September 1898
Lontano was a huge success for the Opera Populaire, bringing in one of the largest audiences since it's heyday. It had been written by a new composer and, Erik, seeing the potential had offered to put it up for him. The man had been trying for years to get it put onstage, and now that his dreams had been realized, he was on his way to becoming a rich man. The English opera had already purchased rights to put it up after.
The story was about a man named Dario who ran away from home as a teenager and came home to find his childhood friend, Vianca had endured far more than a girl should have. He tries to help her through her struggles, falling in love with her after and, when he finally believes that she is going to thrive, she shoots herself. He finds her and she dies in his arms, telling him that she always loved him.
Opening night was a nerve racking time for Emmy, with dozens of flowers from friends and well wishers arriving while she was dressing. Her dressing room door opened to reveal the thin, lanky form of her costar, Anton Delamonte. Charles had been slightly jealous at first, but Emmy had soon learned during rehearsals that Anton was not interested in her…or any female for that matter. He'd become a close friend to her and even Charles had grown to like him.
"Break a leg, Em." Anton said with a grin. "I've got someone in the audience tonight."
"Who?" She asked curiously.
"Just a friend." He said, winking at her. She giggled, shaking her head.
"You're terrible." Emmy chided teasingly.
"His name is Jasper." Anton said, closing the door before she could say one more word. Chuckling to herself, she turned to the pile of letters she'd gotten that day, including one from Bella and Tris.
Emmy-
How I wish we could be there to see you in the role you deserve! I must confess, even if we re in France right now, I haven't been feeling my best these past couple of weeks. Tris always worries, but I'm sure it's just exhaustion. Being a Marchioness is endless! I can't tell you how many teas and dinners I've had to attend. I can't imagine what things will be like once the Season begins…But I did need to write you and tell you that you are in my thoughts today and I miss you all very much.
Give Charles our love.
Bella
Emmy grinned to herself, setting the letter aside as the stage manager peeked his head into the room.
"Madame Emmeline, we're at places." He said nervously. She smiled, drawing in a large breath and thinking of her husband, who was seated in Box Five with her parents and his. Adjusting her head dress, she blew out the candle and followed him out of the dressing room.
The audience was on its feet as Charles has known they would be. Emmy had lived up to every standard he'd set for her and more. Murmurs flew through the opera house of how it must only be natural for the daughter of Christine Daae to be nothing short of spectacular.
"…spitting image of her mother, don't you remember?" One person was saying.
"Oh yes." Another person, "But a very different voice. Daae was light and lilting while her girl has a rounder, more haunting sound."
"Both exceedingly lovely though."
"Destler is a lucky man…" A man added and Charles hid his pride, holding the bouquet of flowers as he clapped.
Charles hung back as people flooded the ballroom, waiting for Emmy to appease her newfound admirers. He watched as his entire family and hers greeted her, but waited patiently for when she finally settled her affections solely on him. He lingered near the far wall, leaning casually against it, happy to just watch her bask in the glow of her own success. His father couldn't have been prouder of her progress and made no secrets of his pride in his daughter-in-law.
Charles smiled as Emmy's costar and another young man walked by talking. Anton paused to shake Charles's hand.
"Destler, you should be very proud of her." He said amiably. Charles nodded, smiling.
"I have always been." He agreed, shaking the other man's hand.
"My friend, Jasper." Anton said in introduction. Charles would never have voiced his thought, but knew somehow that the two were more than just friends. A wry smirk played at his lips as he watched them walk away together.
"What is so amusing, Monsieur Destler?" Charles turned to see his petite wife standing beside him with her arms crossed. He handed her the flowers and stooped to kiss her cheek lovingly.
"Nothing of importance, pet." He grinned. "You were perfect, Emmy."
"It's because of you." Emmy replied, sidling closer to him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"It's because of you." He corrected. "I merely gave you the motivation. You had the potential all along."
"I love you." Emmy said, resting her cheek against his chest. "And I want to go home."
"What about the celebration?" He asked incredulously. Her eyes glistened brazenly.
"The only person I want to celebrate with is you," She answered silkily, trailing a finger along his jaw line. "And I want to be in bed with a bottle of champagne."
