Rekindling the Music of the Night
By: K.C. Vaillancourt
Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera and have no affiliation with ALW, Leroux, or Kay. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, and songs are the property of their respective owners. No profit is being made from this story and no copyright infringement is intended. This is purely for my enjoyment and the enjoyment of others.
Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.
Author Note – I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update this story. I absolutely did not or will not abandon this story. The summer got so busy I barely got a minute to myself. Now that Alex is back in school I can finally immerse myself in this world again. When I was able to I found this chapter incredibly difficult to write because there are so many different things to try to balance and scenes I wanted to show. Hopefully you like the end result. Thank you for sticking with me and for your patients.
I also want to say thank you so much to all who have taken the time to read, review, follow, or favorite my Phanfic. This has been my favorite Fan Fiction to date and has helped me find my voice as a writer. Thanks to all of your support I've finally realized that every writer has their own voice or style and I think I found mine through this story.
I might think someone is a better writer than me because they have a more eloquent writing style, tell you everything that is in a character's head, or describe everything down to the color of someone's shoe laces. People might like that better and that could be the "right" way to tell a story but I realized I can't write like them. I can only write like me which is a bit more simplistic and in the style of how people talk or write today. In the end my hope is that I'm telling a great story. If I am my readers will be able to create the rest of the picture on their own. Those are the stories I like to read and I guess that shaped the stories I like to tell.
Sorry for the small rant, I'm hopping off my soapbox now.
I began to read this story from the beginning over the summer and found a few glaring grammatical errors or other inconsistencies that I missed (Stared vs Starred for example). I caught that the same night a guest reviewed. I am currently going through to fix those along with other things but I wanted to thank the reviewer for pointing it out. I appreciate it. It's also another reason it took me so long to get to this chapter.
Now on with our story!
Tying up Loose Ends
When Christine and Erik's lips met the events of the last day, the house they were in, the people around them, the pain they felt melted away as they let themselves get lost in their love. Erik felt his arms wrapping tighter around her and tried to pull away not wanting to hurt her but Christine tightened her grip on him devouring his lips unwilling to let him go. Erik surrendered to her silent demand and allowed himself to hold her closer neither giving a thought to who was around them.
Out of respect Philippe turned away. Meg could feel tears welling up in her eyes as she watched them and wiped them away. However after a couple of minutes had passed she realized they weren't going to separate on their own anytime soon. She cleared her throat causing Erik and Christine to break their kiss to look up at her. "I'm…I'm sorry for ruining your moment but your wounds should be tended to."
"I have medical supplies along with food in my carriage." Philippe offered turning around. "It should do until we can get you to a proper doctor."
Erik helped Christine to her feet and without warning picked her up cradling her in his arms. "Erik no I don't to hurt…"
"You won't." He assured her. "As I said I've been through much worse. My only concern is you." She nodded resting her head on his shoulder. Considering the beating he took, how long he'd spent bound, and the bloody mess he was he wasn't in the amount of pain or as weak as he thought he would be. The small amount of time he spent with Christine seemed to give him renewed strength. He was about to say something to Philippe when his eyes fell to the bullwhip on the floor. He looked out the front door and narrowed his eyes as reality set back in. He'd allowed himself to get lost in the bliss of having Christine back in his arms he'd nearly forgotten, it wasn't over. Not yet. "Meg, could you look after Christine for a moment?"
"Why?" She asked holding tighter to him. "Where are you going?"
Erik kissed her forehead and walked into the dining room setting her down on a chair kneeling in front of her. "There's something I have to, take care of." He whispered and looked at Meg. "Will you…"
"Of course." Meg responded.
He stood up and left them before anyone could say anything else. None of them noticed him pick up the bullwhip off the floor before he walked outside. He felt murderous rage filling him as each step he took brought him closer to the man who not only beat but tried to disappear with Christine.
Raoul's heart began to race when he saw Erik emerge from the house. He knew in his gut his friends were dead. He saw the whip in his hand and tried to get up but the shooting pain in his chest kept him on the ground. "Please…" He whispered when Erik stopped and glared at him. Their eye's locked and Raoul heard Madame Giry's voice float across his mind. "Your arrogance will be your downfall." It wasn't arrogance he countered. I would have gotten away if my brother and your wretched daughter hadn't arrived.
"Please." Erik growled bending down on one knee. "Please. Did you listen to Christine's pleas for mercy as you beat her like an animal in front of me? Did you listen to her screams as you attempted to murder her?"
"I…I wasn't…in my right…mind." Raoul said in a raspy voice. He saw the murderous intent in Erik's eyes. He tried to think of what to say to save himself while he fought for every breath he took. "Anton was…manipulating me. I…know that…now."
Erik's grip on the whip handle tightened. "How convenient to blame him since he's no longer alive to contradict you." He paused letting the news of Anton's death sink in. "You can't lie about what I saw in your eyes. If it wasn't for Meg and your brother's arrival you would've happily disappeared with Christine." He lowered himself so he and Raoul were face to face. "I hope you've made your peace with god." He was about to wrap the whip around Raoul's throat when a better idea formed in his mind and his lips curled into a sinister grin. Despite Raoul's attempt at resistance Erik forced him onto his stomach. He saw Raoul trying to push himself up and his smile widened as he raised his arm. The crack of the whip rang through the air followed by Raoul screaming in agony as it made contact with his back. "This is only a small taste of what you deserve." Erik said ignoring Raoul's screams as he continued to whip him with all the force he had. He no longer saw Raoul in front of him. All he could see was Christine crying and screaming as Raoul beat her. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he thought he heard someone calling his name. He turned his head and his eyes widened when he saw Christine with Meg at her side walking unsteadily toward him.
