A/N: Thanks Reviewers!
Ch. 25 – A Change in Plans
Christine awoke early the next morning, excitement and nervousness interrupting her peaceful slumber. She dressed carefully, in a burgundy dress that she knew complemented her coloring and her trim figure. She brushed her curls to a sleek shine, and secured only the sides of her hair back out of the way, while allowing the rest to tumble down her back, just as she remembered her Angel had always preferred. She applied the tiniest bit of makeup, and then stood before the mirror, eyeing her appearance nervously. Well, she had done all she could do, and she could wait no longer. After three long years, she had to see him. Her eyes were starved for the sight of him in his dark splendor; her ears thirsty for the rich, musical sound of his voice. Smiling like a love-struck school girl, she nearly ran to the carriage, giving the driver the address and mentally urging him to hurry.
As the carriage drew near to the house, Christine looked up at its simple elegance, and thought that it was exactly the sort of house her Angel would choose. Smiling to herself, she walked lightly up the cobbled walkway, stopping anxiously to smooth an imaginary wrinkle from her skirt. Taking a deep breath, she knocked lightly on the door. There was no answer. She tried a second time, but heard no sounds of movement from within. Fighting her disappointment that he was not at home, she began to walk back toward the carriage. But seeing a lone gardener working along the edge of the house, she paused hopefully; walking over to him with what she hoped was a winning smile.
"Monsieur, pardon me, could you tell me where to find the man that lives in this house?"
The gardener was old and stooped, but his eyes were kind. He pulled out a handkerchief and mopped the sweat from his brow, then answered politely, "Master Erik no longer lives here, mademoiselle. The new owners will be arriving tomorrow."
Christine persisted, "This man, Erik, do you know the address of his new home. It really is very important that I speak with him."
The gardener gestured with a gnarled hand to a formidably-sized mansion in the distance, the peak of which was just barely visible above the trees. "It would be that one at the bottom of the hill. Just built it. Designed it himself, you know," the man swelled with pride as if he himself had designed it. He continued with a smile. "You must be here for the ball tonight. It is supposed to be the event of the season, with the unveiling of that fancy new house."
Christine thought the idea of Erik hosting a ball was more than a little curious, considering his former aversion to crowds, but she smiled sweetly, "Thank you, monsieur, I am most grateful." As the carriage rattled along, Christine considered her options. Smiling impishly to herself, she realized that this ball might be a perfect opportunity. She informed the driver through the window that her plans had changed. She wished instead to do a bit of shopping before heading home. He nodded and turned the carriage toward the city.
Several hours later, back inside the cottage as she prepared to change, Christine grinned. She had found the perfect dress. She touched with reverence a delicate creation of shining silver spread upon her bed. Christine had seen it in a dressmaker's window and had been immediately taken with it. It had been extremely expensive, and she normally would not have been so extravagant, but she had felt that tonight she would need the confidence it would bring her. Still smiling, she slipped it over her shoulders, and with the help of her maid, buttoned the many tiny silver buttons down the back. She arranged her curls, this time threading a length of silver ribbon amongst the ringlets, but once again allowed them to spill down over her bare shoulders in a tumble of shining auburn. She lovingly removed a stunning diamond necklace that had been Elsa's from its leather case, and fitted it around her graceful neck, hanging the matching earrings on her delicate lobes. She applied a small amount of rouge to her cheeks and a hint of color to her lips.
Looking at her image in the mirror at last, she was childishly pleased at the effect. The silver color complimented the creamy perfection of her pale skin, and the diamonds around her neck sparkled in the candlelight. The neckline of the dress left the graceful line of her neck and shoulders bare and dipped a bit lower in the front, revealing an enticing glimpse of the new found curves on her slender frame. The bodice hugged her tiny waist and then the fabric of the skirt swept to the side along the curve of her hip, dropping in a graceful cascade of platinum to the floor at her feet.
She realized as she stared at her reflection that unconsciously she had chosen this dress because it had reminded her of an angel when she had seen it - the combination of delicate silver, the fine gossamer feel of the fabric, even the way it seemed to float with her as she moved - all seemed to speak of something divine. She hoped that tonight, her love would again see her as the angel he had always thought her to be. Her eyes sparkled and a brilliant smile lit her face. She slid a light, silvery wrap around her shoulders, and with barely contained excitement nearly flew down the stairs and out the door to the awaiting carriage.