Neverland Child: Thanks for finally reviewing! Part of the reason I rewrote this sequel was so my most loyal follower of the story could actually read it without having any conflicts! I will check out your story when I get the chance. I actually think I read the first chapter one day when you'd first started but ended up getting pulled away by something else. So I will try to get back to that soon!
As for Erik being nice, well, when he finds Anne and her producer, well he might not be very happy with some of the things going on there, therefore, he won't be very nice about it. Don't worry though, the things Anne does will not be anything compared to the original. Remember she'll only be 13, too young to even think about the things she did. But I'd think the whole 'showgirl' thing isn't going to sit well with Erik. Anne does need to learn something doesn't she, ah, a story with a message at the end! haha, too bad she'll have to learn the hard way...
Sandal Walker: Thanks for the review. Yes, kids don't ever read the contracts do they? And the time period makes it even worse since there are no child labor laws, Mr. Smith can do just about anything he wants with Anne. But we'll get to that when it comes.
Haha yea, I'm loving your sequel so far! I can't remember if I reviewed the last chapter, if I didn't, consider this my review. It was great! Update soon! Haha, you'll get better reviews from me after you update, I promise.
EVERYBODY ELSE! PLEASE REVIEW! What's it take to get reviews around here anyway? Want me to do some flips? Put my foot behind my head? What? Alright, well thanks for reading anyway, here's the next chapter
Gabriella POV
It's been almost 5 years since the last time I saw Anne, more than that for Erik. When I asked the ballerinas it took me almost a year to finally get Isabelle to tell me the truth, that Anne had gone to America because she thought Erik didn't love her anymore and she wanted to be loved. So she left to become a star.
By the time we'd found out, it was too late to do anything. I'd just had our newest daughter, Kirsten, and we couldn't afford to have Erik leave to America in search of Anne, we could only hope either she'd return, or that she was happy where ever she may be.
But as the years wore on, I began to feel more and more horrible. Erik hadn't even said Anne's name in almost a year, and Kirsten didn't know she had a sister. Erik had told Daniel never to speak of her ever again. He thinks Anne was ungrateful and selfish, wanting to run away and be a star. I never had the heart to tell him, but after paying a visit to Cesar's grave, I decided it was time to tell the truth.
Erik was sitting behind his desk in his office when I entered. I'd waited until Kirsten had gone to take a nap and Daniel was out riding his pony. "Erik?" he looked up at me "What is it? I'm busy" he tells me, trying to be gentle.
I walk over to the desk "Erik, I, I need to tell you something". He looks down at his paper and continues his work "And what would that be my dear?" he asks. I swallow "Anne didn't run away just to become a star, she..." my voice trails off as his eyes meet with mine.
He stands, coming around the desk "Why then? Why has she left?" he questions softly. I look down "She ran away because of you" I tell him, he takes a step back in surprise "Me? Why? What did I..." I cut him off, tears streaming down my face "Erik she left because you wouldn't come to the opera to see her!" I nearly scream at him.
This was all his fault! He couldn't spare, 1 moment to go see his own daughter, in an opera house that he'd controlled for years? What if Anne was in trouble now? What if she was dead? I sink to the floor and begin to sob, Erik kneels next to me, taking my hand.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" he asks, his voice sounds so broken. I look up at him "I didn't have the heart to tell you. She thought you didn't love her anymore" I admit, in some ways it feels good to get this off my chest, in others it hurts more than anything.
He's trembling, and I stand, helping him into a chair and wiping the tears from my eyes "I... I need to go get her then" he says, his voice shaking slightly "I need to go now!" he stands.
"Erik wait!" he stops and looks at me "Maybe I should go..." he shakes his head "No, I'm the only one who can do this!" he tells me firmly. He faces me, rubbing my arms gently "I have to".
Just then Kirsten walks into the room, she looks just like I did when I was her age, brown curly hair and soft brown eyes. "Daddy why're you crying?" she asks innocently, he goes and picks her up "Because, Daddy has to go away for a little while" he tells her.
She blinks in confusion "Go away? Where are you going? Why are you going there?" she asks him. He brings her into the library and sits in his favorite arm chair, letting her sit on his lap "I have to go get something, but I'll be back in a few months, I promise".
The rest of the day is spent with Kirsten, and later Daniel after he comes in from his ride. That night Erik insists on tucking them in and kissing them goodnight. Once we're alone in our bedroom he takes me into his arms "I love you" I whisper softly.
He wraps his arms around me "I'll bring her home, I promise" he murmers into my hair. I sigh "You shouldn't go alone" I tell him "You should bring one of the horses with you, you'll need transportation".
Erik seems to think about this before he kisses the top of my head "I know which horse I'll take" he says quietly. I begin falling asleep, but before I do he tips my head up and we kiss.
I fell asleep in his arms, I know I did. But when I wake the next morning, he's gone. Surely he didn't leave so suddenly, what about the farm? He was in charge of everything. And the children, and, he didn't even say goodbye!
