The Perfect Solution
An Alternate Universe – Phantom of the Opera Story
Nyasia A. Maire
© 2007
DISCLAIMER: I do not hold the rights nor did I create any characters found in The Phantom of the Opera or Phantom, nor have I received monetary compensation for writing this story.
Marriage, a most serious proposition.
The joining of a man and a woman
for the purpose of procreation.
Blessed by God,
taxed by the government
and
ridiculed by single comics the world over.
Nyasia A. Maire
Chapter Ten – A Most Serious Proposition
When at last their mirth faded, Erik met the woman's eyes and he grew serious once more. As he began to speak, Meg and Raoul entered the room with Raoul carrying a large wooden plank. Meg's eyes immediately met her mother's gaze and the older woman nodded. Meg quietly led Raoul down the hall and into Christine's room. Erik could barely see the shape of Raoul outlined in the doorway when his attention returned to Madame Giry.
"I would like to receive your permission to ask if Mademoiselle Daae could accompany me on an outing tomorrow afternoon. Would you be amenable to acting as her chaperone?"
Madame dipped her chin to her chest to hide her smile.
"This man truly belongs 50 years in the past. He is so very proper and, yet, when he and Christine come together in the same room, he becomes a slave to the passionate feelings he holds for Christine. A proper man. Is that not an oxymoron?"
A sudden thought occurred.
"Monsieur, have you ever courted a young lady?"
He attempted to disguise his sudden intake of breath as a clearing of his throat, but his eyes betrayed him. It was clear to Antoinette that this man was as much an innocent as Christine. The knowledge relieved her and she happily felt a leaden weight lift from her heart.
He mumbled his choked reply.
"I beg your pardon? What did you say, Monsieur?"
With a bowed head, he gave her his response.
"No, Madame. I have not."
He lifted his eyes once again to hers and continued.
"I do not take this situation lightly, Madame. A man such as me could hardly hope to find a woman who would allow his attentions upon her person. Yet, I feel an undeniable bond with Mademoiselle Daae and for the first time in my life, I find myself hoping that she may feel the same. It is that hope that granted me the courage to declare myself to you. It is that hope that shall give me the strength to propose to her tomorrow."
His voice trailed off and Antoinette surprised herself by taking his hand in hers.
"Monsieur, do not belittle yourself. You have more to offer than you suppose, but I can see that you cannot take my words to heart. Only Christine, only Mademoiselle Daae can erase the skepticism from your mind. In answer to your inquiry regarding a chaperone, I am afraid I must respond with a question of my own. Where do you intend to take her?"
"I thought an outing to le Jardin du Luxembourg, where we would enjoy a picnic lunch."
"A trip to le Jardin du Luxembourg on a Sunday afternoon provides sufficient chaperonage, Monsieur. Besides, if you intend to ask for her hand, I believe my presence would detract from the moment. You have my permission to escort Christine to le Jardin unaccompanied."
"My thanks, Madame." His smile shone radiantly.
"Come, Monsieur. I believe a young lady unknowingly awaits your invitation."
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
"Oh, Christine! There is nothing to forgive. Now, look! We brought you a wonderful meal!"
Returning to sit on the bed next to Christine, Meg turned towards the man standing in the doorway.
"Really, it is alright, Raoul. You may enter. We are both decent and the food is getting cold. Please?"
Raoul hesitantly walked into the room carrying a large wooden tray, his eyes darting about the room in a nervous attempt to avoid staring at the girls on the bed. He stumbled on the rough edge of a floor plank, but caught himself and avoided spilling anything on the tray. He paused and drew himself up to his full height, he focused his eyes on the unoccupied foot of the bed, then rapidly crossed the room. He lay the tray down on the bed. Then, with averted eyes and giving a perfunctory bow to the girls, he swiftly exited the room. Slightly confused, Meg stared at the now closed bedroom door for a moment. She turned to Christine and shook her head.
"Sometimes, I simply do not understand the rules of conduct and behavior he follows. And yet, he always knows exactly what to do. Despite what Phillipe says about his little brother, I have always found Raoul to have a great sense of savoir-faire. He always treats me as if I am his equ …."
She sighs and flashes a smile at her friend, but Christine notices the hint of sadness buried just below the surface of the smile. Christine silently debates whether she should say anything to Meg, but decides that when Meg is ready to talk about it, she will. Deciding to change the subject, Christine turned her attention to the tray.
"So, what is it that smells so delicious?"
Meg's eyes met Christine's and a look of gratitude passed between the girls. Meg's face took on a look of pleased animation as she ran her eyes over the items on the tray.
"Oh, well, I just so happened to catch Cook with the leftovers from La Carlotta's dinner! Look! She requested this crusty bread with garlic and cheese. Then there is this. Cook calls this dish, "pasta." It is noodles tossed with melted butter and garlic. These are Italian sausages. Cook told me that they are spicy, so they might not be a good thing for you to eat. And then, of course, I brought you some plain crusty bread, butter, cheese, apples, a jug of water and a bottle of wine. It is a veritable feast!"
