(a/n) This is my longest chapter yet! I hope you don't mind. It's funny, because I really had the least amount of time—test and papers you know.
As always, I adore my reviewers, you guys keep me motivated.
Padme Nijiri: Thank you very much! I'm glad you like Erik's darker side. I have always loved it myself. It gives me shivers. Thanks for your commentary on the E/C relationship. I do intend to work on that. Do you think I should have developed it more in the earlier chapters though? Or will it be fine to do it now?
Sue Raven: Yes Erik is a law unto himself. Glad you like Mme. Giry!
LostSchizophrenic: Ha, Christine better have some backbone, that's one of the premises of this story.
Ziroana: Hehe, well you got what you wanted . . . kind of. I'm glad you liked the revenge!
Emily: Yes Erik is being very hypocritical. But its like when someone calls your sister a name: you can do it—but no else can. Besides Erik's manipulation was different . . . after all, he loved her. . . Hehe I'm glad you uh "don't" approve of Erik's actions.
Unseenhope18: Awww, thanks so much for compliments on that line. One of my favorites too—glad when people notice my little poetic touches. Of course I don't mind if you use it! I'm honored!
GoldenLyre: Glad to see you enjoyed Reggie's death so much! I definitely worked on it enough. Do you think its unhealthy to fall asleep thinking of ways to torture and kill someone?
SugarPeaches: Thank you! I'm honored to hear you tune in every day to see if more chapters were added! I try to get one in every two days—although I don't want to make promises.
Forever in a bottle: Thank you! You have been such a faithful reviewer!
Witchy-grrl: Ha, your reviews always make me laugh. Doesn't every girl dream of having a man willing to kill for her? Hehe.
Erik'sangel527: Actually I wondered where you were. Hehe, but I trusted you would come through in the end. Thanks for saying this was my best chapter! I do hope my writing is improving as I go.
Leesainthesky: I know, why giver your love chocolates when you can present her with a corpse? Okay, I think I thought about ways to kill Reggie for too long . . .
Ae28: Thank you, and welcome to the story!
I hope you guys enjoy!(a/n)
XXXXXxxxxXXXXX
Christine
Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door, forcing some confidence into the action.
There was no answer, and disappointment flooded through me. What if he was already gone? Unwilling to give up, I called out, a trace of panic in my voice "Erik, it's Christine."
The door opened with startling swiftness, and Erik stood there, an unreadable expression on his face. He took my arm and gently pulled me through the door, silently closing it behind him.
Once inside, he dropped my arm abruptly, and asked in quiet voice, "I am surprised to see you here, what can I do for you?"
His tone was carefully neutral, and I found myself frustrated, as I tried to gain some idea of what he was thinking. I pulled Erik's letter from my reticule, and asked "I wished to completely understand the contents of this letter. When you say . . . do you mean to tell me that Reggie is dead?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, and he replied stiffly, "Yes that is exactly what I meant. Does this disturb you?"
"Quite the contrary," I said deliberately, wanting to leave him with no doubt in his mind, "I don't remember feeling so free in a long time."
I heard him let out an almost imperceptible breath, and I thought I saw just the faintest tinge of relief in his eyes.
Trying to decide which direction to take, I stood there for a moment at a loss for words. I felt as if a wall had been erected between us, and I did not know how tear it down. Antoinette had said she was sure he would take me on feeblest excuse, but doubt was swiftly undermining my confidence with insidious whispers.
"If that is all . . ."
"No," I said quickly, before my courage completely deserted me, "Do you think there will be any trouble over Reggie?"
"I highly doubt there will be any trouble for you," he answered, his face as impenetrable as ever.
"Well," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, "You are leaving London, and . . . well it sounds like a good idea."
His face hardened a little at this, and I suddenly realized how my words could be interpreted.
"No . . ." I stumbled, "I mean it sounds like it a good idea for me as well."
I saw surprise, and perhaps a flicker of hope, enter his eyes briefly, and encouraged, I continued.
