Winter Night's Tale

The following evening, Erik came home from work on a cold, sleepy Winter night. He had just returned from seeing Lenoir and his solicitor as they made the arrangements for Frans to come under their guardianship. The cottage was very warm and aglow with a warm fire in the sitting room and the Winter wind softly howling outside. The cuckoo clock struck a quarter to seven as Erik went to greet Christine, who was busy preparing dinner. He then thought about what he would say to Marigold about their decision to give Frans a home with them.

"Why don't you take this time to talk with her about it?" suggested Christine. "When I looked in on her, she was reading her book in her window seat. I'll call for you both when dinner is ready. "

Erik slowly walked up the stair and toward her room. Giving a small knock, he quietly opened the door. "Marigold? May I come in?" he asked softly. But he heard no answer, for when he walked inside her room, she had fallen asleep on the window seat with a book in her lap. Outside he could see the gentle fall of snowflakes which could lull even the most anxious person to a gentle sleep. Smiling, he sat down next to her and called to her softly.

"Darling Mari…my lovely fairy.

Won't you wake up for me?

Let me see your golden eyes.

Shining like stars and bright as can be.

Sweet fairy…my beautiful Mari," he sweetly cooed a little rhyme.

She slowly began to wake up and open her eyes. Erik gave a little chuckle and brushed a stray curl from her cheek. "I'm sorry to have to wake you, though it will be time for dinner very shorty. But, I am actually glad you're awake. I want to talk to you about something," he said.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just that there's something very important that we need to talk about. But before we do, I think it's time I told you about what my life was like when I was a child. I didn't really want to tell you all of this now, since I still think you're still so very young, but I think if I did, you may understand."

"Understand what, Papa?"

"I'll tell you everything in just a moment. First, I need to tell about my life when I was a child. Well, when my mother was pregnant with me, my father left her. He never even saw me. It broke my mother's heart and she tried to take a poison that would have killed me but instead, it caused my face to look like this. Then when I was born, she was so terrified of me that she couldn't even stand to look at me. She was the one who made me wear a mask. When I was younger than you are now, she sold me to a band of gypsies and they treated me badly and forced me to be in their sideshows. Soon as I was old enough, I ran away again. Eventually, my travels brought me to Persia, where I made wondrous inventions for the Shah of Persia. However, the Shah became afraid that I knew too much and would build grander palaces for others which led him to order my death. But I was able to get safely out of Persia, with the help of Uncle Rahim."

"So, how did you meet Mother?" asked Marigold.

"When I got to Paris, I had a hand in helping with the construction of the opera house, Palais Garnier, where Charles Garnier allowed to make my home in the underground cellars. I lived there for many years. That's where I met your mother. She also came to the opera house after her father, your grandfather, died. Luckily, she was taken in by adoptive parents, Professor and Madame Valerius. But they were much older and eventually, they also died. Then, she was also alone in the world. When I met her, I taught her to sing and she became one of the greatest singers in Paris. I fell deeply in love with her and eventually, she learned to love me too. After that, all I wanted was to live in a home and have a family. To have a chance to live a happy life since my life wasn't happy to begin with. And having a home, being married to your mother and having you for a daughter are the best things that have ever happened to me."

Marigold was lying still in silence and in great thought as she took in her father's words. "Papa…I…I had no idea that…your life was so hard…so sad…how could you own mother not love you?" She sat up and embraced Erik. "I'm so sorry, Papa," she whimpered softly into his chest. He just held her close and kissed her head.

"Shh, it's all right now, my sweetling. I am by far much happier now than I've ever been in my life now that I have your mother and you. When I had to live alone in the dark cellars, I never thought anyone could ever love me. Being alone and unloved is no way to live."

Marigold looked up at him. "I do love you, Papa. I've always loved you. Even when I was scared when I saw your face. I still feel ashamed for that. But I'm not scared of you now and I never will be again. You'll always have a special place in my heart," she said earnestly.

Erik chuckled and embraced her. "Oh, and you in mine." He kissed her forehead and laid her back down on the cushioned window seat. "Now you understand why having a home and a family can impact a person's life?" he asked. Marigold nodded.

"Well, that brings me to the next thing I want to talk to you about. You know that Papa's employer, Monsieur Lenoir is very ill. In fact, I'm afraid he doesn't have much longer to live. After he passes away, Frans will be an orphan and he might end up in an orphanage or a poor house. He doesn't have any other family. You know, mother has always said that we must help those in need. Well, we discussed the situation and I want to ask you how you felt if we took Frans in our home as a ward?"

"What is a…wart?"

Erik laughed heartily. "No, no, my sweetling. Not wart. Ward. A ward is usually an orphaned child who is placed under the protection and guardianship of someone who normally isn't related to them. What that means is Frans would come here to live with us."

"You mean…he would be my brother?"

"No, not exactly. We don't intend to replace his parents or grandparents. No one could ever replace them. Since he is much older than most of the orphans in an orphanage, he will at least have a home with us until he comes of age. When he turns eighteen, he will inherit his grandfather's estate, then he will be old enough to be on his own. What we are doing is giving a home to live. Mama and I will be his guardians. He could still be your friend too and he could go to school with you. All we're doing is giving a good home with us."

Marigold listened intently though still puzzled but the news. Erik tried to think of a way to help her understand. "Think of it like this. If you didn't have Mama and I, and no other family, how would it make you feel if you had to go to an orphanage or a poor house? Wouldn't you feel a little sad and frightened?"

She thought for a moment. "Yes, I would be."

"Well, that is why we are doing this. I've had to grow up all alone and your mother has had to as well. Thankfully, you still have both of us who love you and care for you so that you will grow up to be happy. So, we want to give Frans a home here with our family so he won't have to be alone. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"No, Papa."

Erik turned to face her as he held both her hands in his. "So, do you agree with this arrangement? Will you be all right with Frans living with us?"

She stared down in deep thought as Erik waited for her answer. "Yes, Papa. He is my best friend. I don't want him to be alone in the world."

Erik smiled and cupped her face in his hands. "That's my sweet girl." Giving her a kiss on the forehead, they made their way downstairs to dinner.