The Phantom of the Opera
Part Twelve
Christine, Meg, Monsieur Reyer and Madame Giry stood in the lobby the next day.
"You must come and visit us sometime," Christine told the three of them.
Meg hugged her. "Of course we will. I do so want to see your new home! Are you sure you can't stay longer?"
"I'm afraid not. But I will certainly come again," Christine promised. Dominique was standing beside her impatiently.
"Where Erik?" she demanded. Christine smiled at her.
"He'll be here soon, Little One. Be patient."
"Want now!" Dominique said, stamping her foot.
"Don't be silly, Dominique," Christine said sternly. She looked at Madame Giry and Monsieur Reyer. "Thank you for all you have done for me, and for him."
"It's nothing, Christine," Monsieur Reyer smiled.
Madame Giry kissed her cheek. "You will be missed, that is for certain."
Dominique turned away, bored by the talk. She started to walk around, looking at the lavish decorations. She paused next to a statue and peered up at it. It was boring, she decided, and moved on. The door next to her opened and she gave a delighted laugh as Erik stepped through, cloaked and wearing traveling clothes. He smiled at her excited face.
"Good morning, Dominique."
"Erik!" she said, jumping up. He caught her in his arms and she smiled as Christine turned.
She smiled at the sight and said, "Good morning."
"Good morning," he replied, offering a smile. She returned it and turned to Meg, Monsieur Reyer and Madame Giry.
"Thank you again."
"Have a safe journey," Madame Giry said, kissing her cheek again, and then kissing Erik's who looked pleasantly surprised. Meg kissed them both as well and then they shook hands with Monsieur Reyer.
As they walked through the door to the Opera Populaire, they met Firmin and André. The two managers stared at the three in amazement.
"Good lord… is that…?"
"I think it is, André," Firmin said. The three smiled at the managers and walked past to the carriage that was waiting.
The managers looked at each other, then inside at the family Giry and Monsieur Reyer who all looked innocent.
The excitement of the journey wore off Dominique quickly. She soon turned her attention to Erik, who was watching Christine. Dominique tapped his hand and he looked down at her. "Yes?"
"Come home?"
"Yes, I'm coming home with you," he said quietly.
Christine smiled and Dominique asked, "Play with me?"
"If you want to."
"Yes," Dominique decided. Another question crossed her mind and she looked up at his mask. She considered it and then stood up on the seat to touch it. Erik jerked his head back, nervously.
Christine sat Dominique down. "Don't do that, Little One."
"Want to see," Dominique explained. Christine shook her head and Erik let out the breath he had taken in sharply. Dominique looked as if she were about to complain but a warning glance from her mother prevented it. She occupied herself by playing with her doll instead. Shortly she fell asleep with her head on Christine's lap.
Christine looked across the carriage to Erik. He was watching Dominique sleep with an odd expression on his face. "Is something wrong?" she asked gently.
He shook his head, but a bewildered look remained on his face. "I don't… I suppose I never thought that this was possible, that I would be able to go and live in a house, and have a wife and child. Just like everyone else."
"A wife?" Christine asked, with a slight smile. Erik returned the smile.
"That is, if you're willing."
"Of course I am," Christine replied quietly. She let out a gentle laugh and Erik eyed her.
"What's funny?"
"Well… we just managed to stop Dominique calling you 'man'. Now we'll have to get her to call you Papa instead of Erik."
"Papa?"
"Of course. She's always wanted a Papa," Christine smiled. Erik looked down at the girl in her lap and a slow smile spread across his face.
"I love her already," he said.
"I'm glad. I think she loves you, too. She wouldn't stop asking for you this morning."
"Really?" He seemed quite pleased by the idea.
Christine nodded and she sighed happily. "Finally, we can have our perfect life. And this time there is no Viscount to interfere." She frowned. The very memory of William de Martinez still made her shiver.
Erik frowned, too, and touched her hand. "He is gone. We can be happy now."
"I know. And now that we've stopped being so ridiculous we can get on with our lives," she said.
He nodded and looked down at the small girl. "I would have liked to show her my home beneath the Opera Populaire."
"Even if you'd wanted to, I wouldn't have allowed it! It's far too unsafe for a child!" Christine replied.
He looked at her. "In what way is it unsafe?"
"The chance that she could drown in the lake. The sharp objects you leave lying around. The bare candles. The-"
"Yes, yes, fine…" Erik said irritably. Christine smiled at his annoyance and smoothed Dominique's hair.
