*DISCLAIMER* I DO NOT own The Phantom of the Opera, its storyline, or its characters. Please R&R.
It has been a couple of weeks since I received the big news. Meg is the only person aware of what has been happening and I have yet to share the news with my dad and family. It's not that I don't want to tell them, its just that I don't know how to tell them. I haven't found a way nor have I found the time, I've just been so busy with work and helping out with Bianca as much as I can. I also haven't even mentioned it to Erik either. I'm just so angry with him at the moment, he hasn't reached out at all and hasn't made an attempt to see me either. I know for a fact that he's been in contact with Nadir, how else would he know what Erik needs me to do at work.
For today, that is the last thing that's on my mind. Today is Halloween and I will be in charge of taking Bianca and Bentley trick or treating. Brad is going to be stuck at work and Addie hasn't been feeling well either with constant nausesousness and dizziness. I decided I'd take one for the team and sign up to take them both, it'll help take things off of my mind anyway.
I went to work and did my usual thing. Because Erik is gone, Nadir has practically taken over and Meg and I have been splitting most of the work… which is still a lot. We have both spoken to him and he still has yet to get a solid answer on the exact date or expected date of Erik's return. Even though we're both splitting the work, it still feels like we're doing twice as much as before and I am not sure how much longer we can take this. Well, I'm not sure how much longer I can take this. I'm two months pregnant and I have no idea what to do with this whole situation.
I went straight to dad's house after work. When I walked in, I saw Dad in the kitchen with Bianca, he was making Halloween cookies and had Bianca in her high chair. "Hey, dad. What are you up to?". He looked up at me, "just making some Halloween cookies, honey." He smiled at me and made his way over to me and gave me a big hug. "I've missed you," I said as I squeezed him tightly. "I've missed you too, sweetie," he replied with a big smile on his face.
After helping dad to finish baking the cookies, and putting Bianca and myself in our costumes, we set out into the living room to see my dad waiting with his phone to take a picture. I dressed Bianca in an adorable Lilo costume, and dressed myself in a Nani costume I made myself. Dad was smiling bright and snapping pictures of us in every angle.
After our photography session with Dad, I drove Bianca and I over to Brad's house to pick up Bentley. Addison was waiting for me at the door with Bentley. She had dressed Bentley up as Stitch. She, like dad, also snapped a couple of pictures of the three of us. After another semi-lengthy photo shoot, we were on our way to begin trick-or-treating. I drove us over to the much more wealthy area of Bellrose, which was a couple of blocks over from my dad's house.
After a couple of houses, and a bag full of candy later, we made it to the biggest house, or should I say, mansion on the block. It was a very large three story home with large windows through which you could see a large living room and mezzanine overlooking it. There were a couple of people in there, it seems that there was a small party taking place. Most of the people were in colonial costumes. After knocking on the door, an older woman opened the door. "Twick o tweat," said Bentley as an older woman in her 50's opened the door. "Well, happy Halloween honey. Why don't you folks come on in an the lady of the house will be right over to give the young lads some a treat or two," she said as she motioned for us to step inside. As I stepped inside, I saw a familiar woman in her late 50's. "My, my, my. Well if it isn't Christine Daae. Why I haven't seen you in a while. You know, Raul misses you very much," she said.
The familiar woman was Raul's mother. "Hello. I hope you are doing well Mrs. De Launey. I was just bringing my little sister and nephew out for some trick-or-treating," I replied. She smiled, "Well why don't you stop in for a little. I'm sure that Raul would be just happy to see you," she said as she pulled me into the living room. She looked around until she spotted the maid which opened the door. "Now, Loretta, why don't you fetch Raul and tell him he's got a guest here to see him," she said. I made a move to protest, "Oh, no. That's not necessary, besides I'm sure he doesn't want to see me right now." Raul's mother pushed me back down and into my seat. "Nonsense, dear girl. Don't be silly. That boy absolutely adores you," she said.
After a couple of minutes Raul walked into the room while he was looking at something on his phone. "Mother, what is it? Who's here to see-," he stopped right in his tracks when he saw me sitting there, "Me," he finished. In awe he looked at me and rushed over to me, pulling me out of my seat and giving me a great big hug. "Chrissy, you're here! I can't believe it!" To my luck, Bianca started wailing, which meant she was tired and wanted to be laid down for bed. "Oh, yes. But I'm sorry, it seems that Bianca probably needs to head back home for bed. She's getting quite fussy." Once again, Raul's mother interjected, "nonsense. I can watch the kids for a couple of minutes, why don't you two catch up." "Oh, no. That's not necessary, besides Bianca can get quite fussy," I replied. She motioned for us to walk away, "Honey, I had 3 children. I can deal with a fussy baby. Now go on, do it for me," she beamed. Clearly this lady still hasn't learned how to read a room!
Raul and I walked upstairs and out onto the large balcony overlooking a large garden full of many bushes, flowers, and lights. Raul walked over to me, placing his suit jacket on my shoulders. "Here, I'm sure you're probably chilly," he said. I had nothing to say to him so I simply nodded. "Chrissy, I'm so glad you showed up to my mothers to rekindle our relationship," he added. I shook my head, "No, um, I was actually trick-or-treating with my sister and Bentley. I actually had no idea that your parents had moved," I replied. "Oh, well. Look at how fortunate that was. I've wanted to see you for a while now. To ask if you're healed enough to get back together." I shook my head. "Raul, um, I'm not ready to get back together with you. I have a lot going on right now, with finishing college, my new job, mom, and Er-," I stopped myself before saying his name. "What? Is there a new man? Christine you said you needed time to heal yourself, not that you were breaking up with me for good. You can't do that Chrsitine! You need me." I took a step back as he stepped towards me after every word he uttered. I shook my head, "No,no. There is no one else. I just have a lot going on. I've been so busy, I've hardly had any time to myself let alone to meet another man." He had me cornered at the edge of the balcony after I finished speaking. He took hold of my arm rather forcefully. "Good. Because you are mine, Christine Daae… and I'll be damned if I ever let anyone take you away from me," said through clenched teeth. "Raul, please," I said as I bit back tears.