Chapter 71
Erik felt his rage slowed down at each step they made away from the Chagny's house. He had quite a fight with the vicomte, but he would not tell his wife as not to upset her. 'That boy as made me lose my temper for the last time.' He promised himself, as he set Catherine off of his lap and lay her on the coach seat, covering her with his cloak.
The journey was quite long and uncomfortable. An hour before sunrise, the carriage stopped and the coachman said to Erik they had arrived at destination. He glimpsed through the window and was quite happy to see everything had been done as required. He slowly knelt by his wife's side and gently caressed her cheek with his gloved hand. Seeing that it was not waking her up, he brushed his lips against hers.
-Catherine, my love, we're there. Come on sleeping beauty.
She groan and lift her eyelids to see her husband smiling to her and giving her a more passionate kiss, which he broke too quickly for her taste.
-Where are we? She asked as he tuck her in his cape and lift her before getting out of that coach
-We're home Angel. He murmured, nodding in direction of the house
It was not as huge as the Chagny's estate, but large enough to raise their family in comfort.
She sighed in surprise as a smile formed on her perfect lips, which he found impossible not to kiss. With her still in his arms, he unlocked the door and passed the threshold to their new life. It was a luminous house, paint it white and a bit of blue, Catherine's favorite colors.
He slowly guided her into each rooms, with her in his arms as not to get her and their little one tired. Their was a huge living room, and the dining room was twice bigger than she thought. Upstairs there was the music room with all the instruments they loved, except for the pipe organ. Harp, flute, violin, piano, everything they needed.
Next, was the nursery, which made Erik quite proud of himself. He had purchased furniture in white wood and soft pink blanket for the cradle, and a lot of toys. In one corner, there was a little white piano. Totally adorable.
-My daughter will be happy here. He murmured to his wife's ear, nibbling at her earlobe
-She will, if it's a she, of course. She laughed
-Your husband is always right my dear. He mocked. She will learn music, and sing like her maman and make me proud.
They finally reached the master bedroom down the hall. The bedchamber was as sunny as the rest of the house. Erik lay Catherine on the huge four poster bed and sat beside her, gently removing her clothes.
- My wife and daughter deserves to live in the light. No more talk of darkness. Their will never be dark days again. He murmured with tears falling down his cheeks as she removed his mask and kiss him passionately
Chapter 72
Catherine woke up before her husband, watching him as he slept. A smile was on his lips. He was in peace, happy and that brought tears to her eyes. She cuddled more closer to him, filling her body with his warmth.
-Bonjour mon ange. He murmured with a sleepy voice, kissing the top of her head
-Good morning love. She smiled, tilting her head up to kiss him more properly. I'm sorry, I didn't meant to wake you.
-You can wake me like this every time you want. He said happily, nibbling at her neck, making her moan. So, do you like the house?
-Very much! She moaned
On that, he stopped, making her groan in deception. He sat and looked at her right in the eyes, but not with lust and love as she thought, but coldly, seriously.
-You will write that to Christine. He said firmly. You will describe everything you like about this house.
-What? Why?
-The vicomte had doubts about it.
-Is it why you had a fight with him?
-One of many cause, yes. The rest is between he and I. Now, are you hungry?
-A little.
She wanted to say that she was hungry but for something else than food, though she didn't had time as she felt something in her stomach and gasped. Erik immediately took a concerned look and gently pressed his hand on her belly.
-I-I think it just moved! She said, quite surprised
He smiled proudly. 'That's my girl.' He said to himself as he place his ear on the little bump.
-Come on little one, move again for papa. He murmured, kissing and tickling Catherine's skin to stimulate his baby
-Maybe if you sing for her, she will clap! She chuckled
-Good idea!
He sang 'Greensleeves' as beautifully as Catherine had sang it at the Rose Bleue, a few months ago, almost a year in fact. She had sang it to him when they were in Marseille and now, he was singing it for their unborn child and it brought tears of joy in her eyes, once again.
As he finished, the baby moved again.
-See? She loves your voice as much as I. Catherine smiled. And I will never get tired to ear you sing.
