Raoul was excited and anxious at the same time when Wednesday finally had arrived and he had an appointment with Erik to see what he came up with. The man did not really encourage him to be optimistic about the subject the week before, but Christine really admired Erik's talent. Raoul knew that Christine wasn't easily amazed by just everyday talents, and she often called Erik a genius. If he was really a genius, it sure meant he was able to work something out. Just something to make his life easier… He knew they weren't the best friends earlier, but he still accepted to help him out in the end – this act of his showed he wasn't actually such a monster. Raoul was biting his lips as he approached the majestic looking and huge Victorian mansion Erik lived in with his family. As he wanted to ring the doorbell he already saw Erik walking towards him along the path, holding Mahtab's hand. The child looked like she was extremely excited.
- Here is he, Papa! Tell him I was very clever! Will you tell?
- I will if you shut your little face for enough time so I can finally have a word.
The gate opened and Mahtab jumped in front of the visitor, causing him a smaller heart attack.
- Hello, Monsieur, please come in! We made a better hand for you than your old one!
- Mahtab Geneviéve, shut it! – Erik shook his index finger at the girl scolding. He only called the girl by both of her names if he wanted to be serious and strict with her, so Mahtab really fell silent and looked at Raoul with her curious uneven colored eyes. – I am sorry, Raoul, she is overly excited. – Erik explained.
- Oh, Erik… that's nothing, she is just a child yet.
- If she doesn't learn the proper way to act now, she never will. – Erik said, then led Raoul along the path to guide him in the house. Mahtab was jumping behind them. She grew a lot during that summer, Raoul could remember she was smaller in March, now she reached up to Erik's chest if she was standing straight. Kind of tall for a six year old.
- You have grown a lot. – Raoul stated, looking at Mahtab.
- Oh, tell me about it. – Erik laughed. – We had to change all her wardrobe, she keeps growing everything out. And she needed new shoes twice this year.
- Isn't she a bit tall for a six year old?
- She isn't even six yet. – Erik replied. – Only in November she will turn six, but she is as tall as an eight- nine year old. I was the same way, but at least I was a boy.
- I am too! I am your assistant. – She chirped again.
- Yes- yes you are. – Erik agreed.
- We have been working on it for a week, did we, Papa?
- Yes, we did.
- Do you have any good news for me? – Raoul inquired nervously.
- I think I do. But we have to see how it works in action.
They entered Erik's study and the host asked Raoul to take a seat. Raoul sat down in an armchair next to Erik's desk and as he looked around in the room, he couldn't see anything but bookcases everywhere. At least thousands of books were in this room.
- Reach out your hand. – Erik leaned closer. Mahtab wasn't around anymore, for a split second Raoul thought that the small skeleton finally walked out to talk to her mother or such, but she suddenly reappeared with a wooden box in her hands. – Here it is, in this case. – Erik took the box from Mahtab and placed it on the desk to open it.
As Raoul leaned closer, he saw an obviously prosthetic hand, only with the bare wires shown it was made of. He was a bit of disappointed upon seeing only these metal "claws". He thought he will get something resembling at least a prosthetic hand that doctors may give him, not these bare uncovered wires. How can these be worn in rainy weather for example? This is all Erik knows?
- Don't look at me with such a bitter expression, my boy, it is not finished yet. – Erik said. – I want to see how it works at all before I finish it. It is only a prototype.
- So… I thought it is something finished. – He let out a relieved sigh.
- But of course not. Erik would never give such a draft out of his hands. Try to put it on. It works like if you put on gloves, and secure it on your wrist with a band. It will be covered mostly by your shirt cuffs, but if you want, I can paint the band so it will resemble your skin tone. Of course, if people look closely, they can still see it is fake. Just like my face, but oh well… we try our best to hide the flaws.
- We turned out kind of alike. – Raoul sighed, while strapping the rubber band on his wrist.
He felt like he was looking ridiculous, but at least, there was SOMETHING at the place of those three fingers.