"I always intended to move away from London, when I . . . well, discontinued my present lifestyle. England does not really contain any happy memories for me, except Belle, and since I am going to move I might as well return to France."
He said nothing, and desperately searching his face, I faltered on, "I think it would be good for Belle, after all, it is almost her mother country. France is as much a home to me as I ever had. I have some very happy memories of my father there, and . . . other happy memories from the Opera House."
I looked up at him through my lashes to see how he was reacting, and saw that his eyes had grown colder. This was not going well! Did he think my happy memories were with Raoul? I desperately wanted to disabuse him of this notion, but I was unsure of how to continue.
Before I could say anything else, he spoke, "I don't quite understand what the issue is here Christine. Do you want my advice? I think moving to France would be a good idea. If you think it is wise to uproot Belle."
"Oh," I said, glad of the distraction, "I am afraid she is quite a loner; although she never seems unhappy at school, she doesn't really have any close friends. Also she knows French very well; Madame Giry and I have made sure of that."
He frowned, "She is a charming child, she should have a horde of friends."
"Well, she can be very dreamy, and I think that some of the children may consider her odd."
He scowled, "Why must people always shun what is different?"
I smiled, warmed by his concern, "I don't know," I said pointedly, "I, for one, am very fond of different people."
He stared at me, an arrested expression in his eyes, and I could hear his breathing quicken. Then to my surprise, he abruptly said, "I have a great deal to do before I depart so if you are finished . . ."
Confused, I asked, "Erik, what about me moving to France?"
"I hardly see how the details concern me," he replied unencouragingly.
I took a deep breath, it was now or never, "I had hoped that we could . . .that you could help me with the arrangements . . .that we could travel together."
I saw a look of refusal on his face, and rushed on, my words calculated to appeal to his chivalrous instincts, "I know I haven't told you much about my past Erik, but the truth is I've never had to deal with such arrangements before. And I can't help but feel we would be safer if you were with us."
Abruptly, he turned away from me, "Christine," he said, his deep voice husky with emotion, "I don't understand how you can even be here, much less ask me to travel with you. I have treated you horribly—brutally! How can you even bear to look at me!"
My heart throbbed painfully in my chest, and I felt a rush of happiness at his words. He must care! I quickly moved forward, and grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn towards me.
"Oh Erik! I am also to blame. I . . . I didn't tell you about Reggie. You could not have known! I was very angry that night, and very hurt, I admit it. You wounded me when you would not believe me. And yet what reason have I given you to trust me? And I can never thank you enough for freeing me from Reggie, and before that, well you have freed me financially as well. You truly are my guardian angel!"
He felt him tremble under my grasp, and his eyes darkened with some imperceptible emotion.
"Does this mean you have forgiven me?"
"Yes," I said, infusing that one word with all the longing I felt.
He closed his eyes, as if in pain, and I felt panicked; I didn't want him to withdraw from me now.
Slowly, deliberately, I twined my arms about his neck, and he opened his eyes, looking at me disbelievingly, "Kiss me Erik," I begged.
He stared at me searchingly for just a moment, then his arms came round me tightly, almost crushing the breath out of me. His lips descended on mine, bruising me with the force of his passion. But I ardently returned the kiss, eagerly parting my lips to admit his thrusting tongue. I could feel his hands roaming my body, in an almost frenzied manner, creating the most delicious sensations.
Abruptly he pulled back, "Damn!"
I looked up at him confused, and was about to ask what was wrong when I heard a man's voice coming from outside the door.
"Erik, it's James."
He sent me a swift message with his eyes, and I obediently retreated to the parlor. I felt a blush heat my cheeks, I had been so absorbed I must not have even heard James knock. As I hurriedly smoothed my hair, and straightened my dress, I heard Erik open the door. There was muted conversation, and then I heard their footsteps approaching.
James entered the room, and stopped abruptly when he saw me—a surprised look on his face, and dawning comprehension in his eyes.
He looked swiftly back and forth at Erik and me, before speaking, "This is the lady that will be traveling with you Erik?"
