Making Plans and Shopping

By KailtynRose

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

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Christine and Raoul were just finishing breakfast when Comte Philip walked into the room.

"Good news," he said. "The R.S.V.P.'s have already started to arrive for your ball. It looks like this is going to be the event of the season."

"Splendid," Raoul said. "I can't wait to show off my beautiful fiancé."

"I don't know," Christine said with a small smile. "I'm still nervous."

"Don't be," said Philip. "I know you don't come from a similar background as the women who will be attending, but just remember that just because someone has a title doesn't mean they don't have the same imperfections and scandalous behavior as anyone else. I could tell you stories that would shock you."

"Oh, please don't," Christine laughed. "The ball will be hard enough since I won't know anyone. If I have to keep track of who did what too I'll never survive."

"A woman who chooses not to know gossip, I never would have thought such a creature existed," Philip smirked.

"I didn't say that," Christine laughed. "Just let me get to know them before you bombard me with all their little secrets." She really appreciated the Comte's attempts to put her more at ease.

"So what are you two doing today?" Philip asked.

"We are going in to the city today to do some shopping," Raoul said.

"Shopping for what?" Christine asked.

"For you," Raoul replied. "The dress maker promised to have two of your dresses ready today. I'm sure you are eager to wear some clothes that fit you. The other dozen will take longer."

"I still say you should have simply had some of the ones I've been wearing altered," she said before taking a bite of her toast.

"I did," Philip said. "You are actually coming home with two new dresses and five altered ones. Luckily my wife had splendid taste. All they needed was resizing and some new trims on them, and before you protest that it's too much, trust me; you're going to find that you are in very short supply for a while. Women of society change clothes anywhere from two to three times a day. When they are actually in Paris it can jump up to four to five depending on the events and the company to be seen."

"My goodness, what ever for?" she asked.

"Mostly to show off," Philip chuckled. "You know a man is truly wealthy if he can afford to keep his woman dressed in the latest fashions. It's a game really, but people take it very seriously. It's too bad my wife is gone," he said wistfully. "She would have been such a great help to you, but not to worry, Mme Odette is very knowledgeable on these matters. Now, on a different topic, would you two like roast pig to be the main course for the ball, or should you prefer leg of lamb. The cook wants to know so he can start to make arrangements. Oh, and do you want caramel flan for dessert or chocolate mousse."

"I think whichever the cook can procure for the main course will be fine, as for the dessert, if I know my Christine, it will definitely be chocolate mousse. Am I right?" Raoul teased.

"Perfectly," she laughed.

"Have you two thought about the wedding yet. Traditionally an engagement should last twelve months, but since you two are living under the same roof I think we should probably have a sixth month engagement. I just don't see the need to wait a whole year."

"I think that is a perfect idea," Raoul said. "If I could truly have my way I'd say we get married tomorrow."

Christine smiled. Truthfully, she felt the same way. She didn't need to wait, but she knew that would be unwise. "Raoul, we must wait, or people will truly talk. They will think that we did something naughty and had to get married out of disgrace."

"I know you're right. I just can't help how I feel," he said. "Anyway, enough talk. We need to leave soon if we are to get all of our errands done today. On top of picking up your dresses we need to get you new shoes, purses, ribbons, and other such stuff."

"Christine, I just found a letter for you mixed in the reservations. It is from a Meg Giry," Philip said.

"Oh, wonderful," she exclaimed as she practically bounded from her chair to take the precious piece of paper. She quickly opened it and began to read.

Raoul smiled happily for her. "So, what do they say?" he asked.

"Meg is going to come for a week like we asked. Unfortunately Mme Giry can not attend. It seems she has new employment and is very busy."

"What is her new employment?" Raoul inquired.

"Meg doesn't say, only that they were very lucky to find such a generous benefactor at the last moment. She will be arriving in two days. Oh Raoul, isn't it wonderful? I can't wait for her to come."

"I will make sure the room next to yours is prepared and everything is perfect for her arrival," Raoul said. "But right now we really must be going. The drive there and back takes an hour each way."

"Yes, of course," she said. "Let me just run upstairs and put my letter away and I will meet you at the entrance." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before hurrying out of the room.

