Once Christine and Erik reached their home once again Erik settled in his big armchair, put his arms on his knees, and dropped his face into his cupped hands. He didn't know what to do anymore, how was he going to make it now? People have seen him in public, the splendor of the night caused him to forget how to act and now a good handful of people know what his feelings for Christine are. How is he going to handle that now? He'll have to be two separate people—Erik and the Phantom.
Christine saw how distressed Erik was becoming and she walked up to his tense form. She allowed her hand to gently rub his back in the most comforting manner she could produce and after ten minutes of him not talking, not even moving, did she decide to sit on the ground next to him and pressed her head against his knee like she so often did with her father.
Erik looked up to see his angel sitting against his form and he sighed heavily. So much was happening to him and Christine that he just wished Gustave was here again. He had always known what to do in circumstances like this when he was still alive and Erik wished more than anything to bring him back to help guide him and Christine once again through these hard times. Erik knew that he hadn't done many religious things since the death of his good friend, almost father, which helped him regain himself during the dark times of his life. For once in his life Erik prayed without caring who heard or saw him, this was important and he wasn't going to hide any longer.
"Dear god Gustave, please help me figure this out. You helped me figure out the violin, and if you could do that then please just show me how to get out of this mess," Erik whispered into his hands. The man that he once saw as a friend, and Christine as a father, was not exactly here with them but Erik could sense his presence. He always swore that this would have made his skin crawl, knowing the spirit of the man and Christine's father, because he was sure that Gustave would have hated him for the way that he had treated Christine. How he lied to her all those years.
But as Erik continued to feel Gustave's presence grow stronger he did not feel any hatred or scorn but love and kindness. Erik looked up half expecting to see Gustave's body translucently floating in front of him and Christine but he was not. Instead a comfortingly feeling encompassed him and instead of a face he heard a voice.
"Oh my dear boy what has happened to you?" The warming sound of Gustave Daae's voice weaved its way into Erik's mind and a few tears escaped from Erik's eyes. Erik looked at Christine to see if she was hearing what he was but from the way she was still absently looking off in the distance Erik was sure that she wasn't hearing her father's voice. Erik knew that he didn't actually have to talk aloud so he began to think.
Gustave I need your help once more, Erik thought with a little saddened smile. It seems that your daughter has somehow managed to tame the beast in me and gotten me to go out in public. Forgive me for not asking your permission to court your date, I do not mean to insult you.
Erik could hear his old friend's laughter fill his head and Erik was relaxed a little more through this.
"Erik my boy, I have been watching the two of you very intently after my passing. Now I don't approve of lying but what you did for my daughter redeemed yourself, in my eyes, of all your past transgressions. I have seen Christine grow to love you as a father, friend, and then finally a lover. Erik, the reason I chose you as her betrothed was because I knew that you would be able to take care of her better than her old man ever did." Gustave let out a large sigh as he watched his only child sit at the foot of Erik's figure like she used to do with him before the sickness had taken over him. Neither of them believed that that was how their story would end and Gustave felt horrible for all the pain that he caused his daughter those many years before Erik had made his presence known.
Erik pressed his lips together as he felt the first signs of tears form at the corners of his eyes, but for now he knew that he was going to hold them at bay. There was so much more to discuss with Christine's father about tonight and their future. Then the sudden image of the Raoul boy popped into Erik's head and he knew that he needed to ask Gustave about him.
Gustave do you know anything about a boy called Raoul? Christine has briefly mentioned to me that she knew him during her childhood so I assumed that you had met the boy at some point as well. Please, I need to know everything that you know about him. It's the upmost importance for me to know everything so I can protect Christine.
Gustave sighed once more as he rubbed his eyes, yes he had seen everything that was transpiring between Raoul DeChagny and Christine and he was very disappointed in the way that the young boy was turning out to become. He was never that way when he was younger. As he looked at the way Christine clutched herself to Erik Gustave knew that he had to tell Erik everything and he wasn't sure that Erik was going to like what he was going to hear. Now they are just rumors but there is too much coincidences in them that makes Gustave think there's more to the story.
