A New Start

Chapter 16: Masquerade!

Excitement and anticipation was in the air as the finishing touches were put on the de Chagny's ball room for the masquerade. Gold, silver, and black streamers hung from the doorway, the windows and the ceiling. The small round tables were covered with white tableclothes and sprinkled with glitter. Masks hung in the corners, in celebration of the essence of the party. The refreshments were ready, and the musicians were setting up. Everything was ready for the guests to arrive. Marie Claire was in her room, making the final touches to her hair. She had pulled her long brown curls into a loose updo on top of her head with two small pieces hanging down and framing her face. There were small pearl barettes scattered every which where to match her dress and earrings. Marie put on a touch of blush and some soft pink lipstick on her lips. She looked in the mirror and smiled at her reflection. She has to admit, she did look rather pretty. She was so excited! A masquerade in her honor! She got up and twirled around, feeling truly happy for the first time in a month. Then Christine poked her head in the door.

"Marie Claire, come on dear or you'll be late for your own party!" laughed Christine.

"I'm coming." said Marie, grinning.

She heard Raoul and Arthur laughing about something outside. She had been so relieved that the two liked each other so well, because its not a normal thing for fathers to like their daughter's suitors. Marie walked out of the room and heard music playing and the chatter of people. Her father, her mother, and Arthur all turned and smiled as she came out. Arthur looked very handsome in his suit with his sandy hair tied back. Her parents had managed to find their clothes from the masquerade at the opera house all those years ago and had worn them in honor of the occasion. It was on the night of the masquerade that her father had proposed to her mother after all.

"You look beautiful my girl." said Raoul, giving his daughter a kiss on the cheek. "Are you excited?"

Marie Claire's blue eyes lit up and she nodded.

"Yes, I can't wait. Let's go!" she said excitedly.

"Well you heard her, let's go!" said Christine jokingly as she winked at Marie.

"Well alrighty then, shall we?" asked Arthur as Marie Claire took his arm. "Are you ready Monsieur and Madame de Chagny?"

"Yes, let's go." said Raoul, putting his arm out for Christine. "Felix is down there with my parents and probably dying for us to come down. He can only stay down there for a while, after all." he chuckled.

So the four made their way toward the ballroom, the music and the chatter growing stronger as they went. Then as they reached the stairs at the top of the ballroom floor, confetti and glitter filled the air, glasses were raised to them, and the music errupted right on que.

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you!"

The room was filled with people. Everyone from the Opera Populaire, Raoul and Christine's family and friends, and Marie's friends. There were masks everywhere you looked. Masks of gold, white, black, silver, and in all shapes and sizes. As Marie looked around, she saw a huge banner that read:

'Happy birthday Marie Claire! Happy anniversary Raoul and Christine!'

Marie's face lit up. She knew that the cast of the Opera Populaire was responsible for that. Finally the four made their way to the dance floor. Raoul and Arthur tipped their masks and bowed. Christine and Marie Claire curtesyed and they began to dance. As they danced, Arthur looked down at Marie and smiled brightly.

"Happy birthday Marie." he said as he twirled her around.

She giggled as he did this, and she smiled up at his handsome face, seeing only love in his dark chocolate eyes. She moved closer to him, breathing in his scent. He always seemed to smell slightly of peppermint. Arthur smiled down at the girl who had changed his life forever and whom he loved so much.

"I have a surprise for you Marie Claire." said Arthur, "But I daresay you'll have to wait a little while." he said, trying to peak her interest. He succeded.

"Do you now?" she asked, grinning. "Must I wait?" she asked, her blue eyes big.

"Yes you must, but for now we dance!" he exclaimed, spinning her around once more.

"She noticed a slight bulge in his coat pocket, as though there were a small box in there."

"Is it in your pocket?" she guessed.

He shook his head laughing.

"Perhaps. You are far too curious for your own good." he said as he kissed her lips softly.

She gently embraced him as they kissed. She was convinced that he was the love of her life. They danced and danced, totally wrapped up in each other, until a familiar voice was heard.

"Well Marie Claire de Chagny, I must say that this is the grandest party that I have ever attended. I can't wait until my birthday."

It was Lizzie, who was dancing with William.

"I think so to." said Marie Claire, gazing around at all the people that were dancing. "But I think I need something to drink, I'm rather thirsty." said Marie as Arthur nodded his head in agreement.

