Chapter Seven: Her Last Performance Of The Season
Previously,
Christine Daaé's Dressing Room, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, June, 1895
Christine and Erik stood before the mirror, Christine laid her head against his chest, while he stroked the curls.
"Now I'll say goodnight too you, my love and I'll see you in the morning." He whispers.
"Stay."
He sighed in defeat, How could he deny his Angel.
"Alright mon bel ange I'll stay."
Swooping her up into his arms and carrying her to the bed. Christine kept her head snuggled to his shoulder. Laying her down, he then proceeds to pull back the covers. Her chocolate eyes watched as he quickly removed his cape, jacket, waistcoat, and shoes. Before joining her on the bed, pulling her close he whispered.
"Goodnight, ma belle."
Her head was resting on his chest, feeling it rise and fall with every breath. Softly gliding her fingers across his chest. His arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her to him.
"Goodnight, mon ange." She murmured.
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xoxo
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The Garnier Opera's Costume Storage Room, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, August 1895
It was silent when the opera house, the only sounds you could here, was the grand clock in the main entrance, quietly chime every hour, and the occasional creaks of the building. The clock chimes 2:00 a.m. as Erik and Christine, creep through the halls and the corridors of the theatre. Christine places her hand to her mouth, suppressing a yawn.
"Erik, where are we going?" She whispered as she tried to keep her eyes opened while her hands were wrapped around his. It was way past midnight, and the residents who lived at the opera house had long gone to bed. And Erik knew this would be the perfect opportunity, to surprise her.
"Hush, my impatience rose, you'll see." she whispered back, placing a kiss on her forehead. Holding his lantern, giving them light through the dark hallway.
"Ah, here we are." Placing the lantern beside the door. He reached to open the door. "After you Mademoiselle." He gestured.
Always a gentleman.
"Why thank you, Monsieur." She smiles stepping into the room, she realised that they where. "Erik, why are we here?" She asks as he closed the door, turning to face her.
"Well, my little diva, you shall need a new attire for your last performance."
"But aren't these costumes only for the opera's we have to return them to Camille. Wait what if she finds out the we've been through her things?"
"She won't find out because if you turn around, I'd made a dress for you, but I had to keep here, so you wouldn't find it."
Christine eyes lit up with joy, turning to see the beautiful creation in front of her, she reaches out and runs her fingers across the trimmings of the emerald fabric. She pulls back and wraps her arms around him. "Thank you."
He smiled, kissing the top of her head. "Why don't you try it on?" He offered gesturing to the folding screen.
Christine looked at him curiously and nods, taking the dress from the rack.
Erik turned as her shadow appeared behind the screen, giving her privacy.
"Ange, what do you think?"
He turned to see heaven. His angel wore an emerald green dress with an off the shoulder neckline, that wrapped perfectly across her shoulders. Her necklace chain was tucked safely underneath her bodice as always. The full floor length skirt had embroidered lace with black embellishments, that seemed to sparkle in low light of the room.
She was stunning.
He stood before her looking down at her dress, his eyes met hers. "You look beautiful."
She smiled as her cheeks began to blush. He pulled her necklace out from its hiding spot. "You should have it like this for your performance."
She smiles, "I'll put it back under my dress, once I've finished, otherwise the girls will noticed the engravings." Erik raised his brow, Christine rolls her eyes.
"You'll be surprised how observing Eloise can be my love." causing him to laugh.
Then there was a nose. "Hurry ange, it seems we've disturbed, the mistress of the costumes." Christine rushed to grabbed her nightgown and robe, and returning back to Erik's embrace. Erik quickly wrapped his cloak around them, before they exited, through the wall without a trace.
Camille enters wearing her dressing gown while holding a candlestick, frowning as she thought she heard something in the room looking around. But as she found nothing suspicious she left the costume room, locking it with her keys.
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xoxo
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The Stage Of The Opera, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, August 1895
Make me proud mon ange.
Erik whispered into her ear, as she stood before the wings, watching her friends dance, before he vanished into thin air.
I hate it when you do that.
Do what, love?
Act all mysterious and disappear on me.
Oh my darling Christine, don't you know that the phantom is famous for being mysterious. And you, my love never have to fear. Your Angel of Music is always with you.
I love you, my angel.
I love you too.
She jumped, as she felt Meg grab her hand. How long had it been?
About 5 minutes, mon ange, and you have about 30 seconds before you go on stage.
Christine rolled her eyes and turns her attention to Meg. Who looks at her with concern."Are you alright? You began to day dream again."
"Non mon ami, I was talking to Erik."
"What-"
Antoinette's staff stomped onto the ground, making the girls freeze.
"Christine Daaé, they're waiting for you."
She took a breath she didn't know she was holding and walked onto the stage.
