, " The Opera Populaire is being rebuilt…it will be many years."
" Then I have a lot of time to practice," Dominique said
Erik smiled and played the piano, while his son played the violin.
End of flash back
Erik sighed and sat down at the piano and played it.
" From the top," Erik whispered
Erik closed his eyes and played listening to the sounds of a distant violin. Meg walked in and sat beside Erik.
" The music continues," she whispered, " Just like you should."
She turned the page and began to sing with Erik on the piece. Tears streamed down her face, but she did not stutter.
4 months later
Gérard looked at Erik as he removed the mask from his face. His son walked over to his father and then hugged him.
" I know father," he whispered
Meg walked down the stairs in a beautiful evening gown and looked at Erik. Erik looked at her and walked over to her.
" We should be happy?" Erik whispered, " No more mourning."
Erik presented her two roses, one tied with a black ribbon, the other tied with a yellow. She smiled and they walked out and headed to Paris for the dedication ceremony of the Opera Populaire.
They walked to the doors and Erik looked at Madame Giry and she nodded.
" This dedication is to my son Dominique Erik de Champney, may he smile down on us," Erik said
" Monsieur de Champney, you are wearing no mask…why?" a reporter asked
" If I step into the Opera house with a mask on…I will shame my son's name. He never knew me without it…so now he will," Erik said
" Comte de Champney, are you worried that there might be a phantom?" another reporter asked
" The only phantoms that are in this building, are those who wish to indulge the fantasy of one. I assure you that the Phantom of the Opera has been unmasked, by the Vicomte de Chagny and myself," Erik said, " Ladies and Gentlemen I welcome you to the Opera Populaire."
Erik cut the ribbon with the skull blade and opened the doors. People walked in and Erik looked at the Opera house.
" I'm finally home, " Erik whispered
The End