As they made their way over to the punch bowl, the four were greeted by a large group of Marie's and Lizzie's friends, all of whom were raving about how fun the party was. Then when the four finally sat down and began to drink punch and eat petit fours, Marie Claire's grandparents, accompanied by Felix and her Uncle Phillipe, made their way towards them. Marie Claire's blue eyes glowed at the sight of her family. They had traveled all the way from Marseilles to be here for she and her parents. Her grandparents engulfed her with warm hugs.

"Happy Birthday dear, are you having fun?" they asked.

"Oh yes, I am having a wonderful time." said Marie, giving them each a kiss on the cheek. "Are you enjoying it?"

"I haven't had this much fun in years." said her grandfather, smiling jovially.

"I must say, Raoul and Christine certainly know how to put on a party." said her grandmother. "I can't believe that they've been married for twenty one years, it seems like just yesterday that they were children, playing by the sea." she said, smiling fondly.

Then Phillipe came up behind Marie and picked her up and swung her around.

"Uncle Phillipe!" she cried," Stop or you'll mess up my hair!" she said, her laughter ringing out through the room.

He made a face and put her down.

"You young girls, so concerned about your hair. Why I can't believe you're seveteen today Marie. You're getting old my dear." he laughed his eyes shining with mirth. "So my brother tells me that you've become quite the rising star at the Opera."

Marie blushed.

"I done quite well yes. I love to sing you know. Has papa been bragging?"

"Of course he has, and with good reason. You have a beautiful voice, just like your mother. She's been singing ever since I've known her, and that's a while. By the way, who is this young fellow?" he asked, gesturing at Arthur.

"This is Arthur, he performs at the opera as well." said Marie Claire, gently taking Arthur's hand.

"Ah this is the young suitor your father has told me about. Don't worry." he said seeing the distressed look on the young man's face. "Raoul has told me only good things about you. It is nice to finally meet you."

Arthur bowed politely to the three.

"It is nice to meet you all. I had thought that you were related to Monsieur le Vicomte, you all look very similar to him."

Just then, Raoul and Christine made their way over to the group, looking as though they were having the time of their lives.

"Ah Raoul, my little brother, we were just talking about you." said Phillipe, giving his brother a bear like hug.

"Nothing bad I hope." grinned Raoul.

"We would never talk badly about you my son." said his father, giving him a hearty clap on the shoulder as he turned to Christine.

"And Christine my dear, how are you?" he asked kissing her hand.

"I'm doing wonderfully, thank you. I'm so glad that you could make it." she said, her brown eyes smiling.

She really adored Raoul's family, especially his father and Phillipe. Her mother in law was a bit snobbish, not liking the fact that Christine and now Marie Claire were performing at the opera. But the woman still cared deeply for Christine, Raoul, Marie, and Felix, so Christine was polite when the opera was brought up. Raoul often complained about his mother's concern about social status, but she was a sweet woman under all of that, so the couple tried not to let it bother them.

"Hello Giselle, how are you?" asked Christine, as her mother in law gave her a peck in the cheek.

"I'm quite well Christine my dear, are you enjoying yourself?" she smiled.

"Yes, this is indeed the most fun I've had in a while. Thank you so much for coming."

"I'm so glad we could, this is a wonderful party, and I wanted to be here for you all." she said, turning to her son.

"I'm so glad to see you my son." she said, hugging him warmly.

"Raoul," said Phillipe, a strange look on his face, "I believe those two are looking for you."

Raoul looked over to see Andre and Firmin jumping up and waving, perhaps having had a bit to much champagne.

"Oh, we'd better go over there Raoul, before they hurt themselves." said Christine, shaking her head. "We'll see you later everyone."

Marie Claire and Arthur accompanied them, anxious to see Andre and Firmin's antics.

"Well hello there everyone!" said Andre greeting them gleefully. "I must say that this is a magnificent party."

"I can't believe that you two have been married for twenty one years! And Marie Claire , I can't believe that you're seventeen! Why I feel like an old man!" said Firmin.

"Firmin," said Andre matter of factly, "You are an old man."

Everyone laughed at this, so much in fact, that it drew Meg and Madame Giry over to see what the commotion was. And so the party continued, with dancing and laughter, and fun. But there were still many surprises in store for the evening.

A/N: Okay everyone I hope you like this chapter. I'm going to have to split the masquerade into two chapters because there is so much that is going on. Please read and review!