Like Kids

Raoul's return to his family estate should have served to put his jumbled emotions into perspective. In fact, the visit only served to confuse matters more. His continuing melancholy was of great concern to his parents, who were both convinced that he still mourned for the love of Christine, and so they had both taken pains to shake him from his brooding.

His father had been coldly direct about it, reminding Raoul that Christine had not been of his class--a lowly opera singer. There were so many other more suitable women.

His mother had been more tactful. Her words...a lovely girl indeed, but certainly not cut out to be a vicomtess...much kinder to her son's feelings.

Indeed, the Comtess had given Raoul a very nice little speech about all the wonderful young ladies that he should be meeting. She knew a good many, perhaps she should have some grand party so she might introduce him to a few ladies he might get on with. To help him forget Christine. It had been months, after all.

And to this, Raoul had broken into laughter. His poor mother had thought for a moment that he'd gone mad, and Raoul hadn't a choice but to tell her that it was not Christine so much on his mind these days. "There is…someone…a young lady…whom I have spent a great deal of time with of late. It is she who I have been thinking of."

"Oh, Raoul! That is wonderful. Who is this lady? Do I know her family?"

And there was the crux of his problem. For Raoul knew that his parents would be even less inclined to think Meg suitable than Christine. He sighed in resignation. "I…do not think you know of her, Mother. Her name is Marguerite Giry."

"Giry? The name...Raoul! Was Giry not the name of the ballet mistress at the Opera?"

"Yes, Mother. Meg is her daughter, and was also a ballerina at the Opera."

He watched his mother's confused expression clear, and then harden into distinct disapproval. "Oh, Raoul. No!"

"Don't, Mother. I know exactly what you are thinking and have no wish to hear your reprimand. Meg Giry is a wonderful, caring woman and I will not allow you to speak badly of her. She has been a great comfort to me as of late."

The Comtess scoffed. "I am certain she has been. But really Raoul, you cannot possibly think it a good idea to form such an attachment under these circumstances."

"And what circumstances would those be? Her class? Her chosen profession? Or is it that she actually has some idea of what my life has been like of late, and cares what I have to say?"

"You think your father and I do not care? Raoul, we love you and we only wish to see you happy."

"She makes me happy!"

"Does she? Because you certainly have not seemed so since your return."

Raoul shook his head and paced across the room. "Do you think I cannot see the obstacles, mother? I see them more clearly than you can imagine. Meg has been nothing but kind to me. She has no…expectations. I'm not even certain she feels the same…attachment that I do. And even if she does, I know she has no designs for marriage at this time in her life. Her dreams are of the stage. I will not take that from her." He looked his mother in the eyes. "You need not concern yourself that I might enter into another rash engagement."

The Comtess eyed her son intently, then gasped a little at the realization that he might truly love this girl. This girl whose happiness he cherished above his own.

Despite what her son might think of her, Elise de Chagny was far less concerned with the restrictions of society than her husband. She was a romantic at heart, and had been lucky enough to actually marry the man she had fallen in love with. Of course, it had helped that she was lucky enough to have been born to a wealthy family. And that she had always believed it just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one. Yet she held no contempt for those whose hearts led them down a more difficult path.

The ill feelings the Comtess possessed toward Christine Daae had little to do with her social standing, but were born from the girl's poor treatment of Raoul. During the short weeks the young soprano had stayed at the estate, Christine had been listless and distant. She clearly had not been happy here, or happy in Raoul's affection.

Elise had hoped her son might finally be ready to move on from the whole affair. She could not help but be concerned that he would choose a woman who had been so close to the events at the Opera. Or worry that this girl would damage him just as Christine had done. Still, he was a grown man with a romantic heart, and there was really nothing to be done for it.

She moved to him and placed a loving hand against his handsome cheek. "You are prone to rash actions as of late, Raoul. Perhaps…you should…return to Paris. You might be better able to think there."

Raoul stared into his mother's loving blue eyes, understanding that he had her permission, if not precisely her blessing. But his obstacles were still far from removed.

xXx

Jean Ranier prided himself on being a man of determination. There had never been one thing he had set his sights on that he had not been able to obtain...and he had set his sights on Marguerite Giry.

The moment he had laid eyes on her, he had been completely enchanted. Her beauty was equally matched by her spirit, a fact that had resonated with the first words they had spoken. That a young woman so lovely and talented was still unspoken for was an amazement to Jean. But it was much to his advantage. He could not imagine that she would continue to refuse to return to the Opera, and then he would have the enjoyment of her company both in business and pleasure.

Perhaps he might even be inclined to consider marriage.

Sometime in the distant future, of course.

A/N: Wow...my reviews multiplied. Guess I should have introduced the plot bunny sooner. Thank you all so much for your kind words and critiques.

Don't worry, Raoul will soon be finding his way back to Paris. The poor guy is just all mixed up about what he's feeling.

And Meg will have her own issues -- imagine falling for your best friend's ex.

I'm enjoying writing these two, as there is so much room to reimagine them.

Once again, I remind you all, musical and movie based - so I decided to write in some parents for Raoul.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter.