3 Weeks Later
Victoria climbed the staircase up the main foyer in the Opera Populaire; she smiled as she saw the gilded statues shining, the marble freshly polished and everything looking new once more. She smiled when she saw the younger Giry chattering away with one of the younger dancers. She approached the two girls.
"Congratulations Meg. I can't wait to see you perform Giselle tonight."
The younger girl blushed and curtsied. "Thank you, Lady De Chagny."
Victoria patted her cheek before moving down the cramped corridor to the manager's office. She knocked once; she was quite surprised when the door flew open almost immediately.
"Ah, Lady De Chagny! Please, please come in!" Firmin boomed.
She stepped inside the office and sat in the chair Andre had pulled up for her. She watched them scurry about the office like rodents before seating themselves.
"We are honored you chose to come visit us this afternoon."
"Well, I wanted to come by to assure myself that all was going as planned. I'm looking forward to seeing the company perform this ballet tonight. It should spectacular!"
Andre nodded "Yes, and without that damned O.G. here to muddle things up, this season should be a success!"
Victoria could barely contain a smirk at the mention of Erik's ghostly persona.
"So you have not heard from him?"
"Not since that night! We are finally rid of him!" Firmin exclaimed excitedly.
Victoria smiled.
"Well, than you should have nothing standing in your way for a perfect season."
She rose to her feet.
"I will take my leave of you now, and I shall see you this evening."
"Will the Vicomte be joining you?" Andre asked.
"No, my brother will not be in attendance tonight, unfortunately."
Firmin shrugged.
"No matter, we look forward to seeing you tonight, Lady De Chagny"
She tipped her head at them before departing from the Opera house. She arrived home in a fine mood. Erik met her at the door. She handed her cloak to Henri and linked her arm with Erik's outstretched one.
"What did those two nitwits have to say?"
She laughed, "Well, they are immensely pleased at your disappearance."
He smiled grimly and remarked, "Yes I had figured they would be."
"I think this is going to be a wonderful performance. I'm quite looking forward to it!"
"Yes, I believe this will be the perfect opportunity for Meg Giry to truly shine."
"You really have a soft spot for her, don't you?" she teased gently.
"Her mother was always very kind to me. Though God knows why," he added softly.
She tugged on his arm and stepped in front of him.
"Erik maybe she helped you because she cared."
He shook his head.
"My dear, she was terrified of me. I made sure of that while she was in my employ."
Victoria decided to remain silent; she didn't want to spark Erik's temper. The two of them had co-habitated well the past few weeks. Once a week Nadir would come over and play chess with Erik for an hour before giving up. Some days Erik would lock himself away in his music room and others he would remain with Victoria, sometimes reading, talking or walking about the gardens. Once, she convinced him to go riding with her. Victoria, having ridden all her life, was pleasantly surprised at Erik's skill with his horse. For someone who had lived below ground for many years, he rode as though he did so daily.
They would dine together each evening, and after dinner would retire to the music room where he would play or sing for her until she fell asleep. It was a comfortable routine for them both. For Victoria, it was a chance to take her mind off her situation; she was in love with a man who was afraid to love her back. She understood why, and did not blame him for it, but she found the situation to be frustrating.
Erik was the perfect gentleman; he never mistreated her in any way. He would sometimes take her hand, or offer his arm. On rare occasions he would give her a light kiss. But that was all; she did not want to rush him into anything, but she was beginning to wonder how he felt about her.
She realized she had not spoken for some time and was staring absently over Erik's shoulder.
"Oh, forgive me Erik." She shook her head sheepishly when she saw he was looking at her inquisitively.
He smiled a rare, genuine smile at her "You are often lost in your thoughts these days, my dear."
She smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry. I've…it's not important. Shall we go read?"
Her tone had become sad, as did her eyes. Erik had an inkling of what her odd behavior was about but he was not yet brave enough to go down that uncharted road. They had finally become comfortable in each other's presence; he was not ready to upset the delicate balance that lay between them.
They retired to her comfortable study. He picked up the book they had been reading earlier that week, opened it to the bookmark and began reading. He fell silent when he felt her rest her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her and saw she had fallen asleep. He took the moment to study her delicate features more carefully.
