Fallen Angels Chap.6

Uproar had consumed the Giry household, Meg was hysterical, Henri, who had accompanied the ladies home, was threatening Raoul's life, and the good Madame was simply pacing back and forth, trying to figure out the evening's events. When the trio had returned from dinner they had found one or two things broken from Raoul's earlier rampage and Christine gone with a note in her place. They had read the note that simply stated that she was leaving Paris and not to worry about her, although it mentioned nothing of her husband, they all suspected his involvement.

When the doorbell rang sometime later it was answered with both shock and relief. Dirty, sweaty, sooty, and thoroughly exhausted, Erik and Christine stood on the steps, clinging to one another, bags in hand.

"Well do come in, don't just stand there." Madame Giry beckoned them both in, as Meg ran forward to exuberantly embrace her friend.

"Christine, you're safe." Her gaze then encountered Erik's form, still within inches of Christine. Her eyes widened. "What's all this then?"

"Yes, do explain." Madame Giry gave Erik a look that would cause a lesser man to shudder. As they moved into the living room Christine began to relate the tale of the evening, Raoul's threats, her visit to Erik, barring some personal details, the thugs, the fight, the fire, and eventually the unconscious Viscount.

"An incredible tale my dear. Now Meg it is time for bed, Christine run a bath for yourself, Henri you may go and feel free to call on us tomorrow afternoon. And you, I wish to speak with you." As the girls begun to ascend the stairs, Christine turning to give Erik a reassuring look, Madame Giry pulled him into the parlor and swiftly shut the door behind them.

"Explain to me exactly what you are thinking, I know well of your affair with the Ashford girl. I love Christine like a daughter and will allow no one else to harm her. After tonight I'd say she has endured enough for a woman of her age."

"My and Helena's business will be over by tomorrow afternoon, that much I promise. I can assure I would never do anything that would hurt Christine; you should know that very well Margolis." He stunned her by using her first name, reminding her of the familiarity between the two that she would have rather forgotten. "I have changed since the opera house; I've tried to leave my anger behind. I intend to become worthy of Christine, and I will marry her if she desires to have me as a husband."

She smiled then, feeling as if one worry could at least be lifted from her mind. She had known Erik was watching Christine for sometime, but she had been shocked to see them together. He had confirmed her long held belief that he truly loved the girl though, she had heard the depth of his feelings in those simple words that he had spoken, and now as a mother she gave him her blessing. "Than I am glad for the both of you, and hope that you can find happiness within one another. Now go upstairs, I am sure she is waiting for you."

As soon as they reached the top of the stairs, Meg whisked Christine into her room for a much excited sisterly chat. "Is it truly him?"

By the accent on the word him, Christine knew exactly who she was thinking of, and it wasn't Erik the vocal teacher. Christine smiled bashfully. "Yes."

"How remarkable that you are together again, it must be fate." Meg's hopelessly romantic nature showed through as she continued on about soul mates and destiny with a dreamy, star filled look in her eyes. All the while Christine was silent, the memories of their last night at the old opera house flooding back to her. Poor Erik, I truly almost destroyed him. I certainly destroyed the only home he had ever known.

"Christine, are you alright?" Meg had noticed her friends eyes seemed to be focused on the wall, and she hadn't said anything in a few minutes. Christine just vaguely shook her head as if coming out of a trance.

"I'm just tired. I'll draw a bath and head off to bed."

"Will you stay now that Raoul will no longer be a threat?" Her voice was childlike in the pleading note that crept into it, she had lost her friend once when she had married the Viscount and didn't want it to happen again.

"I hope I am able to, you and your mother are my family now and I would much rather stay." The two embraced tightly and said their goodnights, after which Christine headed off to the bath.

As the bath slowly filled with water, Christine began to disrobe, feeling less constricted by the moment. Her many layers fell to floor, her body illuminated by the soft candle light that gave the room a comforting glow. The moon and stars shone brightly through the small window, giving her the urge to wish upon the boldest star. I wish we could be together always. The door behind her opened with a small click.

"My I join you, ma chéri?" His voice whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver, while his arms enfolded themselves protectively around her waist, a gentle kiss was placed on her neck.

