Chapter 26: New life after the nightmare
A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for the reviews, they are much appreciated! Okay, before I commence with the chapter, there is a clarification in order as to the status of the Giry/Erik relationship. I never said that they were involved romantically, even though they are presumably near the same age. Madame Giry represents to me what I think Erik deserves most, which is a mother's love. And Madame Giry is going to be there to give it to him. As to his romantic status, its a surprise, which will involve an OC from his past. Anyway, this chapter is all about Raoul, Christine, Marie, and Arthur. The next chapter will explain about Erik and Madame Giry. Then there will be an epilogue. Anyway, enough of my ranting, see ya at the end of the chap, enjoy!
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It was a bright June day, months after the incident. Life had gone on for all involved. Healing was leading to happiness, and change was in the air. But if anyone happened to be watching the front walk of the lovely Page' house, a comical sight would have met their eyes and ears. A carriage with the top down, driven by white geldings was being driven at a rather concerning speed up the drive. It stopped with a squeak of the wheel, blowing dust into the air.
"I can't believe it, I just can't believe it! Our little girl, having twins!" exclaimed Raoul de Chagny as he pulled the horses to a stop.
Christine's musical laugh rang through the air as she listened to her husband's remarks and tried to regain her composure after the incredibly fast paced carriage ride. "Raoul love calm down. You knew this was coming."
"Yes, but it actually occuring is quite different. These things are hard for a father to deal with after all. Do you think she'll be alright?" he asked in a nervous rush, which was common for a father who had just reiceved the news that his daughter was in labor.
Christine smiled, a sparkle in her brown eyes as she gave her beloved a kiss on the lips. "She'll be fine darling, don't worry." she said as they walked up the brick front steps.
"You're right little Lotte, I suppose that the news just came so quickly it took me by surprise." he said, smiling at his love and taking her hand in his as they entered the house. Felix ran ahead of them, having never been quite so excited in his life.
"Come on mama, papa!" his young voice urged.
"We're coming son, we're coming!" answered both Raoul and Christine at the same time, as they ran to catch up, chuckling at their son.
They were escorted to right outside Marie and Arthur's bedroom to find Arthur pacing and probably putting permanent indentions in the hardwood. The young man looked up when he heard their approach, and his handsome face lit up.
"I'm so glad that you're here!" he exclaimed, running a shaky hand through his sandy colored locks. "This is rather nerve wracking. You're the first ones here. My parents should be here soon as well"
he laughed a soft, but nervous laugh.
Christine laughed with him as she put a comforting hand on his arm. "You should have seen Raoul when Marie and Felix were born."
This drew and indignant look from Raoul, that turned into a grin, as Felix chuckled, trying to imagine that. "Yes, I was quite a nervous wreck. Not to say that I am much better at the present moment." he said, joining in the laughter.
"I'm just so excited and worried at the same time, but its an incredible feeling." said Arthur as he tugged nervously at the hem of his shirt.
Just then, the doctor peeped his head out from behind the door, a triumphant expression upon his face. "You may come in now Monsieur Page'. " he said, gesturing the new father inside.
Raoul and Christine winked at their son in law as he resisted the urge to run inside. Once in the room, he crept slowly and cautiously towards the bed. And as he gazed at his wife, sitting there with two bundles in her arms, her curls damp and her face lit up as brightly as the midday sun, he had never loved her more.
"Arthur, look they really are twins! A boy and a girl." she said as she leaned over to meet his lips in a soft and gentle kiss.
Arthur's eyes widened as he took his children into his arms for the first time. He held them close, and kissed them each on the forehead.
"Oh Marie Claire, they're beautiful. What do you want to name them?" he asked as he sat down on the bed next to her.
"I was thinking Elissa and Jean. How does that sound?"
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect." said Arthur happily. "I love you so much darling."
Marie smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. "I love you to Arthur, so much." Her heart and soul soared. She had never been so happy.
Then the door came open again and Raoul and Christine, along with Felix, who appeared to be antsy with anticipation, all came in.
"Mama, Papa, Felix, come meet Elissa and Jean!" said Marie Claire enthusiastically.
The three came over, jubilant grins on their faces.
