Christine dans Deux

An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story

Nyasia A. Maire

© 2006

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Seventeen – Breakfast in Bed

We quickly make our way through the back streets and alleys to the Paris Opera House and enter through the transom window we had exited. With Erik in the lead, Madame in the middle and me walking in the rear, we quickly make our way to Madame's room. Erik unlocks and opens the door. He steps back to allow us ladies to enter first then enters the room quietly closing the door behind him.

Madame walking to her bed stands there gazing down at the sleeping Trystin.

"Her face is so difficult for me to read." I think to Erik.

"It will come to you in time. It was the same for me."

"I believe it is time for us to unmask ourselves for Madame, dearest."

"Indeed, ma chére cœur."

I move to the settee. I remove my cloak and drape it over the back of the settee. Then shed my weapons and store them away. I still have my two throwing knives hidden in my boots, but other than that I appear to be simply a woman. I sit on the settee and watch Erik. He has already returned the sword and dagger to the bag. He unties his cape and drapes it over mine. I look up into his eyes and silently ask a question. I smile and gently my hand reaches up and removes the mask from his face. I stand and place the mask down on the dresser with my jewelry. Then Erik takes my hand and we walk to Madame who is deep in thought gazing at the sleeping Trystin.

"Don't startle her." I think.

"How can we not?"

We stand about five feet away from her. Erik and I wrap an arm about each other's waist. I lean into him. My head rests comfortably against his chest. Erik clears his throat quietly. Roused from her thoughts, Madame starts slightly and turns to face us.

At first she seems not to notice Erik's (or my) transformation. Perhaps her reaction delayed by shock. Perhaps by joy. Then her hand flies to her mouth and she runs to us. She whispers rapidly in French and as I don't know that much French, I just stand there smiling and shaking my head. Erik attempts to interject a comment here, a syllable there without much success, so he stops and waits for her to finish. When she at last regains her composure, she takes each of us by the hand. She pauses for a moment to look down at my hand when she feels my ring. She leads us out of the room and into the corridor. She quietly closes the door and then turns to us.

"How did this happen?"

I can see she wants to touch Erik's face, but is afraid he will be angry. I tell Erik and he responds by gently taking her hand in his and touching it to his face. Her hand caresses the areas of his once-marred face. She then takes both her hands and begins an inspection of his hair.

"I cannot believe this. This is truly a miracle. This is how I have come to see you over the years, Erik. And, now, it is you!" She gushes and grabs him in a happy hug.

She stops as she notices me.

"Where is your cane?"

I wave a tired hand in the air and say, "Just a small bit of magic! Come! Let us go inside. Erik, you tell her our tale. I am too tired."

He glances at me with concern, but I shake my head.

"No, my dearest, do not worry. I am fine, just tired."

He scoops me up into his arms and the three of us go back inside. Erik sits on the settee and I lie down with my head resting on his thigh. He pulls his cloak from the back of the settee and covers me with it. I sigh. Madame sits in her rocking chair looking at the two of us. And suddenly I understand the look on her face. It is motherly love. She is looking at us as if we were her beloved children. I smile. I fall into a blissful and exhausted sleep my lullaby, the sound of Erik's voice telling our tale to Madame.

Erik gently shakes me awake.

"Morning already?"

"No, ma chére cœur. Still plenty of night left."

I sit up. "What's up?"

He looks up and then at me confused.

"I mean, you wish to tell me something?" I smile.

"Ah, yes, well, Madame has a suggestion."

"I thought it might be nicer for the two of you, you know, more comfortable, if you spent the night at Erik's place. I will watch over your daughter and bring her to you in the morning. You both need some sleep, so I suggest you sleep tonight. Yes?"

I see her gaze turns mostly to Erik, but I am included as well. Erik attempts a hang dog expression, but cannot maintain it for long. He grins sheepishly at her.

"Yes, Madame. We will sleep. I, too, am tired. We both have had perhaps two or three hours of sleep since this whole affair began."

"Exactly. Now, behave as the gentleman I brought you up to be and escort your lady home. I will see you in the morning."

We nod our agreement. I take a few pieces of clothing as well as a nightgown from the carry-on and turn to Erik.

"Ready."

He once again scoops me up into his arms. I protest quietly.

"I can walk, you know."

"Yes, you can, but I can also carry you. I know these corridors better than anyone else does and I am not blind. You, ma chére cœur, are very tired."

"Very well, my love! I defer to your years of experience. This time."

"Good night, Madame." We speak softly.

"Good night, my children."

With those words, Erik is off. With a speed that never ceases to amaze me, he heads downwards through the corridors and winding passageways. Down to the place he has called home for many years. I must have fallen asleep in his arms as I awaken to find he has removed my clothes and is lifting me to pull my nightgown over my head.

"Here, let me."

He hands the garment to me and I slip it on. I pull the gown down over my body as I slip beneath the blankets and back into unconsciousness. My dreams are blissful ones of Erik and me making love. I awake to find him asleep next to me. I snuggle closer to him and use his chest as my pillow. Again, I sleep. And again, I dream of my dearest Erik.

When once more I awaken, I find my body hot and I am writhing with desire. My body thrashing with need. My aching breasts are taut. My nipples stand rigid. My chest is burning. There is an emptiness that desperately requires filling. I sense Erik is awake. It is he who has stoked the fires of my lust. Realizing that I am fully awake, he dips a finger into the empty, aching place and finds it hot and wet. I am ready. He leans over me. His kisses begin at my neck and then travel slowly down. I gasp as he takes my nipple in his mouth and gently suckles it. His hands caress and gently knead the roundness of my flesh. His lips travel back up my neck and I turn to him. His mouth takes mine. Our mouths mesh and open. Our tongues seek and entwine. I reach out and let my hands explore his body. One of Erik's hands holds the back of my head. He pushes my mouth to his. He runs his tongue along my bottom lip. I pull him on top of me and wrap my legs around his waist. We continue kissing and soon are hips are rocking, bumping and grinding against one another. I groan. Erik moans. I reach down and guide him to the point of no return. He plunges into me and I cry out with the absolute pleasure of him being within me. Our bodies rock in the rhythm of love. Slowly at first, but quickly our speed builds as we race to the crescendo. And then, there it is. His body filling mine and my body accepting all he has to give. The sounds of our lovemaking join as a duet of passion, which slowly fades. Our bodies lie twitching in the aftermath of our passion. Spent (at least for the moment) and full.

"I love you, Christine."

"I love you, Erik."

There is wonder in our voices as we say those words to one another. Each of us knew in our secret heart of hearts that love existed, but as the years passed, Erik had given up hoping for love and I had made do. And now, here we are and here it is. I know I will never ever take it as granted, but strive to be worthy of it. Best of all, I know for certain Erik will do the same.

"Behold! The dreamer awakes." I murmur.

"What?" Erik mumbles.

"I cannot remember who wrote that or what they were writing about, but that is how I feel. I never wish to be asleep that way again."

He draws me into his arms and for the first time in my life, I feel completely safe and as cared for as I care. Together, we drift off to sleep again and float with one another. Together we travel slowly at first, but soon we gather speed and then we are flying through a starry sky … two bodies entwined, two hearts, two minds, one love.

And we fall to earth in an explosion of small arms and legs.

"What?" I cry groggily.

We come awake to the joyous sound of Trystin's giggling. She is climbing over me trying to wiggle her way into the tight space between us. Erik grabs the sheet and makes sure his nakedness is covered. Trystin has seen my nakedness many times and I feel no such concern until I hear Madame's voice coming from the steps leading to our bedchamber. I grab for my gown and quickly pull it over my head and thrust my arms through the sleeves. I pull it down and smooth it. Then grab the wriggling child and begin to tickle her in earnest. Erik leans over the side of the bed and scoops up his white ruffled shirt, throws it on and then joins in with our fun.

"Children!" A voice shouts.

The three of us freeze and look in the direction of the voice. It is Madame. She stands at the foot of our bed with her hands on her hips. Seeing she has our attention, she stands shaking her head at us, but I can see she is biting her lower lip to keep from laughing.

"Really, Erik, this is hardly proper behavior. The child should not see such things."

"Better this than fighting or … well, you know, the other." And he smiles at me.

I return his smile and take the squirming bundle of girl into my arms and shower kisses upon her upturned face.

"I can't think of a better thing to teach my child. That while we love each other, we have more than enough room in our hearts for her too. I love you, T."

"I love you too, mom. And Erik, I love you." She says seriously.

He gazes at her little face and sees that she expects an answer.

"And Trystin, I love you." He leans over and kisses her gently on the nose.

"Eek!" Her cry is feigned and she wipes frantically at her nose. "Acid kisses! Oh no! Acid kisses!"

