A/N: Thanks so much for the support with the pairing! It means a lot! As always, I do not own Phantom of the Opera or any of its characters.
Though the beginning of the journey was filled with the sound of Julia filling Erik in on what it was like to grow up in the countryside, as the carriage drew closer to their small village, silence soon won out. Erik had been holding Antoinette's hand since they'd entered the carriage, but now he clung to her as if his life depended on it. Eventually, she placed her free hand on his arm, attempting to comfort him. But his eyes were focused on the passing scenery, and she soon realized that he needed this time of silence to think and reassure himself.
Meg, seated across from them and in between Henri and Julia, also kept her eyes out the window. It wasn't as if she hated the fact that her mother was in love; she was truly happy that Erik brought a smile to her face and life to her eyes. But the ballerina had grown up without a father's guidance, and she wasn't sure exactly how she would ever get used to it. But Erik was a good man, and her mother would help him learn what he needed to. That being said, she wondered just how he'd act when the time came for her to fall in love. How protective is he going to be? She could just picture him conversing with her future beau for the first time, a punjab in his hand and ready to be put to use should the wrong thing be said. Suppressing a groan at the thought, she focused all the more on the trees whizzing by.
"How are you, Julia?" Henri finally broke the silence. The first day of travel would soon be over, and the driver would inevitably start searching out the nearest inn. It was awkward for him to lean forward so he could see her around Meg, but he knew there was a good reason for her being there. Even now, he longed to be holding his love in his arms, easing her pain in any way he could.
"I'm well, Henri...just tired..." She threw him a smile, not wanting to give a voice to her pain and stiffness.
"We should be stopping shortly, and you can go to bed after a nice hot meal..." Antoinette assured her.
"That sounds wonderful..." The words were spoken with more relief than she'd intended, and the tension was broken as everyone laughed. By the time they finally stopped, however, Erik had to carry his sleeping sister up to one of the rooms before the others could begin their meal.
The remainder of the journey was fairly uneventful, and they pulled up to the Dupree residence two evenings later. By now, Erik was practically frozen with nervousness, but Julia was anxious to see how their mother was faring. The windows were lit, and she took that as a promising sign. Still, she felt hate toward her aches and pains for keeping her from dashing inside. Seeming to read her thoughts, Henri lifted her into his arms and carried her to the door. This action seemed to shake Erik out of his frozen state, and he quickly followed, ready to scold the boy for his forwardness toward his sister. Before he could open his mouth, however, the door was swung open, revealing a boy just a few years younger than Julia. As soon as he laid eyes on Erik, recognition flooded his face and he ran back inside the cottage. "Mother! My brother has come home!" He could be heard exclaiming, and relief filled Julia that her mother was still alive. He returned moments later, grinning widely. "Please...come in!" Julia could have been invisible then as he took Erik's hand and pulled him inside, but at this point, she didn't really care. Erik would be loved a thousand times over, she knew. Just that thought filled her with so much warmth, and she barely noticed Henri setting her down on the sofa before sitting next to her. Antoinette and Meg soon joined them, and once their bags had been set inside and the driver had been paid, he made his way back toward Paris.
"Come closer my son..." Madame Dupree struggled to sit up, and she was quickly aided by her remaining children. Erik carefully made his way to the bedside, his head spinning with mixed feelings. He'd built up so much hatred toward this woman before him, but seeing how weak she had become, his heart began to soften. Once he'd gotten close enough, her shaky hands came up to touch his face. "Oh, my son...what have I done to you?"
"Do not burden yourself any longer...M—Mother..." As the word escaped his lips, the tears began all over again. How he'd longed for this...the comfort of his mothers touch...knowing that he'd never go unloved again. Overwhelmed with everything that had happened within the past week, Erik collapsed to his knees, his head falling to the mattress beside his mother's shoulder. Slowly, she brought her hand to his shaking shoulders, the old lullaby upon her lips in her shaky, soft voice that spoke of one filled with memories and longing.
Erik didn't leave his mother's side until the morning; he would have refused supper had Madame Dupree not insisted. "If I can eat my broth, you can certainly eat the meal your siblings have prepared." Surprised but grateful for her motherly firmness, he could do nothing but agree to the food. As for the others, Julia was grateful to be in her own bed, with Meg sleeping on a makeshift cot in her room. Antoinette was quite comfortable on the sofa, and Henri gladly took one of the armchairs across the living room. Philippe, Jeanette, Pierre, and Marie had all been curious about the visitors, but they agreed that details could wait until after everyone had rested. Good nights were said soon after the dishes had been done, and as all went to their separate beds, their thoughts were on the mother and son reuniting in the next room.
