The worst of the winter storms were over, although spring was still a hope for the future. The breakers of the Atlantic were modest compared to those crashing over the end of the pier with abandon during the harshest part of the season.
Looking back, Erik realizes how foolish it was to argue with Christine that sunlit day when he last ventured to this place, one of the few in his life he felt inextricably bound to – the air cold and brisk, but the sky the clearest of blues, with barely a breath of wind. Whatever powers there might be controlling the universe, Christine Daae had the uncanny ability to bend them to her needs when it suited her. However long it would take, he realized at some point he would stop questioning her judgment and put his own fears behind him.
The little family had walked to the end of the pier, each of them bundled in their warmest clothes – Erik and Gustave both conceding to having the ear flaps down on their woolen hats, Christine tucked into her deep blue cashmere cloak, a matching scarf covering her head.
Erik carried a linen bag, laden with rocks gathered from the beach, prepared to weigh down the small casket holding Belle's remains, now cradled in Christine's arms. Gustave held a small wreath of carnations bound with a pink ribbon.
The ceremony had been simple, they sang a hymn Erik wrote for Christine and Gustave, adding his baritone to their sopranos. The power of their combined voices translated their grief into a prayer even the shore birds attended to – their sharp cries silent, so only the quiet waves accompanied their song.
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
(Dona eis requiem)
Sempiternam
(Dona eis requiem)
Sempiternam
Sempiternam
They each kissed the casket before Christine placed it inside the bag. Erik secured the makeshift shroud with a piece of heavy cording and tossed it into the sea.
Only a month ago.
The meeting today was about a more joyous experience, his wedding to Christine. Both Rudolph and Nadir grumbled at his choice of meeting place when he asked each of them to meet him there, but acquiesced when he said he would explain once there.
"So this is the way you treat your friend – a man who was born and raised in a land of desert and heat," Nadir says, pounding gloved hands on his upper arms and stomping his feet.
"Mazandaran Province is neither desert nor hot – do not exaggerate your discomfort," Erik replies. "This is the place where you re-entered my life and saved my son."
Nadir nods. "One of those mystical moments Allah often blesses us with."
"This is also where we buried the baby."
The Daroga nods. "I wondered. The urgency for me to get credentials to perform your marriage vanished. You hinting at a child…then nothing."
"There were murmurings and rumors, she was having clothing altered…but Christine and I chose to keep our own counsel…we barely knew of her existence and then she was gone. No point in giving rise to casual gossip."
"You still do not give people enough credit – support would have been there for both of you."
"Perhaps – I felt it better to allow her her own time…make her own decisions."
"She is well?"
"She is Christine." He shrugs, a small smile curving his lips.
"So – you chose to bring me out here to discuss the wedding. Why here?"
"It is the holiest place in the world for me."
"I can understand that, but…"
"Turn around."
Approaching them, clutching his heavy wool coat to his slim body, is Maestro Rudolph, who raises his hand in greeting. His deep-set eyes squint at the two men, a small frown accentuating already down-turned lips. "Mr. Y and…I do not believe I know your friend, except by sight."
Erik observes the two men, who could be brothers if one was only observing physical traits. Nadir, although older and somewhat shorter and heavier, bore the same hooked nose and tanned skin. Dark eyes, like molten chocolate, wiry dark hair tinged with streaks of silver identify both men to be of Semitic descent. Only by their hats could one possibly identify one as Jew, the other Muslim, if so inclined. Rudolf with his fedora. Nadir with his astrakhan. Blood from the same ancestral father.
"I met…for lack of a better word…Nadir many years ago in Russia. I was a vagabond musician and he was sheriff of Mazandaran – a province in Persia – in service to the shah. He encouraged me to meet the shah and join his court."
The conductor folds his arms, cocks his head and purses his lips. A quirked eyebrow and a curt nod encourage Erik to continue.
Nadir rests his elbows on the railing of the pier, rolls his eyes and focuses on the ocean.
"My Persian friend is displeased with opening up this old can of worms, but I feel you must know why I brought both of you into this obviously uncomfortable location."
