Gentle lips press to my forehead, waking me from my deep slumber. I can feel the warmth of a body next to me encasing me. I groan softly, wishing I could go back to sleep. I let my eyes slowly flutter open to see Erik's wonderful smile. The events of the past day soon come back to me; his deadly screaming from a nightmare I know nothing about, his proposal. I bring my left hand up into the soft candlelight to make sure it was all real. His lips brush against my hand softly.
"Good morning mon amour…" his baritone voice purring as he pulls me closer into his body. "Did my sweet sleep well?" I nod my head sleepily.
"Yes I did…" I once again check my left hand, almost in disbelief that last night was real.
"Don't worry mon amour, it's not a dream…" Not even married and he's already reading my mind… I curl into his bare chest, letting his fingers brush over my messy mane as his lips softly brush over mine. "Why don't you go and wash up; then we can tell everyone the wonderful news of our engagement." Engagement; a word I thought I would never hear, at least about me that is. I always knew Lukas would be married, Conner too. My heart leaped in my chest at his words.
"Just a few more minutes' mon amoureaux… I'm so comfortable and warm next to you…" His soft laughter rang in my ears as he pulled me tighter to him.
"We haven't all day mon amour, you need to change, preferably something nice…" My mind flashed back even further; I sold everything I owned; including my dresses. I rolled away from him.
"My tan dress will have to do then." I felt him sit up and lean over me.
"How about the violet one I got you. It brings out your hair wonderfully." Tears were on the verge of spilling onto his crimson sheets.
"I don't have it anymore…" I softly murmur.
"Come again?" I sigh deeply and close my eyes. I can't bear to see the look on his face when I tell him.
"I do not have it anymore." I could hear his breath hitch as he loomed over me.
"And pray tell why not?" I roll onto my stomach, the silky sheets grazing over my scars.
"I sold them. I sold everything I had to try and save you and Lukas and Conner. All I own is the nightgown and my tan dress. My dresses, my flute, my necklace are now all gone…" I finally let myself breath. If Erik was angry I couldn't tell. He just continued to loom over me like an apparition, then soon floated away. I was alone in the now dark bedroom with nothing to comfort me but my tears. Surly he is going to leave; he will come back and pull this ring off my finger and throw me back to the streets where a rat like me belongs. I let the darkness lull me back to sleep; the sound of the door waking me from my nap. Please don't kick me out…
"Belle..." His voice was flat, making my insides hurt and my body flinch. I keep my head down as I push myself from the bed, wrapping my bare chest with the sheet.
"Don't worry, I was just leaving anyway…" I pull the ring from my finger and set on the nightstand. Tears fell onto the pillow. My voice stopped working and my body refused to move. All I could do was keep my back to him and the sheet pressed to me as I cried quietly. I didn't hear his footsteps as they crossed the room. All I could hear was the deafening quiet of my sobs. A hand brushed against my back, making me flinch like a child afraid of being whipped.
"Why did you do that? You know I could have paid for everything a thousand times over." Somehow I managed to choke out my words.
"How could I… ask you for money…? They were my brothers…I am their sister… I am supposed to care for them at all costs…" His hand ran up my back, curling over my shoulder. His strong, large hands easily reached over my shoulder to encompass it. His weight shifted the mattress as he sat, making my body fall back to his. His arm reaches around me and pulls my back flat to his bare chest. A hand lifts mine and replaces the ring back to my finger, gentle lips pressing to the top of my shoulder.
"We shall return to town and gather the things you sold. But you will never do something like this again." I simply nodded my head and let it rest on his chest. "Now let's get you cleaned up and dressed. I think I overheard something about the opera house putting on a new production." Neither one of us moves but lets the other think in the moment. I finally break the silent trans between us and look into his ice blue eyes. I pull his head to mine and lay a kiss on his lips, praying that he wouldn't be angry at me. He didn't smile, nor did he reject my kiss, but simply stood and walked to the bathtub behind the screen; letting the hiss of the water echo in the bedroom. I quickly throw on his red shirt and walk to the dresser; I grab my brush and make quick work of the tangled mess of my hair. I never looked at myself in the mirror; I couldn't bring myself to and made an effort to focus only on my hair. Soon the hiss of the water squeaked to an end as Erik eased into the steamy water, his soft sigh breaking my heart. I pull out my chemise and dress, slowly buttoning the back of the dress. It was not the prettiest thing; it was honestly awful in my opinion. It was a true peasant girl's dress. It lay just above the floor; the hem permanently stained with mud and other disgusting sentiments from wandering the streets of Paris. There was no pattern, no design, no figure, just a tan dress looking like it was cut from sackcloth. The buttons on the back were miss-matched from things I found on the streets. One was black, another green, one blue. There was no white trim on the collar or the elbow length sleeves. I pulled my hair back into my typical bun, Erik's black ribbon keeping my hair up. I hear the water begin to drain, my queue to disappear. I left Erik to change while I made my way up to the surface. The land bridge was lonely and the cool morning air soaked every bone in my body but could never be as cold as Erik's voice when I told him what I did. Soon I had arrived at the entrance to the opera house; I pull the rope to counteract the weight holding the sliding door. I was now below the orchestra in one of the prop rooms as the business of the Opera Garner was in full swing. Men were barking orders as Madame was using her cane to keep time as the ballerinas were stretching. I walk out from the storage room and made my way on stage.
