Chapter 181
After the Lavois parents had their sign, the guests and the rest of the family, went to the living room, where the rest of the presents were waiting. Erik held Catherine close to him, his right hand on her stomach, wishing to feel his child himself. It took time but as soon as he and his wife sat on the couch, he felt a slight twitch under his palm. He smiled, more happy than he had been in several months.
Madame Giry distributed the presents to everybody. William was jumping up and down and Juliette had to pull on his hand to tell him that it was his turn to receive his Christmas gift. He giggled when he unwrapped the stuffed bear his mother had sew for him and when Juliette's turn came, she was delighted with the rag doll.
The presents Catherine had knitted to everybody were appreciated and Erik was quite surprised that he noticed nothing, the Persian too, since he had spend days with her.
The Daroga gave the children clothes made with Persian silk, not really knowing if they were happy or not by the look on their face. They were still very young, only two and three years old and clothing were not really in their liking, normal for children.
Erik gave his children sketchbook and new crayons. Since they had start drawing a lot, they were desperately in need of crayons. He gave Catherine a new robe, for when she got out of the bath and the Daroga gave her Persian silk material, to sew whatever she wanted with it.
For Madame Giry, Erik had taken his time to sculpt her a new cane with carved pattern and Celtic knots. Elizabeth, for her part, gave Erik a new pen and a silver inkwell.
The Daroga was quite surprised to see that Catherine had made him a present herself. It was knitted stockings. He could not be more happy and even Catherine found it weird. He told everybody that even if he had been in Europe in quite some years now, he still had problems with the winters. In Persia, it was hot all year. Now he would not be cold at nights.
When night came, everybody was tired. They had had the best Noël they had had in years and for Erik, it had been the best ever.
Chapter 182
It was March and it announced the beginning of Catherine's eighth month of pregnancy. She was as big as she had been for William and wondered how much bigger she would get until April.
Now, she remained inside, most of the time in her bed. She was aware that she had to be extra careful and now she was taking as much rest as she could, making Erik happy with her new personality. She was obeying her husband no matter what and he was happy with it.
Catherine was reading, when her children appeared in the doorframe of her bedroom. Juliette held her favorite book in her hands, while William held his. The two of them were inseparable. Where Juliette goes, William follow and vise-versa. The little girl was very protective of her little brother and it was quite something to see. Whenever the little boy would fall or hit his head under the table, it was Juliette who was crying, not him. He had to tell her many time that he was alright to make her stop. Next they would play and forget about it.
Juliette trotted toward her mother, William holding the hem of her skirt, his thumb stick in his mouth. Catherine smiled at them and put her own book aside.
Everyday, around the same hour, the children came to her to read a book. She liked it and felt special. Sometimes, she found hard to believe that she had all this and she knew it was the same for Erik. Almost four years ago, she was the young mute girl, struggling to keep the most terrible secret. And now, she had two wonderful children, two little genius that needed her so much. She hoped now that the third that was on the way would be as healthy as its siblings.
She picked her children books from their hands and they both climbed on the bed, waiting eagerly for their mother to read. Juliette liked when she did all the voices and William liked when she did all the faces. They loved their mother with all of their hearts.
Chapter 183
Everything was great at school. Erik was finally a respected composer and teacher. The students did not minded the mask at all. They all found it nice, more for the girls though. It hid a mystery man and the teenagers found it exciting. Erik did not care about their attentions for his dashing physical, for he still did not believe he was attractive at all. All he needed was their attentions for his art, and he had it, so nothing else really mattered. What was even more wonderful, was that no one had heard about the Phantom of the Opera.
Madame Giry had nice students too. The girls were very disciplined, not like those of the Opera Populaire who thought they knew everything, or they would not have been in such an establishment. They were not arrogant and they were focused on their work. A great change for Elizabeth.
The Daroga, for his part, was at the Lavois's residence. He was taking care of the administrations of the school instead of Catherine and watching over her. Erik had forbid his wife to do anything that had "work" in the meaning. So, the Persian was there. He even took care of the children. He felt a bit ridiculous sometimes to play with William on the floor with his wooden cubes, but he liked it. Those kids were wonderful and he loved them very much.
The Persian also worked for La Rose Bleue, which was one of the Lavois property now. Catherine had passed all the managing stuff to Raoul de Chagny, but remained the principal shareholder. That was fine with the Comte. He would make his report once a month and send the Lavois their share.
It took time, but now, they were a wealthy family in Belgium. Erik had already made plans for his children's education. They would not go to regular schools, he promised himself that. He would teach them at home, along with the Daroga if he accepted, maybe there would be a few instructors he would chose carefully with his wife and when they would be in age, his children would go to the best college.
Everything was perfect. Everything was settled and calm, until Catherine's water broke at the beginning of April.
