Ch. 21 – A Strange Request
After the funeral, there was much to be done. As Elsa's sole heir, her estate and all of her possessions were left to Christine. At her final meeting with Elsa's attorney, he had also informed her of a lovely seaside estate that Elsa had recently purchased that would now be hers as well. "It's in a lovely area. Nice is a beautiful city," he had remarked. Christine once again marveled at both her dear friend's thoughtfulness and her generosity. It was Elsa's way of making sure she kept her promise, which she fully intended to once all affairs were in order. As she turned to leave the lawyer's office, he coughed slightly, causing her to pause in the doorway. "Ah, mademoiselle, I realize it is an odd request, but Madame Valerius insisted that you should notify me when you leave for the cottage in Nice." He seemed embarrassed, but continued hurriedly, "There is a task I must perform at her request, and she left explicit instructions that I was not to complete it until the day that you left for Nice."
Christine looked at him quizzically, "Can you tell me what this task is, monsieur?" He looked embarrassed once again, but shook his head emphatically, "No, I do apologize, mademoiselle, but she was most adamant that no one should know of this errand, and I am bound by duty to do as she requested." He looked at her pleadingly.
Christine suppressed a giggle at his obvious discomfort. "Go ahead then, good monsieur. Let dear Elsa have her secrets once more. You have my word. On the day that I depart, I will send word to you immediately. Goodbye, monsieur, and thank you again."
Christine made her way gracefully down the steps to the awaiting carriage. There were but a few more things to see to, and then there would be nothing in the world that could keep her from finding her Angel and making him hers at last. She smiled, directing it heavenward. "Elsa, my dear friend, I wonder what other surprises you have planned for me in Nice." The carriage rattled away back to the manor, as Christine continued to smile. There were many preparations to be made, but very soon, she would be on her way.
As she walked through the doors of the place that had been her home more than any other place on earth aside from the opera house long ago, she closed her eyes as if to feel Elsa's loving presence once again. She would keep the house. It was her tie to her adopted mother, and she had no need of the money. She had arranged to keep a gardener and a small staff so that the house and grounds might be kept in their current perfect condition. She had also arranged for Elsa's clothing to be given to charity, as she knew Elsa would have wished. Most of the jewelry she had sold, donating the money to the church. She had kept one or two pieces that held special sentimental value, wanting some piece of Elsa that she could carry with her on her journey.
After two more days of work and preparation, all loose ends had been tied up, and there was nothing more to be done. All her possessions were packed, but Christine prolonged her departure yet one more night. That evening, she took one last stroll through Elsa's beloved gardens, taking in the beautiful summer twilight. After all her years of longing, she was suddenly struck with fear at the prospect of finally seeing her Angel again after all that had passed between them. What if he could not forgive her? How could she make him believe in her utter love and devotion after she had so cruelly rejected him before? As she remembered the tumultuousness of their earlier encounters, she wondered if she were strong enough at last to withstand the depths of his passion and genius. He had always overwhelmed her with his brilliance...and with his darkness. Was she ready to be engulfed by him once again?
She walked along the path quietly, feeling the sensual summer breeze flow over her skin, remembering long musician's fingers, and gray-blue eyes burning with the flames of love and desire. Her eyes closed, and her body shook in sweet anticipation. Yes, she was ready. She had never been more ready for anything in her life.
She opened her eyes and stared out into the deepening night around her. But will I be ready if he should refuse me? The tiny voice of doubt spilled its venom into her mind, paralyzing her. If she lost him again, she wasn't sure she could recover. But at once she imagined Elsa there, soothing her as always, and telling her with certainty that he would not refuse her, and even if he did, that she was strong enough now to survive on her own.
Encouraged by Elsa's spirit, seeming as always to urge her forward, she resolved that come what may, she would leave in the morning. In three days time, she would finally see him after three years of longing. The idea sent a shiver of anticipation through her entire body.