A/N: I like this chapter too – one of my favorite "post-Christine chapters," mainly because of little Bella who will quickly become a central character.
Ch. 41 – An Empty Chair
Supper that night was a joyous affair. From the time Erik-Philippe entered with his new fiancé, everyone in the family seemed enchanted by her. Bridget was lovely with long golden hair and bright blue eyes. Her smile was warm and genuine, and her love for Erik-Philippe was as obvious as his was for her. The de Chagny family seemed to become a little more whole in her presence.
Alexander and Frederick were in attendance, as requested. Their father had given strict orders for the two to be on their best behavior, but it had proved unnecessary as both were so taken with the pretty creature that they wanted desperately to impress her.
Little Bella who was now nearly a year old was dressed in a lovely little dress of burgundy silk, her riot of auburn curls surrounding her angelic cheeks and striking eyes. She toddled around the table reaching up her chubby arms so that she might be held by each family member in turn. When she came to Bridget's chair, Bella regarded her curiously for a moment, as if surprised to find a female at the normally male-dominated table. Then, seeming satisfied, reached her arms up expectantly, obviously deciding that the new member of the family had passed inspection. Bridget laughed gaily and lifted the tiny toddler up onto her lap, where Bella delightedly grasped at her beaded necklace in fascination.
Erik surveyed the scene with content. He had not seen his family this happy since Christine's death. His gaze fell on her empty chair at the other end of table. How she would have liked to meet Erik-Philippe's future bride and share in their happiness! As his eyes clouded, he thought for a moment he could see her there and in his mind, he heard her voice quite clearly, "Ah, but I am here my love, as I will always be. Look around you. They are happy and safe. You have done well." He smiled at the sound of her voice, but as suddenly as it had come, it left him once again. The vividness of the memory made his sorrow at its disappearance all the more acute, and he lowered his head so that the jovial group would not see his tears.
Suddenly, he felt a tug on his pant leg, and peering down, he saw angelic blue-gray eyes gazing up at him with concern. No matter how much she adored her brothers, Bella would always be Papa's girl. She seemed to have an uncanny sense of when he was missing her mother, and would invariably show up wanting to be held. Yet somehow it always seemed she was holding him rather than the other way around. Erik smiled and reached down to sweep her into his arms.
Across the table, while the brothers were engaged in a lively argument over various political matters, Bridget watched the pair at the end of the table. Her face softened as observed the special relationship between her extraordinary future father-in-law and little Bella. What a pair they made – he so dark and commanding, and yet so gentle and loving, almost fragile; she small and angelic, yet wise and knowing somehow. Looking around her, Bridget thought again how fortunate she was to have the opportunity to be part of this remarkable family. Her lovely blue eyes met Erik-Philippe's and they exchanged a smile of understanding as he too gazed around at his family. He knew what she was thinking, and he felt the same way.