Chapter 18

As we leave the house I pause only long enough to get a lit lantern and lock the door before walking to the boat and helping Marie to board the tiny vessel before getting in myself and activating the mechanism that will take us to the Rue Scribe entrance. As the boat begins it journey I wrap my arm around Marie and pull her close to my side. I hear her sigh softly as she rests her head on my shoulder.

"I can hardly believe that in only a little more than twenty four hours we will be husband and wife," Marie says wistfully as she smiles up at me.

"I myself can hardly believe that this whole week has been a reality and not just a dream," I admit softly before pressing my lips to the crown of her head. Her hair feels so soft against my lips.

"Believe me, Erik, it is not a dream. What we have shared in the past week has been a million times better than even the most wonderful dream I have ever had," she says adamantly as she turns to face me directly with a very sincere look on her lovely face before offering her lips to mine.

After our lips part Marie rests her head against my shoulder once more and we continue across the dark lake in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

Sitting here I cannot help but feel a bit of apprehension creep into my mind but I cannot quite lay a finger on its cause. Everything is going so well and I am quite nervous about the wedding tomorrow... surely my nervousness is what has caused the nagging feeling of eminent doom lurking just out of sight to form in the back of my mind. I force myself to push such thoughts from my mind and instead think of this girl who has come into my life so suddenly and caused me to feel things that I never thought I would have the opportunity to feel and who returns those feelings. This woman sitting so close to me has given me what I have always wished for... love. How is it that I have been blessed with such a wonderful woman who does not fear me because of my face? She is sure that fate is what has brought the two of us together and I have no choice but to admit that it must have been fate. How else can her dreams of me from such a young age be explained? Spending time with the Gypsies taught me to keep an open mind about such things as dreams or visions of the future but never before have I been the focus of these things. It seems that Marie's dreams truly have been preparing her for me but why? Why would fate grant me the things I have been refused my whole life? I do not doubt Marie's sincerity when she tells me that she loves me and wishes to spend her life with me... to raise a family with me. But, I do, however, fear that fate is just playing a cruel joke on me by allowing me to taste what my life could have been like long ago if I had just been born normal like everyone else and I fear that something terrible will inevitably take such a wonderful gift away from me. After all, fate has always proven to be a cruel force throughout my entire life. Could fate finally be taking pity on me? Perhaps fate had nothing to do with the way my life has been before I met Marie... maybe fate intervened when it brought Marie into my life. I am sure that fate would not have spent so much time preparing Marie for me only to tear her from me... would it? With that last thought I feel the boat gently bump into the shore. After pulling myself from my troubled thoughts I reluctantly remove my arm from around Marie before docking the boat and helping Marie to solid ground.

"Marie? May I ask you a question please?" I ask softly, still bothered by the nagging feeling of trouble.

"Of course, Erik," Marie answers gently, looking at me expectantly. "What is troubling you?"

"Nothing, my dear. I was just curious as to whether you have had any nightmares lately that you have not told me about," I say cautiously, not wishing for her to interpret my question as a sign of doubt.

"No, Erik. Why do you ask?" she asks gently, sensing that something is truly troubling me.

"I have just been worried that something might happen to interfere with our happiness but I am sure that it is just that I am very nervous... after all, this whole week and the fact that we are to be wed tomorrow all seem to be things that are too good to be true when they are the very things I have longed for my entire life and have always been denied them," I admit reluctantly, knowing that I have no choice but to share my fears with her.

"Perhaps we should forget about taking a walk tonight," she suggests as she looks up at me and I see understanding and worry etched on her beautiful face.

"Do not be foolish, my dear. There is no reason why we should forget about taking a stroll tonight," I say after realizing how foolish I must have sounded telling her of such childish fears.

"Are you sure, Erik? If you are worried about our safety we can stay home tonight. I assure you, I will not be upset," she says gently.

"I am quite sure, my dear. As I said, I am sure that it is nothing but an unfounded fear caused by my excessive nervousness... after all, it is not every day that I am preparing to be wed," I add with a soft laugh before taking her hand in mine and leading her from the darkness out into the bright light of the Rue Scribe.

After pausing for a few moments to allow our eyes to adjust to the sudden light I hail a brougham and help Marie inside.

"Thank you," she says as she releases my hand.

"You are quite welcome, my dear," I say as I wait for her to be seated before handing Charles to her. As I place him in her arms he wraps his tiny fingers in the folds of my cloak and refuses to let go. Marie quickly helps to free me from his strong grasp. "Thank you," I say softly as I move out of Charles' reach. "I shall be right back," I inform her before going to the front to address the driver. Once I have told him where we wish to be driven to I join Marie in the back and signal for the driver to be on his way.

