Madame Giry looked up at Erik. "It just might work…" Erik smiled at her "you'll agree then?" Madame Giry stood, "I think we should discuss it with Meg and Christine, but I don't see how they would disagree…it seems to be the only way." Erik nodded, "let us go to them." He stood, walking with Madame Giry to the door.
"Erik" she said before she opened the door "there is much to sacrifice here, we may never see our beloved Paris again…you would never be safe to come back here, and if Christine goes with you, she'll dare not return." Erik looked at her most seriously "do you not think that I have considered this, a hundred times thought of another way to give Christine a proper life…in this city she would be forever in hiding…never able to really live?" Madame Giry lowered her head, then looked back at him. Reaching for the door handle she said "then let us go, we have much to talk about." She led Erik from the room, down the long hall to the bedroom where Christine and Meg sat visiting.
"Shhh.." Christine eeked, looking at Meg. "It might be Sara" Meg said. The door opened slightly, Erik peeked his head in, "and just what have you two been talking about?" he said in a hushed voice, with a broad smile. Christine blushed, looking over at Meg. "I thought as much" Erik said stepping into the room, his hand behind him.
"Christine, there is someone who would very much like to see you" pulling his hand forward, he led Madame Giry into the room. Even though Christine knew she was there at the Inn with them, she was excited to see her none-the-less. She carefully darted into Madame Giry's welcoming arms, as a daughter would a mother. They embraced, both now having tears in their eyes. Meg smiled at Erik, something that even surprised her. He was family now, and she would grow to love him, letting her fears fade of the Phantom, and accepting him as Erik her "brother".
Soon Christine rejoined Meg on the bed, as they had been before. Madame Giry and Erik sitting on the end. Erik carefully, quietly explained all that he and Madame Giry had discussed. Meg and Christine looked at each other. Fear, excitement, but most of all hope danced in their eyes. "Could it work?" Christine said, her eyes darting between Erik, her husband, and Madame Giry her "mother".
Erik sighed, having now explained it twice. "I know of no other way for us to seek safe passage from the city. It will take a considerable amount of role-playing for us to make this charade believable, but I have no doubt we can accomplish this."
He was ill accustomed to having others in his plans. He was used to orchestrating things, but then he was in full control of all the elements. Now, he would have to trust in three women, all of whom he cared for, to be on their best behavior, doing exactly what he told them and when.
Madame Giry looked at Meg. "We must discuss this in private, but am I to assume now that you are willing to go along with this?" Meg barely waited for her mother to finish the question before she answered. "Mother, there is nothing for us here now. It will be many, many, months before the Opera House is repaired.." she felt a pang of guilt having said that in front of Erik. She glanced over at him, he was staring at the ground.
Meg continued. "I will have the most important people in the world with me, what more could I ask for." Christine reached over and grabbed Meg's hand, smiling profusely. Christine then reached out, pulling Erik's hand into hers. Meg taking her mother's hand in hers. Madame Giry extended her hand to Erik. He looked at it, then at each of the women sitting on the bed. Looking down at her hand again, he grasped it, saying "it is settled then." They squeezed their hands together, smiling at one another. Tomorrow was filled with promise…hope. Erik for the first time feeling like…he was part of a family.
Captain Oblivious: I must say that I rather look forward to your friendly banter. And it makes me happy, that it makes you happy, that they are happy… Ah, yes, my imagination…I found myself picturing the tweezers, and what sort of fabric it was…black silk no doubt. The part you forgot in your vivid description was the horrified look on your face as you fearfully searched his hands hoping not to find a lasso! Sweat beading on your brow…lips quivering as you cry out "don't hurt me, don't hurt me!" And yes, the lawn…the infernal grass…I suppose it grows….so mow it we must! Perhaps Erik could use a proficient gardener! Now if I am to continue in this vein, a question must be posed…would you be a threat to Christine, or a nuisance to Erik? If you are clever you may find a clue…reading between the lines! walks away, smirking
Ethalas Tuath'an: "Reunited and it feels so good, reunited because we understood…." Terribly sorry, it's a quote from a dreadfully old song…it just seems appropriate here! Raoul, oh yes, dear Raoul….fate has plans for him, I can assure you! To leave Paris or not to leave Paris…that is the question. Sorry, I've gone a little Shakespeare for a moment. Feeling rather giddy today, too many diet cokes I'm afraid. Oh, I'm afraid that my comments to your chpt 32 review did not appear with the last update. The question about Sara… It serves to make a point that Sara is faithful to her promises, that she is able to follow instructions without question. That may prove to be important later…how very observant of you! I gather from your "commanding" review, that you would like an update….your wish…is my command! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Glitter Queen of the Ice Show: Thank you for the compliment. I hope that you stay with me as the story takes a few abrupt twists. I'm just a little bit ahead of postings so I can see into the future….and it's a bit scary!