Chapter 42
The week flashed by in a whirlwind of deliveries, decorating and shopping. It was on Friday afternoon when we finally stood back and looked around at our handiwork. It was good. I grinned at Erik.
"Finally feels like home again."
"It does." He agreed.
He put an arm around my waist as we crossed the Entrance Hall. We had the house to ourselves for once. Darren and Meg had gone to the cinema and Nadir was looking around houses.
"We've done a good job." I commented as we went down into the kitchen, through the back door and into the gardens. Although many of the blossoms had gone with the spring, the gardens were still beautifully coloured with flowers and trees.
"We have. It's been a long week though."
We walked through the plants and I smiled.
"I feel a little lost."
"Lost?"
"Hmm. I've finished college, so I've put pretty much everything into getting back here and then decorating and getting the furniture ready. Now it's all done and I don't know what to do with myself."
"Music. How long has it been since you sang properly?" Erik asked. I thought about and said,
"At least a month. I'm probably so out of tune by now your eardrums will burst."
"Let me judge that." Erik said calmly.
We sat down on a bench, relishing the warm sunshine. Despite the many jokes about how bad English weather is, it was a gorgeous day. Erik reached over to a rose bush and snapped one off. It was dark red and he gave it to me. I smiled.
"Do you remember the last time you gave me a red rose from these gardens?" I asked. His forehead wrinkled as he tried to remember. Then he smiled.
"Last year. When you said you wanted to stay forever."
"That's right. And then you gave me a rose. It really wasn't fair to do that, you know. There are some things you just don't do to a girl, because then she falls completely in love with you and her dad sets the police on you." I told him sternly.
Erik smiled again and I looked down at the rose. A bee was droning somewhere nearby, the light buzzing filling the peaceful air.
"I didn't think for one moment that you would." Erik said. I looked up at him.
"Sorry?"
"I didn't think that you really would stay forever." He commented, eyes fixed on the blue sky above.
"Neither did I. I wanted to though. And look where we ended up." I said leaning my head on his shoulder.
When Darren and Meg got back we were in the kitchen. Erik was reading the newspaper and I was playing with Ayesha. I smiled up at them from my seat on the floor.
"How was the film?"
"It was OK. Not sure why I paid money to see it, but whatever…" Darren grinned. I laughed and stood up, Ayesha curled up in my arms. Meg stroked her soft head and asked,
"Nadir not back yet?"
"Nope, not yet." I said, passing Ayesha to her as the phone rang.
"Hello?" I said, picking the phone up.
"Hello, could I speak to Mr Erik Lavonne please?"
"I'll just get him." I pressed the receiver into my shoulder and said, "Erik, it's for you."
He took the phone and I fetched myself a drink from the fridge as he spoke quietly. I sat with Darren and Meg and asked,
"What are you doing this weekend?"
"Working tomorrow morning." Darren said, snapping open a can of coke. Meg swiftly took it from him and drank some before passing it back to her indignant boyfriend.
"Dance training. I've hardly practised at all lately."
"There's room here. Why don't you just go in the ballroom? It's not like we ever use it." I said, reaching for a Jaffa Cake. Meg grinned.
"Really?"
"Sure. I mean, it'd be easier than driving back and forward from the gym everyday and it's easily big enough. Take a CD player in and you'd be fine." I said. Meg hugged me.
"Aw, Christine, that's fantastic! It's a pity you never kept up your dancing."
"You used to dance?" Darren asked. I wrinkled my nose.
"For about four years. I really wasn't very good at it."
"You weren't bad." Meg objected and I shook my head.
"I gave up in the end, and concentrated on music instead. And I know which one I prefer!"
I looked around as Erik hung up the phone and stared at it in shock.
"Is everything OK?" I asked. He nodded slowly and said in a quiet, astonished tone,
"In the next town, the one where your father is in hospital… they've built a theatre, a new one. They want to put on Don Juan Triumphant as their opening show."
I dropped my drink. It splattered on the ground but I couldn't move. I stared at him.
"Oh my god… that's incredible."
"I know."
"Did you say yes? Please tell me you said yes!" I begged. He turned to me and his face broke into a smile. I half-screamed in delight and threw myself at him, hugging him tightly.
"Erik, that's amazing! I can't believe it!"
"You can't believe it? I…" he didn't seem to be able to find words. Darren and Meg both grinned.
"Way to go Erik!" Meg cheered. Darren laughed,
"That's so cool!"
"I'm going to meet the managers on Monday. We'll talk through the details then." Erik said, clearly still in shock.
I grinned around at them all.
"OK, I don't think things can get much better!"
"Sure they could." Darren laughed. I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Bet they can't."
"How much?"
"Five pounds."
"Deal." We shook on it and I looked back at Erik. He was watching me with an odd sort of smile on his face. I went slightly pink and asked,
"What?"
"Nothing." He said, and reached over for a Jaffa Cake.