She'd heard Raoul scream and knew what Erik was taking care of. Part of her wanted to let him but she knew with Philippe here she couldn't. She was surprised Philippe hadn't rushed out of the room to intervene and wondered why but she knew if Erik ended up killing Raoul Philippe would make sure he was arrested no matter what Raoul had done. She had tried to get up but her legs didn't want to cooperate and she demanded Meg help her get out of the house. She ignored any weakness or discomfort she felt rushing toward Erik with Philippe not far behind them. She heard Raoul moaning in agony but ignored him. "Erik. Please stop. This isn't you anymore."
"He deserves to pay for what he…" Erik began but stopped when he saw tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I know what Raoul has done but he is still my brother." Philippe said. He'd heard the screams but decided Erik deserved a few moments with Raoul after the torture he'd endured. "I know you think he deserves to die for what he's done but I ask that you spare his life. He should face the justice of the courts not your vengeance."
"Anton and the others are dead. Didn't they deserve the same?" Erik asked.
"You heard them, they were ready to die before they would see prison. They also are not family and therefore not afforded the same consideration as far as I am concerned." Phillippe responded.
Erik looked at Raoul. He was lying on the ground writhing in pain trying desperately to hide his tears. I guess that will have to be enough Erik thought and dropped the whip turning his attention to Christine. He wiped away her tears before cradling her in his arms once again careful to avoid the wounds on her back. "I'll be fine. You're the one who is ready to fall over." He whispered before she could protest again and walked a few steps toward the house.
"No." Christine said. "I can't…I can't go back in there."
"We need to see to your wounds and in the house you can lay down…"
Christine shook her head trying not to picture being in the bedroom with Raoul but hearing his words in her head. "Now that I have you I am never letting you go." She shook her head trying to shut the words out. "We can do it by the carriage. Please, I can't. I can't go back…" She began to sob and tremble in his arms.
"Shhh…Shhh…It's alright. We won't go in there." Erik said trying to calm her down. "I'm sorry for what I did and my part in how upset you are. I never want to be the cause of your pain but when I look at him, all I can see is…"
"I know." Christine said through her tears. "If I could I would do the same. He deserves it. I was so happy to be in your arms before it didn't hit me but now…all I can feel is how terrified I was. I'm trying to be strong…"
Erik looked into her eyes still spilling over with tears. "You don't have to be strong. Not for me, not for anyone. Let me be your strength Ma Cherie."
"How can you be so calm?"
"Because of you. Christine I was terrified at the thought of losing you and I'm enraged at what you've been through but now that you're safely in my arms that's all I care about." He heard a loud snort and turned around to see their stallions standing threateningly in front of Philippe. "Cesar, Arturo." He said in a commanding tone. "Get." The horses obeyed their master and backed away so Philippe could get to Raoul.
"The Surete will deal with him when they arrive."
"They aren't coming." Meg told them in a hushed whisper. Neither Erik nor Christine knew Meg had been standing near them and looked at her confused. "It was a bluff to try to get Raoul, Anton, and the others to surrender peacefully. I never thought it would work but Philippe seemed to think he knew best."
"He always does." Christine said watching as he helped Raoul to his feet and walked him to his carriage. She raised an eyebrow wondering why Philippe wasn't bringing him into the house. Instead he had Raoul lean against a horse while he began gathering the supplies he needed. "If the Surete aren't coming…" She whispered to herself and wiped away any remaining tears as it hit her. "We have to stop them." Without waiting for an explanation Erik walked toward Philippe's carriage with Meg behind them. They heard Raoul wince as Philippe tried to help him out of his shirt. "You're not leaving with him."
Philippe turned around and looked at Christine. "I beg your pardon."
"You heard me. I know you Philippe. You'll return with Raoul to Paris to supposedly turn him in but instead you'll use your influence to help him disappear, then go about restoring your family legacy."
"You are wrong. I want Raoul to face jus…" Philippe tried to say.
"Why would I trust any De Chagny after what we've been through? The first chance you get you'll send Raoul away so he can live out his days in luxury." Christine accused him taking a breath to calm herself. "Either we all bring Raoul to the local Surete so they can transport him to Paris or, you both can join the others in the house."
"Christine." Philippe said not giving any indication as to how infuriated he was not only by her accusation but threatening his life after he'd helped save theirs. "Do not mistake one member as my entire family. Raoul has disgraced us and is therefore no longer worthy of our name or his title. I had no plans on bringing him back to Paris myself. He will be brought to the Surete here and they will take over from there." He could see Erik and Christine weren't convinced. He huffed rolling his eyes and produced a length of rope from the carriage. "Raoul will not be leaving here a free man. I give you my word as Comte De Chagny."
Christine felt the heat rising in her cheeks and was silent for a moment. "I'm, sorry I jumped to conclusions and apologize for…"
"I can understand your doubts Christine. Had I been through what you did I would question my motives as well. I am sure seeing me bring Raoul over here did not help ease your mind but I have no desire to walk back into that house. Something I think, we have in common."
Christine nodded. Philippe was every bit as arrogant as Raoul but he was also too proud of his reputation to ever go back on his word. "We'll leave you to your task then." Erik turned around and walked to their carriage near the rickety enclosure Cesar and Arturo had been in earlier.
Meg stayed behind to gather supplies from Philippe's carriage and grinned when she noticed Cesar and Arturo remained close. Seems they've appointed themselves Raoul's guards she thought and held back a laugh.