Charles didn't even bother to say goodbye to his family, he pulled Emmy briskly out of the opera house, stopping only long enough to grab her cloak and hailed a hansom. The moment the locked clicked behind them in the quiet townhouse, she had leapt into his arms and twined her legs around his waist. He carried her, never taking his mouth from hers straight into the nearest room, the parlor and fell with her onto the plush carpet. Raking through the skirts, he dragged them upwards, revealing her lush legs in the white silk stockings she was wearing.
Without any effort, he removed her slippers and unhooked each of her garters, kissing the tops of her thighs as he exposed the creamy skin. Slowly, he rolled each sock down her leg, kissing the softness of her feet as he did. Her nimble hands were at work, unfastening her dress and pulling the constricting fabric away from her chest. Her corset must have been tied tightly, for her breaths were coming in short, quick spurts. Charles watched the way her pushed up breasts heaved as she panted, reaching for him. Using the tips of his fingers, he unhooked the front of the awful garment and ripped it from her body, tossing it aside without care. She removed her own chemise while he feverishly discarded his own clothing, lying beside her when he was fully naked.
He pressed a quick kiss to the softness of her stomach and ran his large hand over the tips of her breasts. Her eyes flickered with fire as he pushed her breasts together and ran his tongue over each taut peak. A small mewl of satisfaction emerged from her.
"Charles…I can't…I need you to…" She arched as his hand found her sex and he inserted a long finger inside her velvety moisture. Rocking back and forth, she writhed under his touch. When he felt the first spasms of her release start, he sheathed himself inside her swiftly and began to thrust in deep, measured movements. He grabbed each of her legs and brought them high up on her body, linking her knees over his shoulders for a more thorough penetration. This pleased Emmy immensely as she raked her finger nails over his back, sending chills of pleasure through him. Catching one of the legs draped over his shoulder, he ran his tongue along the curve of her calf. Charles felt her sex clamp tightly around him and allowed himself to spill into her, burying himself inside her completely one final time and staying there even as he continued to pulsate within.
Carefully, he withdrew and settled her legs back down, gathering her in the fold of his arms. Nuzzling against his neck, he felt her sigh, satiated.
"Damned if I haven't begotten a child this night." He chuckled. Emmy gave a tired laugh.
"I wouldn't doubt it, Charles Destler." She replied. "I wouldn't mind either."
"You wouldn't?" He inquired in surprise.
"No…I think we could be wonderful parents." She mused, rubbing her cheek against the scratchiness of his stubble. "Mmm…that's lovely Charles." He grinned, cupping one of her breasts again.
"Do you like that?"
"I love when you wait a day to shave." A tremor ran through her small body, sending sensations back into his. "It makes me want to do awful, sinful things to you." She moaned again, arching.
Charles pulled himself off of the carpet and stood, lifting her up and throwing her over his shoulder. With a wicked grin, he slapped the round curve of her behind and carried her upstairs to their waiting bed to show her what was on his mind.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Claire moved about the ballroom and helped her sisters hang garland and ribbons to decorate for their Christmas party the following night. Excitement pooled in the pit of her stomach as she realized that Bella and Tris would arrive any moment and they hadn't visited since they'd left in August on their Honeymoon. Bella had written that she had a surprise for them, and Esme could hardly contain her excitement. Lord knew that the child loved presents.
Maddie and Adam were the first to arrive with little Olivia in tow. She was a delightful flame haired infant, who was going to grow to be a beauty one day. The baby smiled at the sight of Claire and Julienne, who stood expectantly. Maddie handed the baby to Claire, who could not help but pinch the chubby little arms of the cherubic baby.
"I'm glad you wanted to see me." Maddie teased, bending to kiss Esme's head.
"We don't care about you," Julienne replied sardonically. "We lived with you long enough."
"I don't mind living with you, love." Adam replied, putting his arm around Madeleine's shoulders. She smiled up at him and Claire cleared her throat.
"None of that here, Madeleine Giselle." Claire warned. "I'll have none of that gooey sentimental nonsense."
"Oh, you're one to talk." Maddie laughed. "You who transforms into a pile of mush every time the Vicomte de Chagny walks in the room."
