Chapter 7: Expected Visitor
1 week later
Meg walked out with her shawl around her shoulders, she was helped up into the carriage.
" Won't you come mother?" she asked
" I can not, I still have to work, go enjoy yourself this weekend," Madame Giry said
" Alright, take care," Meg said
The Carriage took off and Meg leaned back and closed her eyes. She was nicely dressed and excited that Christine had asked her to spend a couple of days at the estate. Christine had mentioned also in her letter that she had found the perfect teacher to help her keep her voice up. Meg could only wonder who this tutor was, that Christine spoke so highly of.
She watched sleeping Paris vanish behind her and Meg sighed. She had felt a uncertainty since Erik and the young children left Paris and she felt trapped in her own duties as a daughter and supporter of a house hold. This was a relief to leave Paris to get her mind off, all that had occurred in the last week.
" Good bye Paris for the time," she whispered
Perle ran into Erik's room and leapt onto his bed and Erik stirred. She gently shook Erik and he moaned.
" Erik it's nearly noon," Perle said
" It's early," he moaned
" Are you ill Erik?" Perle asked
Erik opened his eyes and looked at the girl who sat beside him.
" I have never been ill in all my life, what makes you think I'm ill?" he questioned
" Your always up before me Erik," She said
Erik sat up and sighed and Perle looked at him. He reached over and slipped the white mask. He went off and dressed and then walked with Perle downstairs, the other children were outside playing. Christine walked down the hall and went into the music room.
" Music lesson, Erik," Perle said
She led him to the music room and they heard the harp playing a gentle song. Erik walked in and Perle walked over to Christine.
" He was asleep, but I woke him," Perle said
Christine smiled and looked over Erik and gave a nodded. He returned the nod and walked to the Piano, there he warmed up his hands as well as his voice. Perle watched Christine play the Harp before singing.
" Erik, today could you play the violin, I have some music by the stand," Christine said
" As you wish," Erik said
He picked up the bow and warmed up gently and saw the familiar music that Christine wanted him to play. He looked at Perle and she smiled and then sat down on the piano.
" Shall we Madame?" he asked
" Yes, let's begin," she replied
Christine walked over and Erik, had her warm up. He then played the music and Perle listened to the beautiful sounds that came from within the room.
After practicing three hours straight, they were told the afternoon meal was ready. Christine gave a slight curtsy to Erik and he bowed, Perle walked over and grabbed his hand. They went to the dinning room and entered the room.
" Madame, will your guest be joining us for dinner this evening?" Madame Amical asked softly
" She might," Christine answered, " Set an extra once we are done."
" Yes Madame," Madame Amical replied
Erik looked at the children and Perle looked at Erik as he still seemed quite distant. Perle knew there was something weighing on his mind and she had a guess.
Later, Erik sat down and pulled books of science, history, Literature, arithmetic, and language. The children listened to him as he taught them, spending two hours on each subject. Christine and Roul sat down and listened to Erik as he tutored the children, some not even of school age.
" They're very gifted," Roul said, " I can see that they will make great scholars someday."
" Roul," Christine said, "perhaps we can have another teacher come in and teach them a little more in the arts. Erik is after all one teacher, he can not work all the time."
" I believe you have point," Roul said, " It will have to be sometime later, but we can look into it."
The evening time came and the children were well educated for that day seeing that Erik only taught them every two days. He did give them assignments that he did not help them with, he made them depend on their fellow classmates.
" Erik you have a way with children," Christine said
" It would seem so," Erik replied
A servant walked up too Christine and told her that her guest had arrived.
" Would you escort me to the front door Erik?" Christine asked
" As you wish," Erik said
They walked to the door and walked out, two servants grabbed the luggage and went off. The coachman opened the door and helped out the honored guest. Christine walked over to welcome her guest.
" It's good to see you," Christine said
Meg smiled and hugged her dear friend and Christine welcomed her to the estate.
" Christine, you must be excited to have another tutor. You said a perfect tutor. So who is this tutor?" Meg asked
" Someone we all know," Christine said
Meg walked with her and Christine stopped.
" Meg, may I present to you my tutor," Christine said
Meg looked up ready to present her hand, it was only then that words were not spoken, but glances.
" Erik," she whispered
" Mademoiselle," Erik said
He gave a bow and she curtseyed, Christine gave a delightful smile.
" Meg you are in time for dinner, we were on our way," Christine said, " Please come warm yourself inside."
Erik looked at Meg and looked at both young women. He put his hand out to both and they wrapped their arms around Erik's arms. He escorted them in and Meg looked at him, it was a surprise to see him this far out.
" So, this is your new job," she said
" Yes," Erik said
The doors opened and they walked into the dinning room. Christine sat beside Roul and Perle moved over one seat so Meg could sit beside Erik. The servants served them and conversation circulated around the table. Erik was quiet and Perle whispered something to Meg. Meg smiled and looked over at Erik as he remained in silence.
" Erik, are you well?" Meg asked
" I'm fine," he answered
" You're so quiet," Meg said
" I have nothing to discuss," Erik answered slightly bitter
Meg nodded and returned to her meal and Christine looked at Erik. He seemed to just close up and speak only in his thoughts.
After dinner Erik walked outside on the back veranda, that over looked the estate lands. He held a glass of wine in one hand and leaned against the railing. Christine walked with Meg around the estate and looked out. She stared at Erik and Christine stopped with her friend.
" Erik, seemed rather surprise to see me, as I was to see him, but he's shut himself away," Meg said
" Perhaps he is just afraid," Christine said, " Go see him."
" I can't," Meg said, " I should respect his privacy."
