Erik made his way upstairs to watch the rehearsals for Faust. He sat in the front now with a notebook so he could take notes. Christine would make this opera so much better, Erik kept thinking as he watched.
The new lead soprano was good, but she didn't have the passion that Christine possessed when she sang. So after a while it became boring to watch her. Erik made sure to write that in his notes.
Once they were finished rehearsing that scene, Erik came onstage to read his notes. And he was not going to be nice. "What did you think, Monsieur Destler?" Cadence De Changy asked.
"It was horrendous. Where is the passion? De Changy, I am talking about you specifically. I want to see this scene again, and I want you all to put a damn expression on your face." Erik said before walking back out to the audience. About a minute into the scene, Nadir sat down beside him.
"Have you gotten any letters from your family?" Nadir asked and Erik nodded. He had been trying to avoid any conversations about his family that were miles from home because it made him depressed.
"I got one yesterday." Erik replied simply. What Nadir didn't know was that the letter Erik had received was tucked away safely in his coat pocket so that he could read Christine's perfect handwriting to make his day go by faster.
"Three months and then you'll all be together again." Nadir said and Erik nodded. "I hate missing this much of my son's life. What if I miss a big milestone?" Erik asked rhetorically but Nadir answered anyways.
"He's already said his first words and taken his first steps. Surely you won't miss that much." Nadir assured him and Erik just sighed. He had a point, but Erik wouldn't tell him that.
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"Gustave, it's time for bed." Christine said after she finished reading the third story to him. Gustave yawned and stretched his stubby arms. Christine laid him in his crib and covered his tiny body in a thin blanket. Christine blew out a candle before walking to her bedroom.
Christine pulled one of Erik's shirts out of the closet and put it on. It made her feel like she was wrapped in Erik's embrace. She laid on the bed and grabbed his pillow. Christine pulled it to her chest and buried her head in it. Erik's scent lingered on it, that's why she loved it so much.
As Christine attempted to fall asleep she heard the kitten purr. Christine leaned down and stroked Ayesha's back. As Christine looked up she remembered the telephone that sat on the nightstand.
Nadir had bought it for them for Christmas. Christine picked up the telephone and called the Opera Populaire.
"You have reached the Opera Populaire, this is Erik Destler speaking." She heard her husband say in a tired tone. That's when she remembered that France was six hours ahead of America, Erik had surely been sleeping.
"Erik, it's Christine." She whispered as she tried not to tear up at the sound of his beautiful voice.
"My Christine?" He asked sleepily. Christine smiled to herself and answered his question with a yes. "Why did you call, my love?" He asked and Christine sighed.
"I was trying to fall asleep, but I needed to hear your voice." She said and Erik sighed.
"Well, I love you very much. I can't wait to see you again, it's only a matter of time. Now please try to get some sleep. And if you could, call me tomorrow. I would like to talk to Gustave." Erik said and Christine smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Thank you, Erik. I really needed that. I love you too!" She said and Erik said goodbye before hanging up. Christine smiled to herself as she settled back into his pillow. Now she could sleep peacefully.
Christine woke up in the morning to Gustave crying. She lifted herself out of bed and wrapped a robe around her before walking towards the nursery. Gustave reached his arms toward Christine and she lifted him up. "Mama!" Gustave exclaimed as he rubbed his eyes.
Christine carried her son out of the room and to the kitchen. She set him in the high chair and made a bottle for him. After eating breakfast herself, Christine took Gustave into the bedroom and set him on the bed.
They played games and read books until after lunch, then Christine put Gustave down for a nap. "Mama, can I have Papa's cape?" Gustave asked sadly and Christine nodded. She walked to her closet and pulled out Erik's black cloak. She covered Gustave in it and sighed.
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Erik got himself ready for the day before eating a quick breakfast and heading upstairs. When he reached the auditorium, everyone was waiting for him. He walked to the front of the stage and began giving instructions. "Ballerinas, I will play piano and I want you to do the choreography to the nest of your ability without Madame Giry." Erik said.
The ballerinas got into their spots as Erik walked over to the piano, cracked his knuckles and began to play the music. His fingers drifted across the keys and the dancers gracefully moved around.
Once they were finished, Erik thanked them before calling Cadence over to the piano. "Sing some of the aria, please." Erik instructed as he began playing. After the first verse, Erik held up his hand to stop her.
"The high notes sound forced. You need to create more space in your mouth and stand up straighter." Erik said as he placed his hands on her shoulders and adjusted her posture. "Sing it again."
Cadence began singing again and Erik stopped her still. "Do you know the song Think of Me?" He asked and Cadence nodded. "Do the cadenza at the end. It'll help the higher notes flow." He said as he began playing the ending of the song. Sure enough, her high notes turned out much smoother.
"When my wife returns from New York, I'm going to have her sing for you." Erik promised before dismissing her back into the group.
Cast:
Erik Destler ~ Ramin Karimloo
Christine Destler ~ Sierra Boggess
Gustave Destler ~ Hadley Karimloo
Cadence De Changy ~ Samantha Hill
Prima Ballerina ~ Isabella Boylston
Ballerinas ~ Kalani Hilliker, Misty Copeland, Maddie Ziegler, Brynn Rumfallo, Nicole Cato, Naomi Cobby, Kathryn Cooper, Alison Croft, Tess Cunningham, Sergii Polunin, Emma Findlay
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Wanted
FanfictionIt's two years after the Final Lair and Erik and Christine are happily married. They're living under the opera house in Erik's home. Christine is still the lead soprano at the Opera and Erik is still the infamous phantom. Nobody knows of their marri...
