I would just like to take some time to thank everyone that has been reading my story. This is my first fan fiction and it makes me so glad to think that there are people out there that like my writing and that there are people out there that love Phantom just as much as me. Alright here's chapter 7.

Many of the servants had to be let go. I had to start managing the entire house. But on the bright side Raoul was slowly returning to himself. He stopped going out every day to drink and gamble. His drinking hours decreased to wine at dinner time. He was becoming easier to handle and easier to love. He usually spent the night in his office trying to manage our money. He had recently earned some money through some investments and was able to help us keep our home, but soon enough that money would run out. I had just tucked in Gustave. I walked into Raoul's study. He was growing more handsome with age, I had never noticed it before, perhaps it was because I couldn't remember the last time he was sober for such a long time. His dark dirty blonde hair was comber back from his face. His blue eyes were soft and kind yet serious as he flipped through his filed papers. I walked up behind him and put my arms around him kissing lightly on the cheek. I was trying to thank him all that he had done for me. I was thanking him for how hard he was trying to be a good husband and father. He relaxed into my embrace and I could hear him sigh as he let the calmness I lent him overtake him. As I looked down at the paper in his hand my name seemed to pop out.

"What's that dear?" I could tell he hadn't been expecting my question because he quickly shuffled the paper under his stack.

"It's nothing. Just a letter from a future investment."

"Raoul, my dear, I know you are not being honest. I saw my name on it. What is it?" I tried to hide my frustration under a tone of sweetness.

"It's honestly nothing. Nothing you need to worry about dear. I have everything under my control." I let it go. There was no need to pick a fight with him when we were both in such a good mood.

"Alright. I trust you, Raoul. I'm going to go to bed now. Will you be joining me?" Raoul looked up into my eyes and I could see that something was troubling him.

"No darling, there is work I must finish before tomorrow." He kissed me before I left the study. Being around Raoul was easier. Playing wife was become a lot simpler. The nights weren't too bed anymore. Although, I spent the night dreaming of being with another man while my husband held me in his arms, it was no longer out of repulsion. My marriage bed wasn't a horrifying thought anymore. The idea of being held in Raoul's arm didn't send terrifying shivers up my spine. He wasn't a scary beast to me anymore. Raoul was becoming more human and in turn I was becoming more accepting of him. I started to love him once more. No, it would never compare to the bitter sting of my love for Erik. It would never cause me heartache if he left. Raoul was becoming a dear friend to me once more. He was becoming the man I could go to with anything. He was turning back into the man I had once believed that I loved. I would stand at his side for his sake and my child's but also by my own choice.

I woke to Gustave bouncing up and down on my bed next to me. I opened my eyes to see his smile bigger than I had ever seen it before.

"What is it darling?" I brushed his hair from his forehead and pulled him into my lap.

"Look what I found!" I sat up and kissed him good morning on the very tip of his nose and took the piece of paper from his hands.

Dear Viscount Raoul De Chagny,

I am opening a new opera house in America. I was looking for an amazing performer to come and preform at its opening here in New York. It was during this search that I remembered you're talented wife. I went one the shows she had performed in Paris and was enchanted by her voice. She is an exquisite performer and I would love to have you and your family come to the opening of my house. I will pay you a large sum of money for her to perform for me. Please write me back soon so I can start my planning for the event.

Sincerely,

Oscar Hammerstein

"You see Mother! We get to go to New York! We can go to Coney Island, Mother!" By now Gustave was jumping up and down on my bed.

"Where did you find this Gustave?" He looked at me and stopped jumping. He must have noticed my distress because he sat down on the bed and looked at me with worried brown eyes.

"Well I went into, Father's study to look at the globe again and it was sitting on his desk." Sure enough, as I looked at the letter again I could see it was indeed the paper I had noticed Raoul reading last night.

"Gustave, where is your father? Does he know you have this." Gustave looked at me at first with first eyes full of confusion and then they quickly changed into a state of panic.

"Father left this morning before I woke. He had business or something. Why Mother? What is the matter?"

