I stood there thinking about my decision, you told me to leave Erik and let you die, but I already knew that was not an option. Oh God Raoul how I love you, I hope you find a good wife. Who will love you like I do. These thoughts make me began to sob. Before I accept his proposal, I have to let you know how much you mean to me and that I am making this decision for you.
"I Love You." I silently mummer. You seem to understand because you slightly nod. I look back to the other man who loves me; he would not only die for me but also kill for me, which is flattering on some aspect. Oh, Raoul as I make this rash decision I hope you understand that I could not let you die for my freedom. Even though you object you will understand someday.
"Pitiful Creature of darkness. What kind of life have you known?" My trembling voice cuts through the silence of the labyrinth like a knife. "God give me courage to show you, you are not alone!" I calmly slip the ring you gave me on my finger, then I kiss him, with more passion then I have kissed anyone. The kiss you and I shared on the rooftop would have looked pitiful compared to this one. I can only imagine your face, me kissing another man. I pulled away from him, his expression was blank, so I did something even more surprising, I kissed him again. With even more passion and love then the first time. By this time tears were streaming down my face, I could not imagine life without you.
After a while he pulled away, and he was crying! I tried to make eye contact with him but he kept moving away. Then he let me go, I stood in shock for a moment, but then I ran to your aide. I pulled the rope from your neck then, your arms. The ropes fell from you and you embraced me. You buried your face into me neck, and I was still in shock from the events that had taken place. That night I had gone from shocked to sensuous to scared to angry to sad, and then I was shocked all over again.
You started to pull me towards the boat, but I stopped you.
"Wait I have to do something first." You gently nodded even though I know all you wanted was to be out of that hell. I turned around and went into the swan bedroom. He sat watching the monkey music box, the one I told you about.
"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you." His voice sounded so different, from even two minutes ago. He looked up at me and smiled slightly, I think he thought I was going to stay and honestly I almost did. I took off the ring he had given to me and placed it gently in his hand. As I walked out, I looked back at him. He looked as if I had ripped out his heart, but I guess that's exactly what I had done. I continued to walk towards the boat. You looked so worried, like you thought I was going to stay with the Opera Ghost. I had to giggle at your rash assumption. When you noticed me walking towards the boat, you gave me a half-smile. You helped me into the boat, and we were off.
With out thinking I started to sing.
"Say you'll share with me One Love One Lifetime." Then you replied with:
"Say the word and I will follow you." I turned around to look back at his lair, and he was standing there looking at me. So I did the only thing I could think of I sang:
"Share each day with me each night each morning." After we disappeared around the corner I heard him murmur something, then shortly after he sang:
"It's over now the Music of the Night." At that moment I wondered if I was making the wrong decision, but then you turned back to me and said:
"Christine, darling, it's all right he can not haunt you any longer. I gently smiled but I knew you were wrong, because he will haunt me for the rest of my life and longer.
We finally got to shore, and I could here the mob coming to kill him. I wanted to return to his lair and warn him, but you would have allowed that. So I followed you around the labyrinth, until we came to a wooden door. A large plank blocked it but that would not stop you after all we had been through. You pushed it up and after a few moments of nothing the old wood gave and the door opened. It was night, but the whole square was light by the fire. As we ran thought the crowd that had assembled around the Opera House, tears filled my eyes and I could barely see. I hated to see my home ablaze; the only thing that kept me from hysterics was that I would be able to live the rest of my life with you.
As we made our way deeper into the crowd, are hands were separated from each other. By this time I was totally blinded by tears.
"Raoul!" I yelled. I heard no reply. I only heard the hollers of the crowd around me. "Raoul!" I yelled again, franticly wiping the tears from my eyes. Then I felt your hand on mine. You pulled me through the rest of the crowd, and when finally we were at Julie's Dress Shop, you stopped. You pressed your lips hard against mine. You thrusted your tongue into my mouth, and I did the same. You pulled away and continued to walk. I looked at you funny and giggled
"What was that for." I asked
"I just Love you so much Christine. I can't believe you would give up your life so I could go free."
