Christine dans Deux

An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story

Nyasia A. Maire

© 2006

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Forty – Taking Leave…

As I walk from the room, I hear my father humming.

"Ma chére, slow down!"

She does more than slow down; she stops and waits for me. When I come up to her, she takes my arm in hers and together we continue to the former Christine Daae's room. We walk in together in silence. I turn to look upon the face of my beloved and wonder if the peace and happiness I see there reflects that of my own countenance.

"It is, dearest." She answers my unspoken question aloud.

"Beloved, we must take care not to do that in public or they will place us in a cage and exhibit us."

"Well, I suppose that's better than cutting us up to see what color are organs are."

"Pardonnez-moi?" I ask her startled. I sense she refers to something specific, but it is something from her time that I do not understand.

"Sorry, dearest, just my odd sense of humor. I was equating us to alien beings from another world. And what do humans do to the first beings we meet from another planet? Do we speak with them and learn the secrets of the universe? No, we kill them and cut them up to see what color their organs are. Sorry, my sense of humor has a definite macabre bend to it."

"It makes you who you are. And I love you, Christine."

"And I love you, Erik."

We arrive at Christine's room to find the door slightly ajar and two voices can be heard speaking, one male, one female. We turn to each other, I am smiling and Christine is attempting to control her smile by biting her lower lip.

"Oh, dearest, can you hear the tone of their voices? It has happened! They may not admit it, but they have fallen head over heels in love. She told you yesterday that she could do nothing until she is divorced from Raoul? Well, I believe she is reconsidering. We had better get in there before the kissing commences."

I laugh aloud and a hush falls on the room.

After a moment, Christine calls out, "Is someone there? Come in, please."

Arm in arm we enter the room. Christine sits in one of a pair of armchairs by the window. Etienne de Wolfe sits in the other. As we enter the room, Etienne stands in deference to my lady who quickly indicates it is not necessary as she waves him back into his seat.

"Good morning!" She says gaily and releasing my arm, she walks to Christine, stoops, places a small kiss on her cheek and then turns to face Etienne de Wolfe.

"Good morning, sir. I am Christine Maire. You must be Dr. de Wolfe. Thank you for your most excellent care of our friend." And to all of our surprise, she bends and places a small kiss on his cheek as well.

While surprised by the kiss, the attention pleases him. My beloved smiles radiantly at me as she returns to my side and slips her arm around my waist. I draw my arm around her shoulder. A perfect fit.

"Christine, are we interrupting the two of you? Would you like us to come back later?"

I hear the oh-so-subtle teasing tone of her voice, but it is lost on both Christine and Etienne who both protest a bit too much that they were just exchanging pleasantries.

"And the doctor found her so pleasant he forgot to let go of her hand when we walked into the room. You did see they were holding hands when we entered, didn't you?"

"Christine, hush! I am afraid I will say something I mean to think to you aloud and that would be most embarrassing for all of us. And, no, I did not see the two of them holding hands. That is very good news. Most encouraging."

My lady gives me a gentle squeeze and begins exchanging her own pleasantries with Christine and Etienne. I find myself falling back into an old habit of mine. I observe. All the years I lived hidden in the bowels of the earth, my main encounters with humanity were when I climbed the rafters of the opera house and watched. I watched the small dramas of life unfold. Now, I watch the man and woman seated before me. I notice that the people sit close together. Their chairs moved as closer together as propriety allows. And then I feel something. Something new. Through the joining of our soul, I can feel (as Christine does) the people before me. The intensity of their passion almost takes my breath away. Suddenly, I see more. The flush of Etienne's face. The rapid and erratic rise and fall of his chest betray his arousal. He unconsciously stares at Christine and then wets his lips. Christine shows the same signs as Etienne and more; her lips seem fuller and her eyes darker. As she reacts to a comment by Etienne, Christine places her hand on top of his and leaves it there. After a few moments, her thumb begins to caress the back of his hand. I tear my gaze away and look out the window. Now it is my breathing, which I must control. How does she live this way? I want to take my beloved right here, right now. I focus on a bird flying across the sky and breath. With my composure regained, I tune in to the conversation.

"But is it not true that the incidence of sepsis occurs frequently often in hospitals with doctors in attendance than in home births attended by midwives? I believe it is due to doctors not taking sanitary precautions."

"Yes! That is exactly the point I attempted to make during my residency in London, but change is very difficult in the medical profession."

"And what precautions did you use in regards to this birth?"

