CHAPTER 15

After going over a few contracts with one of his business associates, Raoul made his way to the Café de Laine. He sat at a table outside reading the latest newspaper as he sipped his tea and enjoyed a fresh croissant. The Opera Populaire fire was on the front cover, which caught his eye, along with the bold print at the very bottom, "Le Fantôme est mort!"

"Dead indeed," Raoul snorted. He began to scan the paper and couldn't believe the claims printed within.

"The Phantom of the Opera died at the hands of le Vicomte Raoul de Chagny……… Fire damage repairable……… Reconstruction to be funded by Messieurs Andre and Firmin……… Comte Philippe de Chagny rumored to take the role as Patron for le Vicomte……… Mademoiselle Megan Giry found in the arms of the young Vicomte……… A distraught Mademoiselle Christine Daae calls off engagement………"

Raoul put the paper down and sighed heavily. "Where do these people get their information?" He was finishing his tea as he saw Francois pulling up. Raoul stood up and addressed his driver. "Did the Giry's get home alright, Francois?"

"Oui, Monsieur Vicomte. I also bring you news that Mademoiselle Giry will be able to dine with you this evening."

"Well, Francois," Raoul patted his back and continued, "that is news I am actually pleased with today! Let's go home Francois."

On the journey home, Raoul couldn't help but think back on the newspaper claims, and then of Christine. He prayed that Christine was safe. Then he thought of tonight's dinner with Meg. He wondered how he could go from one thought to another and not become a complete wreck. His parents raised him to be intellectual and mannered. There were many times he cried easily. In his younger years, his brother Philippe had fought many times on his behalf at school, due to the teasing. Then came the Navy. He went from being a boy to becoming man. Navy life had taught him to be calculating, strong-willed, and driven. "This is why I'm not acting a fool and blubbering in some corner," he confirmed. "Still, it seems quite odd behavior not to be, considering the circumstances…" Raoul's thoughts trailed off as the carriage came to a stop.

"You look very lovely, chéri." Madame Giry walked over to her daughter and placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders.

"Merci, Maman." Meg smiled at her mother's reflection in the mirror.

"I have something for you, Meg." Madame Giry reached into her dress pocket. "This was my mother's necklace and her mothers before her and I thought it was time to pass it on to you." Madame Giry held out a beautiful strand of pink pearls. Tiny diamonds joined between each pearl, complimented the piece.

"It's beautiful! Will you put it on for me?" Meg lifted her tresses above her neckline as her mother secured the delicate bauble around her daughter's neck. Meg touched the heirloom with her left hand and a tear escaped her. "I'll treasure this always, Maman," Meg said as she reflected on her image in the mirror.

Madame Giry kissed the top of Meg's head and left for the kitchen, to attend to her own dinner.

Francois drove Meg to the Chagny estate for her dinner date with le Vicomte. She walked up to the front door where she was greeted by the butler, Jacques.

"Mademoiselle Giry, I presume?" Jacques reached for her hand and placed a kiss upon it. "Le Vicomte is in the garden. Shall we?" Jacques offered Meg his arm.

"Oui, that would be splendid," Meg finished with a smile as she took Jacques arm.

The Chagny estate was vast--marbled floors as far as the eye could see, staircases made of forged steel, artworks depicting scenes that varied to compliment each room, and beamed ceilings in polished oak. There was so much to take in. "The Nobles live such extravagant lifestyles," Meg thought in awe.

Jacques led Meg to the back of the estate and pointed over to Raoul who was seated by the side of a fountain, which was the centerpiece of the garden. "I'll see about dinner, Mademoiselle." Jacques bowed and headed for the kitchen.

As Meg descended down the steps and onto the pathway leading to the fountain, Raoul shifted his attention from the rippling of the water to Meg. She was a vision in purple. Her silken hair was being kissed by the night's breeze, as she walked. The modest cut of her dress showcased tiny sparkles from her necklace, like stars against the midnight sky. Her cheeks were slightly rosy, and her smile was so warm, it would lift anyone's spirits. He stood up as she made her way to him and he reached for her hand and kissed it.

"You look very lovely tonight, little Meg," Raoul said as he eyed her from head to toe.

"Merci, Raoul," she blushed.

"S'il vous plait, sit with me, Meg. Dinner should be ready shortly." Raoul requested as he sat back down before the fountain.

Meg sat next to him as they watched the water cascade down into giant shells carved of stone. At the top was a mermaid that Raoul gazed at adoringly. "My mother loved the sea. She would always tell me stories of the Merpeople that lived far below the ocean floor. I joined the Navy hoping to catch a glimpse of these mysterious beauties, as strange as that may seem." Raoul sighed and reflected back to his childhood, "We spent many summers at our holiday home by the sea."

