When I Hear You Sing.(Phantom Of The Opera)

Chapter 4- Practicing The Ghost's Music.

Christine Daae
Three months later

"One week, Erik. Just like last month, and the month before that. Don't fret.", I smiled, but I didn't believe it was Erik who was so worried about me, but Gustave.

"I'll miss you mother!", Gustave blurted and hugged my waist tightly. I hugged him back, wiping away one of his tears. Erik kissed my forehead and gave me a tight hug before shutting the door to the carriage.

I took a deep breath and walked through the familiar doors to the opera house. I smiled at Meg, who was practicing and helping some of the ballet dancers. She had been more than happy to come back as the star dancer.

          Raoul was chatting with the managers, occasionally glancing at Meg dancing. The opera house wasn't scheduled to open till next year, but we wanted everything to be perfect when it opened. We had one week of practice every month until opening night.

"Monsieur, here is the new music for the opera. He trusts that this music will be portrayed more than heavenly on opening night.", I handed the music that Erik had been writing and making sure it couldn't be more perfect.

            "Thank you, Madame!", The man shook my hand and walked off. I walked to my dressing room and put my bags down. I sat down in a chair and shut my eyes, taking a deep breath. Suddenly, I felt a presence in the air. The presence was familiar and comforting. Immediately, I recognized it.

           "Is that you, my angel of music?", I asked in a curious tone.

            "It is.", I heard his voice and couldn't keep my eyes shut anymore. I opened my eyes, immediately looking at Erik. I jumped up in excitement, and would have tackled him if he weren't much stronger than I were.

             "H-how are you here? What about Gustave?", I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

             "Gustave and I will be staying down in the lair while you're working here. After all, he wants to see you preform and I've got business to attend to. There's more than writing letters when you're an opera ghost.", He explained. I frowned.

            "No killing people."

           "If you absolutely insist."

            "I do.", I glared at him and he grinned back at me. He kissed my neck and I smiled. "I've got work to do, darling."

              "As do I.", He sighed. "Till tonight then, I suppose."

              "Till tonight.", I agreed. I left the dressing room and went out to the practice room to run over one of my songs. Meg and a few other girls were already in the room, dancing and singing. I looked at the sheet music and slowly recognized the song.

            "Love never falters..", I sang under my breath. The last time I had sang this, it was softer and definitely not as hard of a song to sing. Erik had made it exactly how he intended me to be singing: Nothing short of perfection.

             This would be hard to sing to Erik's expectations, I thought to myself, It was good that he was here to help me perfect it. Still, I sang it softly, grabbing the attention of Meg.

             "Christine, that song is amazing! I'm assuming your angel wrote it for you?", She winked, speaking in a quiet and hushed tone.

          "Who else would write such an unbelievably perfect song?", I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

           "Christine, what's wrong?", Meg sat down next to me.

             "Meg, I've never had such trouble with a song. I don't know how Erik believes I'm capable of singing this.", I sighed.

               "Christine, calm down. You're extremely talented and whatever you are given to sing, you can definitely sing it. Just take a moment to breathe and then sing it. You just need to be more confident.", She encouraged.

             "Alright. Thank you. I really needed that.", I took a deep breath and smiled half heartedly.

               "Anytime. I've got to get back to dancing now.", She informed me. I watched as she left to go dance. I took a deep breath and continued to sing.

A few hours later

         As tired as I was after rehearsals, I knew I had to walk down to Erik's lair. Once I got there, I walked to the music room, assuming that's where he was. Expecting to see the cut rope and blood stained floor in the music room, I felt uneasily, but, to my surprise, the room looked brand new. There also was a bed in the corner with a sleeping Gustave tucked tightly in it.

         "You made the loudest room in this whole place into our child's bedroom?", I whispered. Erik looked up from his book and smiled.

           "He said that it was his favorite room. He didn't want to be anywhere else but close to music. I believe his reasoning was that it made him feel closer to his mother.", He mused. I nodded faintly and walked off to bed. I changed into my slip and went to bed.

           A few minutes later, I felt Erik by my side. He pulled me against him, pressing his lips against my forehead.

           "You're burning up, Christine.", He announced, pulling away.

             "I'm cold.", I murmured, pulling him closer to me.

               "Let me go get you a cool rag to put on your head.", He sighed and crawled out of bed. I sighed and took the covers off of me, getting warm again. He returned rather quickly, placing the rag on my head and holding me in his arms.

           "My poor Christine.", He sighed. "What am I to do with you? You work yourself too far that you get sick."

              "I wanted your song to be perfect.", I coughed.

              "I know. I overheard you and Meg.", he whispered. "Anything you sing is absolute heaven to my ears. You're more than I could ever ask for."

               I cuddled closer to him and he chuckled softly.

              "Sleep away the sickness, Mon ange. I love you. I will see you when you wake."