Chapter Eleven. Dang, this fic is long.
A bit of bad news- I will be away from 4/11 to 4/15. (My school Spring Break trip is to Hawaii this year, I can't wait!) I'll try to have an update for you a few days after I get back.
Much gratitude to Erik'sTrueAngel for suggesting a wonderful title for chapter 9, which was originally called "Who can think of a title for this chapter?"
I had some lyrics in mind for this chapter, but my friend wrote them and I couldn't get a copy before now- anyway, long story. I might put them in with the next chapter. Sorry about that!
That night, sleep eluded Christine. She tossed and turned in her bed, trying to think. What should she do?
To the shallow-minded, the answer was obvious. To go away with Erik would bring her not only safety, but also happiness.
But it was the easy way out. Was that what she wanted to do? She'd chosen the easy way last year…
Her tortured thoughts spun her in circles, and it was not until the early hours of the morning that she drifted into an uneasy sleep, plagued by dreams and memories.
The next morning, Madame Giry came to see her. "Well?" she asked. "Have you decided?"
Christine shook her head.
"Hmm." Mme Giry pursed her lips. "There seems to be only one decision you can make."
"But it isn't that simple!" she exclaimed.
"Isn't it?" she asked, smiling at the baffled look on Christine's face. "It wouldn't kill you to let yourself be happy, you know."
And with that, Mme Giry left the room, leaving Christine alone with her very confused thoughts.
Nervousness did not suit Erik. He was the cool, confident Opera Ghost no longer- he was a man, fearful of the rejection that had followed him all his life.
When Mme Giry had let him in, she had given him a reassuring smile. It hadn't helped much.
He could put it off no longer. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on Christine's door.
Christine was ready. She was dressed in a simple blue gown that she had borrowed from Meg, and was sitting in an armchair facing the door, waiting for Erik.
She had turned down Meg's offer to break fast with her and her mother, wanting to be alone. Not that she could have eaten anyway, for nerves.
Barely five minutes ago she had made her decision. She was almost sure it was the right one.
Christine had no chance to fret further, however, because there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" she called, trying to keep her voice calm.
The door opened, and Erik entered. She smiled, despite her nerves.
"Erik." She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "Please, sit." She said, gesturing to the room's other armchair, which she had pulled up across from the one she was sat in.
He sat down. "You look beautiful today, Christine- as always." He said.
For a brief moment, his compliment disarmed her. Then she smiled. "Thank you! I myself rather like this dress- it isn't mine though, I've borrowed it from Meg." What was she prattling on about? Don't avoid the subject, Christine! She told herself firmly.
"So- have you decided?" Erik asked.
"Yes." Christine said softly. "I have." She swallowed again and tried to calm her heart, which was beating quite rapidly. "I'd like- I mean, I know I don't deserve it, but it's what I want, and I know it'll make you happy-" she took a deep breath. "I want to go away with you."
Erik blinked, and she thought she saw tears in his eyes. "Oh, Christine- thank you!" he said hoarsely. "You have made me the happiest man in the world!"
I know it's short, but as I write this, it is 10:45 at night and I have to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow morning so that I don't miss my flight to Hawaii- I'll try to give you a nice, long chappie when I get back, savvy:blinks, realizing that her Pirates of the Caribbean obsession has carried into a Phantom of the Opera fanfic: Oh. Oops. Er- don't mind me, I'm insane. :laughs manically:
