Christine looked up from the piano as she heard someone knock at the front door. Her browed furrowed in confusion for a moment before she stood and walked out into the kitchen. She glanced at the clock on the microwave and was shocked to see the time 7:50 blinking back at her. Her mouth fell open in spite of herself. She had been working on that Chopin piece for nearly 4 hours!

The person knocked again and Christine looked helplessly down at her outfit. Her old worn jeans hung loosely around her legs and she wore a plain gray sweatshirt. Christine desperately wanted to run up to her room to change before answering the door but after a third harsh knocking at the door she knew that she couldn't keep her date waiting.

Grudgingly she approached the door and opened it. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Raoul smiling back at her. He was dressed in a crisp, deep red dress shirt and formal-looking black pants. Christine became painfully aware of how undressed she was.

Raoul's smile only faltered momentarily as his gaze passed over her figure.

"Is that what you're wearing to dinner?" he asked, trying as hard as he could to sound polite.

"No," she said chewing the inside of her lip "I kind of, lost track of time and forgot to change. Here come in; I'll only be a moment."

Raoul's face broke out into an appreciative smile and stepped inside the household.

"Good, because I don't think you can dress like that at La Bayou."

Christine bounded up the staircase and only paused when she heard him name the restaurant they were going to.

"La Bayou? Really! That's one of the best restaurants in…"

"I know, go get changed." Raoul said with a smile.

Christine let out a small excited squeal and took up the stairs. She reached her bedroom and slammed the door shut behind her, immediately heading to her wardrobe. She frantically began to leaf through her wardrobe, throwing out all of the things that would look half as good as Ray did downstairs. She let out a loud groan of frustration when she found nothing presentable.

Raoul stood alone downstairs with nothing but the clocks steady ticking to accompany him. He laughed lightly at all of the loud banging that was coming from downstairs. It amazed him how lost Christine could get in her music. He knew she had been playing because he could hear it through the door. Raoul didn't really understand the whole music thing. Sure, he was fine with listening to a little music once and awhile but didn't understand how Christine could get so immersed in the music.

Christine quickly ran a brush through her mane of brown curls and left her bedroom. She was a little anxious at the way she looked, as she was not one to splurge on formalwear.

Raoul turned around at the sound of footsteps and smiled as he saw Christine. She was dressed in simple black jeans with a scarf wrapped around her hips and a peasant's blouse that clung to her body most generously.

Christine looked unsurely at him and gestured to her outfit. "Do I look ok?" she asked worriedly.

Raoul smiled and nodded "You look great."

Christine let out a breath of air at the kind remark and followed Raoul to the door. She felt a new little wave of confidence as she left with him; it was as if since she had foiled the clothing bandit she was ready to take on the world.

And having a very handsome man on the other end of her arm didn't hurt either.

The restaurant was dimly lit with flickering candles and soft lighting. The waiters walked around the room with an air of confidence and courtesy and their uniforms were suits of blacks and whites. Christine clutched Raoul's hand as they entered as she couldn't help but feel dreadfully out of place. Curse the lack of proper formalwear!

They didn't speak to each other until they were seated at their table. Christine smiled in gratitude as a waiter filled her wine glass and couldn't help but notice Raoul's steady gaze from across the table.

"What?" she asked, as the waiter departed to help the other customers.

"Nothing," Raoul whispered, taking a long sip of wine.

Christine let a small smile play across her lips as she watched him. Raoul was acting quite...odd. It unnerved her a little.

Silence engulfed the two of them and Christine took to picking at the side of the glossy menu to busy her hands. All she could think of to say was that she was thankful he brought her there. But she was certain that they had already been over those little details.

Raoul's eyes didn't stray from Christine's figure and his brow was furrowed as if he were in deep thought.

Christine cleared her throat.

Oh it was ridiculous! She should be able to talk to her long term boyfriend! She hadn't had any trouble before now.

Desperate to look at something other then her menu she let her eyes flicker over her surroundings. She noticed all the people talking and laughing and then something caught her eye that she hadn't noticed before.

A grand piano lay to the side of the theatre. It was the most beautiful instrument that Christine had ever seen, with a shiny black surface and ivory keys. Christine had the sudden impulse to sit down and play it but before she could even think of that idea twice a man took a seat on the matching bench and began to run his fingers over the keys.

Christine gasped at the beauty of the music that was emitted through it. It reminded her vividly of a large open meadow with swirling winds and a feeling of peace. The music surrounded her and consumed her and she found her mind wandering to the point that she no longer knew she was in the restaurant. She was lying by the ocean, she was laughing merrily and then there was pain. So much indescribable pain. Christine could feel her own heart breaking.

She found herself craning her neck to get a better look at the mysterious pianist and she saw his profile. He had a dark complexion, with jet black hair slicked back of his face. He turned to speak to one of the waiters and Christine's brow creased in confusion.

A mask?

"Christine...Christine?"

Raoul's voice came from far away, it seemed to seize her from her hidden paradise and pull her back to the disappointing reality of the restaurant.

"Yes Raoul?" asked Christine.

"I was going to wait until after the dinner to do this..." he began uncertainly "But I'm just going to say it."

Christine's heart began to beat a little faster. He was going to break up with her. Christine had known it was coming, why it was inevitable. But she couldn't help that aching sensation that spread through her heart for Raoul had become a close friend.

"Christine," he said looking at her right in the eyes.

Christine searched his, looking for any signs of disappointment or sadness. Raoul stood and walked beside her, causing Christine's brow to crease once more.

"Christine, you know I love you..."

She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the blow to come.

She opened them slowly with a few tears flecked in her eyes. Raoul took a deep breath and knelt beside her.

"Will you marry me?"