"Raoul, I could not live knowing you are dead." You looked at me and smiled. "Raoul I Love You so much." I said planting a kiss on your cheek. You smiled once more, and then you grabbed my hand and kissed me on my knuckles. You placed your hand on my back said
"Christine would you mind if we stayed with my parents for the night?" I looked at you bewildered:
"Need you even ask? Raoul I don't care where we stay?" You nodded and we continued to walk hand in hand.
As we walked everything seemed to remind me of Erik. The white porcelain china in Arthur's Keepsakes, The roses in the flower shop, the emerald eyes of the stray ally cat. Was this how my life would continue? Would everything remind me of that...Fallen Angel? Oh Raoul how was I Supposed to live my life with you if he is always there?
We had been walking so long, your parents estate was outside the city. On horseback or in a carriage it was not to far, but walking seemed like some inhuman torture. Finally after about 20 minutes a carriage stopped beside us. The door opened and an older, over dressed man peaked out.
"Do you 2 need some help--Oh Vicomte! Here come and I will take you and your uuumm...uuuhhh.. friend where ever you need to go."
I looked at you and you seemed more than willing to get inside the carriage and stop walking. So I trusted your judgment and followed you inside. You and I sat across from the old man, who was rather large. It was a little cramped but it was better then walking so I was grateful.
"Thank you misour for your generosity."
"Anything for a french royal." A royal? This came as quite a shock to me I had never thought of you as a royal. You chuckled slightly, and I could not help but to giggle along with you. You are at such ease around commoners, and you are unaware of your obvious charm. "Allow me to introduce myself I am Louis Canning."
"This is my Fiancée Mademoiselle Christine Daae, and I--"
"I know full well who you are Vicomte."Louis said with a grin. You smiled at your mistake. "Now where are you 2 going at such a late hour?"
"The De Chany Estate." Then Louis knocked against the wall of the carriage. The driver immediately stopped. Louis opened the door and yelled to the driver:
"To the De Chany estate Pierre!" Louis shut the door and the driver continued down the cobblestone road. "So Mademoiselle Daae," My head shot up at the sound of my name. "You were no doubt coming from the Opera house?" I gave him a quizzical look and he explained. "Ever since Hannibal, you have been the main subject of people's talk in Paris." I had never thought of myself anywhere near famous, but I guess everyone must have there 15 minutes of fame.
"Yes." I replied simply not wanting to start a conversation on the Opera. You quickly caught on to my insecurities of the Opera House and changed the subject.
"What brings you out here at such a late hour?" You said, seeming quite interested.
"Oh I'm just passing through Paris. I'm on my way to Le Havre, my brother is quite sick."
"I'm very sorry misour."
"Thank You."
Finally we were at the estate, you helped me out said "thank you" to Louis. We walked to the porch and you knocked on the door. A pretty maid with curly red hair opened the door.
"Oh Vicomte!" she said. "It has been a while since I have seen you, you must come to my mama's house and let me cook for you, like you used to." You seemed not to notice that she was flirting with you. You nodded and said:
"Sophie I want you to meet my fiancée Christine Daae." She rolled her eyes slightly but you payed no attention
"Oh your fiancée" she said as she flashed the phoniest smile I had ever seen. "Come in Vicomte, I will retrieve your parents." She said, her tone a little more annoyed. Sophie walked up stairs as you and I went into the parlor. You sat next to me on the couch and took my hand. You looked at me and smiled, I had to smile back you looked like a little boy again. Before I could have another thought your parents were walking down the stairs. You stood up to greet them and I followed. Your mother had dirty blonde hair and sky blue eyes, just like you. Even though your hair and eyes were the same as your mothers you looked almost exactly like your father. He had very strong features as well. His light brown hair was just barely shorter then yours, but his eyes were hazel.
"Raoul my boy!" Your mother said as she pulled you into a hug. "Darling how are you and why are you so wet? Oh Raoul it's so late are you okay." She seemed to say the whole phrase in one breath.
"Mother I'm fine but there is someone--"
"Oh! Mademoiselle Daae! Raoul this is that girl in Hannibal." She said smiling
"Yes Mother I know,"
"Well Mademoiselle to what do we owe this great pleasure?" Your father said also smiling
"Oh please the pleasure is all mine." I said giggling; you could hardly get a word in edge wise with your parents around.
