Antoinette sat in her quarters sipping tea as she tried to mentally play back the last conversation she had with Erik. She felt sick and it had nothing to do with her delicate condition. She was supposed to be his friend and confidant. What possessed her to blurt out her desires for Erik to help raise her child like that? It was much too soon and certainly not in the appropriate manner she had envisioned. Yet Erik had left her no choice.
"Madness! Clear and utter madness! What was he thinking? Go to Persia? For what reason? Why would he risk his life like that for strangers?" She stopped and then remembered what he had told her.
To make myself worthy for her. If I can return a hero, maybe then my face won't matter.
"Oh Erik, my dear, foolish, unhappy Erik. This is all my fault. I should have been kinder, more compassionate back then. God knows, you needed it. Maybe if I had seen you the way you deserved to be seen, you wouldn't feel as if you have to prove yourself worthy of love. For all anyone wants is to be loved for themselves. Are you not human? Why would you be any different?"
She stopped when she felt her baby kick. Despite her mood, she smiled. "My little one. I know it is insane to wish to have another mouth to feed but I cannot wait until you are born. It won't be long now, four more months or so. How I wish I could have given you a real father. A father you could be proud of. Instead, I am bringing you into a world where you will have no legacy, no birthright and no father." She looked down and patted her stomach back and forth.
"Can you keep a secret, my little one?" She laughed at her silliness. "I don't suppose I was expecting a reply." Smiling, she spoke in a whisper. "You are the most perfect thing I have ever created. I may never dance again but you are worth every sacrifice. Together, we must convince your Uncle Erik that he is worthy of love and we don't need him to go to Persia to prove it."
She thought about Christine, a young girl who should appear clueless about such heavy matters and yet has stood up to her and fought for Erik in one way, shape or form, ever since he entered her life. She couldn't possible want him gone. She also wouldn't want him to be a father to a child that wasn't hers. So many issues to deal with. Yet, if Erik went to Persia, everything else will cease to matter.
"Think, Annie. How do you convince Erik to stay?"
Knock, Knock
She sighed. She wondered if it would be Firmin or Reyes but dismissed the thought. Ever since Erik's not so subtle instructions, they let her plan her own hours. Although she could no longer dance, she was still able to teach and her physician had instructed her that natural exercise would be good for the baby, especially since her body was so used to trained instruction. Still, she didn't want to leave anything to chance.
She placed a kiss to her finger and touched her stomach, mentally apologizing to her baby for the interruption. She made sure to put on a large robe to cover her growing stomach and then made her way to the door. She was fortunate that the rest of her features had stayed the same throughout her pregnancy. When she opened the door, she gasped in surprise.
"Monsieur Khan, what are you doing here?"
"Forgive me, Madame Giry but I was waiting for Erik and I fear I have become rather lonesome. I took a walk and remembered that you lived in the Opera House as well, only above ground." He smiled. "Could I trouble you for a bit of companionship? Erik never told me when he would return."
"Erik never does." She looked quickly out into the hall and when she was sure no one was lurking about, she allowed him to enter. "I don't see why you would come here. I am not at liberty to be taking callers at this hour. Besides it is highly inappropriate to have you in my quarters alone."
Nadir nodded. "I realize the implication but I assure you I mean no harm. After all we are hardly strangers and after…."
"After what?" Her response was harsh and she meant it to be. She hated to have to share her shame with him and worse that she may actually be indebted to him. To a man that would make his living by taking others away to help his masochist employer.
Nadir didn't dare make another reference to the night he and Erik disposed of the Comte's body. He hadn't meant to cause her shame. He wanted to tell her that her secret would live within him forever. Yet he couldn't speak. She made him feel small, awkward and rather tongue tied.
"I am sorry to have disturbed you. I will return and wait…."
"Do you think he will up and leave with you this evening? Is that why you stay? You are deplorable. How can you ask this of him or of anyone for that matter? You serve a sadist. A vile man who only wishes to inflict pain on the innocent. Now you ask Erik to join in such a crusade, when he is doing all he can to right the sins of his past. You are just as evil and vile as the Shah."
Nadir didn't know whether to lash out in rage or cow down to her immense presence. He was not the villain in this arrangement. Yes, he was doing his job but it was an honorable one….. At least, Nadir tried to tell himself this as often as possible. Men like him did not get such opportunities and he needed to be thankful that he and his son were able to live well and that he could provide for him the way all fathers should provide for their children.
