Chapter 4 – My Mother Bore Me
Erik awoke feeling completely peaceful which was a rare thing. He usually woke up feeling lonely or indifferent. But the obvious difference was the beautiful girl who was sleeping beside him. He did a double take and then remembered all the events of the previous day. Christine was still here and not only had she chosen to stay with him, she had asked him to sleep with her. The gentle weight of her head rested on his shoulder was such a comforting feeling. Her arm was also still wrapped round his middle.
He quietly watched her as she slept peacefully, still so beautiful. He wanted to stroke his hand over her golden hair, but touching her would surely wake her up. Anyways, Erik wanted to enjoy this moment for a bit longer. He relaxed again and took it all in. The beautiful sight, the sweet scent of her hair, the soft sound of her breathing and the feeling of warmness touched up against him. It was more enthralling than he could have ever imagined.
Closing his eyes again and contemplated the idea of going back to sleep when he felt her move. Opening his eyes, he looked down at the blonde beauty.
"Erik?" She said softly,
"Yes Christine".
She sighed but still not opening her eyes she clung to him with the arm still wrapped around his middle. "I'm so happy you're still here!"
His heart melted at her honey sweet voice and loving words. Smiling, he leaned forward and buried his face in her sea of blonde hair holding her close. "I'll always be here for you Christine". He whispered.
For a while they lay like that, soaking in the blissful happiness of the moment. For Christine this was unlike anything She had ever felt with anyone. Even though she had spent that one moonlit evening with Philippe. The time they had intimately spent together was nowhere near to the overwhelming happiness she now felt laying here beside Erik in his warm arms. This felt more real and, in her heart, she could feel that Erik was the was the one. Philippe could find another girl in a second or pick from the whole crowd of his arrogant chorus girls. This was where she belonged, with Erik.
The happiness Erik was feeling was off the scale. Probably even stronger than what Christine was feeling. Ever since he had first heard her voice, she had become his life. He recalled that night when her beautiful voice rang out and travelled throughout the deserted Opera House until it had reached his home and filled his ears. At first, he had thought an angel had flown down from heaven and was singing within the empty theatre. There couldn't have been another reason, since everyone had left by that hour. When he'd followed that angelic voice and looked through his private box to look out at the stage, he thought his theory was true. That Christine was a real angel from heaven. He had been concentrating so hard on her voice and her angelic face that at first, he hardly noticed that she was dressed in poor clothing.
But the other reason was that she strongly resembled the portrait painting of his mother Belladova. But he knew it wasn't his mother because she was long dead. The only other explanation was that it was a sign that this girl, this prodigy was brought here by some destiny to cross paths with him. And though her voice was so astonishing, he knew that with some training it would be perfect and she would get the recognition she deserved. And it was no surprise to him that she excelled in their lessons.
It was inconceivable that the witless manager and his selfish wife judged Christine based on her appearance and wouldn't even ask her to sing for them, just assumed she was no use because she was penniless. They had obviously breathed money since they could toddle and always got everything they had wanted, to the point where they didn't ever take no for an answer or thanked people for even the smallest gesture. Hopefully their downfall would soon come. If his last punishment to Carlotta didn't work then he would have to make it more extreme the next time. Maybe cockroaches or even spiders. But the memory of her frozen horrified look when he'd dumped that trunk of rats on her was more satisfying than any of her sabotaged performances. One way or another he would make them flee this place screaming if that's what it took.
"So Erik, what are we doing today?" Christine's sweet voice asked.
Focusing back on the angel at his side he said. "Well first I will make us some breakfast, then I think I will do some more clearing up."
"That's fine, then I can work on fixing those curtains."
Erik smiled and they both stood up from the bed. It was then that Erik noticed his mask upon the floor where he had placed it. His eyes widened as he realized that all this time, he hadn't been wearing it. How could he have completely forgotten about it. Christine's gentle hand rested upon his arm.
