Weeks had passed, and the press couldn't get enough of the latest talent at Phantasma.
Sally added a humor into her act which highlighted her vocals and comedic timing. She never wanted to take herself too seriously, especially when Christine was clearly the vocal headliner. She would joke that comedy allowed her to have some way to stand out.
Headlines were circulating every day about Mr. Y landing his newest songbird, the "Soprano of the Century", Christine Daae. Yet the press' praise was not good enough for Christine. She and Erik worked tirelessly to ensure she was able to sustain performance after performance properly and not strain her vocals.
Erik would say, "There are techniques you will need to master. It's been a long time since we required so much of your voice.
Christine was a loyal student, but she was also a mother and she worked hard to make sure that Gustave never felt abandoned. Fortunately, her son loved the park and Erik's idea of having him work in various areas proved to not only keep Gustave interested and engaged but it allowed her to not feel too guilty, nor did it make Gustave feel as if he was getting in the way. Whenever Gustave was able to accompany his mother on the piano during a rehearsal, they both jumped at the chance and treasured how the music was so very much a part of them both.
As far as couple time for Erik and Christine was concerned, they had their morning rides in the stables and neither could resist a few duets followed by tender, romantic kisses throughout the day. Yet since their feverish exchange in Christine's dressing room, both were mindful to not overstep their boundaries. It was easier to be cautious, as opposed to letting themselves get carried away, for fear they wouldn't be able to stop.
One afternoon, Erik was at his desk reviewing the contracts he had drawn up for Molly and Sally. He had plans to speak with both today to finalize their arrangements. As he signed them, he thought of Christine.
What I wouldn't give to have her sing here for me, always. Yet she is too glorious to stay only here at Coney Island. I could give her the world. We could travel and perform at any opera house she wished if only she would say the word. He then ran his fingers through his hair. Yet she has to want it. She wants to perform for Oscar Hammerstein, so she can do without anyone if she had to. Do without me….
"Oh Christine, my world is at your command…Why can't that be enough? If you worked for Oscar where would that leave us? You wouldn't need a freak, park owner in a mask, would you?" He stood up.
"Don't be selfish, you bastard. This is about her and Gustave. It's important to her. I can only trust that when she is given the choice, there is still a place for me." He then sat down and started to sign the girls' contracts.
Knock, Knock
"Come in?"
"Sir, I went to retrieve your mail."
Erik looked up at Dr. Gangle. "You know you can call me Erik when we are alone."
Gangle nodded. "I know, Sir."
Erik rolled his eyes. "Anything from our friend?"
"No, Sir. Meg has not sent a reply today or any other day." He then sat down. "You already knew that."
Erik slammed his hand on his desk. "Damn that child!"
"Sir, perhaps it is better this way? You don't have to contend with the Vicomte returning and complicating things with Madame Daae." He gave Erik a nod.
"But why must Meg keep paying the price?"
"It is her doing, Sir." Gangle looked at Erik's demeanor and knew something was wrong. "Is there something else on your mind?"
Erik nodded. "Christine is ready. She could have her pick of offers."
"So, you will be writing her a sizeable contract?" He asked hopefully.
"I would if I thought I could give her what she needed. But thanks to the press, I know she will be in high demand and rightly so."
He stood up as if on cue. "What would you like me to do?"
"Send a telegram to Hammerstein. Tell Oscar, it's time he grants an audience with Ms. Christine Daae."
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Christine was looking for her Erik all day. When Squelch had told her he was in meetings, she couldn't help but show her disappointment. However, she made Squelch promise to give him a note asking to meet her as soon as Erik was finished. However as soon as Christine went to the stables, he was already there waiting for her.
"I wanted to get here first!" She pouted. "I was trying to get your attention all day, but you were wrapped up in meetings. Squelch looked like I was asking for his first born, when I made him promise to give you my note. Now, just when I think I can surprise you, you're here." She giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "Mask, Mr. Y." She motioned for him to remove it and when he hesitated, she gave him a look. "It's just us, remember?"
He nodded and took it off, but the smile he gave her seemed forced.
"Are you alright?" She placed the basket down.
"Yes…. Just tired."