Chapter 184
The Persian was in Erik's study, when he heard small footsteps coming his way and knew it was Juliette. When she entered the room, the three year old was breathless. The Daroga frowned and immediately stood up, worried.
-The baby… maman said the baby is coming. She said, both upset and happy, she wasn't about how to react
The Daroga ran to the kitchen, telling Brigitte to go for Erik and the doctor. The maid nodded quickly as the Persian ran upstairs. As he opened the master bedroom door, Catherine was breathing deeply, trying not to look scared. William was sitting beside his mother, gently wiping her hair from her face. He was only two year old, but so aware of his surroundings. Like his big sister.
-Brigitte went to find Erik. The Persian said. What do I need to do?
-Boil water, find some clean towels and blankets, for the baby. Catherine managed to say
She knew William was watching her every expressions and could hear Juliette breathing behind the door. She could not let her children see how scared she was. Catherine tried to focus on Erik and her children. They all needed her so much.
It's going to be alright girl, just breath and stay calm! She repeated like a mantra. When the Daroga came back with the towels and blankets, she asked him to bring the children to the nursery and occupy them. She could reed the doubt in his eyes. He was obviously debating on which he should leave her or not.
-I don't want them to see Daroga. She mumbled, as another contraction crushed her stomach
He nodded and went to pick William up. The boy protested, saying that his maman needed him, but the Persian was stronger than him and said that his maman needed a moment alone.
The man prayed Allah to make everything right. His friends deserved to be happy. He was worried too now. He also prayed for Erik to finally come home.
Chapter 185
When Erik saw Brigitte appear in the classroom, he thought his heart would stop beating. He could not breath until his maid said that Catherine was in labor. They immediately called for a coach. They picked the doctor on their way home and Erik paid the coachman to whip the horses further.
Catherine was taking deep breaths, trying to repress that crushing pain that was tearing her apart, when she heard the front door open. Next, there was running footsteps and the bedroom door flew open. Catherine tried to smile when she saw her husband, who immediately went by her side.
-Where's the doctor? She asked, scared that he had not thought about it
-I made my way up here faster than him. He grumbled, as the older man appeared
Without a word, the doctor quickly examined Catherine and told her she was ready to push. Brigitte appeared with the boiled water while Erik and the doctor helped Catherine to lie flat on the bed.
-A towel! Quick! The doctor declared, alarming the entire room as Brigitte gave the towel with a gasp
-What is it? Erik asked not knowing if he would hit the other man there or start to cry
-She is already bleeding a lot. The older man answered, then looked up into Catherine's eyes. You know Madame that it is dangerous and now, if you want to give a chance to your child, you must push as hard as you can.
Catherine nodded, tears blurring her eyes as she started to push. Erik was also crying but he hid it by burying his face in his wife's hair, holding her hand tightly.
Chapter 186
Madame Giry left the school as soon as the news about Monsieur Lavois's wife's labor spread in the school. She was stunned that no one thought about telling her, but understood that there was other things to think about.
She made her way towards her niece's home, praying to God and her sister to protect her and the child. When she was there, she didn't take the time to ring the bell and immediately entered.
Inside, she heard Catherine screaming and the children crying. Brigitte was running downstairs with towels coated with blood. Elizabeth gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Oh mon Dieu! She thought, running upstairs, then she heard a baby crying.
That was it, the baby was born and from what she heard, it was very much alive. But was her niece alive too? She heard nothing else then the cries of the baby and Brigitte rushed back into the room.
Madame Giry did not wait to enter, worried sick. Then she saw her niece, deadly pale, the sheets of the bed covered with the young woman's blood. She approached, feeling her eyes quickly filling with tears. The doctor was working, between his patient's legs.
Erik turned to his friend, still holding on his wife's hand and he smiled. Why is he smiling? Elizabeth thought, then she saw Catherine stir and open her eyes, smiling at her aunt. The doctor raised up and turned to see what was so distracting.
-Oh, Madame Giry. He said, obviously tired but also smiling. I have good news and bad news.
Chapter 187
Two days had passed since Catherine's hard delivery. She had lost a lot of blood but she survived. The doctor had given her good news and bad news that day. Good news, she and her new baby girl would survive, but Catherine would never have children again. The blood loss had caused damages to her reproductive organs. But at least, she would live, that was what really mattered. She had cried for a long while, but now she was trying to think it was not so bad news. So she concentrated on recovering.
She and Erik would not have to fear her getting pregnant and die. And the fun part, they not have to restraint themselves in bed anymore. They already had three beautiful children and that was what counted.
Erik and Madame Giry were taking good care of her and the new baby girl and Catherine was grateful for that. Even William and Juliette were doing their part. The Persian was taking care of them, reading them stories and showing them magic tricks. He wasn't as talented as their papa, but they liked him and both started to call him Uncle.
