Chapter 1: InDreams He Came

Three Years after the Opera Populaire

" Christine," a sadden voice called to her

Christine tossed in her bed and tears fell from her face. She gripped the covers as she dreamt of the past 3 years. His voice it was sad when it called to her and he called to her several times.

" Christine," the voice called

In her dreams she saw a hunched over figure coughing and alone. A hand every once extended to the people passing. She could see the helplessness in the hunch over figure's extended hand as they begged.

Christine opened her eyes and breathed deep, feeling a cool cloth upon her head. She sat up and two hands rested on her shoulder begging her to lay back.

" You are not well Christine," a soft voice came

" Meg," she whispered

The young blonde sat down beside her and looked at her friend.

" I've been gone three years," Christine whispered

" Only 2 and half, you and Raoul stayed in Paris for 6 months," Meg replied

Meg handed her a glass of water and Christine took a sip, but coughed from the water touching her dried throat.

" Easy Christine," Meg said

" Meg, I had a dream," Christine whispered

" A dream? About what?" Meg inquired with great curiosity

Christine nodded and Meg looked at her friend.

" It was about some shadowy figure hunched over begging. He kept calling my name," Christine whispered, " he was sick."

" Do you think it is he?" Meg asked

" No, it couldn't be," Christine whispered

Meg pushed back Christine's brown locks and sighed, then hugged her.

" It was only a dream," Meg said, " Lie back now and rest."

" I never got the chance to thank you for taking me in," Christine whispered

" You know I am happy to take my dearest friend in and plus my children love you," Meg replied

Christine smiled and laid back to fall asleep and Meg looked at her.

" He's back," she thought

The snow drifted that month and things were far colder than the winter before. Meg and her family took care of Christine while she tried to find a suitable apartment or small home to live in. Christine and Raoul agreed to a divorce after three years of being married to one another. Raoul gave her enough money to make it on her own for a couple of years if she used it wisely and sent his love to her. Christine only left Raoul with hope of a happier life than the ones they had. Both kept their friendship quite close, though they were divorced.

Now on her own she had to find a place on her own as well as a job. She had been singing at a small opera house when she and Raoul were married, but now it was much to far for her to travel there to sing for the company. Christine walked around the streets of Paris and stopped at the Opera Populaire, it called to her with only memories of her Angel of Music, then there was 'him' the Phantom of the Opera. She breathed deep and went on her way promising Meg she would be back to tend to the children by 12. The frosty air blew through the abandoned opera house singing a haunted song. Christine looked at it once more than stopped to hear her name.

" Christine," the voice whispered in her ear.

She closed her eyes and felt the warmth of a memory surround her.

" Here I am Christine," a masculine voice whispered, " hear me."

Christine felt herself being pulled close by someone one and their hand moved her hand to their face. She felt tears draw away from her eyes and then she turned and opened her eyes to find no one there.

" A dream," she whispered

She took one last look at the Opera Populaire and went on her way. She pulled her cloak tightly around her and headed to Meg's home.

" I'm back," she called

The warmth of a freshly started fire warmed Christine's cheeks and there were patters of feet as they came down stairs.

" Aunt Christine's back Mama!" the children called

" I was wondering where you were," Meg said

" I'm sorry, I stopped by the cemetery and then saw someone I knew pass by," Christine replied

She hung her cloak and removed her gloves, Meg poured her some hot tea while she warmed herself by the fire. The children came and sat beside Christine while they warmed themselves by the dancing flames.

" Aunt Christine could you tell us a story about your days in the opera house?" Thomas asked

" Perhaps later," Christine replied

Meg handed her the tea and some jam and crackers then sat down.

" You and Daniel have been well?" Christine asked

" Yes, we're planning for a third child, but he wants to make a little more before we move and make room for that third," Meg replied softly

" That would be wonderful," Christine stated

Christine looked at her cup and Meg became sadden by her friend's distress.

" Christine what about you? Why didn't you and Raoul have children?" Meg asked

Christine continued to stared at her cup and said, " There was no time, he worked so hard to keep up the money."

Tears fell from her face and Meg looked at her, the children went upstairs so they could talk.

" Raoul and I tried, but after what happened the first time there was no hope," Christine began to sob

" Oh, Christine," Meg said

" It was 9 months after we got married," Christine cried, " the doctor said it was just to weak to live, so it died."

Meg reached over and grabbed her friend's hand and Christine told her about how she pushed Raoul away after that. It was by the third year they decided that it was something more than just the miscarriage that kept them apart.

" One day Christine," Meg said softly, " you will be a mother and find a fine husband."

Christine nodded and hugged Meg and began to sob. She held Christine as she sobbed with tears of years of pain and wonder.

That evening when the children were asleep Christine leaned back into a chair and began to read by the fire. She drifted to sleep and the book slipped from her soft hold. Christine's head tilted to one side and her soft breaths were not even heard. Her eyes fluttered a little and soon she was in a deep sleep.

" Christine," the voice called

A warm picture of a cozy home appeared in her dream this time and a shadow looked into the fire. She walked towards the figure and reached out her hand to the figure.

" I'm here Christine," the voice said, " just look past the walls."

The figure turned around slowly and Christine stepped back and saw an empty face.

Christine's eyes snapped opened and she looked around. She was afraid and her breath became staggered.

" Who is he?" she whispered

" Christine," Meg's voice came

Christine looked over and heard the door shut. She stood up and greeted Meg and her husband.

" They were little angels," Christine said

" I'm glad," Meg replied

Meg's husband hung their cloaks and joined the two women by the warm fire.

" I believe I found a place just outside of Paris, its not to big, but its enough for a small family," Christine said

" Oh, that's wonderful," Meg replied

" I believe it needs a little work, but I can hire someone," Christine stated, " Its not much to be done, a little paint and some new windows perhaps."

Meg nodded and her husband leaned back listening as the women chattered away. Meg and Christine spoke of the past in the opera house and both women laughed at their childish memories of exploration in the opera house.

" The cellars were my favorite, it was forbidden and mysterious," Meg said

" Yes, they were beautiful too with the carvings," Christine whispered

Christine frown and Meg looked at her and found herself frowning as well.

" Christine its been 3 years its alright," Meg whispered

" No, there's not a day that I don't think about that night. He let us go because of me. His face was full of sadness yet there was some happiness because he felt compassion from a woman he loved," Christine whispered

Meg nodded and then stood up and walked to a drawer.

" I was trying to find the right moment to give you this," Meg said

She pulled out a glass box and walked over to Christine and Christine gave a look of confusion.

" What is it?" she asked

" Open it and it will explain its self," Meg replied

Christine felt anxiousness and with hope as she unlocked the glass box. She lifted the hinged top and moved some material to reveal the one thing that brought back the memories of the Music of the Night. Christine lifted the item and traced it then placed it upon her face to see what he saw through it.

" His mask, but how did you get this?" Christine asked

" That night he took you, I brought a mob down and found it there when we found no one there," Meg whispered

Christine breathed deep and looked at the mask and then set it down in the box. She shut the box and traced the exterior then looked at Meg.

" Keep it," Meg said

Christine nodded and hugged her friend, then went up to bed for the night. Meg leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

" She has no idea how much pain he's in," Meg thought, " in time she will."