Chapter 73
Catherine was almost six months pregnant. She felt fat and heavy, though Erik repeated to her that she was the most beautiful woman in the universe and that he was proud she was his.
It was dawn and the sun was painting their bedroom with a red and orange warm light. She used to wake up before Erik, since she had more and more difficult to sleep with the little dancer growing in her belly. The baby was quite agitated and it seemed that the father was quite proud of it.
Catherine put her dressing gown on and went to the kitchen, a little pregnancy hunger calling her down there. Bread with a rest of fish. 'Wonderful!' She thought with a smile, making herself a particularly disgusting breakfast. On the counter, she saw a message from the maid, Brigitte and an envelope marked with the Chagny seal. She began by reading what the maid had wrote
Madame,
This letter arrived late last night. Monsieur Lavois asked me to not disturb both of you after 8pm, so I left it here in case you had odd hunger during the night.
Have a nice day
That was all. Brigitte and her were quite friendly together and she didn't really appreciate to be called 'Madame' by her. Like it was impossible between two friends. As she get back to reality, taking a bit from her fish sandwich, she opened the letter. She hadn't received anything from Christine in two weeks. They were corresponding frequently since they were parted. They remain close friend even if their husbands were back to their old enemy thing.
Dear Catherine
I'm sorry if I didn't wrote to you in a while.
We have problem at La Rose Bleue. Not only to
Find another star, but with one of our investors.
Friedrich Reinhardt!
He's still in France and right now, well, I think he "drinks" his
money. He spend his time in the 'low' part of the city.
We need him, a lot. Or the Rose will closed.
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you but I had the get my
frustration out and you're the only one I can talk to.
For the rest, Gustave and I are all right. My son is always smiling.
That made one who does. Raoul is out today, again, to repair
Reinhardt mistakes and try to find a new investors.
Don't worry, I'll be all right. My little boy cheers me up at
Every smile he gives me.
I hope you're doing well. Give me some news soon, I'm
getting bored here.
Your friend,
Christine.
Catherine fold the letter back into the envelope and return to the bedroom after eating some mints leaves to get a fresh breath after her nasty meal.
She wanted to do something about La Rose Bleue. She felt responsible for what was happening. She hadn't heard of Friedrich for more than three months, and now, he was ruining the opera house of her friends.
Slipping under the sheets, Catherine returned to the comfort of Erik's arms, which immediately found her and embrace her protectively, possessively. She liked that, she felt in love and loved. Even when he was sleeping, he was like that and it felt good.
Chapter 74
A few days had passed since Catherine received Christine's letter. It was dawn and the young mother-to-be was getting ready to go out. Today, Erik was supposed to get to Paris, in his old Lair, to retrieve some of things he needed or wanted for the new house. Even he seemed not sure of why he was going there. Since he was still asleep, Catherine wrote a note to her husband, saying she was going to Paris too and she would meet him at the house of the lake after she had finish. She didn't told him what she wanted to do, she was not sure yet. The only certain thing, was that she was going to see Friedrich Reinhardt, to try to convince him to get back to normal.
Silently, she left the house and stepped into a coach for Paris. She was nervous and the baby seemed to be as much as her. It moved, it boxed, it kicked and punched restlessly. Catherine try to calm the little one that was inside her womb with her voice, singing one of the song Erik had composed for his child. A lullaby. Catherine smiled at the thought. That song was so soft, so pure, so…peaceful, that it still surprised her that it was the Phantom who had wrote it.
As she sang, she thought of her husband. He would probably be angry at her for leaving like this, even if it's only for a few hours. For sure, he would remind her that she his pregnant and fragile and he would not say it calmly. Even though, she liked that protective side of him, even if sometimes he looks more possessive than protective.
She loves him, in every way.
After almost two hours, the carriage stopped in front of Reinhardt's manor. She was anxious to meet her former fiancée again. What would he say? In what condition will she find him? Drunk, violent? Now she knew she had made a mistake. But there was no going back now. Her feet leaded her to the front door as if she was in a trance. Before she knew it, she had pulled the doorbell chain and a maid opened the door.
Chapter 75
Catherine came face to face with an obviously scared maid and they both jerked when they heard a male voice yelling.
