Chapter 7 – Moving Day

Erik awoke first, to find his beloved Christine still next to him and sound asleep. He lay motionless in the dim light, estimating the time of day to be early morning by how far the candles had burned down. So much had changed in just a day! Yesterday at the same time he was making final arrangements to leave this place, to try to put his love away as just a memory; now he was here with Christine beside him, caring for him. She did have some feeling for him, at least as her friend and mentor, else how could she have been so tender and understanding? How wonderful she was! Last night had only shown him more about her to love…she was truly growing into a beautiful and precious young woman.

Christine stirred, then lifted a tousled head and sleepily smiled at him. The robe she was wearing slipped open, revealing her creamy cleavage, and Erik felt a surge of desire jolt his body. He said a hasty "Good morning, excuse me please" as he scrambled past her in haste and dashed for the comparative safety of his own room. She was a little puzzled, and then figured he had to answer nature's call as did she, so she went to her room, also.

A little while later, she came back into the music room dressed in last night's costume, which was the only clothing available other than the robe. Erik was sitting at his instrument, apparently deep in thought, so she walked over behind him and said "Good morning." He turned to her, and she couldn't help but look disappointed as she noticed that his mask was firmly in place. He misread her expression, immediately allowing his imagination to supply the wrong reason for it: She was regretting last night, she had only pitied him……

Christine saw his expression, and wisely understood how fragile Erik's ego was, and that she might need to reassure him many times before he could accept her love. She was just starting to admit to herself that what she felt for him really WAS love. This man had been so scorned and abused and misunderstood; no wonder he couldn't believe in himself. She would have to have much patience with him until he trusted her. So, she leaned over and kissed his cheek, and asked only, "Did you get any sleep, dear one?"

Erik's heart melted again under her tender gaze, and he moved over, making room on the bench for her while answering pleasantly, "Yes, I did, and I woke to find an angel in my arms." She smile radiantly at him, but protested, "A very bedraggled angel, indeed! I should have planned for my kidnapping, and brought along an overnight bag!"

"My dear, even mussed you are beautiful to me," he insisted, kissing her hand. "And I can supply the necessary items to tidy yourself, as well as breakfast." Her stomach growled just then, and both laughed. She thought to herself that it was the first real laugh she had heard him give, and warmed inside at the thought that she had melted his icy demeanor so much already.

Erik produced a comb and brush and she went to a mirror to put herself in order as he set a simple table of cheese, crackers and a couple of pears from an ingenious cooler he had devised at the lake. He apologized for the scanty meal, explaining that he had planned to move to a new residence that very day and had not expected company.

Her heart sank when she heard his news, and she asked, "You are leaving?" with a slight hint of alarm in her voice.

"Yes, I have taken a house in the country. I felt it time to get away from the opera house, especially since you…." And he stopped, unsure how much to reveal to the girl at this time. What if he declared his love and his intentions, and she accepted him, but changed her mind after she knew him better? He would surely go mad if that happened; perhaps it was better to proceed slowly.

"Since you no longer need my instruction," he amended. "I had some idea that you and I…..that we…." Darn it, how did he say this without saying too much! "Christine, I thought you and I might be more than teacher and student, now that you are a grown woman. I thought that time had finally come when I brought you here for the first time, but as we know, it didn't work out that way, due to your impulsiveness and my horrid temper. I let you go that night, and you went straight to Raoul."

"But…." She started to interrupt, but he lifted a hand and asked her to let him finish. She could tell he was struggling to get the words out past some personal barrier, so she sat back against the sofa cushions with her hands in her lap, silent. He stood and began to pace as he talked.

"I confided in Antoinette…..Madame Giry….who advised me to concentrate on my music for a time. She is a wise woman, so I took her counsel and stayed on, devising a plan to make the managers put on my opera and give you another chance at a starring role. Over the past months, watching you rehearse, having you reject any contact with me, has so torn my emotions that I have decided to leave after the first performance. Paris would take notice of my talent at composing, and perhaps applaud the mysterious new voice; you and I would share a final duet, and I would leave here with only memories of the past."