"Of course you may." Christine turned in his arms and began unbuttoning his shirt, placing a kiss in the location of every button she undid. As he shrugged off the shirt, Christine found his lips in the low light of the candles. After relieving him of his pants, they both descended into the tub. Wordlessly they washed away the filth of the long night and with it all the hurts of the past few years. Needing no signal they both withdrew from the bath, and headed off the bed. Christine beckoned him into her room, with her; Erik tried to point out the impropriety of this and what the neighborhood would think. In response, she held him tight in her embrace and laughed that sterling high little giggle Erik loved so much. "My love, I am already an adulteress."

Erik couldn't help but laugh as well, as he scooped her up in his arms before laying yet another passionate kiss on her endearing cherry lips. Carrying her into the bedroom, he gently placed her in bed, as one might a small child, before climbing in beside her. He felt her petite form snuggling up beside him and wrapped his arms around her after removing his mask and laying it on the table beside them. He found himself more comfortable now that they were in total darkness where she could not see the horror that was his face. Christine looked so peaceful he could scarcely believe that he was the cause of her contentment. Demurely, she turned her face up to him, her dear blue eyes barely visible. "I love you Erik." Her voice wavered as sleep threatened to overtake her.

His heart felt like it would burst. He had not even known that he was capable of feelings of such depth. His love for this woman, who had grown so much and so far from the silly little girl she once was, overcame him. He felt tears rolling down his cheeks, and hoped she would not notice. "I love you too Christine." Feeling, for the first time in his life, true bliss in living, he let himself drift off to sleep.

The morning light poured through the window, urging him to rise. Erik resisted, afraid to wake and find last night a dream. The foreboding vanished as pair soft lips closed over his own, and a pair of delicate arms wrapping around. It was rather like being enveloped in silk. "Good morning my love." He pulled her tight against him, not being able to will himself to release her. Finally he opened his eyes to her, and the bright daylight streaming through the window. "Shall we go downstairs and be sociable with the rest of the household."

Her tumultuous curls fell every where around, being dramatically backlit by the sunlight, looking much look a halo. Her lips were full and pouty, and her eyes glazed from sleep. She looked entirely like an angel this morning, in her cream colored nightgown. He never wanted to share her with the world again, he wanted to take her far away and give her joy and pleasure in a place where humanity could never touch them or hurt them. Instead, he consented to go downstairs and join their hosts. After hastily dressing they made their way downstairs and to a late breakfast. Immediately, Christine was reminded that the day would be hectic, with Meg's wedding being a week and a half away. Christine's hand raised unconsciously to the bruise Raoul had left, and Erik squeezed her hand reassuringly, trying to wordlessly convince her that it should mostly be faded by then. When things began to get knee-deep into plans for event, Erik excused himself without much notice, sighting some personal business of his own.

Trudging through the crowded streets of the Parisian summer, Erik's mood was decidedly black; he had no taste for the task at hand. Helena's reaction was bound to be unpleasant, and the last thing he wanted was to spend the afternoon in a screaming match with his former pupil. For the first time since it had been purchased, he allowed himself to approach Helena's opulent house, gingerly he rang the bell. Expecting a maid, he was taken aback when the frazzled Mademoiselle answered the door herself, still wearing her robe. "I wondered when you might decide to show up." Her voice was quiet, carrying a note of defeat in it, not the shrill, excitable tone it normally was. She stood out of the doorway, allowing him to enter, and lead him into the parlor. She flopped on a couch, most of the cities morning papers strewn about a coffee table before her, a small Spaniel dog leapt up beside her. Absently stroking its head, she turned her gaze toward Erik, he noted with a bit of shock that her eyes were red rimmed and watery, as though she had been crying. "Is it true?" She gestured to several of the "social" sections, glorified gossip columns that they were, that had been laid out. Christ, it made the papers already. In front of his eyes, laid out before the public, was the Du Chagny adultery scandal.

"No, the affair was a cover story, well the length of it anyway. We were not involved with one another until yesterday."

"Shall I congratulate you on finally growing a spine then?" Her words still retained their usual bite. "I take our personal relationship is at an end then?" Quickly, she turned away from him, attempting to hide the hurt in her voice and eyes. His rejection stung her, as inevitable as it must have been, she never thought he would actually go through with ridding himself of her. Erik clenched his jaw. Don't do this, don't cry, don't tell me that you care now.