"Oh Marie darling they're perfect." said Christine softly as she took them in her arms. "Elissa has your eyes and Jean has Arthur's. I'm so proud of you honey." said Christine as she stroked her daughter's curls.
"I second that." said Raoul as he took the newborns and tickled them under their chins, and the new babes emitted a giggle. "Oh my girl now you and Arthur have started a family of your very own. Everyone at the opera is going to be so ecstatic. Congratulations sweetie." he said as he kissed her cheek.
"I just can hardly believe it. Its a completely new feeling." she said as she hugged her parents tightly. "I love you so much."
Felix was wide eyed as he took his new niece and nephew into his arms. "They're so small." he said seemingly fascinated.
Everyone laughed, the happiness spreading through the room. Marie Claire gazed at her little brother with a smile as he placed them ever so carefully back into his sister's arms. "You're Uncle Felix now." said Marie as she gave her brother a kiss on the cheek, and he blushed.
Then the peace was broken as the group heard the door burst open and Lizzie came in, her blonde locks flying behind her and a huge smile on her face.
"Oh Marie Claire I got the message. They're so beautiful!" exclaimed Lizzie as she bent down to kiss the newborns. "How do you feel Marie?"
"I've never felt so alive." said Marie Claire. "Or so happy." she said as Arthur put a gentle arm around her shoulder. "Its like Arthur and I are starting a new stage in life."
"I know, its amazing. Especially since we've known each other since we were born." said Lizzie and she smiled at her dearest friend. "Oh and mother and grandmother will be by in a matter of minutes. Mother had to close up the opera house for the day, and grandmother is..." she stopped, not wanting to bring up a sore subject.
"Its okay," said Arthur. "Erik needs someone to be there with him, and if anyone can do that, its Madame Giry. They've been friends for years. And I think that this whole group has come to an understanding with Erik, and now I think life will go on for everyone."
At that moment, both Elissa and Jean laughed as their father looked down at them. It was a sweet and wonderful sound.
"I guess they agree," said Lizzie, sounding relieved. "Wow, I'm a godmother now, its a wonderful feeling!"
"And there's no one better for the job than you." said Marie Claire as she gave her best friend a hug.
Then the door came open once again, and Lucien, Meg, and Madame Giry all came in at once, looking wildly excited. Lucien immediately ran over and hugged his goddaughter as tightly as was possible after she had just given birth.
"Congratulations you two lovebirds!" he exclaimed as he looked down at the twins. "This is a glorious day!"
"I second that," said Meg, planting kisses all over both Marie, Arthur, and the twins. "They're perfectly adorable!"
The room went silent for a moment as all eyes fell on Madame Giry. She went over to where Marie sat, and looked upon the girl she considered to be her other granddaughter with a grand smile. "Congratulations my dear. And too you to Arthur. Words cannot express what this day means to me."
"Thankyou so much," said Marie Claire, her eyes alight. "But I must ask you, how is Erik?"
Madame Giry's eyes widened slightly at this question, but she answered nonetheless. "He is, I must say doing better. He is going on a long journey, but I think that in the end he will be alright. And actually, he ran into a woman that he knew from those horrible days that he spent with the gypsy's. He could hardly believe it. They were friends when they were both there."
"Well then that makes this day ever the better. I'm glad to hear that he is doing better." said Marie sincerely.
"I am too," said Christine. "Very glad. Tell him that for us. For all of us."
Raoul, Arthur, and Lucien nodded in agreement to her statement.
"I will make sure to do that." said Madame Giry, hardly able to believe that everything seemed to be working out so well. It was everything that she had hoped for. Erik would be happy, Christine and Raoul were happy, Marie and Arthur were happy, and her very own family of Lizzie, Meg and their husbands were happy. And so was she.
"So," said Lucien slyly. "Raoul and Christine, you're grandparents now. How does that make you feel about your age?" A boyish grin spread over his face, reminiscent of the ones from his childhood.
"You're really going to wish you hadn't said that Lucien." said Christine with a happy and amused laugh.
"Why's that?" he asked curiously.
"This is why." said Raoul, as he rolled up his sleeves and began to chase Lucien around the room. "And don't forget my friend, you are six months older than me!"
These antics drew laughter from everyone, as they took in the breath of happiness that had been achieved, and that seemed as though it would always remain.