"Very careful washing of my hands and arms. I use a small brush on my nails. Next I raise my hands and have someone pour a 70 solution of Isopropyl on my hands and allow it to run down my arms. I allow my hands and arms to air dry and most importantly, allow nothing to come into contact with my hands. My hands must not touch anything other than my patient. I also believe the patient's affected area needs cleansing prior to performing any procedure. However, in the case of childbirth, Isopropyl must not be used near the birth canal as it is possible to poison the child with it during birth."

I feel my Christine nodding.

"And sitting before us is proof that your theories are sound, sir. This good lady gave birth prematurely little more than 24-hours ago and here she sits and there her baby lies and both are in excellent health. No fever. No sepsis. Would that more physicians adhere to your regimen. There would be more healthy babies with living mothers if they did. Bravo, Doctor!"

"How is it that you are so well acquainted with medical theory?"

"Oh, no great secret! My father is a doctor and an excellent one I might add. He believes just as you do. I have two sisters and our father instructed the three of us on the precautions to take when giving birth. My father delivered my daughter. I trust him more than anyone else. No offense intended, sir."

"None taken, Madame. You would have made a fine physician yourself."

"Why, thank you, Doctor. I know only one other man who thinks thus. And, I am to marry him."

She cocks her head up and smiles lovingly at me. I return her smile and shake my head.

"Yes, she is a source of constant amazement to me. The things she knows. I am the luckiest man alive. For I shall be able to spend the rest of my life discovering all of the wondrous things she has stored within her mind."

Christine speaks up at last, "Most men do not care to know what lies within a woman's head, Erik. I have found that with most men, their interests lie lower."

"Then, you have known the wrong men!" Etienne says to her and he raises her hand to his lips and gives it a gentle kiss.

She blushes prettily and slowly removes her hand from his.

"With the obvious exception of Erik, I am certain you are quite correct, Monsieur."

"Well, Madame, perhaps you will allow me to prove to you that I deserve your consideration as a candidate to join Erik?"

"Perhaps, Monsieur. Someday, perhaps."

They look deep into one another's eyes and I can see she has already added him to her list.

I clear my throat.

"Christine, I was wondering if you had given any more thought towards the question of a suitable opera."

"Actually, I have and can think of nothing. Nothing at all."

My lady interjects.

"Excuse me, but what are the two of you talking about?"

"The Vicomtessa wishes to return to the opera. We have been attempting to think of a production worthy of her voice. Thus far we have been unable to think of any suitable candidates."

My lady stands very still. Her head tilts to the side as if listening then her head straightens.

"May I make a suggestion?"

"Please, do." I reply curious to see what her voice just said.

"I am a voracious reader. Last year, I read "Rarahu ou Le Mariage de Loti" by Pierre Loti. It is a marvelous story, but I digress. Recently, when I was at the Paris Conservatoire, I heard of a libretto by Philippe Gille and Edmond Gondinet based on this novel. Now, would you like to know why they were at the Conservatoire?" She pauses for dramatic effect. "They are collaborating with Léo Delibes. He is composing the score for the libretto. The opera's name is "Lakmé" after the female lead. I suggest we pay a call on him at the Conservatoire and offer to produce this opera. Of course, we arrange for Christine to star in the production." My beloved looks directly into Christine's eyes. "Please trust me. M. Delibes' opera will be the perfect opera for your lovely voice to once again grace the stage."

"My sister, I trust you." The two Christine's smile at one another.

"In fact, I believe there will be roles that all of us can perform. Even you, good Doctor."

"But I am no performer!"

"No, it is not my intention to have you perform onstage. Perhaps, you would be interested in making fools of the gossipmongers of Paris? Yes?"

"You have my complete attention!"

"Your social standing would provide us with an outlet for rumors of our creation and choosing to be spread. Would it not?"

"It would indeed!" He smiles broadly. "I think I shall enjoy being a party to this conspiracy."

"While this is a conspiracy, Etienne." I explain. "It is also a rescue. We conspire to rescue my friend, Christine from a cruel marriage."

The four of us are quiet for a moment. I take my beloved by the arm and lead her to Christine's chair. I hold out my hand in the air palm down.

"Who is with me in this?"

"I am!" Says my beloved and she places her hand atop of mine.

"Most definitely! I am." Christine places her hand atop of my dear heart's hand.

We turn to look at Etienne. He immediately stands and places his hand atop of Christine's hand.

