Out to Lunch (Christine)

[Raoul de Changy]

Raoul leaned forward some in his seat so that he could look out the window of the carriage they were sitting in. Usually he would have chosen the car, but as he had wanted to surprise Christine with a romantic trip one of the many cafés in Paris he figured that a carriage would be much more fitting. But the nearer they got to the café the more uncertain Raoul became if his decision had been a good one. Not about the carriage, but about his choice of the café. There was no doubt that the café in question was a nice place – it was just that it was so close to the opera… So close was it that it was almost a part of that grand and terrible building that now loomed over the street in front of them. Suddenly feeling very uneasy where he sat he called out for the carriage driver to stop and let them off.

Raoul got out of the carriage and putting a smile back on his face turned to Christine to assist her as she stepped down on the pavement. “I thought some fresh air would do us good,” he explained, taking her hand. It was just a short distance left to the café so they might as well walk the rest of the way. He hoped she didn’t guess the real reason behind this sudden change of plans. It was probably silly anyway.

[Christine De Changy]

Out To Lunch

It was always nice when Raoul took Christine out; the two often neglected time together so when moments like these came along she cherished them greatly. She had been surprised by Raouls choice of transport, they where one of the first families in France to purchase the new car and so to go back to the carriage was a surprise but not unpleasant. She found the sound of the horse’s hooves on the stone roads rather soothing. The carriage pulled over and Raoul exited the carriage holding his hand out to assist her as she made her way out as well…

“I thought some fresh air would do us good,”

Christine smiled at Raoul taking his hand, “What a nice idea” she said brightly “Its such a pleasant day” she flashed him another smile before checking to see if her blue day dress was clear of the carriage door. Christine hadn’t noticed the Opera House on the street opposite her mind had been elsewhere but as the carriage drew away she couldn’t help but set eyes of the large stone building. It was so grand with its golden statues and long columns the building looked undamaged and innocent as if the events that had happened all those years ago where nothing more than a story performed on the stage of the opera house.

Seeing the building again triggered back many childhood memories and of course the memories of the Ghost. Realising that she had been stood for a minute staring silently at the Opera House Christine took out her gloves and made a big show of putting them on hoping it would distract Raoul from her obvious moment.

“So where are you taking me Monsieur De Changy” she teased looking back to her husbands strong handsome face. Age had been kind to him and he had matured and become in Christine’s eyes a very fine-looking gentleman. Christine herself often worried over her tired eyes and wondered if she suited him in looks. Often when they where out she felt plain compared to the beautiful young women around her and wondered if Raoul noticed them too.



Word Count. 355
Status. Finnished.
Extra Notes.
XD

[Raoul de Changy]

Raoul helped her out of the carriage, smiling at her, relieved that she agreed to walk instead of taking the carriage. As he waited for to finish checking up on her dress he stood back a little, watching her with a content smile on his face. Whatever she might think of her own looks he thought she was one of the prettiest women he had ever seen, and he doubted that would change anytime soon. When the carriage drew away and Christine finally realised that they were near the opera he too could sense the change of mood that came over her. The relief was great when she took to putting on her gloves.

When the gloves were in place he offered his arm to her. "I had planned," he began, then paused for dramatic effect, "that you and I would have lunch together, at the café widely known as the one were we had our first official date." There was a playful look in his eyes as he finished his senence.

[Christine De Changy]

Out To Lunch

"I had planned," he began, then paused for dramatic effect, "that you and I would have lunch together, at the café widely known as the one were we had our first official date."

Christine’s eyes sparkled as she caught the look in Raoul’s eyes, “We’re going there?” Christine exclaimed happily “That’s such a wonderful idea Raoul!” she said taking his arm and planting a kiss softly on his cheek. Their first date she remembered clearly, it was full of shy glances and excited moments when they remembered times together as children. She had felt like the world was at her feet and every time Raoul looked at her her heart did back flips.

As time went on and Charles and Lizzy grew older Christine couldn’t help but find it harder and harder to look Raoul in the face and pretend everything was fine. She was sure he was aware that Charles didn’t resemble him in anyway shape or form and Christine was terrified if she revealed to him the child’s true parentage Raoul would abandon her and take Lizzy with him. She knew it would kill her if this happened and the very thought of it happening made her feel ill.

Pushing all of the horrid thoughts aside she smiled at Raoul, for now she didn’t need to worry about it. She walked with Raoul happily down the street towards the café the happy memories of carefree times drifting back to her. “Shall we Proceed?” she asked as they reached the Café.



Word Count. 252
Status. Finnished.
Extra Notes.
crappy horrid post. Sorry!

[Raoul de Changy]

Raoul was glad to see her so happy for once – it didn’t happen nearly as it should. But as they now walked down the street he felt like they were any old couple, happy, with dark shadows hanging over them... He held back a sigh. Why did all this have to happen to them? Why couldn't their lives have been easier?

When they reached the café he walked to the table he had reserved for them and let go of her arm to pull out the chair for her. Only after he she was comfortably seated did he sit down himself.

After a few moments, a waiter came to their table to take their orders. Raoul pretended to read through the menu but he had in fact decided a long time. He would have the same as he had the first time he was here with Christine. Having placed his order he gave Christine a small smile. It was odd how one remembered such trivial details from many years ago.