"Besides… maybe one day, when she's a little older… we could go back. To see an opera."
"Only on the condition that Carlotta isn't starring. I can't bear the woman," Erik replied.
Christine laughed. "You're annoyed, aren't you?"
"No."
"Yes, you are!"
"I am not annoyed!" Erik said crossly. Christine couldn't help giggling, covering her hand with her mouth to smother the sound. Erik seized her hand, pulled it away and pressed his mouth to hers. For some time they simply kissed.
That is, until a little voice said, "Kissing lots and lots and lots and…" They looked down at Dominique watching with an innocent smile. Erik jerked back into his seat and Christine scratched her nose. Dominique giggled at having managed to embarrass both adults at once and sat up, yawning. "Home yet?"
"No. We're going to sleep in the carriage again," Christine replied. Dominique looked at her as if she were quite mad.
"Sleep already."
"I know you've slept already. But you're going to sleep again." Christine replied. Dominique looked at Erik for confirmation and he nodded. She climbed off her seat and onto his side, sitting on his lap to get a better view out of the window. Erik patted her head absently as he smiled at Christine. She smiled back and said to Dominique, "Little One? Guess what?"
"Don't know," Dominique said instantly.
"Erik is going to be your Papa. Would you like that?"
The answer she gave was to screech happily, throwing her arms around Erik. He smiled and hugged her back. Christine watched in intense amusement.
He was going to be a wonderful father.
When Rosa saw the carriage coming she stood by the front door excitedly. She was eager to find out why Christine had gone to Paris and what had happened whilst she was there. The carriage stopped by the gates and the door opened. Rosa moved forward and then stopped sharply as a cloaked man stepped out. He lifted Dominique and placed her on the ground and then helped Christine out.
Dominique saw Rosa and started towards her excitedly. "Rosa!"
"Hello Dominique. Did you have fun in Paris?"
"Yes! I saw dancers and singers and Papa and-"
"Papa?" Rosa exclaimed. Christine came forward and kissed her cheek.
"Hello Rosa. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine…" Rosa said, clearly very confused. Christine smiled and turned to take Erik's hand.
"Rosa… this is Erik. Dominique's father."
Rosa blinked bemusedly and then curtsied quickly. "Monsieur… I… I'm not entirely sure I understand."
"I'll explain everything. But first of all I think we could all use some tea."
"Of course… I'll put some water on," Rosa said, going back to the house.
Christine looked up at Erik. "She's a lovely girl."
"I'm sure she is," Erik said.
Dominique tugged his right hand, not appearing to notice how hard it was. "Papa! Show you house!"
"Yes, let's show Papa the house," Christine said, guiding him inside.
Half an hour later, they were sat in the garden with Rosa, who was pouring tea. Christine looked at Dominique. "Go and play for a little while," she told her. Dominique didn't hesitate, rushing off to find her ball. Christine looked at Rosa. She and Erik had talked about how much to tell the girl, and had decided to go for most of the truth.
"Erik and I knew each other years ago, when I was just a child. He was my friend for most of my childhood and… well, we fell in love. When I was about eighteen, still living at the Opera Populaire." Rosa listened closely and Christine glanced at Erik. He looked at Rosa.
"Did you hear about the incident with the Viscount William de Martinez?"
"The Viscount? Yes… it was in the newspaper. He was searching for a singer…" she looked at Christine in amazement. Christine smiled.
"Yes. He wanted to take me away from the Opera House. Obviously Erik and I both fought to keep me there. And then we were discovered and Erik was thrown out of the Opera Populaire. I was forced to leave with the Viscount. But Erik found us and he and I escaped to a house."
"We were safe there for many months. But the viscount kept searching for us," Erik said, "And when he found us… Christine had traveled to Paris that day so it was just me in the house. The Viscount set fire to the house and when Christine arrived she ran in to find me."
"We escaped up to the roof, but the Viscount followed us. He and Erik fought and they both fell. They managed to hold on. I pulled Erik up but when we tried to save the Viscount, the house started to collapse and the rope broke," Christine told her. Rosa sat, riveted by the story.
"I woke up in the Opera House. I was told that Erik was dead," Christine said. Unconsciously her hand found Erik's and squeezed it tightly.
"I thought that Christine was dead," he put in. Christine smiled.
"But by then I was already with child…" she told the amazed girl. She and Erik told of how they had searched for each other and how everything had gone wrong.
By the end of the story, Rosa could barely believe her ears. "And now you are to be married?" she asked. Christine nodded.
