So sorry that I haven't updated in a while, I'll try to put some more chapters up soon.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera or any of its character; those rights belong to Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I do not own the lyrics of the song The Rose, which although being made famous by Bette Midler, was written by Amanda McBroom. I also do not own the lyrics of Amazing Grace...hell, I don't own anything. Anyway, Amazing Grace is owned by...um, one moment...I know he was a slave trader and I think his first name was John...times of desperation call for Google!...lol. Okay, got it. Amazing Grace is owned and written by a fellow that went by the name of John Newton. Okay, that all over, here's chapter 7:

Christine walked to Unit 1 where she lived, an exact copy of Madelaine's unit but with her own personal furnishings. Christine unlocked the door and went into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water and sitting down at the table. Well that was an interesting night. She used her hand to fan herself because the air conditioning was broken. The repairman wasn't able to come until later in the week and until then she would suffer. Christine looked up as she heard a soft chime from her laptop, signalling the arrival of an email. Opening it up, she saw it was from Fr. O'Reilly.

To: .com

From: .

Subject: Music

Evening, Christine. Just a last minute check that you have all the hymns prepared for mass tomorrow. As per usual I'll get there around 9:30 but won't disturb your practice. Oh, and a small request. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the death of Maggie Sheridan's mother. Maggie doesn't want anything said but you know how she likes the older music. Could you pick a traditional hymn for one of tomorrow's songs?

Thanks,

Fr. Mick

Christine replied immediately.

To: .

From: .com

RE: Music

Of course, Father. I had noticed that she seemed a bit pensive this last week. I always get there around nine o'clock so I'll have plenty of time to practice.

See you tomorrow,

Christine

Christine shut down her laptop, showered and got changed and got into bed.

Next Day

The next day Christine got up at the same time that she always did, 6:50, getting ready for a swim and getting into the pool at 7 o'clock. She wasn't aware there was another early riser who had a perfect view of the pool from his guest bedroom window. Christine swam laps for 25 minutes and spent the next five just floating about in the water and being silly; doing handstands, summersaults, amusing herself. She climbed out at half past 7, wrapping her towel around her legs, putting on what she thought of as her swim shirt on for the walk back to her unit and slipping on some sandals, walked back to her unit. Christine spent the next half hour getting ready for Church and then sat and read her book for 55 minutes. Picking up her music, she walked out the door and down to the Hall. The Hall was the Daae Home's function room. It was used as a Church every Sunday at 10 o'clock, as a room to hold Bingo night in every fortnight and any other function that should occur. It was at the end of the Community section. Christine unlocked the door and walked in, flicking on the lights. She walked over to the grand piano that never left the room. It had been given to her by her father when she was sixteen and she owned it, not the Home. He had taught her how to sing and play piano from a young age and he gave it to her when he thought that she knew enough to deserve more than an electric keyboard.

Christine sat at the piano bench and began playing Chopsticks. Not as a warm-up, mind you, but to amuse herself and because it was tradition. Her father had always instructed her to start with this song in case she was angry or sad. Christine had since learnt that there were ways to express her emotions through music but her father's words always remained with her:

'I'm sorry if you feel angry or sad, Chrissie, but smashing the keys won't fix the problem.'

Finishing Chopsticks, she began some piano and voice scales and then began to sing one of her father's two favourite songs.

Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need.
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking,

that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give.
And the soul afraid of dying,

that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely,
and the road has been too long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong.
Just remember in the winter,

far beneath the bitter snows,
lies the seed, that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.

Christine finished the song and began practising the hymns she had chosen.

......................................................................................................................................................

Erik showered and dressed, walking into the kitchen at about 9:30.

'Good morning,' Madelaine said.

'Good morning. What's available for breakfast?' Erik asked. Madelaine pointed at various cupboards where she was sitting and eating.

'That cupboard up there has bowls, plates, glasses and so on, above it is the cutlery drawer, in the cupboard over your head you can find the muesli and there is water, milk and orange juice in the fridge.' Erik blinked as he took all this information in and then proceeded to make himself breakfast.

'What are you planning on doing today?' Erik asked.

'I'm going to Mass at ten down at the hall and then I don't have all that much planned except maybe a sleep and some tennis. Are you coming to Mass?' Madelaine asked.

