Mini Nicka: Thank you for your idea, I actually have some plans that have to do with Christine, but I'm not going to reveal anything yet ;-D
Diana-Lupin: I'm glad you like my story and I'm really honored to be on someone's Fav. List.
Chapter 5: FriendsAs soon as she sat down, she heard a harsh knock on her door. Getting back up with a groan, she opened it to find Meg Giry with another dancer. "Oh thank goodness you're alright! The managers have been so worried about you," Meg exclaimed, closing the door behind her as she and the other girl stepped in. "What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine, what's going on?" Victoria asked in confusion. Meg and the other girl looked at her curiously, "Victoria, didn't you notice the time? You were last seen at 9:30 this morning, and now it's 7 in the evening. Where have you been?"
Victoria glanced at the mirror, wondering if Erik was watching her, "I'm sorry to worry you, but I wasn't feeling too well and I stepped out with Emily for a bit." Meg looked skeptical, but decided that it was a good enough excuse. "Alright then, I brought someone for you to meet," Meg said, grabbing the other girl's hand and bringing her forward, "Victoria, this is Nicole, she's one of the ballerinas that lives in the opera house." Nicole smiled brightly at her and curtsied, "It's nice to make your acquaintance mademoiselle…"
"Victoria," she finished with a smile, "Just call me Victoria please. And this is my daughter Emily." She shifted the baby in her arms to show her to Nicole who smiled and tickled her stomach. Emily laughed softly and squirmed in Victoria's arms. Her eyes began tearing up again from still not getting anything to eat yet. "Oh…I'm sorry Emily," she said, quickly picking up her suitcase and setting it on her bed. "Girls, I'm sorry, I have to feed Emily now. Meg can you do me a favor and get your mother for me? I need to know when rehearsals start for the opera," she said, pulling out an empty bottle and some milk. Meg nodded and took Nicole's hand, "Of course. I'll find her for you." Victoria looked up for a quick second and flashed Meg a smile, "Thank you, Meg, and it was nice meeting you Nicole." Nicole smiled as Meg opened the door, "Like wise. Bye!" She was able to get out the last 'bye' before Meg pulled her out the door and closed it.
"Shhh…It's ok sweetheart, Mummy's here. I have your bottle," she cooed softly to Emily. She filled the bottle and held it to the infant in her arms, "Here sweetie, eat." Emily accepted the bottle and drank it greedily. Victoria smiled and sat down on her bed, rocking Emily in her arms.
After Emily had finished the bottle, Victoria sang her to sleep with her lullaby. She now smiled down at the sleeping baby in her arms and lie back on her bed, moving Emily into a comfortable position on top of her. She blew her hair out of her eyes and relaxed. However, it was short lived when she heard a soft knock on her door. "Come in," she called out quietly so as not to wake Emily.
Madame Giry entered to find Victoria lying on her bed with Emily snuggled carefully on top of her. She gave her a soft smile and sat down on a chair beside the bed. "The managers have been worried mademoiselle. What have you been up to?" The elder woman asked with a knowing smile.
"Honestly, Madame Giry, I was at a music lesson," Victoria said with a soft blush. "Ah yes, our Phantom is a great teacher. Christine, our star of Hannibal that you saw that night, was one of his students," Madame Giry said, getting a far off look in her eyes. Victoria's eyes widened in remembrance of what Erik said, '…She betrayed me… She saw what I was, and it was something she did not want in her life anymore.' Her eyes softened in sympathy for him, Oh Erik…Madame Giry sighed and put on a smile, "But that is all in the past. From what I've heard from Meg, Christine is living happily with her husband." Victoria nodded blankly. Madame Giry patted her shoulder and smiled, "Now about rehearsals, chorus rehearsals are to be held every day from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, with time in between for lunch of course." She nodded and made a mental note in her mind on when rehearsals were held.
A few minutes later Madame Giry rose from her seat and walked to the door. "I see you need your rest. I shall bring you some food incase your hungry. Should you be asleep, I will place it on your dresser for when you wake," she said standing in the doorway. Victoria smiled weakly up at her and said a quiet 'thank you' before closing her eyes.
Madame Giry smiled at the picture of Victoria and Emily asleep on the bed, reminding her of her and Meg when she was a baby. She quietly closed the door behind her and started walking down the halls, headed for the kitchen. As she walked, she noticed a shadow following her. She paused in her journey and looked up into the rafters. "I know you're there Erik. There is no one else around, you may come down if you wish to speak to me," she said quietly, looking to the shadows for his white mask.
Erik smiled to himself and leaned into the light so she could see him. He climbed swiftly down to her level and stood beside her. "Madame Giry, it's nice to see you again," he said, kissing the back of her hand. "Ever the gentleman, Erik, but I'm a bit curious as to why you're showing yourself now. It's been five years and I have not heard anything about you, except that you were to be believed dead. I knew these rumors were not true, that you were still alive some where, hidden, but what are you hoping to achieve with this girl?" She said, crossing her arms. Erik raised his eyebrow to her, she hadn't questioned him before, why now?
"She has potential, Madame Giry, there is no denying that. But she still needs teaching, that's what I'm giving her. It's possible that she can be taught to sing even better than Christine," he said, leaning against the wall, his face hiding in the shadow. Madame Giry huffed and lowered her arms, "Be careful with her Erik. She's more fragile than Christine was. She has a child and she lost her husband not too long ago."
