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An Old Fashioned Dream	By : LillyFair Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 3177 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Lost but not forgotten

Christine awoke bathed in sunlight to discover that her husband had already left for the day. She rolled over in her bed, the aches and pains from the night before returning to her afresh.

“Oh Raoul, why are you so angry?” She slowly got up out of her bed, and looked at the marks on her wrists. He never used to be so violent. The holiday away after their wedding was extremely satisfying on several different levels. They had traveled across Europe to try to erase the painful memories, and make new ones.

It was very difficult for them both to move on with their lives. He had been the knight in shining armor, but after their ordeal the knight’s armor became rigid and rusted. They had both lost people who were very close to them. Raoul had been extremely close to his brother Philippe, and she of course had missed her angel. How could she talk to her husband about her loss when the very person who killed Philippe was Erik? That had put great distance between them at first.

Even the night that Raoul made her a woman, there had been distance. She was so nervous and excited at the same time, and he really seemed to have desire for her, but it was hard for her to imagine making love to someone that she had played with as a child. It was eating away at her very soul, the very reason she loved him was the same reason that she was also shy around him. He was gentle tender, and caring, but something was missing.

If only she could help him through his grief and anger instead of being the brunt of it before he did her serious harm. She knew he didn’t hurt her on purpose, but she didn’t know how she could reach him. Apparently making love didn’t even reach him.

She walked up to the mirror to examine the bruises on her face, the reflection in the mirror nearly caused her to faint at the sight. He had struck her harder than she had realized and her battered face showed it. It was only when she began to conceal her bruises with some left over stage make- up that Erik’s deformity came to mind causing a tear to slide down her bruised face. How many times he must have looked in mirrors and wished that some form of cover up, or stage theatrics could hide what lie beneath the mask.

Hiding, that is what she was doing with Raoul; she was hiding her true nature under a façade of innocence. She was a woman of passion and desire; she was a woman of the theatre, someone who lived for the music and applause. She was not the stereotypical Vicomtesse, she just did not fit into his world, and Erik knew that it would happen. She began to cry, not out of physical pain, but of the pain in her heart.

“Oh Erik, I have destroyed you both.” She leaned forward and let her tears fall feeling just as lost as when she wandered the Perros looking for her father’s grave.

It was as if the real Angel of Music herself heard the girl cry and sent her a sign of hope. The sunlight had hit something on the windowsill and sent it’s sparkling light into the mirrors smooth glass.

She turned toward the window and there she saw its radiance again. She opened the window extremely cautiously in fear of sliding it off the ledge. Finally, with much patience, her slender fingers finally were able to get hold of it and pull it inside. She stared for several moments at the ring that she had rescued from outside.
Erik had been there last night the ring proved it; she had not just imagined him like she originally had thought.

She prayed to God, that he did not witness what happened to her last night. Of course if he really had witnessed what when on, he probably would have crashed through the window as soon as Raoul had struck her. He had once threatened a stagehand because she had tripped over a floorboard he had left out. Fortunately fo him she knew it was only a threat.

Her seemingly never-ending tears slid down her face as she stared into the heart of the diamonds, somehow wishing it would be a gateway to Erik so she could call to him. Him just being there last night was a sign to her that he knew her heart was troubled, somehow he had always known what was in her heart.

“Oh Erik! What have I done!”

Without notice Raoul burst in through the door carrying a dozen long-stemmed red roses. Christine looked frantically around for some place to hide the ring God knows what Raoul would do if he found out she had it. Raoul placed the roses on her vanity table and knelt down before her taking her hands in his own.

“Oh my darling angel!” She flinched inwardly at that term of endearment; only one man could ever truly call her that.

“Look at what I have done to you.” He pulled her into a strong and comforting embrace and looked into her eyes apologetically.

“I want to make amends for my cruel behavior last evening, I have not been myself lately, the stress of my family, and the business, and of course the Opera but there is no excuse for my behavior.” He meant to make everything up to her with all his heart.

“You mean everything to me. I know that this transition has not been easy for you and to make amends I have talked to the managers into letting you sing tonight’s performance of Faust.”

Christine felt elated at his words, if she couldn’t be with Erik in life, she can still reach his heart through music. She felt the old rush and admiration once again return for her husband. Whatever has been troubling his mind might be beginning to lift and they can live a normal life. If only things could be the way they were before.
“Raoul, this is wonderful, I shall be on the stage once again. There are so many ways that I can improve, and to see Meg, and Madame Giry every day again. Oh Raoul!” She threw herself into his arms and he welcomed her. The sparkle that had left her eyes months ago returned full force; even though she was badly bruised she looked radiant.

Raoul was glad that he was able to please her, she meant so much to him, but he couldn’t let her to return to the stage for a permanent basis, his status as vicomte, and a soon to be Comte, wouldn’t allow it; more importantly he couldn’t take giving him access to her again. He looked at her positively glowing face as she gathered her things. Her face, what had he done to her face; the realization that Erik would never have hurt her despite how angry he got began to torture him. Erik would kill anyone that got in her way, but he would never have laid a finger on her.

He didn’t have the heart to tell her, but he knew he had to.

“Christine. I’m sorry love but it is only for tonight, for you are still my wife and a part of the social circle, but for tonight I will make an exception.”

A somewhat sinking feeling came over her at the mention of a one-night only performance, but right now one night was better than nothing. Christine, ignoring all of her bruises only hesitated slightly when she was covering up her face. She secretly wondered if Erik would actually be there. He said he would always be there when she sang, but she wasn’t sure if that was just a metaphorical phrase. Suddenly she became saddened; there was no way he could know that she would be singing so he would not be there, he could not possibly know.

"Hurry Christine, for the rest of the cast is waiting.”

Christine gathered her things together and they left for the theater.

