With Open Arms

January 1894

One late Winter night, Erik received news to come directly to Henri Lenoir's home. For the past two months, Lenoir had barely been able to come to the theatre as often as he used to, when soon his health was taking a turn for the worse. As Erik arrived, the housekeeper led him into a dimly lit sitting room where his employer was laying on a chaise lounge chair in his dressing robe and a blanket. The fireplace and an oil lamp left a dim glow in the room. He held some papers in his hands. "Ah, Erik. Please come in. Do sit down." Erik walked in and sat down in a chair across his employer.

"I came as soon as I received word. Is your health progressing at all?"

"Alas, it is not. Every day, I feel feebler. And I fear I don't have much time left. The doctor says I may not last the next month," said Lenoir, weakly. "Which is why I wanted to see you. You remember when I spoke to you a month ago about my last will and requests. You will learn soon enough from my will that you will become the new manager to the theatre. You will also see to it that my house and estate will pass onto Frans when he comes of age."

"Yes, of course."

"But there is one fear that I have. It seems that when my death comes, Frans will be an orphan and will likely be sent to an orphanage. But I have seen what frightful places some of these orphanages are. Some are no better than poorhouses. And some poor children when they come of age, are simply thrown back out into the world with no refuge or resource. I cannot let this happen to Frans. I only wish that he is well taken care of by someone until he is old enough."

Erik sympathized as he thought about how his own hard childhood, having to survive on his own. "I understand too well how difficult it is to be alone. I have had to learn to live entirely on my own with no family, no real home. When I told you that I was injured in a war and had to hide my face under this mask, that was not true. I was born like this and my mother could not even stand the sight of me. I had to run away and try to live on my own but society shunned me if I dared showed my face. Only my wife, daughter, and a rare few people have been the only ones to truly accept me. I would not wish my childhood on any child."

Lenoir sat in silence as he listened to Erik. "For all the talents you have, it is a great tragedy for your mother to have shunned you. In all my years, I had never seen such musical genius and aptitude that you show. You show such great promise. I know that the theatre will be in good hands. Again, I know I ask much of you in this but will you please see to it that he is taken care of after I am gone?"

Erik thought pensively for a moment, thinking how heartbroken Marigold would be if her dear friend was sent away to an orphanage. Then, he gave a nod of understanding. "I will see to it that Frans will be well taken care of."

Lenoir breathed deeply and closed his eyes in great relief. "You don't know how great is does my heart to know that. I spoke to your wife about his predicament this last Summer. I now understand that she is a prominent member of a ladies aid society in Valence. They do such charitable work for finding homes for orphans. I'm sure she will be able to find Frans a good home"

"Knowing Christine well enough and after I've explained the situation to her, I'm sure she will see to it. She, too, has been an orphan most of her life. She is a kind and loving woman."

"Then I will see to it that the arrangements are made, when it is agreed upon and settled." As Erik rose to take his leave, Lenoir took his hand. "You do me a great honor to take on all this. I could not trust a better man." He laid his head back to rest.

Erik gently shook his hand and quietly left the room. Before he left, he saw Frans sitting on the stair steps. He looked in deep thought until Erik stepped into the hall.

"Are you all right, Frans?"

"What will become of me, Monsieur Erik? What will happen to me when grandfather dies? I don't have any other family to go to or any other home. Will I be sent to an orphanage?"

"No, Frans, you won't. It is my responsibility to see to your well-being. I promise you won't be put in an orphanage. Your grandfather's estate will be yours when you come of age. I will see to it that you have a good home with a loving family."

Frans sat quietly as he tried to take the news all in. Erik put his hand on his shoulder. "I know this all may come as a bit of a shock. I know no one could replace your grandfather or even your parents, but we'll do our best to see that you have a home and a family. It seems the better alternative. At the very least you won't have to go to an orphanage or a work house. I hope you understand that this is in your best interests."

"I do understand, Monsieur Erik. I really do appreciate all that you're doing for me. It's just…very hard," said Frans, glancing sadly at his grandfather.

"I know. But you will be all right, Frans. I promise you that," said Erik. He quietly took his leave and made a quiet journey back to the cottage.

