The Phantom Ascending |✔| [Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction]

One Day More

Christine

Due to maddening nervousness, not a morsel of food passed my mouth since yesterday. Singing would have helped, perhaps, but I was too tense to relax my throat.

And Erik was no help, either. He was busy with the final preparations for tomorrow, busy going over everything with Nadir, while I, too, ran about with two of my most trustworthy maids, taking care of decorations and seeing that my wedding dress was done to the last detail, and there was the cake, and the flowers, and the catering...

In truth, I could have let Nadir's new housekeeper take care of it all, but I wanted to keep myself busy. It stopped me from thinking about meeting the Girys and introducing Erik to them. The clock showed two in the afternoon, meaning that their train was due an hour ago and the coach we sent for them was bound to return any moment now.

"Miss Daae," a hesitant maid approached me. The servants have occasionally been confused in these past couple of days, because although I was just a guest, the wedding preparations pushed me to the center of many tasks.

"Yes, Yvette?"

"Your guests are on the driveway. Should I take them directly to their rooms when they arrive?"

"Oh, no! I will," I replied and skipped toward the stairs, rushing to the west foyer. My heart danced happily to the tune of my steps, and magically all my nervousness was forgotten.

"Meg! Madame!" I shouted from the balustrade. My oldest and closest friend was below with her mother, a graceful lady of proud bearing. Both of them were trained, talented ballerinas, and it showed. I always called Mrs. Giry Madame, as I did in my childhood -- after all, madame was more similar to Meg's maman, and it had helped me feel familiarity in those early days. Now, no pretense was necessary.

"Christine!" Meg replied with a huge cheerful smile on her face, and she welcomed me into a hug. Her mother did the same, with a characteristic reserve which hid the warmth of her feelings.

"I am so proud of you, Christine. You did so well for yourself, on stage as well as in life. I admit I was worried upon learning that you'd parted from de Chagny, but now I can rest easy once again."

I blushed and thanked her.

"Maman, as a renown opera singer, Christine would survive just fine even without a husband," Meg beamed.

"It isn't about survival, but about having a family," her mother corrected.

"But you are my family, too, and I am so happy you've joined me here," I ended their dispute.

I hooked my arm with Meg's and led the way to their rooms, while the footmen took care of their luggage.

"This place is like something from a fairytale," Meg mused.

"Yes, I suppose it is. Erik has been commissioned to draw plans for its renovation, so we are staying here for the time being."

"Your betrothed seems like a most capable man, but the owner, too, must be exceedingly kind to host your wedding here," Madame remarked cautiously.

"Yes, he is. I believe he and Erik are becoming fast friends," I said nervously, wondering what they'll say now that my intended husband has been brought into conversation.

Madame Giry raised an eyebrow, but Meg was quicker in her response.

"So, how exciting to hear you're marrying that Mr. Dessler after all! I was surprised when we received your letter, but at the same time I was not surprised at all! What is he like?"