Author's note: To all of you who reviewed, thank you so so so much for your words. They were like little rays of sunshine that brightened my days. Some of you made me laugh right out loud and others gave me some good ideas that just may get used in the story, so kudos to you! All in all, my begging worked. I would beg for reviews every time but I don't like to put an author's note at the start of each chapter and I definitely don't like putting them at the end, so I will just have to hope that everyone keeps reviewing!
*nudge nudge*
Now, the reason I put this note here...I will NOT be able to write for the next three weeks. I will be away from my computer on a tropical vacation and unable to post or even prepare my next chapter *HORRORS!* Please keep this in mind as you wait for the next update. I hope to have it up by mid June. Do not abandon me! I will NEVER abandon you so please keep reading and waiting!
Enjoy!
Erik
I allowed Cameron begin the meeting with Carlotta by himself because there was someone waiting in the hall by the office, wanting to speak to the new management.
"Antoinette," I nodded at her, once the office door was closed, and she scowled at me.
"What are you doing, buying the opera house? Why are you even interested? You should take your wife and leave us well enough alone."
"Good day to you as well," I felt exhilerated from my conversation with Reyer. He seemed to sense the musician in me, and had spoken to me with much respect, unlike this woman.
"And what are you doing introducing my daughter to men like that?" she pointed at the door.
"Rich men?" I raised one brow at her and she snorted, sounding very much like Meg. "Or would that be polite, good looking men? I could find a vagrant off the street if you prefer?"
"Meghan needs a man who will reign her in," she glanced at the closed door. "If he can't even walk, what good will he be to her?"
"Oh, I don't know, he could respect her and provide for her and not abuse her and..."
"Since when do you care about my daughter anyway," Antoinette stepped closer. "You told me you would leave her alone."
"That is hard to do when she is constantly at my fiancée's side."
"Don't meddle in her life." My anger finally showed up to the fight and I stepped close to Antoinette to make her uncomfortable.
"Do not harass me or you could find yourself out of a job." I could not help the slight bit of smuggness as I said that. Her face flickered through shock and anger and then a shrill cry came from within the office. "I am needed. Good day, Antoinette." I left her outside the office and quickly entered.
La Carlotta was doing some of her better acting as she fanned her flushed, forelorn expression and quivering lips.
"I will be r-r-ruined," she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and I rolled my eyes.
"With your talent and skill any other opera house would still hire you," Cameron was the voice of reason.
"Not after being cast aside for yourrr precious little ingenue!" she spat the word out.
"Please, let's stay calm." Cameron glanced at me and Carlotta jerked around to glare at me.
"Is this payment for what I have said to your little sparrow? Why else would you fire such talent?" she gestured to herself and I fought down nausea.
"Mlle Daae has talent. You squawk like a parakeet."
Her face flushed darkly, "How dare you!"
"Please, let's stay calm!" Cameron gave me an annoyed look and rolled towards Carlotta. "You are vastly talented Madame, but we hope to take the Opera Garnier in a new direction. As music and people change and evolve, we also must change and evolve, and Mlle Daae will be the soprano that takes us through this transition."
The fanning increased in vigor. "I cannot believe I am hearing this..." she mumbled.
"Did you think a fictional man, such as myself, would allow you to continue in my wife's rightful position?" her eyes flicked up and down me quickly as if assessing me entirely.
"That...girl," she finally decided on, instead of something more colorful, "Never even opens her mouth. Why should I have believed that she'd found herself a husband when she never leaves this building?"
"And yet she did."
"Obviously," Carlotta growled out and turned back to Cameron. "Comte Inninbalm, in my professional opinion, Christine Daae is not ready to be the star. She needs far more practice and training before she will be ready to properly fill the shoes of lead soprano."
I tried not to laugh as Cameron nodded politely. "Thank you for your honest opinion, Madame. We will see she receives the proper training before we open." Cameron easily dismissed her concerns and the fan flapped at her face a few times.
"I could...help," Carlotta almost choked or her own words.
"In what manner?" Cameron was always so polite that he was allowing Carlotta to run with this new tactic.
"I could help train her, I am a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the stage."
Cameron was sitting back and mulling this over and I wanted to step between them and say no, in no uncertain terms. I shook my head minutely while sending a baleful glare at my partner.
"Mlle Daae has a singing instructor and I do not believe he is interested in your approach." The way that Cameron leaned his head towards me made Carlotta sit up straight, as if she could only now feel me behind her.
"I see," she paused and then tried another vein. "But her stage presence, as a woman, needs work. I doubt her singing instructor can help her with that."