Erik's POV
'Lord, she is beautiful. If only I had the strength to…' He reached out a hand and brushed a stray curl away from her face. His fingers grazed her silky skin. He jerked his hand back as though she had burned him. 'She is young and beautiful; she should be with a young handsome suitor of noble blood. Not an aging, eccentric monster. But she doesn't see me as such. She has been able to look past my horrific face, but does she truly see ME?'He watched her chest rise and fall with her steady breathing. 'Do I let her see me? For who I truly am? Can I trust her?''
' Yes you fool! She has given you refuge and friendship as well as love. When was the last time you had that?'
He felt his breath catch in his throat as an image of Christine passed through his mind.
'She was terrified of you! You manipulated her, and scared her. Did you think she would do anything different! And now she is having that boy's baby. '
Victoria shifted slightly; he looked back down at her. 'But I do love this woman. She has given me her heart, and trusted me not to hurt her. Even though I have many many times. She is an angel sent from heaven just for me. I have been lucky enough to see her for who she truly is. That smile that she reserves for me and me alone, her intellect that no other man could every truly appreciate. God, I Love her! But can I ever tell her that? I think I can…I WILL tell her.'
Victoria stirred slightly as Erik picked up the novel and began to peruse it. She lifted her head up off his shoulder, and smiled sleepily.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep..." she mumbled groggily.
He smiled down at her.
"I'm sure your meeting with Andre and Firmin exhausted you. They can be quite taxing."
She laughed softly.
"That they are." She frowned as she looked up at the clock. She saw there remained three more hours before she had to begin to prepare for the ballet that night. Erik followed her line of sight, and saw the clock. He released his hold on her, but was pleasantly surprised when she remained leaning against him.
He set down the book, glanced back over at her and felt his breath catch in his throat. The sun streaming through the window danced upon her hair, highlighting the red and blond strands that ran through it. She looked more exquisite than ever before. When Victoria noticed him staring at her, she blushed furiously.
She rose and stretched; not a ladylike movement, but she cared not. She stole a glance at Erik, who had also risen to put his novel back on the bookshelf. His hair was a bit rumpled, though the rest of him was immaculate. She smoothed the skirt of her dress and her hair, which had become mussed from her position on the sofa. The two occupants of the room shifted uncomfortably.
Victoria was mildly surprised when Erik took the initiative and stepped towards her, taking her hand in his own. She squeezed his hand gently, smiling up at him warmly. He felt his heart beat faster; he tried to control his nerves. He looked as though he wanted to say something. Victoria cocked her head slightly.
"Erik? Is everything all right?"
He nodded "Yes, everything is just perfect, my dear,"
She raised an eyebrow, but didn't press him.
"Very well, then. I think I am going to go see about an early dinner before I must dress for 'Giselle'."
"Then I shall read a while longer."
She sidestepped Erik and exited the room, in search of her elderly butler. When she had given Henri her instructions, she realized it would be at thirty minutes before her meal would be ready, so she wandered aimlessly about upstairs before stepping into the currently vacant music room. She ran her fingers along the fine wooden bookcases that held her fathers numerous volumes. She leaned against the cases and closed her eyes, recalling a past event in that very room. She smiled to herself as she remembered herself as a precocious five-year-old, running into the room and throwing herself at her father. who dropped his book in his lap in order to catch the flying bundle of hair, lacy petticoats and ribbons. Victoria fancied she could still smell her father's musky cologne after these many years.
A knock at the door ripped her from her reverie. She opened her eyes, and was surprised that she couldn't see clearly; she realized it because her eyes had filled with tears. She saw Henri standing in the doorway, watching her carefully. She wiped her tears away quickly, and straightened herself, pushing her body away from the bookcases. She followed Henri out and down to the dining room where he has left her meal. She picked at it half-heartedly until she heard the grandfather clock in the foyer chime six.
She left the table and retreated to her room for a long luxurious bath. She inhaled the relaxing fragrance of gardenias rising from the bubbles that surrounded her and closed her eyes. Totally at ease, she tarried too long in the tub and was hurried out by Judith, who chided her gently.
After much fussing and rushing about, Victoria finally emerged from her room, looking like a vision in a dream. She found herself face to face with Erik, who was lingering nearby. He cleared his throat as he bowed to her.
"You look stunning, my dear."