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xoxo
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"Ladies and Gentlemen, as this will her last performance for this season. It is my honour to welcome Mademoiselle Christine Daaé to the stage." Monsieur Meyer announced to the audience.
"Maestro, please."
The audience looked in awe as the stage lights brighten as Christine walked onto the stage, glancing towards Box 5 and sighed in relief. Raoul wasn't sitting there, she noticed that he sat with Firmin and André in box 8, her eyes turned back to box 5 as she noticed a slight shadow. Looking down once more, she closed her eyes.
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Christine…
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The theatre fell silent. The audience's eyes rose up, looking everywhere, trying to find who's voice that was. Raoul eyes frowned having heard that voice once more.
Christine smiled at their reaction, she began to sing.
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
From this moment
I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love
I'd give my last breath
From this moment on
I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you
I can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to
My prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on
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xoxo
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The audience rose from their seats, applauding the young Prima Dona, she took a bow. Nodding towards the managers, as she took another bow, before leaving the stage.
Christine walks through the wings, Meg runs up to her, with her tutu flapping around her tiny waist. "You were amazing as always mon ami. But you must hurry though, it seems the Vicomte wants a word with the Prima Dona."
"I don't want to-"
"I know you don't want to speak to him mon ami. I'll distract him with the others." Meg explained, she then giggled "It will give you enough time to escape to your Phantom."
"Shh, shh." Christine giggles, before looking around to see if anyone heard them. "Thank you, Meg." Christine kisses her cheek and rushes to her room.
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xoxo
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Christine Daaé's Dressing Room, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, August 1895
Brava, brava
She hears her angel's voice upon entering her room. jumping straight into his arms, Erik laughs, as he twirled her. The emerald dress she wore, swirled and sparkled, in the soft glow of her dressing room. Christine wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. As he slowly placed her down onto the ground. He pulls away, holding a red rose with a black ribbon tied to the stem.
"You were stunning ma belle." he whispered. Christine blushes as took the rose, placing it on her dressing room table. Stepping back into his warm embrace, she reaches up to pull off his mask. Instantly kissing his hidden cheek. "Thank you, mon amor. I noticed Raoul wasn't in your box, you must have very pleased with the managers."
"Hmph, well it's about time those two bloody fools listened to me." He grimaced.
"Well at least, you didn't have to threaten them this time." She reminded him, Christine pulls him back into her arms, cupping his face, gently brushing back his gorgeous chestnut curls. "Grumpy phantom?" she teased. He arched his brow, "Your grumpy phantom." he smirked, pressing his mouth to hers.
"There." She pulled back, giving him a slight squeeze. "Did that make you better?"
"Mmmh only if you give another kiss and sing for me."
"Whatever my handsome angel commands." She said as their lips met.
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xoxo
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Backstage Of The Opera House, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, August 1895
Raoul makes his way to Christine's dressing room, Meg knowing full well that Christine is occupied with Erik, and stalls him.
"Ah Monsieur le Vicomte, what brings you back here?" Eloise flirts, shrugging her shawl. Meg rolls her eyes So much for being discreet.
"Forgive me, Mademoiselles but I was after Christine." he said.
Where was this man's politeness? "Unfortunately Mademoiselle Daaé isn't available tonight and doesn't wish to see any visitors." Meg said as girls all giggled.
"Oh, but she'll see me." Raoul pointed.
"No Monsieur, she'll see no one tonight, including you. She told me herself and my mother before she went on stage."
"Well I shall try again tomorrow then, can you please give these to her as soon as she can?" Offering the bouquet of red roses to Meg.
"Of course we will Monsieur." Eloise said taking the flowers from Raoul. Meg rolls her eyes again.
The sound of Antoinette's staff struck the floor, the girls all my scattered away, running the their dorms. Meg stayed back and Antoinette walked up them, placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Monsieur le Vicomte, I'm afraid Mademoiselle Daaé isn't seeing visitors tonight, please kindly return to your home, my girls and I have a busy day tomorrow, and I would hate if Meg didn't get her rest."
"But of course Madame Giry. But if you wouldn't mind if I had a word with you."
"Of course, Monsieur." Antoinette turns to Meg, smiling, placing a kiss to her cheek. "Goodnight my dear, you did wonderfully tonight."
Meg smiled, and gave a slight curtsey to Raoul before you gracefully walked to her dorms where the others slept.
As they moved pasted Christine's dressing room door, Raoul stopped as he heard giggling from the of the door. He looked back at Antoinette who didn't seemed to notice as she walked passed. She turns back to see Raoul standing outside Christine's door.
When will this boy ever understand, that Christine is well and truly taken?
"Shall we, Monsieur?" She called out, taking him out of his reverie, as she gestured towards her office.