Demons of the Past
Ch. 11 Reunion
Author's note: Here it is! Just like I promised, the much anticipated reunion of our favorite couple! YEA!…Also, the version of Music of the Night is from the movie…I just like the slight alterations better for some reason.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera, but I can claim my new character Elisabeth.
And now, on with the story…
Christine stood with Stefan in the wings of the stage and surveyed her surroundings. In a matter of days, Erik's opera La Rose et la Nuit would be opening for the first time, and all around Christine were the fruits of so many people's labors. The sets and props were finished and looked magnificent; the dancing was perfected to a new level at the Opera House. And the singing…Christine knew without a shadow of a doubt that Erik would be pleased with the vocals that accompanied the orchestra. Now, the orchestra was another problem in itself. M. Reyer was having difficulties with the score, and with Erik not there to help correct the problems, it was impossible to determine if the changes were made in good taste. Christine sighed. There was so much to do, and so little time left…all the bustle around her just made her miss Erik more. Christine knew that he would have loved the atmosphere the Opera House gave off. The excitement, the delight…Christine turned her attention to Stefan, who was speaking.
"My dear, the stage is being set for the first dress rehearsal of Act One…would you care to watch from the audience? I was heading there myself."
Christine smiled brightly. "That would be lovely! I must confess, I am anxious to see the show all put together, and not in the little parts that I have seen…how about attendance, Stefan? Do we have a full house?"
"Christine, you wouldn't believe me…the tickets sold within hours! We are looking at a full house! Everyone I have spoken to seems thrilled that we have decided to open back to the public…and I have to admit, I was a bit concerned over the public's attitude of the events of nine months ago. But all seem supportive, and I dread bringing up past misfortunes. I do hope Erik returns to us before his show; it would be simply dreadful if he missed his first opera!"
Christine bit her lip, hiding the smile threatening to reveal her. Erik had indeed been present for his first opera…but this would be one performed under no false pretenses; it was not meet to seduce, or deceive, or evade…this opera was meant to showcase how brilliant a mind her husband truly had.
Stefan escorted Christine over to the front row of the theater, near the orchestra pit. They both took a seat.
"My dear, how is your health these days? Is all well?" The concern was evident in Stefan's eyes. Christine stroked her stomach fondly.
"I actually had a rather interesting visit with the Opera House doctor yesterday, Stefan.'
"Is everything all right? Do we need to get a second opinion? My dear, we can go immediately, I'll get my carriage-"
"Stefan, wait! Let me finish. Nothing is wrong…I just found out that I am carrying twins." Stefan was silent for a moment. He stared at Christine.
"T-T-T-Twins? Christine, that's wonderful!" Stefan leaned over his seat and hugged her briefly. Immediately, he straightened sharply.
"I'm sorry, Madam, I forget myself…but this is such exciting news! You must be thrilled," Stefan finished, but in a low voice, he added, "I take it that Erik is unaware?"
Christine bowed her head sadly. "Unfortunately. But I have no fears; I am certain he will be supportive." Stefan nodded.
"Of course, my dear, I did not mean to imply otherwise. It will be a bit of a shock for him, won't it?"
The two friends lapsed into a comfortable silence for a time, watching the run through of Act One. During one of the many interruptions by M. Reyer, Stefan spoke again:
"When do you expect Erik back, Christine? I did not think he intended to be gone so long. Has he sent you any letters, by chance?"
"No…I have not heard anything directly from my husband since he left. I know he did not wish to leave, but it was something he had to do. The waiting is the hardest part, I think. I worry about his safety, of course, but what is the hardest part of this whole ordeal is not knowing when to expect his return. Erik could return in two weeks time, or he could return in two months time. I just pray his return is as fast as possible…and that he is safe…" Christine was surprise to feel tears welling in her eyes. She had tried to shed few tears for her loneliness, but at times the feeling was so overwhelming that there was little else she could do. Christine glanced at Stefan, who was again entranced with the show.
"If you'll excuse me, my friend, I fear that I have grown a bit tired. I shall retire to my room, if you have no objections?"
"Of course, Christine. Would you like an escort?"
Christine smiled at Stefan. "I think that I will be able to handle the walk to my room, Stefan. I shall see you in the morning, bright and early, for the full dress rehearsal.
