When Love Begins

Christine? Christine!

Meg POV:

"Mother did you see, was it all all-right? Tell me was he watching, was he keeping out of sight? I was frightened half to death, and I had to catch my breath, as the lights began to dim. I was suddenly aware of a presence in the air, and I knew it was him. Yes I know there were some snags, there are moments where it lags...." I looked over to Mother, waiting for her to say something. Anything. "Mother? Mother, whats wrong?"

Mme Giry POV:

I heard Meg walk in, but couldn't focus on what she was saying. I was looking at the newspaper. The headline read:

DIRECT FROM PARIS, FRANCE- CHRISTINE DAAE 

TO SING AT MR. O HAMMERSTIEN'S NEW MANHATTAN OPERA HOUSE

She couldn't be. This would interfere with the Masters plans. And mine.

"Mother? Mother, whats wrong?" I handed Meg the newspaper.

"A surprise announcement from Mr. Oscar Hammerstein. Christine Daae left Paris this morning to preform at his new Manhattan opera house."

"Christine? Christine!" Meg sat down and began to read the newspaper.

"Christine...Ten long years. Not a sign, not a word. Ten long years, now she comes to our town. We must pray she keeps away. From us, and from HIM and His dreams and his scores."

"Mother what do you mean?" Poor Meg. My poor, sweet, naive Meg.

"In Paris, when the mob surrounded him, who was there? We were there. Where was she? When the law-men hounded him? Gone, long gone. WE stayed on! Who concealed him safe away? Smuggled him up to Callie? Found the freighter out of France?

"I don't see the problem. This is ancient history."

"And who helped him buy his first side-show?"

"Mother don't."

"And who plied the politicians?"

"That's all over now..."

"Charmed investors and the press? No not HER!"

"No mother, you're wrong."

"And who stayed with him? Helped him and advised him? We stayed with him. Loved and idolized him. SHE BETRAYED HIM! Shunned him and despised him. She chose Raoul, chose to make a new start. Chose beauty and youth, over genius and art. Fixed her aim on wealth and fame, fled from the Master, yet fled with his heart."

Meg POV:

I didn't believe anything Mother said. It couldn't be true.

"It seems a hundred years ago. When you and I were both on show. Dancing side by side, shy and starry-eyed. The waves now bring you back to me, and any day we soon will be, side by side again. Just the same as then. Ah Christine, long ago, how I watched as you rose like a star. Ah Christine, we have all traveled long, traveled far! Ah, Christine! You seen a thousand miles away, and yet your ship sets out today. Sails across the sea, bringing you to me. And I will show you all the sights. Manhattans noise, and Coney's lights. Friends at last again, just the same as then. Just like way back when!"

I then remembered that she would be here tomorrow. I ran out of the room so that I could get everything ready. I was sure it would just like old ties. I couldn't help but smile as I cleaned up, thinking of all the fun we would have.