When Nadir got back from house-hunting and heard the good news he instantly announced that we celebrate. The rest of us didn't object to this and Nadir said that he was taking us all out for dinner. Erik looked a little awkward but Nadir assured him that it would be somewhere small and closed in, so there wouldn't be much attention.
I changed out of my jeans and t-shirt for dinner and I was in my dressing gown in front of the wardrobe trying to decide when Erik came in. He smirked and said,
"We're still waiting for you and Meg. Why do women take so long to get ready?"
"We don't. We just like to look our best." I said curtly, taking out a dark red gypsy skirt and a black shirt. Meg's shopping trip had paid off. I pulled them on quickly whilst Erik was in the bathroom. He emerged and smiled.
"You look nice."
"So do you." I smiled. Of course, he always looked great. I couldn't imagine him wearing jeans or t-shirts. He was always dressed in dark trousers and buttoned shirts, always smart, even when he was dressing casually.
We went downstairs and found Nadir and Darren still waiting for Meg. Darren glanced at his watch and shouted upstairs,
"Meg, we're leaving without you!"
"You are bloody well are not!" She shouted back. I laughed and Darren rolled his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll get her." I said, going upstairs, but Darren caught my arm.
"Oh, no! If both of you are up there we'll never get away!"
He went upstairs and a few minutes later he came back down Meg, looking gorgeous, as usual, in short dark skirt and white shirt. She smiled sweetly.
"Come on, let's go or we'll be late!"
"Do you want to hit her or shall I?" I asked Darren.
Dinner was so much fun. Nadir had found a great little restaurant and once our meals had arrived he lifted his glass.
"I think a toast is in order." We all lifted our glasses and Nadir nodded at Erik. "To Erik. Many congratulations on your opportunity and may it be the beginning of many years in the theatre."
Erik smiled briefly and nodded as we all touched glasses.
"Thank you, Nadir."
"You're welcome." He replied, tucking into his meal. As we ate Darren asked,
"So, what is Don Juan Triumphant about?"
Erik lifted an eyebrow as he explained the basic plot. I listened as I ate and then smiled,
"I know my favourite song from it."
"And which one is that?" Erik asked, sipping his wine.
"The Point of No Return, of course." I replied with a smile. Erik smirked.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. That was the very first one you played for me."
Meg piped up.
"OK, when we get back you've got to sing it for us. I'm curious now."
"No, you can wait until the opening night." Erik told her firmly. She looked put out but didn't nag. As the conversation turned to a different subject I said quietly to Erik,
"You know what this means?"
"No, what?"
"You're not the Phantom of the Opera anymore."
He smirked and kissed my temple.
"I'll survive."
On Monday, Erik went to see the managers and I went to see Dad. I kissed his cheek and smiled.
"Hi Dad. How are you feeling?"
"Very well. I'm going home in two weeks."
"Really? That's excellent!" I smiled, sitting down beside him. He smiled brightly.
"I know. I wasn't expecting you today; I thought you were coming in on Wednesday?"
"Oh, Erik had a meeting in town and I thought as well stop by and see my old man." I teased.
We chatted about Erik's opera, about the Manor, about everything that was important and everything that wasn't. A couple of hours later I got up.
"I'd better go. Say hi to Samantha for me, OK?"
"OK, sweetheart." He said, kissing me. "Let me know how it goes with Erik."
"Will do. Love you."
I walked around to the offices where I had left Erik. He was stood in the lobby to the building and saw me through the glass doors. He waved for me to come in and he did.
"Mr Lefevre, this is Christine Daae. Christine, Mr Lefevre is the gentleman who recommended Don Juan Triumphant for the opening show."
"A good choice, sir." I smiled, shaking his hand. Mr Lefevre laughed heartily.
"You're obliged to say that."
"Just a little." I agreed. Mr Lefevre smiled.
"I'm very excited about this, Mr Lavonne. I was lucky enough to see some pictures of the original performance and I've always been a little curious about the opera. I want you to take as big a part as you want in the production side of things."
"I can assure you that I will be extremely involved." Erik said firmly. They shook hands and Mr Lefevre said,
"I'll send you a copy of the contract and you can tell me what you think. I must run, I've got a meeting. It was a pleasure to meet you both."
He disappeared back into the offices and I looked up at Erik.
"Well?" He simply smiled and I clasped his hand. "Oh, Erik, this is so amazing! I am so going to win those five pounds off Darren."
"Let's see, shall we? When the contract is signed and I've got a decent cast, then you can demand your money." Erik said was we walked along the street to the car.
When we got back to the Manor it was mid afternoon and neither Erik nor I had eaten lunch. As we went into the Entrance Hall I asked,
"Do you want something to eat? I'm starving."
"No… no, you go ahead." he said vaguely, walking to the music room. I shrugged and went downstairs.
Nadir was reading the newspaper and smiled when I entered.
"How did it go with Erik?"
"They're going to send a contract for him to look at, so I'm assuming it went well. Have you eaten?"
"Yes." I started to make myself a sandwich. Darren arrived shortly afterwards and began to make himself one as well.
"How was work?" I asked.