"I do not believe we are concerned with Mlle Daae's stage presence. She did remarkably well for the close of Faust and that was without any actually rehearsal time." Cameron was so calm, collected and informed that I wanted to applaud him.
"Then, then," she was running out of arguments. "I would be willing to take the role of understudy," it was as if the words actually hurt her to say them. Her face contorted as if she tasted something foul in her mouth. "Every lead needs as understudy, they cannot perform every night."
Cameron glanced at me and I sneered. "You suddenly agree with the need of an understudy. How refreshing?" I was all sarcasm and she kept her eyes on Cameron.
"It is only sound business to have an understudy." I rolled my eyes at her sudden co-operation but Cameron was taking it to the bank.
"You would be content with not only a pay cut, but a smaller role and fewer rehearsal days?" he spelled it out succinctly.
"Yes," she was choking again.
"I will discuss the possibility with my colleague. I must beg you though, will you still perform for us tonight? There are two songs that need a soprano and I would love for you to grace the stage one last time." Cameron's kindness to her was making me feel nauseous again and I covered my mouth with my hand behind Carlotta's back. "We would both love for you to sing tonight." Cameron beamed at her. "Think of it as your farewell performance."
"Thank you Comte Inninbalm." She bobbed her head, "You are a true gentleman," and stood to fix her gimlet eyes on me. "Thank you Monsieur Karan, for your consideration." I closed the door nicely behind her and then turned to Cameron.
"We would both love you to sing tonight?" I queried.
"Her last hurrah," Cameron laughed and my lip curled.
"If I never hear her sing again it still won't be enough. The memory of the abomination echoes in my skull and makes me ill even now."
"You are too dramatic, Erik," he laughed harder.
"No, what was dramatic is her about face to being an understudy. She's up to something..."
Cameron waved his hand as he began looking through the desk. "Not everyone is up to something. She's just worried about her job, her fans, her lifestyle. How would you feel about changing your profession against your will?"
"If she were better at her chosen profession, she would not have to worry," I mumbled as I started snooping through the filing cabinets.
Cameron began pilfering through the desk drawers. "What did Mme Giry need?" he asked as if not interested.
"Reassurance that I was not planning to drag her daughter down to hell and the whole opera house with her..." I found some interesting papers and began reading them.
"Erik, you make her sound like a religious zealot," Cameron was laughing and I glanced at him with an unamused expression. "She can't be," his brow furrowed. "Where did her spirited daughter come from then?"
"Must have been her father's doing..." the interesting papers lured my attention back. They spoke of extra money exchanging hands during the last sale of the Garnier. The managers were given a large portion of money to make the purchase and most of the contribution was donated by a collection of Paris' elite businessmen, to be payed back in quarterly sums. "Cameron, we may have a small problem..."
Christine
I was sitting on Meg's bed with a few other dancers and excited chatter filled the small room. Everyone was talking about Inninbalm and Karan and Meg and I were people of interest because of our acquaintance.
"How did you meet him, Christine?" one girl asked and the rest all hushed to listen intently.
"We met at the masquerade and I began taking singing lessons from him. We tried to keep things professional, but I couldn't help myself," I allowed myself to smile like a silly, love sick girl and look down at my ring.
"And the Comte, Meg, how does he know you?"
"I'm friends with his grandmother," she answered easily and I gave her a raised brow. "She adores me as if I'm one of her own grandchildren," Meg grinned for everyone and I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. "You had better all be ready for tonight. Inninbalm and Karan mean business. They are both musicians and intend to work us to the bone. No more half hearted performances. They will whip this deflated cast into shape." Meg gave a critical eye to those gathered and I nodded my agreement.
"I can't say what Count Inninbalm is like, but Erik is very particular in his instructions and his lessons were not easy to begin with." It felt strange to be speaking about Erik to all these girls, but I would have to get used to the feeling. Erik was no longer my secret affair to hide away from everyone's eyes. Our union was announced and now everyone here knew he was a real man and I was his.
"He does look very exacting," a few girls tittered amongst themselves about Erik's glare and Cameron's friendly charm and how two such different men could be associates. I rolled my eyes to Meg and her mouth quirked.
"Enough gossiping," Meg took charge. "We should be getting ready for tonight, everyone pair off. We need to all have our hair braided on top of our heads for the show."
Everyone followed Meg's orders and I was braiding her hair when there was a knock on her door. It sounded an awful lot like Erik's knock and I hurried Meg to answer.
"Can I help you?" she grinned at whoever was there, only opening the door a tiny amount.