"Erik, must you make everything into such a drama?" Nadir barks, turning to Rudolph. "I brought Erik back to Persia where he, unfortunately, became a prisoner of sorts."
"I assume you were unaware this would be his fate? Having little experience with royalty of any sort myself, I can, however, imagine a noble first finding delight with an artist, then tossing him aside."
"Much like Salieri and Mozart," Erik suggests.
"Yes, I suppose that might be an example of my thinking."
Nadir turns to face the other men, now resting his back against the rails, folding his hands over his stomach. "He designed and built a palace and was treated as a slave. Beloved and hated. The negative passion finally overrode the admiration. The palace was completed and Erik became a threat. I brought him there, then helped him escape." Looking Erik full on, he continues, "There, you see, plain and simple language."
"But not nearly as colorful a telling," Erik smirks.
"It is freezing out here, I suggest once you have satisfied this bit of theater..."
Rudolph's chuckle interrupts Nadir's rant. "That is quite a story – I am certain there is more to it and would certainly be interested in hearing more – however…"
"He also helped my son die a painless death."
Several blinks of the conductor's dark eyes. "I see. This is a far more sensitive relationship and situation than I was imagining. Old friends, yes, a deep bond. I can see that now." Rudolph opens his palms. "Stlll, I am confused. What does this have to do with me, other than to provide an audience?"
"Last year – the end of the season – Nadir reappeared in my life and saved Gustave from drowning."
"Go on."
"I brought you here because this is where that happened. This is also the place where Christine and I buried our expected child who did not survive the pregnancy."
"I am sorry," Rudolph says. "I was not aware of why Madame Daae put off her rehearsals. It was such a pleasure to see her the other afternoon – to hear her glorious voice. I only wish the modern music our dancers enjoy was more worthy of her gifts."
"Thank you," Erik says. "As you know we are planning our wedding and Nadir is to be the officiant. Gustave…all of our family…would very much like for you to participate in the wedding – playing the piano with him on violin in a duet."
"He mentioned that."
"He told his mother and me that you were hesitant for family reasons."
"You assumed it was because of me?" Nadir says. "That is why you arranged this meeting? Merde, Erik, have you learned nothing? I am becoming used to your insults again, but why bring Rudolph into this?"
"I was not concerned about you. I wanted Rudolph to know he did not have to be concerned about you."
"You believed I was hesitant because of Nadir, is it?" Rudolph asks. "Yes, that would make sense based on what I have told you of my life and some of the challenges my family and I have faced both in Europe and here."
"Partly that, my aim, however, was to thank both of you for your contributions to my life and the life of my family. Nadir giving me my son – you, Rudolph teaching that son, but also giving my Christine music again. Something I tried to do this past month – having lessons and reviewing past arias, but it was your working with her – choosing such lovely music for her to perform – that brought her back from her deep sorrow."
"You are saying thank you – acknowledging you are not all powerful?" Nadir says.
"Yes, if you must put it so bluntly."
"I am honored – I had no idea," Nadir bows slightly.
Erik groans. "You are certainly acting the petulant child today. Why the mockery?"
"You have insulted both Rudolph and myself be assuming we would not behave ourselves without your intercession,"Nadir says. "He is simply too polite to say so."
A small smile appears on Rudolph's face. "Your friendship is something quite special. I often wish there was someone in my life I could speak with honestly, without worrying about decorum."
"So you are not insulted?"
"At first I was somewhat miffed – until I realized Mr. Y…"
"Erik."
"Until I realized Erik was actually showing me a sign of respect. In other circumstances – and, assuredly, there have been other similar circumstances – my presence would simply be excused – a family relative would perform, or there would be no music. That, or I would be treated as a servant, entering and leaving by the back door once my services were no longer needed."
"I see," Nadir says. "I suppose there have been times when my presence was not required for one reason or another."
"We have all been excluded for various reasons, I suspect," Erik adds
"What is it you want from me?"