The next morning found Julia, Antoinette, and Julia's sisters all making an appearance in the kitchen at different times, all wanting to be the one to prepare breakfast. With each appearance, however, there was no resentment, but hushed laughter. Finally, Julia was convinced to return to her bed to rest further. She would have protested, but the throbbing of her bruises made it easier to give in. Not wanting to return to her bed, however, she settled on the now empty sofa, watching the sleeping form of Henri. At first, she blushed, but seeing that Madame Giry made no objection, she let her mind wander to all that had happened since they'd met. She knew what she felt toward him was true love; the kind of love her mother had taught her from the Bible years ago. "Love is patient, love is kind..." The familiar passage from 1 Corinthians 13 floated through her mind, then, and she leaned back on the sofa with a soft smile on her face.
"Julia, my love...breakfast is ready..." Her eyes fluttered open, immediately meeting Henri's caring gaze.
"Was I asleep?" She slowly sat up, and he nodded.
"You looked like an angel..." His lips brushed against her temple, his fingers smoothing out her hair. As did you...she wanted to point out, but such a comment would surely be found inappropriate. Not to mention she was almost certain that her face was already red enough. "Shall I escort you to breakfast, darling?" He offered his arm with such formality for such a humble setting that she giggled slightly.
"I'm ready, Monsieur..." she placed her hand upon his and allowed him to lead her the ten steps to the kitchen table.
By the time Philippe went into his mother's room to announce the noon meal, Erik had filled her in on all that he had been through. As much as he'd tried, some of his old bitterness crept through as he relayed his story, and more tears were shed by the both of them. "Oh, Mother, don't cry...you...you couldn't have known..." he gently brushed at her tears, fighting back his own.
"I...just...how could I have been so cruel to send you away from my loving arms?"
"A very wise woman recently told me that the past is past, and there's nothing we can do to change it. We can, however, change the present and the future..." A small smile spread across his face, and his mother slowly returned it.
"And who might this woman be? Your eyes speak of the deepest love..."
"I see I cannot fool my own mother, can I?" Erik chuckled a bit. When Philippe made his appearance at the door, the request was made for Julia to bring their visitors to meet Madame Dupree. All were greeted warmly, and though she was surprised, she readily gave her blessing for the two weddings to take place. To this, Henri grinned and spun Julia around with joy. As for Erik, he was stunned. He was sure of the love he felt for Antoinette Giry, but marriage? Am I really ready? Where would we live? His eyes moved past Antoinette to where Meg was standing off to the side, quietly watching the scene. She was already a promising dancer, and to take her out of the opera house would be devastating. He realized then that he would have to get one more blessing before he could even consider a marriage, and he vowed to have a talk with Little Giry before too much time had passed. For the present, he simply gave Antoinette's hand a gentle squeeze, and she was satisfied with that. Let my sister have her young love. My turn will come in time. Silently, they all watched as Henri finally slid the diamond ring onto Julia's finger before their lips came together once more.
That night, Madame Dupree's health took a turn for the worst. Autumn would soon be upon them, and with it came a chill to the evening air. Pierre quickly had a fire going, and more blankets were brought to wrap the elderly woman up in. Sending everyone away to rest and to pray, Erik took his position sitting beside his mother's bed, gently stroking her hair. "Don't leave me, Mother...don't leave me...not yet..." Selfishly, he silently cried out to God to allow his mother to see his wedding. She deserves it! She's suffered so much...show her Your mercy! He was still unsure if he was ready for such a commitment, but it pained him to think that after so much longing, she would not be present at such an important ceremony. I have not asked for much. In fact, I've always been the first to curse You...but if You are at all loving and just...please...I beg You...do this one thing...for her... Looking through blurry eyes, he tucked the blankets tighter around her before finally crying himself to sleep curled up next to her to keep her all the warmer.
A/N: Nuuuuuu I see those plastic forks and punjabs and I will not be threatened! More tomorrow, I promise! Keep the feedback coming! Stay tuned! :)