"Bonjour Meghan, may I speak to Christine please?" my fiance asked quietly and Meg opened the door all the way revealing Erik's tall, well dressed frame to the room.
"Be my guest," she turned back to the now gaping crowd of girls who were all ogling their new boss, my man, and I came forward quickly.
"May I speak to you out in the hall?" Erik asked politely as he took my hands and glanced at the gathered audience.
"Of course," I turned to close the door behind us and Meg made a face.
"Oooo, how romantic," she laughed as everyone else made cooing noises and exclaimed how handsome and elegant the new manager was and how lovely his voice was. Meg turned at that line of talk and the door closed as she told them to get back to braiding.
Erik caressed my cheek with his gloved fingers, "Hello ma chardonerrette." We kissed softly and gently, and quickly. We did not want to be discovered canoodling in the hallway. His lips lingered on my temple and I held him close for a brief minute and then we parted to a proper distance. "I wanted to let you know how the meeting with La Vache went." He looked amused and I smiled.
"Am I the lead now?" I couldn't help the buoy of happiness.
"And she is your understudy."
My mouth dropped open, "She agreed to that? How did you manage that? I thought she would storm out..."
"Cameron has a way with words," Erik glanced over my shoulder, thinking of something serious. I touched his cheek lightly, bringing his attention back to me and he shook himself slightly. "There are still some things to settle, but she offered to help train you."
"And you accepted?" I couldn't help the incredulity in my voice.
"Of course not," he scoffed, "But my partner still allowed her to stay. I would have loved to boot her generous derrière into the street." I muffled a giggle in my hand and Erik took my hand from my mouth. "Do not hide your smiles from me." He said softly, tracing the edge of my face.
"Even my inappropriate ones?" I whispered as I slid my arms around his waist.
"Especially those," his focus was beginning to lean towards naughty behavior and I tried to keep us from getting carried away in a public place.
"Can Meghan join us at Nadir's tomorrow?" my mouth was doing a good job of keeping things professional, but my hands were still resting around him, close to his tight backside, wanting to slide down over it and pull him closer...
"I believe she has another dinner invitation that would overshadow ours completely."
"Oh," I pulled back slightly to look up, "She can't go. Her mother won't let her."
"What?" Erik looked angry and pulled away to pace back and forth across the hall grumbling to himself. "That woman...meddling...crazy...prejudice..." He abruptly stopped and came back to me with a small smile. "Wonderful idea, my heart. Invite her to come meet Nadir. We will be leaving early. I have alot of work to get done on...on nothing that you need to hear about." He touched my nose gently.
"On our house?" I asked, biting my lip in excitement.
"Perhaps..." Erik smiled with me and I threw my arms around his neck.
"Please, can I please, come to see the site. Please, Erik, I'm dying of curiosity."
"Well, if you're dying..." he laughed and nuzzled his face into my neck as I squealed in delight and heard the sound of a cane thumping the floor hard.
We jumped apart but Erik held onto me so he could push me behind him, effectively shielding me from Mme Giry.
"Sneaking about, Antoinette?" Erik tried to gain the upper hand.
"I do not sneak." She replied with her chin in the air. "You are just too caught up in each other to notice people inches away. I could have whacked you over the head with my cane. Why are you congregated at Meghan's door?"
"I came to speak privately to my fiancee," Erik explained politely.
She looked us over seriously, "I can see a lot of speaking is happening."
"And are you here to verbally abuse your daughter?" he threw back at her.
"Don't criticize me," she stepped closer, her face pressing into angry lines as her finger pointed at Erik's face. "You have no right."
"Or did you just want to ruin the rest of her evening by reminding her that she cannot be pursued by rich, polite men, in wheelchairs. Only drunken whelps are apparently good for her, as long as they can stand, hmm?" Mme pulled herself together and looked away.
"Perhaps I was hasty in my decision earlier, but there is no reason for her to go to his home alone. They do not even know each other." I wanted to offer to go with her as chaperon, just so Meg could figure out how Cameron feels for her, but Erik's hand tightened over mine as if to stop me.
"Can she come to meet my father, instead? I've been putting it off," Mme Giry snorted and if it was not such a tense moment, I would have laughed at how alike her and Meg were.
"Your father? How is it a French boy from a gypsy camp has a Persian father?" Mme Giry knew far more about Erik than was safe.
"Not that I think you deserve to know anything about me, but he saved me from that hell and raised me as his own. He was more a father to me than you a mother to your own..."
"Enough! How dare you!" Mme was insensed. "Meghan is mine to care for and however I choose to, is no concern of yours!"
The door opened behind us and Meg came out, shutting it deliberately behind her.
