Christine woke up with a start, but when she heard the gentle; and mesmerizing tones of the monkey music box, she remembered where she was.
Christine smiled as she saw, her favorite pink dress lying on a chair.
Christine grabbed her dress, and went to the bathroom to freshen up before she went down to meet Erik.
She also found herself, thinking about how kind Erik is.
Christine went to the bottom of the stairs, and heard the most beautiful music she had ever known. Each note surrounded her with a soft warmth that she was unfamiliar with, she had finally been let into Erik's world, and she didn't want to leave.
Christine knew that she had announced herself, but she didn't want Erik to stop playing; so she sat at the bottom of the stairs, and let Erik's music transport her to another world.
She didn't return until she heard Erik call to her.
"Christine how long have you been sitting there?" Erik asked, he got up and walked over to Christine.
" To be honest I'm not sure, I know I should have announced myself; but I didn't want you to stop playing, your music is so beautiful." Christine said, as she climbed to her feet, and followed Erik to his table.
"That music is part of the score, for the opera I am writing, I am pleased to hear that you like it." Erik said as he quickly set his table.
Erik smiled as he watched Christine take the seat that he had pulled out for her.
Then as he took his seat he saw Christine smile, and just maybe suppressing a laugh.
"Does something amuse you Christine?" Erik asked, as he watched Christine eat her breakfast; of scrambled eggs, and sausage.
"Oh it's nothing really, I was just thinking about what happened to Carlotta last night. " Christine said with a laugh.
Erik watched Christine laugh for a moment, it was the most angelic sound he had ever heard.
A little later Erik took the dishes to the kitchen resolving to wash them, after he took Christine to the surface.
Erik returned from the kitchen, and found Christine staring out at the lake.
"Christine is something troubling you, if you wish to return to the surface, I can take you back right now." Erik said, with a worried tone.
"Oh no Erik that's not It at all, I'm just preparing myself for the day." Christine said, with a thin smile,
"What do you think is going to happen Christine?" Erik asked, feeling a little worried, about what the answer would be.
"I am preparing myself for Carlotta's challenge." Christine said, with a thin smile.
"How would she challenge you?" Erik asked, angry at the thought of the one he loved being hurt.
"I don't know, but I know she has way too much pride, to accept her defeat, with grace.
Then Christine turned to face Erik.
"Erik as much as I love being here, I have to return to the surface." Christine said, with a twinge of sadness in her voice.
"I understand I'll take you back, I'm sure that Antoinette is worried about you." Erik said, as he walked Christine to the gondola.
"Yes you're right she is like a mother to me, and I wouldn't want to worry her." Christine said, with a smile, as she climbed into the gondola.
Later Christine stopped at the mirror, turned back to Erik.
"I'll see you tonight." Christine said with a shy smile, as she reluctantly let go of Erik's hand.
" I'll see you tonight, and I will have dinner ready so you eat before we practice." Erik said, as he smiled at Christine.
Then Christine stepped through the mirror, just as her dressing room door opened.
"Oh Christine there you are, come on it's almost time for practice." Meg said, as she ran over to Christine, and pulled her out of the room.
When they reached the practice room, Madame Giry gave Christine a raised eyebrow; but said nothing, Christine danced happily and focused on her moves however, she couldn't help but notice Carlotta's angry eyes following her as she moved.
Then Christine caught herself as Carlotta tried to trip her, then everyone gasped as Carlotta fell to the stage floor.
"She tripped me that chorus brat tripped me!" Carlotta shouted angrily as she climbed to her feet.
"I did no such thing!" Christine said, as she gave Carlotta a pointed look.
" You dare call me a liar?!"Carlotta shouted, as she glared at Christine.
" No what I am calling you is a self-absorbed diva, who walks all over everyone; and who does not deserve the title of prima donna."
"Listen to me you little chorus rat, you may have had one little triumph; but you will never be better than me!" Carlotta shouted, as she stormed over to Christine.
"Carlotta I already know that I'm better than you because I treat the people I work with like human beings, and I don't throw temper tantrums when I don't get my way." Christine said, as she stared at Carlotta.
"Fine you little chorus rat if you think you're so much better than me, then I demand that you prove it I challenge you to a dance competition." Carlotta said, with a smirk because she knew that she would back down.
"Very well I accept your challenge Meg go, and gather the rest of the opera house." Christine said, as she turned to her best friend.
"Christine are you sure you want to do this?" Meg asked, as her eyes grew wide.
"Yes I'm sure, now go on." Christine said, as she started to warm up
Meg turned back to her mother, who gave her a nod.
Then Meg ran off, and did as she was told.
Minutes later the seats were filled while Carlotta, Christine, and Madame Giry walked to the center of the stage.
"The rules are simple, I have a coin in my hand that I will flip, the two of you will pick heads; or tails whoever guesses right will dance first.
The winner will be chosen by the loudest applause, is everyone clear on the rules?"
There was a resounding yes from the audience, then Madame Giry flipped the coin.
Christine chose heads while Carlotta chose tails then with a greedy smile, and an over-inflated ego Carlotta danced first.
Carlotta danced to the song of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Carlotta's smile never faltered, and she never took her eyes off the audience.
When the song ended she spared an extra special smile for the Vicomte.
Christine chose to dance to A Requiem For A Dream.
At first, she danced slowly as she tuned out the audience, and let the music fill her.
Then her moves picked up speed, and became more precise.
Christine felt a feeling she had never felt before, as the music became a part of her; during one of her jumps she felt like she was flying, and smiled as she felt the air leave her lungs.
Erik who was watching from the rafters longed to reach his hand out, and pull her to him.
He longed to tell her how proud he was of her, but told himself to wait and that those things would come later.
My Swedish Rose
My Swedish rose
Do you know how I loved
watching you grow
You were brought to me by chance
and lightened the burden
of my circumstance
My garden was incomplete
until I met you
My Swedish rose
tell me your love is true
I gave you a rose all those years ago
When death dealt you a crippling blow
To show you what you
could one day be
Never knowing
how dear you would
become to me
My garden was incomplete
until I met you
My Swedish rose
tell me your love is true
My Swedish rose beware
a weed has entered
without care
I know he seeks
to steal you away
to the unfeeling light
of day
My Swedish rose never fear
I will remove all who
don't belong here
My Swedish rose tell me
that your love is true
My Swedish rose
I will always
love you
My Swedish rose
do you know
how I loved
watching you grow
Christine came back down into a long spin, and ended her routine with a perfect split.
Christine slowly rose to her feet, and waited for the audience's verdict.