"Yes, Helena, I am afraid this is where we go our separate ways." A memory struck him of small girl standing on the steps of his newly purchased home in Paris, a home to hide from the world in. Her straight blonde hair fell over her shoulders as she introduced herself, trying hard to cover her Irish accent in a regal London one, speaking terrible French the whole while. She had to be resourceful to have tracked him down. Then she smiled at him, his Helena, the consummate actress. He knew damn well if would have said "boo", she would have fainted where she stood. He shook away the unbidden memories of his sole companion for the last four, ungodly years. Reaching into the bag he had brought with him, he produced the score for Helen and Paris, and in a most gentle manner placed it in her hands. She gave him a weak smile.

"I can't accept this without giving you something in return Erik." Rising, she vanished into another room where she could be heard clearly tinkering with a wall safe. In a few moments she returned with what appeared to be an unhealthy sum of money, and unceremoniously dumped it into the bag he had been carrying, ignoring Erik's shouts of protest.

"Quiet, I have been lying to you about my pay for the last two years; I received a couple of generous raises. I owe this to you, for making me the star you promised me you would." He opened his mouth to protest once more, but was just as soon silenced by her next comment. "Besides, you will no doubt have a wife to support soon; you need it more than I do." She almost laughed at the dreamy look that filled his eyes, he loved that little chit more than anything, she had always known that though. Christine had threatened her world to its very core, and had won. "I hope she is good to you Erik." She reached out to caress his cheek. "I am sorry I could not be, that I had to show you the greedy, wicked side of myself." Her eyes once again left him. "Perhaps I should return to London after next opera season."

Erik couldn't believe this, the fierce powerful woman he had fought with for years, was breaking down. He had to get away, he didn't want to hear the truth behind the words, a truth of emotions he could never echo for her. He made his way to the door. "Good bye Helena. Shall I see you at the Giry girl's wedding?"

"Perhaps. Adieu for now Erik." She leaned forward to kiss him on his cheek, her farewell to the time they had shared together. She shut the door behind him and let the tears fall. She hated herself for using him for so long that she failed to see the wondrous man that he was, until of course it was too late. It had been too late the moment she saw him carrying the bundled woman out of the cemetery to place it in his carriage. She had been with him that day, had known the woman was Christine Du Chagny. I am growing too sentimental in old age. She dried her tears, there was no room for emotion when one was climbing to the top, one had to be ruthless to get anywhere.

Erik exited the house with a small fortune tucked under his arm, trying not to laugh like a madman. Outrageous bitch! Keeping her damn money a secret. Strangely though, he felt saddened to have lost his friendship with the obscene young diva. He knew however, that though her voice was not great, her charisma and stage presence was enough that she would achieve her wish of fame.

As he entered the Giry household, he found himself in the middle of a holy war between mother and daughter over flower arrangements, neither so much as glancing at him so heated was the debate. Seizing the opportunity, he clasped Christine's hand and dashed up the stairs towards their room. Christine gave him a mischievous smile as they began to scatter their clothes about them. She found herself once more under Erik's spell and he proceeded to make love to her with the strength and ferocity with which he did all things in life.

They lay in a breathless after glow; Raoul had never needed shown the need for her that Erik did, the need to hear her love, to feel it. "Love, what were you off to this afternoon?" Her head lay on his chest, her fingers idly entwining in his hair.

"I broke things off with Helena. I don't think she took it well, but I ended up with a large sum of, well, back pay, I guess."

She rolled over so that she now faced him. "How much?" She lifted a quizzical eyebrow at him.

"200,000 francs." Christine let out an audible gasp.

"Erik Le Seul, are you out of your mind! You couldn't possibly have accepted that much money.

"She insisted, apparently she lied to me quite thoroughly about the state of her finances."

