by Renee Larsen
Danielle giggled. “Hey, I don’t need to know this song…you do.” Again Nicholas pressed the remote jumping back a scene and pressed play. He stood up and reached for Danielle’s hand pulling her up.
They faced the TV and mimicked the actor and actress on the screen. As Danielle leaned against him, Nicholas wrapped his arms around her and sang “Music of the Night” softly sensually in her ear as he caressed her the way the Phantom caressed Christine. The scene ended but he continued holding her against him. He listened to the blood rushing through her veins, the beating of her heart as it quickened to his touch. He finally released her taking her hand. They sat on the couch in silence. Danielle picked up her wine and sipped it slowly as the movie continued. Her thoughts were of Nicholas and how wonderful it felt when he held her and sang to her.
Nicholas pressed the pause button and turned to look at Danielle. “Danielle, I think we should do this. Not all but a couple of songs.”
Danielle smiled. “Which ones?” she asked.
Nicholas thought for a moment, “Music of the night and Point of No Return?”
Danielle giggled. “The touchy, feely songs,” then she added “I agree.”
Nicholas poured more wine and pressed play again. They watched in silence as the scene “Point of No Return” came on. They studied it and then Nicholas jumped the scene back and pulled Danielle to her feet.
“Shall we try this one?” he asked smiling. Danielle nodded and Nicholas pressed play. Again they mimicked the actors and each sang the appropriate part. They sat back on the couch laughing.
“This is going to be fun.” Danielle said lifting her glass of wine to her lips.
“Yes this will be fun. We’ll need to practice this a lot.” Nicholas replied laughing. The movie ended and Nicholas picked out another movie and put it in the DVD player and sat next to Danielle. He draped his arm around her shoulder and pressed play.
About halfway through the third movie Danielle reached for a blanket and pulled it around them. “The bastard landlord lowers the heat around ten every night. It’s freezing in here.”
Nicholas pulled her against him. “I’ll keep you warm.” He took the blanket and wrapped it around both of them then wrapped his arms around her breathing in the fragrance of her hair. “Mmmm, your hair smells like flowers.” He couldn’t resist any longer. He leaned down kissing her neck. Danielle’s eyes closed as his lips caressed her neck a second time. She turned slightly in his arms and his lips found hers, kissing her gently. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you in the theater,” he whispered as he brushed his lips to against her ear.
Danielle turned in this embrace. “Do it again,” she said softly. His lips came down on hers kissing her hungrily.
Nicholas smiled down at her. “Lets watch this or we’re going to get in trouble,” he said but then his lips were on hers again. Danielle returned his kiss then turned back to the television.
“You’re right…we better watch the movie.” she said softly her heart pounding in her chest.
Danielle fell asleep in his arms as they watched the fourth movie. Sleep he pushed. He carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. He covered her with the blanket from the couch then went back into the living room. He wrote her a quick note.
Danielle, I had a wonderful evening. I’ll call you around five.
Nicholas picked up the dishes and glasses and washed them, then sat down to put his boots on. Rusty came out of the bedroom and sat in front on him. “Hi, Rusty” Nicholas said softly. Rusty arched his back hissing at him. Nicholas chuckled and as his fangs extended he looked at the cat. “You want to have a hissing contest?” Rusty hissed again angrily. Derek stared into Rusty’s eyes and hissed showing his fangs. Rusty ran back to the bedroom and under the bed.
***
Derek got up from the couch and walked to the door. “Our son returns.” He chuckled. He opened the door. “Nicholas, another visit, I’m impressed.”
Nicholas walked in and plopped down next to Emily. “Hi Mom,” he said as he kissed her cheek.
Derek sat on the chair looking at his wife and son. “Spill it Nick.” He said.
Nicholas looked from his mother to his father. “I’m connected to her. She’s connected to me. I don’t know how. Like you said the other night, I’ve only just met her, yet something tells me I’ve known her for years. She’s gentle, she’s funny, and when she smiles it takes my breath away. Dad, Killer loves her!”
Emily started laughing as she looked at Nicholas and then Derek. “Killer doesn’t like anyone except Nicholas and me and basically he tolerates you, Derek.”
Derek stood up and started pacing. “Derek, sit. If you pace, Nicholas will pace, and if you both turn your backs to me I really can’t tell the difference.”
Derek sat down again. “What are you telling us, Nicholas?” he asked.
Nicholas looked into his fathers green eyes. “Dad, she’s the one. I know she is. I could have had her a little while ago, but I restrained myself. I want her to be in love with me. Like mom is with you.”
Derek looked at Emily. “Our son is smitten.”
Emily smiled. “It sounds to me like he’s falling in love.” Derek shot Emily a look.
“What?” she asked.
“Nicholas, I need to talk to your mother. Stay here, we’ll be right back,.” Derek said standing up.
Derek and Emily walked to their room. Derek sat on the bed. “Em, we have a problem here.”
