Through Music We Love

VII - Cecilia

Raoul had been furious after "Hemistein" never showed. Christine was frantic saying she saw the Phantom, Raoul dismissed her worries.

The next morning we were walking, Gustave clutching my hand, and ran into a crowd of dancers and singers. I recognized the voice of one but couldn't name it.

"Christine?" It inquired before exclaiming, "Cecelia!"

"Meg?" Christine faltered. "Oh my, how long has it been, my dear friend?"

"Father look over there!" Gustave took off running pulling me along with him.

"Slow down, Gustave!" I scold. After a moment we encountered the people who welcomed us to America.

"Follow us, we'll take you to him."

Not a moment later we were in a chilling room with the scent of candle smoke in the air. "Welcome to my world where music and artists thrive." I heard Erik across the room. "Just a moment and I'll take you-"

Gustave released my hand and moved away. "May I?" Gustave asked poking a key, that resounded as a C sharp.

"Does the little Vicomte play?" Erik asked.

"I've been teaching him since he could control his fingers." I boast, overjoyed that my student could perform for my love.

Gustave played a tune and I hummed along with it. "What are you playing?" Erik inquired.

"I'm  playing the music in my head" Gustave responds. "Isn't it beautiful?"

Erik wrapped an arm around me and breathed in my ear, "He plays like me..."

"I know, he keeps me sane." I tease.

"Come I must show you everything!" Erik slipped his hand into mine and soon enough Gustave was on my other hand and we were walking through Erik's newest world.

We walked around for quite a while before stopping somewhere away from the crowds.

"Its so beautiful!" Gustave exclaims to Erik, "So strange but beautiful."

"Does the music fill your head? Is it so intense that you can't think of anything else?" Erik inquires, his voice quivering with nervousness.

"You feel it too?" Gustave asked curiously.

"Can you see the beauty underneath?" Erik asked fearfully. I caught on very quickly and knew what was going to happen.

"Yes!" Gustave proclaims.

"Erik, a moment with him." I pulled Gustave aside. "Gustave, under the mask Mister Erik looks a bit different and, I don't want you to be scared. Be blind in your sight, you heart knows what is true, alright. Erik may be scary but you can always hold onto me okay?"

"Yes, Cecelia!" He chirps. "I understand, Mr. Erik's face may be scary but I can't be scared."

"Exactly!" I pet his hair and turn back to Erik, nodding.

"You'll embrace it?" Erik questions.

I assume Gustave nods because a moment later I hear Erik move and take off his mask. Gustave grips my hand but doesn't make a sound.

"Mr. Erik," Gustave whispers. "You have very kind eyes." My chest constricts as I think of what Erik's eyes looked like. Were his eyes warm or bright? What color were they?

I am pulled from my thoughts as Erik let's out a sob. "Thank you." He whispers, as I hear the mask slide across his skin. He coughs and I hear him get to his feet. "Now, I have some business to attend, please enjoy your day. I must be off."

"I expect another encounter soon." I call after his retreating footsteps. Funny, I couldn't ever hear them before, he is so much louder...

"Gustave! Cecelia!" Someone called, not a moment later.

Soon an iron hand was fastened around my elbow, like a manacle. "Why did you run off like that, Cecelia?" Christine shouts. "We've been looking for you everywhere!"

"I apologize, I wasn't about to let Gustave run off alone." I state blandly, my mood souring.

"Whatever the excuse you should have told us!" Christine scolds. "Plans have changed, a Mr. Y. has paid double for me to sing at Phantasma instead. Raoul has accepted. Meg will you bring them back to our rooms, I need a moment alone."

We were dismissed and once out of earshot of Christine, Meg pulls me into a tight embrace. "I missed you so much, Cece!"

"I missed you too." I returned her embrace not at all surprised. Erik had a way of finding people and getting them to go places. "How is mother doing?"