"Of course, if you will be unhappy, you are free to leave. But I would love for you to stay-"
"Of course I'll stay! I'm just… well, I can't say I'm not shocked but I'm so happy for you both, and Dominique."
Christine smiled and said, "Now, before you do anything else I want you to take a letter to the town and have a messenger take it at once to Thomas. I'll just go and write it. I'd like to invite him over tomorrow afternoon, so he and Erik can meet." She rose and went inside.
Rosa smiled awkwardly at Erik who returned an equally awkward smile. He frowned suddenly, flexing his gloved right hand. "I don't suppose you have any oil?"
"Down in the kitchens…" She hurried down and fetched a pot of oil. Erik took it and slid the glove off. Rosa gasped at the metal hand. Erik arched an eyebrow.
"Yes… I couldn't have escaped the fire without some sort of injury. And this was it." He rubbed oil into the joints of the hand so they moved more easily. Rosa tried not to stare, but was fascinated by it. Dominique came over and looked at the hand. She didn't seem to find it odd and climbed onto Christine's empty chair, nibbling a biscuit.
Rosa smiled. "Would you like some milk, Dominique?"
"Milk please."
Rosa poured some milk into Dominique's usual cup and the little girl drank it thirstily. Then she looked at Erik. "Play now?"
"I… I suppose so," Erik said, surprised. Dominique fetched her ball and held it to him. Then she glanced at Rosa.
"Play?"
"If you want to."
When Christine emerged a few minutes later with a sealed letter in her hand, Dominique, Erik, and Rosa were on the lawn, rolling the ball to each other. She laughed aloud at them and Erik quickly straightened. She handed the letter to Rosa, still smiling as the maid rushed off. "Having fun?"
"Yes!" Dominique replied for Erik. Christine laughed and tickled her.
"I wasn't asking you, Little One!"
Dominique screamed happily, wriggling free and running for shelter behind Erik. He smiled down in pleasure that she had instinctively run to him. Christine noticed and smiled to herself.
"Come on, Dominique. You need to go and wash yourself."
"Don't want to," she said sulkily. Christine eyed her.
"Now, Dominique."
"Papa!" she whined. Erik shook his head.
"Listen to your mother."
The little girl stomped her feet and sulked off towards the house. Christine smiled at Erik. "She's adopted you nicely. She's already trying to manipulate you!"
"You handle her well."
"I've had a lot more practice, to be fair. Give yourself a little while; you'll be amazing with her," Christine said as they walked back towards the house.
Erik reached out and took her hand. "Christine, are you sure about this? You've got a good life here. I don't want to interrupt."
"Erik… don't think for one moment that you're intruding. There was something missing from my life. And that something was you. I need you," Christine said, stopping to look up at him. He hesitated. Christine sighed. "I told you on that stage that if you going to leave again, you shouldn't kiss me. You kissed me. That means you have to stay. Don't break my heart again, Erik."
"I'm not going to. It would kill me to hurt you," Erik said quietly. Christine smiled, relieved. Erik leant forward to kiss her but she pressed a finger to his lips.
"Do you really want to have to hear 'kissed lots and lots and lots' again?"
"Good point," Erik smirked. He pulled away and offered his arm. Christine took it and they went inside.
Thomas Peron was pleased to receive the letter from his friend and opened it in his study. When his wife, Emily, entered a few minutes later it was to find him pacing the room, the letter still in his hand.
"Is something wrong, Thomas?" she asked. He waved the paper at her.
"Christine is getting married."
"She is? That's wonderful!" Emily smiled.
"It's a disaster! Apparently this is the same man who is Dominique's father and who abandoned Christine all that time ago."
"Are you sure? Christine is a sensible girl, she wouldn't-" He handed her the letter. She scanned it and frowned. "Well… perhaps we should wait to meet this Erik. I'm sure that he and Christine will explain everything tomorrow."
"Emily, this cannot possibly be right. Why would this man come back to Christine now?"
"Thomas, I'm not going to pass judgment until I've met him, and neither should you," Emily said firmly. She crossed to Thomas and put a hand on his arm. "I know you are fond of Christine, but you can't treat her like a child. If she chooses to marry this man, it is her choice and hers alone. And you are not to interfere."
Thomas looked down at his wife and sighed. "Fine. I'll wait until I've met him."
"Good. Your sons were looking for you. They want you to play with them," Emily said. Thomas smiled.
"They're your sons, too."
"Not when I'm busy and you're not. Then they're yours," Emily told him, smiling as she left.