"Maybe we should bring our kids here one day?" Though he hadn't meant for there to be, there was a hint of sarcasm in the word 'our'. "I think they would enjoy it. Specially Lizzy."

[Christine De Changy]

Out To Lunch

Christine followed Raoul into the café, it hadn’t changed much since the last time the two had been together in the café, a few new furnishings here and there but it was still quaint and the perfect spot for the two of them to spend some time together. It was true that twelve years ago Christine had been in practically the same spot and she certainly hadn’t imagined her future like this at all but she was still with Raoul and had two beautiful children that she loved dearly. She only wished that circumstances could be different.

Christine smiled at Raoul as he pulled a chair out for her and she took a seat removing her gloves and placing them beside her on the table. Tucking a loose curl that had fallen from her bun behind her ear she looked at the menu, following Raouls lead she also ordered what she had ordered the last time the two had come here.

"Maybe we should bring our kids here one day?" Though he hadn't meant for there to be, there was a hint of sarcasm in the word 'our'. "I think they would enjoy it. Specially Lizzy."

The two where silent for a few moments before Raoul spoke, Christine glanced up, she’d been busy reading a leaflet that had been left on the table advertising that a circus was coming to Paris, the whole idea of a circus coming reminded her all to much of her angel and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing this very moment. Christine frowned she’d picked up the hint of sarcasm in his voice and felt not only saddened that he’d say something like that but worried about the context behind what he had said.

Christine hadn’t failed to notice the looks of suspicion Raoul often gave Charles but she hoped he’d turn a blind eye to the obvious genetic differences between the two. In Christine’s heart Raoul was Charles father and it broke her heart to think Raoul would doubt that, Christine had had to make a very difficult choice twelve years ago which resulted in Charles’s conception. It would be a lie to say that Christine regretted what she’d done but her feelings about that night where so complicated, apart of her was glad she had something to remind her of her angel, another part of her was terrified he would come back to claim Charles. She regretted not telling Raoul straight out that the child wasn’t his but she hadn’t the courage at the time and she was terrified now Raoul would disown her for adultery when she’d done it to save him. She’d also done it because she pitied the poor man, she’d couldn’t bear to see him in so much pain and thought that one human kindness would help repair a lifetime of abuse but she feared she’d made the wrong choice she should never have given herself to him when she knew she could never fully be his. It was cruel.

“What did you mean by that Raoul?” Christine said a little sharper than she’d intended, “Was there something you wanted to say to me?” she asked unable to keep his eye contact she looked down at the table. She hoped he wouldn’t say what she’d been so afraid of him saying throughout their marriage but apart of her wanted all the lies to stop.



Word Count. 568
Status. Finnished.
Extra Notes.
I hope this makes sense!

[Raoul de Changy]

The look Raoul gave at that question surprised even him. He couldn't remember the last time, if it had ever happened, that he had shown his anger towards her so plainly. As if she didn't know what he meant! "I think you know what I mean," he replied shortly. "You know as well as I do that we're not the happy family we pretend to be." He couldn't at present bring himself to outright accuse her of anything but her looking away said more than he wanted to hear.

Oh yes, the icy wind was beginning to blow more fiercely around them.

.

((Sorry it's so short.))

[Christine De Changy]

Out To Lunch

"I think you know what I mean," he replied shortly. "You know as well as I do that we're not the happy family we pretend to be."

Christine felt her heart skip a beat as she looked back up to see Raouls face contorted into a frown, Christine and Raoul hardly argued and the last time she remembered shouting cruel words at him was when she had gone into labour with Lizzy, of course this was somewhat different. It was difficult for Christine listening to Raoul speak to her in such a short manner, it frightened her and as she looked back at Raoul she struggled to fight back the feeling of desperation and tears that where threatening to attack, she needed to remain calm and not over react.

“I don’t know Raoul, We’ve had a lot of problems, but we have over come them together” Christine said softly her eyes flicking from his face back to the table, she took a sip of water that had been placed on the table by a waiter “I thought we where happy together…” she paused looking Raoul in the face her distress at what he had said was apparent on her face “are you unhappy Raoul?” she asked “I know about you and Meg…” Christine trailed off looking down as she tried to compose herself. The worst thing she could do now would be to make an exhibition of herself.

Christine had been suspicious of Meg and Raoul since that night she’d left to make up Megs bed, she was sure there was something going on only she hadn’t had the nerve to say so before. Of course Christine was sure that Raoul was also thinking about Charles but she was not ready to talk to Raoul about that, she could only hope he would accept Charles as his son and forget about genes.


Word Count. 312
Status. Finnished.
Extra Notes.
xD

[Raoul de Changy]

Raoul sighed. Yes, they had had their rows (one thing they did have in common with other couples) but surely she realised that what he was thinking of was something more serious than a simple disagreement. His anger was dispelled some though as he realised that she was trying to keep it low and not cause a scene. Something she was very right in doing.

"I don't know Raoul, we've had a lot of problems, but we have overcome them together."

'If only we could overcome this, my dear...'

"...Christine..." he sighed, reaching across the table to take her hand, wanting to erase that look of distress on her face… But he stopped when he heard her next comment. The frown reappeared, but this time it was out of confusion. "Meg?" What did she have to do with anything?