He nodded and stood straight again, "Do not fear, Madame Giry. No harm will come to her, not with the Phantom watching over her." Madame Giry nodded, "Go to her room and watch over her for now, please. When I last left her, she drifted off to sleep, I told her I'd bring some food to her." Madame Giry walked past him, continuing her trip down to the kitchens.
Erik watched her go for a few more seconds before he slipped into the shadows and headed to Victoria's dressing room. When he got there, he opened the door quietly, hoping not to disturb her. He found her sleeping on top of the bed, facing Emily, who was now curled up beside her and tucked in her arms carefully. He smiled gently and, after closing the door behind him, moved to sit in the seat that Madame Giry occupied not too long before.
Her back was facing him for the moment as she slept. She was wearing the same gown that she had dressed in that morning, as was Emily, but both slept peacefully. Soon, she shifted onto her back, her arm still around Emily. Erik's eyes softened as he noticed how her dark hair fell in front of her face. How that dark hair reminded him of Christine. He wondered if where ever she was, if she was happy. Of course she is, she's with her Vicomte, he thought bitterly. He moved his hand and slowly brushed Victoria's hair from her face, his fingers lingering on the soft skin of her cheek. He caressed her cheek, noticing her sigh from his touch.
"Erik…" she whispered in her sleep. His eyes widened in shock and he removed his hand from her cheek. Did she just say his name? Was she having dreams about him? His thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the door. He got up and opened the door, knowing it was Madame Giry returning. She walked into the room, a tray of covered food in her arms. She placed the food on the dresser and turned back to Erik, "Thank you for looking over her. I think it would be best if you take your leave now, monsieur. She needs her rest." Erik nodded slowly, still in slight shock from her saying his name. Madame Giry left before him, closing the door with a soft click. He stood in his place, looking over Victoria's face. He walked over to her and brushed her hair back, kissing her forehead. "Goodnight…Angel," he whispered, smiling to himself at the smile that appeared on her face. He kissed Emily's forehead before he walked over to the mirror. "Goodnight…Erik," he heard a soft whisper behind him. He turned around to see Victoria still asleep. His eyes narrowed slightly, but shook his head as he opened the doorway and stepped through, closing it behind him.
Victoria smiled as she heard him leave. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at the mirror, before shifting her eyes to her sleeping daughter beside her. She kissed her head before getting up, and walking over to the food on the dresser. Pulling off the cover, she saw a delicious meal set for her. She ate the dinner at her dresser, watching her daughter. "You were supposed to be asleep, young lady," she heard from behind her. She laughed softly to herself and turned her head slightly to see Erik standing there. "Well, I've always been some kind of a rebel in my family," she said, setting down her utensils and getting up from her seat. She turned and faced Erik.
"How long were you awake?" he asked her, the unmasked side of his face turning red. She smiled shyly and lowered her gaze from his. "I awoke when Madame Giry came in. I am sorry, I know you did not mean for me to hear you say goodnight," she said, her cheeks turning pink. She looked up at him and walked over so she was standing in front of him. "I never did get to thank you properly for my lesson," she said quietly, leaning toward him. Erik stood there frozen, not sure what he should do. She smiled and kissed is cheek tenderly.
When she pulled back she tried to keep a straight face, but the look on his face was too much. "Erik? Are you alright?" She asked, a small smile playing on her face. He let go of the breath he was holding and nodded slowly. "W-why did you do that?" He asked with a stutter. She smiled at him, "I told you. It was a thank you for my lesson. I have nothing else to give." She looked down at the floor at the last sentence. Sighing softly, she walked back over to the bed, kneeling down with her chin on the mattress. "After my husband died, I had nothing left but Emily. Coming here was my only chance of earning some money for us to survive," she said, her eyes filling with tears. She ran a hand through her daughter's dark hair.
Erik looked upon her, sympathy in his eyes. He knew what it was like to have nothing but the opera house. He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder causing her to look up at him. The tears that stained her pale cheeks startled him. He lifted one of his gloved hands and wiped away her tears. Kneeling down to her level, he tucked her hair behind her ear, "Rest assured, my dear. You will be well taken care of here. I will see to that." Her eyes brightened some and she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you…" she whispered in his ear. He smiled slightly and slowly wrapped his arms around her waist.
They stayed like that for a few moments until Erik heard her try to stifle a yawn. "Come now, mon ange. Madame Giry was right, you need your rest," he said, lifting her in his arms and placing her gently back on the bed. He picked up the sleeping Emily and put her in the crib, covering her with the blanket. She turned on her side, cuddling up to the stuffed bear that was in the crib. Erik smiled and turned back to Victoria who had fallen back asleep. He rolled his eyes and covering her body with the blanket at the foot of the bed. He studied her face to make sure she was asleep before kissing her once again on her forehead. He watched as she sighed softly in her sleep, turning over, her back now to him. He turned and headed for the mirror, stepping through. He looked back at her once more before closing the door behind him and beginning the journey back to his lair.
How did you guys like this chapter? I'm slowly but surely breaking my writer's block. I've got a huge paper due this Friday, but I'm working on the next chapter and I'm almost done with it. It should be up some time this week, if not then this weekend.