Christine sat on the floor of the carriage with a vacant expression staring ahead with her arm around Erik's waist and her head on his chest trying not to think. It proved to be an impossible task. She thought about their baby and wondered how Erik was handling the news. He seemed happy earlier but she couldn't help but remember his words when they arrived.
"I know we've never discussed children. I suppose we should have before we became more intimate but it's something that's been on my mind ever since Meg said that you'd bear my children one day."
Christine felt herself tense a bit and hoped Erik didn't notice. "What are your thoughts on the subject?"
"I would love nothing more than to have a child with you, but I'm not sure it's fair to bring a child into the world that could inherit this face." He admitted hoping that he had not just shattered her heart but felt guilt consume him when he saw tears filling her eyes. Christine could feel her heart pounding as she thought of the child she was carrying. She felt the tears in her eyes but didn't allow herself to shed them. Was there a possibility that if she told Erik she was carrying his child he wouldn't want it? She was about to say something but Erik spoke first. "I'm sorry I know I've upset you and I know you don't see my face as monstrous but I think there will always be a part of me that does." He looked back at the house. "Every day she told me what a monster I was and seeing this house again brings back memories I had long buried..."
"I'm so sorry Christine." Erik said pulling her back to the present.
"What could you possibly have to apologize for? If it's about earlier you've already…"
"No, it's not that. I know you don't want to relive what happened but when we were in that room I couldn't help but think back to what I did to you at the opera house and how insane I was the night of the fire as I watched Raoul. I put you in an impossible position and I'm so sorry for the hell…"
"You've apologized for that already. Even if you hadn't they're two entirely different situations. I know if I'd stayed with you that night you would've let Raoul leave with his life because you're honorable. Besides, if anyone is to blame for where things ended up…" Before she could finish she felt Erik's fingers run through her hair as his lips met hers.
"We both know no good is going to come from constantly looking at the past." He whispered as their lips parted each of them remembering Madame Giry's final requests of them. "It's over and we're together. Soon these days will be long behind us."
Christine smiled placing a hand on her stomach. "Yes and we have much happier days ahead." Before either of them could say anything more Meg arrived carrying two buckets, one held the supplies she'd need and the other water. It'd taken her longer to get to Christine and Erik then she wanted but Philippe insisted he help her to properly care for her own wounds first. Christine tried to get Meg to take care of Erik before her but he adamantly refused. She decided to appease him and agreed to allow Meg to begin with her while he went about finding them clothes to change into.
Meg helped Christine down from the carriage. Then to take off her tattered shirt along with her corset and gave her a blanket to cover up with. Christine leaned against the carriage and Meg began to clean the reddish brown blood from Christine's back with a soaked rag and bit her bottom lip when she saw her wince. "I'm sorry. I'll try to be more delicate."
"It's alright." Christine said and tried to keep still. "How did you find us?"
"After Maman's funeral." She paused feeling the weight of the guilt she felt resting heavier on her shoulders for what she'd last said to her and Erik. "I picked up my bags from M. Firmin' s and began my journey to find Raoul. Any town I went and anyone I talked to that might have a connection to him told me they hadn't seen or heard from him. I was beginning to think I would never find him. Then in Bordeaux I thought I spotted him. I ran through the streets and tackled him to the ground only…"
"It was Philippe." Christine finished and couldn't hold back a giggle as she pictured the scene.
"Yes, to say he was upset; would be an understatement. He was ready to have me arrested until I told him who I was looking for and why. He'd been taken in for questioning by the Surete earlier that day and offered to join me in my search. I was reluctant at first but knew his resources could come in handy. About a week into our venture we were once again discussing what Raoul would do on the run. It came to me during that discussion that it was possible he had a copy of the list of safe house's Erik had given Maman and me. I hadn't gone to any of them but he suggested we start. After finding nothing but your notes at the first two and a lot of prodding I finally agreed to show him the list, but only after we agreed on a deal."
"A deal?"
"In exchange for allowing him to see the list he wouldn't stand in my way if I had the opportunity to take Anton's life, if we found him with Raoul. In return I had to him give my word I wouldn't kill Raoul."
Christine tried not to flinch or cry out as Meg began pressing dressings against the lashes the cat o nine tails had left on her back. "I'm, surprised you agreed to that."
"Had it been earlier in our journey I would have told him to go to hell but the more he told me about Anton, I knew he was the one that not only killed Maman but came up with the plan to frame Erik for her murder. Philippe swore to me that Raoul wouldn't walk away for the part he played. He wants him to see the consequences of his actions and I think he sees Raoul's arrest as a starting point to restoring his family's reputation. Anyway, I showed him the list and he immediately focused in on Calais. He explained it was a port city and possibly a way to capture you if you were looking for me. I can't tell you how happy I am that he was right and we got here when we did." Meg dressed the final wound and wrapped white gauze around Christine's abdomen and chest to cover the dressings. "These should do for now. A doctor might want to stitch a few of these up though, especially the slash on your side." She took a deep breath. It was time to deal with the tension she could feel between them. "Christine, I'm so sorry for what you went through and what I said to you and Erik the last time we saw each other."
"You couldn't have known what Raoul would do if he managed to capture us. You saved our lives." Christine took one of Meg's hands in hers. "As for the cemetery, you were in pain and grieving the loss of your mother. You have nothing to apolo…"
"Yes, I do." Meg interrupted pulling her hand away. "It was unfair of me to blame you or Erik for what happened to Maman. You were right. You both warned us about the danger we were facing but we chose to continue on our path. We could have left with you but we knew the right thing to do was try to cover your tracks, if we could. As I was searching for Raoul I woke up one morning and realized it wasn't you or Erik I was angry with that day, it was her."
"Why?"