I laugh, familiar with this particular silliness. However, Erik, not familiar, draws back his smile faltering. I notice his reaction and whisper to Trystin.

"He doesn't know that you're kidding and you've hurt his feelings. Better do something to make it better. Quick!" I nudge her.

She looks at Erik and sees the hurt confusion in his eyes. I see a light too old for seven come into her eyes.

"Erik, I'm sorry. I'm just teasing. I always tell my mom she has acid kisses because they eat me up with love. I was just saying that your kisses are just like my mom's."

He blinks and his mouth works silently.

As only Erik can move, he swiftly lifts her from my arms and cradles her in his. He rains kisses on the upturned face. The giggling and laughing continues. Yet another moment I place in my secret place to keep and treasure always.

"Excuse me, but we brought the two of you breakfast. Would you like to eat something or do you plan to stay in bed all day?" Inquires Madame.

"Breakfast in bed?" I ask everyone.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Trystin sings.

"Breakfast in bed?" It is a question from Erik, then he says, "Yes, why not? Breakfast in bed!"

"Well, I am not going to be a part of such goings on. Erik, I will be in my room when you and Christine wish to come up. I have a matter I would like to discuss with you."

"Very well. We will be up in an hour or two."

She disappears down the stairs.

"So, T, what is for breakfast?"

"We brought a basket with fruits and bread. There's marmalade and butter and Madame put a jug of coffee in too. But, she wouldn't let me have any. You know, mom, I like her. She's really special."

"Yes, she is." I agree. "Now, how about you lead the way to that basket?"

Erik sits up and says, "Well, if you ladies will turn your backs for a moment so I can make myself decent, I will fetch the basket while you ladies rest your dainty limbs."

Trystin giggles and turns her head away. I place my hand over her eyes and I do not turn away. I watch and thoroughly enjoy the view. He clambers out of bed and takes his pants from the floor and pulls them on. He loosely ties his shirt closed. Then with a wink at me, he descends the stairs to retrieve the basket. I release my hold on Trystin's eyes. She turns to me.

"Will I ever find my Erik?"

"I pray you do, sweetheart. I pray he finds you."

She throws her dainty arms about my neck and hugs me tightly.

"You're choking me! Loosen up, T! Really!!!" Her grip loosens.

"At least you know it's possible. Most people don't."

She considers this for a moment and then nods her head.

"Are we going to live here? Where will I go to school? I have to go to school?"

"I know you do, sweetheart. We will figure it out together all three of us."

I place my hand under her chin and gently turn her head to me.

"Remember, we still have to help Christine. Then we won't have anything else to think about but us being a family … and, yes, school is part of being a family. We will take care to it and you, my little dear." I beep her nose just as Erik returns with the basket.

"My Ladies, Breakfast is served!"

"Huzzah! I'm famished!"

"Yeah! I'm starving!!!"

Erik sets the basket on the table next to the music box. Opens the lid and withdraws a linen sheet. He spreads it on the bed in front of us, gently smoothing the edges. Then, he returns to the basket and delivers to us of its bounty. Placing the last of the bowls and plates on the makeshift table, Erik walks around the bed and sits on the edge near me. I turn to him.

"Yes?"

"Oh, nothing. It can wait." He says with lips and then adds within my mind. "When Trystin isn't around. I would like to ask you something."

I think back to him as I take a bite from an apple, "You can ask whatever you like. She can't hear us."

"Perhaps not, but I feel she may sense us speaking. And, after all, she is your daughter she may be able to hear us and simply has not told us yet."

"True. Well, then until later."

Then I speak to him aloud, "Erik, what would you like to eat?"

We eat and drink our fill. Trystin gets a tall glass of water and two glasses of wine for us. I take sips from Trystin's water and leave the wine untouched.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I don't drink alcohol … spirits. I never cared for the taste and saw no reason why I should learn to like it. Besides after Adrianna it seemed an insult to her memory for me to. As long as it's not to excess, I don't mind anyone else imbibing. I simply choose not to."

He reaches out his hand and pats my knee.

"Don't worry. I'm okay. How could I be otherwise with two such wonderful breakfast companions?"

At last, we can eat no more, so we pack up the basket and straighten up the bed.

Trystin asks if Erik can play the organ for her, so the two of them take off down the stairs leaving me alone in Erik's room. I go to the music box and wind it. I lie back down on the bed and drift off to sleep listening to the music box.