Erik had always been an early riser. He awoke at about five the next morning. He looked over at the sleeping figure of Christine and smiled. Then he noticed Dominique curled up between them. He smiled and rose quietly, not wanting to wake them.
He dressed and went downstairs. He wanted a hot drink and found his way to the kitchens. To his surprise, Rosa was already there.
She looked startled as he came. "Good morning, sir."
"Good morning. I'm sorry, I wasn't-"
"Oh no, it's alright. I was just making some refreshments for tea, when Monsieur Peron and his family arrive. Would you like some breakfast?"
"What time is breakfast usually?"
"Eight, but I can make you something," Rosa offered. Erik felt a little awkward.
"Just some coffee, please…"
"Of course. Where would you like it?"
"The room with the piano, please."
"Ten minutes," Rosa said cheerfully, putting some water in a kettle and hanging it over the fire.
Erik found his way to the music room and sat at the piano. After a few quick notes, he found it to be in tune and began to play, simple tunes at first and then onto more complex pieces. His metal hand clanked against the keys and he made a note to wear gloves next time.
When Christine woke, a little while afterwards, she heard the distant sound of piano music and smiled. Dominique was still sleeping so Christine wrapped the blankets around her, got dressed, and went to find Erik.
He was playing with his eyes half-closed, almost in a trance. She stood in the doorway, listening to the lovely sound. When he finished he saw her standing there and smiled. "Good morning."
"Good morning. That was lovely."
"The metal scrapes on the keys. I shall have to do something about that," he said. "By the way, does Dominique usually appear like that?"
"Oh yes. Not every night, I've been trying to break the habit. But sometimes she does."
"I don't remember her arriving."
"We were all tired. We probably slept through her arrival," Christine smiled, joining him at the piano.
Erik began to play absently, his eyes fixed on hers. She smiled and said quietly, "Did you write anything new? All that time, when you were beneath the Opera House… did you create anything new?"
"A few pieces. Nothing noteworthy. I didn't have a muse," he said simply.
Christine smiled. "I remember how, every time we had a lesson, I hoped that you would play me one of your songs. I did so love your music…" A dreamy look crossed her face. Erik watched her peacefully until she started to giggle.
"What, may I ask, do you find so amusing?"
"I was just… do you remember Carlotta's face when you sent that note, saying she was to be given the silent role?"
Erik's face widened into a smile as Christine laughed lightly. She wiped a tear from her eye and looked at him, still smiling.
"And when you appeared on the stage and sang All I Ask Of You… only you said 'Christine' instead of the character's name. I think you confused everyone!"
"Most of the fools in that Opera House get confused by the easiest of things."
"You caused so much trouble, when you were the Phantom of the Opera! You scared the chorus girls to death!"
"That was Joseph Buquet's stories," Erik reminded her.
She shrugged, "Yes, but you did keep appearing to goad him!"
"He deserved it. He was a fool."
"Oh, you call everyone a fool, Erik!" Christine said, lightly slapping his arm. He smirked and his arms darted out, catching her. She laughed again as he kissed her.
Dominique sat happily at the breakfast table as Christine buttered her some toast. She sang quietly to herself, only using the words la la la, since she wasn't sure of the words. As a matter of fact, it wasn't even a tune, but she was happy enough.
"Would you like some juice or milk?" Christine asked. Dominique paused in her quiet singing to consider.
"Juice, please," she said, and then started singing again. Erik looked across the table at his daughter, listening to her singing. Christine smiled and placed the toast on her plate.
"Uncle Thomas is coming to see us today, Little One." Dominique smiled. She liked Uncle Thomas. He always played with her.
She wondered if she would be able to play with both Papa and Uncle Thomas. Or was she only allowed to play with one at a time? This seemed very important, and she was going to ask Mama, but she was talking to Papa.
Dominique waited and then said, "Mama?"
"Yes, Little One?"
"Play with Uncle Thomas and Papa?"
"Yes, you can play together. You like playing with Uncle Thomas don't you?"
"Yes," Dominique confirmed, before turning her attention to her toast. Papa wasn't eating anything she noticed. That was bad. You had to eat at breakfast. Mama said so. She looked at her mother.
"Mama?"
"Hmm?"
"Papa's bad." They looked at her in surprise.
"Why is Papa bad?" Mama asked. Dominique sighed. Grown ups really were very silly sometimes. They made no sense. "Not eating." Mama looked over at Papa and then laughed. Papa looked confused.
"Have I done something wrong?"
"No… but I always told Dominique that it's bad not to eat at breakfast."