"I just do not think your father would appreciate you going through his things. That is all." There was something about that letter. It brought butterflies to my stomach and an instant wave of excitement. I wasn't sure if it was from Gustavé's excitement or my own for I would be singing once more. When Raoul returned home later that night for dinner, which he was starting to make sure never to miss, he was very clearly in a foul mood. I rushed to his side the moment he walked through the door. There was not even a tiny hint of alcohol on his breath. My excitement and proud got to me and I pulled him quickly into my embrace and kissed him hard. Of course, the force I managed wasn't close to what the strength I demonstrated to my Erik.

"Ow! Gosh Christine, what's wrong with you!"

"Oh! I'm sorry Raoul I guess I just got caught up in my love for you."

"Well keep under control Christine. You almost bit my lip!" I blushed and turned away. He marched past me to his office. I followed him in before he could shut me out.

"Is there anything you want to tell me? My excitement was over flowing Raoul hadn't allowed me to sing in so long. I was forced to hum quietly to myself only when he was out or when I was in the bath.

"What are you talking about?" He was obviously confused as to why I was so happy. "If I had something to say I would say it. Are you honestly that stupid that you can't tell I'm in a bad mood! Another one of my deals fell through!" The hurt hit before the shock.

"Hammerstein? But he sounded so excited in his letter. I was really looking forward to singing again and Gustave has been dreaming about Coney Island for weeks now." Now I could see his eyes light with fury.

"You went through my things! How dare you! After all I do for you and you don't even trust me!" He pushed past me through the doors and disappeared down to the cellar. He returned moments later holding a half empty bottle of wine. And I was quick to realize where the other half had disappeared to when he tried to stumble toward me.

"Darling! I meant no harm. I was just trying to tidy up your office for you so it could be nice for your return." I could feel the tears welling in my eyes.

"Gosh, Christine! You think I'm some pathetic idiot huh! Like I don't know what you were searching for!" What was he talking about? The way his worlds left his mouth stung more than the slap to face he had once given to me. Gustave came running into the kitchen. He must have heard the yelling and when I looked at him and saw the tears in his eyes my hypothesis was concluded.

"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about Raoul. And now this conversation is through!" The way my voice sounded like a mother correcting a stubborn child chilled me to the bone. I grabbed Gustavé's hand and walked him to his room. I heard to look slam as Raoul collapsed upon the ground. I fell asleep in Gustavé's bed with my poor weeping child in my arms.

In the morning Gustave got dressed and left for school. I was left alone to face the monster I was forced to call Darling. Raoul had sobered up and was sitting in the parlor.

"Come here Christine!" I wasn't prepared to face him yet but at the sound of my name I turned and followed the sound of his voice. "I would like to apologize for what I did the other night. I'm sorry all of the stress of the day yesterday got to me and I had no right to take it out on you." I sighed and walked towards him and sat beside him on the ottoman. He placed his arm around me and pulled me closer placing a gentle kiss upon my cheek.

"Why were so angry." With a sigh he turned to face me and started to explain the events of yesterday.

"…and he refused my investment calling me a slob. He threatened to make me lose the rest of my businesses and … And as for Hammerstein I have no intention of allowing you to perform for him in another country. You are my wife and shall stay to care for our child and home. That is your responsibility. I will care for the money." I looked at him in utter disbelief.

"But I want to sing. I miss the applause and the rush…" He cut me off.

"But I don't want you to be off touring the world for operas. You are my wife and you are to do as I say. And I will not allow music into my household. I have contacted an interior designer to turn the music room into a sewing room for you. It will be more beneficial to our family."

"But I don't want to sew! I want to sing! I want to be me! You are taking away everything I have ever wanted and you will destroy my- our son's dreams! How dare you!" Raoul rose from the ottoman in obvious fury.

"How dare you speak to me like that! I will not let music enter my house! Music is nothing but sins spread by the devil of a man! That cursed monster who almost stole my life and my wife!" So that was it! He was trying take away everything that Erik represented. Well little did he know the child he thought to be his own was enough of a constant reminder.

"You can't keep music out of my life you beast! You are nothing but a monster! "And with that I ran to my bedroom and looked the door. I fell onto the bed wanting nothing more than to be caught in Erik embrace and to feel his soothing pulse and to hear his enchanting voice hush my sobs away. I needed the one thing on the planet I could never find. Honest and true love…