"When Christine was six we were in rough times, money was scarce and my faith in humanity was slowly deteriorating because none took pity on us even when it was winter. So every day I trudged through the snow to my usual corner and I began to play as passionately as I possibly could on my violin to attract any passerby's. None came for hours on end but one man took pity on me and handed me enough francs that would last me and Christine two whole weeks. The man smiled as he handed me the money and began to speak to me.
'Sir, I have a generous proposition for you' the man started to talk to me. At the time I grew weaery of anybody I had met on the streets so I took a good look at him. I could tell by the way that he had dressed that he was of the higher class and I stared at the money contemplating about declining his offer and make my way back to Christine.
'Before you leave monsieur I promise you that if you accept the proposition then you and your child would have a roof over your heads, access to two servants and more money from where that came from.' I knew that I couldn't get my hopes up with this man, I've heard too many tales of which different men said the same things to weary travelers and then took them through alleys and beat them to death—I would not and could not leave Christine to fend for herself.
I guess the man saw the doubt in my eyes and he handed me a card with his name and address on it. I studied it for a few minutes and when I felt that it was not a fake I thanked him for it. On the top of the card held the name Vincent William DeChagny.
'Please feel free to come to my home when you and your child are ready. If you tell a carriage driver that you are going to the DeChagny home I will pay for the ride to my home.'
I nodded and began to watch him walk away, but curiosity burned deeply inside me and I couldn't stop myself from running after the man to ask exactly why he wanted my services at his home.
The Monsieur DeChagny looked at me then and smiled. 'I have a son who's eight and has taken accustomed to loving the sound of a violin. He told me that he wants to learn how to play it and I feel that you would be the best tutor possible. I have heard great things about you Gustave Daae and I know that you would not fail in teaching my son.'
Of course I accepted the job because I needed the money to help ensure Christine has a good future and the count treated us exceptionally better than most people would treat a tutor. We were given two rooms for ourselves with a bathroom for each of us. The countess, who had lost a baby at the time, spoiled Christine with mannerism and etiquette lessons for her to become a proper lady of society. The countess believed that all ladies should act the same despite their ranking in the social circle of France.
As part of the agreement I had taught their son, Raoul, how to play the violin. I knew immediately that he was not a natural musician because when he played it lacked passion that I know that Christine uses to sing and you do to play the organ Erik.
Erik blushed at the compliment that he received from Gustave and continued listening intently to his guardian. Erik didn't realize how close of a relationship the Daae's and DeChagny's had before she arrived at the opera house and continued to listen to the tale.
However Raoul and Christine grew close to one another as they grew up for several months in the same home. Christine had a knack for finding herself in situations that she should not involve herself in and the result ending up being that Raoul too had become curious of Christine. For many weeks I watched how Raoul grew protective of Christine and normally any father would be proud to have a noble take interest into his daughter. However, I grew to despise it because I knew that Christine had a free spirit and did not deserve to be forced into settling down with a future she has no knowledge of.
I decided it was time for Vincent to be aware of his son's advancements upon my daughter and so I decided to discuss the matter with him in his office— I have learned that if the listener is comfortable it causes him to be more compliant in negotiations. I am sure I have taught you that in the past yes? Well anyway, I told Vincent that I was not very happy about how his son was controlling my daughter and he began to laugh. I tried not to let my anger get to the best of me so I took a deep breath and waited.
'Oh Gustave you know how young boys are, they like to show their women how thing swill be. No harm is being done except that your Christine is learning her place for when she becomes Raoul's wife.' Vincent told me as he drank his brandy at his desk. I was infuriated and called him many sinful things, although I regrettably do not apologize for anything I said to him. I stood up and walked out of the door without turning around to see his face—though I am guessing it was one of shock.
I went outside to find Christine and told her we must leave. Luckily by that time I had earned well more than enough payment and was able to buy ourselves a small home and was able to snag a small home by the sea for my darling daughter. Gustave looked down at his daughter who was now sleeping and softly stroked her hair. Although no one could see him do the act he saw in Christine's smile that lightened her face that she knew subconsciously that her father was there protecting her.
