Chapter 15

5 months later

There had been no new evidence found of Raoul or 'the masked man.' Valerie was one year old now. Erik and Christine were playing with her. Everything was going well, except for one. Christine longed to sing again. She knew she couldn't go back to the Opera Populaire, but she wanted to desperately. She had heard that Carlotta had been put back in lead, which made her want to go more. As they were playing Christine brought it up again.

"Erik, I want to go back to the Opera Populaire and perform again." She said.

"Oh Christine, you know we can't do that. They are still looking for me; I don't why they haven't given up yet. But they haven't." He answered sadly.

"Isn't there a theater around here that I could sing in?"

"The closest one is two hours away, by train."

A/N: Yes there were trains back then.

"Could I go and see if they will let me in? Please Erik!"

"I suppose so, but what about Valerie? You know I couldn't take her all that way. Ana I can't leave her here."

"We could hire a maid."

"Oh Christine you know how I feel about maids…they are always…snooping."

"Please Erik!" Christine said, making a sad face.

"Oh…you know I can't stand for you to do that! Fine. We'll get a maid."

"Thank you Erik! I'm going to be back in singing!" She yelled jumping excitedly.

Erik laughed and began to make plans of when would be the best day to go. He found out that the theater was playing Hannibal. A play that Christine knew well. He told her and they decided that they would leave as soon as they could find a maid.

A few days later

A knock on the door was heard. Christine went to answer it.

"Anne Marie here. I'm your maid."

"Oh, hello Anne Marie. I am Christine this is my husband Erik. And this is Valerie." Christine pointed to Valerie playing on the floor.

Anne Marie looked at Valerie's face and her eyes grew wide. She didn't say anything though. Not wanting to anger the parents. Though she had a very good idea why Erik wore his mask. She shook off the thought and went to see Valerie.

"Hello there little girl." Anne Marie cooed.

Valerie made a noise at her and smiled. Erik gave Christine a look like 'Are you sure this is a good idea?' Christine smiled at him, assuring him it was.

"Well Anne Marie, we will back later on. We are going out of town. There is a list of things to do for Valerie on the table in the kitchen. Goodbye." Christine said, walking out the door.

Erik kissed Valerie goodbye and walked out with Christine. They went to the train station and caught a train to Bolton, the city the theater was in. After two hours of traveling, their stop came. They got out of the train and asked a passerby where the theater was and he pointed to a large building behind him. They thanked the man and walked toward the building. In front of the theater was a large sign,

"SINGERS WANTED FOR LEAD ROLE IN HANNIBAL"

Christine smiled and walked in. She asked one of the guards where to go and he escorted her to a small room with a piano and lots of other women. Erik, not wanting to be questioned about his "problem" went and hid up in the rafters.

"Christine Daae?" The man asked after an hour of waiting and listening to horrible singers. "Any experience?"

"Yes, a year as lead in a theater in Paris."

"Oh, well that will certainly help." The man sounded relieved that he finally had a professional. "You may begin."

"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye. Remember me; every so often promise me you'll try…"

Christine sang wonderfully. Every lesson Erik had given her was well worth it just for those few moments. Erik smiled at her from the rafters. When the song ended everyone awaited the decision.

"All right Miss Daae. We'll say who gets the part when everyone else has auditioned." The man said.

"Thank you." Christine replied.