'Of course. That's one thing that hasn't changed about me.' Madelaine smiled.

'Thank goodness for that. Even if I wasn't a practising Catholic I think I would go to Church here just to hear Christine sing.' Erik's ears picked up.

'She sings?' he asked. Madelaine cleared her dishes over to the sink, resisting the urge to rub her hands together gleefully.

'Mmm hmm. And plays piano. She provides the music at Mass and a whole lot of other functions at the Home. She sings like an absolute angel.'

'That's interesting,' Erik said. He finished his breakfast and when he and Madelaine were ready they left at 9:40, arriving five minutes later. As Erik walked in, he spotted Christine immediately. She was sitting at the piano bench, dressed in a modest blue blouse and a knee-length black skirt. Christine was talking to a boy who looked to be about ten. Erik's heart sank when he saw a handsome man who looked to be in his late twenties walked over to the two of them, sent the boy off somewhere, and proceeded to have a brief conversation with her before he returned to his seat.

......................................................................................................................................................

Christine finished her practising just as ten-year-old Harry Cooper raced in, followed by his two brothers, Mark (7) and Tom (4), his father James, his heavily pregnant mother Janice, his uncle Brian and his grandmother Elsie who lived in the retirement community. Brian was engaged to Casey and their wedding was taking place in three weeks time.

'Hi, Christine!' Harry called out.

'Hi, Harry. I swear you've gotten bigger since the last time I saw you.' He laughed.

'What songs are you going to sing today?' Harry asked.

'Now, now. I can't tell you that or it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?' Christine teased. Harry pouted. His uncle Brian chose that point in time to walk over to them.

'C'mon, Harry. You'd better get changed into your robes,' Brian said. Harry scampered off to get ready.

'Thank you, Brian.' Christine said.

'No problem. I was wondering if you could do me a favour. Casey is panicking about make-up and jewellery and uh, other topics I don't really know anything about. Could you help her?' Brian asked sheepishly.

'That's fine, Brian. I'll have a chat with her at some time during the week. Hey, there she is now,' Christine said, causing Brian to turn around. 'I have a few more people to talk to before Mass starts so I'll let you go talk to her.' Brian smiled and walked away. Christine started her rounds and eventually came to Madelaine and Erik. She gulped. As happy as she was to see that Erik was a practicing Catholic, she now had butterflies in her stomach at the thought of singing before him.

'Good morning, Madelaine, Erik,' Christine said.

'Good morning,' they replied.

'What songs are you singing this morning?' Madelaine laughed. Christine smiled.

'You're just as bad as Harry, at least he's only ten, what's your excuse?' Madelaine laughed.

'I look forward to hearing you play and sing,' Erik said to Christine.

'Thank you. I can only hope that I can pass muster, Mr. Composer. Don't judge me too harshly,' Christine said, smiling.

'I wouldn't dream of it. Tell me about everybody here,' Erik said, gesturing at the congregation. While he was interested about hearing about everyone, he particularly wanted to know about that man. As she told him about everyone, he began to breathe more easily when Christine told him of Brian and Casey's engagement and he saw the look of adoration on Brian's face as he spoke to Casey.

'I must go now, Mass is going to begin and I have to go check on Charlie.' Christine had mentioned Charlie when she told Erik of everyone. He was a member of the retirement community who was in his late fifties and he controlled the data projector that projected the hymn lyrics at Mass. Christine continued to talk. 'Despite the fact that he is happy to operate that 'new-fangled' technology, I still have to keep an eye on him. I'll see you both after Mass.' With that and a smile, Christine walked over to Charlie, checked that he was ready and sat down at the piano. A moment later Mass started and the hymn flashed up on the screen. Christine began.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear,
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far,
and Grace will lead us home.

When we've been here ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun.

Christine and Erik were both having difficulty focusing on the music. Erik listened to Christine's strong and pure soprano voice, discovering that his mother was correct. She does indeed sing like an angel. Christine could hear Erik's deep, wonderful bass voice rising above the congregation. His voice sent pleasant shivers down her spine, as it had when she first talked to him at the airport. Focus on the music, Christine. Just focus.

Mass was soon over and Christine walked outside to help set up morning tea.