As the carriage begins its journey to the Giry's, Marie slides closer to me on the seat and rests her head on my shoulder as she has done so many times before. I wrap my arm around her and hold her close, savoring the feel of her against me and I cannot help but think of all the years I have been denied such a simple touch. But now in such a short time I am being offered much more than this simple contact. I am being offered the love of a woman and the ability to join with this woman as a husband and wife would. By tomorrow night she will be mine completely.

"Erik, the carriage has stopped," Marie says softly as she looks up at me with a questioning gaze.

I quickly pull myself from my awestricken thoughts. "I am sorry, my dear, I seem to have gotten lost in my thoughts. Come, let us be on our way," I say as I rise from my seat and open the door. Stepping down, I turn and offer my hand to assist Marie from the brougham. Gazing at Charles I see that he has fallen asleep again.

"Thank you," she says softly as she turns to smile up at me.

"You are quite welcome, my dear," I reply simply. "I am sure Meg will be surprised to see you. Perhaps you would like to go knock on the door while I see to the driver," I suggest.

"I believe I shall do just that," Marie says happily as she turns and makes her way quickly to the front door of the small house.

I quickly pay the driver and dismiss him before I join Marie at the door just as Madame Giry is opening it.

"Monsieur Phantom, Mademoiselle Marie, do come in. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Madame Giry asks softly as she quickly steps aside and waves us into the foyer.

"Marie wishes to take a moonlit stroll through the nearby park and I suggested that perhaps she would like to visit with Meg for awhile before we went for a walk," I explain as the woman offers to take our cloaks.

"Oh, I am sure that Meg will be very pleased to know that Marie is here. My little Meg has not stopped chattering about her since she woke this morning," Madame Giry boasts gleefully. Happy that Meg has taken such an interest in becoming friends with Marie, knowing full well that it will please me and as I said before, Madame Giry is always quite eager to please me.

"Perhaps you should fetch Meg then," I suggest gently as I sit on the sofa after Madame Giry motions for me to do so.

"Of course," she says quickly before disappearing up the steps. "Meg, we have guests," I hear her call as she knocks softly on a door. Moments later an anxious Meg comes bounding down the steps.

"Hello, Marie," Meg says happily as she enters the room. "Would you like to come up to my room so we can chat some more?"

Marie looks at me as though she wishes for my permission. "I will watch Charles while you young ladies go gossip," I say as I hold out my arms for the child.

"Thank you," Marie whispers in my ear as she places Charles in my arms and kisses me softly on the cheek before making her way upstairs with Meg. Charles giggles as he reaches for my mask.

"Oh no you don't, little one," I scold gently as I deter his hand from reaching my mask. Could it be that Charles thinks of my mask as a toy? This could be very possible, after all, he is not used to me wearing it around the house. As I look up I see Madame Giry smiling at us. Not sure whether I like her seeing the vulnerability I have towards this small child I quickly look away.

I soon hear a door close upstairs followed by the low chatter of the girls and I cannot help but wonder what it is they are talking about.

"Would you like some tea, Monsieur?" Madame Giry asks, drawing me from my thoughts.

"Yes, please," I say politely.

"Very good, Monsieur. I shall be right back," she says as she disappears from the room and I hear her moving about in the adjacent kitchen.

In a few short minutes I hear the whistle of the kettle, indicating that the water is ready. A few moments later Madame Giry reenters the room with two steaming cups of tea.

"Here you are, Monsieur," she says as she offers me a cup before sitting on a worn chair opposite me.

"Thank you, Madame," I reply courteously before taking a sip of the hot liquid. "I was wondering," I begin after a few minutes of silence, "could I leave Charles here with you while Marie and I go for a stroll through the park?"

"Of course, Monsieur," she exclaims eagerly. "I would be happy to watch him any time you would like me to."

"Thank you, Madame, but I do not wish to trouble you," I say sincerely.

"I can assure you, Monsieur, that baby is no trouble at all. He is a perfect little angel and I see no signs of that changing," she says confidently.

"Yes, he is a very pleasant child," I agree as I gaze down at him. He reaches for my mask once again but I keep it just out of reach.

"Monsieur, may I ask you a question?" Madame Giry asks hesitantly after observing Charles for a few moments.

"Of course," I say softly. What is it she wishes to ask and why does she seem so hesitant?