"Maman," she hissed. "We can hear you inside."
"Ma petite chou," she reached out for Meg. "Your safety always gets me wound up tighter than a top knot." Meg hugged her mother briefly and then stepped back to cast her eyes on all three of us.
"I'm perfectly safe, Maman. Even more so when Erik is around."
Mme Giry made a face and Meg stepped closer to her. "No. Don't dismiss him anymore," she whispered viciously. "He's the one who pulled Albert off me and I bet you never even thanked him for that." Now Mme looked chagrined. "And it was his money that saved me when I was ill, Maman. How can you hate him at all? Or do you hate him because he saved me?" Meg was fixing her mother with the most pathetic expression and we watched Mme Giry for her reaction. Her face trembled and she grabbed Meg to clutch her to her chest.
"Ma fille, I do not hate him." She looked at us over her daughter's shoulder. "How could I hate the man who helped save my little flower? I am eternally grateful to him for his generousity, but that does not mean I have to like him."
Meg sighed and released her mother. "I suppose that's as good as it's going to get, huh?"
Mme Giry opened her mouth but Meg held up her hand. "Never mind, you don't have to like him, but I do, so you will have to deal with that. I would like to go meet Erik's father and spend the day with Christine if that is alright with you?"
"What ever you like, ma fille," Mme was subdued now and I stepped forward, around Erik to take Meg's hand.
"Hopefully it's a nice day and I can show you the gardens." I smiled at both mother and daughter, wondering if my mother would have been like this and wishing I'd had a chance to know. "Maybe you could come too, Mme?" I glanced at Erik to see if it would bother him, but he looked non-plussed. "You do know Nadir Karan?"
"Of course I do," her eyes narrowed at Erik. "Funny how he never mentioned his son to me?"
Erik fixed Mme Giry with his un-amused raised eyebrow. "I must be his evil little secret."
Mme Giry grimaced and opened her mouth and Meg stepped between the two of them holding up her hands. "Stop it, both of you! Why can't you get along? Maman, from now on I want you to be nice to Erik. And Erik, no more poking at my mother." Meg crossed her arms and looked between the two of them. "I love you both and I hate that you can't say one civil word to each other."
Mme Giry looked like she might be having an apoplexy. "You love him?" her voice squeaked out and Meg groaned loudly.
"As a friend!" she threw her arms down and then grabbed her mother by the shoulders. "How many times does he have to save me before you will give him a chance too?"
We were all frozen in place waiting for Mme Giry to say something. "But he...I...he..." she swallowed hard and closed her eyes. "Whatever you want, ma fille. I only want you to be happy."
"Merci, Maman," Meg whispered gently before kissing her mother's cheek. "Will you please come with us tomorrow?"
"Non, you go and visit with Monsieur Karan. You will recognize him from box 5. Say hello to him for me."
"I will." Mme Giry raised one finger and pointed it right at me.
"I expect you to keep my daughter safe."
"Of course," I answered immediately so there would be no doubt that I accepted the responsibility.
"Are the girls braiding their hair?" she asked sharply, her back straightening into the fierce ballet mistress that she was.
"Oui, Maman." Meg nodded.
"Good girl. I hear you are dancing without boundaries tonight? You will be lovely." And she walked away.
Meg turned to look at us both with a slightly embarrassed face. "Sorry about my matriarch." She smiled and squeezed my hand, "Looks like we'll be having fun all day tomorrow and maybe sneak off to see Clotilda and Cameron at some point?" her grin was entirely mischievous and Erik laughed softly behind me drawing both our eyes to his powerful presence.
"I suspected that would be your wish." His smooth words pulled wide smiles over both of our mouths.
Erik
The performance was a success. Carlotta sang a few of her old parts, causing my eye to twitch uncontrollably and after a full ballet performance Meghan took the stage alone in a black dress. Her face expressed such deep, sorrowful emotion as she floated with the music that I knew every man in the house was wondering if he could make her smile. I covertly watched Cameron through part of her solo, curious to see affection for her so plainly on his face. Fawn eyes, Meg called the look and it was quite accurate. I turned my attention back to Meg knowing I probably did look the same way when Christine was in my sights.
Christine...The grand finale tonight was my bride. Her golden and ruby colored dress made her glow without the help of the lights. Her golden curls were silky long tendrils down her back and she radiated goodness and light upon the audience as she was announced as the new Diva of the Opera Garnier. She sang the aria from Hannibal as a sneak peak of the next opera, which would be opening after Christmas.
The audience exploded with approval and I felt a new deep emotion fill me. Pride and confidence filled me to the brim. She was mine. That angel on the stage was mine. And it was time to go stand at her side.
