Enjoy!

Christine

Chapter 69

The Apology

A calm had descended upon Erik.

There was a peace in his eyes almost constantly that I had only seen when we were locked in an embrace, or we were speaking sweet words to one another. No longer was there a darkness laced into his expression nearly constantly, though he tried to hide it. No longer did he appear as though he were ready to pounce at a moment's notice. He looked, instead, like he'd awoken from a deep, restful sleep, and he was ready for whatever life threw at him.

He told me what he'd seen in that long vision, while I stood shaking him, nearly crying because he simply wouldn't snap out of it. As he sat there, glassy-eyed and unresponsive, I'd myself begun to panic. But then he snapped out of it, pulled me into his arms, and relayed what he'd seen.

It seemed too good to be true - that he was going to forgive himself. So I'd begun to sob. And then he sobbed. We were both sobbing into each other's arms, until we sat on the bed, fell onto our sides, and fell into a doze. We awoke an hour later to take off our clothes, make love, and go to sleep.

That calm continued into the morning, and the following day as well. Friday. My father noticed it. Brought it up.

"I'm simply overjoyed about the child that's on its way," he responded, giving my hand a squeeze as we sat at the kitchen table for breakfast.

I almost began to weep again.

My father smiled, real happiness crinkling the sides of his eyes, and offered to make the breakfast.

Today, all three of us would make a visit to Ibrahim and Azizah's apartment. Nadir left us a note saying that he had something he wanted to discuss with everyone - that it was important we all heard it.

I couldn't say I wasn't a bit nervous - after everything that had happened the last month or so, I was loath to discover that there was yet more drama to unfold. Was there something wrong with Reza, perhaps? Or were they leaving?

But as we all - my family, Ibrahim and Azizah, and Nadir - sat in the parlor of the Jahandir apartment (Reza, I noticed, was not currently present) Nadir did not look grave. He looked light, kind, though he wasn't smiling.

"Thank you for agreeing to hear me," he said. "I wanted to say this to you all at once."

We waited.

"I want to apologize."

Surprised, I shot my gaze to Erik, who looked back at me with an equal look in his eyes.

"I have been unkind. I have been selfish. I have caused each of you pain - perhaps not Gustave, but his daughter." He nodded to me, and I felt my face redden. I had not expected this at all. "And I have been this way because I was in pain, deeply angry - but this is no excuse."

There was a short silence. Erik was staring down. Ibrahim was glaring, hard, at Nadir.

The former Daroga cleared his throat and continued, "Christine, I accused you in Persia of things you did not do. I made an already frightening situation worse with my words and actions. I am sorry."

I nodded. "All right. It's...all right." And, I think, it was. There was a sincerity in his voice in what he said that made it difficult to say or think anything else.

He looked at my husband. "Erik. I am...part of the reason for your role in Persia-"

"Part of it?" he said back, meeting his eyes.

"Most of the reason." His brow furrowed. "I used you. I helped destroy you-"

"I am not destroyed."

I clasped his hand.

"Of course." Nadir nodded. "Even still, I...do understand if you choose not to forgive me."

"I do." He looked away again. "I want to let the past stay there. So I forgive you."

A weight seemed to lift off of Nadir. He breathed deeply, and Azizah smiled lightly, holding Dilara in her arms. I doubted she could understand what was being said, but his relief was clear across language barriers. Seeing her baby sent an itch into my heart that I needed to scratch - I wanted to hold her. I wanted to hold my own baby. I couldn't wait.

Nadir finally turned to Ibrahim. "And...I ask forgiveness of you as well. I've mocked you - once or twice, for something you cannot help. I took advantage of your help. And I regret that."

Ibrahim didn't respond. I stared at him. While the darkness had been lifted from Erik's soul, it seemed to have possessed Ibrahim's. His eyes, while already near-black, seemed to be depthless pits. He frowned, nostrils flaring.

"Ibrahim?" I said, "are you all right?"