"We are engaged!" Suddenly your parent's smiles fadded into shock and for the first time since we had been there the room was quite. Your father looked at you then to me. Your mother tried to put on a smile, but your father looked almost angry.
"Raoul may I see you a moment in the study?" Your father said. You nodded and followed him into the study.
I sat back down on the couch and your mother sat down next to me.
"Daae?" She seemed to be thinking out loud. "Your the daughter of ohh..uuummm...Gustave Daae, the violinist aren't you?" I nodded. "He was there at our mansion by the sea. Was he not?"
"Yes, that is where I first met Raoul." I said trying to make conversation, but that was no problem with your mother.
"Oh Yes Little Lotte? was it" A blush rose to my cheeks, but I nodded. "He used to ramble on and on about you when he was little." I giggled at the thought of him telling his mother about when I lost my scarf. "Don't worry dear," she said changing the subject drastically. "Nicolas will come around, he just has to get used to the idea of his son getting married. We all thought Philippe would be first. Oh there I go babbling again." Jeanne said shaking her head. I smiled.
"Where is the restroom?" I said, I needed to be alone for a second
"Oh! go down the hall and it's the first door on your right."
"Thank You." I said as I turned to go down the hall.
I opened the door, and hurried in. I turned the small brass handle on the sink to let some cool water run. I dipped my hands in it and splashed some on my face. When I looked at my reflection I noticed that my eyes had aged since that morning. The stress from Don Juan had caused me a few wrinkles. I dismissed the thoughts of the Opera from my mind, then quickly dried my face.
When I opened the door I noticed you were back, and were sitting in a chair by the fireplace. You were chatting with your mother but your father was absent from the room. Once you saw me entering the room you stood up.
"My mother has accepted to let us stay here, but in the morning we shall set out for my estate in the country." I nodded but your mother interrupted by saying:
"Raoul you know you can stay as long as you want."
"I know Mother but while Dad is in this mood I think it is best that we stay at my estate"
"Well you two must be tired, Zoë will show you to you're rooms." Like on cue Zoë walked by the parlor. "Zoë, Zoë!" The young maid came back to the door of the parlor and said:
"Yes Madame?"
"Will you take Raoul and Mademoiselle Daae to their rooms?"
"Yes Madame."
"Oh Zoë, make sure you get Mademoiselle Daae a night gown." Zoë nodded but before I left I said to Jeanne
"Please Madame call me Christine."
"Okay, as long as you call me Jeanne." I nodded then followed you and Zoë up the stairs. Zoë lead us to two rooms that sat side by side.
"I will be back up with your night gowns in a few moments." Zoë said
"Oh, take your time" Zoë nodded and walked back down the hall. When I looked back you were smiling at me.
"What?" I said smiling back.
"Nothing, I just can't believe we are going to be married." I smiled at the thought of me becoming Vicomtess Christine De Chany.
"I Know Darling I can't believe it either." I said with a smile
"Are you going to be alright, by yourself tonight." You said as your smile fadded.
"Yes I will be okay don't worry, Darling." I pressed my lips against yours. You deepened the kiss by pressing me against the wall but I pushed you away. "Raoul someone could see us anytime and that would be highly improper." You smiled then replied
"Your right." Just then Zoë came back with my nightgown, and you stepped farther away from me.
"Mademoiselle do you need me to help you with your corset?" Zoë said
"Oh, Yes that would be wonderful Thank You. Good Night Raoul."
"Good Night Darling."
Zoë and I walked into the room. It was decorated mostly with purple but smelled like vanilla. I followed Zoë behind the dressing wall. She helped me take off my dress, then untie my corset.
"Is There anything else that you need Mademoiselle?" She asked before she opened the door.
"No but Thank You." Zoë nodded and left. I slipped on the nightgown, then walked over to the bed. I pulled back the covers then laid down. I reached over to the side table and turned down the gaslight. I got comfortable against the silk pillows. Then drifted off to sleep.