Quickly I sit up, kicking off the sheets I race around the room. The small suitcase we had in the closet is gone, along with some of his favorite clothes. His 'Opera Ghost' money that we kept in the night table drawer for emergencies, is also gone.
Not wanting to wake the children since it's still early, I pull on my robe and head outside to the stables. Whenever I was upset and Erik wasn't there, I could count on Abastor. I enter the stallion barn and they all prick their ears at me. But then I see it, Abstor's stall is empty. Maybe he's outside in the pasture, we didn't always bring him in.
I go outside, checking every pasture, no Abastor. Erik wouldn't have, he couldn't have, there's only 1 final way to find out! I run back into the barn, tearing open the tack room door. He did, Abastor's tack is gone. That couldn't only mean one thing, that he'd taken Abastor with him.
Trembling, I swallow back the tears that threaten to spring to my eyes. I head into the other barn, Erik's horse, Feu Sombre, for once in her life, doesn't snap at me when I enter the stable. Instead she reaches her nose out and nuzzles my arm as I lean brokenly on her stall door.
I visit with the other horses briefly, and though under normal circumstances they'd make me happy, right now nothing can fix the giant gaping hole in my heart. First Anne, then Erik, and Abastor. Who, or what, else would I lose?
Sighing, I go back into the house and up to out bedroom. Suddenly my eye catches on a piece of paper sitting on Erik's pillow. I hadn't noticed it in my panic, and I walk over to it, picking it up.
It reads Dear Gabriella, I did not intend to leave to suddenly, but I fear for Anne's welfare and happiness, and the sooner I get to her, the better. This is all my fault, and if something has happened to her, I don't know what I'll do. Know that I love you, and that as soon as I find Anne we'll be returning. Also know that, no matter what happens, and no matter where I go. I will always love you. Daniel will be able to help you with the farm, and everything you need should be in my office. Tell them both that I love them, and I will be home soon. Your, Erik.
I stare at the paper for a very long time, lost in thought. Finally I fold it up, placing it in the night table drawer. I have to keep going, even though Erik isn't here, there is work to be done. I dress and go to Daniel's bedroom, where he is pulling on his boots "Mother, I'm going to feed the horses today. You can go to work if you like" he tells me.
He meets me at his bedroom door and smiles at me "Don't worry mother, father taught me everything" he says confidently before running down the stairs and out the front door. I sigh, going to the door next to his, where Kirsten is still sleeping.
"Kirsten" I say, nudging her gently. She blinks up at me "Hi Mama. Where's Daddy? He usually gets me up" she says groggily as she sits up. I smile softly "Darling you remember your daddy said he had to go away for a little while. Remember?" I tell her. She rubs her eyes and nods "Oh yea, I remember. Well what are we doin today then?" she asks.
I pull out one of her dresses and hand it to her "Well, I have to go to the Opera Populaire to work. Would you like to come?" I ask her. Her eyes widen and she nods "Oh yes mama! I'll be on my best behavior I promise!" she said.
Leaving her to get dresses, I go outside and back out to the stables. We have a couple of carriage horses, my personal favorite being our big grey Irish Draught named Shamrock. I bring him out and begin putting the harness on him, this was the one thing I found I could do that Erik could never figure out. He always had trouble for some reason.
By the time Kirsten comes out I've gotten Shamrock hooked to our small cart, which I would be able to drive. Kirsten climbed into the cart and I got in next to her, flicking the reins. Shamrock tossed his head before starting foreward in a plain trot.
Kirsten giggled "Can I drive him?" she asked as we headed towards Paris. I handed her the reins "Don't pull on them or he'll stop" I tell her. As we head into the city I take the reins back, not wanting her to direct Shamrock into any messes.
Finally we reach the opera house and the stablehands take my horse. Taking Kirsten's hand, I lead her to the stage where everyone is warming up. Today would be our final dress rehearsal before our next Opera.
Kirsten follows me out onto the stage quietly. Raoul is talking with Christine and when she sees me and waves me over, I join them. "Gabriella, You will never believe what Meg has found!" she pauses as she notices Kirsten "Why, your daughter is so big now! I remember when she was small!" she says. I smile "Kirsten, you remember the Countess don't you?" I ask her.
She nods "I remember her! She's still pretty Mama" she replies. Christine looks at me "After rehearsal we're going to the beach for a picnic with our son Gustave. I promised him, would you care to join us?" she asked. I smiled "I would be delighted to" I reply politely. She smiles brightly "We shall see you then!" she calls as she walks away, rehearsals are starting.
The rehearsal goes by too quickly, but I'm actually a bit excited, maybe this outing would help me forget about Erik. But then again, it was so soon, was this wrong? I didn't think so, so when rehearsal was over me and Kirsten got in our cart and I followed Christine's carriage to the beach.
Raoul and his son were waiting for us when we got their. I unhitched my horse, tying him to a tree by the beach where there was some grass for him to eat. Kirsten notices Gustave and hides behind me shyly, this is surprising, she's usually so confident and brave. It occurs to me though, she's never met anyone her own age, let alone a boy.
Christine chuckles "She's shy too? Poor Gustave is always shaking when there are strangers. Gustave" she nudges the boy gently to get his attention "Why don't you say hello" she says.
