Chapter 14: Truthful music
Christine's POV
The first two acts of the opera passed without incident, of which I was both quite shocked and pleasantly surprised. I had been almost sure that Erik would make some sort of disturbance, and I had been fearfully awaiting its arrival; but nothing of the sort had happened. I now stood in the wings of the stage, watching my friends perform the ballet. Meg was in the middle, currently doing her solo. It seemed to me that she moved with more grace and poise each time her pale pink pointe shoes came across the stage. I heard the music stop and felt the nerves beginning to rise in my stomach; this was a very famous aria and I desired very much to sing it well.
I tugged once more on the skirt of the dress I wore, the same beautiful dress that I had worn the very first night I had replaced Carlotta as Elissa. I heard my que and proceeded to step onto the stage, the lights shifting onto the middle of the stage and focusing on me. I couldn't make out any certain faces in the audience, seeing as it was rather dark. The orchestra struck up the opening bars to 'Think of me' and Raoul's face instantly popped into my mind; his loving and gentle smile and his pain filled eyes as he had asked me to think of him as I sang. There was no one else that I could think of at that moment and the sadness that I felt came out in my voice, making the words I sang sound even more realistic to my character's predicament. And because of this, my voice had never sounded better; it's amazing what you can accomplish under the most difficult of circumstances.
As I hit the last note I recieved a standing ovation and roses of every color fell at my feet. I recieved a nod of approval from Monsieur Reyer as I curtseyed. My heart soared at the audience's reaction ; I had sung with my soul and I had done it for Raoul. A shadow in box five however, caught my attention for a moment as I took my leave off of the stage to wait for the final cast bows. I turned slightly and a pair of mysterious grey eyes met mine for a fraction of a second. But by the time everyone had come to take their bows, he was gone. Maybe I had just been imagining things. As I walked offstage I was greeted by a throng of my friends, all of whom were giddy with excitement. Not suprisingly, Meg was at the forefront.
"That was amazing Christine! I've simply never heard anything like, even from you!" Her face suddenly turned serious. "Christine have you been crying?"
I reached up and realized that my face was damp. I had been crying while I was singing and I hadn't even realized it. "I'll be alright." I said and Meg's light blue eyes met mine in silent understanding.
I turned to all of them, a smile on my face. "You were all wonderful tonight, simply superb!" I said sincerely as I embraced them all at once and handed them each a rose.
"Will you stay for the opening night party Christine?" asked Jammes curiously.
"No I can't, I must be getting home to check on Raoul. But I shall stay another time, and Raoul has been talking of holding the cast Christmas party at our house. You all go and have fun."
They all hugged me once more and told me to wish Raoul well. Meg said that she would come by as soon as she could get away from the party. I then went to my dressing room and quickly changed into a a dark green dress, and took the diamond hair clips from my hair and pinned it up with turtle shell combs. I walked out of the dressing room and through the backstage area, amidst the excitement and congratulations of my fellow performers. I made my way through to the grand marble staircase and into the lobby, loving the sounds my heels made as they clicked across the floor. I was stopped by some ladies and gentlemen whom I had become aqquainted with since marrying Raoul. They asked me how Raoul was doing, and told me to give him their best. They also raved about my performance, saying that it was absolutely stupendous.
I politely thanked them, but being anxious to get on my way I bid them farewell. They were nice people though, one of the aristocratic families I considered to be friends, and one of the few who had not taken part in the gossip about Raoul's marriage to me. I heard a bottle of champagne being opened just as I closed the door behind me. The carriage rested right at the front doors, with Jacques in the driver's seat.
"Madame, how did the performance go?" he asked as he helped me into the carriage.
"It was a full house Jacques, I wish Raoul could have been there. How is he?" I questioned the good man.
"He was resting in the parlor talking with Monsieurs Lucien and Phillipe when I left. But he is anxiously awaiting your arrival it seems, for he was constantly looking up at the clock." said Jacques with a smile as he hopped up to the driver's seat and set off.
The trip seemed to go by rather quickly. My thoughts drifted to the child to come, and Ifelt a happiness that was so complete I couldn't even describe it. It gave me a sense of peace that everything was going to be all right. I leaned against the cool window, my ruby red cloak wrapped about my shoulders. I gazed out at the cold, clear December night; it was very quiet and each star was shining brightly above me. The evening seemed enfolded in mystery, as though it were waiting for something to happen, something unexpected. After the twenty minutes or so that it took to arrive had passed, the carriage haulted at the front door of our estate. I nearly flew out of the it in my excitement to see Raoul. I opened the front door and placed my cloak on the rack in the entrance hall. I walked swiftly into the parlor where I found Raoul lying on the chaise lounge, a quilt covering his legs and the bandage still wrapped around his chest, talking with Lucien and Phillipe.
This scene was quite different from the one that I had experienced last night. It was much more comforting, that was for sure. The burgundy walls and golden celing were much less harsh, a fire crackled in the golden trimmed fire place, as the moon shone down through the window onto the mahogany coffee table and the silver and white upholstered furniture.
"Raoul!" I exclaimed, running over to him as I had done when we were children, and taking a seat right next to him, taking care to be gentle as I kissed his lips.
"Christine," he siad in a quiet tone that seemed to reverberate with happiness at seeing me. "How was the opera?" he asked, his blue eyes sparkling.
"It was a huge succsess. I only wish that you could have been there to see it." I said wistfully.
"I do too," he said as he squeezed my hand. I took notice that his tanned face was unusually pale. "But I will be well before you know it, never fear."
I smiled at him, loving him even more. I turned my gaze to Lucien and Phillipe. "Meg missed you tonight Lucien, but she understood completely. She should be by in a bit." I said
He smiled back. "She's amazing even though I only met her a short time ago. But I had to make sure that my pal here was all right." he said with a grin over at Raoul, who let out a chuckle.
I looked over to Phillipe, who had had barely left his brother' s side all day. He seemed to be very deep into the newspaper he was reading.
"They're having a field day with this in the newspaper." he said, looking up with his tired green eyes.
"I saw that this morning." I replied. For some reason this reminded me to tell Raoul that box seven had been named in our family's honor, but just as I opened my mouth to speak, the doorbell rang. I got up to open it myself, assuming that it was Madame and Meg. I opened the door, and it was indeed Madame Giry who was there, but it wasn't Meg who was with her; it was Erik.
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A/N: I am so sorry for the long wait! What with my trip back up to my hometown in Georgia and school starting back up, I've been way busy. Who would have thought they would give me so much work in my last semester of high school! But anway, sorry for the cliffhanger, I couldn't help myself. I have only one request of you; please, please, please review! If you are reading and not reviewing I would love to hear your thoughts! Thankyou to all of my loyal reviewers; Glitter Queen of the Ice Show, jtbwriter, Phantomit 14, Amethyst, and everyone else who has reviewed at any time! Until next time, Vive le Vicomte!
PS: The next few chaps will be back in Raoul's POV