Remembering the Angel

A story Retold

Christine's POV

It was well into the evening, Gustave had returned from lessons some time ago, and they were piecing a puzzle together on the floor in the main room.

Raoul had taken Meg out to dinner, "Helping a friend.", is what he said. Christine knew better. Meg had color in her face again, he had a twinkle in his eye.

She quickly encouraged them to go, Raoul had been on her heel for days now, being free of him was a relief.

Her heart ached to see her Angel again, he hadn't come in nearly a week's time. Christine was beginning to think she had disappointed him.

Gustave yawned, and it snapped Christine out of her thoughts.

"Go to bed my dear. I will too, we both need rest."

She watched Gustave stand on his tip-toes to brush his teeth, and smiled.

She walked him to his room, and tucked him into bed.

"Mother?"

"Yes Gustave."

"Have you seen him?" he asked quietly.

"Go to sleep, darling." Christine laughed.

"Goodnight Mother."

Christine turned off his light and walked into the main room, her heart fluttered as she looked over to the balcony, then sank when she did not see a figure standing among the stars.

This had become a nightly routine over the past few days, hoping that she would see him where he came to take her the first time. But he never was.

She walked into her room and sat down to brush her hair.

As she looked up into the mirror, there he was, leaning against the ebony armoire that set in the corner of her bedroom.

"Oh my!" she jumped, slamming her leg into the vanity table.

"Christine!" Erik exclaimed, and walked over to help her stand.

"That was hardly graceful..." she laughed at herself.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes." Christine replied sweetly.

"Then no, it wasn't graceful at all." Erik laughed.

"Hey!" She couldn't even pretend to be angry, she laughed with him.

As their laughter died down, Christine walked to one of the four posts on her bed, and turned away from Erik's eyes, "You haven't come, I thought you'd come sooner...why didn't you?"

"Oh Christine..." Erik walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder to turn her around. She shrugged it off, and walked further away.

"Why?" She pressed.

"It...it isn't good...for us, for me, if I come often." he said quietly.

"Why isn't it good?" Christine turned at last to stared at him.

"I don't trust myself to get too close to you, yet." he said looking down, not meeting her eyes.

"I don't understand..." she walked closer to him, searching for an answer.

"My Christine..." Erik shook his head, and paced the floor, "sit, please."

He pulled out the vanity chair for her, but she turned and sat on the bed, the Phantom laughed to himself then sat in the chair that was meant for Christine.

"Has anything returned? Involving your memory?"

"Little bits here and there."

"Tell me all you know, please."