"Erik, calm down. It's fine everything is fine." She picked it up and looked at it for a moment before putting it down on the bed. "Remember what I told you last night? I love you and I don't mind what you look like. You're still my Erik." She stood up on her tip toes and leaned in to place and long lingering kiss on his disfigured cheek.
He relaxed as her kiss sent a wave of warm happiness through him. Closing his eyes, he relaxed further then looked down at the small blonde beauty who had captured his heart. With a loving smile he reached for her and drew her up into a close hug. Christine wrapped her arms round his neck and buried her face in his chest. "Oh, my sweet Christine. You are a real angel of heaven."
She smiled and laughed softly keeping her hold on him. Leaning back, he placed a kiss on her hand and taking his mask, he left her so she could change. Christine had another look in the wardrobe and to her delight she found that along with the white dress and her green dress was several other nicer dresses that she could choose from. She took each one out in turn and held it up against her while looking in the mirror inside the wardrobe door. She picked a soft blue one which went with her eyes and found a pair of comfy white shoes. She brushed her hair and left it loose on her shoulders.
As she looked in the mirror, she couldn't believe how happy she now felt. She never would have thought that when she came to Paris, she would end up somewhere like this place. Smiling to herself she left the room and went to join Erik who was waiting outside. His white mask was back on but she never mentioned it. He took her hand and admired her in the blue dress. "Beautiful, I knew it would reflect your eyes." He complimented her and then he escorted her to a small dining room with a nicely furnished table with two chairs was set up. They sat down together and dug in to a lovely breakfast together.
After they had both finished eating and cleared away all the plates, Christine went and immediately started sewing the ripped red velvet drape curtain Erik had torn down the previous evening. Meanwhile Erik was continuing with clearing up the rest of the mess. That also included the number of defences he had laid out when he'd thought he was going to get more intruders. The one task which took the longest was sweeping up the trail of gunpowder he had left. It appeared that thanks to Christine returning above to confront the Count, the need for extra defences for his home was no longer necessary.
By the time Erik had finished and the powder was safely back in its barrels, he put the barrels back where he normally kept them and returned to find his Angel waiting for him. He was amazed at how perfectly she had mended the curtains. "Thank you, Christine." He said as he picked up the red velvet drapes and examined her excellent stitching. "The rip marks will hardly be noticeable." He would fix them back up soon, but for now he was exhausted from the morning's clear up job and it was around lunchtime already.
"Erik, I was thinking. Since we never actually got to have that picnic yesterday, shall we try again?" A smile broke across his face "Yes of course Christine.
A few minutes later Erik came back, Christine smiled when she saw that Erik had put on the same gold waistcoat he'd worn yesterday and the straw boater hat. He had also picked up some extra food because he was sure that half the stuff, he'd put in the basket yesterday wouldn't be fresh to eat now.
And just like yesterday they walked arm in arm through the woods back to the same spot they had set up the day before. Christine and Erik didn't mention anything about what had happened during yesterday's picnic. Instead, Christine spoke of some of the lovely memories she'd had with her father. She didn't mention the time she had known Phillipe as a kid. The memories she shared were when her father would play his violin when she was learning the musical alphabet. Or when he'd help send her to sleep at night with a gentle tune. And the exciting times they would entertain people in the street or in taverns. Many people who were thoroughly entertained would leave them generous tips or a little treat for her.
The happiness left her voice when she spoke of when her father fell ill and those happy times were at an end. It worsened to the point where he didn't have the strength to even leave his bed. They couldn't even afford a doctor so Christine remained with him until the end. His final words to her were not to give up on her dreams. If she was doing what made her happy, then he would be happy too. She was silent when she finished telling her tale. Her eyes had left Erik's and was looking down at her clasped hands.
Erik placed his hand over hers. "I know now that he would be very proud of you. That you've never given up and continued singing."
Christine smiled briefly but it faded quickly. "Given what happened at my debut, I doubt they'll let me on the stage again, the audience won't wish to see me either."
"No" Erik protested, taking her hands in both of his. "You mustn't think like that Christine."
She looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "Erik, my debut was granted to me by chance. There's no way I will be granted one again."
