"I really should be escorting you home now," Erik remarked lazily, truly not wanting to move from Christine's embrace.
"Hmmm?" Christine opened her eyes, realizing that she had been dozing lightly. "I don't want to go yet, Erik. Tomorrow is Saturday, and Madame Dubois said that I could sleep late if I wished." She smiled, turning her forehead to his chest, feeling the soft fabric of his shirt. "I wish I could remain right here for the night…and wake in your arms tomorrow morning."
"Ah, bel ange, it would hardly be 'proper,' remember?" He grinned roguishly, his chin resting on her curls.
She curved her arms more snugly about his waist and blushed even as she spoke. "Perhaps if I remained here, we could leave early enough in the morning so Madame Dubois wouldn't know that I had been gone."
Shocked, Erik drew back and raised her chin to look at him. "Mon ange!" he laughed. "I am surprised at you…sneaking around like a naughty schoolgirl!" His laughter was musical to her and it caused her to laugh as well.
"Forgive me, Erik. It seems that I am not thinking clearly!" she giggled, to his evident delight. He leaned in and kissed her on the mouth suddenly, halting her laughter and evoking a strange warmth in the pit of her stomach. He slowly pulled away and chuckled again. "You have no idea how very flattered I am that you would even wish to stay with me, mon amour. It is not something that I take lightly," he smiled down gently at her. "Come, let me take you home. Perhaps tomorrow evening we could visit the church for Mass, if you like. Father Michel would enjoy it very much if we would sing a hymn during the service. Would that please you?"
"Erik that sounds like a lovely idea," she grinned, lifting herself from the settee to stand. He placed her cloak around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. Donning his own hat and cloak, he instructed her to wait at the door for him while he walked to the main house for the Laurent carriage. She did as she was told, and watched him disappear swiftly into the darkness, only to return a few short minutes later in the carriage. He opened the door and held out a strong hand to assist her. "Shall we?"
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Christine decided to sleep as late as her body would allow. She woke up and stretched, wanting to go back to sleep, but curious about what time it was. She dressed hurriedly and tiptoed down the steep stairs to the storefront. Madame Dubois was nowhere to be found. Confused, Christine stepped into the kitchen, casting a glance first at the clock in the storefront. "Noon!" she gasped. "Oh, my goodness! I am a sluggard!" She shook her head in disbelief and pulled out a chair. She caught sight of a handwritten note on the table.
Mlle. Christine,
I thought it best not to wake you. You surely must have been through an ordeal or illness yesterday and I figured you could use the rest. Have a nice day to relax and I will see you bright and early on Monday morning.
Annette
So, we are on a first name basis at last? Christine chuckled. The woman never ceased to surprise her. She was an elusive personality, at best…very rough around the edges, but seemingly soft-hearted. Christine's stomach growled loudly and she got up to search the cabinets for food. She found a several croissants, cheeses, and jams. Settling herself at the table, she couldn't believe her ravenous appetite. All that sleeping must have been hard work! she laughed to herself.
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Erik exited the carriage and stepped through the wooden double doors. Light streamed in through the modest stained glass windows and Erik realized that he had never truly noticed humble beauty of the church. He was noticing many things lately that he hadn't before…birds singing, the sun shining, gentle breezes…he knew that it seemed very cliché, but he was certain that it was because he was in love…and that love was being returned.
Father Michel stepped out of the kitchen alcove without noticing Erik near the doors. "Father?" Erik spoke suddenly, causing the old priest to jump. His eyes went wide and he turned toward the voice.
"Erik! My goodness, you certainly do move like a ghost, my boy! You startle me every time I see you!" He laughed and strode swiftly to Erik, catching him in a fatherly embrace. Erik patted him on the back and apologized. "It seems that some of my old ways are with me yet," he conceded. "I have come because I need your help."
"My help? With what?"
"I need to…well, you see, I want to buy something…for Christine," Erik stammered nervously.
"Well, why on earth would you need my help for that, my boy?" The old priest looked puzzled.
Erik cleared his throat and smiled curiously at him, motioning to the white mask upon his cheek.
"Oh! Y-yes, naturally," Father Michel chuckled. I have become so accustomed to it, that it seems I don't realize how it hinders you." He studied Erik sadly for a moment before his eyes twinkled good-naturedly. "Now…what can I help you to buy for her?"
