The Unwind

Chapter 10

Christine stood up after some time, she made her way back to the dirt road and looked to the left. She could still see the faintest image of Erik as he walked away. She looked to the right and before she could catch up to her thoughts, she started to walk the opposite direction.

She walked down that road until she found herself in front of Viscount's home. She promptly walked up to the door and knocked. She crossed her arms and turned back to the road, debating on walking away. Before she had another second to talk herself out of her decision, Raoul answered the door.

"Christine," he said softly, surprised to see her after the day prior.

She turned back around to face him, "Viscount," she said, "I, well, I apologize for-"

"There's no need," he cut her off, "We should talk, come in?"

She simply nodded and walked past him. She followed him into the study and sat next to him.

"At first, I wanted to apologize for what happened a few nights ago-"

"Well, Raoul, that's very sweet of you, however, I believe that-"

"I wasn't finished," he explained, "I wanted to apologize, at first, but then I deeply thought about it. We share passion, Christine, even through everything, we share love and continue to enjoy each other's presence even after we fight. I'm willing to... overlook your relations with the beast, I'm willing to raise the child as our own, just as I did with Gustave."

"Raoul-"

"Christine, let's move away from here. Let's go back to Sweden, my family owns property there. We can have a small farm and go sailing on weekends. We can be happy again, I promise you that. Only you and I, Christine." he gently took her hands into his own, "What do you say?"

She watched him, her mouth agape. She pulled her gaze away only to look at their hands and all she could think about was how perfectly they fit together. Something so simple as just that, had to mean something, right? Were they supposed to fit together perfectly just as their hands did?

She sat there, an awkward silence grew between them that soon became an uncomfortable one. Raoul's eyes searched her posture needingly, he needed her to say yes. He brought her hands to his lips in an attempt to calm her, in an attempt to persuade her that he still cared and she let him do so.

Her eyes trailed along her own arms and to his lips, then to his eyes. She searched for sincerity in him, "Raoul, I.. I still love you," she whispered, warm tears threatened her eyes, "Your offer... it's so tempting to agree to,"

"Then say yes, Christine, my love, give in to me, I want to take care of you and the children. We'll even have our own and add to the family, think of how incredibly happy we will be, just you and I, alone and together as it should be." he let her hands go and placed his upon her waist, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her gently, "We can leave as soon as you want to,"

She lingered against him, breathing lightly, she did miss this Raoul, but would running away with him guarantee that she gets to keep this version of him? Or will he resort back to what he was. She tilted her head up to meet their eyes together.

"Raoul," she whispered against him, "May I... take some time to think this over?" she begged quietly, the aroma of cigarette smoke and alcohol becoming apparent all of a sudden, she promptly pulled away from him and met their eyes again.

He watched her intensely, confused as to why she so abruptly pulled away. He slowly nodded in agreement with her.

"You may have to the end of the week," he said simply, "If... Christine, if you're not in the carriage when I leave at six, I'll send the divorce papers to the opera house. I'm sure your beast will be impatiently waiting to propose."

She hesitated, "He already did," she murmured, "Today, actually, before.. I arrived."

He clenched his teeth and pushed a smile through, trying to remain gentle with her, "Don't say yes before the week ends, Christine. Take time to think about what the right choice is for you," he paused, "For the baby... For what I would willingly claim as my baby." he continued to watch her, all he could think about at that moment was how much he missed her, how much he'd wished she would just say yes and leave with him to start a new life.

"You seem exhausted, Christine, would you like a nap?" he asked.

She shook her head lightly, "No, thank you. I need to return to the Opera House, gustave should be back soon."

"Where is our son?" he asked simply.

She smiled a little, "He has a small romance with a young girl in the ballet," she reached over and gripped his shoulder, she lifted herself to her feet and he helped her.

He stood as well and pulled her into a short embrace, "Tell him that I love him, Christine. Would you like to take the carriage?"

"No, thank you." she said, "I prefer to walk, it isn't too far away." she let him go and went to the door, "Goodbye, Raoul." she said gently.

He opened the door for her and kissed her one last time before she left. She took her time walking back to the Opera House, she has so much to think about.