Stefan leaned forward and kissed Christine's hand. "I look forward to it, my dear. Pleasant dreams."
As she left, Christine felt a small pang of guilt for lying to her friend. She had no intention of retiring to her room just yet…she would go to her only refuge her at the Opera House when the pain and loneliness became too much…she would go to the roof of the Opera Populaire.
"Brian, you have to eat this…it's good, I promise, see, Sissy's eating it…come on Brian!" Elisabeth was attempting to feed her brother Brian a bit of bread, but for some reason he would not eat it.
"It's yucky, Lizzy, yucky…can't I have jam? Please? I've been good…" Elisabeth's heart went out to her younger brother. Brian had indeed been good; their party had traveled non-stop through the French countryside in their race to reach Paris. Brian, being only six years old, had tolerated about all he could of sleeping during the day and riding furiously at night. Elisabeth tried one more time.
"Brian, do you see the choo-choo? Will you open up the tunnel for the choo-choo?" Brian grinned broadly and opened his mouth wide as Elisabeth pretended the bit of bread was a train. This trick worked more times than not, and Brian ate the rest of his bread with no more fuss. Elisabeth had just turned to finish her own bread when a chuckle caused her to look up.
"It's not funny, Erik! I would like to see you do better!" Elisabeth eyed him furiously. "And Brian isn't the only one of us tired of the constant travel! How long until Paris, Erik?"
Erik sobered instantly. "We are a night's ride to the outskirts…if we ride hard tonight, we should make it to the Opera Populaire before dawn…and you will get to sleep in a bed for the first time in weeks."
Elisabeth's smile brightened the dreary surroundings. It had rained previously during the day, interrupting the little sleep they had been able to obtain. Suddenly, Erik and Elisabeth heard a cry. Erik looked up and discovered Brian no longer sitting on his blanket…they began to hear screams in earnest. Erik ran toward the noise, using a keen sense of hearing to pinpoint the location…and found Brian, crying furiously from the bottom of a small hill. Erik skidded to a stop on the muddy Earth, and kneeled beside Brian.
"Brian, are you all right! Can you hear me?" Brian, still bawling, looked at Erik. "Tell me where it hurts, Brian…show me where." Brian could not answer. Elisabeth found them, and joined Erik beside Brian.
"Oh, my little bee! Did you get some boo-boos? Where are your owies, little one?" Brian stopped crying for a spell, allowing several crocodile tears and sobs to escape him.
"I hurt my arm…and my leg! And I was so scared, cause I couldn't see you! I just saw this bird…it was so pretty, but then I fell! And I hurt, and I got a lot of owies!"
Erik picked Brian up gently and carried him back to camp. He settled Brian on the blanket, and began to look over his small body.
"Elisabeth, you amaze me. It seems that you almost need another language to talk to children…is it hard to learn what to say?" Knowing that Erik was quietly referring to his own impending fatherhood, Elisabeth laughed.
"Everybody uses something different…it's just whatever works best. How is Brian?"
Erik grimaced. "I don't think he has broken anything, but he is pretty scratched and bruised…I only have a bare minimum of supplies with me, so we will have to clean him up the best we can until we get to Paris…I think he will just be sore for a little while."
Elisabeth and Erik let Brian relax as they rushed to try and finish packing their supplies. Finally, they were ready to depart. Erik glanced at Elisabeth as he helped her to her mount.
"Perhaps it would be better if Brian rode with me this trip…I am the steadier rider, and I can keep him more comfortable; in addition, I know you didn't get much sleep today…you need less strain to make the last leg of the journey to Paris."
Elisabeth nodded, and Erik gathered Brian in his arms. He started to whimper as Erik mounted his stallion.
"I wanna ride with Lizzy…" Brian was on the verge of a tantrum. Erik knew that, and he did the only thing he could do…he started to sing to Brian. As Elisabeth and Erik rode, Erik sang a lullaby that would have put the moon to sleep and brought the sun out early. Very soon, Brian was fast asleep, his small arms place tightly against Erik's chest. Elisabeth rode beside him, staring at Erik in wonderment. At her stare, Erik shot her a questioning look. Elisabeth just laughed.
"Erik, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to being a good father. You will do great!"
For some reason, Elisabeth's words filled Erik with well-deserved confidence. He rode in silence for the rest of the trip, but his heart lightened as they neared their final destination: Paris.