"Christine, I give you my word that someday, you will sing upon that stage and the audiences will adore you. I promise that one way or another we will get you out there again."
Despite her doubt at that possibility, she loved that Erik had that much confidence in her. Another reason why she knew he was her one true love. "Well until that happens. I will stay right here with you." She finally smiled again and looked into his eyes. Erik returned that smile and lifted her hands to place a kiss on both of them.
"Now then, would you like some wine, my dear?"
"Yes please," she said.
Erik poured them both a glass each and after clinking them they both took a sip.
Putting his glass down, Erik reached in and took a book from the basket "Do you like poetry?"
"Yes, I do."
Erik opened the book and started to read to her. Christine was so captivated by the words he spoke:
My mother bore me in the southern wild,
And I am black, but oh my soul is white!
White as an angel is the English child,
But I am black, as if bereaved of light.
My mother taught me underneath a tree,
And, sitting down before the heat of day,
She took me on her lap and kissed me,
And, pointed to the east, began to say:
"Look on the rising sun: there God does live,
And gives His light, and gives His heat away,
And flowers and trees and beasts and men receive
Comfort in morning, joy in the noonday.
"And we are put on earth a little space,
That we may learn to bear the beams of love
And these black bodies and this sunburnt face
Is but a cloud, and like a shady grove.
"For when our souls have learn'd the heat to bear,
The cloud will vanish, we shall hear His voice,
Saying, 'Come out from the grove, my love and care
And round my golden tent like lambs rejoice',"
Thus did my mother say, and kissed me;
And thus I say to little English boy.
When I from black and he from white cloud free,
And round the tent of God like lambs we joy
I'll shade him from the heat till he can bear
To lean in joy upon our Father's knee;
And then I'll stand and stroke his silver hair,
And be like him, and he will then love me.
"What is that?" She asked when he'd finished reading.
"William Blake," Erik answered, handing her the book to see. "My Favorite poet, have you read none of his work before?"
"No." She replied putting her wine glass down and opening the book.
"Oh, that man knows my heart and he has seen god. Know that book and you'll know me."
Christine grinned. "Shall I read one to you?"
"Oh, that would please me very much." Said Erik, picking up his wine glass, Christine turned a few pages and found one which looked beautiful:
Love and harmony combine,
And round our souls entwine
While thy branches mix with mine,
And our roots together join.
Joys upon our branches sit,
Chirping loud and singing sweet;
Like gentle streams beneath our feet
Innocence and virtue meet.
Thou the golden fruit dost bear,
I am clad in flowers fair;
Thy sweet boughs perfume the air,
And the turtle buildeth there.
There she sits and feeds her young,
Sweet I hear her mournful song;
And thy lovely leaves among,
There is love, I hear his tongue.
There his charming nest doth lay,
There he sleeps the night away;
There he sports along the day,
And doth among our branches play.
"Oh Christine, I love that one too. It sounds even more beautiful hearing you speak the words." Said Erik.
"I like it too. Sometimes I think the best poems are written like songs. And that some songs are written like poems."
"Why Christine, you just read my mind."
Then they both laughed and it echoed around them.
"I hope we can do often. Have picnics with a beautiful poem to share with each other."
"I think that will be possible Christine. Just ask whenever you wish and we shall do it.
Putting down the book, Christine shifted closer and wrapped Erik in a warm hug. "Thank you, Erik."
Smiling he hugged her back, burying his fingers into her hair. "Thank you, Christine. Your love is more than I could have ever imagined. You have given me the most wonderful gift in the world. I may not deserve it, but I am very grateful to you, my sweet angel.
Author's Notes
Happy New Year To you all. I thought I would start this new year with posting a new chapter that I finished today.
Since it was a while since this fic was last updated I made it a bit of a longer chapter than the others. Anyway I hope you like it.
I saw the west end Musical of Phantom of the Opera two weeks ago for my birthday. It was a brand new amazing cast for me and since it was my 16th time seeing the show, I noticed several changes to both the show and the theatre since its refurbishment.