"Son, I know I was against this match at first, but I want you to know that I am truly happy for you. Christine is a darling girl, and I don't know if I have ever seen you so happy in all my life. I want you to know that I will do everything I can to help her adjust to her new life and to have people accept her. All I really want is for you to be happy."

"Thank you, father. You have no idea how much that means to me. I know you wanted me to marry a noble woman with the proper pedigree, but after meeting Christine, there could never be another woman for me. Honestly, I think it is because she is so simple, so trusting and innocent, that I love her so completely. I've known many noble girls. They are spoiled, selfish, judging, and boring."

"Not all of them are like that. You're mother was a noble, and I assure you her heart was every bit as good as Christine's."

"I'm sorry, father. I meant no disrespect, and certainly not to mother. I've just never met anyone like Christine before."

"I understand. Now you best go. You don't want to keep you young lady waiting."

Raoul gave his father a big smile before leaving the room. Christine was already standing at the entrance waiting for him. He slipped her coat on her and then put on his own long brown leather one.

"Ready?"

"Ready," she answered.

Out front the carriage was waiting for them. This trip would be more comfortable than the one here when they rode in the back of a hay wagon. The foot man closed the door and they were off.

"My father truly likes you," Raoul said.

"I'm glad. He has been very kind to me. Everyone here has." She looked at her hands before continuing. "Raoul, while we are in Paris, may we…do you think we could just ride past the Opera House. I want to see it."

"Are you sure? To see it as it is now can only cause you pain," he warned. "I have sent out several letters looking for other patrons to help me start to rebuild it, but so far no one has replied, and unfortunately the job is far to costly for me to take on single handedly."

"I know, but still, I need to see it again. We don't have to stay long. May we please?"

"You know I could never deny you anything." He entwined his fingers with hers. "I simply don't want you to be sad. I'll have the driver go there first, and then we can do our shopping afterwards."

"Thank you." She leaned her head back against the coach and tried to calm the nervous butterflies that suddenly appeared in her stomach. She needed to see the Opera House, it was true. One last look at her home would give her the chance to say good-bye to her childhood. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder about who was still under the Opera House. Was he still there, hiding in eternal night? She wasn't even sure if he was still alive. Had the mob caught him and killed him? How would she react if she found out he was dead? Would she mourn the loss of her Angel, or find peace that the demon who had frightened her so could never hurt her or Raoul ever again?

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The carriage rolled down the streets of Paris with a clip clop, clip clop, from the horses' hooves. Raoul opened the carriage door while it still moved and gave the driver instructions to go to the Opera Populaire.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"Yes. Don't worry. I'll be all right," she assured him.

Raoul was tempted to say that it was impossible for him not to worry about her, but he held his tongue. For whatever reason she needed to do this, and he would make sure that he was by her side to offer any comfort she needed.

The carriage stopped in front of the giant stone building. The outside still looked beautiful except for some smoke and soot staining the masonry. He climbed out of the carriage and offered her his hand.

"It's not ruined completely," she said.

"Darling, don't get your hopes up," he cautioned. Together they walked up to the main doors. He was surprised to find them open. He would have thought the police would have boarded the building up for the purpose of safety. The sound of voices caused them both to jump.

"Oh Andre, what are we to do?"

"I don't know. Perhaps we can get the Vicomte to help." Andre kicked a charred timber and then jumped when it collapsed and fell.

"Gentlemen, you should be more careful," Raoul spoke up.

"Ahh!" both men shrieked.

"Oh, Vicomte, you scared us half to death," Firmin said.

"Mlle Daae, how lovely to see you," Andre gasped. "We did not know what had happened to you after that dreadful night."

"It is good to see you too, messieurs. As for that night, Raoul braved the caverns below and came to save me. I have been at his family's home for the past three weeks," she explained.

"Thank goodness no harm came to either of you," Firmin said. "I hope you killed that dreadful monster."

Raoul let out a soft breath. "I'm afraid I did not. Quite the contrary, he came very close to killing me, but let both of us go in the end. I have no knowledge of what has become of him since that night. Have you heard anything from the police?"