"My good woman, you do not know me, so do not attempt to make such snap judgments. Erik is his own man, as you so very well know. He was recognized for this position based on his own merits, be that as it may. Besides, it is not charity. The Shah will make good on his word and offer Erik's friends all they need to escape France. Erik's time allotted will not be forever. Sooner than later, he will return and …."
"You ignorant fool! You will break him. He thinks his intentions are good. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Tell me monsieur, have you told him exactly what this commission will be?"
Nadir coughed. "No but it is because….."
"What will the Shah have him do? Do you realize he agreed so he could be seen as a hero? What if his quest for goodness leads him down a path of wickedness? Will he need to kill?"
"Madame…."
"You are Satan in fine robes. I hate you, Monsieur Khan and I hate that you know my sins. Are you to hold this against me too one day, if I ever become recognized by the Shah?"
Nadir shook his head profusely. "No, I….. I have no say in who I commission. This is business and I will not let Erik fester alone. I have grown rather fond of him, despite his temper and bizarre sense of humor. He helps me and himself. My son….." He stopped. He didn't want to show his vulnerability to her.
"You have a child?" Her eyes widened. "Then how can you take a father away?"
"A father? Erik isn't…." Nadir's face turned white. "I thought…. I thought that Erik was not the father of your child?"
Antoinette's face fell. "Would it matter if he was?"
Nadir could only shake his head. "But he is rather…..Inexperienced in such matters. Is he not?" He thought back to the day he found him with his books.
"No, Erik is not the father of my child. Oh, how I wish he was. Everything would be so different." She sat down in defeat. "If anything ever happened to him…" He's family. Maybe not by blood but brother no less.
Dear God, she loves him…"You love him?" He wanted her to answer him and at the same time he hoped she would not.
Antoinette looked at Nadir with contempt. "What business is that of yours? Would it make any difference? You already know he loves someone and yet you encouraged and pushed and tempted him to leave anyway. What do you care of his personal attachments? If you did, you would know it kills him to leave the girl."
"I was wrong to come here. Forgive me." He hurried to the door.
She followed him. "Now you escape when you feel you have had enough or do you not like the conversation? Tell me will it be so easy for Erik when he realizes he made a terrible mistake? Will you help him return as easily as you convinced him to leave?"
Without control, Nadir screamed. "I did not force him! He is his own man. Why must you blame me for a decision that came from him? Perhasps you are afraid that he is leaving to escape you. Perhaps he does not like this claim you think he owes you and he sees this as his ticket to freedom? Perhaps the young lady already knows of his plans and will wait for him? Could it be you who is left in the dark?"
"GET OUT!" She stood up and held her stomach tightly, as she closed her eyes in anger. "Leave my quarters or I will call for assistance."
Nadir felt horrible. He didn't mean to say all that and yet he couldn't stop himself. Why would she drive him to be so cruel? Why would he wish to hurt her like that? Why did he suddenly feel his heart ache when she was no longer near him?
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Thomas looked over the paperwork at length. He and Erik had been sitting in his office for quite some time. At first Erik did most of the talking and before Thomas could respond he laid out his plans in front of him. Erik asked that he review everything before responding.
He ran his fingers through his hair and then got up. "I haven't had a drop of alcohol in years but this…. This may merit a glass or two." He looked at Erik incredibly. "Are you off your rocker?"
Erik looked at his chair. "What?"
Thomas shook his head. "It's an expression, I'm sorry. Erik, you can't be serious. Even if this plan would work, Cassie would never agree to leave the children. Frankly, I agree with her. I can't leave and not tell Suzanna where I am. What kind of life is that?" He walked away from the desk.
"Thomas, with all due respect, your situation is critical. You have been parted from your love for years and this… This mere façade of a life you both are living." He shook his head. "You both deserve more."
"Perhaps, Cassie will agree to ask for a divorce now that you and Christine seem to be serious." He looked at Erik and placed his hands on his hips, almost as if he was implying that Erik was the one stalling the process.
This time Erik stood up and walked towards Thomas, who had yet to pour anything inside his glass. "If you are not happy with your circumstance, you are the one that can change it. Do not let other people dictate your happiness. We all know that the law confines Cassie to her husband, whether or not Christine has a suitor. I love her very much and it is out of that love that I will do whatever I can to make her happy. She wants her mother happy. You make Cassie happy. Enough said."
"Erik, I apologize. I didn't mean to imply that…."