"When I went back home the night she died I started to go through her things and found her journal."
The last room Meg walked into was her mother's. She sat on her bed and began to flip through the pages of her journal. She stopped at the final entry and began to silently read. "Oh Gustave how I have missed you. I always thought Meg's father was the man I was meant to be with but you showed me what true love could be. Then too quickly you were gone." Meg stopped for a moment. She never knew her mother and Christine's father were anything more than friends. "There was a time when you were kind. When your voice was soft and your words inviting. There was a time our love was blind and the world was a song. And the song was exciting. There was a time, then it all went wrong. I dreamed a dream in time gone by. When hope was high and life worth living. I dreamed our love would never die. I dreamed that God would be forgiving. Then I was young and unafraid. And dreams were made and used and wasted. There was no ransom to be paid, no song unsung, no wine untasted. But the tigers come at night. With their voices soft as thunder. As they tear your hope apart. As they turn my dreams to nightmares. You slept a year by my side. You filled my days with endless wonder. You took our secret in your stride. Then you were gone one autumn day. But I still dream you'll come to me. That we will live the years together. But these are dreams that cannot be and there are storms we cannot weather! I had a dream my life would be, so different from the one I'm living. So different now, from what it seemed..."
Meg put the journal down before her tears stained the pages. Her mother had been in love with Gustave Daae and he had loved her. Did you want this to happen Maman? She wondered to herself. Is that why you wanted me to go with Erik and Christine? Was life becoming too painful for you here alone? Did you want to…? Meg shook her head forcing the thought away.
At the cemetery Meg flipped through the pages of the journal and began where she had stopped before. As she read she pictured her mother sitting at the kitchen table waiting for her to return as she wrote.
…So different now, from what it seemed. Now life has changed the dream I dreamed.
I have missed you every day since you were taken from us but I know there will be a time when we will be together again. It has been some time since I have written in this journal but I am certain you are watching over us and know that Christine came to me looking to be reunited with Erik. She reminds me so much of you. She has your kind heart along with your passion for music. I always knew she would return to him even after she married the Vicomte. When I saw the faint bruise on her cheek the night she came to me and then when Erik told me what she endured I could have killed the Vicomte myself for what he put her through.
I feel guilty now for how harsh I was with her when she first inquired about Erik. I am sure Meg was too since we cared for the heap of a man he was after she left but then I remembered what you said to me and you were right. They are each other's other half. They share a love as deep as ours was and I will do whatever I have to do to protect that. I am on a dangerous road now Gustave and I know there is a possibility I will not survive.
If death is what god has planned for me next I am at peace with that since I have been fortunate enough to live such a full happy life. I have been loved by not one but two wonderful men the first of whom gave me my beautiful daughter.
My poor Meg. She will be in excruciating pain if something happens to me as she was when her father passed. I wish she had found someone to share the kind of love we did. Someone who could help her through the grief if something does happen but she is so consumed with taking care of me that she puts her own life aside.
Through all of this I pray that Meg does not feel neglected because of all I do and did for Christine. As I write this I wonder how she could not. I always pushed her harder than any student I ever had. I guess it is because I knew she had the talent to be great and I wanted to see her succeed. I know there are also times I pushed her aside treating Christine as my own and not her. I will carry guilt over that for the rest of my days. All I can say is that at the time I felt sorry for Christine because her parents were gone and Meg had me.
She does not know it yet but once Erik and Christine are free of the Vicomte I plan to separate from them and ask her to join me. Perhaps we can open a ballet school in London together and get back some of the time we should have had together when she was a child at the opera house. When we are settled my hope is that she will find someone out there that will care and love her like she deserves. Of course grandchildren aren't far from my mind either, it is time for me to end this entry. Meg will be returning soon and I must be ready so we can depart.
Meg finished her story and they each stood wiping away tears not knowing what to say. Christine felt Erik come up behind her. He helped her slip on one his dress shirts and when she was done fastening it he draped a navy cloak over her shoulders. She looked back at him thankful for his timing. "Meg is finished with me. Let her look you over." Erik nodded taking off the shirt he'd put on and turned his back to Meg.
"Some of these have already started to heal." Meg said as she look him over trying not to stare. She never let on but she'd seen Christine's scars at the opera house but they were nothing compared to his. She'd heard of the beatings he took and even through the new wounds he sustained she could see the horrific map of scars they left behind. "I can clean you up and put dressings on the fresher ones."
"That'll be fine." Erik said and Meg began cleaning the blood away like she'd done for Christine. It was rare that anyone bothered to clean the wounds inflicted on him before which was why he wasn't overly concerned about these but he knew it mattered to Christine and he didn't want to cause her more worry.
All three of them were silent as Meg worked thinking about different things. Meg was beginning to dress what she could of Erik's lashes and felt some of the guilt she felt earlier lifting from her shoulders. She'd saved them and apologized like she'd wanted to do since she rode off that day four months ago but was too stubborn to do so.
Erik's mind was consumed with concern for Christine and the child she was certain she was carrying. His first reaction was happiness but as the news had more time to sink in, worry began to plague him. He never truly entertained the notion of having a child. How naïve of me. He thought to himself. He knew the possibility was always there whenever he and Christine made love but he'd been able to dismiss it. He could tell by the glow in Christine and the joy in her eyes when she looked at him that she was pregnant. He'd seen the same look on other women who were expecting. He didn't want to shatter her joy with his worries over what he would pass on to their child. His own childhood was hell on Earth. He knew if he or she inherited his deformity they would be stared at and ridiculed by bullies. He continued to brood not paying attention to anything Meg was doing.
