XXXVI
Erik hummed to himself, Christmases were always a particularly boring time of the year for him. Most people left the theatre to visit family. Even Christine was out with Antoinette and little Giry. He didn't really mind though, he had never really enjoyed Christmas after all.
So, having nothing better to do he pulled out a piece of paper and began to sketch. It started off with some set designs for a performance he wanted the theatre to put on, then they moved to costumes and, after a while, he found himself sketching Christine.
She was beautiful, he had to admit it. She always had been, he supposed. Beautiful curly hair, large innocent eyes. She had certainly been an adorable child, and somehow, before he had even realized it, she had grown into a lovely young woman.
He sighed and pinned up the sketch along with others he had done before. There was even one of her as a child, praying in the chapel. The scene had just been too peaceful and serene not to record on paper.
"Remember when we went skating on Christmas?" Meg asked, sipping a cup of hot chocolate.
"Yes, what about it?" Christine replied.
"Well, I think I like this better," Meg said, "its not nearly as cold."
"Yeah…we can still feel our toes," Christine said with a small smile.
"I'm glad you two are enjoying ourselves," Antoinette said, "remember, I said you could each get something small in one of the shops."
"Thank you, maman," Meg beamed.
"Yes, thank you , Madame," Christine agreed, "its really very kind of you."
"Hmm, it is Christmas," she reasoned, "now I have something to go and do, so you may go out just stay together and we will meet here in an hour," Antoinette said sternly, "you have your money."
"Thank you," they said in unison.
"Have fun girls."
Antoinette left them in the small café and went out to search through the shops herself. She had been meaning to check the prices on Pointe shoes and go to the fabric shop to look at some samples for new costumes. It wasn't really necessary, but she had no will to go shopping with the two girls. She knew that they would have to look at everything, after all they were fourteen.
"Christine," Meg said, staring at a small necklace in the window of a jeweller, "isn't it beautiful?"
"Meg, we don't have nearly enough money for any jewellery," Christine sighed.
"I never said we did, but at least look at it."
Christine sighed and looked in the window, "Yes, it is very pretty."
"Don't you wish that we had enough money to buy such beautiful things?" Meg sighed.
"We'd have to be rich, Meg."
"So? I wish we were rich…like an empress. Oh, Christine, wouldn't it be wonderful to be an empress?"
"I suppose so…but in the mean time why don't we go look in the chocolate shop. We can actually afford some of the things in there."
"Maman hates it when we buy sweets," Meg sighed.
"Yes well, she doesn't have to know…we'll just buy some small things and then buy a hair ribbon or something…that way it doesn't look like we've gotten any sweets."
"Christine!" Meg exclaimed, smiling widely, "that is positively sneaky."
"You taught me that."
"Yes, and you remembered…oh I am so proud of my best friend," Meg said, wiping away a fake tear and putting her arm around Christine's neck.
Christine laughed and they started to walk towards the chocolate shop. It was always a favourite place for them to visit and the sweet smell of chocolate and other sweets greeted them as the stepped inside. An elderly man looked up from what he was doing and walked over to the counter, smiling warmly at them.
"And how may I help you two beautiful ladies today?" he asked.
"Umm…could we have two of those truffles?" Christine asked, pointing at the ones she meant.
"Actually three," Meg corrected.
"Of course," he said, picking out three of them and putting them in a small box.
"Actually, could you put one of them in a separate box?" Meg asked, "if it isn't too much trouble."
"No trouble at all little Miss," he replied.
"Thank you," Meg said, handing him the appropriate amount of money, "I appreciate very much, Monsieur."
"Merci, and have a good day."
"You as well," Christine said as they stepped back onto the streets.
"Here you are," Meg said, handing Christine one of the truffles.
"Why three?" Christine asked, taking it.
"What?"
"Why did you get us three, and wrap one separately?"
"I was thinking that we could use one as a gift," Meg said, giving Christine a wry smile.
"A gift for who?" Christine asked.
"I was thinking…the Phantom."
"What?" Christine gasped.
"Aww come on, don't you remember how we used to look for him?" Meg badgered, "I recon that a ghost would get awfully lonely on Christmas, and I bet he never gets gifts. We'll just leave it in his box and see what happens."
"Meg, we shouldn't…we'll get in trouble."
"No one will ever find out," Meg said, "now lets go and get some hair ribbons."
"Fine…hey wait up!"
Once back at the theatre Meg and Christine made there way to the auditorium. They were very careful to check that no one was around as they climbed up to Box Five and slipped inside. It was, as always, spotless and they made there way to the little shelf at the back.
"I'm not sure about this," Christine said nervously.
"Don't worry," Meg said, setting the little box on the shelf, "nothing bad will happen…now lets go before someone find us here."