I felt a glad thump of my heart at hearing my hopes confirmed. Erik must have told him of the change while in the hall.
"Yes," Erik replied, "I believe you two know each other. We deceived you the other day James, when you introduced us. Elise and I have known each other for a long time."
It sounded so odd to hear the name Elise upon his lips, and I was not entirely sure I liked it. However, it was necessary I supposed.
"Are you making the travel arrangements James?" I asked in a soft voice, "If so, I want to thank you for your help."
"Yes," he replied, still looking a little dazed, "Erik has asked me to, although I almost refused him, since I will be losing a very valuable business partner. I may have to follow him to France, if he would have me."
"I don't know if you could ever accustom yourself to the French, James." Erik said, an amused look in his eye.
"Ah well, they are damned odd sometimes, no offense meant."
"No offense taken," I replied, with a little laugh.
"So," James said, a questioning look in his eyes, "You will be traveling with an older lady and little girl as well?"
"Yes," I answered, shamelessly perjuring myself, "The older woman is like a mother to me, and the girl is her granddaughter. She has taken care of the child ever since her own daughter passed away."
"Ah," James said, nodding his head, "Well I had already arranged for Erik to travel on a private steamer from Dover to Calais. I believe the captain will be able to take on three more passengers; however, you may be cramped."
"A private steamer?" I asked, my eyes questioning.
"Yes, just a merchant," then he glanced at Erik.
"I requested James to arrange passage for me on a private ship. I believe that I would be more comfortable there," Erik said, an unspoken message in his eyes.
Of course, if the ship was embarking on a long voyage, Erik would be much harder to trace. The packet steamers could easily be questioned since they crossed the channel regularly.
James began speaking again, directing his words to Erik, "You can easily purchase tickets for the train from London to Dover. When you get to France, you can put up at an inn while you make arrangements. I will contact you again tomorrow, after I have confirmed the new number of passengers with the captain."
"Thank you, James," Erik said with quiet grace, "Elise, do you need him to do anything for you?"
"No, but how many days are we talking about?"
James laughed, "Forgive me, the ship leaves in three days from Dover, I know its not very much time, but Erik requested to leave within a week."
"Is that enough time for you Elise?" Erik asked.
I would have to go to the bank, and pack, but if Antoinette and I worked hard we should be able to get done in time. Then, with a start, I remembered the house. Should I sell it?
"Yes that will be enough time, but Erik, the house . . . I don't know if I want to sell or not."
"Don't worry, whatever you decide can be dealt with after we are already in France."
"Alright," I said.
"Well, I will take my leave now," James said, "I have much to do."
Erik escorted James to hallway, and I heard more muted conversation before the door shut.
As Erik's footsteps approached the room, my heart began beating painfully, and when he entered I felt my cheeks heat up under his intense gaze.
"I suppose I have much to do as well," I said, my voice unsteady. "Erik, I cannot thank you enough . . ."
He waved away my words with gesture of his hands, and his eyes glowed with emotion as he said, "You already have. Shall I see you home?"
"No," I answered, "I have a few errands I need to run first."
"Then I wish you a good day," Erik said, stepping back to allow my exit.
And with a little glance back at Erik, I left his rooms, my heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.
XXXXXxxxxXXXXX
Christine
The last few days had been filled with a multitude of activities in preparation for our departure. I had canceled milk delivery, turned off the big house's servants—with pay of course, dealt with financial issues, and packed and packed and packed.
I had already informed Belle that we were leaving, and although she appeared sad to be leaving the cottage, informing me she must say goodbye to all the creatures in the garden, she did not seem overly concerned with the move. However, I had not told Belle who our traveling companion would be, and I must admit that I had been putting it off.
But I could no longer put it off, it was the night before we were to depart, and Erik was going to visit our house that night in order to go over the details of the trip before we left.
So I apprehensively sought her out, and informed her we needed to have a little talk.
"Alright," she agreed, "have I done something wrong?"
"Oh, no," I answered, as we walked to the parlor, "It's just something about the move."