"Mademoiselle! I'm glad you are here!" I heard Leroux call out. I feel a hand take me by the arm and pull me across the stage.
"Ah there she is!" Badeaux calls back, his suspenders nearly stretched out. "Attention! Attention everyone!" the workers of the stage either can't hear his cries or choose to ignore them. Several taps of a silver tipped cane echo through the performance hall, bringing all movement to a halt. Both managers steal a curious look at Madame before taking advantage of the silence. Even the great Christine de Chagny graces us with her angelic presence. "Now that we have your attention I have a little announcement to make. You all remember how well our little stagehand did in her last performance." A small applause rings through the air.
"Yes we do!" Leroux states, his hands clapping wildly. "Now she shall be a permanent feature in the ballet corps! With the help of Madame, you shall shine!" I look over at Madame who has a soft, assuring smile while Meg was about to burst with excitement.
"Don't forget the best part my friend." Badeaux called out as he stepped forward. "The requests for Ms. Um… what is your last name mon cher?"
"Winner" All heads turned to me. I was not going to hide behind a French façade any longer. It was my real last name and that is how it was to be, until the wedding of course.
"Right… The people have fallen in love with your dancing, and with Madame de Chagny's singing, but want to know which it better, the voice of an angel of the dancing of one." Eyes were torn between Christine and myself. I got lucky the first time; but now it's going to be an all-out war between the diva and I. To her fans she is a soft and tender woman; to Erik and I she is a witch.
"And when, pray tell, were you going to inform me of this decision…" Erik's baritone voice booms in the performance hall. People begin to cower in fear of the phantom. No one knew where his voice was coming from; unless you knew where to look. I spotted the flutter of his cape among the cat walks just to the right of the stage. In all the stage there were only 4 people who did not flinch in fear at this fiasco; Madame, Meg, myself and Christine. Just as quickly as he came, he was gone. A piece of parchment flipped about as it came to a halt on the stage at the manager's feet. Neither one dare to touch it as we stand dead center on the now empty stage. I reach out at pick up his letter and break the wax skull seal.

My dear managers,

When exactly did you plan to tell me about this unearthly scheme of yours?! I shall be waiting in your office to discuss this matter further with Madame de Chagny and Belle. Be warned that I am not happy in the least bit about this development.

I remain your obedient servant,
O.G.

I handed Badeaux and Leroux the letter, their eyes wide with fear as their hands shook, nearly ripping the delicate parchment. Leroux called out to Christine to meet them in the office in five minute's time. The soft whimper of a baby pulled everyone's attention as Raoul walked on stage with the babe in his arms.
"Christine please? I can't make him stop." The doting mother swooped the child in her arms and began to sing a soft lullaby. I watched the young mother rock her child as she sang and for once I saw her more delicate side; the side Erik probably fell in love with. One of the managers pulls me by the arm and off to their office. The walk to the office was quick and silent as they exchanged helpless looks to each other. They both push me into the office and lock the door behind them.
"Do you really think a locked door can keep me out?" Erik steps from the shadows slowly, I had almost forgotten just how intimidating and frightening he could be when he tried.
"We…well…" Badeaux stammered, fiddling with the pen in his hand. Erik just rolled his eyes as he threw down a leather bound score.
"This was to be your next work; the story of a masked man and his trek across Persia but I guess I will write you another one to, accommodate your ploy." A small knock came to the door.
"Go open the door girl." I gave a short curtsy to Badeaux and did as I was told; must to the dismay of Erik, who snatched his pen and broke it with one hand, ink staining his glove. Christine was at the door; the babe in her arms as I let her in. She shot daggers at me until I announced her properly.
"Madame de Chagny for you Messieurs." Her head returned to his highly held position as she continued to rock the child.
"What is the meaning of this meeting good messieurs?"
"Well Madame, it's quite simple really. Your adoring public has fallen in love with the dancing of Mademoiselle Belle, and we wish to showcase each of you in a competition like opera. Mademoiselle, you do sing oiu?" All eyes were now turned to me.
