"Love Comes To Those Who Wait"

By Nabira

I guess I should probably add a disclaimer, as I keep forgetting to do so. I do not own Phantom of the Opera, unless you include owning three Phantom books, two DVDs, two CDs and a Phantom plushie. However, I do own the plot, Philippe (yay! At least that's almost like owning Erik!), Isabella and other original characters.

CHAPTER 4

THE FIRST QUARTER of the Opera House season passed far too quickly for Isabella. They were rehearsing for the twelfth performance in the Youth Showcase and Samantha Robertson, an astounding viola player, was on stage, listening to what Monsieur Jouvet had to say and rolling her eyes at Isabella when he finally directed his complaints to the violin section of the orchestra. Isabella quite liked Samantha – she was a funny, down-to-earth girl who got along with everyone. But at the moment she was trying to signal to Samantha to stop pulling faces at her. Cracking up with laughter would only make Jouvet focus on her and she wanted to escape his bad temper today.

An hour later and they were finally off stage. As Isabella moved into the audience area to get her case, she wished Samantha goodluck as she passed her. The girl's face split into a grin and she embraced Isabella, thanking her. As Isabella walked off, she wished she had some of Samantha's energy – she would give her eye-teeth to not show her nervousness before a big performance.

A very welcome sight was awaiting her at her flute case. Philippe Cuvier sat there, Isabella's case on his lap, smiling at her.

"Hello, Philippe," Isabella said, beaming with pleasure. "What are you doing down here today?"

"Listening," he replied. "Monsieur Jouvet was in a bad mood today."

Isabella laughed. "Isn't he always?" she asked cheekily.

Philippe laughed, the musical sound echoing throughout the hall. Cocking an eyebrow at Isabella, he said, "Did you know the Opera has its annual Masquerade Ball next week?"

Isabella nodded. "Yes," she replied. "I think I'm going to go out and escape it. I hate crowds."

"Really?" he asked, curious. "I didn't know that," he murmured, half to himself. Looking at Isabella, he asked, "Would you go if I was there?"

Isabella sighed. "Philippe, even though I hate crowds, you know I'd do anything to spend some time with you."

Philippe smiled. "Will you go with me to the Masquerade Ball, then, Isabella?"

Isabella smiled in return. "Of course," she replied.

-♥-

ISABELLA STOOD IN her dormitory the following Saturday, trying to tame her wild hair. She really needed a haircut. In four months, her shoulder length curls had grown down to the middle of her back, a good five inches. She had never had hair that long before and she was beginning to find it unmanageable. She didn't know how Amalie managed to keep her long hair so beautiful.

Giving up, Isabella pinned her hair back from her face, leaving most of the curls to trail down her back. Putting on her makeup she looked at herself fully in the mirror.

Isabella had decided on a bright red evening dress with a matching red mask. Her dark hair and red lips finished the ensemble perfectly and Isabella was happy with how she looked for the evening.

Looking at her watch, she decided to move outside into the foyer to meet up with Philippe. There was still a quarter of an hour before the masquerade was due to start, but Philippe had asked Isabella if she could be early as he had a surprise for her.

So, five minutes later, Isabella stood in the entrance foyer, waiting for Philippe. At least the foyer was interesting. There was a new painting she hadn't seen before and as she looked at it, a hand covered her mouth, stifling her cry.

"Beware the Phantom of the Opera," a voice whispered in her ear and Isabella spun around to see Philippe in his costume.

Philippe was dressed in evening clothes from the nineteenth century. He wore a starched white shirt with black pants and a black coat with tails. The long black cape was made of the most beautiful cloth with a dark red lining on the inside. But the thing that astonished Isabella the most was the white porcelain half-mask that he wore. Suddenly she understood Philippe's comment. Christine had written a description of the Phantom into her diary and she knew that if Christine was still alive, she probably would have thought Philippe to be a splitting image of the man she once knew.

"Oh my goodness," Isabella whispered, smiling at Philippe. "Where did you get that?" she asked, gesturing at the mask.

Philippe smiled. "I found it in a bunch of family heirlooms a while ago," he replied, taking Isabella's hand. "I thought about it the other day and decided that it would be a fantastic idea for the masquerade – dressing up as my ancestor at the place where he once used to haunt."

Isabella laughed. "Yes, it is a great idea," she said. "Though I'm afraid I'm the only one who knows the story."

Philippe smiled mischievously. "No you're not," he replied. "Everyone else might not realise it, but there are many signs of Erik still around. The dressing room we went into the night I showed you the lair belonged to your great-great-great-grandmother, I believe, and it is there Erik first met her. That room isn't used now because it is said to be haunted. Box Five is never sold and, from what I have learnt, that belonged to Erik. So there are many signs of him still around."

"I never realised that," Isabella replied, taking Philippe's hand. "I don't think he ever would have realised that he would still have so much influence here, one hundred and twenty or so years later."

Philippe squeezed Isabella's hand. "It's nice that he does though."

There were many other people arriving now and Isabella saw many people that she knew from the showcase gathering in the foyer. As the doors to the ballroom finally opened, Isabella and Philippe hung back, trying to escape the crush of the mass entering. They were the last to enter, which suited Isabella nicely. She was glad she had Philippe by her to protect her, because seeing the crowd that was already in there by herself would have sent her running in the other direction.