"Meg!" Christine said, chasing after her friend.
"Hurry up Christine," Meg called, "we'll check back tomorrow."
Erik sighed and meandered through the empty halls of the opera house. He went up to his box to look over the auditorium. It would be empty at the moment and therefore easier to notice anything worth mentioning to Monsieur Lefevre.
"Hmm," he said, frowning slightly as he noticed something on the shelf of his box, "what do we have here?"
He picked up the small box and opened it to reveal the small chocolate with a slip of paper placed over it. He raised his eyebrow and picked up the paper and unfolding it. A small smile flickered across his lips and he gave a small laugh.
"Joyeux Noël Monsieur le Phantom. Here is a little gift for you," he muttered, "well, how thoughtful."
He picked up the small chocolate and looked at it. He had a feeling that it was a gift from Antoinette's daughter and Christine. After all, those two had always been snooping through the cellars looking for him. Still, it was a nice thought and he took a tentative bite of it before deciding that there was nothing wrong with it and popping the rest of it into his mouth.
"Hurry up Christine…lets see if its gone."
Erik turned his head at the sound of the voices and swore under his breath. Just his luck, the culprits returning to the scene of the crime. He quickly whirled around and hit behind the many velvet hangings in the box. Watching as the two girls entered the box.
"Its gone," Meg said happily, "do you think he liked it?"
"I don't know, Meg. It might have been taken by one of the cleaning ladies."
"Oh come on, Christine, they aren't even here today," Meg argued.
"Fine…I guess he liked it then."
Erik watched them through the curtains, Christine looked bored, as if she really wanted to be somewhere else. He figured she did, he figured that she would rather be in the chapel. After all, they had a lesson tonight. But little Giry seemed absolutely thrilled that the little chocolate box was gone and seemed to be gloating about it.
"Of course he did," she said confidently, "after all, who doesn't like chocolate?"
"Jean doesn't like it," Christine muttered, "and neither does James."
"Oh…"
Erik smiled to himself and cleared his throat quietly. This would be the perfect opportunity to test his skill as a ventriloquist again. Of course he already knew he was good, but it was fun to see just how good.
"I'm sure he liked it though," Christine said hurriedly.
"Of course I did," Erik whispered, throwing his voice so that it seemed to be right over their shoulders.
Meg gave a small scream and whirled around, "What?"
"It was very thoughtful of you to get me a present," Erik continued, weaving his voice around them, "I have not been given a gift in a very long time. Merci."
"You-you're welcome," Meg squeaked, still looking for the source of the voice. Meanwhile Christine was standing still, mouth open slightly and eyes wide.
"You should not be here though," Erik said, adding an icy edge o his voice, "perhaps it would be wise to return to the dormitory."
Meg nodded her head quickly and grabbed Christine's arm before dashing from the box. Erik chuckled lightly and shook his head. He would wait a good hour before leaving the box. Just to make sure they were not waiting for him on the other side. Though, by the looks on their faces, he didn't expect them to ever return.
"The-the Ghost," Meg gasped, "he-he just…and we were…he talked."
"Yes," Christine replied , blinking, "and…he liked the chocolate."
Meg turned to look and her and a small smile spread across her lips, "Yeah, I guess he did, "she giggled, "but lets not go back into his box."
"Ever again," Christine agreed, "yeah…oh, if Madame knew we would be in so much trouble."
Meg just nodded her head and flopped back on her bed, "I can't wait to tell this story to the others…do you think they'll believe us?"
"Nope," Christine sighed, "I have to go Meg, I'll be back in a bit."
"Alright. I'll be sleeping right here."
Christine gave a small laugh and left the dormitory, turning in the direction of the chapel. She was looking forward to her lesson, but then again she always looked forward to them. Though she seemed to be enjoying them more as of late and upon entering the chapel all she wanted was to hear the sound of her Angel's voice.
"Angel?"
"I am here, Christine," he replied.
She smiled, "Merry Christmas…I'm sorry I didn't come to visit you."
"That is alright, Christine, you had other things to do…have you been practising?"
"Of course," she replied, "you…aren't angry?"
"Why would I be angry?"
"I don't know, I just thought…"
"Because you were out after dark?" he asked silkily, "no, you were going to mass with friends. I would never be angry for anything like that."
"That's good to know…what do you want me to sing today?"
"Perhaps a Christmas carol," he suggested, "of your choice."
"Oh…alright."
"But first, do not forget to warm up."
"Of course not," Christine smiled and began running though her scales. It felt good to be singing for someone again.
A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed teh chapter...I'm getting slow with updates aren't I? Well, never the less, I am looking foward to some reviews, because I love them so much!
