Chapter 16: A friendly visit and a decision
A/N: Hope that you guys like this! Quote: "The thing is Harry, that people often have a knack of choosing the things that are the very worst for them"- Albus Dumbledore
Lucien's smile spread across his boyish face as his carriage pulled up in front of the de Chagny manor. Raoul and Christine had obviously been out riding, for a short distance away, Lucien saw Raoul helping Christine down from her large bay horse and spinning her about before setting her on the ground. Their laughter echoed in through his carriage window and his heart warmed.
He had been so glad, all those years ago, when Raoul had told him that he had found Christine again at the Opera Populaire. Something had always told Lucien that those two had been meant for each other, ever since they were children. And God knew, Christine deserved to be happy after all that she had endured, especially after the soul shattering death of her father. And finding Raoul again, it seemed to Lucien, had brought Christine back to life.
He hopped quietly out of the carriage and strode soundlessly up to Raoul and Christine, who had not seen him arrive. The two had become locked in a kiss, so Lucien found the perfect opportunity to sneak up on them.
"I sincerely hope that I am not interrupting anything." he said slyly as he reached them.
The two broke apart suddenly apart, surprised at the sudden voice.
"Well hello there Lucien," said Raoul, giving his friend a quick embrace. "I suppose you couldn't have just announced that you were here like a normal person?" asked Raoul, chuckling.
"Of course not dearest Raoul, that would take the fun out of it." said Lucien, laughing.
"I certainly never know what to expect when you come to call Lucien." said Christine with a smile as she removed her riding helmet and shook out her long, curly, brown braid.
"Pleased to see you to Christine." chuckled Lucien as he kissed her on the cheek.
The three made their way inside to the warm living room, and hot tea was brought into them. Raoul stoked the fire, and Christine went upstairs to change out of her riding habit. He sat on the couch as Lucien took a seat in his customary chair. Raoul watched Christine as she went up the stairs, a twinkle in his blue eyes, and a loving smile on his face. Lucien, who noticed this, had to fight the urge to laugh. His best friend was quite the romantic.
"Your eyes light up everytime you look ar her Raoul," said Lucien. "But I sense that there is something troubling the both of you." he said wisely.
Raoul sighed and looked at his friend with a worried smile. "Yes, I must admit that there is. As much as Arthur and I try to persuade Christine and Marie, they are still no so certain as to whether they wish to return to singing at the Opera Populaire."
Lucien stared at his friend for a moment, as though slightly dumbfounded. "But Raoul, I can hardly imagine that. Christine and Marie Claire not singing? Although, I can see where they are coming from." said Lucien darkly.
"They simply want to protect our family from harm. And I know that they are so afraid that mine and Arthur's lives are in danger. They struggle with this because they are brave enough to be willing to give up a part of themselves in order to protect others." said Raoul, the utmost respect and love for his wife and daughter in his voice. "But I do not want them to give up the opera, it just wouldn't seem right, and I cannot bear to see them sad anymore." said Raoul, holding his head in his hands in distress.
Lucien thought for a moment, his chin resting on his fist in thought. "Well, do you think that if you removed yourselves from the opera house that this Phantom perhaps would leave you alone?"
Raoul shook his head in answer. "That's the thing Lucien, I don't think that it would. This conflict seems to have moved beyond the boundaries of the opera house."
Just then, there was a sound of footsteps on the stairs, and both men turned to see Christine coming down, dressed in a simple yellow dress, that contrasted perfectly against her dark curls, which were pinned half up half down. But she had a look on her face that conveyed the impression that she had heard part of the conversation. She came towards them and sat on the couch next to Raoul, and gently took his hand in hers.
"So I see that you know of our troubles Lucien?" asked Christine with a worried smile at their loyal friend.
"Yes, Raoul just told me of them. But Christine, forgive me for giving advice without it being asked for, but I don't think that you and Marie ceasing to sing in the opera house is a good idea." said Lucien, looking over at the two, while taking a sip of his tea. "It would be the worst thing for you, and .." he stopped, not knowing if he should say what he thought, but decided that he dared. "And from knowing your father when we were young, and knowing of his love for music, I doubt that you and your family giving up singing would be something that he would support."