Once inside the parlor, we both sat down, and I looked down at her fondly.
"We will have someone traveling with us to France, my dear, and it is someone you know."
She drew in a breath, but looked puzzled, "Who is it?"
"A gentlemen you have spoken to before, although I told you not to."
She gave an excited gasp, "Oh! Mister . . .mister . . . " then she frowned, "I don't even know his name!"
"His name is M. Legard," I told her, purposefully omitting his first name.
She clapped her hands, "How exciting, oh I am so glad!"
"I see you like him?"
"Oh very much! He is very interesting, and kind as well. He doesn't talk to me like other grownups do. You don't of course, but everyone else always speaks to me like I am stupid. He doesn't!"
"Well I am glad." I said, wondering that Erik should have made such a connection with my daughter, but very happy that it should be so.
A couple hours later, after we had all had dinner, I heard knock on the door. Knowing it must be Erik, I steadied my nerves, before going to open the door.
There he stood, and my heart tightened, as it always did at the sight of his tall figure.
"Hello, Erik," I said softly, and a little shyly, "Come in."
I had just closed the door behind him, when I heard him speak to Belle.
"Hello again Belle, we will be spending some time together in the future. Does that make you happy?"
I turned and noticed that my daughter had a rather shell-shocked expression on her face. When she did not speak, I asked her with a frown, "Belle, what is the matter?"
Erik exchanged a concerned glance with me, before Belle suddenly said accusingly, "You called him Erik!"
Oh no, I thought, but surely she could not think . . .
"Are you my father?" she demanded of Erik.
Before Erik could reply, I quickly interjected, "There are other men with the name Erik my dear. Besides you know your father died before you were born."
She stamped her foot angrily, "You could have just told me that, besides other men don't visit us here, only the priest sometimes, and he doesn't count."
"Belle . . ."
"You are! You are! I know it!" she announced, her voice half certain, half hopeful.
I sighed, she wanted a father so much.
"What is all this noise about?" Antoinette asked, entering the fray. "Ah I see M. Legard has arrived."
Belle's lips trembled, "Aunt, his name is Erik!"
I saw comprehension quickly enter Antoinette's eyes, and she swiftly took Belle's arm, "Come with me, I will make you a cup of hot cocoa, while we leave your mother and M. Legard to talk."
"I don't want hot cocoa," Belle protested, but she allowed herself to be led away.
I swiftly took Erik into the parlor, and closed the door behind us.
"Well," I said, a little shame faced, "I am sure you must be wondering what that was all about."
"Christine, allow me save you some trouble," Erik said gently, "You see Belle has told me all about her father already, and that was how I first knew she must be your daughter."
"Oh," I said inadequately, my cheeks burning. "Well you must be wondering why I described you as her father."
I was silent a minute before continuing, Erik's eyes watching me sympathetically, "You see . . ." I started, then stopped, "I . . . oh this is so hard!"
"Christine, we don't have talk that about right now. I understand it has to be difficult for you. I am very honored though that you deemed me worthy to be described as the father of your child, that you even wished to speak of me."
I blushed . . . again, I had blushed more in the last few weeks than I had in the years I had been a courtesan. Oh what must he be thinking? Did he imagine he knew why this was so hard for me? How had interpreted my making him Belle's father? If this did not make my emotions patently obvious, I didn't know what else would!
"Christine, I want you to know . . ." Erik said, looking adorably hesitant, "I wouldn't mind if Belle believed me to be her father . . . that is if you don't mind."
My heart jumped to my throat. Mind? Of course I didn't mind, but that couldn't happen, Erik could not have considered the implications, he didn't know what it was to belong to a child. "Erik I couldn't ask that of you! You do realize you could just walk away, or even visit every once in a while. You would have to be a constant presence in her life."
His eyes shuttered, and he said stiffly, "It was just a suggestion, I quite understand if you don't want me in Belle's life that way."
"Erik, its not . . ."
"Forget it!" he said sharply.
