Chapter 19: The Future Is Bright
The officers had left early the next morning, taking a few things as evidence. Things, such as, his music and mask, were taken to prove there is someone living down in the caverns of the destroyed Opera House.
Christine had fallen asleep in the middle of the intrusion while her husband stayed up, making sure they didn't have to go further into the portico. He had drifted off into a rest but woke up moments later, fully energized. He had never been one to sleep.
After the officers had gone, Erik ventured out to find his home completely damaged by the troops. He heard splashing water from a distance and went to hide out again but he heard her cry, "Erik! It's ok. It's Antoinette."
She came up to the shore, soaked to the bone, but completely pleased to see him. "Erik, what happened?" It was then Erik took Christine up to the room and came back telling his friend what had happened the night before.
She stared, wondering if it was the Count was accountable for the actions that occurred. If so, he knows Raoul is gone.
"Erik, what are you going to do? The house needs to be worked on a little more and,"
"Antoinette, Christine and I will be clean it up the rest of the way. We need to get out of here and it was a blessing that you even found a house for us. I thank you for that." Erik looked around his destroyed domain and let a heavy sigh. It was really 'gone.'
"Erik, that isn't necessary. I will fix it up today and come back tonight."
"No, Madame. We need a place to stay so we know we will not have this happen again." He looked around again and continued, "I will just miss the stage." Antoinette had understood that he had re-built that for Christine as a 'thank-you.'
"I will wait for Christine to awaken then." He nodded his head in approval and he, too, waited for "Sleeping Beauty" to wake up.
It was an hour before she finally woke up. She hadn't gotten a restful night's sleep and decided to sleep a little longer as a treat to herself. Unknown to her, Mme. Giry lingered outside, waiting for her to discuss the departure times.
She got out of the swan bed a stretched to wake herself up. She chose her blue gown to slip on and went to greet Erik.
"Madame! What a..." she lost her words as she looked at her, now ruined, home. She exchanged glances at Erik who looked as though he would break down into tears at any moment. She looked at her mothers' sympathetic expression and walked down to them. She continued to looked at the remains of her abode she shared with Erik for a year, including when he was obsessed with her a little too much. She couldn't believe that Philippe would address the commissaire de police to do such a thing!
"Christine, I'm so sorry that this happened." Christine gave Antoinette a hug and went to her husband. He, too, gave her a hug and then kept her by his side, wrapping his arm around her waist. Mme. Giry began to speak again, "Christine, you might want to pick up your things from the portal. You and Erik are moving in today. It needs a little more work but nothing to fret about; a little dusting, a little sweeping, nothing to damaging." Christine smirked and looked up at Erik.
"You're helping, too." He started to laugh but looked down at his wife's serious expression.
"Well, you should hurry up in case they come back." Christine freed herself from Erik's arms and went to get her luggage. Erik decided to get his out of a different hidden closet. He had the same music that the officers had taken.
Christine came back carrying two bags that she called her own, given to her from the Opera Company while it was still in business. Mme. recognized them immediately and smiled as she remembered the days teaching the girls the ways to express the music through dancing. She was the ballet teacher for many years and had taken a job not far from the old theatre. It was now the "Opera Populaire" of the time but soon, they would re-build the real Opera House.
"Madame, where exactly is this house?"
"Outside of town. Not far from here and you could come work at the theatre once it's reconstructed. Maybe ever become out Prima Donna?" Both women smiled as Erik came caring his belongings.
"The carriage awaits us!" Erik led the way up to the half-cleaned surface to load the carriage to leave the home that Erik had lived in and loved. They entered the carriage to depart but Erik watched his old house while they drived out of the sight of the House.
A/N: I, mainly, got this chappie up so I could respond to your reviews. I hope this was ok. If you have nothing nice to say, please don't review me.
intoxicated by eriks music: I liked writing the part where Meg intruded them. I thought the moment needed some humor! Thanx for the good review!
Twinkle22: I don't think I'll put in a "heart-attack" moment just because I don't like people leaving me on end and I don't want you guys to be like "UPDATE SOON," and I don't and then just give up on me )
QueenButtercup: Ya know what, if you don't like, DON'T READ IT! I'm going with what I feel AND if you have bothered to read Phantom of Manhattan, you would understand that Christine LOVED Erik. Too bad that the story is "too modernized" for YOU, but others actually like it. Boo-freaking-Hoo. So, BACK OFF! B.T.W., I have read the story and the sequel.