- That's right. Now I explain how it works. – Erik continued. – Your fingers are hopefully mobile. If you observe it closely, you can see a small button under your pinky on the palm side. You have to press it so the machine works. Press it continuously and try to move your finger. If you release the button, the machine stops working and all three fingers remain relaxed. I know it isn't the most aesthetical way to hold something, but it will suffice, I believe.
- If it really works, I will be more than thankful…
- Try it. – Erik ordered.
Raoul pressed the button and tried hard to bend the index finger and to his huge astonishment it worked. The metal bent by different parts, as it really had joints in a finger. His index and middle finger were moving up and down as he voluntarily lifted them while pressing the button. It made some moderate squeaky sound, but it was bearable. Raoul reached out towards a fountain pen placed on the desk and tried to grab it. He was able to pick it with the tip of two fingers, but as he tried to lift, it constantly fell back on the desk.
- Of course you need a lot of practice. – Erik explained, pointing at Raoul's shaky hand. – You haven't been using your hand in ages. It is weaker. And you have to learn how to hold things like this, so I suggest you practice with pens or pencils that are unbreakable and you won't spill anything on yourself. Within time, you will be able to try to eat and drink with it – just be patient.
Raoul was unable to talk out of being so astonished and touched at the same time. He started silently crying out of happiness. He had fingers! He did not even mind the looks of the thing any more, he would have walked out of the room, wearing it proudly.
- Don't cry son. I know what you think, but believe me you will be able to use it better if you let me finish it. I will cover it with some leather and it will look more realistic, and plus it will protect the machine from getting wet. Moreover, you won't feel pain by the metal constantly rubbing against your hand if I cover it.
- Erik… Erik… you… you are a genius…
- Stop it, don't praise me for a work I did not even finish yet.
- Do you like it? – Mahtab inquired curiously.
- I do… I love it more than you could imagine…
- I helped with it. – She announced happily.
- We know, Mahtab. – Erik nodded and patted the child's head. – But now please go and see if Mama needs help, will you?
- I will! – She nodded and ran out of the room.
- She doesn't yet know what a serious matter this is. Please forgive her excitement. She helped a lot to me and she loved the process.
- How much did she help?
- She assembled the whole thing. I made the parts, but she put it together.
- Is she… so talented?
- She is. – Erik nodded proudly. – She is a small engineer. – He smiled and wiped some tears out of the corner of his eyes then cleared his throat and turned back to Raoul with a serious expression again. – Well, please visit me next week and I can give it to you.
- I will… Erik, I thank…
- Later. Thank me later if you need to. – Erik lifted his hand up protesting. – See you next week.
- May I… talk to your wife now? – Raoul asked softly as he rose up from the chair.
- You are a man of your own will, my friend. You may do as you want, and if you and Christine both wish to talk, who am I to say otherwise?
- Thank you, Erik. – He smiled and left the study. As he turned back to shut the door behind him, he saw Erik sitting down in his chair at his desk, picking up a book to read.
Another week passed and as Raoul arrived to Erik's home, he already knew that he was going to get something amazing, he was running towards the house as a small boy who just received his certificate on the very last day of school, with joyful expectations. As he arrived to the house, Christine arrived to answer the door with Noel in her hands and Flo running after her.
- Oh Christine, what a delight to see you again! – He exclaimed and handed her a huge box he held. – This is for the children. – He added.
- Oh thank you, Raoul. – She smiled. – I am happy to see you as well. Please forgive Erik, he is a bit of late, I don't know when will he arrive back… he left two hours ago and did not arrive yet… oh thank you this is a big box of chocolate… they will be spoiled.
- They deserve it… Especially Mahtab. She is very clever… and… where did Erik go?
- I don't know. – Christine admitted. – He did not tell me. He sometimes goes away somewhere and returns one or two hours later. I hope he arrives back soon. Until that please come in and make yourself comfortable.
- Thank you, Christine. – Raoul smiled. – And Mahtab?