"That's where you first met Christine, no?" Meg asked casually.

"Yes, Meg. I saw a girl screaming at the ocean and there was something red being picked up by the waves. She was crying and I didn't think twice before I ran into the ocean to get that red thing for her. It was a scarf her father had given to her that belonged to her mother. It was the only thing of her mothers that she had, so I was glad I was able to help her."

Meg listened and occasionally caressed his hand as he lost himself to the story.

"After that day, we spent plenty of time together. I would tell her dark stories of the North and she would tell me tales of Little Lotte and her Angel of Music." Raoul's eyes glistened and as he blinked a couple of tears fell. "She always believed that one day she would be visited by an Angel of Music. Her father had promised her he would send this Angel to her after he had passed." Raoul took a deep breath and as he exhaled he could no longer contain his tearful emotions. "Meg, he was there for her, when I should have been. Even knowing now that he is a man, she idolizes him still as an Angel. Christine loves him as much as he loves her. Why couldn't she love me as before, Meg? Why can she not love me like she loves him? Why couldn't she just love me?" His sobs silenced his words as he held his head down and his body shuddered. It was all coming to him now, like a ton of bricks falling down upon him.

Meg threw her arms around Raoul and hugged him fiercely. He welcomed her embrace and wept his ocean of tears upon her shoulder as she comforted him. Not wanting to cause him anymore pain, Meg replied softly, "She does love you Raoul, but she was always in love with her Angel, even before she met you by the sea." Meg placed her hands on the sides of Raoul's shoulders so they could meet eye to eye. "None of this is your fault. You should not bottle up your feelings. It will take time, Raoul, but one day, you will have the love that you want and that love returned to you." Meg brushed the tears from his face and said, "You will always have me, Raoul. Remember that. After all, we are friends now, no?"

Raoul sniffled and smiled slightly as he traced Meg's cheek with the back of his right hand. "Yes, we are friends, little Meg. I apologize for my sudden outburst. You shouldn't have been here to witness my tears. We are supposed to be dining and having a good time." He stood up, trying to regain his composure, and held his hands out to her. "Come, let us dine and leave my foolishness behind us."

As Meg took his hands she said, "I am glad I was able to be here for you, mon ami. Your actions were not foolish. You were only being human."

The wisdom Meg possessed at that moment was remarkable. Raoul was truly thankful for her presence this evening.

Dinner was exquisite. They exchanged stories of their childhood, as well as his time in the Navy and her days at the opera house. They had laughed and enjoyed each other's company so much that Meg completely lost track of time.

"Mon dieu, it's late! Maman will be upset with me! I really must be going, Raoul."

"Let me drive you home. It's the least I can do for keeping you longer than intended and I'm sure Francois will not mind," Raoul chuckled at his last admission.

"Very well, but please, we must make haste. I don't know if Maman will ever forgive me for this," Meg cursed.

Raoul had made good time getting Meg home. He walked her to the front of her doorstep and thanked her for a wonderful evening.

"Your presence tonight was an honor, little Meg."

"We should do this again sometime, that is, if I am not sent off to a nunnery after this evening," Meg winked at Raoul.

"Little Meg, do not think such thoughts, but if it should happen, then I'll feel it's my duty to rescue you from such a dreary place," Raoul said, playfully pushing out his chest.

Meg's contagious giggle had him laughing alongside her. As their laughter died, they stared at one another. A light came on from inside the house and snapped them both out of their gazes. Raoul placed a chaste kiss on Meg's hand as she motioned for him to hurry off. They exchanged quick goodbyes and then he made a mad dash for the carriage. She waved at him and then let herself into the house.

"Megan Giry…" Madame Giry said sternly.

Meg froze dead in her tracks as she tried to creep down the hall to her bedroom. She turned around slowly and proceeded to babble, "I didn't mean to wake you, Maman. I know it's late. I was having so much fun, I lost track of time and…."

The sound of her mother's cane meeting the floor silenced her.

"I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourself. You should go to your room now and think about what you've done and not make this a habit, should I allow you out again in the future," Madame Giry finalized. "Now, go!" she said simultaneously as her cane hit the floor again.

Meg flinched and shuffled down the hall, disappearing into her bedroom. Once out of sight, Madame Giry smiled and let out a laugh she had been holding in the entire time.

Author's Note
To: Lady Winifred and sparklingdmnd, this Chapter I dedicate to you both. Thanks for the reviews! And to my loyal readers, thanks for the continued support! –big hugs- The next Chapter (with Erik) belongs to you all! -smiles-