Erik looked up at the night sky. Judging by the moon's placement, they still had a good four hours or so of night left. They had arrived in Paris in perfect time. Erik stopped his horse suddenly, and Elisabeth pulled her mare close.
"Why are we stopping, Erik?"
Erik gestured to the front. "This is the beginnings of Paris, Elisabeth. I thought that you might want to know…"
Elisabeth stared at the mass of buildings lined before her. Her concentration had been solely on keeping up with Erik; she had not noticed the thinning trees, or the widening road. Elisabeth stared in awe. This was nothing like I expected, she thought, as Erik began to lead them into Paris at a slower rate. Very soon, a large building came into view.
"This is the Opera Populaire. It is our stop. There is a stable on the side…we should be able to wake some stablehands."
Erik felt a sense of eagerness as they entered the stables. Very soon, very very soon, he would be reunited with Christine. His lips tingled with an anticipated kiss…the very electricity that had been absent for so long caused his mind to shudder in pleasure. To Erik's surprise, there were three stablehands up and about. They nodded to Erik, and took their horses. Brian awoke as Erik handed him to Elisabeth, and he insisted that he walk and not be toted. Erik led Elisabeth and Brian through the maze of corridors inside the Opera House before stopping at a door. Erik motioned for the children to stay outside the door. Erik knocked quickly three times on the door; the door flung opened to reveal a rather tousled looking Madam Giry. Her eyes focused on Erik, then widened.
"Erik!" Madam Giry reached for Erik and hugged him tightly. Erik hugged back, lightly.
"I have missed you, Marie."
"And I you, Erik, but not nearly as much as Christine has, I'll bet!" Madam Giry's eyes focused on the two children beside Erik.
"Erik, who..?" Erik smiled.
"Marie, let me introduce you to my siblings…this is Elisabeth, and this is Brian…" Elisabeth came forward and curtsied.
"An honor, Madam." Madam Giry shot a look of bewilderment at Erik, who merely shook his head.
"We have traveled a long way, Marie…I will explain all, I promise…but I need to see Christine. Can you help me make arrangements for them?" He gestured at his siblings. "They need a place to sleep…and Brian has some minor bruises and abrasions, but they can wait 'til morning…"
Madam Giry shook the rest of the sleep from her features. "Of course! You go find Christine, I'll take care of these fine children. Come, Elisabeth, I believe you and my daughter may be the same size…we can get you a change of sleep clothes."
Elisabeth first looked at Erik a bit apprehensively. Erik smiled, and nodded toward Madam Giry. "Marie is like a mother to me…she will care for you. I will be back to check on you, you have my word." Elisabeth nodded, and followed Madam Giry down the hall. Madam Giry had already picked Brian up, and was crooning to him as he laid his head on her shoulder.
Erik's eyes followed them until they disappeared around a corner. Finally left alone, Erik turned to go towards Christine's room. Just as he was about to turn onto the hallway, he heard the click of a door open. Erik poked his head around the corner and was surprised to find Christine in the hallway. She did not see him, and turned and headed up the long corridor in the opposite direction. Erik just stood there, entranced at the mere image of his beloved…she had changed, her body had grown round and full…but her face still held the same light, the same beauty. Erik followed her, not knowing her destination. After Christine took the first flight of stairs up, Erik knew she was headed for the roof. Luckily, Erik knew a short cut, and he took it to beat Christine there. Christine emerged through the door, a protective hand placed over her stomach. Erik drank in the image of her, standing with the wind blowing her hair slightly, looking radiant in the bright moonlight. He started to come towards her when Christine spoke into the night.
"Oh, Erik…where are you? I long for you…I crave your touch…your embrace…I have never experienced such loneliness…it is agony! I just pray that you will return to me, whole and unharmed!"
Christine started to cry, her tears falling to the ground untouched. "I promised myself that I wouldn't cry…I promised myself that I would be happy…but I can't anymore. Father, please, protect my Angel…send him home…"
Erik felt his heart break within his chest. He had not known the sufferings that he was placing upon Christine with his absence…Resolve filled him, and Erik emerged from behind the large Angel statue.
Christine started to sing:
Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.
Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses, abandon their defenses.
Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor.
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away, from the garish light of day!
