Promises

Chapter 17

Frozen in place, Elodie opened her eyes, glanced at Raoul. "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you."

Raoul stroked her cheek gently. "Share each day with me, each night, each morning."

Quivering she continued. "Say you love me . . ."

"You know I do," caught up both enthusiastically sang. "Love me, that's all I ask of you."

Looking around quickly Elodie regained her composure, wiped her tears away. "I must go, they'll wonder where we are, au revoir Raoul."

Joy prevalent in his face he belted. "Elodie, I love you."

She hurried off the roof and he soon did the same, went back to his office and apologized to the men. Meanwhile Elodie went into her room and cleaned her face, then went slowly to her father's room. She looked at him in the bed, his face was in the pillow, his breathing was ragged and quick.

"Oh, Papa." She whispered softly, then hurried to his side and turned him over, revealing his tear stained face. "Papa I'm sorry for what happened, you gave me a fright, that was all."

He took a steady, pain filled breath and silently reached for his mask. She bent and handed it to him carefully, squeezing his hand as he took it. Quickly he replaced it, then he gathered enough of himself to speak to her. "You would do this to your father? Hurt him this way while he is in his death bed?"

She felt shame fill her face but also curiosity. "Papa, I said I was sorry . . ."

"That is not what I speak of." Erik firmly told her. "I tell you that I saw your little act on the roof and do you know what Ellie? It disgusted me! Raoul is your second father!"

"He is not by any means related to me! How dare you eavesdrop on me and how dare you put yourself in that position when you're so ill! I can't . . ."

He cut her off harshly. "How dare you defile my name this way! Do you know what people would say if the two of you were to marry? He raised you! To the public he is the kind man that took you and me in when your mother died! Do you know what she would say if she knew!"

"She does know! And from what you've told me she'd be happy for me Papa! Mother believed in being with the one you love, did your marriage teach you nothing about her?"

Horrified at her words and her audacity he turned in the bed. "Leave me, I do not want you present when I die, you are the least of my concerns now."

Pain ripped through her at his sad, soft words. "What would you have me do in order to be a concern to you? I would not lose you that way Papa . . ."

"I have your love also?"

"Oh Papa of course!"

"Then you will forget Raoul de Chagny, marry a more suitable man, someone you can grow to love. Do you think your mother was happy at the beginning of our marriage?"

She bowed her head, sniffled as she fought back tears, then looked at him courageously. "I . . . I will do as you ask father."

Stunned, to say the least but at peace he smiled softly, reached out and took her hand. "I'm sorry I was upset with you."

"It's all right," she sighed and sat by him. "These things will happen, no? How do you feel?"

"Weak," he said honestly. "I think following you did it."

Her terrified, wide green eyes met his. "How . . . How long do you think you have?"

He coughed roughly and only after regaini9ng his composure replied. "Not more than an hour, my sweet one."

Tears welled in her eyes as she truly realized that this was it, she would lose her father in a short while. One flowed down her cheek and catching sight of it Erik felt his heart turn in pity. "Oh my dear love do not cry, my death is not in vain, I have been ill since your Maman died, I have longed to be with her so long and now my pain will end. But I am not leaving you completely, only in body, you are my daughter, my only daughter and that is more than what I could ask for, I will guide you forever."

"Promise?" She choked out with a sly, weary smile.

He reached up and traced the tip of his finger over her cheekbone. "I swear it."

Erik died around 40 minutes later, peacefully, as if going to sleep. After he hadn't moved a few moments Elodie, caught up in emotion buried her head in his unmoving chest and began to sob loudly, drawing attention, and the maid went to call on the undertaker and make plans for his burial, they had agreed not to have a service much earlier, he would be buried in the plot alongside his wife.

Grief-stricken the young woman made it a point to avoid Raoul as best as she could the next few days, and thinking she just wanted time to herself Raoul went along with it.

Even the next year, a week before her 18th birthday he did not think she was ignoring him, and was silent as he brought her the single letter she had received, unaware of the stamp on the top, that he should have been all too familiar with.

Curious, she carefully slid it open and pulled out the fancy, scented sheet of paper.

Miss d'Amiens,

This letter is to inform you that we have received a petition for you to wed! Congratulations! The holder of it is M. Michel Baroneaux. M. Has asked for your hand before anyone else, therefore we are pleased to inform you that the two of you shall wed next month, on the 21st. If you have any questions or concerns, please address them to me.

Anatole Buatois, Chief Marital Marshall.

Mwa ha ha! Cliff hanger, how will you know what will happen?

Shattered holds the answer (Coming Soon Bientôt)