Christine watched Meg with her arms crossed in front of her pulling the cloak closer to her as she thought about what Meg told her about Madame Giry and her father. "I always wondered." She said out loud without meaning to.
"What?" Meg asked looking in her direction.
"I always wondered if your mother and my father shared more than friendship." Christine said and noticed she'd caught Erik's attention as well. "When she used to talk to me about him her voice was different and I always thought I saw her holding back tears but as a child I dismissed it. When you told me about her request to be interned with him I knew in my heart they'd shared more, but there's something I don't understand. Why would knowing she was in love with my father make you angry at her?"
Meg finished wrapping a bandage around Erik's chest and he put his shirt on. He stood behind Christine gently wrapping his arms around her waist so she could lean into him. Meg was silent for a moment as she faced them. "I…I wasn't angry at her for loving your father. I was happy she found love. I know she loved my father but I don't think she was as in love with him as she claimed to be. She loved what came of their marriage, me. What fueled my fury was that she'd made her peace with god if she died but then went on to write about the future she wanted her and I to have when this was over. I couldn't understand that. How could she be at peace with dying and leave me here alone?" She sighed as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Did she think about what would happen to me if she were gone? How did she think I could live without her? I read her journal over and over, then one night the letter she wrote to me fell out of its pages. I read it and that's when I understood. She knew, she knew no matter what the outcome she would be with people she loved, and so would I." She finished in a whisper.
"We love you too." Christine said pulling her into a tight hug that Meg gladly returned.
When Christine let her go she looked at Erik. "I apologized to Christine but feel I owe you…"
Erik shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. You're family and nothing you say will ever change that. As far as I'm concerned one apology is enough."
Meg stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Same old Erik she thought and wiped away her remaining tears. "In the house earlier did I hear you right, you're pregnant?" Christine nodded unable to hold back a smile. "Congratulations." Meg exclaimed pulling them both into a second hug.
"Thank you." Erik and Christine answered in unison.
"May I?" Meg asked as she let go of them. Christine knew what she meant and took her hand placing it on her growing belly. In that moment any remaining tension between the three of them disappeared and was replaced by a renewed bond of kinship. "I can't wait to meet him, or her."
"Neither can I." Christine said rubbing her abdomen and felt her heart flutter when Erik's hand covered hers.
"Meg, would you mind bringing Cesar and Arturo back over? I think it's time we get them hitched to the carriage and leave this place behind."
"Sure. I brought some food over too. It's in the carriage." She said as she walked away limping a bit but Christine smiled when she saw the familiar bounce in her step. After four long months she had her sister back.
"Are you alright?" Erik asked.
"Honestly I don't know." Christine said pulling herself out of his arms and sitting back on the carriage floor. "I'm overjoyed but at the same time numb and overwhelmed. Thanks to Meg I am in less pain but mostly, I'm exhausted. What about you? And don't hold back because you don't want to worry me."
"You know me far too well." Erik said stroking her cheek. "I have never felt the kind of rage but at the same time terror I felt having to see what Raoul did to you and being helpless to do anything to protect you. I have tried to keep the images at bay by taking care of you or keeping my mind on tasks to do to be ready to leave but all I can hear are your screams and all I can see are the tears of pain streaming down your cheeks."
Christine pulled Erik closer snaking her arms around his waist. "It's the same for me. As hard as I try to push it away all I can think about is Raoul hovering over me in that bedroom telling me I would never see you again. You might not have screamed but when he brought me to that room I could see the pain in your eyes. How will we ever forget…?"
"We won't." Erik answered running his fingers through her hair and holding back asking her more about when she was alone with Raoul. "But in time our wounds will heal and the emotional trauma will fade. For now all we can do is be thankful we survived and that Raoul will be dealt with."
"You're right. Before long today will be nothing more than a memory." Christine said trying to hold back a yawn.
"After Raoul is turned in and you see a doctor we will find a room so you can rest."
"So we, we can rest." She corrected him feeling knots forming in her stomach at the thought of being away from him for a moment.
"Of course. While we're waiting for Meg perhaps you should try to eat something." Erik suggested.
"I'm not…" Christine began to say but at the same moment her stomach gave a loud gurgle. "I guess my stomach disagrees." She looked through what Meg had brought over and started to pick at a baguette. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Erik staring at her with a half-smile.
"I know this isn't the ideal place but I think this…" She smiled when he pulled her engagement ring out of his pocket. "Has been hidden away long enough."
"I couldn't agree more." Christine said holding out her left hand so Erik could slip the ring onto her finger.
At the same time Meg was helping Erik and Christine, Philippe was dealing with Raoul. He'd taken his time tending to Raoul's wounds going as far as to sew up the deeper lashes Erik had given him. He ignored all of Raoul's various winces or sharp intakes of breath as he went about his task. "Stop whining and be a man." He said. "You are lucky to be alive after what that stallion did. Not even a doctor would be able to tell you what kind of lasting damage that did. I would venture a guess it will take some time to heal." Raoul was silent breathing deeply as he felt the needle being pushed in and out of his skin. "I am done with the stiches." Philippe said tying off the last one. He dressed the wounds and covered them with bandages finishing by helping Raoul into a fresh shirt. "Of course you will have plenty of time to finish healing while you are on your way and in prison."
"I'm surprised the Surete aren't here to arrest me already." Raoul narrowed his eyes when he saw the grin form on Philippe's lips. "You bastard, I should've known."
"You never were any good at spotting a bluff. Did you not hear what I said when Christine confronted us earlier?"
"My mind was a bit occupied focusing on breathing and the radiating pain all over my back. What I did hear of your conversation I thought was to taunt me and appease them."