"To play a duet with Gustave and to be a member of the wedding party, such as it will be. Christine is a strong woman, but the loss of our child came on the heels of other events…the near death of Gustave, moving here from her home. There are few here she is close to. One person is you – her new friend. She wants you to be a part of the wedding."
"I thought I might be intruding on your family," Rudolph says. "This is not the norm for me. When Gustave asked me to play with him, I was not certain he had your permission."
"You will find that Erik seldom acts within the norms of society."
"You see, I invited Nadir to validate my character to you."
"So we are of one mind?" Erik asks. "Rudolph will provide us with his music and Nadir will perform the ceremony?"
Both men nod and the three exchange handshakes.
"Good," Erik laughs. "I was concerned I might have to throw one or both of you over the railings into the sea."
Rudolph bursts out in laughter as Nadir shakes his fist at Erik.
"Now, now – no violence," Erik says, waving his fingers in Nadir's face. "I see my two loves approaching. They will both be so happy that this matter has been settled. Christine insisted on coming here – understanding that my temper might get the best of me if I botched up my presentation."
"You are a lucky man once again," Nadir says. "Had they not been walking toward us, you might have found yourself swimming for shore."
"Yes," Erik says. "I considered that might happen." Placing an arm over a shoulder of each man, Erik says. "If you would, please meet us at the restaurant. You both deserve a hot luncheon at the very least. I should like to have a moment here with Christine and Gustave. We shall join you shortly."
Nodding to Rudolph, the daroga says, "And just like that, we are dismissed."
"I do not think…"
"Just another bit of humor, Maestro." Patting the taller man, lightly on his shoulder, he says, "Christine, Gustave, we shall see you at the restaurant. I shall order tea for your return."
Gustave offers a salute to the two men, while Christine, confused, looks askance at Erik. "Of course, some of their Earl Grey would be lovely." As they move from earshot, she asks, "Why are they leaving? Why did you just not arrange the meeting for the restaurant, instead of having us all come out here?"
"I wanted them to know how much you and Gustave mean to me – so I brought them to the place closest to my heart."
"And did they agree, as I felt they would wherever you might have asked them?" Wrapping her arms around him, she presses a kiss to his cheek. .
"Yes, you were correct."
"Papa Y, you say that all the time." Gustave joins in the hug.
"This does feel good and right, I must say. Having Belle involved."
Without a word, in unison, they turn to look past the pier out to the Atlantic. The gray waves restless, but still mild, even as the wind begins to pick up. A few whitecaps appear and the family cuddles closer together – each with their own thoughts.
Erik breaks the silence. "There is so much sorrow attached to this place – I wanted to make it someplace happy. And, surprisingly it was – thanks to Nadir and his memory of the past and his ability to ridicule me. I believe Rudolph actually laughed…if not, he smiled."
"Such a solemn man," Christine agrees.
"So you are not upset?"
"No," Christine says. "There is very little I can stay annoyed with you about – your intentions are always so good. This was good for all of us, I would say."
"Is the Maestro going to play the duet with me?" Gustave asks.
"He is indeed."
"Can we go now? It is cold and I am hungry."
"Yes, go on ahead – your mother and I will be right behind you."
Gustave takes off leaving his parent behind.
"Be careful," Erik calls out. "The boards are damp."
Gustave waves a hand over his head, heels nearing hitting his bottom as he charges back toward the beach.
Christine turns one more time to gaze out at the sea. "Your papa and I are getting married, little girl. We wanted to be certain you knew. I hope you and your grand pappa have met in heaven. He will take perfect care of you."
The couple stand a moment longer before Christine puts her arm through Erik's. "There will never be a day we shall not think of her, but now it is time for us to concentrate on the future."
"The future. I should like to focus on that – you, Gustave…"
"Another baby?"
"If we are so blessed," Erik says, kissing her forehead. "I should not mind trying in any event."
Christine laughs. "Yes, trying has become my favorite pastime – even before singing."
"Come, let us have our tea," Eriks says, leading her back to the boardwalk. "Perhaps Rudolph would like to rehearse with Gustave for a few hours after luncheon."
