TheQueenSarah : I am so glad you reviewed! You have no idea how much your reviews make me feel confident about the story! I agreed to wait until they were wed before any 'fluff' scenes particularly because I can't see Christine willingly giving herself to Erik dishonorably, and I cant see him hurting her physically for that reason. Anyway, THANK YOU SO MUCH! hugs Your Phanfic is MUCH better than mine is…and I am inspired by yours as well!
Everyone else…thank you so much for your encouraging reviews! You help much more than you may think, so thank you so much!
About that picture…I will try to just post the basic link. It will have to be copied and pasted to be seen :P. (add the 'www' before it and spaces deleted)
deviant art . com / deviation /2 29406 76 /
Anyway,story will be more action-packed after this chapter, and I hope it remains interesting!
Erik looked desperately from Christine to the opening of the ghetto. Who was calling on him? Could it be the authorities had hunted him down? He grew frightened, though not for himself. He did not care whether he lived or died, but since it would affect Christine so, he could not afford to let himself be captured or killed.
"Christine, dear, I must go and see who calls." He spoke gently and softly as she wept. For what exactly she did not know. Christine nodded mutely, swallowing back her tears, and allowed Erik to lead her to a chaise lounge to rest while he answered the unknown visitor.
Erik was greeted with a stony glare from Madame Giry. Trying to be polite he forced a weak smile.
"Good morning Madame. May I inquire to the purpose of your visit?"
Madame Giry stayed rooted in her spot, unnerved, but unwilling to listen to false airs. "Christine…how is she? Will you let me see her?"
Erik's expression was not altered. "Perhaps. Is that all that you wanted?"
Madame Giry scowled. "No. Since you had to burn down the Opera house, I no longer have a job, and neither does Meg. You made this mess, and since you do owe me a favor or two I expect that you could find both of us some means to get by."
Unsure of herself, and having never truly demanded anything from Erik before, she trembled involuntarily. His answer to her first question, however, alarmed her even more. What of Christine?
Remembering her cryptic warning when he had last seen her, Erik had supposed that Christine did need company outside of himself. Women enjoyed gossiping and talking didn't they? Maybe if Christine were able to speak to her foster-mother, both would be more at ease.
Christine was surprised to see Erik arrive with another person, and when she saw it was Madame Giry, she laughed with sheer delight at a sorely missed female companion. Erik winced as the Madame observed Christine's pale complexion, and thin appearance, but with Christine's happiness, his qualms were put to rest.
Christine accepted Madame Giry's motherly embrace with relief, and her mouth beginning to run away with her.
"Oh! Madame! So much has happened! You will never guess!"
Slightly muddled by her fast change in mood, Giry asked, "What is it my dear?"
"Erik and I are expecting!"
Madame Giry retained a calm expression, but could not keep her hand from flying to her mouth in a silent gasp. Erik and Christine…as parents? In this place? Erik watched her with penetrating eyes, seeing past the veneer of happiness Madame Giry sported for the soon-to-be mother.
Turning her attentions to Christine, she gave the girl's hand a quick squeeze of encouragement. "I am pleased you find joy in motherhood. Could I get you anything?"
"I would appreciate it if you or Meg could be the Godmother. Where is Meg?"
"She could not come today, I am sorry." Glancing at Erik, Madame Giry turned back to Christine. "Why don't you rest? A woman in your state should not be straining herself."
Christine percepted her cue to leave, and exited to the bedchamber, which Madame Giry turned to Erik.
"Expecting! Erik!" Madame Giry fumed. "Expecting? How do you plan to properly care for the child in such a formidable place as this? Look what it has already done to Christine! How can you expect her to survive the pregnancy, or even give birth to this child? Have you thought of none of this Erik?"
Rounding on her, Erik hissed. "I have already made plans to purchase a house far out in the country, where no one can find us, and you will not be there to berate me! "
Madame Giry scowled. "Erik, do you know even the first thing about raising a child? Do you have any idea how difficult this will be for you and for her?" She shook her head frustrated.
"I came here for a different reason other than to berate your think-minded decisions, Monsieur, I came here to demand that you find a way for me to provide for myself and Meg. Since you destroyed the Opera House, there is no place for me to work, and I do not intend to hire my daughter, a trained ballerina, to a factory or whorehouse. You caused this mess, and I want you to repair it."
Erik stroked his chin thoughtfully, silent for a moment. With a velvet coated voice, he answered.
"Perhaps I can purchase your services as a midwife, or servant. Care to move out to the country with us?"
She gave him an icy glare. "I do not intend to serve you."
"Very well…would you at least visit Christine then, until we can leave?"
"Of course, that is if you allow it."
Erik retrieved a free piece of paper, and began to jot down the addresses of several people who she could contact, and perhaps get a contract for Meg and herself with.
"Take these…and good luck. If this is the last we see each other, then I wish you luck."
Instead of a conventional farewell, she turned to him, and gave him a stony glare. "Get her our of here as soon as you can Erik. A flower cannot live without light."