"I'm engaged." Claire said, tickling Olivia. "You're an old married couple…it's gross." Winking at her sister, she handed the baby off to Jules and hugged Maddie. "I'm only kidding, Sis."
"I know." Maddie said, kissing her cheek. "Where are Maman and Dad?"
"They went to take a nap." Esme said innocently. "Papa said that he was very tired." Claire, Julienne and Maddie all rolled their eyes knowingly.
"They are shameless!" Julienne cried.
"Now that is gross." Maddie commented and Claire laughed in agreement.
"Are you three really talking about Mother and Dad's carnal activities?" Charles asked, coming into the room with Emmy on his arm. Claire noticed Emmy looked a little drawn and tired, but her eyes were glowing with happiness.
"Unfortunately." Claire nodded, watching her brother put his arm around his wife.
"Is there anything you need, love?" He asked her. Raising an eyebrow, Emmy shook her head. "I'm going to find you something hot to drink."
"Charles, really…that's unnecess-"
"Indulge me, pet." He said, winking at her and leaving the room with Adam. Emmy gave a slight sound of frustration.
"He's so stubborn, that brother of yours. He treats me like I'm fragile sometimes." She said, but Claire thought she sounded more affectionate than irritated.
"Are you well?" Maddie asked Emmy, obviously noticing what Claire had. Emmy nodded with a smile.
"The holidays are very hectic for us this year, and I just need to catch up on sleep." She explained apologetically. "And Charles doesn't help because he keeps me up so l--" Stopping herself, Claire laughed as Emmy blushed heavily. Maddie laughed loudly as their mother came into the room, straightening her hair.
"Maman, did you have a nice nap?" She asked evilly. Evangeline gave her oldest daughter a wary glance.
"Hush, you…" She replied, pulling Emmy in for a quick kiss on the cheek. "Emmy, how are you feeling? Charles told Erik at work that you haven't been feeling your best recently." Emmy shrugged, looking confused.
"I'm fine. Tired is all."
"Good…well, relax." Evie surveyed the ballroom with an approving nod. "This looks lovely girls. Why don't we all retire to the front parlor near the fire?"
They filed into the parlor, where Adam, Charles and Erik had congregated near the liquor cabinet. Emmy leaned over to take Claire's hand.
"Gustave told me to tell you that he would be along shortly." Emmy said. "He is helping mother prepare for Grandmamma's arrival with Chloe tomorrow." Claire smirked, thinking of the girl who had become the Dowager's companion. "Gustave says that Grandmamma almost seems happier since Chloe came to her."
"Imagine that." Claire replied acidly, sinking onto a settee and lounging for a moment. "Is Grandmere going to be along for Christmas?" She asked her mother. Evie nodded.
"She'll be here for the party tomorrow night, sweet. She is staying with Cadence because the boys are there and the new baby is there." Claire's cousin Nathan's wife had just given birth to his first child and Giselle was very adamant about seeing all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"Hello?" A voice came from out in the hall. Claire's ears perked up at the sound of her fiancé's voice in the hallway. Shooting off of the settee, she ran into the hall and found him standing with his back to her. Grinning, she reached up around his face and put her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who." She said, feeling his cheeks move with his smile.
"Julienne." He replied, and she knew he was teasing. Pulling her hands off of his eyes, he turned to look down at her. "Merry Christmas, love." He was still cold and bits of snow clung to his overcoat as he bent to kiss her. "Sorry I'm late…"
"Don't be sorry." She said. "I can't wait until next week…"
"What's next week?" He asked, winking at her. "Only kidding, Claire." Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her slightly off of her feet so that she was at eye level with him. "I love that when the year changes, you'll be my wife."
"One week from today." She grinned, rubbing his cold cheek before pressing a kiss there. Gently, he set her to her feet and took off his coat and gloves, handing them to Jean. Claire took his hand and pulled her into the parlor so that everyone could greet him.
"Everything settled over at Mum and Dad's?" Emmy asked wryly. Gustave chuckled.