The ballroom looked lovely. It was decorated in golds and silvers and instead of the opera's full orchestra performing, a small chamber orchestra was playing. Isabella knew that the musicians in the orchestra would be rotating throughout the evening so that they would all be able to join in the festivities.

Philippe swept Isabella out onto the floor, his strong arms holding her tightly. Philippe was a very good dancer and as they waltzed around the floor, the strains of the violin reached her, making her forget about the crowds around her and only concentrate on the beautiful music and the man she was dancing with.

They danced for a while and after a few dances started to become a bit hot and thirsty. Moving off the dance floor, Philippe went to get drinks and Isabella stood at the edge of the floor awkwardly. However, someone had noticed that Isabella was by herself and it was not long before Samantha Robertson was saying hello.

"Why are you here by yourself, Isabella?" Samantha asked, standing next to her.

"Oh, I'm waiting for Philippe to get drinks," Isabella replied. Samantha looked beautiful. Her long hair was pinned up in a French roll and she wore a beautiful blue evening dress adorned with sequins on the bodice. Her mask matched her dress and she held it on a stick.

"Ah," Samantha replied, winking at Isabella. "Philippe, huh?"

Isabella rolled her eyes. Samantha had been teasing her something chronic since she had realised that the pair were slightly more than friends. "Well, what about you and Louis?" she asked, speaking of the tuba player from the showcase that Samantha had become very good friends with.

Samantha rolled her eyes. "We're just friends, Isabella," she said exasperatedly, looking at Isabella as though she should know better.

Isabella sighed. She quite liked the viola player. She was only two months younger than Isabella and, along with Amalie, had become very good friends. Samantha liked to tease though and thought Isabella was an easy target, which, in all honesty, Isabella knew she was.

They were interrupted by the arrival of Philippe, who held a champagne glass in either hand. "Hello, Samantha," he said, passing a glass to Isabella. "Do you want one?"

Samantha shook her head. "No, no, Philippe," she replied, laughing slightly. "I need to be up early tomorrow, I'm not drinking this evening."

Philippe nodded. "I think you're the only one that will be up tomorrow," he said, smiling. "At least you're dedicated."

Samantha laughed. "No, just crazy," she replied, smiling as usual. "Anyway, I must leave you two alone," she said, giving Isabella a slight nudge with her elbow. "Have fun!"

The couple watched the vivacious girl move off, chatting with people as she moved around the room. Samantha was one of those people that was friends with everyone.

After they had finished their drinks, Isabella and Philippe moved out onto the floor again, dancing to each piece of music that was played. After an hour of dancing, Isabella was hot and beginning to get tired. As the fast and lively jig finished, Isabella managed to pull Philippe from the floor, saying that she needed some fresh air.

The courtyard was strangely empty. Thankfully, there were no crowds to annoy her and she could cool down and get the fresh air she wanted.

Isabella sat down on the edge of the fountain, the fairy lights twinkling in the trees behind her.

Philippe sat down next to her, taking off the porcelain mask and holding it in his hands. For a while the pair sat their in silence, just enjoying each other's company. The night was unusually warm and Isabella reached behind her, dangling her fingers in the water. As the cool liquid ran over her fingers, she had an idea. Narrowing her eyes mischievously, she flicked the water at Philippe, hitting him on his now-exposed cheek.

Philippe jumped up almost comically, dropping the white mask, his cry making Isabella giggle with glee as she watched him wiping off the water that now dribbled down his neck. Glaring at Isabella, he said roguishly, "I am going to get you."

Isabella squealed and jumped from her seat on the edge of the fountain, as far away from the water as possible.

Philippe had no intention of getting Isabella wet, but he didn't let her know that. For a while they moved around on opposite sides of the fountain, Isabella trying her hardest to stay away from him. However, a noise started her and Isabella turned, forgetting about Philippe. Quickly he darted behind her, grabbing her around her waist.

Isabella had not expected Philippe to grab her and she gasped, turning in his grip to face him.

As she looked into Philippe's golden eyes, Isabella's breath caught in her throat, not able to remove him from her sight. His chest was hard and warm against her and his scent filled her nostrils, making her feel giddy in his arms.

Philippe looked down into Isabella's chocolate brown eyes, feeling himself drowning in their depths. She felt soft and supple in his arms and Philippe cautiously lowered his head to catch Isabella's lips with his own.

The firm press of Philippe's lips against her own made Isabella feel as though she would faint, though it was the best feeling in the world. It felt right having him kiss her, as though it was her destiny to have him hold her. She didn't even realise she had put her arms around his neck as he kissed her.

Philippe straightened slowly, pulling out of the kiss, Isabella still pressed against him. Sighing, he whispered, "I think we should go back inside, mon amour."

Philippe moved back to the fountain and picked up the mask which was, thankfully, undamaged. Putting it back on he put out his arms to call Isabella over. Putting his arm around her, he held her close to him as they walked out of the courtyard to rejoin the party inside.

Author's note:

Just a little bit of fluff for you all. I have decided that for this chapter I need to do a chapter dedication and that dedication goes to Jeeves, as it is her grand debut in my story. Thanks Jeeves for being with me since I wrote A Man of the Future and I hope you continue to read my stories.

Oh and after responses that people would like to hear some of the pieces that Isabella (and other characters) played, I have started creating a website (as if I have nothing else better to do!) where you will be able to download (if I can get it to work) or find links so that you can hear these pieces of music. I should have it finished by the time I do my next update.

Speak to you all soon.

Caitlin.