Emily sat next to him. “Why’s that?”
Derek frowned. “Em, this is the first girl he’s been interested in.”
Emily smiled and kissed him. “And how many girls were you interested in before Elizabeth?”
Derek raised an eyebrow. “You, my dear, are too smart for your own good.”
Emily kissed him again. “Derek, let it play out. Maybe this is the one, maybe it’s not. Our son is a man now, let him be a man. Be happy for him.” Derek took her hand. “You’re right. I’m being over protective.”
Derek and Emily returned to the living room. Emily smiled at Nicholas. “You just need to take it slow ok?” she said.
Nicholas nodded and then said “Wait until the Vamp Gala. I have such a surprise for you mom.”
Emily looked at him smiling. “What is it?” she asked.
Nicholas chuckled. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”
Derek looked outside and laughed. “Nicholas, you’re staying here again. The suns up.”
When Nicholas awoke it was after five. He’d promised Danielle he’d call by five. He knocked on his parent’s door. “Dad, I need clothes, I have to get into the city.”
“Come on, you know where my clothes are.”
Nicholas walked into the bedroom to see Emily curled up in Derek’s arms. “Thanks dad.” Nicholas went into the closet pulling out a white shirt and black slacks. “I’ll have them cleaned and return them. Tell mom I’ll talk to her later. Nicholas leaned down and kissed Derek’s cheek. See ya.” And he left the room.
Nicholas picked up his cell phone and dialed Danielle’s number. She answered on the fifth ring. “Danielle, how’d you sleep?” he asked lightly as he tucked the white shirt into his pants.
“I slept pretty well. What time did you leave?” Nicholas dropped the phone. “Damn, wait, I dropped the phone.” He called as he finished tucking in his shirt. He picked up the phone. “Sorry I dropped the phone. I left around four thirty.”
Danielle laughed. “Sorry I fell asleep on you.”
Nicholas grinned. “That’s ok. What’s the weather like, I haven’t looked outside yet today.”
“Streets are being plowed. Cabs seem to be running. Do you want me to come to the theater?”
“Yes, around seven thirty, okay? Oh, take my cell number incase you run into a problem. I’ve gotta go, see you in a little while.” Nicholas said.
Danielle smiled. “Nicholas, don’t hang up yet I need the number.”
Nicholas laugh
ed. “Sometimes I’m such an ass. Hey it will be on your caller ID.”
Now Danielle was laughing. “I guess I’m an ass too.” she said then added, “See you at seven thirty.”
Nicholas ran out to the field and quickly fed on a cow then swirled into a mist and reappeared in his apartment. “Killer, I’m sorry, let’s go,” he called. He put killer on a leash and they disappeared. Soon they were in Central Park. They ran and played for a while after killer watered the trees. They left the park and as they walked up the street they spotted Danielle standing in the alcove outside the theater. Killer ran to her pulling Nicholas behind him. “Killer, slow down.” Nicholas called laughing. Danielle heard Nicholas yell at Killer and turned in the direction of his voice. She saw Killer running and Nicholas trying to keep up. Killer ran right to Danielle and sat in front of her. She squatted down petting him.
“Hi Killer,” she said hugging him around his neck. Killer licked her cheek.
“Isn’t this something, my dog is hitting on you.” Nicholas said smiling as he turned the key in the lock. Once inside and the door locked behind them he let Killer off the leash. “Go upstairs Killer, we have to work.” He took Danielle’s hand and they walked into the auditorium and up onto the stage. “Let me have your coat” he said as he took off his and reached for Danielle’s. He took the coats and pitched them onto a chair in the auditorium. “Ready?” he asked smiling.
Danielle nodded. “What are we going to do?” She asked.
Nicholas picked up a CD from on top of the piano and put it in the CD player. “It’s just you and me tonight.” He said as he pressed the play button then advanced the tracks.
“Music of the Night” filled the stage area. “Hey, Nicholas, isn’t this the old Majestic Theater? I did some research on the internet. If it is, we might be able to find some old sets or props in the basement.” She said smiling.
Nicholas thought for a moment. “Ya know my dad bought me this building about six years ago. It was empty, but I think I remember him saying something about a basement. Want to go exploring?”
Danielle reached for his hand. “Yes, let’s go look.” She said happily.
Together they made their way to the basement. Nicholas turned the lights on and they walked through several rooms. There were all kinds of old props and one room was filled with costumes from the different plays performed at the theater. Danielle walked into the costume area and started looking through them. She pulled out a colorful woman’s gown in rich but dusty shades of red, blue and gold. “Nick look at this isn’t it beautiful” she said holding it up against her.
Nicholas smiled. “Yes it is. Do you suppose it’s from the play?”
Danielle shrugged. “I have no idea. It doesn’t look like anything from the movie.” She said smiling.