"I may not have been truthful about the Surete coming here." Philippe said crossing his arms in front of him. "But I was completely serious about you going to prison. I have every intention of bringing you to them."
"You can't be serious." Raoul said trying to ignore the discomfort in his chest that accompanied every word he spoke or breath he took. "I'm your brother."
"When it is convenient for you." Philippe reminded him. "How could you expect me to do anything else after all the horrendous acts you have committed?"
"You honestly believe I was involved in not only Madame Giry's murder but the events that took place at the opera house as well."
"All I know for certain is what I saw in that room and the torture you helped put those two people through. If you are capable of such cruelty, you are capable of anything."
"Now that Anton is dead my mind is clearer. Like you said he manipulated me into doing what I did for his own pleasure." Raoul said growing desperate. That excuse didn't work on Erik but Philippe's hatred of Anton could help it along this time. "I understand you want to restore the family's reputation but it doesn't have to happen with me ending up in prison. Send me away to our aunt or to America. I swear I'll never show my face in France again."
"It know you too well Raoul. Anton might have pushed you a bit along the way but you were not a victim of his manipulation. How you think you deserve to live out the rest of your days outside of prison astounds me. I gave my word you would be turned in. That is what is going to happen." He reached into the carriage and pulled out a length of rope. "Do not make this worse. As I have said before, be a man and face the consequences of what you have done."
Raoul stood frozen trying to think of another way out of his current predicament. A slight glimmer caught his attention, he looked over and saw Erik placing a ring on Christine's finger. He felt renewed rage flare up inside him and looked down to try to calm himself. He hid a smile when he saw the gold hilt of Erik's sword. In his rush to tend to Meg and then him Philippe had never taken off his sword belt. Perhaps this is my way out. He thought. He felt the rope touch his wrists and knew this was his last chance. He pulled his wrists away and hit Philippe with an upper cut to the jaw followed up by a jab to the ribs. Philippe stumbled back from the unexpected attack giving Raoul the chance to turn and run. He drew the sword heading directly for Erik and Christine. He ignored the searing pain in his body and gasped for breath as he ran.
Christine saw movement out of the corner of her eye and thought it was Meg returning with the horses. When she looked up her eyes widened when she saw Raoul, sword drawn, heading straight for Erik. "Raoul, no!"
Erik didn't have to look back to know what was about to happen. He pushed Christine further into the carriage and spun around side stepping Raoul producing a hidden lasso. He caught him around the throat and pulled it tight causing Raoul to drop the sword and fall to his knees pulling at the rope. "Not in your right mind." Erik said. "Did you think I believed you? I would've been a fool not to be prepared for one last desperate, pathetic attempt at vengeance. My one regret is that I won't be there to see you burn in hell."
"Erik." Christine said before he tightened the lasso further.
"I know what you're going to say Christine. I am not the same man anymore and to let him go. It's over. I want to believe it too but in my heart I know as long as he lives he'll never stop. Prison or not it will be a matter of time before he tries again. I don't doubt he has other, friends, to finish what he started. The only way this will end is with his death."
Christine felt tears coming to her eyes and forced them away as she climbed down from the carriage. "I've had the same thoughts as you. As far as friends you know as well as I do that due to his involvement in Madame Giry's murder they've all severed that connection. More importantly if you kill him you'll be giving him exactly what he wants. He'll die thinking he's proved to me you're the monster I know you're not. Please…"
"You have to see this for what it is." Philippe interrupted breathing heavily and glaring at Raoul. "The act of a coward who would rather die than see the inside of a prison."
"Why is it so important to you that he live if all you're going to do is have him thrown in prison?" Erik asked.
"Simply put, he is my brother. I know he has done horrible, unimaginable, cowardly things but I would rather see him live in prison for the rest of his life than be murdered." Philippe explained. "Meg has told me what a master strategist you are so I am sure it has crossed your mind like it did Christine's that you could kill us both right here. With what Raoul has done the Surete would no doubt believe whatever story you came up with."
"Great…way…to…talk…him…down…" Raoul gasped out from the ground.
"You might want to preserve what air you have left." Philippe said. "Any words you speak will only make the situation worse I can assure you."
"Christine, you're content with letting him walk away after what he just tried to do?" Erik asked resisting the growing urge to tighten the lasso.
"He's not walking away." She reminded him placing a hand on his shoulder hoping to calm him. "He'll be trapped in a cage while we live a happy life. That's why he did this. He wants to die. I know him better than he thinks, to him death is a gift compared to the life he knows is waiting for him when he's turned in."
"After what he's done I would love nothing more than to see Raoul dead but it won't make the pain of what's happened disappear." Meg added holding tightly to Arturo and Cesar's reins. "I killed Anton to avenge Maman, it felt satisfying at the time but it has done nothing to ease the pain I still carry in my heart over her murder. You have a fiancée and a child on the way to think about. A future you never thought you'd have." She glanced back at the house. "The Surete will find all the deaths here justified when Raoul is turned in and they see what you were put through, but if you kill Raoul…" Meg let her words hang in the air.
"You'll lose the life and love you've fought so hard to have." Erik thought knowing it was exactly what Meg was going to say. On the other hand Philippe was right, he could kill them both right here, burn the house and the three of them could disappear with no one being the wiser. At the moment that option seemed appealing but if he murdered Raoul and his brother, who'd been instrumental in saving their lives, he knew Christine would never forgive him no matter how much she loved him. He'd promised her a happy life and loved her far too much to give her anything less. It's what she deserved after everything she'd been through. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt a hand on his cheek. He swallowed hard when he saw tears once again streaming down Christine's cheeks. "Please Erik, this cycle of violence has to end."
