A/N: Thank you all for your reviews! I loved reading each and every one of them. I got a lot of "When's the E/C coming". Don't worry; I won't take this story off of Fan Fic.
We left off with Nadir's fascinating conclusion on Erik being the Phantom of the Opera.
And for what you have been all waiting for…
Chapter 30
"Come along, Christine," called Madame Giry.
Christine shuffled behind Madame Giry off the boat and into their waiting carriage.
"The Paris Opera House," Madame Giry ordered the hansom. The carriage jerked forward as it rolled down the cobble-stoned streets of Paris.
Madame Giry eyes rested on Christine. Madame Giry's eye rested on Christine, watching the girl, deep in thought, fiddle with her fingers and draw a shaky breath as she whimpered. Two tears trickled down Christine's puffy cheeks and into her lap.
Feeling Madame Giry's gaze, she looked up at her. "He didn't get to see Paris with me," Christine explained tearfully.
Madame Giry felt a painful lump in her throat. "He is with you, Christine. Even though you can't see him, he is there," she comforted.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the Opera House.
Madame Giry gracefully exited the carriage as the hansom unloaded the luggage.
"Come with me, Christine." Together they walked hand in hand into the Opera House with the driver lagging behind with the luggage.
They had been inside for no more than a minute when a delighted shriek rang out through the marbled lobby. Madame Giry let go of Christine's hand briefly to catch the pink blur that came pelting toward her.
"Mama! You're home!" the blonde girl exclaimed. "Don't ever leave me again!" she scolded playfully.
Madame Giry felt a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth.
"It's good to be home."
The blonde girl looked at Christine. "Hello, my name is Meg. What's your name?" Meg asked with a friendly smile.
Christine looked at Meg and smiled for the first time since the passing of her father. "Christine," she replied bashfully.
"I like your dress, Christine," Meg replied, touching Christine's pale dress.
"Thank you," she replied shyly.
"Mama, can Christine and I play in the theatre?" Meg asked, looking up at her mother.
"Not until I show Christine to her new room and unpack her things," Madame Giry replied sternly.
"Aww, you're no fun." Meg complained.
"MEGAN ALICIA GIRY! You do not speak to me like that!" Madame Giry admonished.
"But it's true," Meg whispered. Her words didn't reach her mother's ears, but Christine heard them and cupped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.
XXX
Meg and Christine quickly helped Madame Giry unpack Christine's luggage so that they could have more time to play.
As soon as they were finished, Meg grabbed Christine's hand and off they ran to the theatre.
"I'm so happy you're sleeping in the next bed! We can stay up late and tell stories. This is going to be so much fun!" Meg explained joyfully.
Christine smiled. She was happy to have a friend. Meg kept her so busy that it almost seemed like her father had never left her.
They started playing hide and seek and as Meg was counting, Christine ran up the steps into the vacant boxes. She paused as she heard Madame Giry talking to someone in hushed tones. Christine creped into the box beside Madame Giry's and sat down on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest.
"I was away on business," Madame Giry whispered.
"What sort of business?" an accusing voice asked.
"I'm not telling you. Why do you need to know?" Madame Giry shot back.
"I should know where the ballet mistress was while that dense woman was taking your place. The play is going to ruins because you weren't here!" the voice growled.
"I am flattered by your words, but I have no time for this." Madame Giry stormed out of box five and strode down the stairs.
Christine crept out of her hiding place and peered into box five, wondering who Madame Giry was talking to.
There was no one there in the box. Christine looked behind her and down the halls, but there was no one. Christine ran downstairs to find Meg still trying to seek for her.
"There you are!" Meg shouted. Christine ran over to Meg and placed a small finger to her lips.
"Shhh. Not so loud," Christine whispered.
Meg tilted her head to the side. "What's wrong?"
"I can't tell you here." Christine grabbed Meg's hand led her to their dormitories.
"Now can you tell me?" Meg asked impatiently.
"You mother was talking to a man in box five. After she left, I looked inside to see who she was talking to and the box was empty!" Christine explained.
"I think you just met the Opera Ghost," Meg grinned sinisterly.
A/N: I know it's been a while since I last updated and I'm sorry.
A special thanks to my betas: WildPixiChild and The Mouse in the Opera House!
BTW Happy Valentine's Day!!! Love you all!!! kisses
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
