Chapter I
Sunlight barely drifted through the silver clouds, gently lighting up the grand staircase, leading to the old columns. The old marble was worn and greyed, bruised by time and fire. A breeze blew through, fluttering against the skirt of Mrs. Belle Lambert. She held her hair back from the wind as she looked to her husband. Mr. Marcus Lambert was looking up at the grand entrance of the former Opera House. He smiled, glancing back at his wife.
"Looking good. At least from the outside," he remarked.
"It doesn't look like it'll be hard to clean up the outside," Belle added.
"Can't wait to look inside."
Belle turned back to the car. Her sons, Jasper and John, were playing among themselves, motioning with fake swords. John, the eldest son, lunged forward, stabbing Jasper directly with his fake blade. Jasper let out a gasp, holding his chest and collapsing to the ground. John cackled, standing one foot on his brother's chest as he waved his arms in victory. Jasper suddenly rolled, shoving John to the ground where the two continued to tussle. Belle laughed, shaking her head.
"Dani, what do you think!"
Belle waved to her youngest child, Danielle. The girl was stood close to the car, holding onto her doll while she eyed the ground. She didn't want to move in the first place, and this was far from where they lived before. It wasn't like she had friends she missed, but rather she missed her old home and garden. This place obviously lacked a garden. Belle took her daughter's hand, pulling her toward the steps.
"This was once an Opera house," Belle explained. "Grandpa used to talk about this place, though even when he was a kid this place was closed."
"Mom, I want to go home," Dani whispered.
"This is our home, now, sweetie," Belle hummed, kneeling. "We're going to live here and fix this place up. You'll love it, I promise."
Dani followed her mother in while her father gathered up the boys. They climbed the steps, entering the large doors. Dani felt a chill run down her, forcing her to tighten her grip on her mother. Entering the lobby, Belle pointed to the grand staircase and balconies in hopes of brightening her child's mood. The elegant stairs split to left and right with a large center balcony. The wallpaper, the few that was present in the lobby, was worn, some parts burnt and ripped. The tiles were equally worn, scuffed with years of use and dusty from the years of lack of use. The lights were off, keeping the room dimly lit from the limited outside sunlight.
"Isn't this pretty?" Belle asked her child.
Dani remained quiet, looking down and cradling her doll. Belle sighed, glancing back at her husband. He was dragging the boys in. Upon entering the lobby, the boys shouted and ran up either staircase. Marcus cursed under his breath, chasing after them. Belle giggled, waving them off. Looking down at Dani again, she let out a deep sigh. Pulling the little girl along, they entered the man stage.
Dani's eyes lit up. Though dust and cobwebs were caking the balconies and broken chairs. The center floor had many of the chairs removed, leaving a large open space. Regardless, the large stage, bordered either side was gorgeous statues, the top draped in flowing figures. The stage went on, missing a backdrop, showing the large behind the scene area. Along the walls leaving the stage were more balconies facing inward.
"With a little cleaning," Belle whispered, "this place could be beautiful again."
Dani looked around, gaze stopping on one of the balconies. The shadows seemed to move as if a figure moved aside. She remained staring at it as he mother dragged her further along. They stepped onto the stage, joined by Marcus. He shook his head with a deep sigh, looking off into the non-existent audience. Belle stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek.
"How are the boys?" she asked, holding her husband's hands.
"Running around God knows where!" he huffed, kissing her on the cheek. "How's Dani?"
"I think it's growing on her," Belle smiled, motioning to the girl.
"What's up there?" Dani pointed toward the balcony.
"That's one of the boxes," Marcus explained. "They were expensive seats used to watch the show."
"Maybe after we're done fixing this place up, we'll save one of those boxes for us," Belle sighed lightly, looking up at the box with dreamy eyes.
Dani watched the shadows move in the box, almost spotting a complete form before her mother dragged her across the stage. She kept her eyes on the box until she could no longer see it. They continued wandering the building, her mother and father pointing out spots they'd like to remodel and fix, not that it mattered to Dani.
Eventually, they reached a cement room, grey walls and pillars with beds laid on the floor. The round window let in the outside light but the dusty glass blocked a lot of the natural light from finding its way inside. Dani grimaced, feeling the grey in her soul. Her father patted her on the head.
"Is this where we're gonna live?" Dani whimpered.
"For now," Belle offered, swinging her daughters arm while squeezing her hand. "This used to house some of the dancers."
"It's not all that bad," shrugged Marcus. "Just needs some paint and cleaning up."
"I gotta sleep with John and Jasper!" gasped Dani, pulling free of her parents. "I don't wanna! They smell!"
"Now, now, Dani," sighed Belle, kneeling. "We all have to make sacrifices right now."
"But…but…" whimpered Dani.
"It'll be okay, sweetie," Bell assured, giving the little girl a hug.
Dani groaned, looking away as her mother brought her in close. The light moved along the ground. She loved her mom and dad. She was used to her parents picking up 'projects' but this was a whole new level, one she wasn't exactly ready for.
"Don't worry, sweetie," Belle offered, pulling away for a moment. "This will be an adventure for all of us!"