-Mireille! Come back here and give me that damn key! Reinhardt screamed from the other side of the huge house
-Oh, hmm…Miss…the master isn't…disposed to receive any visitors. The maid said with a shaky voice that Catherine assumed was Mireille
-THE KEY!! They heard again
-Give me that key and I'll give it to him myself. Catherine said calmly, trying not to be afraid
-Ohhhh no Madame. He's…violent when he drinks and in your…condition…it's not safe. Not a good idea at all!!
The young mother-to-be held her hand out and waited for the key, smiling reassuringly. The maid gave her reluctantly and leaded the young woman to the study, where the master of the house was 'redecorating' the room. Catherine stood there for a few moment in the doorway, observing the man why saddened eyes and heart. His back was in her, while searching desperately for the mysterious key, breaking everything he had under his furious hands. When he finally turn, he froze when he saw who was watching the raged storm that was destroying him and his house.
-Ca-Catherine…?
She tried to smile, blinking a few times to held her tears back as she approached slowly to the war field where his anger had fought. She ever so carefully took his hand and place the object he was looking for in his palm.
-Mireille…she stole the key from the liquor closet…
He interrupted himself, realizing it was useless to explain why he was destroying his own home and his attention was drawn to Catherine's swollen belly.
-A…a baby…He mumbled
-Yes.
-For when…?
-Somewhere in November.
He raised his eyes to hers, reddened by both alcohol and tears, losing himself in the deep black of her gaze.
-I wished it was mine. He murmured
His voice brake in a husky sob and fell on his knees. Catherine knelt beside him, stroking his back, not knowing what else she could do.
-Don't be sad, please. She said softly. Don't ruin your life Friedrich.
-I loved you so much. He sobbed, taking her against him, his head on her shoulder
Catherine was not comfortable in this situation, though, she needed to tell him what he had to do.
-Now listen to me. She said more firmly but with the same kindness. You have to put yourself together, or La Rose Bleue will close its doors. You're stronger than that my friend. I know you are. Everybody will suffer if you don't take all of this seriously.
-I don't want you to suffer. I still love you!
She raised on her feet, pulling back from his embrace, walking to the doorway of his study.
-Take care of the Opera House. She continued, a bit more coldly this time, her back on him. Don't dishonor your name. I have to go now.
-Wait!
Chapter 76
-Wait! Reinhardt yelled before reaching her side, grabbing her arm hard to turn her to him
Catherine was now angry at him and gazed at him with daggered eyes.
-Did you came here only to tease me, or you came for…something else? He asked huskily, his lust readable in his drunk eyes
-I came to rescue a friend from the pit he felled in. Nothing more.
Friedrich slowly walk toward her, making her recoil until her back met a wall. He placed his hands each side of her, making sure she doesn't escape. This time, the tears that formed in her eyes was not of compassion nor anger, but of fear. He saw the hatred though, he didn't care.
-I need you Catherine. Please, leave that freak! Stay with me. I need you so much!
She tried to push him away as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, but in vain. He kissed her with a bruising force, with all his raging lust and desire. She attempted to escape once again but he pushed her roughly against the wall, pinning her with his body.
-Please Friedrich! No! She cried
Instead of stopping, he continued with more force, taking her hands above her head and keep them in place with one of his. This time, fear merged with anger.
-STOP IT! She screamed. You're hurting me! The baby…
That was all he needed to finally loose his grip and backed, realizing what he had almost done. Reinhardt turn his back on her and she could see his shoulder shake with a sob of guilty. But she didn't care, he has gone too far. Catherine fled as fast as she could manage. With her arms fold protectively around her belly, she ran out of the manor. She thought for a moment the Duke would follow her, but he didn't.
Chapter 77
Catherine arrived in a park, about three streets away front Reinhardt's residence. She sat on a bench, more tired than she had ever been. She had ran for more than ten minutes and her legs had start shaking. Not able to repress this bunch of emotion, she buried her face in her shaking hands and cried freely. She wanted Erik by her side, right now, but she knew that if he sees her at that moment, he would kill the Duke without a moment of hesitation. After about fifteen minutes, she raised up and slowly walk to the street to find a coach to bring her to the Opera Populaire. She had said to her husband that she would find him there, since he was in his old Lair.