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Later that night after everyone had left, Arthur crawled in bed beside Marie, after checking on the twins for what had to be the hundreth time that night. Marie Claire snuggled up close to him, taking in his warmth.
"How do you feel my love?" he asked as he traced her rosy cheek with his finger.
"Tired," she said truthfully. "But happier than I've ever felt. Can you believe this Arthur? We're parents." she said softly.
"Its so amazing. And there's no one that I'd rather share my life with than you my darling." he said as their lips met in a passionate kiss, that contained all the love that the couple felt inside.
When they broke apart, Marie Claire smiled. " I can't wait to see what they're like when they get older, to see them grow." she said sleepily as she closed her eyes.
"Neither can I," said Arthur as he to closed his eyes. "Neither can I"
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It was late when Raoul, Christine, and Felix got home. Felix, though excited, was quite sleepy.
"I think that I'm going to bed." he said yawning as he heard the pitter patter of Chester coming up behind him and attacking him with his puppy licks, his tail wagging fiercely.
"Alright darling," said Christine as she hugged her little boy to her. "We'll see you in the morning.
"Sweet dreams little buddy," said Raoul as he gave his son a bear hug, and Chester a pat.
Felix smiled as he went sleepily up the stairs, and crawled into his warm bed with Chester curled up at the end.
"Oh Raoul," said Christine as she watched Felix go, "They've both grown up so fast."
"I know. But Felix is still young yet, he's not quite ready to grow up just yet." said Raoul as he and Christine made their way into the living room.
The two sat upon the couch in silence for a moment, simply enjoying the bliss. Raoul had his arm gently around Christine's waist, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, breathing in his pipe smoke scent.
"Can you believe it Raoul?" she said suddenly. "We have created such a wonderful family, and two new additions have just been added. Our little girl has children now."
"It seems unbelievable," he said as he stroked her hair. "But its so amazing. I've never seen those two happier than they were today."
"I can't wait to see them grow up." said Christine, her voice so filled with joy that seemed to spread through her entire body.
Their was silence again for a few minutes, as both imagined the twins as they got older.
"Raoul?" said Christine suddenly.
"Yes my love?" he said with a smile.
"I love you, so very much." she said in a heartfelt tone as she leaned over to kiss him, with all the love she felt for this man who meant more than the world to her.
"I love you to, Christine. More than life." he said as he returned the kiss. Then he proceeded to pick her up in his arms and began to carry her up the stairs.
"Raoul what are you doing?" she asked with a girlish laugh.
"Carrying you up the stairs. Its an awfully long staircase after all, and I'm a gentlemen." he said, leaning down to kiss her again.
She smiled, her brown eyes shining. A fleeting memory of her father's words ran through her mind. Erik had found his way, and from what Madame Giry said, he seemed to be finding happiness, and she was happy for her former teacher. She and her family had kept their happiness, and increased it. And as she looked into the blue orbs of her beloved Raoul, she knew that everything was alright. Everything was absolutely perfect.
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A/N: Yay, twins! How exciting, I've been wanting to write this chapter for a while. Alright, so two chapters left. The next is about Erik, Madame Giry, and the Erik's friend from when he was with the gypsys that was mentioned in this chapter. Then there will be an epilogue with all characters. Hope that you like this, and please read and review!
Samantha- I'm so glad that you liked it! I hope that you liked this chapter, I was actually watching the Suite life of Zack and Cody while I was writing this. Ya, I can't believe that these stories ended up so long, but they just kind of did somehow, its like I couldn't couldn't stop writing!
Asia1st- Yay happiness, I'm glad that you liked it! I know that you love RC just like me, so hope that you like this chapter! Oh, and I thought that Madame Giry and Erik were near the same age, but I could be wrong. Hope you enjoy this! And, yes Lizzie did get married.
I am the Angel of Music- Thanks for reviewing! I hope that the note at the beginning of the chapter cleared up the Erik/Giry thing, I'm so sorry for the confusion. Hoped you liked the part about Erik's friend from childhood. You get to meet her in the next chapter, which I know for a fact that you will like. And I sincerely thank you for continuing to read. Oh and by the way I hope that you update your stories soon, I'm anxious to see them!