She blushed as she fussed with her skirt. Erik swallowed hard as he looked at her. He greedily swept his gaze over her from top to bottom. She wore dark green silk, which seemed to flow over her lean body, accenting her white skin and blue eyes. Her hair hung in ringlets, swept away from her face and held back with clips of silver and emeralds. A necklace with one solitary emerald teardrop hung from her neck. She smiled inwardly at Erik's candid gaze, feeling proud of herself for eliciting such reaction from her normally undemonstrative guest.
She cleared her throat politely, jerking him away from his study of her. He blushed behind his mask and cast his eyes to the floor. Composing himself, he offered his arm to her and escorted her downstairs. Her carriage was waiting for her as he helped her on with a light cloak to ward off the evening chill. Shivers ran up her spine as his long fingers gently brushed her collarbone. She turned her head to look back at him and saw the unguarded desire that burned in the depths of his golden eyes.
She reached out and took his hand; he jerked slightly, but did not withdraw his hand from hers. She gave him a minute to get his bearings before stepping closer to him. She swallowed hard. His eyes darkened with the intensity of his gaze. Victoria smiled sweetly at him.
"I wish you would come…I'm sure you would enjoy the ballet."
He took a moment to respond.
"Yes…well I have never enjoyed crowds."
She smiled resignedly and sighed softly, casting her eyes down to the floor. He tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. His fingers remained on her cheek.
"I do not mind, in fact I shall rather enjoy the solitude of this house," he said softly.
She nodded once, closing her eyes and enjoying the sensation of his hand on her cheek. She sighed again as she stepped away from him.
"I should go. I don't want to arrive after the curtain rises," she whispered. She didn't really want to leave him, but she was obliged to attend the premiere. Erik nodded slightly, in agreement. He watched with a twinge of regret as she approached the door. Impulsively, Erik leaned forward and opened the door for her. She stepped over to him and gave him a soft kiss before walking out of the house.
Victoria managed to sneak into the Opera House unnoticed by the managers. Finding her box she ducked inside and leaned against the door, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw the box was empty. Solitude!
She arranged herself in her chair and studied her programme, unaware of the door opening behind her until she heard a familiar chuckle. Dropping the programme as she stood up quickly in surprise, she glared at her box mate for playing such a trick on her.
Raoul smiled at her the look on her face.
"I've missed you, Victoria," he said after a hug and kiss.
"And I miss you Raoul. How are you doing?"
"Christine and I are doing well, far better than we were a few weeks ago. I suppose I have you to thank for that." He paused, looking down at his lap. "Does 'he' still live there with you?"
There was no doubt in Victoria's mind to whom Raoul referred. "Yes, he does."
"Have you fallen in love with him?" he asked, after a few moments of silence.
"Yes."
"I thought as much," he muttered. "Has he asked for your hand yet?"
"No, no he hasn't," Victoria replied softly.
"He will," he laughed. Her head jerked up quickly in surprise. "Don't look so surprised, I saw the way he looked at you and how calm he became when you entered the room. You're good for him; you give him peace, which I daresay the poor devil deserves."
"Thank you for understanding, Raoul."
He ran a finger down her cheek and tapped the end of her nose.
"Anything to make you happy!" he whispered.
Just then, the lights dimmed, signaling the start of the ballet. The two siblings sat in companionable silence during the ballet. Afterwards, Raoul graciously saw her home. Unbeknownst to him at the time, Victoria fell asleep on the way home. When the carriage came to a stop, he patted her hand and shook her gently, but she was so deeply asleep that she would not wake.
Raoul stepped out of the carriage and picked her up, careful not to knock her head and carried her up the stairs. He was met in the foyer by Henri and Erik. He cast a wary glance at the latter, but softened when he saw the look in Erik's eyes as he watched Victoria sleep, nestled safely in her brother's arms.
Erik held his arms out and Raoul reluctantly handed over his sister to his one time nemesis. Once he saw the mysterious man disappear up the stairs with his precious burden, he departed for his own home and his wife who was waiting there for him.
Victoria woke early the next morning; she could hear Erik already pounding away in his music room. Knowing he would be there for hours, she washed and dressed for the day before hurrying down to the kitchen. She worked out the menu for the rest of the week with her chef, Michel, and spoke to another new gardener. As she was walking back into the house, she saw Raoul ride up.