"A ring."
Father Michel nearly gasped. "A-a ring, Erik? What…what kind of ring? I mean, it's not a…is it a…" he gulped, staring at Erik, who was clearly amused at the old man's expression.
"Yes, Father, I am going to propose to Christine soon. I need an engagement ring along with a wedding band. And I need to procure a band for myself as well. I do have something in mind, and I trust you to find what I am looking for."
"Erik!" Father Michel clapped his hands, smiling. "This is wonderful news, my boy! I am so pleased! Praise be to the Lord, for He has surely answered your prayers, has He not?"
Erik smiled, tears of joy threatening to fill his eyes. "He has, Father. More bountifully than I had ever dreamed." He handed Father Michel a large bundle of money. "If you should need more, have the jeweler hold the rings and return here so that I can give you the amount you will need. Money is no object…I have plenty saved."
Father Michel's eyes brightened. "Mademoiselle Daae is certainly a lucky young lady, then! I will do my best. Tell me exactly what you want, Erik."
Erik described each ring in detail that he desired. Father Michel jotted down some notes on a piece of paper and folded it. He threw on his cloak and left, promising to return within hours. Erik locked the church doors behind the old priest and sat down in one of the back pews, thinking. I need to make certain that my land purchase has gone through, as well. I shall need to contact Monsieur Renault. Then…to get to work on my completed designs. He gazed upon the large crucifix that he had once despised. Now it seemed to him to be the most beautiful symbol of sacrificial love that he had ever seen. "Help me to love her as You have loved me, Lord," he whispered. "I promise You now that all I am is Yours. I need Your direction, and I need to know Your plans for me. Please reveal them to me in Your good time," he prayed fervently. "And thank You…thank You for mercy." He bowed his head, tears escaping him, and remained there for some time before climbing the stairs to the organ loft, where he poured his emotion worshipfully into the instrument.
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"Well, now, let's see…that one there is lovely."
"Of course. If you like that one, then there is another here that you might like as well," the jeweler suggested, eyeing Father Michel strangely.
The old priest noticed the odd looks he was getting, and he cleared his throat. "I am purchasing the rings as a favor to my friend and his fiancée. They are…very busy people."
The jeweler nodded, bringing out several rings, two at a time, for Father Michel to inspect. At last, he had decided. "Those right there…and that one there." he said, pointing to three of the rings. "How much?" He shuddered when the jeweler answered him with the price, but the old priest knew that he had enough on hand to pay without a problem. "Thank you," he smiled as the jeweler handed him the boxes. He placed them in his pocket and headed for the church, having finished in less than an hour. He hoped that Erik would be pleased.
As he rounded a corner, he caught sight of a familiar carriage. Isn't that one of the Laurent family's carriages? He stepped closer and saw that it was. Erik has one at the church and the other is…here, just a few blocks away! Just then, Madame Suzette stepped out of a storefront door, smiling, followed by Monsieur Gregoire.
"Hello, there!" Father Michel called to them, waving as he approached.
The Laurents looked startled. "Why, Father! How lovely to see you! What are you doing out and about on this fine day?" Suzette smiled.
"Hmmm? Oh, just…uh…running a few errands." He managed to say. "How are you both, and Amêlie?"
"We're doing just fine," replied Monsieur Laurent. "But Amêlie has been very lonely lately. She seems to miss Monsieur Erik very much," he chuckled. "He was giving her piano lessons for a time, but now he has a great deal of work, and his evenings…well, his evenings seem to be rather occupied," he stated with a slight grimace.
"Oh," Father Michel replied, wondering if they had any idea about Erik and Christine. "Yes…yes, he has been quite busy, hasn't he? Well, it was lovely to see you both, but I must be going now," he spoke cheerily, trying to conceal his discomfort at the awkward situation.
"Oh, Father?" Madame Suzette called after him as he was walking away. "Do tell Monsieur Erik that we would love to have him for supper sometime soon…and that he is missed," she smiled warmly.
"I will, Madame!" the old priest called back to her. "See you on Sunday!"
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Christine was bored. She didn't know what to do with herself in the dreary shop, and she wanted desperately to be with Erik. She assumed that he was most likely working on his sketches, distracted and probably not thinking of her at the moment.