After she had arrived Meg ran up to her like she hadn’t seen her in six years instead of six months and was as inquisitive as ever.

“Christine you have got to tell me all about what married life is like.” She stopped and just stared at her face.

“Oh my God what on earth happened to you’re face! “

“It’s nothing.” Answered Raoul. “We were walking in the park after a storm and she slipped and fell down the hill. Meg looked at Christine with a disbelieving stare but in the presence of her husband just looked to the ground and nodded.

“Do not worry Meg I’ll be fine a little more make up and I will look same as always." Meg once again became very excited at the prospect of having her almost sister home. Even though her mother told her it would only be a one-night event she was still happy to have her there.

“We gave you Carlotta’s old dressing room for your things, wait until you see it, it’s huge, you won’t know what to do will all of your free space.” Noting the time she knew she had to go.

“Oh I have to go, Maman will scold me if I am late again. It is really good to have you back; things just were not the same without you. ”

"I’ll talk to you later Meg." She shouted down the hall. Christine bid Adieu to Raoul, who had to make sure there were no hidden passages in this room, and then closed the door and changed into her costume.

“Tonight is for you my Angel, wherever you are.”

From the moment Christine stepped onto the stage the audience adored her. Her voice rang through the air like a crystal bell, touching the hearts of all who were privileged to see her. Once again she had given up her soul to him and he knew it.

One lonely dark figure lurked in old forgotten shadows. He found that to his surprise, he actually missed torturing the managers. He had seen them walking about and thought to himself that they looked too relaxed; they were more entertaining when they were nervous about the Opera Ghost.

Erik looked out from box five; the fact that it still had not been sold amused him greatly. However all thoughts of the managers, the opera house, and the old memories disappeared when his angel graced the stage.

Six months of silence, six months of being away from him, and he still found he owned her soul. Even from where he sat he could hear her breathing, the quickened pound of her heartbeat, he could feel the heat from the lights, and the strain of singing; when she sang it was almost as if they were one being. It was as if they had been lovers all of their lives being in tune with each other’s thoughts and senses at the height of pleasure seeking release and shelter in each other; a melding of souls. He lifted her up and let her shine. Her radiance was not lost on him as he held her, cradled her, and caressed her through the music.

This moment, this moment was something that husband of hers could never take from them, they would forever be joined even if would only be in music. He was the only one who was able to understand and speak directly with her soul.

The audience gave her a standing ovation as Christine took her final bow on stage. Her entire body was aflame, the music had taken her to new heights that made even the greatest passion she had shared with Raoul pale in comparison. She was lifted up on a wave of pleasure as she dove deeper into the music. She had never experienced such a raw craving in all her years onstage; she knew he was there, or at least she imagined that he was there. When she sang for him she bestowed on him her soul. She became the music; she melded with it and it took her over the flames of desire; he was there and for an instant they were one.

She received another dozen roses from Raoul that were as beautiful as ever, as well as many others from the cast and Meg and her mother. At the closing of the curtain Christine headed toward her dressing room and met Meg on the way.

“Christine your voice was just wonderful tonight. I can’t help but marvel at your skill. You’re voice has gotten better over the past few months despite the fact that you’ve been away from the theater.” Christine blushed from the compliments she still was not down from her euphoric state, but she still could not take compliments very well.

“Thank you Meg, but it was not flawless.” There are so many things that I haven’t learned and need to learn. Unfortunately I will never learn them on my own, and I no longer can be taught.”

“You really miss the Phantom don’t you!” Chrisitine was surprised at her friend perceptiveness; she never used to be that insightful.

“I saw your face scanning the audience, and when you looked up at box five, you delved even deeper into song. I had only assumed that you were looking for him.”

“Yes Meg, I do miss him, ever since I left him I have longed to hear his voice call my name. I know it is wrong, and I know its selfish but he fulfilled my every dream and I cast him aside in my ignorance; now I realize that some dreams are just not meant to come true.”

Meg had a slight smile on her face and then quickly embraced her friend.

“Do not worry my friend I’m sure everything you wish for will come true very soon. I must go for the moment but I will catch up with you later at the party.”
"All right thanks Meg.”

When she entered her room there were even more flowers for her but they all seemed to fade away because there on a table next to her mirror was a single white rose tied with a black ribbon in a crystal vase. As soon as she placed her eyes on the gift she almost dropped the red roses she was carrying for she knew he had been there. Next to the rose was a note sealed with red wax; obviously Raoul had not known about all of Erik’s secretes.

My exquisite angel,

Your voice tonight was the most beautiful I have ever heard it, I am proud to see that your absence did not hinder you in the least. You and the music became one tonight and made not only the angels, but also all of heaven weep. Once again your beauty strikes me to the heart and makes me weak. You are so enchanting. Tonight, I leave not a red rose, but a white rose of purity for a woman with the voice, body and soul of an angel. I know that I cannot be much more to you than a mere memory but you will forever live on in my mind and in my heart.

Eternally yours,

Your poor unfortunate Erik

Christine held the letter to her heart; it was almost as if he was in the room with her. As she re-read the letter she could almost hear his sensuous seductive voice caress her ear, and feel his finger graze her burning skin. He was the only one that could sedate the raging fire that was burning in her body. She picked up the rose and caressed her face enjoying the feel of the cool petals against her skin. Erik; how she wanted to feel his commanding lips touch her again.

“You are right Meg dreams can come true.” Christine walked in front of the mirror and turned her back toward the door.

“Erik, you will always be so much more to me than mere memory.”

An angry voice came from behind her; she was so lost in her thoughts that she did not even notice.

“So once again you have given yourself to that monster.”

Christine’s turned around to face the intruder; her face became as pale as death while looking into the eyes of Raoul.

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I hope you enjoy, there is more to come soon.
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An Old Fashioned Dream