(2021 AN) After I wrote Carmine 3, some people expressed further interest in the AU, so uh...here's the only other fic I ever actually finished for it. Written in 2013, and presented as is, with the exception of one edit that I always meant to make but never got around to. Set in the S2 universe in 2009. I can pretty much guarantee this is not how it happens in the official AU, but it was fun to imagine. A rough mockup of how the end music went can be found at tmblr . co/ZrXgjTauI4pB8a00
Here follows the original AN:
Or, a cracky idea I had because I was listening to a certain song too much. The image was far too amusing to let slip, so here it is, all written out. Occurs in the universe of my Sun series, but isn't part of it (unless you want it to be, in which case it is).
Isobelle Swan is nineteen the summer that several "SuperPhans" donate enough money to stage an amateur production of The Phantom of the Opera in Forks. Auditions are open two weeks, and certain parts are lowered to a more singable range at the discretion of the person trying out.
Surprisingly, Michael Newton has a decent enough voice and talent to be cast as Raoul.
Unsurprisingly, opera major Jordyn Jameson is cast as Carlotta.
Very surprisingly, Belle finds herself playing Christine. Apparently the voice lessons with Edward have payed off.
There's not really any debate as to the Phantom. There's only one young man in town who can competently sing that part, and sing it angelically.
"This," says 'Christine' to her Phantom dryly, "is going to be interesting."
Ed only grins.
"Guess what I found out, Ed?" Belle asks, bouncing up and down on the couch three weeks into rehearsals. "Five of the sponsors wish Christine had ended up with Erik."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. They are 'very much looking forward to this performance.' Probably because you're so pretty. It would be a shame to disappoint them." Belle glances coyly at him. "Think we should give them a show?"
Ed shakes his head, smiling. "They might not appreciate that." He considers a moment. "Actually, they might, but the audience might not."
"Hmm, maybe."
But Belle doesn't stop thinking about it. And it gives her a wonderful idea.
Belle did have to take the end of "Phantom" down an octave. She simply can't sustain the notes. But the first three performances have gone fairly well. Only one left.
Her plans are complete.
The first step is to carefully start a rumor that there will be something special about the final performance, thereby piquing the interest of the sponsors.
The second step is to visit a certain shop.
The third step is to persuade the conductor to do something very unusual.
Belle has never been so grateful that Ed cannot read her mind.
And as the final performance begins, she puts everything she has into her role.
Act 2. Scene 9.
As directed, Christine returns the Phantom's ring and exits.
And then, in the shadows offstage, Belle removes the clip from her hair, letting it fall free. She hikes the skirt up on one side, reaching into her pocket to remove a small object before concealing it in the folds of the skirt. Then she looks at Mike, who is staring down at her open-mouthed, and taps one finger against her lips several times, putting as much urgency as she can into her face. Shh. Don't sing. Just for good measure, she covers his mouth for a moment. When she takes her hand away, he nods, though he is clearly still baffled.
Her cue comes. "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime..." she sings as directed.
And then she slowly walks back out onto the stage.
Ed doesn't see her, of course, not with his back to her. But the audience starts murmuring, and with that many minds thinking the same thing he's bound to pick up on it.
Belle continues walking, but the words are different. "Let me lead you from your solitude." Now she is within Ed's view, and he looks at her with complete bafflement.
"Share each day with me, each night, each morning," sings Belle, and drops to one knee beside Edward, pulling her hand out of the folds of the skirt. She has two extra measures, inelegantly stolen from a previous song and very hard-won from the conductor, in which to act.
"Marry me, Edward Anthony Cullen," says Belle, clear over the crescendo of strings, and offers the little box.
The crowd goes mad. The teenager in the sound box cranks up the instrument mics so the orchestra can still be heard.
Ed's face displays total shock for a split second, and then changes to the biggest smile Belle has ever seen. In a smooth movement that is only just slow enough to be human, he pockets the box and rips his scar mask off, then raises her to her feet and pulls her close. They look into each other's eyes.
Who needs mind reading?
"Anywhere you go, let me go too!" rings out in perfect harmony high above the bedlam.
"Edward—"
"Isobelle—"
"—that's all I ask of you!"
The orchestra continues, but the curtain falls.
"You cunning little minx," Ed whispers in her ear, laughing as the rest of the cast mobs them.
"You lucky, lucky man," corrects Belle, and kisses him soundly.