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Erik had just made his way to Christine’s dressing room and had just opened the secret panel, when he was batted in the face, by an envelope suspended from the ceiling by a string. His name was written on it in bold red letters.
“Meet me in the practise room an hour before sunrise - Christine.” Just before the requested time, Erik was at the practise room door. Christine was there, grinning at him.
“Take off your mask, please.” She had her hands behind her back.
“Christine...” Erik sighed.
“I have something for you, but I can’t give it to you with your mask on. Please, Maestro?”
Not wanting to deny Christine anything, Erik reluctantly took off his mask. Christine smiled, “Good. Now turn around, please.” Erik followed instructions, somewhat nervously. He became even more nervous when she put a blindfold on him!
“What...”
“Shh.” Then Christine took Erik’s hand. “Now, just walk.” Christine proceeded to guide Erik to the roof of the Garnier - with Erik wondering the whole time why Christine wanted to go to the roof at this hour! When they got to the door to the roof, she stopped, instructed Erik to close his eyes, and then she’d take off the blindfold. Completely flummoxed and seething with curiosity, he did so. As promised, Christine took off the blindfold. Then she put something heavy over his eyes. She opened the door, telling him to still keep his eyes closed.
Once they were through, Christine told Erik to open his eyes. There before them was a hot air balloon! Erik was completely taken by surprise! It also explained the goggles on his face. But it didn’t explain why Jean-Claude was there as well.
“Surprise! You’ve done so much for me, Maestro, I wanted to do something nice for you in return. A balloon ride is perfect! You can be out in the daylight and no one can see you. You can relax and enjoy yourself! We can even have a picnic! I’ve brought a picnic lunch and there will be plenty of secluded spots in which to land. It will be a wonderful day!”
Jean-Claude spoke up. “I used to work in a circus and learned how to fly a balloon there. Christine and I were talking and we decided the balloon was a perfect idea. I made some arrangements and was able to reserve the balloon for the day. But I promised to take the balloon back, just after sunset.” He saw the look on Erik’s face.
“Do not worry about your face, Monsieur. I saw it when you were a baby, when your mother - God rest her soul, was showing you to Gerard. I happened to be passing the stables then and saw. I never had the courage - before today, to tell you.”
It took Erik a moment to take everything in. Of course, Christine had seen his face before. That was a day he’d never forget. But he could never have guessed Jean-Claude had seen it. Though Erik could guess why the man had never said anything. And now, a hot air balloon ride! What a day this was turning out to be!
“Ah...”. Erik didn’t know what to say. His mind was in too many directions. All he could say to both of them was a heartfelt, “Thank you!”.
With a few moments of darkness left, and after Christine and Jean-Claude had donned their goggles, they launched the balloon. The weather was perfect.
Soon they were several hundred metres above the Palais Garnier. The gigantic building now looked too small for the rats in Erik’s lair to live in. The brisk breeze waltzed energetically through their hair. The chilly air made Christine very grateful she was wearing her heavy shawl! The two men didn’t seem to notice the chilly air at all. Erik was mesmerized by all he could see. Christine was no less dazzled. Even Jean-Claude found the sights absolutely fascinating. Balloons could never be boring for him.
They flew through sunrise. Even with goggles, the three still needed to shade their eyes with their hands to view the spectacular sight.
Jean-Claude flew them to an area just outside Paris. It was a large open meadow with the forest’s edge about half a kilometer away. He set them down ever so gently. First, he unloaded the ballast, then the other two got out.
As expected, it was considerably warmer on the ground, than in the air. So much so, that knowing only Christine and Jean-Claude could see him, Erik took off his shoes, socks, jacket and waistcoat! Christine - not the least bit embarrassed at seeing Erik in just his shirtsleeves and braces, laughed and followed suit, taking off her shoes, stockings and tucking her skirts into her drawers. Jean-Claude took charge of the picnic things. While the other two chased about like children, he arranged everything on the blanket, including Christine’s carefully-folded shawl. Seeing as the wind had picked up slightly, Jean-Claude called to Christine.
“Christine!”. When she turned to him, he gestured to the gondola. She hurried over and took out another surprise. Smiling, Christine ran back to Erik - who was curiously watching proceedings. When Christine showed Erik what she carried, he broke into a huge grin. He’d been so busy watching the sights while they were flying, that he hadn’t noticed anything in the gondola.
“Kites!!”, He cried happily. “Oh, Christine, you’re wonderful!” The pair then exhausted themselves flying kites for a good hour, all over the meadow. Jean-Claude looked on, smiling like a proud uncle.
When the wind started to calm down, Erik and Christine reluctantly reeled in their kites and headed for the picnic blanket. They were ravenous anyway, and glad to see that Jean-Claude had everything laid out. The trio talked and feasted on baguettes, cheese, strawberries and a lovely chocolate gateau. It was all washed down with some excellent champagne. It was an excellent first proper picnic for Erik and one of the best picnics Christine and Jean-Claude had ever had. And it was not over yet.
Once their stomachs had settled, Christine returned to the gondola and brought back the practise room violin.
“Maestro? Would you?”
“I would be honoured, mon ange. If you would sing as well?”
“Of course, Maestro!” And so, Erik played while Christine sang a few of their favourite arias. Jean-Claude listened in happy contentment, firm in the knowledge that Christine and Erik made a lovely couple. He was very grateful to have been a part of the day.
Then came the sad part. It was time to leave. Everything was packed up and returned to the gondola. Erik and Christine replaced shoes, socks/stockings, waistcoat, jacket and Christine drew on her shawl again. During the flight home, they all talked about their day and Erik found it difficult to stop saying thank you! He hugged and kissed Christine and even hugged Jean-Claude! Jean-Claude chuckled. He and Christine said Erik was very welcome and it had been their pleasure.
Soon they were back on the Palais Garnier roof and the gondola was unloaded. Then Christine and Erik waved Jean-Claude au revoir as he flew off to return the balloon, just after sunset - as promised.
********
A few days later, Christine turned up in Erik’s lair. She presented him with a very small box. Inside were a few pressed wildflowers she had gathered while Erik had been racing round during their day out. They made a lovely memento.
All Erik could say was, “Oh, Christine!”. Then he gratefully kissed her.