new chapter! enjoy! R&R!!
phantomgirl27
Chapter 17
News
It was one of those days Christine did not want to get out of bed and face the day. Yet something inside her, kind of clicked. She had spent enough time feeling sorry for herself and living in fear. It was time to face the world and leave the past behind. She forced herself up and climbed out of bed.
She dressed, skipping the corset, and went to the managers office to visit Nadir; she needed to speak with him.
When she got there, she found the office door locked, Erik and Nadir were talking inside. Christine knocked, the voices stopped.
"Who is it?" called Nadir.
"It's Christine, Erik open the door."
There was some shuffling, the lock clicked and the door opened.
Nadir stood holding the door open and Erik was standing behind the desk. He wore his usual black trousers, a long-sleeved white shirt, with a professional looking black vest. His black wig was on his head firmly in place, his white mask in this usual spot on the right side of his face.
His golden eyes shone seeing Christine up and looking happy. Even with the dark circles under her eyes were still there, she looked a lot better. Although he did notice she had not put on a corset, but he didn't think much of it.
Christine smiled warmly, as she wrapped her arm around Erik.
"You seem much better today Miss Daaé." Nadir said watching them.
"And I feel much better and please call me Christine!" she laughed looking into Erik's eyes.
Seeing Christine like this gave Erik tremendous joy, she seemed much more alive than she had in weeks.
"I love you," she said pressing her lips to his.
"And I you." He replied
Though Erik could see much more life in Christine's eyes, he could also see how much strain she was putting in to be able to get up like this. He could feel a secret in the air, but he did not mention it. He did not want to ruin this rare moment.
"Erik?" Christine ask.
"Yes?"
"Could I bother you for a moment with Nadir?"
Erik seemed a bit confused, but consented.
"And please, I know you have ways of hearing us, but don't. Please?"
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"Promise," he smiled.
He went out the door and vanished through one of his secret passages.
With Erik out of the room Christine suddenly felt more tired and sat down in one of the chairs.
"Well," asked Nadir, "what is it you want from me?"
"Did Meg tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
Christine looked at him and he knew what she meant.
He sighed, "Yes she did, but no one else, not even her mother."
"Have you told Erik?" she asked.
"No." was his simple reply. He sat down next t her.
"I just don't know how to say it." Christine felt lost. Letting out a long sigh, she rested her chin on her hand.
"You should tell him as soon as possible. He will understand, but the longer you wait the harder it will be."
"I know, I just don't know how."
"Erik is a man of many secrets, only because he hates them so much. With you he does not need secrets and he loves you for it. He has entrusted you with the greatest secret of all, himself. Now, I cannot tell him for you, but we can help if need be, but it must be you who tells him. I know him well enough, that if you don't, he'll find out on his own."
* * * * *
Christine found Erik up in the rafters above the stage. He saw her down below and came down to her.
"Come with me," she said waving up at him.
She took him to her favorite spot in the whole opera, the small chapel, where she had first heard his voice years ago.
They sat on the stone floor together and Christine took Erik's hands.
"I have something to tell you."
"Anything," Erik said, "I'm here."
She took a deep breath, "Erik I'm…" she paused a little, "with child."
He went silent immediately seeing the dilemma Christine saw when she found out.
"Do you know who…" he stopped unable to say it.
"No…" she shook her head sadly, "but it will be our child." She added looking him in the eyes.
Erik immediately understood what she meant.
"I had meant to save this for a while longer, but it seems it cannot wait." Erik sighed. "The surprise Nadir and I had planned for you and Meg was for this."
He pulled out a white gold ring with a ruby centered on it, surrounded by small glittering diamonds.
Christine stood up and gasped at its beauty. Erik was on his knee.
"I know I've done horrible things. I've killed many men, yet you've chosen to see past all that and see who I am inside. You've seen my dark side, but you see the man I can be and what I hope to be. Through everything you've stood by me, so I ask Christine Daaé, will you marry me?"
A few happy tears fell down her cheeks, "Yes!" she said, "Of course I will!"
They sealed it with a kiss.