When he arrived home, he found Christine sitting by the fire, working on a needlepoint and Marigold was sleeping peacefully on the chaise lounge. Kit was sleeping comfortably on the rug in front of the fire. Christine looked up as she heard him enter the sitting room.

"Oh, you're home. Is Monsieur Lenoir well?"

"He is comfortable for now. But I fear that he does not have very much time left. He explained to me the terms of his will that I am to carry out. And there is something very important that you and I need to discuss," Erik said, solemnly.

Christine looked puzzled as she set her needlework aside, ready to listen intently. Erik stood by the mantle gazing at the dying fire.

"When Lenoir dies, Frans will be an orphan. While he does stand to inherit the majority of his grandfather's estate, there is no telling how he may fare in an orphanage. I have heard many stories about some of the orphanages here. They are smaller compared to the ones in Paris but just as crowded with children. Some of the orphanages are squalor, not fit for anyone. Some of the children are even sent to workhouses when they get older. They have no refuge and no resources."

"I know it all too well, Erik," said Christine. "Don't forget that I was an orphan once. I was lucky to have an adoptive family briefly. Though when Professor and Mamma Valerius both passed away, I had never felt more alone in the world. I've heard such horrific tales of the facilities from my Ladies' Aid Society. I wish more could be done to help all of the children."

"I hope we can find a good home for Frans."

"Well, Erik, I never told you this but I have been thinking about this for a long time since last Summer. I know Frans is a dear, kind boy and he is Marigold's dearest friend. Since he has nowhere to go and no other family, and since it is our responsibility to see to his well-being, would it be possible that we take him in as our ward?"

"Our ward?"

"Yes. We take on guardianship of him and give him a home here with us. He could go to school with Marigold and be well cared for until he comes of age. When he is of age, he will have his grandfather's home and estate to use as he pleases. We won't be replacing his family, of course, but at the very least, he won't be sent to an orphanage or a poor house. I just can't fathom the notion of having him sent to such a place."

Erik simply looked at her, rather surprised. "Christine, you know that is a very big decision to make. Are you quite certain?"

"Well, I must admit it is a very great decision to make, but we do have the room and means to do it." She sadly looked over at their sleeping daughter. "No child should ever have to endure such hardships. Being alone in the world, with no family, no real home. I couldn't imagine our own daughter having to go through such a thing."

Erik quietly walked over to Marigold as she slept and sat on the edge of the chaise. He gently caressed her hair and cheek, careful not to disturb her slumber. "Nor could I." he whispered, sadly.

They both sat quietly for a moment until Christine spoke again. "Truthfully, I really don't have the heart to object. I would love another child to care for, but I don't think it will happen again for us," she said, looking a little sad.

Erik stood up and walked to Christine's side as she stood up. "What do you mean, Christine?" he asked, touching her face tenderly.

"The doctor told me news that I haven't told you about yet. After the difficult labor with Marigold, he said our chances of having another baby are extremely small. The labor had caused me some…difficulty that would make it almost impossible to try to conceive again. And even if we were successful, my chances of surviving could be infinitesimal," she said with tears in her eyes.

Erik sighed as he embraced Christine as she very silently cried in Erik's chest. "I – I'm so sorry, my darling," he whispered. "You mustn't blame yourself though. However, I wouldn't want you to put yourself through such a risk again. I almost lost you once, my sweetheart. I couldn't bear that again. But remember, we still have a daughter to love, and we have a chance to give another child a home with us. Our family can still grow."

Christine dried her tears and gently smiled up at Erik. "You're right, Erik. Well, you haven't told me how you feel about this. Do you agree to my suggestion? We'll take Frans under our guardianship, then?"

"Yes. As fond as I am of the boy, I couldn't let him be sent to an orphanage either. Nor could I break our daughter's heart to let such a fate befall him," Erik said, softly. She smiled as she leaned to kiss him. He kissed her deeply and rested her head against his chest. They held each other and looked down at Marigold, still fast asleep.

"Do you think Marigold will accept this decision?" asked Christine.

"I'm sure she will. After all, Frans is her closest friend. It will probably be a big change for her but I'm sure after I talk with her, she'll understand."