Through Pain comes Growth

No less than three weeks later, Erik and Christine were summoned to Lenoir's house once more when they received word that the old man was growing closer towards death. They made their swift journey by carriage to his house. Not wishing to leave Marigold alone at the house, they had her accompany them. As they approached the house, Erik helped them both from the carriage and they knocked on the door. The housekeeper opened it and greeted them. She directed them to where Lenoir's room was upstairs. When they were in the living room, Frans was sitting in his grandfather's chair, staring forlornly at the fire.

Christine took Marigold's hand and walked her into the living room. "Marigold, while Papa and I are upstairs, I want you to stay in this room and keep Frans company. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, Mama," she said, obediently. Marigold quietly walked over to Frans' side as they both began talking quietly.

Christine turned toward the stairs and followed Erik up towards the hallway. As they reached Lenoir's room, a physician was waiting outside for them. "You must be brief. I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left."

They both walked in the room and towards the bed where Lenoir lay, looking frail and weak. He took deep labored breaths and weakly opened his eyes as Erik and Christine approached him.

"Good. You both have come," he wheezed. "Frans is not with you, is he?"

"No, Henri. He is downstairs with our daughter. Should we bring him?"

"No, I don't want him to see me like this…not when…it's time to go."

"Save your strength, Henri. Don't tire yourself,' said Erik.

"No…there are things that must be said…you have reviewed my last will and wishes?"

"Everything has been arranged. I have seen to it," said Erik.

"And Frans? Will he be cared for?"

Christine stepped closer and held Lenoir's hand. "We will look after Frans. He will have a home with us. Rest assured, we will leave not him destitute."

"Merci, madame. I am…relieved that he will be in good hands…after I am gone. Erik, you will… continue with our work and …teach Frans everything he needs?"

"Yes, Henri."

Lenoir smiled and closed his eyes. "Merci…mon ami," he whispered with his last breath. Thereafter, no more signs of life were seen from the old man again.

Christine gently turned the other way as a tear fell from her eye. Erik quietly stood and placed a hand on his departed employer's shoulder. Silently, he escorted Christine from the room as the physician came to attend to the body. They went downstairs and walked towards the sitting room. They found Marigold holding Frans' hand and whispering something to him until they both looked up at Erik and Christine.

"Is Monsieur Lenoir…gone?" asked Marigold.

"Yes, dear. I'm afraid he is," said Christine, forlornly.

Frans just looked frozen as the devastating news began to sink in. "What…what will happen to me now, Monsieur Erik?"

Erik walked over to Frans as Marigold went back to her mother's side. Erik knelt down to Frans' level and held his shoulders. "We'll take you to our home, Frans. Your home," Erik said, looking at Frans with a meaningful look.

Suddenly, Frans broke down in tears, knelt on the floor and embraced Erik. Erik froze for a moment and looked at Christine, unsure of how to react. Christine gave him a reassuring nod. As the boy continued to sob, Erik slowly embraced him.

A short while later, as the undertakers came to the house, Erik and Christine walked Frans and Marigold back to the carriage. Erik placed Frans' small suitcase in the carriage and they made their way back to the cottage. The journey back was a quiet one. Both children were growing tired.

As they arrived, they escorted the children inside. Frans looked around the house as Erik briefly showed him around the house. Kit walked up to Frans and licked his hand as a welcome. Christine then walked them both upstairs. "Come, children. It's late and you both need sleep."

As Christine let Marigold dress herself in her nightgown, she led Frans to the spare room down the hall from Marigold's room. "This will be your room, Frans. We'll have the rest of your clothes and things sent here as soon as possible. The bathroom is just down the hall. Marigold's room is next door and our room is just downstairs. If you need anything, please ask me."

"Thank you, Madame Christine," Frans said, looking grateful but melancholic. She put her hand on his shoulder. "You can call me Christine if you like," she said.

"Thank you but Grandfather always taught me to be polite as a gentleman ought to be," Frans looked sadly at the thought of his grandfather. Christine tried to comfort him.

"It'll be all right, Frans. It may not seem it now, but it will be. I do know what you're going through. I myself was in the same situation. But you have a home and a family who will look after you. Everything will be all right. I promise you."

"Indeed, Frans," said Erik, standing in the doorway. "It may seem hard now, but it will be better."

Frans nodded in acknowledgement and they wished him good night as they let him dress for bed. Then they made their way to Marigold's room. She sat in her nightgown on the bed, waiting for her parents. Christine sat down beside her on one side and Erik sat on the other side.

"That was very kind and brave of you to keep Frans company while we were with Monsieur Lenoir. That proves your growing up into a quite a young lady," said Christine.

Marigold smiled. "I just told him that it would be all right, that our home was a lovely place and my parents were good to me and that they would be good to him too."

"Now that Frans is going to live with us, he will also be attending school with you. Will you do your best to help him adjust?"

"Yes, Mama."

Christine smiled and exchanged a loving look with Erik. They both leaned over to kiss their daughter on the forehead. Erik continued to look down at her lovingly. "Sweet dreams, dear love," said Erik.

"Goodnight Papa. Goodnight, Mama."

They quietly left the room as Marigold settled down to sleep. Walking downstairs, they went into the sitting room where Christine sat down to finish needlework as Erik took a seat in an armchair across from her.

"Well, now two children to look after. Did you ever imagine?" asked Christine.

"I just couldn't have let Frans be sent to an orphanage or workhouse. No child deserves to be alone. I went through much worse than that as a boy," said Erik, sullenly.

"I can't imagine what that must have been like for you, Erik," Christine said, sadly. "I'm so sorry."

"It's all in the past now. I don't want to even think about it anymore. I'd much rather think about what I have now. I have a real home in the countryside, not a cold and dark lair. A chance to walk freely in the world and work an occupation to support my family. A real family. The present and the future are all I care about. That is what truly matters."

He stood up and took Christine's hands as she stood up with him. "I sometimes go to sleep at night and think 'This is all but a happy dream and then I will wake up alone in my coffin bed in the lair'. But then I look over and find you by my side. Then I realize that this isn't a dream."

"You aren't alone anymore, Erik. You'll always have me and Marigold. We both love you so much. And with Frans here now, our family will grow."

Erik smiled as he stroked her hair. "How did I ever earn such love from you?" He kissed her deeply before they retired to their room.

"Do you think Frans will adjust well here?" asked Christine, as they climbed into bed.

"He'll need some time, but I think he will."