-Mademoiselle Le François? Hmm, sorry Madame Lavois! A voice called behind her
She turned to see Monsieur Jean, the manager of La Rose Bleue. His eyes were wide when he saw her obvious pregnancy and immediately congratulate her, a bit sad. The baby meant that she was not coming back to the opera and it really saddened him. Then, he saw her swollen eyes and knew she had cried.
-What is wrong ma petite? He asked in a fatherly way
-I'm very tired.
-Come, I'll take you to your home.
-Oh hmm, instead, could you tae me to the old opera populaire? My husband wanted to meet me there.
As he guided her to his own carriage, she made a promise to herself. 'No one will never learn what happened with the Duke.' She thought, swallowing her tears.
After a short ride, they came to a stop and Monsieur Jean helped Catherine out of the coach.
-Take care of you ma petite. He smiled as he get back in the carriage
Catherine waited a moment and as soon as he was out of sight, she entered the old building.
Chapter 78
Catherine made her way through the darkness of the dusty corridors of the burnt Opera House, to the Prima Donna's dressing room. She would take the path of the mirror to joined her dear husband at the house of the lake. She remembered exactly the trick Erik used to open the secret path to his lair and immediately slid the mirror-door open.
She longed the right wall with her hand on the cold damp stone. Her baby was moving frantically and made it difficult to walk. She finally sat, her aching back against the wall, her right leg hurting as bad as the days after the second time she broke it.
Taking deep breaths, she throw her voice in the dark tunnel in heavenly vocalizes she knew Erik would hear. She sang loud and beautifully one of his song. After a few minutes, she stopped, too tired to continue, the baby more agitated than ever. She finally heard noises, and then footsteps. Tilting her head up, she saw the white of his mask and then the Phantom entirely.
-What a nice way to call for me. He smiled as he knelt before her and then took a concerned look
Catherine throw herself in his arms, searching the beat of his heart and his warmth to reassure her. As he fold his strong arms around her, he felt her tremble and tightened his embrace, tucking her in his cloak.
-What's wrong amour? He asked softly
She only shook her head and he asked it again but more firmly.
-I'm only very tired. She murmured
Without another word, he lifted her and took her back to his former home, humming Music of the Night. Catherine suddenly gasped in pain and her hands formed fists around the fabric of his suit jacket. Erik immediately start to run but in the opposite way. Somehow, he knew that pain has nothing to do with anything else but his child.
-I'm taking you to your aunt's. He said, feeling her shaking more and more
-It hurts. She mumbled. Erik I'm scared. There's no time to take me to aunty Lizzie's flat.
He quickly opened the mirror of the dressing room and installed his wife on the dusty couch. He took off his cloak and covered her with it.
-Everything will be all right love. He mumbled, sweat bead forming on the left side of his face. I'll fetch a doctor. Don't move and do not raise your legs. Don't push! Don't do anything but breath calmly.
He kissed her forehead and ran outside. 'God, don't make me lose her.' He said, hoping this time, God would listen to him, even if he had never prayed in his tortured life.
Chapter 79
After half an hour, Erik came back with Catherine's doctor, the one who confirmed she was with child. He was obviously scared of Monsieur Lavois and now had a doubt about his identity, since he wore a mask and he had taken him to the burnt building. As soon as they arrived, Erik knelt by Catherine's side, putting one hand to her stomach, the other to her forehead.
-I don't want to lose it Erik. I don't want to lose my baby. I don't want to die. I can't leave you alone. She cried
-Shh, calm down amour, it's going to be all right.
His voice did not hide the fact he was anxious and scared to death.
The doctor made her raise her knees without a word and examined her for a while. Too long for the couple's taste. Catherine took Erik's hand in hers, squeezing it as she felt the cold and rough fingers of that creepy old doctor.
-His my baby's all right? She asked with a shaky voice
-First, I must ask you what happened. The doctor said, quite coldly, staring at the other man suspiciously. It's a choc that caused those contractions. But was it physical, like a fall or a punch, or was it emotional, like a quarrel?