I left Cameron and quickly made my way to the stage so I could escort Christine the second she stepped out of the stage lights. Her large eyes met mine as soon as she turned from the curtains and her smile was even brighter than a moment before. I turned as she approached so my body would positionally match hers and she immediately took my arm. The din around us seemed to fade away as I looked down into her radiantly joyful face. I gently lifted her other hand and pressed my lips to her knuckles.
"Brava," I whispered against her skin, marveling at the soft feminine scent for the hundredth time. "You are a star."
Before she could respond, half a dozen people reached for her and our quiet moment was broken. Her hand clutched at my arm even as she accepted the praise and smiled at the surrounding throng. Not once did her grip on my arm loosen and as dozens of men kissed her fingers I had to keep telling myself that my lips had been the first and would be the last tonight to grace her fingertips.
Cameron found us surrounded by excited people and waved to some men standing off to the side. They brought forth a bottle of champagne and we all toasted our success.
"To the brilliant Diva Daae." Cameron lifted his glass.
"To the new management," Christine countered.
"To success." I added and we all drank from our glasses. Meghan attacked Christine for her glass and tasted some of the champagne before Cameron interrupted.
"You can have your own glass, Meghan." His smile was easy and I felt the same ease in me, which was odd since I was surrounded by people and noise.
"I shouldn't drink," she grinned at Cameron. "It makes me even sillier than usual, but thank you for offering." Cameron leaned towards her and began saying something but my attention was pulled away to Christine. She was holding up her glass in front of my face, a tiny smile curling her lips.
"To you, Maestro," she toasted me and I chimed my glass against hers.
"To you, my love." Her cheeks were flushed and her lashes fluttered for me and I had to remind myself that people were all around us. My body, though, had other ideas. I felt the need to mark my territory. My arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close so our noses brushed innocently. Her breath caught and my eyes closed. "My bride..."
That was the extent of my self control. I pressed my lips over hers and felt her moan softly as her free hand clutched my lapel. Her lips tasted of champagne and I thought about cleaning every trace of it from her tongue, but someone tugged on my sleeve. I broke the kiss to glare at the interrupter and Meghan crossed her arms.
"Is that really necessary? You're going to make everyone vomit." She started laughing and Christine began apologizing, but I stopped her.
"We are not currently in your room and yes, it was necessary." I pulled Christine close to my side in a very possessive manner. "Now no one will question our relationship."
"Were people questioning?" Cameron easily joined the conversation with a smirk that matched Meghan's.
"Stopped any questioning before it even started." I could feel a smile pulling on my lips and I let it happen. The rubber pulled on my skin but stayed in place as I smiled at my friends. I held up my glass towards Meghan and Cameron. "To friendship."
Christine
Erik stayed at my side throughout the evening. He might have glared at a few men, but otherwise he was my constant guard and I was able to relax and enjoy my infamy. I was at ease even when Joseph Buquet kissed my hand and complimented my performance, but he was not at ease when he looked at Erik, so to my delight, our conversation was very short. Smiling faces greeted my presence and so many people touched me and kissed me that I had the urge to bathe as soon as I was free. By the time Erik brought me to my room, I was exhausted from constantly smiling. He hesitated at the door and would not come in.
"I will come for you later," he whispered into my hair as we embraced.
"How much later? I may fall asleep." He laughed gently.
"I will not be too long. Wait up for me." He ordered softly and then strode down the hall. A few of the dancers heading to their rooms hailed him, but he barely looked in their direction and mumbled a reply and kept going. I smiled as I closed the door. Erik's attention was a hard thing to gain and when he was not concentrating on me, he was often lost in his mind.
I changed from my dress and prepared for bed and was ready to go down below when Erik arrived less than an hour later.
"What were you doing?" I asked curiously as we entered the lower tunnels.
"Hmm? Oh, you will see..." he answered vaguely. I was now insanely curious, but knew my man well. He would not tell me anything until it was time to tell.
We entered his home and he told me to get ready for bed with a gentle push towards my door. I gave him a puzzled look but went to remove my simple dress and take off my shoes in my bedroom instead of his. I had already washed my face and braided my hair so I was back out in less than three minutes and the outer living area was still all dark. The only light came from Erik's room and I quickly scampered to his door. I stepped in and saw fabric drapped all around the bed hanging from the ceiling and the light I had spied was coming only from the fire. I glanced at the entrance to his washroom, wondering if he was within.
"Erik?" I called out and he answered from behind me.
"Yes?" I jumped and spun around with a laugh.