Christine propped herself up on her elbows to give him what was supposed to be a fierce glare, Erik found it to be an amazingly enchanting gesture and couldn't help but smile at her. Indulging him, she put on her best petulant pout, giving up on the subject of the money. She knew well that if Helena had made up her mind, there was no fighting her. "I have a surprise have my own." She paused in an attempt at making the announcement more dramatic. "Raoul's lawyer was kind enough to call on me today. He had with him divorce papers previously signed by the good viscount. His butler delivered them this morning after the scandal hit the papers; they believe that they are doing him a great favor by ridding him of an unfaithful wife. Now, I have signed them as well and all they lack is to be processed, after which I will be a free woman." Her lips moved to his again, in celebration of their victory. Moments later, the serving of dinner was announced, and they had to regretfully rejoin reality.

Meg's wedding day dawned with a bright, cloudless sky, the weather promising to be even and pleasant. Good omens filled the early preparation, including a rather special delivery for Christine. Erik had been banished from the house to not interfere with "women's work", and Christine and Meg were just beginning to ready themselves to leave for the opera house, where they would finish dressing, when a knock came at the door, the girls bounded off to answer it. A man in suit stood on the steps holding an official looking envelope.

"Madame Daaé." He handed her the envelope as Meg looked curiously over her shoulder. "You are hereby freed from any responsibilities as the wife of Raoul, the Viscount Du Chagny, owing him nothing, and receiving nothing from him." With his business concluded, the young clerk strode off, Christine tearing the envelope open.

The paper was the official pronouncement of her divorce, repeating the conditions the man had before informed her of. The reason sighted on the papers was the abandonment of the husband by the wife, looking much cleaner than adultery being printed everywhere. Christine's eyes filled with unbidden tears that through the years it had all come down to this. Meg wrapped her arms around her friend.

"I know you are overjoyed to be free, but you are sad now, because you mourn for the Raoul who was your friend. The past cannot be undone Christine, we have all walked a long road to arrive here, revel in the love you and Erik share. There is too little time on this earth already, why waste it worrying over things that cannot be changed."

Her words were the solace Christine needed, they gave her the prompting to begin to forgive and forget the circumstances that had lead to this moment in time. Her love for Erik was all that mattered now, her tears dried. "Come, we must be off to the opera house, your mama will kill us if we are late."

The orchestra was set up near the base of the great staircase, Meg would be married right at the base of the impressive marble stairs, and her entrance would be a breath taking descent from them, with Christine behind her and her mother beside her. Erik had opted to watch from somewhere in the shadows, not comfortable with crowds so large, and not wanting to ruin the day for the girl by having her guests be uncomfortable.

Meg nervously smoothed her silk dress, all white and embedded with pearls. Christine stood beside her, uncomfortable in the champagne pink dress that had been selected for her. Indeed it was not the dress itself, but the color that caused her discomfort. A garland of pink roses crowned Meg's blonde locks, the veil attached to them. As they reached the point of their grand entrance, the orchestra began to play a lovely piece that Christine was sure she had heard no where else. Meg inhaled and descended the stairs, mother at her side. Christine came behind her, smiling as she recognized the graceful arrangement of the music, and who its composer most definitely was. They reached the bottom of the stairs to all the attended inhalations and whispered praises that were customarily heaped upon the bride, a nervous looking Henri waited for them, looking at the floor to avoid blushing. Meg was steadfastly handed to her husband to be and Madame Giry took a seat, leaving Christine to attend Meg.

The service, while it was held in an opera house, was still a traditional, lengthy, Catholic affair. Christine was sure would die from the constant barrage of kneeling, standing, and sitting. Relief sprang forth as the vows were recited, and the bride and groom kissed. As quickly as the priest's duties were finished, the chairs were cleared away for a long evening of dancing and eating. This was no longer just a wedding, but a celebration by the opera community of the entirely successful year.

Christine was passed about the dance floor from prominent patron, to violinist's uncle, to young chorus boy, all the while wishing Erik would emerge from hiding. She was rescued from the endless parade of dance partners by the managers, who were nearly in tears and on their knees when they found her. "Now that you are divorced Madame Daaé, will you be staying in Paris?" Monsieur Gambi wore a hopeful expression over his tears of worry.

"I am not entirely sure gentlemen. If you please, what is all this about?"

"Mademoiselle Ashford announced that she will return to London after this upcoming opera season. We shall be in desperate need of a lovely, talented, leading lady."