Erik raised his hand up to politely ask Thomas to cease speaking. "It is the same love I have for Christine that terrifies me to wish her to have a life with me. Thomas, I am not without sin or shame, however Christine is. Yet, love isn't enough, I need to make sure she sees how devoted I am to her and how her wishes will always come first. Then perhaps at last she'll know…. She'll know what I can offer. That the only sacrifice I will ask of her is nothing, compared to all that she will gain from my continual love and devotion."
"Sacrifice?"
Erik pointed to his black mask. "In case you ever wondered, this is not a fashion statement."
"Erik, I don't want you to think I do not appreciate all this. Yet how can we pull this off? New identities, a new country, and no ties with the people we love for….."
"As minimal as possible. At least until we know Vincent is no longer a threat. If you are worried about money, don't. You can sell your company to your new identity and do your deals as an eccentric, reclusive millionaire, who bought a multi-million dollar organization for nothing. That's clever." He smiled at his genius.
"But will Suzanna and Christine just think we disappeared? I couldn't…."
"The less they know the better. Thomas, I assure you, I will protect them. But the less people who know where you are, the better. Christine and Suzanna must not know, otherwise Vincent or his cronies might try and hurt them for information."
Thomas panicked. "No, this is too dangerous."
"Suzanna is set to leave for Greece when?"
"In a few months. She would have left sooner but….." Thomas then thought of Phillip. Things were moving along rather promising. What if they married? She could be safe.
"I promise I will tell them the truth and arrange communication, once it is safe to do so."
"Erik, no. I don't lie to Suzanna."
Erik began pacing. "Aside from not telling the girls, what are your objections?"
Thomas laughed. "Objections? To leave here with Cassie and start a new life with her. Something I should have done years ago? Erik, no one has ever given me something I have longed for so much. If there was any other way..."
Erik nodded. "You realize that these plans are only on paper. They will take time to solidify and obtain proper documents, transfers and a legal public selling of your company."
"Erik, I told you I won't lie to Suzanna and Cassie won't leave without them knowing the truth."
"I know." He spoke the next part with certainty. "You won't have to lie."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm through lying to Christine also." What was he thinking? Wasn't he doing all this to be worthy of her? Wasn't he going to tell her all about himself? Love is about intimacy and intimacy is about trust. If he is prepared to trust her with his life, he has to be able to trust her with his plans. He was in awe of Thomas McCarthy and now he didn't just want him reunited with Cassie for Christine's sake. He wanted to help him for Thomas' sake. He hoped he could be more like him one day. "I need time to make the matter a reality but once you both leave, I will personally ensure that Suzanna and Christine know the truth."
Thomas began to pour the liquor into his glass. "You mean…. You mean this could actually happen?"
"The ladies in question are actresses, are they not? Perhaps this can be their greatest performance yet? Will you tell my plan to Cassie?"
He picked up the glass, only to drop it back down on the table. "Erik, how do we ever repay you? How exactly are you able to make this happen? What is your sacrifice in all this?"
"Leave that to me. You just handle Cassie. She may need convincing but if her only obstacle was separation from Christine, tell her that I will only make the separation for as long as absolutely necessary for all involved."
Thomas didn't know if he should shake hands or hug his masked friend in front of him. Unfortunately, there was no time to decide, as Reggie came running into the office.
"Monsieur McCarthy…. Erik, I'm sorry but I had to come at once!"
Erik spoke but disguised his alarm. "Reggie, what is it?"
"It's Cassie and Mlle Christine. I had the staff keep an eye on Christine like you asked Erik and one of the house servants; Violet, she saw Vincent take rubbing alcohol and place it to his handkerchief. Then he went upstairs and I knew the women were home. I came as soon as Violet told me. I think he's going to hurt one of them or both or….."
Before Reggie could finish, the men were running out the door. Erik, forgot his jacket and jumped on Caesar who was still outside awaiting his master and Thomas took Reggie's horse as the both charged over to the Valerius Estate.
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Vincent entered the bedroom and sat down on the bed, watching a sleeping Cassie. At first he wondered if she was pretending but after a minute he realized she really was sleeping. He smiled when he saw her lying there. It reminded him of long ago, when he rested at her side and she seemed at peace. It was short lived when he suddenly remembered the real reason she was so exhausted by the way she was carrying on like some common slut. His face changed from longing to malice discontent. He would be a fool no more.
"Cassie, Cassie, darling wake up." He was now staring right at her and tapped her cheeks.
