A/N: In this chapter, we see Erik-Philippe act a bit out of character. I would remind you that he is very much like his father – serious and reserved, but also passionate about those he loves. You will also see a tiny hint of the Phantom in Erik-Philippe at one point. No phantomann, he won't kill anybody!
Ch. 43 – Moving On
The next few weeks flew by. Helena visited for supper nearly every night. She met the boys and Bridget, and even Bella had overcome her earlier uncertainty and warmed to Helena's gentle smile. There was much laughter and merriment in her presence. After dessert, the family would retire to the sitting room for coffee. On one such night, Bridget had stayed at home due to a cold and Alexander and Frederick had excused themselves early to attend an orchestra performance. Bella had been tucked into bed, and Erik-Philippe found himself alone with his father and Helena in the sitting room.
The two chatted animatedly, lost in conversation. Erik-Philippe watched their innocent interactions with a trace of a frown upon his face. He was glad to see his father smiling again, and yet he couldn't get over the vague feeling of unease that always accompanied Helena's visits. True she was kind and charming, and he could not fault her behavior in any way, but something in her eyes when she looked at his father stirred a feeling of intense loyalty to his mother. He knew the house would be quiet once again after she left, but inwardly he wished it so. He had always felt his mother and father shared a love that could never be rivaled. Although he knew it was selfish of him, he had no wish for his father to move on, feeling it would diminish the special nature of his parents' relationship somehow.
He excused himself from the room rather abruptly, and stalked out the door. Erik watched him leave in mild surprise and sat staring after him for a moment. He turned back to Helena, his face drawn in concern. "I apologize, Helena. It is not like my son to be rude." He looked down at his wedding band for many moments, turning it around his finger absently. "I think Erik-Philippe fears that his mother is in danger of being replaced."
Helena bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She would be lying if she said she did not wish that very thing. Through the years she had had countless suitors, but she had rejected each in turn for their one common flaw – they were not the man sitting next to her. Although they had welcomed her at first, she had noticed the warning looks that Erik's children had been directing towards her the past few evenings. But she had hoped that in time they would come to see her not as a threat to their mother's memory, but as someone who made their father smile again and that would surely win them over.
Erik remained next to her lost in thought, still twisting the circle of gold on his left hand. Its remaining presence there taunted her, telling her with certainty that her efforts would ultimately be in vain. She studied his face, searching desperately for some sign of his thoughts. He looked ashamed somehow. Surely Erik did not feel guilty for simply visiting with her in the presence of his family? Helena reached for his hand, but he stood up and moved to the window, staring out into the darkness.
Helena rose as well and stepped behind him. "Erik, you have done nothing wrong. I am your friend and your cousin." Things had been going so well. He seemed genuinely happy in her presence, freed from his mourning, and he was so close to her now... She put her hand on his arm, her heart beating madly. "Is it so wrong that I am here?" she asked softly.
Erik did not answer, nor did he turn to face her. Hesitantly, she continued, "Erik, I know it has been difficult for your family these past few years. I know you loved Christine with all your heart and soul. But if you were to be happy again, would that make your love for her any less?" Still, he did not speak.
She stepped beside him, her heart in her eyes. "Erik, my feelings for you have never changed. My offer still stands. I could be here for you. Bella could have a mother..." her voice wavered. Erik's eyes flashed to her face intently, his expression immediately one of warning. "Bella already has a mother, Helena, a mother who gave up her own life so that her child might live. No one could offer her more than that." She lowered her head in shame. "You have been a dear friend to me, and while I appreciate your friendship and your concern, there is nothing more for you here. I have my family and my memories. I do not need anything more." Helena looked up, despairing in the finality of his words. The firmness with which he had spoken them left no further room for hope.
Seeing the grief on her face, his tone softened. "I am sorry for how you have suffered on my behalf, Helena. I never meant for it to be so." He touched her cheek gently. "But I cannot help that my wife has always and will always have sole possession of my heart. And although I still miss her desperately, in my mind she is always with me and that is enough."
Helena's eyes filled with tears for what she was losing all over again. A tiny voice whispered in her mind, Can you really lose something that you never really had? She wondered if Christine had understood how fortunate she had been to have such rare devotion from such an extraordinary man. Somehow, Helena knew that she had. She forced a brave smile and walked numbly to the doorway. "Goodbye, my dear Erik. I think it is best if I do not return again." Erik nodded, "Goodbye, Helena," he whispered gently. She quickly turned and left the room.
In her haste to leave, Helena did not notice the dark figure she passed in the hallway. When he was certain she was gone, Erik-Philippe stepped from the shadows. After hearing their conversation, he felt some measure of sympathy for the woman who had rushed past him moments before. It was obvious she loved his father very deeply. Still, he was glad she was gone.
Suddenly, Bella flew by him in her nightdress, her bare feet padding on the floor as she came for a second goodnight hug from Papa. As she reached his side, Erik smiled down at her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her face repeatedly until she dissolved into giggles. As Erik-Philippe watched the two of them, he could not help but have a surge of even greater respect for his father.
A/N: I fooled you with that chapter title, didn't I? Ha! Ha! I may have done an evil thing with Christine, but I sure as heck am not going to let anyone else have Erik. I have always thought theirs was a "love of a lifetime" kind of thing. Remember Erik's promise when she died, he will love only her until the day that he dies and even after. No, dear Helena will be the only one "moving on" in this fic: moving on down the road. I still like her character a lot, though. And I really can't blame her for never getting over our boy either.