Ange`'s Chapter Eight

A Long Lost Friend


It truly is amazing how quickly baby's grow! Felicity was six months old now and much more responsive. Christine often took her for rides in her buggy, just walking about Paris and enjoying the mild summer. Christine had non idea that on one such ride she would run into someone she had not seen in nearly four years.

It was May, and the sun was shining despite the breezy chill in the air. Christine had the cover of the buddy down for the clouds kept the sun from shining in her daughter's eyes. She smiled as the infant kicked about and gurgled as she pushed her, she looked up briefly to make sure she would not bump into someone and froze.

"Christine?" The person asked, shocked.

"R-raoul." She mumbled. Flinching slightly at the surprised look he was giving her.

"My God! Look at you! You're more beautiful than you were when I last saw you!"

She blushed. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."

He came nearer and hugged her, then he turned to the buggy. "Yours?"

She smiled. "Yes, Felicity."

He chuckled and reached in, placing a finger into her fist. "How old is she?"

"Six months."

"You have been busy! I heard about your first miscarriage, I'm sorry."

She smiled and shrugged. "The past is the past. But thank you."

"I'd hate to be obtrusive, but I imagine you've married Erik?" He eyed her curiously.

She looked at him in surprise. "I... How would you...?"

He laughed. "Think Christine. Three years ago you left my carriage yelling about getting to Erik. You said you loved him. Now you're married, you have a baby, I can only put one and one to two."

She smiled weakly. "I'm sorry things ended that way."

He shook his head and forced her to look at him. "I needed a reality check. I'll always love you, Christine. But you were right, not how I should love a wife."

A tear fell onto her cheek and she nodded, he brought her to him again and they both looked down at the sleeping baby. To anyone else, they looked like a young couple, admiring their newest addition but in reality they were two long lost friends, looking forward to a happy future.


Erik sighed as he set down his lesson plans for the day on his desk. He began to flip through when someone cleared their throat from the doorway.

"Half a moment." He mumbled, scribbling some things down and then looking up with a gasp.

"Erik, that certainly is not your best expression!"

"Daroga! What are you doing in these parts!" He ran to greet his old friend. Nadir embraced him and grinned.

"Wandering about, thought I'd say hello. How is Christine?"

Erik smiled. "Well, we have a baby in December!"

"Really!" Nadir chuckled. "I haven't spoken to you since your wedding! Things have changed."

Erik sadly smiled. "Indeed. She lost one before that. But we have managed."

Nadir nodded. "Yes, and then you killed La Carlotta."

"No," Erik growled. "We put her out of her misery."

Nadir sighed and waved it off. "No more, we shall talk about happy things. The baby, what was it?"

"A girl, Felicity. 8 lbs straight." He laughed. "She has Christine's spitting image and my cheeks! Oh she is the most beautiful human being, no, most beautiful living thing in the world!"

Nadir laughed. " I am sure!"

"Oh Nadir you must come over for dinner tonight! Christine wouldn't mind! You can see the baby and we can catch up!"

Nadir nodded. "I will. I must go run some errands, I will see you at what time?"

"Around seven. You remember where?"

"Yes of course, yes of course. Goodbye Erik."

"Goodbye Daroga."


Erik went home that afternoon in the cheeriest of moods. He kissed Felicity as she played in her chair, then Christine, who was busy setting about dinner.

"Darling," he said softly, wrapping his arms around her. "I invited Nadir for dinner tonight, he's in town for a short while, I hope it isn't of any inconvenience."

She smiled. "No, it's fine. I saw Raoul today on our walk and he's coming too."

He froze. "Raoul?"

"We're friends again Erik, it's all right. He very much wanted to see you and the baby. You don't mind do you?"

"Of course not, it's just a bit of a surprise. He wants to see me?"

"Yes, I don't know why. He never said."

Erik sighed and kissed her gently again. "Thank you darling. I'll leave you to yourself."

She laughed. "Oh yes thank you, monsieur! I must have complete privacy when I cook!"

Erik showed Raoul into the study, closing the door he offered him a seat and brandy.

"Now then," Erik said, sitting down and smiling. "Why did you want to speak?"

"Well," Raoul began. "I was speaking to a friend, who is working on an opera. He's having some trouble on a few bars, and wants to write the rest with help. I thought, after hearing your work, you would be perfect."

Erik laughed. "Don Juan Triumphant? That enormous sob is nothing! But thank you."

"Oh no!" Raoul shot up. "I am no connosieur of the opera, but that was by far the most beautiful music I have ever heard!"

Erik cleared his throat. "Tell your friend," he paused, thinking. "Tell him I can meet him Monday morning, 8 o'clock, preferably here to discuss the details."

Raoul smiled. "Thank you Erik, you have no idea what this means to me!"

Erik smiled. "Or you, me."


Mwa ha ha! Next chappie is the last. Then an epilogue. Maybe a sequel if you all wish...