"Please do not become mad at me for asking this, Monsieur," she begins pleadingly. "But what are you going to do when the child becomes older and asks about the mask you wear? Surely you do not think you will be able to hide your face from him forever," she finishes shakily, fearing my reaction to such a question.

"Madame," I say with a soft laugh. "There is no need for you to concern yourself with such a question," I begin with a smile, "Charles does not fear my face. He has already seen it. In fact, I believe he thinks my mask to be a toy."

"He has seen your face?" she asks doubtfully as she gazes at him.

"Yes, he has seen it. Marie does not allow me to wear my mask around the house. I had objected at first, insisting that I did not wish to frighten Charles but she insisted that he would not be afraid of my face. I was surprised to find that she had been correct. I picked him up from his crib and he smiled and squealed as he always does when I pick him up... even without the mask on," I finish truthfully. Madame Giry looks at me with some doubt still showing on her weathered face. "Perhaps you would like me to prove to you that he truly is not frightened by my bare face," I say calmly, in a low voice as I move my free hand to my mask. "I cannot, however, guarantee that you will not be frightened though," I warn softly, pausing with my hand on my mask as I search her eyes for a sign. Not really wishing for her to see my face.

"I can assure you, Monsieur, I will not scream or faint by the sight of your face," she says steadily as she holds my gaze.

"As you wish, but remember, you have been warned," I say with a calm that I really am not feeling. With that I slowly remove my mask, keeping my eyes averted, anticipating the scream I am sure will inevitably follow.

"Monsieur, look at me," I hear her say in a very gentle voice and I realize that I have been holding my breath. She did not scream... perhaps her eyesight is failing her, I try to reason with myself.

I force myself to make eye contact with her. She has risen from her seat and has moved closer to where I am sitting. "Why are you not screaming?" I ask stunned.

"I see no reason to scream, Monsieur," she says softly as she reaches a weathered hand to my scarred cheek. I instinctively pull away from her reaching hand. "I will not hurt you," she says gently as she takes a determined step closer and closes the distance between our flesh, softly laying her hand on my twisted skin.

My eyes search hers as she caresses my cheek gently. "Why?" I ask softly, unable to hold the question back. She should fear me. Perhaps she does. Perhaps that is why she is touching my face willingly... maybe she is so afraid of me that she would not allow herself to show the disgust she must surely be feeling.

"Because," she begins gently, "I have seen your face before," she answers simply, slowly removing her hand from my cheek and returning to her seat across from me. I quickly replace my mask. Charles has fallen asleep in the meantime.

"How is it that you claim to have seen my face?" I question softly. Truly amazed by her reaction.

"I was at a fair when I was much younger. There was an attraction that my older brothers dragged me along to see. The attraction was a young boy wearing a mask who was chained in a cage. The barker ordered him to sing and he did so with such a hauntingly beautiful sadness in his voice that I wept for him. When the song was finished the man walked over to the boy and tore the mask away. Many of the women and girls who had been watching either screamed or fainted at the sight that was uncovered with the removal of the mask. I, however, was not one of them. Instead of turning away in fear or disgust I stepped closer to the cage," she says softly, never once removing her gaze from my face. After a pause she continues. "Perhaps you remember the girl who plucked a wildflower from her hair and laid it at your feet before asking you your name... Erik. But, before she had the chance to tell you her name her brothers pulled her into the crowd."

"You were that fearless girl?" I ask in disbelief. So many things fall into place at the realization of who she is. I now understand why she has always been eager to please me... it was not out of fear but of respect and understanding. She has known all along whom I really am yet she has kept it a secret for all these years. She has protected me. She could have easily told the managers that the Phantom really is nothing more than a mere man.

"Yes, Erik, I was... and still am, that fearless girl," she says with a smile.

"Why then, did you keep this from me for so long?" I question, my mind still racing at this sudden turn of events.

"I was afraid that if you knew that I was that girl from so long ago you would insist on a new box keeper or perhaps simply disappear for fear that I might reveal your true identity to the managers. I remembered that caged boy and I never feared your face, but, I did not know the man you had grown into and I was afraid of what life may have done to you over the years after living the way you were forced to most of your life," she admits gently. "I am sorry for making you think that I doubted you when I implied that Charles could not have seen your face but it is the only way I could think of to reveal to you the tie between us from the past. I thought that it was time that you knew the truth," she says softly.

"Why is it you wished to reveal this to me now?" I question as I ponder her words. "There has been plenty of time for you to do so without fear of losing your job."