"No! I need you to understand! I am not questioning this because I don't want you in Belle's life. Quite the contrary, you seem to have quite a connection with my daughter, but I just don't know if you realize the responsibility you would be shouldering. You have never had someone depend upon you."
"No," he said, his gaze darkening, "I have not."
I winced, realizing how thoughtless my words were, "But if you want to . . . well, I have no objection. In fact, I think it would be wonderful, Belle dearly needs a male influence in her life."
He face softened, and he looked at me wonderingly, "You really wouldn't mind?" he asked, his voice slightly husky.
"Have I not said so?"
"You do realize that would mean you would also see me regularly?"
I looked down shyly, but said steadily, "I don't think that would be a problem at all."
"Oh Christine . . ." Erik said, his tone filled with pleasure.
But before he could continue, we heard Belle's upraised voice in the distance, "Aunt please, please let me go to the parlor!"
Our eyes met in laughter, and I felt my heart skip dangerously.
"Well," I asked, "Are we agreed then? I could give you time to think about it, but Erik, if we are to tell her you are her father, now would really be the best time."
"I don't have a doubt in my mind," Erik replied emphatically, his golden eyes glowing.
"Lets go to the kitchen then," I said, unable to restrain a wide smile.
"Wait," Erik said, and I felt little anxious flutters in my stomach, was he rethinking? "What are we going to tell her about my supposed death?"
I frowned. I had forgotten that! "Well I can say I thought you were dead . . , oh I do hate lying to Belle so. But I cannot tell her the truth, and this, this would make her so happy."
Erik did not reply, but seemed lost in thought, finally he said, "We both believed that the other died in the Opera House fire. Bodies were discovered, but they were too burned to be recognizable. Since we never found each other, we had to assume that one of the bodies was our . . . spouse?"
Suddenly he looked at me, a question clear in his eyes. Feeling overwhelmed, I replied, "We can cross that bridge when we come to it. I think though that Belle won't ask if we don't make it an issue."
He looked at me, his gaze intense, but said slowly, "Alright."
I think we both knew it would become an issue soon enough, and perhaps, we both wanted it to be one.
"To the kitchen then!" I said, drawing a deep breath.
We walked down the hall, to the kitchen, at the back of the house. As soon as Belle sighted us, she jumped up, a questioning look on her face.
"Sit back down my dear," I told her, sitting down at the kitchen table myself. Erik followed suit, and I almost laughed. It felt so strange to see him seated here, at my cottage kitchen table.
"Belle, I am sorry I did not tell you earlier, but this gentleman is indeed your father. We thought each other dead, or else we should never have parted. There was a fire at the Opera House we both, umm, worked at, and we were separated. He did not even know you were his daughter until you told him about your father, after that he had to speak with me."
"I knew it!" Belle announced, joy filling her voice, she jumped out her chair again and ran over to Erik, throwing her arms about him.
I could see Erik's startled expression, and my heart warmed to see his arms slowly close around Belle. Oh God! If only it had been true. If only Erik was Belle's father and we had always been together! I swiftly repressed those thoughts, it would do no good to think of what could have been. Think of what you have now, I scolded myself. Life has surely changed for the better!
I could feel tears start my eyes, and looking over at Erik I saw that his eyes looked a little watery as well.
"Come on," Belle said, "I wanted to show you my room," her brow puckered, "although it is messy because of moving, but that's okay."
As Belle led Erik out of the room by his hand, I heard a low laugh. I turned to see Antoinette, who had watched the proceedings with great interest. She began laughing in earnest, the sound of her mirth filling the room.
I frowned, putting my hand on my hips, "Whatever do you find so funny?"
Between laughs she said, "You two are best amusement I have had in years! All this nonsense to avoid having to actually tell each other your true feelings, but please don't confess all now! I can hardly wait to see what will happen next!"
(a/n)Well I hope you like it! I will be putting some of Erik's feelings on these events into the next chapter, so don't worry too much about that. Would you have preferred either of these scenes to be in Erik's POV? If so, which one? Just curious. Don't forget to REVIEW!(a/n)
