Chapter 21- Music Lessons

Rosalie sat on the windowsill of her home in the country, gazing out the window. Her fingertips drummed anxiously on the wood waiting for her teacher. Now almost eight years old she looked forward to her lessons with her godfather, the great Enrique. Her mother had met him while singing with the opera house after taking a leave of absence to have her.

She heard her stout governess, Olivia, chasing after her little sister Josette. Poor Olivia searched all over the house and Rosalie did not have the heart to confess her little sister's hiding place. Josette could be a handful, she was only four but when Christine had taken off again to have her, she cried so much. Rosalie loved Josette but never seemd to be able to identify with her.

Again she gazed out the window waiting for her music teacher; she loved lessons. Even at eight her passion for music exceeded that of a grown adult. She was a serious girl in general, unlike most little girls her age she showed little interest in parties, boys, or even dolls and fancy dresses. Raoul tried to pamper her but could not seem to connect with his child.

She looked very much like Christine but it was evident that she would be far more handsome. Her hair shared the same curly texture but was darker and really reflected her skin tone which was also whiter than her mother's. Unlike her rosier complected sister, she did not quite have the blush in her cheek. Her sister shared the obviously de Changy blond haired, blue eyed, strain.

Josette was daddy's little girl and always knew she could get whatever she wanted from him as long as she put on a cute little smile. Rosalie had never been very close to Raoul; she had always been closer to Christine. They shared the passion of music that Raoul did not seem to understand. Josette did not have the musical gifts that Rosalie possessed, despite an obvious flair for the dramatic.

She saw Enrique walking up the stone path to the house; his looks had not changed much over the years. Rosalie sprung up from the window seat and anxiously waited for him to come into the music room. She ran over to the beautiful chestnut grand and began to play the keys with such grace. Her eyes closed as she became enveloped in the music. She barely heard Enrique quietly step into the room.

She heard his voice and stopped playing. He greeted her with an adorable smile and gave him a huge hug. A usual Enrique tried to conceal his happiness when he held his little girl in his arms. Over the last couple years he had really gotten to know and love her. Masked as Rosalie's godfather and music teacher, he was still able to show her affection as a paternal figure.

Josette appeared in the corner of the room looking mischievous with an impish grin. Enrique offered her a smile and she giggled and disappeared. Rosalie sat behind the piano anxious for her lesson to begin. Erik smiled at his daughter's eagerness; she could be so subtly stubborn. She danced her fingertips on the ivory keys with long, thin fingers.

"All right ma petite, calm down. We shall begin, but I thought we might do a little bit of vocal training today, what do you think about that?"

Rosalie smiled excitedly, "Oh yes, yes, but I thought we couldn't start voice training until I was older."

"True ma petite, but I thought we might try a few simple exercises, to see how your voice is. Unless you would rather focus on the piano today…"

"No, no! Please, I want to sing. Please Maestro."

Erik knew this day would come and could not wait to hear how his daughter would sound. Would she be as beautiful as Christine or was her musical talent limited to her piano skills? He had nourished her talent thus far and she could play as well as an adult music student.

"Alright ma petite; stand up please." Erik replaced his position at the piano and Rosalie stood nervously at the edge of the piano her hands clasped together. Erik began to play some scales and arpeggios and nodded for Rosalie to begin singing. She started out timid but then her voice grew more confidant and beautiful.

Erik closed his eyes and heard a heterogynous combination of his voice and Christine's voice. For a couple minutes, his heart filled with the music and his days of singing Christine and teaching her. He opened his eyes and smiled at his Rosalie singing with the crystal purity of a child.
Rosalie smiled as she sang, realizing the notes rang throughout the room. Enrique returned the emotion and then began to play the accompaniment to a song they both knew very well. Rosalie fumbled some of the words out of nervousness and although she still had much training to undergo, the resemblance was uncanny to her mother.

"You were once my one companion, you were all that mattered. You were once a friend and father, then my world was shattered. Wishing you were somehow here again." Erik's eyes filled with tears which were quickly discarded as he saw Christine tip her head around the corner. He caught her eye and gave her a small grin. Christine folded her arms across her chest and listened to Rosalie sing.

Rosalie beamed her mother and continued to sing. Josette walked into the room and clung to her mother's leg. They all listened as the beautiful music filled the house. Enrique began to sing as well and not soon after Christine joined in. All three voices resonated throughout the music room and brought them all closer together. Christine and Erik spent these past years silently gazing at each other, singing together every night arias of love and longing, and spending time together behind Raoul's back.

Raoul had now returned from work and found his way to the music room where the three angels had been rejoicing in song. He felt very out of place among the music. He had studied piano as a child at the request of his mother but never really enjoyed it. He stood outside the music room watching his girls and Enrique. Somewhere in his stomach he felt tension and distrust when he looked at Enrique. Aside from the awkward confrontation in his office, there was something about him, he blamed on it on minor jealousy and ignored his feelings.

The song ended and Christine and Enrique looked away from each other. Enrique focused his attention on Rosalie.

"Brava ma petite mademoiselle, I knew your voice would be lovely, just like your Mamma's." Christine blushed and gave her daughter an encouraging hug. Rosalie looked very pleased with herself.

"Maestro, it did not feel very difficult. I loved singing with you. And you too Mamma." Raoul walked over to his eldest daughter and put his hand on her shoulder.

"It sounded beautiful, Rosie. Really, Enrique," he gestured to Erik, "I don't know how you do it, but you've really given my daughter a beautiful instrument."

Erik paused and then began to speak, "It is a privilege to teach Madame De Chagny's daughter. And truly, I have done little, all the talent is hers, just like Christine's. Any teacher would consider themselves lucky with these ladies." Rosalie giggled at being called a lady and Raoul felt his stomach tighten. Bringing up Christine's teacher left him cold. He shuddered every time he thought of that monster.

Realizing the reaction he had brought upon Raoul, Erik smirked to himself and enjoyed watching his girls share in his music. He glanced at little Josette and offered her a wink. She hid behind Christine and peeked out watching him. As young as she was, Josette never could understand the bond between Enrique, Christine, and Rosalie. She did not like it at all, she and Pappa were always left out. She gazed at Enrique innocently wondering why she did not like him.