I knew however, that our money would not be able to sustain us for the rest of our lives so I went and auditioned for a spot as a violinist at the Opera Populaire. One day after returning from a practice I had heard little ballerina girls laughing and giggling about gypsy's here in Paris. However Antoinette who was at the time the prima ballerina, who must have been in her teens back then, was clearly distressed. I was the only one she ever talked to and she confided in me about a boy she had saved from a cruel fate and she needed my help. I think you know the rest of the story from there my boy.
Erik nodded as he grew to realize that the boy was indeed himself. He sighed as he remembered the rest of the story—how the stranger had come to him and Erik was surprised to see that he was not alarmed in the slightest of the Devil's Child. Erik remembered how the older man cared for him, clothed him, fed him, taught him the music of the night and gave him vast amounts of books in order to let Erik further his education at his own pace. He remembered Gustave giving away his daughter to him on his deathbed and him begging Erik to promise to take care of his daughter. Erik held Christine's hand tighter at the thought and caressed her hair.
But something kept nagging him. The countess spoiled Christine at a time of her greatest need and he could not help but need to thank this woman in some way possible. Why he wanted to thank this woman for a deed that had been done so many years ago, he didn't know. All he knew was that he wanted to repay her for probably helping Christine during a dark time, but in order to do that first he needed to know the woman's name.
"Can you tell me her name, the countess that helped Christine?" Erik thought to himself and waited for Gustave's reply.
Elisabeth Bellerose was her maiden name before she became Elisabeth DeChagny. She—
Erik growled in anger as he cut off Gustave's answer. He knew that name, he would recognize that woman's name anywhere. He knew this woman quite well and he was not pleased that she was being brought back into his life once more.
"Did Elisabeth have raven black hair, dark blue eyes, hourglass figure and alabaster skin?" Erik growled and groaned at the same time. The pain in his voice was evident which is probably why Gustave was hesitant that first to answer him.
Ye-ye-yes she did. How do you know this woman? Did you come across of her? I'm sure she is one of the few that treated you with the upmost kindest like she did with my Christine.
Erik laughed for a second, not the happy lovely laugh that Christine loved to hear more than she loved to breathe oxygen. No, this laugh was mocking and very sarcastic.
"I know her—no I knew this woman, but not anymore—because this woman is my mother." Erik suddenly remembered all the stories that he heard growing up in the village that despised him and all the stories of his mother's valiant attempts to destroy him. Yes, Erik knew that entire story but it is not the type of story that he ever wished to recount even to Gustave.
Erik I know that this is a story you do not wish to tell me, but I do believe that you should let Christine know of this woman. Her son is making advances on her and it is very much obvious that she is taken to you. If Raoul ever finds out about you it could be dangerous not only for you but for Christine too. She needs to know about this story. Please tell her for my sake, I know that she has an innocent heart but she must know of the world's cruelties at some point in her life. She cannot grow up in a fairy tale anymore.
Erik nodded and tried to compose himself once again. All the pain and suffering that his mother inflicted upon him as soon as he was born returned to him all at once and it almost become overbearing for his soul. He looked down at Christine and stroked her cheek gently as he thought of how simple life could be if people never did bad things. He sighed and kissed her forehead as he lifted her up in his arms and carried her back to his swan bed and laid her underneath the red satin blankets. He could not go to sleep yet and so he sat at his desk as he slowly and shakily pulled out a small worn down brown journal hidden in a secret compartment.
Inside the journal there were many entries made by a small child's hand. That small child wrote in the journal from age five to age eight—right before he was captured and taken to the gypsy's. For three years the child wrote every day in his journal about his days and what he did and learned. He would also account what his mother did to him for that day and Erik peered down and noticed small red dots that would cover some of the more grizzly entries. Erik closed his eyes as he realized that the red dots were his own blood from the punishments that his mother inflicted upon him.
Erik opened it back up to the first page and started to read everything once again, feeling his heart clench tightly against his chest as his past came back to life. Every whip, every slap, every cut and cruel act his mother inflicted on him became sharper once again and Erik could not help but cry when he finished the journal. He cried for his lost childhood and he cried for others in the same situation as him and mostly Erik cried for the loss of humanity.