"Gentlemen, that is a lot to ask of a woman." She smiled coyly at the pair of them. "I shall require a way to support myself, and I would have to see about my own residence."

"Whatever you wish for Madame." Monsieur Ardon blurted out. "We shall provide you with a home, and adequate pay. We are also very interested in Monsieur Le Seul's compositions; Mademoiselle Ashford told us that we could contact him through you."

"Indeed. Yes, I believe we can come to some sort of arrangement." She smiled sweetly at the pair and wandered off, trying hard to contain a fit of laughter. She imagined the faces of Firmin and Andre if they were to ever find out that their "phantom" was about to become Paris' star composer.

Hours passed for her in tedious boredom. Helena was coaxed before the guests to sing, and eventually Christine was dragged before them herself. Later found her in the shadows watching Meg and Henri dance, her heart bursting with happiness for the girl she had long considered a sister. As she stood apart from the festivities, her mind wandering, strong arms wound their way around her from behind. "May I have this dance ma amour?"

The soft scent of his cologne pervaded her senses, she felt herself melting in his arms. She allowed herself to be led out onto the dance floor. The floated about in a brilliant waltz, Christine lost in his eyes. Don't stop, let me stay like this forever. As the dance ended, Erik lead her away and up the grand staircase. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see, just be patient." He led her toward the balcony where they had encountered each other the night of the ball, so long ago. "Close your eyes."

She obediently did so as he led her out onto the balcony. Christine felt the summer night breeze tickle her skin; it was plenty cool for the time of year. Erik was still gently grasping her hand. "You know, I've never been fond of pink." He leaned down and placed a teasing kiss upon her neck, causing her to release a small flurry of giggles.

"Oh hush, may I open my eyes now." A smile curled the edges of his lips, Erik enjoyed watching her squirm in anticipation, almost declaring that she should spend the next half hour awaiting his surprise.

"I suppose you may." Her eyes opened and Christine gasped as she took in the carefully laid scenery around her. The balcony was nearly wholly covered in candles, many in standing candelabra, others perched on the railing of the balcony. A bottle of champagne sat in a bucket of ice, two delicate glass flutes on the table beside it.

"Erik this is too much." She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close to her, bestowing her delicate, warm kisses upon his lips. Erik gently lifted up her hand and began to lead her in another waltz below the moonlight. Christine felt her heart pounding against her chest through out the dance, as Erik periodically brushed her lips with his in feather light kisses. He still made her nervous and faint, as though she were still the little ingénue who thought him to be an angel living in her mirror. They dance ended and reluctantly she released his hand to allow him to open the champagne bottle and pour them each a glass.

"To us, ma aimé." They clinked the delicate flutes together in a toast to the future which lay before them. As she lowered her glass, a light reflecting off the bottom caught Christine's attention, causing her to inhale sharply.

"Erik." She spoke his name through clenched teeth, before finally exhaling. She took another small sip of the champagne, to allow her fingers in without spilling it on her dress. She slipped her fingers in t retrieve the shinning object, which turned out to be a gold and diamond ring. Erik watched her expectantly the whole time. She lowered the glass back onto the table, before holding the ring in the palm of her hand to examine it. It was not so grand as the one Raoul had given, which in truth had been too much for her. It was a petite band of gold with elegant knot work in the Celtic style winding its way from the outer edges to the middle, where there was perched a moderate sized diamond with two smaller diamonds on the sides of it, with the knot work surrounding them all.

Erik gently removed it from her palm and sank to one knee before her. "Christine ma amour, ma amourex, say you'll love me forever, say you'll want me forever. I know it maybe too soon for you, but I could resist giving you this symbol of my everlasting, boundless love for you. Without you I do not exist." He stared into the deep blue of her eyes as they filled with tears.

"Erik, Erik, what is there to say? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I could never be without you ever again." He slipped the ring onto her finger and rose to enfold her into his arms once again, their lips meeting.

"Christine you have no idea the gift you have given me, the happiness." He leaned his head onto her shoulder, burying his face in her silken curls. Christine could feel the need, the love emanating from him. She tilted his face back up towards her and kissed him as though the world should come crashing to an end if she ever let go of him.