He paused, and she asked permission to say something. At his nod, she began, "Erik, I admit it was cruel to turn my back on you the way I have. I can't put all the blame on Raoul, but he did forbid me to have any further contact with you, and I felt I must obey him if I was going to be his wife. I was trying to be the person he wanted me to be, and I hurt you in the process, and I most humbly beg your pardon." She was trying not to cry again, but her voice quavered with feeling. "I was a silly girl, and I know now that I don't belong with Raoul. I don't love him; I don't even like him now!" She saw him watching her intently, took a deep breath, and said in a quiet little voice, "Erik, I do want to know you better. Please don't leave, not now."

Christine looked down, waiting for his reaction, and looked up again when he didn't move or speak. "Erik?"

"Christine," he said slowly and carefully, "I must leave. But if you are serious about getting to know me better, and about a break with Raoul, it might be wiser to take you with me."

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, and nodded once. "Thank you, Erik." She was relieved, and as his words sank in, began to get keen about his idea.

"Come sit with me, dear," Erik guided her back to the sofa. "We really must make some decisions this morning, because my new landlord is expecting me sometime today. As I mentioned, I have taken a house in the country, a mere thirty minute carriage ride from here. I rented it furnished, and planned to leave all but a few belongings here until some later time so that I could leave secretly."

He went on, "The house has a small cottage in the rear which I was told I could use for guests. If you are serious about not going back to the opera house at this time, it would give me great pleasure to have you accompany me to the country." His heart was pounding as he waited to see if she would refuse or accept. Would this be another rejection, or his heart's desire? He felt the tension ease as she replied eagerly, "Oh, Erik, that would be perfect! We could spend time together, and I could write that letter to you-know-who while I'm there." Christine's eyes shone at the thought of going away with her Angel, regardless of the impropriety.

Erik guided Christine down the familiar hidden passageways to her own room, and, after making sure no one was there, allowed her to gather up the few clothes and belongings that she would need. He stood guard with his back turned as she changed into a more appropriate outfit, leaving the costume behind on the bed. As they once again approached the mirror to depart, she recalled the night he had come for her through that entryway, and was thankful that she now knew the man as well as her strange Angel.

Their next stop was a visit to Antoinette Giry, to tell her their plans so she wouldn't worry about Christine's whereabouts. Christine made an apology to her at the earliest opportunity for allowing Raoul to hinder their friendship, and was forgiven and hugged. The three then concocted a story to be told to the managers of the opera house, and Christine wrote a brief note explaining that she was safe but needed to get away for a time, hoping they would understand and allow her competent understudy to take over her part. Madame insisted that they have lunch, since it was already near noon, and managed to procure a meal for three from the kitchens without attracting any notice. As they ate, she "mothered" them by talking of practical matters such as hiring housekeepers and stocking a pantry.

After the meal, Madame Giry took Christine aside for a quiet talk, which Christine returned from with a rosy blush on her face, shyly not meeting Erik's eyes. Antoinette searched her old friend's face for a long moment before they departed, and smiled, apparently satisfied with what she now saw there. "I see it was worth the effort to try," was all she said to him in private. "Stay in touch, my dears," she requested, and received their promise to do so as they left her. Christine took the engagement ring that Raoul had given her from its chain around her neck, and asked Madame to keep it until Raoul should call for it.

Erik knew a little-used side door, and they managed to leave the theater and find the carriage he had arranged for without creating a stir. The day was overcast, but their hearts were light as they settled in for the short ride. They chatted of inconsequential things, and Erik pointed out a few points of interest as they left the city, which made her realize he hadn't been quite as confined to the cellars of the theater as she had thought. It was easy to put her cares on hold and just converse casually with him, which helped her to have more confidence in her decision. This was a man worth knowing!