"You startled me. Were you hiding?" He was naked from the waist up and reached for me with a relaxed smile.
"Yes." He settled his arms around me and I stretched up to kiss him.
"Why were you hiding?"
"So I could startle you," he was laughing silently and I pinched him before fixing him with a look.
"Don't forget, I know where you are ticklish."
"You wouldn't," he gave me a stern look and started backing towards the bed. I followed him, wiggling my fingers at him.
"I would and if you are not careful, I will!" Erik narrowed his eyes at me and then smiled widely and I noticed he'd taken off the rubber mask. The damaged skin folded strangely as he smiled, making his smile seem less wide and lopsided, and then it began to fade. "What's wrong?" he asked seriously.
I shook myself mentally and wrapped my arms around him. "Not a single thing." I pressed my body to his and he searched my face.
"Do you have any questions on your mind?" he prompted.
"I was wondering why the bed is drapped in fabric," I glanced at the thick drapery and he chuckled.
"Good," he pulled away some fabric and guided me into the shadowy recesses. As I entered though, I saw hundreds of tiny rainbows glittering, twirling and dancing across the dark fabric.
"Oh," I gazed up at the rainbow lantern spinning serenely above the center of the bed. "How magical..." I looked over at Erik as he followed me in and closed the slit in the curtain before stretching out upon the bed.
"Do you like it?" he asked softly, his eyes reflecting rainbows of light as he lovingly gazed at me.
"I love it," I crawled towards him and we snuggled into the pillows so we could take in the magical sight together.
"How does it turn?" I asked with wonder hard to conceal.
"It is a simple mechanism," his hand was playing with my braid and I felt the curls unraveling.
I almost chastized him for undoing my hair but he leaned to me and kissed the top of my head. "I love you." His voice caressed me and I sighed in contentment.
"Erik, you are amazing." I followed one bright little rainbow until it travelled out of my sight.
"Not me," he said softly and I pushed myself up to argue, but he laid a finger over my lips. "I am many things, but amazing is not one of them. You are the amazing one." His eyes seared me with their heat and I nodded, for whatever reason, as I leaned into him to offer my lips. Our kiss went from soft and gentle to exploratory and when Erik rolled me to my back and stared down at me, panting lightly, I let my hands roam down his hard chest. I could feel his old scars and the long new one and a strong possessiveness filled me.
I pulled him down onto me to let him taste how I felt. I needed to show him just how much I adored him. When he only existed for me it was easy to overlook the need to tell and show him my love everyday. Now that all of Paris would be seeking his genius I wanted to solidify our special connection.
Our love smoldered easily and he followed where I led. When I no longer knew how to proceed, he took over. His pale scarred skin glimmered with rainbows as we made love and I held him tightly, breathing his name as he pushed me towards ecstasy. He said he was not amazing and though I'd wanted to argue, I realized that he was right. He was extraordinary.
He was also mine and when he nuzzled his bare face to my naked chest with a whispered good night, I was the happiest girl alive.
Erik
I felt good when I woke Sunday morning. So good that if Christine had asked to go to church, I probably would have taken her myself. But she knew we were headed to Nadir's and she also knew why.
"Take me to the site right away, then Meg and I can go back to the house and you can start working." Christine was fixing her hair as I leaned against the wall close by.
"Cameron and Clotilda are expecting you after lunch." She nodded but then frowned at her reflection.
"I feel awful that we are sneaking behind her mother's back."
"Don't. Once Antoinette gets over Cameron's ailment, she will see that he has every ability to control her daughter."
"Is that what she's worried about? That he can't physically control her?"
"He can though, because Meghan wants him to."
Christine's head turned from the mirror to look at me. "It is obvious, isn't it?" I nodded.
"They are attracted to each other, but they both are holding back."
"I guess we held back for awhile too," her eyes were softening and darkening at the same time and I smiled at my lover.
"We do not have time, my heart." Christine giggled lightly and resumed pinning up her hair.
We tried to make sure we were waiting in her dormitory room before Meghan came, but as we neared the mirror I could hear the knocking.
"Christine! You are the heaviest sleeper ever! Wake up! Geez..." the talking became muffled, but continued with spirit.
Christine turned to me with panic in her eyes. "What do I say?" I frowned at the mirror and concluded that we did not know how long Meghan had been knocking.
"Come with me," I pulled Christine behind me to one of the entrances into the hall. I crossed my fingers that no one else was up and about and then worked the mechanism and shoved Christine through, following close behind.
We were lucky that no one was in the hall, but I could hear two girls chatting amicably and making their way towards us. I pulled Christine down the hall towards her room. Meghan was still knocking on the door muttering when we came up behind her.