- She left with Erik. They do everything together if possible. – She laughed.
As Christine poured a cup of tea for Raoul and herself in the drawing room, she suddenly heard a strange noise from outside. Instead of horse clapping and rattling of carriage wheels, she could hear some loud noise she only heard sometimes in downtown: an automobile arrived nearby. What? She curiously peeked outside, noticing the new vehicle rolling on the road in front of the house. She recognized Erik and Mahtab onboard with Erik driving the thing.
- God in Heaven! – She gasped before fainting.
When she regained her consciousness she saw Erik kneeling in front of the sofa where she was placed and looking at her with worry. His glasses reflected the light coming from the window he faced, and he wore a driver cap she only saw on coachmen before.
- Are you feeling better, Christine? – He asked worriedly.
- What… what has happened…? I heard an automobile… I swear I…
- Oh yes, you did. – Erik said proudly, standing up to his full height, straightening his spine. – We now have a Peugeot, my love.
- Why? What for? – Christine straightened up and sat up confusedly.
- So I don't have to always hire a brougham when we go somewhere. And I hate to walk on foot.
- But… but it is… DANGEROUS!
- Not more dangerous than a carriage would be, it can hit me anytime as well. – Erik shrugged.
- But these are faster and…
- A bit noisier. – Erik added laughing.
- You will run into something and you will die! – She pointed at Erik.
- I know how to drive. – He replied. – I got my driving license that proves I am able to navigate this thing. It was something I wanted to do – to have a vehicle of my own finally. I always loved new things, you know me.
- You have given a bunch of money for something so dangerous and…
- Christine, I don't wish to continue this conversation in front of our guest. Please don't be rude to me and respect me just to the level you don't argue with me in front of others.
- Don't discipline me as if I was your CHILD!
They stared at each other for some seconds, then Erik turned around and left for the hall as he realized Raoul wasn't in the room any more. The man was waiting for Erik politely in the hall, while Mahtab and Flo were chit-chatting around him.
- Just imagine Flo it was AMAZING! – Mahtab was whooping while jumping around.
- Brrr brrr! I want to go too, I want to go too with you! – Flo clapped in excitement. – Give me your cap, Papa! – He ran to Erik and hugged his leg.
- Here you go. – Erik gently placed the cap on Flo's head, who ran back to his sister excitedly. – Come, Monsieur, I give you your hand. – Erik turned to Raoul who followed him to his study.
The case now contained a hand that looked like a glove with three fingers, it looked like a normal set of fingers right now, the paint even matching Raoul's skin tone as perfectly as possible. The fingers were so detailed they even contained painted on nails, so from further they really seemed to be real.
- Well, here it is. – Erik announced. – You can wash your hands while wearing it, but too much water will cause harm in it. The band is now painted in the same color as the fingers, so if your cuffs are rolled up, it won't be too noticeable.
- Oh Erik… THANK YOU! Thank you so much! – Raoul put up his new fingers and looked at them in awes. His eyes were filled with tears of joy. – How can I thank you for it? – Raoul reached out for Erik, who subconsciously backed away from him a bit.
- Oh… you don't need to thank me. I am… glad I could help.
- Please let me thank you somehow… it means so much to me…
- There is no need to thank me, really. I helped you because you are a person very dear to my wife. I helped her… I made her happy.
- Oh… let me at least offer you something in return then.
- I don't need your money. – Erik retorted coldly. – Erik has money on his own, thank you.
- Not necessarily by money. – Raoul looked at Erik. – By any service you or your family would need… for example… I think you would like to have some alone time with your wife… the kids are always around… when were you at the Opera, for example?
- Oh… - Erik glanced at the young man with eyes wide- open by sudden realization. – Oh… well… I think we could use a night at the Opera… just the two of us… how nice it would be…
- I would gladly take care of the children if… you wanted to go.
- Oh… Erik accepts your offer. – He smiled. – Thank you.
- But of course, Erik… - Raoul bowed his head.