Erik looked down at Raoul and knew they were right. His death would do nothing to erase the mixture of emotions he felt and knowing he would be locked in a cage as he'd once been seemed almost poetic. Besides, he already had one man's blood on his hands today, that's where it would end. He bent down and removed the lasso pulling Raoul to his feet. Before he had a chance to try anything more Erik pulled his arms behind his back tying his wrists together. "They're all right. Death is too good for you." He whispered and leaned in closer. "Now you'll know what it feels like to be locked up like an animal." He pushed Raoul toward Philippe.
Raoul struggled for a moment but knew there was no way he was going to escape the binds Erik tied. He looked at Christine. "One day, you'll look back on the day you left me and regret it." He whispered. "He's, still a monster under that mask. If it weren't for you…" He took a breath. "And your tears he would have murdered me and Philippe. Think about that when you look at him and that…that thing you're carrying inside you…will inherit the same…" He never got to finish as he felt the sting of Christine's backhand across his face nearly knocking him back on the ground but Philippe kept him upright.
"I will never regret leaving you! My regret is that I ever married you. I don't want to hear another word about Erik or our child come out of your foul mouth. He isn't a monster and neither is our child." She felt Erik trying to pull her back to him but she continued. "You made him who he was, all of you high society snobs who looked down on him, treated him like a freak and tortured him. The people who said he should be dead for the sheer fact that he looks different. Erik didn't ask to be born with his deformity and since the day he was born he was treated like someone to fear. No one showed him love or compassion..." She paused. "Until Madame Giry. She saved him and showed him there was kindness to be found in the world. The only monster I see here, is you." She looked at Philippe and spoke through gritted teeth. "Get him out of my sight before I kill him myself."
Philippe nodded and before he led Raoul away Erik took back his sword belt placing it and his sword in the carriage before taking Christine in his arms. Philippe took Raoul by the elbow leading him back to his carriage. "You should have let him kill me."
"Always looking for the easy way out." Philippe said shaking his head. "The only reason you are alive is because I swore to mother and father I would look after you."
"And you gave your word to those three…" Raoul noticed Philippe glance back toward where Meg was and tried to laugh but it came out more like a strained cough. "Are you planning to court...?"
"Do not be ridiculous." Philippe interrupted. "Meg and I may have formed a friendship but that is all. I would never court below…"
"Right…Right…" Raoul whispered feeling the weight of what he'd just put his body through rest on his chest making it more difficult to speak. "Your arrogance will be your downfall." He heard in his mind once more. He shook his head as he walked with Philippe. In the end Madame Giry had been right after all he thought to himself as he continued to walk in silence back to Philippe's carriage.
Christine, Erik and Meg watched Philippe lead Raoul away. "Erik." Meg spoke up. "Are you alright to hook up Arturo and Cesar on your own?"
"I can manage." He said taking the reins from her happy to have a task to do to distract him from the rage still burning inside him.
Meg turned around to walk away but felt a hand on her shoulder. "Where are you going?" Christine asked barely above a whisper.
"I'm going to ride with the Comte to the Calais Surete."
"Are you and he…"
Meg couldn't hold back a laugh. "Me and the Comte De Chagny?"
"Well, you did travel together for weeks. It's not completely absurd." Christine said a bit more defensively than she meant. "Sorry, I guess I'm…"
"I understand." Meg said not knowing what was keeping Christine standing at the moment. "While we were together he did admit that traveling with me helped him see people he once thought were below him weren't much different than he is but I know he would never court or marry below his station. Besides…" She glanced toward Philippe who was helping Raoul into the carriage. "He may not have been involved in Maman's murder but I would never allow myself to carry the name of the family that was. I'm riding with him to ensure he keeps up his end of our deal and keep an eye on Raoul. I wanted him dead but knowing he'll rot in prison with only the thoughts of you and Erik together keeping him warm at night is exactly what he deserves. For him it's a fate worse than death."
"It is. I don't think you'll have to worry about Philippe though. He's known for keeping his word no matter what the cost."
"We'll be following you in case this is the time he decides to make an exception." Erik said wrapping an arm around Christine's waist. She leaned back to rest against him and he felt her flinch as her back rested harder on him.
"I'll tell Philippe to wait to leave until you're ready." Meg said and walked away. She had a feeling they needed a moment.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you, again." Erik said.
Christine turned around letting Erik's arms rest on the small of her back. "You don't have to apologize, you were protecting us. After what he's done and what he said to me I wanted to kill him myself but…"
"We can't play his game." Erik finished for her. "Are you ready?"
"Cesar and Arturo are hooked up already?" She asked surprised.
"After all our time on the road it's become second nature to them and me." He said letting go of Christine.
"Wait." She pulled him back around. Now that she knew they would be alone for a while it was time to ask him the question she'd been keeping bottled up. "Are you ok with this?"
"I will be." Erik responded. "Raoul…"
"No. This isn't about him. I need to know how you feel, how you truly feel, about our baby. When we were together in the house earlier you seemed happy about the news but since then, I don't know, something feels…different." She took a deep breath. "I was waiting for the right time to tell you but that's not the only reason I didn't say anything. After hearing you say you weren't sure you wanted to have children I…I was afraid of how you would react. That there was a possibility you wouldn't want our child."
Erik saw Christine fighting to hold back the pool of tears in her eyes but a few escaped trailing down her cheeks. He took her face in his hands and he wiped them away before pulling her close to him. "Oh Christine, you never have to be afraid to tell me anything." He whispered. "And I am overjoyed about our child…"
"But you have fears as well." Christine interrupted.