"Good morning Meghan." She jumped at the sound of my voice. "We went to pick you up from your room, but here you are, waiting for us."
"Morning," she smiled hugely and gave Christine a small hug. "I thought you were passed out in there from too much champagne." The girls tittered about last night as we headed to the carriage and I let Meghan know that Cameron and I had made plans for them to visit this afternoon. "Thank you, Erik. Sorry again about my mother. She is very...obstinate."
I refrained from commenting one way or another and we traveled companionably to Nadir's. He was waiting for us in the front room and after greeting us I let him know that us three would be going for a short walk before the girls returned alone.
"More digging for you today?" he asked easily and I nodded. I hoped that Bernard sent me some help as I'd asked him to, otherwise I would get behind schedule on only my second day.
The girls held hands as I led them away from Nadir's house. I told them to pay attention though so they could find their way back by themselves. Within twenty minutes of steady walking we reached what would eventually hold our house. Christine teared up when she saw the stream and pool of water and threw her arms around my neck, babbling about how perfect it was and how she could hardly wait to see what I would build. I held her tight and smiled at Meg who winked at me and turned her back to go look at what I'd dug already.
"I'm glad you approve, but you will have to wait for some time before the house will be finished." I spoke quietly into her ear and she pulled back excitedly.
"It will be beautiful and perfect and oh! Make sure there are enough rooms for our children."
"I will," I replied as Meg's back shook with silent laughter. I thought I should ask, "How many children should I plan for?"
"I don't know," she looked up at me, searching my face. "How many do you want?"
"I have never really thought about it," I cleared a curl from her forehead and Meg approached us.
"I would make three extra rooms and if you have more children than that, they can share until their father builds an extension onto the house." Meg's idea was solid and Christine smiled at her friend.
"Excellent plan, do you agree?" she beamed at me and I grinned as best I could with the white mask in the way.
"Excellent plan, Meghan."
"Thank you," she tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Are we done here, it's just a big hole in the ground?"
"We can go back," Christine released me but her eyes held on. "When will you return?"
"For dinner."
"What about lunch? Won't you be hungry?"
"No, say hello to Cameron and Clotilda for me." Christine hesitated to leave and I shooed the girls away so I could get started.
I was digging for less than an hour when I could feel someone approaching. Unless it was Berou, it had to be my help so I took a short rest to greet my worker. It was Bernard himself, carrying his tools and a lunch basket. I tried to hide my shock but really I should not have been shocked. He was the best out of all the men. I was pleased that he came to help, pleased that I wouldn't have to watch over the person helping me. He probably loved that I could no longer hide my life from him.
"Good morning Erik," he called out as he neared the site.
"Morning," I repeated loudly enough for him to hear.
"What a location! Just lovely, your wife will adore it." The mention of Christine brought a smile to my face.
"She already does," I mussed, daydreaming until he stopped in front of me.
"One worker reporting for duty," Bernard tried not to look too excited but he really was. I eyed him up.
"Shouldn't you be with your family on the sabbath day?" I knew his wife was very religious and their Sunday's were usually spoken for.
"Emily agreed that I was the best man for this job."
"Do you discuss all work matters with your wife?" I was happy it was Bernard here to help and yet I was still annoyed. I could only imagine how annoyed a stranger would have made me.
"Only the ones that affect her and the children," he glanced at the ground behind me and dropped his baggage. "You've got a good start. We should be able to lay stone after lunch." He stepped right into the hole with his shovel in hand. "Just follow those marks?" he pointed to the lines I'd marked off the other day.
"Yes, follow the lines. Did you procure the stone already?" I jumped back into the hole.
"You said prompt," he made his first mark in the soil with the shovel and I stared at it. Even if that's all he did, it was now official that I did not make the house entirely on my own. I shrugged off the disappointment and began shoveling. Help would make it go faster, which would please not only Christine, but myself. "I brought a wagon full. It's sitting out front of your father's front door. I wasn't sure of the road out here. Are you going to build a road? I suppose you will have to, how else will people come to your house?"
He continued on, making one-sided conversation as we both dug. He eventually ran out of words and breath and the only noise was our shovels. Time ticked by and as the sun rose to it's precipice I heard skirts swishing. I looked up and found Christine walking towards us. She had a blanket over one arm and was holding something else which I deduced was lunch for me. I swung myself out of the hole and quickly washed my hands in the stream before I greeted her.
"Are you hungry?" she asked with a smile and my lips quirked.