"It was OK. Bit slow, but never mind. Where's Meg?"
"I think she's in the ballroom." I replied, chewing my sandwich.
We ate in companionable silence, listening to the radio. The DJ gave the weather report and Darren groaned.
"Rain? Come on, it's the middle of summer!"
"Heavy showers, likely to be thunderstorms." I repeated. "Wonderful."
"What's wonderful?" Meg asked in a breathless voice, entering the kitchen. She was dressed in a dark blue leotard, her blonde hair tied up and her face flushed from dancing. She went to the fridge and took out a can of drink, drinking thirstily.
"Thunderstorms tonight." I said as she sat down. "Good workout?"
"I'm beginning to realise just how out of practise I was. I'll get back into it." She said dismissively, drinking again. Darren looked at her.
"Want to go out tonight?"
"Sure. Where?"
"Cinema?" Darren suggested. Meg shrugged and nodded, getting up.
"Sounds good. Your turn to pick a film. I'm going for a shower first."
Darren glanced at Nadir.
"Can I have the listings?" Nadir passed the page of newspaper to him and Darren asked,
"What are you up to tonight, Nadir?"
"I'm having dinner with a friend." He said vaguely, reading the financial section. Darren and I looked at each other and I asked innocently,
"What friend?"
"Just a friend. Why?"
"Just curious. Do we know him?" I asked.
"Or her?" Darren put in.
Nadir looked up.
"So, what you really want to know is if I'm going on a date?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Darren admitted. Nadir rolled his eyes.
"No, it's not a date. And yes, you do know her."
"Who is it?" Darren and I asked eagerly. Nadir sighed and got to his feet briskly.
"If you must know, it's Samantha."
"You're going on a date with my father's counsellor?" I asked disbelievingly.
"No, I'm having dinner with a friend. It's not a date. It's just very awkward being stuck in a house with three teenagers and a temperamental musician. I'd quite like some sane company for a change." Nadir said, going up into the Entrance Hall.
Darren and I sat in silence. Then I asked,
"Date?"
"Oh yeah."
Once the others had gone, I fed Ayesha and looked at my watch. It was nearly seven and Erik had been shut in the music room since we got back. He wasn't even playing anything, I would have heard if he had.
I went upstairs and knocked on the door.
"Yes?"
"It's me. Can I come in?" I asked.
"Come in."
I opened the door and went in. Erik was stood by the window. The sky had gone that very dark grey colour it turns when expecting a violent storm. Erik turned to look at me and I said with a smile,
"I was wondering if you were planning to eat at all today. You missed lunch and it's nearly time for dinner."
"I'm not hungry." He said shortly. I frowned.
"Erik, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just not hungry." He said, facing me at last. The lights weren't on and the room was so dark I could only see the white of his mask and a vague outline of his features.
"Erik, you've been in here for hours and you haven't played anything. Is something wrong?" I asked.
"No, I… no. Nothings wrong."
I moved to turn on the light but jumped as there was a flash of lightning. When I looked back at Erik he was looking out of the window.
"Do you want a drink or something?"
"No, thank you."
"The others have all gone out, if you want to do something." I suggested.
Erik didn't reply. His arms were folded and he was staring out of the window. Inexplicably I found myself annoyed at him.
"OK, what is going on?" I snapped. He looked at me.
"What?"
"You haven't eaten since this morning, you've shut yourself in here for hours without even playing anything and you've barely said two words to me. Have I done something wrong?" I demanded, folding my arms across my chest.
"You haven't done anything."
"Then what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"For god's sake, Erik, I'm not stupid. There is something wrong and I'm not giving up until you tell me what it is." I told him firmly.
He ran his hands through his hair and said,
"I just… I need something."
"What is it?" he shook his head mutely and I ground my teeth.
"Erik, tell me? Is it to do with music?"
"No…"
"Well then, what is it?"
He didn't reply. He was watching me with a strange expression on his face. I stared back at him and then took a step towards him, clenching my fists.
"Erik, what do you want?"
He opened his mouth, closed it again, swallowed, opened his mouth again and said in a constricted voice,
"I want you to marry me."
Just like that. No warning. Completely out of the blue. Not a single hint. And, of course, I said the first thing that came into my mind, the only thing that I could possibly think in a situation like that.
"Huh?"
A/N: Beeeg grin. Nuff said.
OK, just reading my emails, seeing the lovely reviews you all sent and I freaked. Nearly EVERYONE thought that Christine was pregnant! Eeks, I got so confused, trying to figure out why. Lol, the whole 'Christine is fat' thing was just a joke on Meg's behalf. No pregnancy, I swear! Lol
The reason I've been updating so quickly is because I'm on study leave. I have exams. I SHOULD be revising, but the temptation to write is too strong for my weak soul. sigh.
Depply-in-Love: I will try to draw up a floor plan of the Manor. I can picture it in my head, but since you can't see in there (which is good, because I expect you would be very scared) I will do my best
Thank you, as usual, for the lovely reviews. Love you all
Katie