Author's note: I thank you all so much for waiting so long for an update. I didn't want to post a mediocre chapter so I felt the need to wait until I had written a chapter that is worthwhile for my readers to read. Please don't worry. I should have another chapter for 'My Savior' posted soon. I am also in the process of getting a new laptop which once I get it and take it to the barracks with me, I will be able to post chapters from my barracks room as well as when I'm at work which will make things easier on my part.
Anyways, here is the next chapter. I hope that you guys like it. Please don't forget to submit a review. All of your reviews are really enjoying to read. Now on with the story!
Chapter Three: Promises
Christine awoke the next morning to find that Anne had already come into her room and opened the curtains. She was busily moving about near the wardrobe when Christine sat up in her bed.
"What time is it?"
Anne turned around suddenly. "Oh, you're awake! I didn't want to wake you but the Vicomte was insistent that you came down for breakfast."
"I see. So, now, what time is it again?"
"It's a quarter until nine mam'selle," Elizabeth said entering the room. "The Vicomte requests your presence in the dining room as soon as you are ready."
Christine climbed out of the massive bed and padded her way over to the vanity table where she sat down. Anne picked up her hairbrush and ran it through her thick brown curls.
"Which dress would you like to wear today mam'selle?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am going to the cemetery after breakfast to visit my father so I suppose I'll wear the maroon one today please," Christine replied.
"Excellent choice."
Anne twisted Christine's curls up, leaving some of them to cascade down her back. Then, she applied a hint of rouge to her already rosy cheeks. "Are you ready to dress?"
Christine nodded and slipped out of her nightgown and put on her dressing gown and allowed Anne to slip her corset over her head. She held on to the chair tightly as her corset was laced and tied. Then, Elizabeth slid the dress over her head and fastened the buttons in the back. Finally, her shoes were brought out and placed on her feet.
"There! You're ready!" Anne declared after taking a look at Christine.
Turning to look in the mirror, Christine drew in a sharp breath. She was not used to seeing herself looking like this. After being in the chorus for so many years and then having only three performances as the prima donna, all of this was still new to Christine.
She turned around, opened the door, and made her way downstairs with both Elizabeth and Anne in tow.
"There you are darling! I trust you slept well?" Raoul greeted her as she entered the dining room.
He walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek.
"Yes, I actually did sleep well. That bed is very comfortable."
"May I say Christine, that you look beautiful. That color really suits you."
She blushed a little. "Thank you."
"Shall we eat?" Raoul asked, pulling out a chair for Christine.
Nodding, she moved around to sit down and placed her napkin in her lap. A few moments later, Jean Paul entered the room with two of his assistants in tow. "Bon Appetit!" he said with a flourish.
A plate full of steaming food was placed in front of Christine. She looked at it and her stomach growled. "This looks delicious. Thank you Jean Paul."
"It's my pleasure mam'selle."
Christine picked up her fork and tentatively tried the eggs. The moment they touched her tongue it was like they just melted in her mouth. "It's absolutely amazing!" she said.
Satisfied, Jean Paul went back into the kitchen with his assistants.
"So Christine, what are your plans for the day?" Raoul asked between bites.
"After breakfast, I plan on going to the cemetery to visit my father's grave and then I figured that I would visit Madame Giry and Meg, just to make sure that they are alright after what happened."
"Are they at the Opera House?"
Christine shook her head. "They moved to a little flat a couple blocks from there. Meg told me that was where they were going before we left last night."
"Just make sure that you take Anne with you today Christine. I don't want you going out by yourself."
She nodded. The rest of the meal went along in silence. Then Raoul placed his fork on his empty plate and stood up. "Darling, I need to get to the Opera Populaire to conduct some business with Andre and Firmin. Have a wonderful time. I will be home later on this evening."
He walked over to where Christine sat and kissed her forehead. "I love you sweetheart."
She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you too Raoul."
He walked out of the room and out the front door to the waiting carriage. A few moments later, she heard the carriage clatter out of the driveway.
A few minutes later, Christine finished her meal and called for Anne.
"Yes mam'selle?" Anne said after entering the dining room.
"I'm ready to go to the cemetery. Can you please make sure that the carriage is ready?" Christine said from where she stood at the window.
"Of course. It will be just a moment."
Anne disappeared for a few minutes, and then she reappeared carrying Christine's cloak and gloves. "Shawn is waiting outside mam'selle," she said, holding the items out to Christine.
"Thank you."