He shot his eyes to me. "Perfectly fine, Rose." Then to Nadir. "What is this?"

Nadir held his stare. "An apology."

"You invited everyone to my home for this? Why didn't you invite us to your own?"

"Reza is home with his nanny-"

"I thought she was leaving."

"She is. In a month. I wanted to come here rather than stay there in case something came up in the apologies that I didn't want him to hear. Talk of the Shah's murder, for example. Besides, I was already coming today, and your home is closer to the other guests here, so I figured it would be easier for all."

"Lovely for you to play host in my home."

Nadir thinned his lips. "Apologies. Everyone has been showing up almost daily anyway. I didn't assume it would be a problem."

"I don't think you're actually here to apologize."

"I am."

Ibrahim spit words in Persian. Azizah, between them, blinked. She was clearly uncomfortable, and looked away, a blush on her cheeks. She clutched her baby a bit tighter to her chest.

"I am not...bullshitting you," responded Nadir. "I have given this thought."

"And when did these thoughts start? Hm? Because they didn't seem to start until you began...romancing my sister."

I whipped my gaze to Nadir. Did he-

"Oh, good Lord," muttered my father, never one for conflict.

Ibrahim shot him daggers. "What is wrong, M. Daae? Uncomfortable? Me as well. If you don't want to hear it, go into the kitchen and make some tea."

My father went pale. "I - apologize. I meant no offense. It slipped out."

"So you are...what did Nadir say? Bullshitting? You are bullshitting as well-"

"Ibrahim." Erik stared at him. "Enough."

"Enough? This is my home. I'll tell you when it's enough. And I am not nearly done."

"What is wrong with-"

"Nothing is wrong!" He went to his feet, eyes ablaze. I'd never seen him like this - I shrunk deeper into my seat, while Azizah quietly got up and left the parlor, quick-footed. "Nothing! Everything is fine, just as it always is with the jovial Ibrahim Jahandir, ex-lover to the current Shah and failed Grand Vizier of Persia. My life is not in shambles. I have not lost purpose. I am not hopeless when it comes to love. And I certainly am not losing my sister to Nadir Khan - correct? You are certainly not using this as a precursor to a proposal, I'm sure?"

A lengthy silence.

"I'm waiting, Nadir."

"Have a dinner to attend tonight?"

"It was last night." A flicker of pain crossed his features. I latched onto that expression. He'd seemed off the day after the party, and again after the de Chagny dinner following that event. So what had happened at this one, nearly two weeks later?

"Then what is the rush?"

"Do not test me."

He exhaled. "I am not using this as a precursor to a proposal."

"I'm sure-"

"Not for that express purpose."

Ibrahim slowly lifted his chin. "And what does that mean, exactly?"

"It means that I am genuine in my apologies." Nadir lifted his face as well, looking up at him. "But I was going to ask for her hand as well."

My hand went to my mouth. So he did - he did love her.

Ibrahim went completely ashen. We stared at him, waiting for him to speak. His hands shook at his side as he ground out: "No."

I wasn't sure why that surprised me. But it did. I couldn't tell if Erik felt the same way, as I watched him close his eyes and sigh.

"No?" repeated Nadir.

"No." Ibrahim shook his head. "No. I will not be left alone in this apartment." He pointed to the door. "Out. Everyone out. And do not return until you are invited."

"Let's go," whispered Erik.

"Ibrahim," I begged. "Talk to us - where is this coming from?"

"Nowhere, Christine. Do not worry about it. I am fine."

"You're not."

"Get out. I do not wish to speak any longer. Leave my home. You are not welcome right now."

"I am your friend. You are my-"

"Then I no longer want your friendship. I no longer want any of your friendships. I am officially cutting ties with everyone here."

I felt my heart crack open.

"You are unhinged," breathed Nadir, though he finally stood.

My father was the first to head for the door. Erik took my hand and pulled me after him.

Ibrahim roared at Nadir. I didn't hear the words. They were not in French. And I was out of the apartment before he could finish.