"Since you have shown that you trust me to be a part of your wedding and have shown signs of friendship towards me I thought that you knowing about our shared past would encourage you to trust me as a true friend and not just your box keeper. I am sure that up until now you have been confident that your money is what has kept my loyalty but in truth it is the memory of you in the cage that has kept me quiet," she says honestly.

"You mean to tell me that even if I did not pay you, you would still have kept my secret?" I ask, shocked by this possibility.

"Yes," she answers simply. I say nothing and after a few moments she explains. "I know how horrible your life has been and I understood that becoming the Phantom and blackmailing the managers was your way of getting back at all those who had treated you so poorly over the years. The cellars of the opera house gave you the opportunity to have a place to live without being bothered and scaring the employees was a form of entertainment for you. You have a good heart, Erik, even after all that you have been through you still have the ability to find humor in most every situation. Even as a girl I have wished to be your friend," she finishes softly.

"My friend?" I ask in stunned surprise.

"Yes, Erik, your friend," she replies simply.

"If you wish to be my friend I insist that you tell me your name, Madame Giry, since you have taken the liberty of calling me by mine tonight," I say seemingly sternly. I trust and respect this woman sitting across from me and I believe her sincerity in wishing to be my friend. I have had so few friends over the years that I know how precious a friend can be. Nadir insisted on being my friend and ended up saving my life on more than one occasion. Perhaps friendship is not such a bad thing. If she wishes to be my friend than I will allow it.

"Forgive me, Monsieur," she says quickly, lowering her head. "I had not realized that I was calling you by your given name."

"Do not fret over it, Madame. But I was serious when I asked for your name," I point out as she raises her eyes to meet mine once more.

"Madeline," she replies simply. "My name is Madeline. But how is it that you did not already know my name?" she asks after a moment of thought. "You know everything else that goes on at the opera house."

"I thought it was only proper to ask your name when so many years ago you cared enough to ask me mine," I admit, hoping she will not be mad.

"Thank you, Erik," she replies softly.

"No, Madeline, thank you," I reply sternly. Just then I hear a door open upstairs followed by the sound of footsteps hurrying down the stairs.

"It is dark out, Erik," Marie says as she enters the room and sits beside me on the sofa. "Can we go for a stroll now?"

"I suppose," I reply teasingly. I cannot believe that it is dark already. Where did the time go? Had Madeline and I been talking for such a long time? It seemed like only a few minutes instead of a few hours!

"Here Erik, let me take Charles," Madeline says as she rises from her chair and crosses the room. Glancing at Meg as her mother takes the baby from my arms, I notice an odd look on her face. Could it be that she has noticed the sudden change in her mother's attitude towards me? This is the first time Meg has ever heard her mother address me in any manner other than to call me Monsieur or the more formal Monsieur Phantom... never before had she addressed me in such a casual way.

"Are you ready to go, Marie?" I ask, ignoring Meg's inquisitive look. The girl has to realize that her mother and I can very well be on a first name basis.

"Yes, Erik," Marie replies enthusiastically.

"Monsieur?" Meg calls as I turn to get my cloak.

"Yes, Meg?" I ask casually. She has never called out to me in such a way before. Why is she doing so now?

"I do not mean you any disrespect but I could not help but notice that my mother appears to be on a first name basis with you and I was just wondering if I could also call you Erik," she replies softly. When I do not give an immediate response the girl forges on. "You see, Monsieur, if I am to be friends with your wife I was hoping that perhaps I could be friends with you also."

Two new friends in one night, I muse to myself. Meg really has matured over the past two years. "Of course, Meg, you are quite right. I have been calling you by your first name for a very long time and it is only fair that you should address me by my first name also. As for being friends..." I pause for a moment as I toss this thought around in my mind. "One can never have too many friends," I say at last.

"Thank you, Monsieur," Meg replies happily.

"Meg," I say sternly. "I have just given you permission to use my first name and I expect you to do so."

"Oh, of course, Erik. Thank you!" she exclaims.

"Meg, please try to contain yourself, dear, or you will wake the baby," Madeline scolds her gently.

"Sorry, Mother," Meg says quickly in a much quieter tone. "It is just that it is not every day you get permission to call the infamous Phantom by his first name," she adds with a laugh.

"You are quite right, my dear," I say softly as I playfully muss her hair. "Now, if you lovely ladies would be so kind as to excuse me, my fiancée wishes to take a moonlit stroll through the park and I really must not keep her waiting."

"But of course," Madeline replies with a nod. "Go, take your time and have a nice walk." With that she ushers us out the door.