Nicholas walked closer watching her blue eyes that twinkled with excitement. “Keep it out, see what else is here. We’ll pull out good stuff, try it on, and if we like them I’ll have them cleaned.” They rummaged through the racks of clothes pulling things out that they liked. Nicholas found a cape and wrapped it around himself covering his mouth and nose. He snuck up on Danielle and put on his best Bela Lugosi voice.
“I vant to suck your blood.” He said holding back laughter. Danielle turned to see him imitating the old movie Vampires.
“Oh, Count Dracula…no, please don’t.”
Nicholas approached her slowly “I vant to suck you blood” He said as he took the edge of the cape and swirled it around her as he pulled her into his arms and pretended to bite her neck and then kissed her. Danielle wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss then pushed away.
“Drac, we need to keep looking.” She said smiling.
They continued going through old costumes and had put several to the side. Danielle then went to a trunk at the far end of the room and opened it. After rummaging for a few minutes she looked up. “I found what we need.” She called as she pulled out a mask of white leather. “Here, hold it to your face” she said.
Nicholas held the mask to his face and then started singing music of the night. He sang a few bars and then stopped. “Well, what do you think Ms. Robbins?”
Danielle smiled happily. “Very good, but I seriously like the shape of the movie mask better.”
Nicholas took the mask and dropped it in the trunk and then took the costumes placing them in the trunk. “Ok, let’s see what else we can find.” He said taking her hand. They walked through a few more rooms and found a few of the play props. “Tomorrow I’ll have some workers drag these props upstairs. Let’s take the costumes upstairs and try them on,” he said as he picked up the trunk.
“Nicholas, isn’t that heavy?”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “I’m strong like bull.” They made their way up the stairs and into the theater and made their way to the dressing rooms. Nicholas deposited the gowns into one room and said. “Try them on; let me see them on you ok?”
Danielle smiled. “Be out in a minute.” She closed the door and took off her jeans and sweater. She pulled on the multi colored gown and held it up in front as she opened the door. “Can you zip me” She said turning her back to him.
Nicholas pulled the zipper up. “Ok, turn around let me see,” He said. Danielle turned around smiling. Nicholas grinned. “This one’s a keeper. It looks great on you. Go try on the others.” Danielle changed and paraded around in the different costumes for Nicholas.
Later that night they sang along with the CD over and over until they had it perfect. “Tomorrow night bring your DVD so we can practice the moves?” Nicholas asked.
Danielle nodded. “That sounds good. I think this will be so much fun.”
Nicholas chuckled “Yes it will. Let’s go upstairs. It’s getting late, we’ll have a night cap and then I’ll call a cab for you.” They walked upstairs and went into the apartment.
Nicholas handed Danielle a brandy and sat next to her. “Those dresses all looked great on you. I’ll have them cleaned for you and then you can take them home.”
Danielle looked into his eyes. “I couldn’t wear them anywhere but on stage. Pick the ones you like the most for the show.”
Nicholas nodded. “I need to get a proper mask, and you something lacy and sexy like what Christine wore in the movie. I didn’t like the thing we left downstairs.”
Danielle smiled. “Do you suppose that’s what they wore for the play?” Nicholas shrugged.
“I’ll be right back.” He stood up and walked towards the bedroom. “Danielle, come here, you have to see this,” he said laughing.
Danielle got up and joined Nicholas in doorway. He looked at her. “I’m going to kill that mutt. Look at him.”
Danielle looked around the room and started laughing. “He’s a handful isn’t he?” Killer was stretched out on his back under the covers with his head on the pillow. “You could probably win first prize for funniest animal pictures.”
Nicholas walked closer to the bed. “Killer, what are you doing?” Killer opened his eyes showing his teeth then closed his eyes. “Killer, get out of my bed.” Killer opened his eyes, groaned and turned away from him. Nicholas looked at Danielle laughing. “See what I have to put up with.”
The next three weeks passes quickly. Danielle and Nicholas would practice the two songs from Phantom alone and the other music with the orchestra. Now it was time to rehearse the entire show from top to bottom. For the next five nights they rehearsed from eight at night until the wee hours of the morning; Nicholas needed to be sure everything was perfect. The sets changed according to plan; and tonight was the dress rehearsal, Danielle dressed in the various gowns they had found in the basement.
After rehearsal and the orchestra had left the theater Danielle and Nicholas returned to his apartment as they had every night for the past three weeks. They sat on the couch sipping brandy. Danielle looked at Nicholas smiling. “Are you excited? Everything seemed to run so perfectly during rehearsals.”
Nicholas too
k her hand in his and kissed it. “Yes I am excited. Tomorrow night we rest and then Friday night the show begins.”
Danielle squeezed his hand. “This is a private thing isn’t it? There is nothing promoting a show opening here on the streets.”
Nicholas pulled her against him and rested his head on hers. “We’ll see how the show received on Friday. If all goes well then we’ll open it to the public.” Danielle closed her eyes as he stroked her arm.