"I look forward to assisting in any way I can. I am in!" He says forcefully.

"Hell, we're all bloody in!"

We laugh quietly, not wishing to wake little Erik.

"Christine," I begin to speak and my voice startles her as she was staring dreamily at Etienne. "I apologize, but my lady and I are leaving the château today and you expressed a desire to speak with her. Is there anything else which needs to be said between the two of you?"

"You're leaving? Today? Where are you going and for how long?"

"We go to Paris for perhaps a fortnight, but we will return sooner if possible. We are leaving two guests behind, one of which you know quite well. Madame Giry will be here and Trystin, Christine's daughter, accompanies her. So, as you can quite imagine my lady will be quite anxious to return as soon as possible."

"Oh Cecile is here? Why hasn't she come to see me?"

"No, she should be arriving in an hour or so and I am most certain she will pay you a nice visit."

"That will be so nice." She stretches for a moment holding her back.

Etienne notices and is immediately at her side.

"I apologize, but I believe this lady has had enough sitting and talking for now. No, Christine. I saw hold your back. No. It's a nap for you."

He bends, lifts her into his arms and carries her to the bed. He gently lowers her to bed and I feel him longing to kiss her.

"Etienne, I will rest I promise, but I must speak with Christine before she goes. Two minutes. I promise. And I would like to speak with her privately, if the two of you gentlemen don't mind."

"Of course not, Christine. Beloved, I await you outside the door." I wrap my arm about her waist just a little tighter and kiss the top of her head. Then I bow to Christine and walk into the hall. A moment later, Etienne joins me.

"Well, you have fallen for your Christine just as far as I have for mine."

"I beg your pardon! She is a married woman and I would never …."

I hold up my hand to stop his protests.

"I do not impugn your honor or hers either. I love her as a sister. It is my wish is that she finds true happiness. The reason I know how the two of you feel is that I feel the same way for my lady. We cannot choose who we love or when we love. It just happens."

He sighs.

"Yes. I will admit it only to you. I love her. I have loved her ever since I first saw her on the stage in Don Juan Triumphant. When I heard she'd married I left France and went to England to study and try to forget her. Well, I studied, but I was never able to forget her. And what happens? I am home barely two weeks and she is my first patient! God help me! Then I walk into the room and there you are singing to her. I felt spellbound. You have an amazing voice, Monsieur. I believe that if anyone saved her life, it was you. Your voice kept her calm and I believe that is why she didn't hemorrhage."

"The least a friend can do for a friend. It is in the past. You have a long future with her ahead of you, if you can wait but a short time more. She will be free. Have no fear regarding that. Now, if you can concentrate on matters other than Christine, I would like to make a request of you."

"Of course, please go ahead."

"You are aware that my lady and I are to be wed?"

"Yes, I was there when you informed your father you are betrothed."

I nod.

"My request, Etienne is will you stand with me as best man during my nuptials?"

"Erik! This is no request! It is and shall be an honor to stand with you. May I enquire as to the date of this joyous occasion?"

"We have set the date for Christmas day. It will be a small, private affair as Christine's family are in America and my family consists of my father. I think my father is a little disappointed that we do not want a big wedding, but the two of us just wish to be wed."

"The two of you seem very close."

"Yes."

We stand waiting in the hall, he with his dreams and me with mine.

The door opens and Christine slips out.

"She says she will sleep now and if you wish to check on her later, you are most welcome."

"Thank you. I most assuredly will check on her."

Christine smiles wickedly, "I am most certain you shall!"

"I shall take my leave of you then. Have a safe journey and I will act as your best man and make certain to get you to the chapel on time."

We laugh.

"Thank you, Etienne. Have patience. She is worth it."

"Oh, Erik, I have no doubt of that."

"Farewell." And without waiting for a reply, he turns and walks down the hall.

Christine looks at me.

"Is he alright?"

"Yes. Just imagine if we were in love and couldn't touch one another."

"Too dreadful to consider. An empath not be able to touch? Impossible!"

"Yes, but that is what he lives with."

"Well, not for long. Shall we go home and get the girls?"

"Girls? Oh, Cecile would appreciate the humor of that I think."

"Where should we do this?"

"We need somewhere that has absolute privacy and is large enough for all of us to fit. We don't wish to travel out or back and have someone see us. Let me think for a moment."

She waits at my side patiently. I marvel that I ever called my existence before I met her, a life.

"I have it! Come with me."