"No pet, but thank you for the food." I took the armload from her. "Today I will let this go, but from this day on you are not allowed to visit the site until I bring you myself." I held up my finger to stop her argument. "This house is to be your wedding gift from me, I want something of it to be a surprise."
She crossed her arms and pouted and I could feel Bernard watching us. "You make me crazy with your secrecy."
"You make me crazy with your pouting lips," I growled at her playfully and her cheeks flushed.
"Are you going to introduce me, Erik?" she asked quietly, changing the subject, and I turned to show off my future wife.
Bernard was polite and courteous and Christine suggested we sit down and have lunch while she visited. "I'll only be here a few minutes," she patted my cheek and then plopped to the ground on the spread out blanket followed by us two men. She asked Bernard about his children and his wife and if he liked working for me as we ate the sandwiches she'd brought and I fought the urge to check the time.
"What is Meghan doing?" I interrupted after Bernard finished eating and they'd spoken enough.
"Nadir is showing her how to win a game of chess in ten moves."
"It must be almost time for you to go to the Inninbalm's." Christine gave me a look and then rolled her eyes.
"I know when I'm not wanted," she made a light joke but I did not find it funny.
"Your company is always wanted," my brow furrowed at her and Bernard thanked Christine for the lunch and excused himself to get to work.
"It was a pleasure to meet you," Christine beamed at him, ignoring me completely. "Perhaps we could come visit your family and I could meet your children sometime."
"That would be lovely, Mlle Daae." Bernard bowed as Christine laughed easily.
"Call me Christine." He got back to work and I turned to my bride, somewhat miffed.
"Your company is always wanted," I repeated and she smiled as she stroked my cheek and played her fingers through my hair.
"Not when you have work to get done." I wanted to assert that I always wanted her around, but she was frustratingly logical.
"Your company is still desired even though I don't have time to enjoy it." I grumbled and she laughed and hugged me tightly.
"I love you, Erik." My frown turned itself around and I hugged her back.
"I love you too. I will see you at dinner."
"It will seem a lifetime away," she left me with a gentle touch and a suggestive smile and I watched her walk until she was out of sight.
When I turned back to work, Bernard was shoveling with a smile on his face. I ignored his mirth and got back to work.
The days began to pass faster than I ever remember time moving. There was so much to do and so much to take care of and so much I wanted to be doing that the days leading up to Christmas were just a blur of work and sex. Fortunately Cameron took charge of all the opera issues, but I still had meetings with him every evening about the days rehearsal and progress. Christine began to blossom even more with all the individual rehearsal time and so far we did not get a visit from anyone demanding their cut of the profits.
Work on the house, was going smoothly. The weather was cold and crisp but I was lucky there was no precipitation yet. Bernard helped me when he could and by the end of the first week the foundation was laid and the walls were climbing. He had plenty of work to see to at our other build and that foundation was having issues with proper leveling. I could have lent a hand there, but I selfishly needed my days to take care of Christine's house and my new opera house and there was no way I was giving up my nights in Christine's arms.
One night's ecstasy melded into another until I wasn't sure which night we'd made love by the piano, on the couch, or on my bedroom floor unable to wait until we got to the bed. We were both insatiable. It was not just me that never got my fill of her for she often pulled me to her body for the second round.
For all her innocence, she was learning to be quite the vixen, batting her lashes at me and twirling her hair coquettishly. Even when she did these things purely out of innocence, they were wholly erotic. There was the one night she dropped her comb and leaned over to pick it up. Before straightening all she did was glance at me and I was up like a shot, eager to capitalize on the look in her eye.
Everything was progressing perfectly smoothly. Plans for our wedding were being finalized and the work on both houses was moving along. Christine was the perfect diva, kind to everyone, gracious and polite, always ready to try a scene again, never throwing tantrums or storming off the stage. During the one rainy day where I stayed to watch rehearsal with Cameron, she radiated her golden glow onto everyone present. When she descended from the stage to join me at my seat I couldn't resist rushing to her side to embrace her and tell her how I love her.
Everyone loved her. Carlotta could still be caught glaring at my angel, but even she offered some help when Christine was having trouble moving in the massive skirts required for Hannibal. My life was suddenly full to the brim, I was never lonely and never really thought of the hundreds of days that I'd lived through with darkness in my heart. I was a different man, confident, bold even when it came to Christine. If people noticed the rubber on my face they never mentioned it and none of the people I spoke to cowered in fear when I opened my mouth. Life was good and soon Christine would be mine forever, in the eyes of the church and in front of all of Paris. For the first time in my life, I was happy. I was content. I was a man and no longer a ghost of one.