"Raoul, twice in as many days? I'm honored" she teased.
He embraced his sister, escorting her into the house. "I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing, you fell asleep on the way home last night, you know, and I had to carry you into the house! The last I saw of you, your houseguest was lugging you up the stairs! Did you get to bed safely?"
"No, you're coming by to check on Erik because you don't trust him."
Knowing he'd been caught, Raoul hung his head as he took her hand. "I worry that's all. You…you didn't see him that night under the Opera house. He was a mad man and I couldn't bear it if he hurt you."
"Well, now that you see for yourself that I did nothing to her last night," came Erik's stern voice from the staircase, "You can be assured that I mean your sister no harm." Erik came to stand by Victoria, who put a hand on his shoulder, silently begging him to keep his temper in check.
Raoul saw Erik's eyes soften as he turned to look at Victoria, and in that moment he knew she was in the best of hands.
"I could never harm her," Erik said, more to Victoria than to Raoul. He turned his attention back to the young Vicomte. "So you see, you need not keep checking on her. She is being well cared for."
Raoul nodded.
"So she is, Monsieur." He paused, looking at his sister, before holding his hand out to Erik.
"I don't believe we've been formally introduced, I'm Raoul De Chagny," the young man said with a smile.
Erik looked at the younger man's extended hand and back to Victoria, who was pleading with her eyes for him to meet Raoul halfway and give him a second chance. He took the Vicomte's proffered hand in his own, and shook it vigorously. "Erik Deveraux."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur."
Victoria smiled at her brother, thanking him silently for his reluctant acceptance of Erik in her life. Raoul shook his head, pulling her to him and kissing her cheek.
"You will be the death of me," he muttered, good-naturedly.
"You must keep a close eye on my sister, Monsieur Deveraux. She tends to get into trouble."
"I had noticed," Erik quipped dryly.
Victoria threw both of them indignant glares before giving Raoul one more hug. He then handed her over to Erik's comforting embrace. He had seemed during the past few weeks to physically be keeping her at a distance, so Victoria was pleasantly surprised that Erik pulled her intimately against him and wrapped an arm familiarly around her waist.
Raoul took this as his cue to leave, but not before remarking to Victoria, "Oh, by the way, Christine would like to know if you would go shopping with her. She's gone a bit overboard with the preparations for the baby and she would very much like your help."
Victoria grinned although she felt Erik tense when Raoul mentioned the coming baby.
"I'd love it! Tell Christine I shall take her tomorrow afternoon to shop for a bedroom suite for the nursery."
Raoul nodded grimly, muttering about the high cost of children, but even as he said the words Victoria could see how sublimely happy he was. As her brother departed she leaned back against Erik, smiling when his arms tightened around her.
"I'm so pleased you and Raoul are making an effort to tolerate each other on my behalf."
"For you, my dove, I would do anything, even if it means I must 'play nice' with the Vicomte and his wife"
Victoria laughed, a sound that Erik knew he would never tire of hearing. "Well, I very much appreciate your efforts!" She turned in his arms, wrapping her own around his waist.
"He seems happy about the child," Erik said, after a while.
"He is. Raoul has always wanted children, though Philippe has always hoped I would marry and start a family sooner than Raoul," she laughed. "Philippe thinks I will let him spoil his nieces and nephews, buy he is certain that Raoul will not permit HIS children to be influenced by their uncle!"
Erik rested his unmasked cheek against her hair.
"So, you also want children?"
Victoria could see this conversation was drifting into uncharted waters, and wasn't exactly sure she wanted to explore this particular avenue with Erik just yet.
"Yes I do, someday." She craned her neck to look up into his eyes. "Don't you?"
She held her breath while Erik pondered the question. "I suppose, yes. To be perfectly honest, my dear, I never thought I would be in a position to be considering children of my own." He kissed her forehead. "I don't have an aversion to children; in fact, I find them more tolerable than most adults."
Victoria allowed herself to breathe again, resting her head on his chest. Though her question had been an innocent one, Erik found himself once again pondering his feelings for the woman in his arms. Oh yes, he could very well imagine have little blonde haired, blue eyed angels running around. He only hoped they took their mother's looks…
Erik kissed her temple, not quite brave enough to ask her the question that he keeping bottled up inside him. Not yet anyway. But soon…