Christine smiled at Meg.
"Thank you so much Meg, but I fear that I could never eat all of this. It is simply too much."
Looking at her friend's blushing cheeks, Christine continued.
"I certainly would not want this good food to go to waste."
She slyly paused and then disingenuously continued.
"I know! Meg, you must help me! Here, have some …."
"Oh, Christine! If Maman were to catch me, she would have both our necks! You know dancers need to be slender and Maman watches me like a hawk."
"Meg, she is not here to watch you now. I will not tell. Come, how often do we have the opportunity to eat food like this? Never. Here, try this bread. It is delicious!"
"Oh! I am so weak-willed! Very well, I really would like to try some of that bread. It smells heavenly and I do so love garlic!"
After sharing a laugh, the two girls then proceeded to make the food disappear.
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
Antoinette rose from her comfortable armchair and bade Erik to follow her. She led him back down the hall to Christine's bedroom door only to find Raoul leaning against the wall next to the door. At the sight of Madame Giry, the young man sprung to attention and sputtered.
"Madame! Bonsoir!"
"Bonsoir, Monsieur le Vicomte."
The woman smirked at the young man's flushed face. Erik almost laughed as he saw her roll her eyes before she turned to face the door. Without looking at either man, she spoke.
"Please wait here. I will fetch my daughter and ask Mademoiselle Daae if she wishes to receive you for a few moments. I shall return momentarily, Messieurs."
She slipped into the room and the door clicked shut behind her.
Raoul returned to leaning against the wall with his eyes closed and Erik leaned against the doorframe, taking care to not lean upon the door. He studied the younger man for a moment.
"So, are you going to tell me what is going on here, Erik?"
Erik sighed and looked away.
"I honestly have no idea, but if I were to speculate, I believe I am about to become engaged. Well, that is, if she will have me."
"My God! I asked you to be kind to Christine, Erik, but not this. Is marriage not taking things just a bit too far? To act this rashly, you of all people. This is not like you at all. Why do you feel that you must propose to her?"
"I do not expect you to understand, Raoul. Merde, I barely understand myself! I only know this one thing: since I first laid eyes on that woman, she is the only thing of which I can think. Thoughts of her touches, images of her sweet lips, the sound of her angelic voice and the beauty of her sweet scent fill my mind. She consumes me and it frightens me, but I feel I must have her all the same."
Raoul opened his eyes and turned to Erik.
"Love should not frighten you. Why do you feel this way, Erik? Surely, love should make your heart glad …."
Erik interrupted his friend.
"I have not noticed you feeling much joy lately, Raoul. You love Meg, yet your heart is not free of sorrow. Why is that? Do not bother to answer me. I know the reason. Meg is a dancer and you are a Vicomte. In society's eyes, she is fit only to be your mistress, but not your wife. It is unfair and wrong, but that is simply the way of things. My circumstances are similar to yours, only reversed. Society will frown upon a beautiful young woman like Christine marrying a deformed freak. And, please do not deny it! You have witnessed first-hand the atrocities visited upon me because of my appearance. Yet, I will not allow what may be my only chance at happiness to slip through my fingers. I will chance my heart and tomorrow, I shall ask Christine to be my wife. We share something, something very intense. I may not know anything else about her, but I pray she will allow me the honor of spending the rest of my life learning everything else about her. That is all I can ask of her. Oh, and Raoul, do not let Meg slip through your fingers. If you love her, never let her go."
The two men stared at one another for a moment and Raoul opened his mouth to speak, but his words died upon his lips as Meg opened the bedroom door. She slipped out into the hall and seeing Raoul, wound her arm through his. She turned to Erik and smiled sweetly.
"Maman said that you may see Christine now."
"Thank you, Mademoiselle Giry."
Anxiously, he pushed away from the wall and began to walk into the bedroom. Suddenly, he paused.
"Raoul, I shall not be long. Please do not leave without me. I would never be able to hire a cab at this time of night."
His friend smiled and nodded his understanding. The Vicomte and his ballerina watched the tall man turn and walk through the doorway. The door closed softly and they turned towards one another.
"I hope he knows what he is doing." Raoul murmured.
"Oh, Raoul! I think it is just so romantic! And, you know how unhappy Christine has been. Would you begrudge her a chance to find happiness?"
She frowned and turned her face up to his. He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose causing her to giggle.
"No. It is my sincere wish for Christine to be happy and if Erik causes her one moment's heartache, I shall surely thrash him soundly."
Meg's giggle became a chuckle.
"You would have to take a place in line behind my Maman, Raoul. You know better than anyone else just how protective she is of her daughters. She shall watch over Christine, but I really do not think it necessary. He is a good man. Somehow, I am certain they belong together. It will not be easy for them, but anything worth having is worth the effort to get it."
He smiled down at her gently.
"When did you become so wise, ma chère?"
Her gaze dropped and the laughter fell away from her lips.
"Ever since I fell in love with you, Raoul."
Author's Note: Please read and review to let me know what you think! --ny