"Yes, I would assume most men who learn they're going to be a father would but that doesn't mean I don't want our baby." He assured her.
She looked up at him and placed a hand on his mask. "I know impending fatherhood is a lot to process after what's happened but I know that is nothing compared to your fear that our child could inherit your deformity."
"Yes." Erik said letting out a sigh. "I don't want a child of mine to have to walk through the world wearing a mask or have the life I did. I don't want them to be bullied or look in the mirror every day and see a freak looking…"
"You're not a freak. No!" She said when Erik tried to speak. "Our child will never know the life of isolation, hate, and pain that you did. Our child will know unconditional love and acceptance." She sighed. "I wish you could see what I see when I look at you. You are beautiful, inside and out. No matter what our child looks like it will hold a part of your artistic soul and loving heart inside them. In my eyes that makes it the luckiest child in this world." She wiped away a stray tear from Erik's cheek and took one of his hands placing it where their child was growing inside her. "This is a time to celebrate, not worry about things we have no control over."
Erik was rendered speechless as he felt the small bump where the life he and Christine created was growing. "That's our…our child…I'm going to be a father." He said in faraway voice and instantly felt his heart fill with unending love for their child. "You have given me so much Christine. I have a life I never thought I would have and now, we're going to have a baby. We're going to be a family."
Christine nodded letting happy tears fall down her cheeks. "Yes, yes we are." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.
"I think it's time to leave this place behind." He said as they parted and glanced at Philippe in the driver's seat of his carriage waiting for them.
"What about the house?" Christine asked.
"What about it?"
"Before we walked in you said you wanted to turn it to ashes. That knowing it's gone would allow you to lay your past to rest."
Erik looked at the house that held not only the memories of his childhood but the torture they each endured within its deteriorating walls. "With what happened here after we bring Raoul to the Surete they will want to come out here to investigate and see the scene for themselves."
"We can tell them that in the ensuing chaos a candle or lamp was knocked over onto clothing and a blaze started. They'll still come to investigate and Raoul may try to correct the story but if he does he'll have to admit he attempted to kidnap me. I don't see an issue with burning it down if it will give you peace."
Erik thought over Christine's proposal staring at the house behind them. "No, it will be easier for the Surete to investigate if it remains the way it is." He paused. "I don't think I need to see this house burn in order to lay those memories to rest anymore. As horrible as they are, they helped shape me into the man I am." He looked down into Christine's chocolate eyes pulling her as close to him as he could. "Everything we've endured in life has brought us to this moment and standing here with you now I wouldn't change one moment."
"Neither would I." Christine agreed.
"I'm ready to move forward and have the happy life no one thought I deserved to have, with you and when it is born, our child at my side." As he spoke he knew the days of being haunted by his past were over.
"I think it's time we head for those happy days then."
Erik stroked Christine's cheek and smiled. "I couldn't agree more." He gave her a peck on the lips and helped her into the driver's seat of the carriage. After checking to make sure they were leaving nothing they needed behind he joined her. The sun was setting as he whipped the reins with Philippe following suit leading them away from the house.
They followed Philippe in silence grazing on some of the food Meg brought them while they rode. Christine stifled a yawn as she tried to keep her mind on anything other than what they were leaving behind. She put her hand on her stomach when she thought she felt a slight flutter and smiled. Her thoughts drifted to their child and what it would be like. She rested her head on Erik's shoulder feeling her eye's growing heavy. She felt Erik's arm snake around her waist covering her hand with his. "You know we don't only have our child to look forward to."
"Oh." Erik said wondering if they had been having the same thoughts.
"I know this is going to sound old fashioned…"
"You'd like to be married before our child is born." Erik finished with a grin. "I was thinking about that myself."
"I thought you might be." Christine said holding back another yawn. "We have a lot to plan and figure out."
"All in good time Ma Cherie." Erik said giving Christine a small squeeze. She began to talk about their wedding and how she pictured the day. Erik listened thinking about a few ideas of his own that he knew Christine would adore but decided to keep them to himself, for now. As they got closer to the city he noticed Christine had grown quiet and smiled when he looked down to see she'd fallen asleep. I'm not surprised after everything we've been through. Erik thought and was surprised when he didn't feel the rage he thought he would return. Instead he felt like a weight he'd carried since childhood had been lifted from his shoulders and replaced by more joy than he ever thought possible. He began to hum and felt the familiar call of their music. He rubbed the small baby bump as he softly began to sing. "Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently our senses abandon their defenses. Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor. We'll grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender. No longer turned away from the beauty of day. We'll bask in its warm embracing light. We've rekindled our music of the night. Close your eyes and surrender to our fondest dreams. Purge our thoughts of the lives we knew before. Close our eyes, let our spirits start to soar. Now we'll live as we've never lived before. Softly, gently, music shall caress us. Hear it, feel it, secretly protect us. Open up our minds, let our fantasies unwind. In this happiness we know we cannot fight. We've rekindled our music of the night. Let our minds start a journey to a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of this life we knew before. Let our souls take us where we long to be. Only then can we be truly free. Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation. Let our dream begin, let our loving side give in to the power of the music that we write. We've rekindled our music of the night."
Author Note – I know a lot of you wanted Raoul to be killed for what he did but I honestly thought death was too good for him and in the end predictable. To me having to live life knowing Christine and Erik are out in the world free to be happy is much worse.
ATTN Readers - This chapter might seem like this is the end of our journey together, it's NOT. :) I am sad to say we are close to the end but it is NOT the end, yet. Please stick with me there is still more to come in Erik and Christine's journey. :-)