"Hardly. Mum's nearly chewed her nails down to the knuckle." He quipped. The two of them shared a fond laugh as Gustave turned to Claire's father and shook his hand. "Mum and Dad said to tell you that they would not be able to make it tonight, but they will see you tomorrow for the party." Claire's mother nodded, linking her arm through her father's.
"No worries." Erik replied. "I suppose your father is taking good care of her tonight."
Gustave made a noise between a gasp and a laugh, as he nodded. "That obvious, are they?" Claire's father rolled his eyes.
"They've never changed from being the sixteen year old and the twenty-one year old in love." He remarked, looking knowingly down at his wife. "Just as Claire's mother will forever be a twenty-four year old novelist with those gold rimmed spectacles on her face. She was positively adorable."
"Really Erik." Evie replied, blushing, but she was grinning from ear to ear. Claire took Gustave's hand, intending to stay attached to his side for the rest of the night. That plan changed, however, when Bella and Tris arrived. They walked into the noisy parlor still wearing their coats. Bella's dark hair was hanging loose around her shoulders and she wore a pair of earmuffs. The pair of them were surrounded immediately, with Evie and Erik at the center of the crowd, hugging and kissing them. Bella kissed each of her sisters and Charles as Tris removed his coat and gave it to Jean. Removing her earmuffs and gloves, Bella smiled breathlessly, pushing the silky curtain of her hair over her shoulder.
"I suppose you're all wondering what my surprise for you is." She laughed, looking back at Tris, who nodded encouragingly. "Darling, could you help me with this coat?" Tris tenderly turned her toward him so that he could unbutton the coat and help her get it off. When he handed the coat to the butler, Bella turned around and the surprise became obvious. Her face had filled out slightly and Claire's eyes fell to the slightly rounded curve of her middle. A small, sheepish look crept into her sister's brown eyes.
"If all goes according to plan…Lord Keating may have an heir by the end of April or early May." She said, holding Tris's hand. A sound of approval resounded through the room as Bella was once again bombarded by people hugging her, kissing her, crying with her. Claire smiled up at Tris and wrapped her arms around him, laughing as she realized her head barely even reached his shoulder.
"Congratulations, Tris." She said and he smiled down at her with his normal half smile.
"Thank you, little sister." He kissed her cheek and reached out for Gustave's hand. "Merry Christmas Lord Chagny…"
"What if it is a girl?" Claire heard her mother ask Bella, who met Tris's eyes and laughed out loud.
"We have both realized that the possibility of that occurring is very probable, considering our family numbers." Bella held her hands out for Tris. "But we aren't worried, so long as our baby is healthy."
"Judging from the way it was moving last night, I'd say we have nothing to worry about, pet." Tris put a splayed hand over her small curve.
"It's become very noticeable lately." Bella admitted to Maddie. "At first, I thought it was just my stomach making noises, but it became apparent that it was the baby." Claire moved away from the crowd, drawing Gustave back with her as she did. Taking his arm, she pulled him to the window where the sun was setting, casting a shine over the freshly fallen snow. Leaning into his side for warmth, she rested her head against his shoulder as his arm draped over her body.
"Beautiful isn't it?" He asked. Claire nodded wistfully, watching the cloud formations change as they always did.
"Look at it well, Gustave." She said. "You'll never see that sky again. Even though the sky is always there is will never look the same again." Smiling, she turned in his arms and reached up to brush his cheek lovingly. "That's why it would be impossible…"
"What would be impossible, love?" He asked, brushing a black lock from her neck.
"Painting the sky." She said quietly. "It's sort of like the way I feel for you…it changes every moment of every day. Because it grows stronger and I think I know now why it took us so long to come together." Resting his cheek on the top of her head as he pulled her close, she felt him smile.
"Why is that?"
"Because we both had to change. We had to wait for the clouds to pass and the sun to come out just in time for a brilliant sunset." She snuggled into the warmth of his chest.
"I do love you, Claire." Gustave said, smoothing the back of her hair.
"I know." She sighed. "Finally…"
They stayed that way, watching as the swollen orange sun sank below the horizon bringing with it the dark, velvety night sky. For one moment, just before the sun disappeared, it was both night and day at the same time.
Epilogue to follow. Thank you for bearing with me no matter how bad.