Catherine felt very weak, though, Erik's potions were helping her feel better, but it would take time to recover, maybe a few months. The doctor congratulated him for his ideas of energetic tea and even asked him about some recipes.
Erik entered the bedroom, holding his new daughter. She too was a bit weak. She was smaller than her siblings at birth, but the doctor said she would be fine. It would take time but she would be fine, just like her maman. She was perfect to him and had her mother's lips and nose.
Catherine smiled when she saw them appear and Erik placed the infant in the basket by the bed while he helped his wife into a sitting position. Then he took the baby back into his arms and sat beside his wife.
-How do we name that one, angel? He asked in a whisper, as not to disturb the infant
-What about Sophie?
-Yes, Sophie is good. He smiled, caressing little Sophie's cheek, and she looked up at her father. Hello my new little cherub.
Chapter 188
As weeks passed, some of Catherine's strength came back. Though, she would remain weak and it would take many months to fully recover. Sophie though, was quite the portrait of her siblings at the same age now. She was strong and had a good voice. She knew what she wanted and when she wanted something, she wanted it NOW!
Erik thought that his little Sophie was adorable, though, she had yet to sleep at night. She was a more difficult baby then her siblings had been. She needed a lot more attention and his papa was always the one from whom she wanted to be sing back to sleep.
The only one in the house who could sleep peacefully, was William. Juliette even came to wish she was deaf too.
It was only around her eighth months of age that Sophie started to make her nights. But it only last a month, for her teeth started to pointed out of her gums and it was hell after that.
Catherine still had problems due to Sophie's birth. Even now, after a year, she still felt weak and she knew her life would never be the same. Working in the house was impossible, play with her children asked her an impressive amount of strength and sing…well… she tried once and it did not sound good at all. Erik told her it was because of the lack of practice but she would hear nothing of it.
Juliette was now four years old, William three and Sophie one. The three of them were inseparable and Erik never stopped smiling since the day Sophie stopped crying at nights. At last, the Lavois family could gain some rest.
Erik never really went back for school. He had another professor taking his place and he had chose him very carefully. The Phantom sold his music to the local opera house and was well paid for it. He was their official composer now.
Chapter 189
Madame Giry, Catherine and the children, were on their way to Paris. Christine had given birth to a beautiful boy they called Maxence. Juliette was now ten years old, William was nine and Sophie was seven.
Time passed really fast when you were happy and even if they had their bad time, the Lavois family was a happy one. Catherine never fully recovered but at least, she was relatively healthy. Though, now she had to walk with her old cane.
Catherine was really excited to see her friends. It had been nine years since she last swathe Comte de Chagny and even more time since she last saw Christine. Gustave would be around eleven now. She wondered if he remembered Juliette. Her children had a very good memory, would it be the same for the Chagny heir?
Erik had stayed at their home in Paris. Thanks to the Duke of Reinhardt. He had a left a few estates here and there and they now had a house near the Chagny's. Catherine had had to convince her husband, for he hated to be in the very house were the Duke had tried to impose himself to Catherine, so many years ago, but finally accepted when he found no room at the hotel.
The coach finally stopped in front of the huge manor where the Chagny family was established and Catherine suddenly got very nervous. She looked at her children, and saw that Juliette was smiling broadly. She knew then that she remembered Gustave.
Chapter 190
Raoul and Christine were so happy to see Catherine again, that they organized a feast in her honor. The Phantom was invited, but he did not attended. Though, he send thirty six red roses to his wife, to make sure she would forgive him.
The children were playing together in the playroom Raoul had made his staff built beside the living room. Juliette and Gustave though, decided to go in the garden with Laurette, the maid.
When Christine and the new baby decided it was time to go to bed, Catherine put her own children in bed and came back to the living room to read a little. Raoul was there, sipping at his brandy next to the fire. When he saw her, he sat by her side, taking her hand in his.
-You have changed Catherine. Raoul said. I am very worried. It had been seven years since your Sophie's birth, you should have gotten better long ago.
-I know. She answered, closing her eyes. I can consider myself lucky to be alive. I am not the woman I used to be, but believe me, I am happy. Weak, but happy.
Raoul smiled at that and hugged her.
-I missed you, little sister!
-I missed you too, brother.
-Promise you will not wait another ten years to visit us next time.
-I promise!
On that, they both went to sleep. Catherine went to the bedroom she used to live in when she was living with the Chagny's. It was so many years ago. Ten years. Then, as if her memories came back to life, she saw a shadow behind the French window. Her Phantom was there, waiting for her.
She quickly opened the doors, to be greeted with two strong arms and a very passionate kiss. Nothing had changed.
-Je t'aime ma Catherine.
-I love you too, my Erik !