A knock at the storefront door startled her from her daydreaming. She slowly rose from the kitchen table and called to the door. "I'm sorry, we're closed for the day!"
"Pardon me, but I have a delivery for a Mademoiselle Daae," came the unfamiliar voice on the other side of the door.
Curious, Christine walked to the door and unlocked it, barely cracking it open. A delivery man stood there holding a large box and a note in his hands. He smiled at her as she peered through the slit at him. "Are you Mademoiselle Daae?"
"Y-yes."
"Then these are for you." He held out the items and she opened the door to receive them.
"Thank you."
"Good day, Mademoiselle," he said, tipping his hat and smiling politely.
She closed the door and locked it, staring at the long, white box in her hands. Are these…roses? Erik! She set the box on the table quickly, grinning, and lifted the lid. Her smile turned to confusion at the dozen long-stemmed yellow roses before her. Bewildered, she reached for the note and tore open the envelope. She nearly dropped it as she read:
My Darling Christine,
I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was very unbecoming, and I ask your forgiveness. Please meet me at La Boulangerie du Ciel at three o'clock. I would like to share tea with you and talk a while. Please let me make things right between us.
With Love,
RaoulIn utter disbelief, she crumpled the note in her hand and tossed it to the floor. "Ohhh!" she grunted in frustration. "How can I ever trust him again? How can he think that I would dare to be alone with him?" She was fuming, until she had an idea. Meg.
Christine rifled through a small stack of papers and found what she was looking for. Rushing out the door, she clutched the newly acquired address in her hand, praying that Meg was home…and that she would be willing to help a friend in need.
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"Wait a moment…stop the carriage!" Madame Suzette shouted to her husband, who was seated beside her. Startled, he tapped on the carriage roof to alert his driver.
"Isn't that…Gregoire, do my eyes deceive me? Is that Christine?" Suzette stared at the young woman, rushing down the sidewalk wearing a heavy cloak, which appeared to cover a rather plain-looking dress.
Monsieur Laurent stared. "Ma cherie, I do believe you're right—it is Christine Daae! What on earth would she be doing in downtown Paris…all alone…and dressed so…shabbily?"
Suzette smacked him on the arm. "Gregoire! I do not care how she is dressed! She is clearly alone…perhaps something awful has happened! Let me out…I need to speak with her."
"Christine? Christine!" Suzette shouted over the crowd of people on the street as she stepped from the carriage.
Christine thought she heard her name being called, but couldn't seem to find its point of origin. She stopped and looked behind her at last, and panic struck her as she looked into the radiant face of Suzette Laurent.
"Christine! How lovely to see you!" Suzette began, panting for breath. "My goodness, I certainly never expected to see you here…all alone." She smiled at Christine and waited for her to speak.
Christine searched for appropriate words. "Hello, Madame! It…it is good to see you, as well! How are you?" Oh, God, help me! I want to run! Get me out of this!
"We are all well, ma cherie. But you…" Suzette wrinkled her brow. "You look…different, Christine. May I ask why you are here in town alone? Where is the Viscomte?"
Christine bowed her head. She knew that it would come to this eventually. "You have not spoken to Raoul?"
"No…why? Has something happened?"
Christine sighed pensively. "I'm afraid so, Madame. I regret to inform you that the Viscomte and I are no longer engaged to be married." There, I've said it.
Suzette frowned. "Oh, no! That is dreadful news. I'm…I'm so sorry—I don't know what to say. Are you alright, Christine?"
"Thank you for your concern, Madame. I am fine. I am employed and I have a place to stay."
"Really?" Suzette questioned her, quite shocked that the former fiancée of the Viscomte de Chagny would be able to find employment so quickly. As far as she knew, Christine's only talent was singing.
Christine nodded. "Yes. Well, I really must be going now…but it was lovely to see you again, Madame," she smiled sincerely.
Suzette stepped forward and quickly embraced Christine. "Goodbye, ma cherie. I wish you well. And I hope that we will see each other again."
"Goodbye. And thank you."
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A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming! I am still writing furiously...the thoughts come more quickly than my fingers can type, unfortunately, and it's difficult to concentrate with two young children in the house! If I have to go down to posting every couple days, I hope you'll all still read! HUGS!