Christine dans Deux

An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story

Nyasia A. Maire

© 2006

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Forty-Nine – The Le Mans Standstill

"Husband?"

"Yes, my wife?"

"Will you give yourself to me?"

"Yes."

"Then come, lie with me."

And he does.

Our lovemaking is gentle and slow. The wildness turned to tenderness and yet the culmination of our love is the most intense of the night.

As we lay in the afterglow, I realize the train has stopped.

"Erik, are we in Le Mans?"

"Yes. For some time now."

"I don't understand."

"For our honeymoon, I hired this Pullman car. When the train arrived at Le Mans, they uncoupled this car. In the morning, our car joins with the 10:00 a.m. train to Paris and we shall arrive in grand style. In the world of the theater, one's entrance is of paramount importance. Our arrival will be in the gossip columns the day after our arrival. We have an appointment with M. Delibes and company in the afternoon. That night we have box tickets for the opera. We will give the gossip columnists something to write about when we are at the opera as well."

"I have made arrangements for us to stay at the le Grand Hôtel. It is at 3, Place de l'Opéra. The hotel has an exclusive Club Level and Lounge overlooking the rooftop of the opera house. I used to watch the hotel guests from the roof of the opera house. Anyway, we have The Blue and Gold Suite and The Red and Gold Suite for a month. That address alone will most likely convince the opera management of our financial viability to produce an opera without a patron."

Watching his face, I marvel that anyone could have believed him a monster. He is so full of life. And even though he is so serious right now, I know he is also full of fun. My beautiful, serious man-child! So full of love and life.

"Christine?"

"Yes, dearest?"

"Were you listening? Or did I put you to sleep?"

"No, I was listening. You lost me at the producing an opera without a patron part. I became lost because I started looking at you. And, well." I sigh contentedly. "I've always thought you to be the most beautiful man I have ever seen."

"Always?" I hear the doubt in his voice.

My eyes look deep into his. I wish the sadness I see there could be healed with a kiss, but I doubt even my abilities could touch the depth of his pain. I do the best I can with my love.

"My dearest, you know I speak the truth. I have always thought that of you and much more. As to your plans, I leave myself completely within your capable hands."

I continue, "Erik, we are married. I made a sacred promise to you. This is the first time I ever married in the church. My other marriages were civil ceremonies, unblessed by the church. Erik, I married you in the sight of God. I would not have done that if I had any doubts of my love for you or of your love for me. This haunted face I see before me never held any horror for me. Never. And it never will."

"Christine, please forgive me! My mind battles my heart. My heart knows your love is true. My mind tortures me with doubt. I torture myself that you will tire of me. That you will tire of my constant need for reassurance. And yet, I cannot stop myself."

"There is nothing to forgive. I will never tire of you, dearest. I understand your need. I know why it is there. And yet, I too am human. Sometimes your doubt wounds my heart, but whenever the hurt becomes too great, I take solace in the light of our soul. There is no doubt there and I pray someday you will find solace there as well."

"You are my angel of love!"

He places his hand on my cheek and I snuggle against it. His hand brushes my cheek, then moves across my neck, around my shoulder and comes to rest on my breast. I open my arms to him and still holding my breast in his hand, he lays his head on the center of my chest. I run my fingers through his ebony hair and caress his cheek for a time. My hand comes to rest cradling the back of his head to my chest and I slip into sleep.