The boy peaks out from his hiding spot behind Raoul as he pushes his son in front of them, I do the same with Kirsten. They both look down, fiddling with their hands before he swallows and bows "Good Day" he says, trying to be polite. She curties "Good Day" she says just as polite.
Suddenly Kirsten looks up "Hey, you wanna go by the water?" she asks. He shakes his head "I... I don't know how to swim" he admits. She chuckles "Well that's ok. We can stay where it's shallow! I dont' know how to swim either".
The two of them take off running towards the water. "NOT SO FAST!" Raoul calls, he sighs defeatedly "He didn't hear me", Christine laughs "Oh he heard you, he'd just not listening" she said as we sat down on the blanket Raoul had spread out.
I smile "All children are like that" I comment. Raoul sighs "What's their hurry?" he asks, Christine watches then quietly "I'm happy they've already become friends". Quietly I watch as Gustave and Kirsten poke at something near the waters edge. I notice it's just a piece of seaweed, and I giggle.
Christine looks down "Our children... " she murmers, taking Raoul's hand "I never thought things could be this way" she admitted. I looked at her curiously "What do you mean?" I asked, she looked up at me "Well, after everything that happened with Erik, I couldn't have ever imagined his daughter would be playing with my and Raoul's son".
Erik, I wonder where he is, and I look at her "Yes, our children. I never would have guessed it either" I say. Raoul stands up "Gustave! You and Kirsten put those rocks down!" he calls, running down the beach after them. Playfully Gustave grabs Kirsten's hand and they run further down the beach away from him.
Sighing, I look at Christine "Erik left me this morning" I told her. She looks up at me "Left?" she asks. I nod "He went to get Anne, in America", Christine gasps "America? That's so far!".
"But when he returns we'll have Anne back again!" I tell her, and myself, I have to keep reassuring myself that. Suddenly Christine giggles and I look up to see Raoul running as Gustave and Kirsten chase him, trying to splash him with water.
She smiles softly "Look how they're laughing. Gustave's never laughed like that before" she admits gently. I watch Kirsten "She seems so... happy. But she always seems happy" I tell her "I wonder sometimes if I give her enough".
Christine smiles "I'm sure you do. Now, don't you want to hear about what Meg found?" she asks excitedly. I glance at the children as they tackle Raoul into the shallows of the water. I look at Christine "Sure, what did Meg find?" I ask.
We talk about Meg's discovery of 'Carlotta stating she'll die an old hag before she marries anyone else' for a little while. I still don't even know why it mattered so much to us, maybe because Carlotta was such a large part of our lives growing up.
Apparently Carlotta and Piangi had been engaged and were to be married after the Phantom was captured. I'm sure she had no idea that, he would pass. She wore black for a whole year, which made me and Christine chuckle, because we're sure she'd never worn anything black her whole life.
Finally Raoul rejoins us, his white suit soaked with sea water and his hat ruined. He sighs in exhaustion as he sits on the blanket, Kirsten and Gustave are now making footprints in the sand and drawing pictures with sticks.
"We should really head home. Daniel will wonder what's become of us" I tell them as I stand. Christine smiles "Oh you must visit more often! Especially Kirsten, I'm sure Gustave will want to play some more" she says.
Raoul gets up, and begins calling them. Reluctantly they return to us, both covered in sand and salt water. "Oh Kirsten, salt water's not good for the cart" I tell her, she smiles broadly "Did you see us Mama?" she asks cheerfully. I nod "Yes dear, I saw you. Did you have fun?" I ask.
Gustave nods "Oh yes, can Kirsten play more soon?" he asks, panting slightly from all the running. I smile "I don't see why not. Good Bye Christine, Raoul, Thank you for a wonderful evening" I call as I lead Kirsten back up.
Shamrock is hooked to the cart easily and I begin driving us back home. Kirsten sits quietly watching everything before she up at the sky. Though it's still light out, some of the stars have already come out. She blinks up at them "Mama, even though Daddy's really far away, does he see the same sky?" she asks.
I think for a moment before answering "Yes, he sees the same moon, the same stars, the same sky" I reply as we near the stables. She sighs, almost sadly "I miss daddy" she tells me. I wrap my arm around her and let her lean into my side "I miss him too, but he'll be back soon. He promised" I tell her.
She yawns "Does he love me?" she asks "Yes of course he does". Kirsten begins to fall asleep "Do you promise he loves me?" she asks, I struggle to hold back my tears "Yes I promise" I say. She closes her eyes "I'm glad" she murmers before falling asleep.
Our children, how did our family get so torn apart? Even when Anne returns, somewhere, deep down, I know things can never be as they were before. Anne won't be the innocent girl we raised, she'll be changed. Who knew what had happened in these 5 years, in a strange country.
We can never go back to before, no matter how much we might want to. As Erik would tell me, what's done is done. But what's done might be something horrible. I wish so much Erik and Anne would just get home, I don't think I can do everything on my own. I used to be able to, but thigns change. I need Erik, and I need him now.