" Meg," Christine said
Christine pushed her friend towards the door and opened it, then shut it. Meg leaned against the door with a sigh. Erik did not turn around, but continued to face outward. Meg took a deep breath and walked towards him, folding her hands behind her back as she walked.
" Can I join you?" she asked
Erik turned around and looked at Meg, she stood there and looked at him.
" I didn't wish to have you know?" he whispered, " I wished for you to forget me."
Meg shook her head and walked closer to him. She grabbed his hand and he looked at her.
" How can anyone forget you Erik?" Meg said, " You are a man of great knowledge and gentleness."
Erik faced her and she reached up and removed his white mask from his face.
" Don't hide Erik," she whispered, " Don't run away any longer.
Erik stared at her and swallowed a lump in his throat. Meg reached up and traced his face with her soft hands, he closed his eyes as Meg traced every detail.
" Erik," she whispered
He opened his eyes and stared at her and he was about to say something, but she silenced him. He looked at her and breathed deep as she looked at him.
" You are the idea gentleman that I could see myself being with," she whispered, " Every time I have been around you, it was you who made my heart leap. It was you who kept my imagination running wild. You are the person I dance for."
Erik breathed deep and listened to Meg tell him that he was the perfect man. He could not grasp this idea right off, but he did once she said the words.
" Erik, I love you," she whispered
He closed his eyes and turned away and Meg looked at him. He leaned against the railing and lowered his head. Meg looked at him and went to touch his shoulder.
" You are mistaken," he whispered, " I am not who you wish to be with. I am a man who has cause a catastrophe, that has pushed you away. I am a man in society that you would be ashamed to be seen with."
" That's a lie Erik," Meg said
Erik looked up at her and she saw tears fall from his face. His eyes were filled with sadness, but deep in them there was something else.
" Yet, I can't seem to pull away from you," Erik said, " I have tried to forget you, but there was never a moment I couldn't. Your face, your touch, your voice has burned into my mind. A curse to me….that I don't want to break."
Meg felt her heart break, but renewed itself as Erik went on. She walked to him and Erik found it in himself to say the words.
" I have betrayed my mind and followed my heart. I am in love with you," Erik said
Meg smiled and wrapped her arms around him. Erik embraced her and kissed her head. He leaned his head on hers as he just held her.
" Don't leave me for another," Erik whispered, " It will only make me wish I never loved. This is all I ask of you."
" Oh, Erik. I will stay with you forever," Meg whispered
Erik lifted up her chin and kissed her and Meg kissed him back. Erik and Meg held each other as they continued to hold their long passionate kiss.
" Erik and his lady friend are kissing," one of the children announced
Perle ran downstairs and saw Christine looking out the window and smiled.
" Christine, is it true?" Perle called
Christine turned around and nodded and Perle ran to look out the glass door. She smiled and Christine placed her hand on Perle's shoulder.
" Oh, Christine, it worked. They'll get married and live happily ever after just like the stories."
" Perhaps," Christine replied
Perle could only see happiness around them, the moonlight danced around them.
" The Phantom of the Opera got his wish," Christine thought
That night Erik looked out the window and leaned his head against the pane of glass. He felt a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He didn't want to fall asleep, afraid to only wake up to find this all a dream, his body suggested other wise. Erik went to sleep and rested peacefully, no disturbance just silence.
Meg brushed out her long hair and braided it and Meg smiled. She felt like she was dancing on air, each memory seemed to make her lift higher and higher.
" Oh, Erik," she whispered
A knock on Meg's door made her return to reality.
" Come in, it's open," she called
The door opened and Perle walked in and shut the door. Meg turned from the vanity and saw Perle walk over.
" Perle, what is the matter?" she asked
" Nothing, I came to see you," Perle said
Meg lifted the young girl into her arms and smiled. She hugged her tight and then looked at her.
" Are you and Erik going to get married?" she asked
" I don't know, he's only admitted how he felt," Meg said, " He's only one man."
" Guess time will tell," Perle said
" Yes," Meg replied
Perle smiled and hugged Meg.
" I'm glad you and Erik admitted feelings to one another. He was becoming very low key these past few days. I really think he was thinking about you the whole time."
" Well, I'm sure there were other things. Now, go get some rest," Meg said, " And we will see each other in the morning."
Perle nodded and hugged Meg and Perle walked out and Meg smiled. She took a deep breath and then went off to bed.
" I'm in love and hope to marry the man of my dreams," she whispered
The next morning there was talk about an engagement between Erik and Meg in the estate. Roul walked with Christine to the sunroom where they had their morning tea.
" It appears everyone is talking about it," Roul said
" Well, in this estate, they are," Christine said
Roul reached over and grabbed Christine's hand and kissed it.
" It's news that is worth listening too," Roul said
" Just like our engagement?" Christine said
" Only a secret one is best," Roul answered
Erik's door opened and then shut ever so quietly and Meg walked to his bedside. She sat down beside him and stroked his face. Erik stirred and grabbed the hand that touched his face. He opened his eyes and looked up at Meg, a smile crawled up Erik's lips, seeing her. He sat up and she wrapped her arms around him, he wrapped his around her.
" I had a dream," she whispered, " I thought what happened was a dream and made you leave."
" It's no dream, it's real," Erik whispered
Erik kissed her head and looked on the side of his bed and reached over. He grabbed a black leather pouch and opened it.
" A promise to me, to be with me forever," he said
Meg looked up at him and she saw the ring in his hand. Meg felt her heart take two extra beats.
" To be your wife?" she whispered
" Yes," he replied
" Oh, Erik," she whispered
She hugged him and he slipped the ring on her figure. She kissed him and they just held each other for most the morning.