Christine looked over at him, and unreadable expression on her face. Raoul and Lucien watched her for a moment, expecting an answer, but none came. Then Raoul spoke up.
"You know, little Lotte, I believe that our friend has a point." he said, squeezing her hand and looking into her deep brown eyes. "Your father would not want you to give up your music."
"But," said Christine, tears welling up in her eyes, despite her efforts to fight them, "I don't want anything to happen to this family, the family that I love more than anything in this world." said Christine, as a tear slid down her face.
Raoul gently wiped it away with his thumb, hating to see his beloved so torn between her music and those that she loved. "But think Christine, it was music, the opera house, that reunited us again. It was the opera house where our daughter met the love of her life. And who knows, perhaps even Felix will meet the girl of his dreams there someday. I feel in my heart that staying at the opera is the right thing to do."
There was silence in the room for a few minutes, and the three listened to the crackling fire in front of them, each seemingly lost in thier own thoughts. Then Christine broke the silence in the quietest of voices.
"The both of you are right," she said slowly. "Absoulutely right. And I believe that Marie and Arthur will feel the same as I do. Giving up singing would only make a hard situation worse. And it would only convince Erik that we fear what he may do."
Smiles appeared on both Raoul's and Lucien's faces. "I am glad that you agree, Christine" said Lucien, grinning. "And I should be rather sad if you had decided otherwise, for your voice graces the opera house with its presence."
Christine smiled broadly. " Thankyou Lucien. But.." she said in a more serious tone, "We shall all have to be careful, for I will not risk losing anyone that I love" she said, looking with a worried expression over at Raoul. "I can only hope that Erik will find his way, and that he will cease to haunt us. I know that he can change. He is after all, only a man. A man that wishes happiness. But in the meantime, we shall have to be careful, for his anger is great, and there is no predicting his actions." she said, her face clearly worried.
Raoul pulled her closer to him, and she smiled up at him, her eyes full of love. "We shall all be careful, and do not forget that I will always be here for, to protect you and our family from any danger that comes."he said with feeling.
"And that makes me feel happier and safer than you could know." said Christine sincerely as she leaned her head on his shoulder, loving the feeling of love and security that he brought. She loved him so.
"Well," said Lucien, eyeing the two with a chuckle, "I am quite glad that we got that settled. Oh, and if any newspaper papparazzi ever try to interrogate you, just send me and I'll take care of them." said Lucien cracking his knuckles.
This statemet got a laugh from all and so the conversation continued, and Lucien told Raoul and Christine all about his new home and his very interesting new neighbor. But a just before they were about to go into the dining room to eat dinner, they heard the sound of the front door opening and closing in the front hall. Felix, who had been over at Arthur and Marie's house, came tromping in with Chester at his heels. He had a rather strange smile on his face. Then came Arthur and Marie, both of whom had radiant looks on their faces.
"Well hello there all of you," said Christine happily. She felt much better now that the decision burden was lifted. "You all look quite happy, is there something going on?"
"Well," said Marie grinning slyly, "Actually there is. And I have perfect timing it seems, since Uncle Lucien is here to hear the news as well. But, I daresay you'll have to wait until after dinner before I tell you the news."
Arthur laughed at this statment, his arm wrapped warmly about Marie's shoulder. "Well then I suppose we should go into dinner, for I don't know how long I can wait to tell them."
And so the group went into dinner, Raoul and Lucien trying to pry the information out of Arthur and Marie during the entire meal.
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A/N: Hehe a cliffhanger! What is it that Marie and Arthur have to tell Raoul, Christine, and Lucien? Well, you shall see my friends, soon enough! Oh, and thanks to I am the Angel of Music, I shall check out your story soon! Thanks also to mrmistoflees. I love to get your reviews, so please read and review! Thanks everyone!