She knew there was more to it, but she pulled out the blanket that was in the basket and laid it on top of the hay. She then pulled out two soda pops and motioned for him to come and sit by her. He immediately went to her side and opened the bottles for them, handing one back to her.
"Erik?"
"Yes?"
"I know something is wrong. Is it Meg?"
Erik shrugged. "No. I mean she still hasn't replied but that is to be expected, I suppose."
"Then what is it?"
"I'm being ridiculous." He huffed.
"Only if you don't tell me what's troubling you and ruin our afternoon."
He took her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry, I don't wish to do that. You have no idea how I wanted to scream at Squelch for waiting to give me your note. As soon as I received it, I hurried over and…."
"Then why are you so despondent?"
"I gave Molly and Sally their contracts this afternoon."
She nodded and then gasped his hand. "Did they turn you down, because I can't imagine why they would do such a thing? They love it here and they…."
"Christine, they didn't turn me down. They accepted with tremendous enthusiasm." He touched his ear, remember how loudly they both screamed with excitement. "They were only too happy to accept."
"Then what's the problem?"
He took a sip of his soda pop and then looked inside the basket for any distraction he could find. "What did you bring for…?"
Christine gently pulled him away from the basket and coaxed him to look at her. "Erik…."
He sighed. "I wanted to write one for you! There are you happy? I said it and you know what a selfish, bastard I am, alright?"
"Why would I think that?"
"Because I know you want to sing for Oscar. You want to know you have security on your own, even though I can't imagine the thought of us not seeing one another every day…. I know I said I would let you go but how can you ask that of me now? Now that we are so close and …"
"Angel calm down. I am not asking you to let me go. I love you. Why would I want that?"
"But if you work for Oscar, I'll never see you! You'll be in the city and then you will travel and…."
"Why couldn't you be with me?"
He stopped and looked at her as if she silently grew a third eye. "Christine, Hammerstein's people will expect you to work for them exclusively and they will have their own people to train and …"
"Stop."
"I'm serious they will expect you to rehearse with them and…."
"Stop talking."
"But it's true. I know how he works. I would expect the same thing and…."
"God you're insufferable at times!" She then kissed him to make him stop his carrying on and listen to her. Yet the kiss may have been for other reasons too, as they both responded with equal vigor. After another kiss or two, she gently pulled away. "May I speak, now?"
He nodded, as he wasn't sure what else to do in that moment.
"Erik, I love you. I want you. My wanting something for myself, doesn't disregard my feelings for you."
"But I'll never see you or Gustave…."
"Sh...Sh." She placed her finger on his lips. "I'm still talking." She kissed him once more, simply because she wanted to and then she placed her finger right back to his lips. "Oscar Hammerstein may not even want me. I must audition first. I know it sounds crazy for you to think otherwise, but not everyone thinks I am as good as you think I am."
Erik brought her hand down. "Angel, you are music. The press loves you. The audience loves you. Oscar will love you. His passion for Opera is well known. He will want to capitalize on such a discovery."
"Well maybe he should understand that I do not need to be discovered. I have taken lessons with a great tutor in France at the Paris Opera House. I was his protégée and under him, I was the staring Soprano…"
"Until the night of the Opera House fire when…."
"You dare interrupt La Daae!" She said it in her best vocal impression of Carlotta and Erik couldn't help but laugh hysterically.
"I am sorry, but you dare laugh, Monsieur?" She grabbed the lapels of his jacket. "I have ways of keeping you silent. Do you wish to see them?"
He shook his head in awe. "Forgive me, my diva." He kissed her fingertips. "But I do wish to see them." He grinned at her.
"First, you must trust me when I tell you that you will always be with me. Do you believe me?"
He couldn't shy away from his facial expression now that he was without the mask. He was vulnerable and raw and didn't trust this voice not to choke on him, so he simply nodded, but a tear fell down his cheek.
"Erik, you may not be my employer, but you are my maestro. So, enough of this talk that you will never see me or Gustave. We have a lot to sort out, but we will be together in the end. We did not go through 10 years apart to simply mess things up again. And Oscar or whomever, will need to realize that. Are we clear?"
She pressed up against him and his mouth went dry.
"We… ER…. We are clear, angel."
"Good. Now shut up and kiss me."