"No, not a word. They searched the caverns but that only resulted in four men getting killed in one of his booby traps. Now the police refuse to go down there anymore for fear of more traps. They think he has fled," Firmin told them.

Gone. He was gone. Christine breathed a small sigh of relief. She hoped that where ever he went he would be able to find some kind of peace.

"Vicomte, I am actually most anxious to talk with you about rebuilding the Opera Populaire," Andre mentioned.

Christine smiled. She wondered how long it would take them to ask for money. Raoul and the other two men started to discuss plans for finding patrons to make donations. She began to walk around and look at the destruction. She stepped carefully; making sure the floor would hold her weight before continuing. She looked back and saw Raoul watching her carefully. She smiled. He was always protecting her. It gave her such comfort.

She continued on, finally entering the theater area. The structure was still intact, but what had once been shiny and golden was now black and desolate. She ran a hand over the chairs. All of the red upholstery had been burned away, leaving burnt wooden skeletons.

She froze when she heard a noise coming from the stage. She could see nothing there, but she knew that meant nothing. Christine took several shaky steps towards the stage. All was dark. This place that used to be her home was suddenly frightening, much like a haunted house, only this place had a ghost who was made of flesh and blood.

"Angel," she murmured softly before taking several more steps towards the stage. There, she knew she saw it. A shadow that moved as it blended with the others. He was here. He hadn't fled like the police said. She shook her head. "No," she groaned. He was here. She turned to run but a body in front of her blocked the way. She screamed and jumped backwards. The heel of her shoe caught in the folds of her skirt and she would have fallen if strong hands hadn't reached out to grab her.

"Christine, it's just me," Raoul stated. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"He's here," she cried. "There, on the stage," she pointed.

"What's going on?" Andre called as he and Firmin ran into the room.

"The Phantom is still here," Raoul exclaimed. He looked at the stage and didn't see anything, but he trusted Christine. "We must leave."

Christine was struggling to put her foot down but the heel of her boot had pierced the fabric of her skirt and she couldn't get if free. Raoul saw her struggling. He scooped her up into his arms and raced out of the theater with her. He could hear Andre and Firmin following behind him. Once in the lobby Raoul set Christine down and bent down to free her shoe of the fabric that trapped it. As soon as he stood up he wrapped his arms around her.

"Daring, are you okay?"

She couldn't even speak, so she just nodded her head up and down.

"You're trembling. Let's get you out of here." He looked at the two managers. "Gentlemen, if you'll excuse us."

"Of course," Firmin said.

Raoul escorted Christine back to the carriage and helped her inside. He watched as she struggled to control her breathing. For a moment he feared she would hyperventilate, but luckily she was slowly calming down.

"Raoul, you can't rebuild the Opera House," she finally said.

"Christine…"

"No, listen to me. That place is no longer my home. It is now a house of horrors. He has managed to make the building itself as black as his soul. I don't want to come here ever again." As she spoke she grew agitated once more.

"Darling, you must calm down or you shall faint," Raoul said. "As for the Opera House, I will do as you ask. I promise, neither of us shall ever step foot there again."

"Oh Raoul," she said as she buried her face into his chest. "I know he let us go, but he still frightens me terribly. His temper is so unpredictable. What if he tries to kill you again? I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you."

"Shh," Raoul cooed. "Nothing is going to happen to either of us. We're safe. As long as we stay away from the Opera House, where his lair is, he can't get to us." He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the tears from her eyes. He knew it was a bad idea to bring Christine here today, but he just couldn't refuse her. On the other hand, now she knew her home was truly destroyed and would never shelter her ever again.

He hit the roof of the coach with one hand while keeping his other securely on her. The driver started them moving down the Paris streets.

"Are you still able to visit the shops or should we just head back home?" he asked.

"We don't need to go back yet," she murmured.

"Are you sure? If this is too much stress for you we can do it another day."

She glided her fingers over his soft cheek. He was so good to her. She was so lucky to have him. "Let's go to the shops. The distraction should help to ease my mind," she said.

"I agree," he said and placed a kiss on her temple. "No more talk of him. From this moment on we shall only think of happy things and the life we are going to share."

Happy thoughts. Yes, that was what Christine wanted. Only happy thoughts.