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light…
And listen to the Music of the Night…
Erik froze, entranced by the sight and sound of his wife. She was singing the love song that he had written for her…it seemed so long ago. Christine faced away from Erik, unaware of his presence. Christine hugged herself with her long, graceful arms as the wind ruffled her thin nightdress.
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dream,
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before…
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before…
"How true those words are," Christine murmured quietly to herself. Erik began to move again, softly masking his steps as he approached.
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you…
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot hide…
The darkness of the Music of the Night…
Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world,
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before…
Let your soul take you where you long to be!
Christine let the note ring in the silence of the night. She started crying softly, swaying against an unseen force. She shudder with the cold of loneliness…until she felt strong arms wrap themselves around her, pulling her close to a lean figure that she knew so well…
Only then can you belong to me…
Erik whispered softly in Christine's ear. She turned, her eyes wide in amazement. Erik savored the moment…just the two of them, standing on the roof…his wife's eyes full of adoration and disbelief. Erik started the motions again, twisting Christine away from him once more so that her back was facing him. He let his hands wander over her body, lingering a bit when Christine shuddered against him.
Floating, falling, sweet intoxication.
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation.
Erik guided Christine's hands to explore his body, and turned her to face him. He put her small hand against his face, feeling the softness of her touch.
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in,
To the power of the music that I write…
The power of the Music of the Night…
At his words, Christine flung her arms around her husband, pulling him close for a passionate kiss. Erik felt as if he had been given back his soul…a part so essential, and yet sometimes taken far too lightly. The heat of Christine's body warmed every inch of Erik; her touch was like a fire that ignited his heart. Erik ran his fingers through her dark curls, as her hands roamed across his back, pulling him ever closer. The loneliness and pain were gone in a fleeting moment, and all that remained were the two lovers, locked in an embrace that would never be broken completely.
You alone can make my song take flight…
Help me make the Music of the Night…
Erik finished the song, holding his wife close to him, afraid to let her go. Christine looked at her husband with tear stained eyes and whispered just three words.
"I love you…" Those words were enough for Erik; they were all he wanted to hear. He held her, just held her, until finally Christine pulled reluctantly away.
"I've missed you so much, Christine, I have ached for you for so long…so much has changed! Look at you!" Erik leaned forward and tentatively placed a hand on Christine's stomach. "Our child…is healthy? You have had no problems?" Christine smiled broadly.
"Our children are safe so far, Erik…I have been very careful." Christine watched Erik's eyes, saw them blink in puzzlement, and then widen in recognition.
"Children? You mean…twins?" When Christine nodded, Erik staggered backward a few steps and put his hand to his face, trying to hold his intense emotions in. But when Christine moved his hand, the battle was lost. Erik fell to his knees before Christine, and grasped her hand in his.
"I have missed so much! I have not been there as I should have been…How can I ever make amends for not being the husband that you deserve!" Erik sobbed, letting all the anguished tears flood from his soul. Christine kneeled down in front of her husband, and cradled his head against her chest.
"You have been there…ever step of the way. I have never once doubted your love…it's all that has kept me going at times. You are here with me now; and we will never be parted again. Never…"
Erik did not look up. "There is still so much to say…I found out so much, Christine, so much…about myself, and about my love for you. You truly are an Angel…only an Angel could have saved a demon."
Christine stood from the ground and pulled Erik up with her. She kissed him hard on the lips, standing on her very tiptoes to do it. "We have all day to catch up, love…oh!"
Erik looked up in surprise. "Christine, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing, quick, give me your hand!"
Christine placed Erik's hand over her stomach. Erik was puzzling over Christine's actions when suddenly he felt a strange pressure against his hands. He looked at Christine in bewilderment. Christine certainly hadn't done that…there it was again! Erik moved his hand a bit, and saw some of the flesh from Christine stomach rise where his hand had just been. Erik felt the tears swell in his eyes…his child! He had just felt his child move from within his wife. Erik looked at Christine, and no words were necessary to express what he was feeling at that moment.
"Do they do that often?"
"All the time now. The doctor says it's natural for them to begin to move within me…it is such a strange sensation!"
Looping his arm with hers, Erik pulled Christine toward the entrance to the Opera House.
"Savor it, my dear…Come, there is a few hours before dawn. Let's try to get some sort of sleep before we talk later. There is so much to tell…and so much time to make up for."