Taking the cloak from Anne, Christine drew it around her shoulders and fastened the button at her throat. Then she pulled the gloves on her small hands and faced Anne who had already gotten her cloak and gloves on while calling for the carriage.
Walking out of the room, Christine made her way to the front door and down the small set of stairs to where Shawn waited with the carriage.
"Where to mam'selle?" Shawn asked as she boarded the carriage.
"To the cemetery please."
After talking to Madame Giry, he finally located the house just in time to see her walk out the front door and head for the carriage waiting outside. She still looked like an angel. Even with all that had happened he still loved her. "I have to make sure that she's alright," he said to himself.
He hid behind a tree and watched her climb into the carriage.
"Where to mam'selle?" the young driver asked.
"To the cemetery please." He practically fainted at the sound of her voice. It had only been a few hours since he had seen her but hearing her voice still made him weak.
Watching the carriage take off, he silently made a promise to her. "I will watch over you. Make sure that you are safe. And if anyone tries to hurt you, they will pay for hurting an angel."
Making his way over to the tree where he had tied his horse to, he made sure that his fedora was pulled low over the right side of his face, and covered his body with his cloak. He mounted his horse and took off after the carriage, making sure to keep a safe distance between the carriage and himself.
The ride to the cemetery was long, or so it seemed to Christine. She looked around at the scenery and took it all in. Suddenly, the carriage stopped. "Mam'selle, we are here," Shawn said.
She looked up and found the gates of the cemetery next to her. "Thank you Shawn." Christine stood up and exited the carriage with Anne right behind her. "Please take the carriage around back and wait for me. I shouldn't be long."
He nodded. "Of course mam'selle, please take your time."
Anne stood just behind her. "Would you like me to come with you mam'selle?" she asked.
Christine shook her head. "No, that won't be necessary. Thank you. Please wait with Shawn."
Anne nodded. "Of course, not a problem," she said, climbing back into the carriage before Shawn drove away.
Opening the gates to the cemetery, Christine slowly entered. Memories suddenly came rushing back to her. Memories of the last time she came to the cemetery. She began to sing quietly.
You were once
my one companion . . .
you were all
that mattered . . .
You were once
a friend and father -
then my world
was shattered . . .
Slowly, she began to make her way to her father's grave, singing as she walked, her voice growing stronger with each step.
Wishing you were
somehow here again . . .
wishing you were
somehow near . . .
Sometimes it seemed
if I just dreamed,
somehow you would
be here . . .
Wishing I could
hear your voice again . . .
knowing that I
never would . . .
Dreaming of you
won't help me to do
all that you dreamed
I could . . .
Passing bells
and sculpted angels,
cold and monumental,
seem, for you,
the wrong companions -
you were warm and gentle . . .
Too many years
fighting back tears . . .
Why can't the past
just die . . .?
Tears started to fall down her flawless cheeks as she rounded the final turn and her father's mausoleum came into view.
Wishing you were
somehow here again . . .
knowing we must
say goodbye . . .
Try to forgive . . .
teach me to live . . .
give me the strength
to try . . .
Christine stopped at the steps leading to the mausoleum and stood there, staring at the crypt.
No more memories,
no more silent tears . . .
No more gazing across
the wasted years . . .
Help me say
goodbye.
She kneeled on the bottom step, her hands clasped in prayer. "Father, I need your guidance," she whispered. "You sent me an angel of music but he was proved to be nothing but a man. But no matter what has happened, I still think about him. I still want to be near him. Raoul is a wonderful man, and he will take care of me, he will love me, and cherish me. But my angel still invades my thoughts. I miss him so much father."
"Raoul has forbidden me to sing. He has forbidden me to do the one thing that I love most. I don't know if I can honor that promise father. Singing frees my soul, lifts a weight off my shoulders."
Christine looked down at the ground. "Father, please grant me this one wish. Please, send me my angel of music. I need him now more than ever."
Hiding behind a tombstone, he watched her. As she started to cry, tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't believe that she felt that much pain. "I must help her. I cannot bear to see her in this much pain," he thought to himself.
Purposefully, he strode back to his horse, and rode off into the distance.
Okay guys, there's chapter three. Again, I apologize for the delay. It took me about a week to formulate this chapter in my mind. Hopefully you guys like it. I will attempt to get another chapter of 'My Savior' out soon. My new laptop has arrived and I am going to pick it up this weekend. Hopefully it will be easier to update here soon. Please don't forget to submit a review. It's your reviews that help me write the story!
I remain your obedient author,
Phantomfan1911