She hesitate for a moment. She couldn't say that it was the Duke's fault if she was upset in front of her husband.
-I-I had a quarrel and I…ran.
Erik stared at her, and she could read in his steal eyes that he was not only angry, but deceived.
-Well, it's quite irresponsible of you. The old man growled. I can't be 100 sure, but your child won't keep any sequel of this. Though, you'll have to stay still the rest of your pregnancy. A simple effort could provoke your contractions and this time it would be the birth. No walking, and no…'intimate moments' with your…husband.
He glanced at the Phantom when he said the last word, believing he was the cause of all this. But Erik didn't cared about this. His wife was the one important, not that old thing who calls himself a doctor. Catherine's eyes filled with water and her husband immediately fold his arms around her.
-I'll take care of you my love. He murmured
-Now take this. The doctor interrupted, giving Catherine a stinky potion. What are you two doing here by the way?
Erik stood, his eyes cold and angry for that curiosity that had not its place here.
-My husband and I had a rendezvous here. It was more easy to find one another here than in one of the many restaurants in town. I don't know the city enough any way. Catherine said, trying to sit up and Erik immediately helped her, caressing the small of her back
-Well, you cannot stay here. Do you have a carriage?
-I have my horse. The Phantom answered
-Your wife monsieur cannot ride a horse in her condition, less now than before. Come, my coach is outside, I'll take you to the Chagny's. You still live there are you?
-Take us to my aunt's please. Catherine replied quickly before her husband's temper burst
Erik didn't protest. 'Better Lizzie than that stupid vicomte!' He thought as he tucked his precious wife in his cloak and lifted her. The contractions had stopped and she cried silently on his shoulder. 'I could've lost my baby. Oh Erik, I'm so sorry.' She tought bitterly, hating herself for being so stupid.
Chapter 80
Madame Giry had quite a shock when she saw Erik and her niece in his arms in a bundle of black fabric and tears. Without asking, she quickly let them inside and the Phantom took Catherine to her cousin's bedroom.
He lay her on the bed, removing her shoes and stockings and she winced in pain, though, it had nothing to do with the child that was slowly calming in her womb, but her leg. Erik touched it. It was cold and a bit blue. Catherine was tired and in pain. He removed his gloves and warmed his hands, before massaging her leg tenderly.
Elizabeth appeared in the doorway and sat beside Erik, watching the grimacing face of her niece.
-What happened? She asked, trying not to show her anxiousness
-She almost lost the baby. He mumbled without leaving his task. The doctor said it was because of a shock. She said it was a quarrel that made her run away.
-She ran? Elizabeth gasped. It's very dangerous in her state.
-Erik? Catherine mumbled, opening her eyes
Madame Giry left them and the Phantom lay beside his wife. He placed his hand on her stomach, letting his tears silently ran down his cheeks.
-What happened Catherine? He asked softly, but firmly
-Please my love. I want to go home. I miss my bed already.
Erik took a serious face, but he didn't had the strength to deny that simple thing. He kissed her and ran downstairs, asking Elizabeth to found a coach to take them back to their manor. She did and she asked her old friend to come with them. He accepted, feeling that Catherine would need someone else than her short tempered husband to talk to.
An hour later, the coachman was at the front door, waiting for his new passengers. Installing his wife in the carriage, many blankets and cushions around her, Erik sat on the carriage's seat, Catherine's head on his lap. Madame Giry was across of them, staring at her niece, trying to hide her emotions behind her mask of rigid cold ballet teacher.
Erik tenderly caressed Catherine's stomach with one hand, the other massaging her scalp.
-I love you. She murmured. If something had happened to the baby…
He effectively interrupted her with a soft kiss on the lips.
-Nothing happened and if it was the case, I would have take care of you and love you, you know it.
Kissing her again, he sang softly to sooth her and calm her, feeling her breath calmed down with every note. She slowly let herself fell into the warm arms of dreams and fall asleep. 'If something had happened to them, I would have died.' Erik thought, a tear pouring from the eye under his mask. 'If I learn that someone had touch her, I'll make sure this person will receive a bit of my fright.' He promised himself, smiling as he felt his baby kicking under his gloved hand.