She moaned slightly and blinked her eyes once or twice. She was obviously awakening from a deep slumber. "Vincent? What are you…." Her voice was still sleepy. It took a minute for her to put it all together and when the realization of her husband being in the room hit her, she sprang up, only to be held down by him.
"What's the rush my pretty wife?"
"Vincent, please. You're hurting me."
"Am I? How selfish of me. " He kept staring at her and yet, Cassie could swear she felt as if his eyes saw right through her.
"Vincent, what is it? Are you okay?"
"No, my pretty wife, I am not okay!" He pushed her down on the bed and got up. "I have been patient and kind and uniquely understanding, Cassie. But that ends tonight." He let his eyes undress her and by sheer reflex she pulled the sheets over her.
"Why do you cover up from your husband? Is it because you wish it were some decrepit, old man instead? His empty laugh echoed the room. "My young wife would rather prostitute herself with someone who has one foot in the grave than love her honest, lawful, age appropriate husband. What am I supposed to do with that information?"
"Vincent, please. You're hysterical. Let's talk about this. We both agreed that you would not force me. That it would happen when the time was right."
He took the handkerchief from his jacket pocket. "That's right, we did my pretty wife. When the time is right and that time is now!"
Cassie sprinted out of the bed and was almost at the door when Vincent pulled her hair and dragged her back, throwing her onto the bed.
"You listen to me, slut. You want to whore yourself to that geriatric, so be it. But as long as you're doing that, you will start whoring yourself to me tonight."
The moment she heard her mother scream, Christine barged into the room and began to hit Vincent on the back.
"Stop it! Leave her alone!"
"Why, you ungrateful brat!" Vincent turned around and began swinging his fists at Christine but his earlier intake of alcohol began catching up to him. Christine was too fast for him and before he knew it she was at the opposite side of the room with Cassie.
He shook his head to clear his mind and spat out to both of them. "I promised, I'd leave the brat alone, if you would be my wife, Cassie. You haven't been a wife. You've been a slut to probably everyone and anyone but me. So I'll give you a choice, because I am such a wonderful husband. You shut your mouth and get into that bed and tell your orphaned brat to get out or watch, or you tell her to lie with me. Maybe I'll have you watch us? Maybe that way, you'll learn how to conceive because no baby will ever come out of your womb any other way!" He waited for an answer as he placed the handkerchief back inside his pocket.
"Vincent, you're drunk. This isn't you. Just go downstairs and sleep this off!" Cassie placed herself in front of Christine, trying desperately to calm his rage down.
"Mama…"
"Christine, just stay behind me." She walked towards Vincent. "Please, this isn't you. I don't know where we went wrong but if you continue this, we have no chance of ever going back to how we were before."
"Before…"
Vincent's legs felt as if they were going to give out at any minute. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could, Thomas and Erik arrived at the scene.
"Erik!"
"Angel…" Erik saw both women facing off against Vincent and he was torn between killing Vincent and going to make sure they were alright.
Vincent turned around and locked eyes with Thomas. "Well, look who's here. The big American hero and his side show freak."
"Names, won't do anybody any good, Vincent. You need to sleep off whatever has gotten into you." Thomas quickly looked at Cassie and she nodded her answer to his unspoken question of whether or not she was okay.
"Get out of my home, McCarthy. She is my wife. This doesn't concern you."
He then reached into the other pocket of his jacket and Erik pounced on him before he could pull anything out. He threw Vincent to the ground and began banging his head onto the floor. He then reached in and pulled out his soaked handkerchief and forced him to inhale it. He then searched his other pocket and saw a knife.
Erik stood up. "You fool, in your condition, a knife? You are just asking to be killed."
Vincent was almost unconscious. The mix of the rubbing alcohol and his own liquor intake made it hard to stand up. Thomas grabbed him by the neck and surprised everyone when he started choking him.
"You bastard. How dare you try and hurt them. You are nothing but scum, filth... The world would be better off if you were just…."
"Thomas, no!"
Hearing Cassie's voice call to him snapped him back into the moment and he let go of Vincent's neck. Vincent fell to the floor. Erik looked at Thomas and then went to feel Vincent's pulse.
"He's still alive."
Cassie ran to Thomas and held him as tightly as she could. "How did you know?"
Thomas could barely find his voice. He looked over at Erik to try and help him explain.
"Reggie came to the house. It was sheer luck that I also happen to be there." He looked at Christine who would not hold back her tears. "Angel!"
