AN: This Chapter is kinda long so you have to tell me what you think blah blah blahreviewblah blah blah.
YOU GUYS ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!
Chapter 7 "A Day At The Opera"
------------------------------------------- 4 months later ----------------------------------------------------------
Christine was surprised how fast they had started to reconstruct the Opera House. Raoul had bought it for a price of 5oo francs. They had already built the foyer and the theater. Christine walked through the extravagant doors She looked at everything trying to take in the splendor of it all. Nothing was the same; the staircase was white with a long golden rug streaming down the middle of it. The statues of the helpless women were now angels. Raoul had obviously done this for Christine's sake, probably thinking that the beautiful angelic décor would keep her mind off the demon that he thought was dead. But the radiant features of the Paris Opera brought back more memories, not of the pitiful, crying Opera Ghost but of her strong masculine Angel of Music. Just as she set her small hand on the banister Andre was running down the stairs.
"Oh, Vicomtess De Chany! I'm so glad you finally got to see the place. It looks spectacular, no?" he said this very rushed
"It's like a dream, I can't believe they did all this in four months."
"I know, sorry we don't have more time to chat but I must be going. Au revoir" he finished his sentence without even stopping to look at her Christine smiled as she watched the busy man hurry out the door. She continued up the staircase but just as she reached the top of it Raoul was rushing over to her.
"Oh darling I am so glad you could make it here, I'm sorry I do not have time to give you a proper tore but you can go ahead and look around if you want to."
Christine kissed him softly on the lips and replied:
"Take your time I will be fine." She turned to go up the stairs but then suddenly turned toward her husband and said:
"Oh the foyer looks spectacular. I love it."
Roaul looked very pleased with himself as he continued to walk down the stairs.
Christine continued up the stairs but had to giggle at Raoul's happy go lucky grin. She walked in the direction of the theater, when she opened the golden doors she almost fainted at the sight before her. The stage was bigger and the chandelier was sparkling more then ever with crystals and diamonds. She walked down to the stage and stood in the middle, just as she did in Hannibal as she sang Think of Me. She remembered how excited she was and how everything was perfect. How her dress sparkled like the stars in the evening sky. Without thinking Christine started to sing.
"Think of me Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye"
Her voice rang through the theater like a bell.
"Remember me once in a while please promise me you try
When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free ---"
Christine stopped realizing how foolish she must have sounded, singing to no audience. Just as she was about to leave she saw something out of the corner of her eye. When she looked to see the object all she saw was the corner of a cape disappearing back stage. Christine followed the cape around the corner but then saw nothing. By this time she knew it was Erik,
"Erik," She whispered "I know your there, I miss you and your music so much. Thank you" She felt some what flattered that he was watching her. Christine smiled as she looked up at box 5 then continued on her tour.
Christine walked down the stone hallway and into the chapel. The angels on the wall were as beautiful as ever. The treasured pictures still hung neatly on the rack, and her fathers picture made her think of all the lonely nights she had sat listening to Erik's enchanting voice. She sat down on the cold floor wrapped up in her little memories yet she did not notice Madame Giry standing in the door way until she made her presence known by clearing her throat. At first Christine stared blankly at Madame Giry but when she realized who it was she became ecstatic. Christine automatically stood up and gave Madame Giry a hug.
" Oh Madame Giry how are you? How is Meg? Wait what are you doing here?" Christine said
" The Vicomte hired me to be the ballet instructor once again, he didn't tell you? Anyway, I'm fine but I'm afraid I know little of how Meg is at the moment" Madame Giry pulled away from the hug and continued:
"Come to my room I want you to read Meg's latest letter." Madame Giry grabbed Christine's hand and lead her to a large room down the hall. The room was decorated just as it was before, with interesting little knick-knacks displayed everywhere. But one that always caught Christine's eye was a little ballerina in fifth position. Christine stood and admired the little figurine up on one of the red wood shelves.
"Christine, sweaty come sit down." Madame Giry patted the front of a green silk couch. Christine went over to the couch and sat down as Madame Giry filed through a pile of envelopes. Finally Madame Giry said:
"Ah! Here it tis" she pulled the letter out from the middle of the pile and brought it over to Christine. Christine carefully took the paper out of the envelope to reveal pretty stationary trimmed with pink border, and in Meg's hand writing said:
Dear Maman,
This letter is filled with good news, I hope this will brighten your day. The manager Nicholas Deleroux, promoted me to Prima Ballerina! And I am in engaged to Nicolas also! I am so excited the wedding will be in the spring and I decided to have it in France. I can't wait to see you again, I really hope you reconsider moving to England. I love it here so much and I know you would to, I'll be writing soon.
Your daughter,
Meg
"Oh my gosh Meg is getting married!" Madame Giry seemed a little startled at the sudden action in the room. Chrisitne laid the letter down laid the letter down by Madame Giry "That Is good news" Chisitne said a little calmer.
"Yes I am very proud of her but I'm afraid I won't be able to move to England with her." Madame Giry said sadly
"Why not?"
Madame Giry paused trying to think about the words she would use "Well . . People here need me more."
"Erik?" Christine said without thinking
Madame Giry gave her a strange look then replied "Yes . . How did you know he was alive"
"I came and saw him before we bought the Opera house."
"Does Raoul Know?"
"Oh God No! He believes he is dead just like everyone else." Madame Giry sighed obviously not pleased with the idea that she had seen Erik. Christine stood up from the chiar she was sitting on and said:
"Madame I apologize but I would like to continue looking around the Opera. You understand?"
"Yes…yes of course dear" Madame Giry said still sitting on the couch. Christine walked over to the door but before she left she turned back to Madame Giry. Madame Giry seemed to be in a trance because of all the memories and thoughts that had consumed her mind.
"Good bye Madame Giry." Madame Giry snapped back into reality and said:
"Goodbye dear I trust we will see much more of each other in the coming months."
"Yes I hope so." Christine said just as she turned the handle of the door that would lead her back to the stone hallway.
Christine continued to walked down the hallway, every corner seemed to hold a different memory. Christine sighed as she rounded the corner that lead to her dressing room.
She opened the elegant maple door, and sitting on the vanity was a single red rose with a red rose tied around it. Christine could not decide whether she was scared or if she had fallen even more in love with Erik then she could possibly describe. She sat down in the chair next to the vanity. Christine moved her gaze from the floor to the mirror. She stared at it for the longest time she wanted to see Erik's face in the mirror. She wanted to be able to see his white mask appear from out of the shadows. With out thinking Christine stood up and walked over to the mirror, and just as she was about to open it she heard a knock at the door.
"Christine are you in there?" It was Raoul, Christine sighed and silently closed the mirror.
"Yes I'm in here. I'll be right out." Christine walked towards the door and opened it. Raoul was standing right out side waiting for her.
"Are you ready to go home?" Raoul asked with a smile Christine nodded and walked towards him. Raoul put out his hand and Christine took it, and the couple walked out of the hall and to the carriage that waited outside.