Erik was glad by the thought he would be able to spend a whole night together with Christine, just the two of them, watching an Opera. Christine, rather coldly though, did agree to go with him to watch that evening's performance: Lohengrin by Wagner. She was curious of the opera itself, so that was the main reason she said yes. She was still angry with Erik, but if Raoul was so willing to help them, and she could finally hear that Wagner opera she was waiting for… let that happen.
- Raoul looks like a robot with his new hand. – Mahtab said happily, when Erik reappeared in the hall where the children and Raoul were playing.
- It is true. – Raoul laughed. – But you may call me Tonton Raoul. – He added. – You all may call me Tonton Raoul.
- We have a Tonton Mohammed. – Flo stated. – Can we have more?
- But of course, Flo! – Raoul nodded. – One can have many tontons. Do you know how many Uncles I did have?
- No. How many?
- Six!
- That's a lot! – Flo whistled by astonishment.
- Ton ton Raoul is a robot! – Mahtab said again- He is Robo Tonton!
- Mahtab, stop it! – Erik scolded.
- I don't mind it. – Raoul smiled and patted the girl's hair. – Please don't scold her. I am indeed Robo Tonton. Partly replaced.
- God… well, we are leaving shortly, are you sure you still wish to stay with three of Erik's offsprings? I warn you, they are tiring.
- I love children. – Raoul smiled. – I always wanted to have them.
- Be careful what you wish for. – Erik chuckled shortly, being sure that it was the first and the very last time Raoul wanted to spend with his children. Not that they were ill- mannered, but they were most certainly a bunch full of energy and Mahtab was the most talkative child he ever met in his life. She even talked in her sleep sometimes.
Erik guided Christine out of the house, they left arm in arm. Christine was breathtakingly beautiful, wearing a gown she did not have on before, she truly looked like a princess in it. Her hair was done and she wore make up that made her face look more like an angel.
- Oh no, Erik, there is no way I am going by that. – Christine shook her head when Erik tried to help her in the car.
- Christine, don't be like this, please. Please give me a chance. – Erik sighed, pleading.
- Well… I am just afraid it is not safe. I worry about you.
- I prove it is not dangerous and you will see it well worth the money as well. Please let me prove it by taking you to the Opera.
- All right. – Christine nodded coldly. – But if something goes wrong you have to promise you sell this monster instantly.
- All right, I promise. – Erik nodded, knowing there will be absolutely no chance for that.
As Erik was driving, Christine realized it took them much less time to get to the Opera from the suburbs than at any other time, and nothing has happened the whole time. She was surprised how quick it went and it did not feel dangerous at all.
- I think… we may have this machine… for some time. – Christine sighed in agreement, then smiled at Erik.
- I knew you will instantly change your mind my love. – He laughed shortly. – It is a love, a lifestyle. And we will go by this everywhere and won't need anyone to take us anywhere. We will be on our own.
- I actually like the idea. And.. I like the idea that there is just the two of us tonight… no kids.
- No kids. – Erik nodded. – Only you and Erik… and Wagner.
The Opera was a fantastic success. They watched it together from box five and it was such a good feeling to finally do NOTHING just listen to music. The music itself was to their liking as well, Erik found it an interesting musical experiment, and appreciated both the libretto and the music.
- Do you know what would make me even happier? – Erik whispered in Christine's ear dreamily.
- What? – She smiled back naughtily.
- If instead of Rose Caron I could watch it with Christine Daaé.
- Oh, you want me to be a maiden again? – Christine teased. – And besides, I doubt you would like that.
- Why? – Erik gasped in surprise.
- Because if I was onstage you wouldn't be able to hold my hand as you do now. – She pet Erik's ear with one of her fingers. – And I couldn't do this. – She placed a soft kiss on Erik's lips.
- Oh- uh… - Erik blushed bright red under his human face mask. – You… got me.
With that he hugged his sweet little wife close to himself, and let her rest her head on his shoulder while they drifted away to a higher form of reality, swimming on endless melodies of Wagner.