She ran to him and the tears didn't stop until he picked her up and carried her out of the room. He didn't know where to go exactly but he saw her bedroom door was opened so he took her inside.
Cassie didn't stop holding onto Thomas. Finally, he whispered in her ear how sorry he was. She shook her head and kissed his face repeatedly.
"It's alright. You did nothing wrong. You stopped yourself."
At that moment, Reggie came running into the room unable to breathe. "Are….Are…. Good God above, are you alright?" He then saw a lifeless Vincent. "Is he….."
"No." Thomas said with regret.
"Reggie, please call a doctor for Monsieur Valerius."
"But Cassie….."
"A doctor, Reggie. He will need care." She then took Thomas' face into her hands. "We should go home."
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Erik sat Christine down on the bed and held her close. "Are you sure, Christine that you are alright? Did that maggot try and …."
"No." She frantically shook her head and then pressed it right back into his chest as she continued to cry.
"Your breathing, my dear. Please, calm down. You and Cassie are safe. I've got you. I've got you and I am not letting go."
"Oh Erik, it was so horrible. I could hear him moving around in the bedroom but it wasn't until Mama screamed that I went in there. He was going to hurt her but then she was able to calm him but he must have been drinking because he wasn't thinking clearly."
"Buffoon."
"Erik, what if he hadn't been drinking and he wouldn't have been so sluggish? I was so scared even though I knew we could possibly tire him out. When he made gestures to….. To….."
"Stop. Speak no more of that maggot. You are no longer residing here, Christine. If Cassie doesn't approve of our living arrangements then you will stay with Thomas. I will never put you in such a risk again."
"Erik, I want to be with you." She held him so tightly that Erik thought he might break and yet, he wouldn't have had it any other way.
"Calm down, my heart. I am not letting go." He kissed her forehead and then lifted her head to kiss each cheek. "Calm yourself, my angel." He then kissed her tenderly on her lips.
The kiss started out sweetly, for neither could think of anything but to provide comfort to the other and yet the contact fused into a chemical, physical connection heighted by the possibility of separation. All too quickly it became passionate but it was not their usual bliss. It was deeper, it was hungrier. Their embrace brought on a fire that was never before felt between them. Christine started to tug at his shirt and when Erik moved their bodies to a different angle on the bed, he moaned in pain.
"Angel, what's wrong?" Christine regretfully moved away to take in his face as he answered her.
"It's nothing." He had almost forgotten about the accident with Caesar.
"Erik…."
"Caesar was startled when riding up to Thomas'. I was thrown but I'm fine."
"Let me see."
He made a face but didn't stop her from unbuttoning his white shirt. She wasn't sure if she should be in awe of his muscular, tight physique or alarmed at the now blue and purple bruise at his side.
"Oh Erik, you rode all the way from Paris like this?"
"I hardly noticed. I was more concern for Caesar. He has yet to be treated properly…. He…." He could no longer speak when he felt the warm, wet, tingling kisses being applied to his bruised side. "Christine…."
She continued to kiss his side and began a trail of kisses that enveloped his exposed stomach and upper chest. Erik could feel his body responding to her actions and he wrestled with fighting them off or letting the flames consume him. When she was licking and sucking his Adam's apple, he moaned and realized if she didn't stop, there would be a rather large accident waiting to happen. He moaned her name and then brought her hot mouth to his lips, kissing her once more before he pulled her off of him and stood up, hoping that his manhood would calm down while his back was to her as he buttoned his shirt.
"Erik that was so wonderful. Why did you pull away?"
"Christine….." He caught his breath and turned to face her. "We can't do this. We need to think with our heads. You were just through a traumatic experience and I …"
She walked up towards him. "I love you, Erik and I am no longer a child. I know what I want."
"But…."
She kissed him. "I want you." She kissed him again and after each kiss she led him closer and closer toward the bed until she stopped right at the edge.
"Christine, we must be sure. We have to…"
She had resumed unbuttoning his shirt during his protest and she slid it off his body. She could not hide her reaction to his well-toned frame and began to stroke his back up and down with her hands. "Yes, Erik?"
Erik was so swept away by the way her velvety fingers felt on his skin that he could no longer remember what he had been saying. "I….."
She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "You?"
"Forgot what I was going to say." He then wrapped her in his arms and kissed her with such intensity that they fell onto of the bed in a wave of passion.
A/N: Yikes….. Raging hormones or what? I mean how many people are right outside that door? Geez, well until next time. ;)