"Yes she does sing most beautifully…" Christine's eyes were wide almost like a child at Christmas at Erik's voice.
"I see you have a new apprentice… am I, your glittering angel so easily replaced by a street rat?" Both stubborn mules stared each other down and refused to yield. As Christine stood still, the baby began to cry out again, begging to be rocked. "He has your eyes you know, ice blue eyes…" Erik paled, the managers gasped, and I ducked out the office to throw up. I found an empty trash can and made full use of it. He couldn't have… the baby isn't that old is it…? My stomach convulsed again at the thought. I stayed outside the office, I couldn't bring myself to face any of them.
"So it's settled then; Monsieur Fantome will write what we have discussed and have it ready by the end of the week to start rehearsal." Not another word was spoken when a pair of heels clicked across the floor. I quickly made myself scarce as the diva paraded past me, the babe trying to babble words. Like the wind she was here and gone in an instant. Her aromatic perfume made me gag and hurl one more. How could he betray me…? How could he…
"Mademoiselle, if you will come in here please…" I wipe my mouth with my sleeve and drag myself into the manager's office. "Shut the door behind you please mamselle." I oblige them and stand with my head down at my boots.
"What part do you sing mamselle?" the manager's voices are as lifeless as my soul.
"Soprano I think."
"You think?" I shrugged my shoulders. I never sang professionally before. I knew my range and while I could sing most of what Christine can, I could never soar as high as her. "Very well, Monsieur Fantome will write your part accordingly, won't you, monsieur?" I didn't expect Erik to still be in the room. All I could hear was a feral growl and the mumble of choice words before taking me by the hand.
"If you will excuse us, we have an opera to write." His voice was darker than I remember. I let him lead me out of the office before I try to pull out of his grip. He grips my wrist tighter as I pull, threatening to break it if I continued. "You are going to listen to what I have to say." He walked us to his box and locked the door behind him. By now my temper had begun to rage and soar. The stage was empty, not another soul in sight.
"Erik Destler you better tell me what the HELL is going on or" my soliloquy was silenced by his lips pressing to mine. I wanted to stay mad at him, I wanted to be furious with his secrecy and lies but his kiss made everything melt away. I still needed answers; he wasn't getting away with this so easily. I pushed him away "Tell me right now; once and for all. Is that baby yours?"
"I am not sure." A thousand pounds pressed to my shoulders at his words.
"So you did sleep with her, didn't you?" He refused to answer my question, which confirmed my suspicion. "I want an answer Erik; did you sleep with that woman?! YES OR NO!" I screamed with all I had
"YES I DID!" his voice rattled the crystals on the magnificent chandelier. "I slept with her, one night, nothing more. The night before she was to be married she found me. We were two broken people caught in the heat of the moment." With each word you could hear my heart cracking and breaking.
"How could you not know if that is your little bastard or not?! She said he had blue eyes just like you!"
"I have not seen the child; how do we know she isn't lying" I was in no mood to hear is petty excuses. I pushed him aside and went to the door.
"Unlock this door Erik, I want to leave. Now…" He didn't move, but sank into his chair sobbing. I beat against the door until my eyes were flooded with tears. Thunder began to loom over the opera house, fueling my rage and anger. He lied to me; he didn't tell me he actually slept with her… I pressed my head to the door and sank to my knees, ripping my dress. I could hear that damned child's infernal cry ringing in my ears and seemed to grow louder and louder.
"Shhhh… Gustave please… not now my child…" I lifted my head up. Erik was still sobbing in his chair, his mask hanging off the arm of the chair. The child seemed to obey his mother's wish, for he soon quieted down and began to softly coo. I hear a second set of steps and the baby begin to giggle even more, babbling as the word 'papa' was clearly said.
"That's right! Papa!" I have never heard Raoul so happy. Even Christine was in a happy mood.
"Yes little Gustave, that is your papa! Oh Raoul every day he grows more like you. Even his hazel eyes belong to you…" HAZEL! NOT BLUE! I begin to cry out again, sending two sets of footprints running. I leaned against the door once again, my mind a mess of emotions; confusion, anger, hate, betrayal, dismay… my head was beginning to pound and my stomach convulsing. All I want now is Erik's arms, his strong warm arms…
"I'm sorry…" is all I can squeak out, the pain in my head blinding my vision. Even the sound of his silent footsteps make my head throb even more. Tear drops patter on my back, nearly soaking my dress as hands wrap around me.
"Please forgive Erik… please… Erik begs of his Belle…"
"Help me…please…" Tears are pouring from my eyes as my head pounds with the rolling thunder outside, then soon the pain takes me over, leaving my body limp.