Papa smiled slightly and took an apple. This appeased Dominique, who returned to her toast happily.
After breakfast they went to the music room. Dominique was happy enough to sit on the floor and watch Erik play, jumping occasionally to press a key, hoping to throw him off. Christine found this very entertaining. Erik looked down at his daughter.
"Would you like to play the piano?"
"Please!"
She climbed up and sat herself on his lap. Erik looked surprise but listened as she carefully played with one hand. It was only a short tune but she looked up for his approval and he gave it willingly.
"That was good." She proceeded to play Three Blind Mice with one hand, pressing each key carefully.
Christine sat on the bench beside them and said, "One day you'll be able to play very well, won't you Dominique?"
"Yes. And sing."
"Yes, you'll sing as well," Christine laughed. Erik smiled at her slightly and played around Dominique. Christine recognized the song and smiled as Erik sang quietly.
"No more talk of darkness
Forget these wild eyed fears…"
Dominique looked up at her Papa and laughed loudly. "Papa sings!"
"Your Papa taught me to sing, Little One," Christine told her daughter, who looked dubious.
"Didn't."
"Yes, he did." Christine looking rather affronted.
"Didn't!" Dominique insisted.
Erik smirked and said, "I did teach her. Shall I show you?"
"Yes," Dominique said firmly.
Erik stood and put her down on the bench. Then he turned to Christine. "Come. We must prove our worth."
Christine eyed him, smiling. Then she stood and went to him. He looked at her. "Relax. Hold your chin high."
"I remember," she said quietly. Erik smiled and stood behind her.
"Close your eyes."
"Erik…" she said warningly.
"Close your eyes." He repeated and she obliged, looking skeptical. Erik crossed to the piano and began to play Angel of Music. Christine smiled and began to sing.
"Angel of music
Guide and guardian
Grant to me
Your glory…"
"Stop. You're too tense. Relax and try it again," Erik said.
Christine opened an eye. "Perhaps we should try a different song."
He looked at her and then smirked. His hands came down on the piano in a sinister song and Christine grinned as she recognized it.
"In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name
And do I dream again?
For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind…"
Erik smirked at her and she arched an eyebrow. Dominique listened in awe to her mother and then gasped in delight as Erik began to sing.
"Sing once again with me
Our strange duet
My power over you
Grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me
To glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside your mind…"
He played harshly, his fingers darting across the piano keys. Dominique stared at him, but his eyes were fixed on Christine and hers on him. She moved across, resting a hand on the top of the piano as she sang on.
"Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear…"
"It's me they hear," Erik interrupted and Dominique clasped her hands as they sang together.
"Your/my spirit and my/your voice
In one combined
The Phantom of the Opera
Is there
Inside my/your mind…"
Christine caught his eyes and sang quietly,
"He's there
The Phantom of the Opera…"
Erik smirked as she began to sing, no words, just that beautiful flowing of her voice, showing the full range of her voice. Her heart began to swell as she allowed the sound to surround her, lift her to heights she had rarely been to since she had left him.
And then she hit that high note. Before she would have been able to hold it for much longer, but now her voice wavered quickly and she fell silent. She tucked a stray lock of hear behind her ear and looked at him.
"It's been too long… I haven't practiced…"
"You will be great again," he promised quietly. For a few moments they looked at each other.
Then Dominique said innocently, "Sing, please."
Christine looked down at her darling daughter and lifted her into her arms. "Do you believe me now? Did Papa teach me?"
"Yes. Sing, please."
Christine laughed and put her down. "Very well. Shall we do some more singing?"
"Yes, please," Dominique said, looking up at Erik. He smiled and began to play Think of Me. Dominique giggled happily and started to sing, improvising the parts she didn't know with la's.
When Thomas and his family arrived that afternoon. The boys, Andrew and Christopher, were talking happily, pushing each other occasionally. They liked going to see Christine, she often fussed over them. Emily put a hand on her husband's arm.
"Don't be so tense. Everything will be fine."
"We'll see," Thomas muttered. Emily sighed and looked at the boys.
"You will behave, I hope. Christine's fiancé is going to be there and we want to make a good impression."
"I thought she wasn't going to get married," Christopher, the older son, said.
"This man is Dominique's father. I'm not sure exactly what happened between him and Christine, but I'm sure he's a very nice man," Emily said. Thomas snorted and Emily glared at him. "And we are not going to prejudge."
Andrew and Christopher exchanged glances. They'd seen their father in moods before. It rarely turned out well.