A New Start

Chapter 6- What's in store?

Christine and Raoul sat on their bed, staring intently at the rose and the note. Christine picked up the rose and gently fingered it, the memories flooding back into her mind.

"He used to send me these after performances at the Opera Populaire. He sent me one the night that I was reunited with you Raoul." said Christine slightly absentmindedly, as though the hypnotic powers of the Phantom were inside this rose.

"I remember seeing it on your dressing table that night." said Raoul as he slowly picked up the note and broke the seal. One thin sheet of paper fell out.

Raoul and Christine exchanged an apprehensive glance, not wanting to know what horror was inside the note, but still desperately wanted to know what was in store for them. Raoul breathed and turned the sheet of paper over. It seemed as if they both held their breath as he began to read:

"My dear family de Chagny, greetings to you all, it has indeed been a while. I must congratulate Marie Claire on her astonishing performance at the opera house this morning. Her voice is as beautiful as yours is Christine. As I am sure you have guessed, I have taken up residence in the new opera house. In fact I quite enjoyed our meeting today my dear Vicomte. Now I suggest that you follow my every instruction, otherwise, well you know what will happen, we have been through this exercise before. I will send ffurther information later. Fondest greetings,
O.G.

Christine and Raoul looked up at each other. Christine's eyes were pools of worry, as deep as the depths of the ocean. Raoul's face had paled. He grasped Christine's small hands tightly, trying to warm them because they had become as cold as ice.

"We just have to take this calmly, and watch our every step." he said, trying to remain calm.

Just then Christine looked at Raoul with a concerned but suspicious look on her face.

"Raoul de Chagny, you didn't tell me that you ran into the phantom today." said Christine firmly, indirectly demanding an explanation.

Raoul looked at Christine sheepishly.

"I was going to tell you later this evening, but then all of this happened. I didn't want to tell you earlier because I didn't want to ruin this special day for Marie Claire and because I didn't want to worry you."he said quietly.

Christine smiled at her beloved's thoughtful words.

" I understand. But he could have killed you, please be careful dear, I don't know what I'd do without you." she said, a few tears falling.

"Don't worry, I won't let that happen." Raoul said as he kissed her gently on the lips and wiped away her tears.

"We have to tell Marie what is going on you know," said Christine, "She's old enough to know what is going on, she's sixteen after all."

"I know," said Raoul, "It' s just hard to accept that she's growing up. It's hard to accept that Erik has returned. But I suppose we'll have to take it as it comes, there's not much else to do."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Raoul's and Christine's breath caught in their throats. The door creaked slowly open and a small person walked in. Raoul and Chrisitine laughed. It was only Felix. He was rubbing his eyes sleepily. Felix walked over to the bed and crawled under the covers between Chrisitine and Raoul.

"Mommy, Daddy," he said sleepily, "I was having nightmares, so I decided to come in here with you okay?" he said yawning.

"That's fine little buddy." said Raoul touseling his son's hair.

"Just go to sleep sweetie." said Christine kissing her son's forehead.

And as Christine turned off the light, she had a feeling that Felix wasn't going to be the only one having nightmares.