Chapter 16: An Engagement Plan
The next morning, Caroline awoke in the lair, Estella asleep beside her. Christine was also down there with her, watching her. "Good morning, Caroline," she said, bringing in two croissants, a hot chocolate and a coffee. Caroline gratefully took the cup Christine offered her and carefully took a sip. The coffee tasted so good. Estella awoke due to the smell of the food and began to eat the croissant before drinking the hot chocolate. "Where are we?" the girl asked between sips. "We are in the home of my friend Guilliame," Caroline explained. Estella smiled and finished off her drink.
Christine began to dress Estella as Caroline entered the main area of the lair. Erik was pacing the shore of the lake. He looked up at Caroline and motioned the woman closer. Caroline approached and Erik embraced her. "Why am I here?" Caroline asked. "When Guilliame was late returning home from seeing you perform and you didn't come to pick up Estella at the time you told me, I was worried. I called Christine to your apartment to watch little Estella while I went to investigate at Le Cirque Boheme. There I found the place swarming with police officers. I asked one of them what had happened and he told me five people were caught in the midst of gunfire. When they brought Captain Dupont out in handcuffs, I immediately feared the worst.
"I snuck into the building with the help of your friend Aphrodite. There, we met up with Myrcel, who told me where you were. I got to the room and Venus said you had cried yourself to sleep. With hers and Elisabeth's help, I got you here, safely." Erik ended his story there. Caroline, however, still needed to know more. "What about Guilliame? And Carly? And Elisabeth?" she asked. "Carly is fine and is resting at home, nursing some bumps and bruises. Elisabeth was escorted to her home by her mother's brother. Guilliame is still under medical treatment. There is talk, according to my wonderful spy Christine, about treatment in England," Erik responded.
"England?! That's a whole other country, not a town," Caroline said. "Do you want him to get better?" Erik asked. "Stupid question," Caroline answered. "Then we might have to send him to England," Erik said. Caroline sighed. "I guess you're right. Why is it that everything gets all screwed up each chance we get to be happy together?" she asked. Erik could only shrug his shoulders in answer. "All I can say is one thing," Erik said. "You two will have your happiness for a long time when the right moment comes."
Caroline was left alone now, sitting by the shore of the lake. To think had only been a few months earlier that she had been floating on the lake, mentally complaining about everything at the Opera. Then she had confessed her feelings for Guilliame, feelings he returned. Unfortunately, outside forces seemed bent on keeping them apart. Caroline leaned back and made a silent wish to the heavens somewhere up above her. 'Please let Guilliame, Estella and I find happiness. Together. Please.'
Caroline returned to the room she had spent the night in. Estella was busy listening to one of Erik's stories. Christine had gone up to join the rest of the Opera. She found a piece of paper on the table by her. On it was Guilliame's name, hospital and room number. Without a word, Caroline threw on the nearest cloak and snuck out of the Opera House.
She got to the hospital and a nurse led her to Guilliame's room. Caroline took a seat next to his bed. He was sleeping, his right leg elevated slightly, and his mask was off. Caroline picked up the mask and held it to close to her. She raked her hands through his hair, and, letting the mask fall from her hands, she grabbed his hand. She held it, just staring at his face, willing him to wake up or acknowledge her in any way. She received nothing in response, not even a squeeze of the hand. Tears began to make their way down her cheek. She released Guilliame's hand and began to cry into his mask.
A few minutes later, Caroline's hand made it back to the hand on the bed. She was still sniffling into his mask when she felt her hand being squeezed. She looked up and, through blurry vision, saw two green eyes looking back at her. Guilliame wiped off the last of Caroline's tears gently. Caroline smiled and leaned over to give him a hug. When the embrace ended, Guilliame placed his hand on Caroline's cheek. "How are you?" he asked.
"How am I?" Caroline repeated. "How are YOU?" Guilliame shook his head. "I asked first, so you have to answer first," he said. "All right," she said, "I'm fine." Guilliame smiled. "Good. I was worried. The Admiral didn't try to do anything—immoral—with you?" Caroline shook her head. "After you passed out, the Admiral was shot dead by the police in an attempt to subdue him. Erik said he saw the Captain being led out by the police," she said. "Good. He deserves to go to jail," Guilliame replied. "How's my sister?"
"Elisabeth was escorted home by your uncle." Guilliame sighed. For a while, he and Caroline sat in silence.
A nurse walked up to Caroline. "Family only from this point on," she said. Caroline began to get up, but Guilliame kept her down. "Oh, she's family, Madame. She's my fiancée," he said. The nurse smiled and walked away. Caroline watched her leave before confronting Guilliame. "What did you say that for?" she asked. Guilliame looked at her. I don't want you to leave yet," he said. "Besides, reach into the pocket of the cloak you are wearing." Caroline did so and pulled out a ring box. Guilliame opened it in her hands to reveal a beautiful diamond surrounded by two amethysts. "So, will you marry me?" he asked. Caroline sat speechless for a while. "Caroline?" he asked, again. Slowly, she began to nod her head. Guilliame took the ring out of the box, slipped it onto her finger and kissed her hand.
Caroline noticed Guilliame was getting drowsy and wanted to leave him to sleep in peace. But Guilliame wanted her to stay with him while he drifted off to sleep. She held his hand as she watched his eyes begin to slowly close. Once he was fully asleep, Caroline stood up, kissed his forehead and headed back to the lair. She made second plans and turned in the direction of Le Cirque Boheme as the twilight began to descend upon Paris.
As she walked, she held her left hand out in front of her to admire her ring. She couldn't believe she was marrying Guilliame after finding out he loved her slightly over six months ago. It didn't matter since she and Guilliame had been through enough for six lifetimes. She didn't think so much even happened in an opera! She shook her head slightly to clear her mind. She and Guilliame would be together, and along with Estella, they could be happy. Her wish had come true. She walked faster, imagining the excited looks on her friends' faces when they see ring. She felt nothing could end this happy feeling she had.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Thanks to all who have actually been reading this story, and thanks to those who have reviewed. I hope you all had a Happy Turkey-Day, I know I did. Look for more chapters to come, since the one I'm currently writing takes place at Christmas. See you soon! ~*Mac*~