Chapter 17: A Joyous announcement
The group sat in the parlor once again, eating apple pie and sipping coffee. Felix sat on the floor, playing with Chester, who was wagging his tail rapidly as though he too, knew what news Arthur and Marie had to tell. Finally, after a few slow, silent minutes, Lucien, who was known to be quite the curious one burst out.
"Blast it all Marie Claire, I can't take it anymore!" he said, his expression slightly comical, " What is it that you want to tell us?"
Marie and Arthur laughed at this and Arthur put his arm around Marie's waist gently. " Perhaps we should not keep them in suspense any longer darling." he said, a sparkle in his brown eyes.
"Alright," said Marie, smiling as she took a breath. "Everyone, I found out today that I am three weeks pregnant." she stopped, letting the news sink in.
There were a few moments of quiet, until Christine got up gleefully from the couch and swept her daughter and son in law up into a tight embrace.
"Congratulations!" she exclaimed, her eyes alight. "This is absolutely wonderful news!"
"We rather thought so too." said Marie Claire, hugging her beloved mother tightly.
"I could hardly believe it," said Arthur, smiling wide. " Time has flown. Marie and I have already been married for four months."
Meanwhile Raoul, who had to take a minute to overcome his initial shock, had risen from the couch, a broad smile on his face. The news had clearly surprised him, as it would any father who had just heard that his daughter was pregnant, but he was ecstatic nonetheless. He hugged them both at once as Marie and Arthur laughed at the still slightly shocked looked on his face
"This is most welcome news!" he said, his voice brimming with joy. Arthur, he noticed seemed relieved that the telling was over. Raoul winked at him, he knew how nervous he had been when he and Christine had told Madame Giry about Christine's first pregnancy.
"Papa it will be your first grandchild, are you excited?" asked Marie Claire.
"Yes, I'm very excited!" exclaimed Raoul, picking Marie up and kissing her cheek.
"Ah, congratulations to the two of you." said Lucien happily as he shook Arthur's hand and hugged Marie Claire tightly. "Well, my goddaughter, you have grown up." said Lucien, his hazel- green eyes dancing with excitement. Then he looked over at Christine and Raoul. "Grandchildren! Well, you two are getting old!" he fell in his chair, laughing at the incredulous looks on their faces.
"Oh be quiet Lucien, you are as old as we are!" said Raoul, an amused smile playing at his lips.
"Yes Lucien," said Christine, " I do believe see a few grey hairs." she stated simply, her eyes filled with mirth. "Marie dear have you told Lizzie yet?"
Marie Claire shook her dark head. "Actually, Arthur and I were planning to call on them after we told the news to you. I believe that Aunt Meg and Madame Giry are there as well, eating dinner with Lizzie and William."
"Well, I think we will go over there with you if you don't mind. I want to see the look on Lizzie's face when you tell her." said Raoul with a a chuckle.
Felix, jumped up at this proposition, for he always loved to go to Lizzie's house. And Lizzie's little brother was a good friend of his. As everyone, save Lucien, who had gone upstairs for a nap, put on their coats a thought suddenly occured to Felix.
" So does this mean that I'll be an uncle?" he asked, his eyes wide. He had always thought uncles were much older that he was.
Arthur and Raoul, who found this question incredibly funny, laughed out loud. Arthur put his arm around Felix's shoulder. "Yes, it will be like you having a little brother or sister." he said, an amused look on his face.
"Yes," said Raoul, picking Felix up and putting hims on his shoulders, "That will be exciting won't it?"
"Yes," said Felix, a gleeful smile coming onto his face. He was beginning to feel very excited about this new baby.
Then the group went outside and go into their carriages. And Arthur, who was so concerned for Marie, held her close all the way. Marie laughed softly at this . She imagined that Arthur's protectiveness would only increase over the months. She doubted that she would even be allowed to walk by the ninth month. But she didn't mind, for she was more excited than she had ever been. All of her dreams were coming true.
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A little while later, as everyone took their seats in Lizzie and William's parlor, Lizzie herself was simply dying to know what the news was.
"Marie Claire, Arthur, I know that look." she said, a knowing gleam in her eyes. "Its something big isn't it?"
"Perhaps." said Marie simply, a secretive air about her.
Then suddenly a look came onto Lizzie's face as though sommething had just dawned on her. " You're pregnant aren't you ?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Yes, I am pleased to say that I am." said Marie Claire, blushing slightly.
Lizzie stared in surprise for a moment, a slight, stunned, but happy smile on her face.
"Surprised are you, Lizzie?" asked Arthur, an amused look on his face.
Lizzie didn't answer, but wrapped the two into a warm hug, her blonde locks falling into her face. "congratulations you two, I'm so happy for you!" she said sincerely, her mint green eyes twinkling with pleasure. After hugging Marie and Arthur once more, Lizzie rounded on her godparents.
"Wow, Aunt Christine, Uncle Raoul, you're going to be grandparents. This is amazing!" said Lizzie, going over to hug them.
Raoul and Christine smiled at their goddaughter's excited antics. They loved hearing the words 'grandparents'. To some people, grandparents perhaps meant you were aging, but to them it only meant that their daughter was happy and surrounded by love. And that made them happier than anything. Meg was the next to congratulate the young couple.
"Oh, you two have grown up so fast!" said Meg, kissing both of their heads. "So what do you hope that it is?" she asked curiously.
Arthur's brown eyes widened slightly at this idea. He ran his fingers through his sandy colored hair. "Twins? Oh my goodness, that would be a sight!"
Everyone laughed at this statement, trying to imagine the two chasing two little ones around the house.
"Well, whatever it is, or how many there are," said Madame Giry with her mysterious smile, "I am looking most forward to it. My congratulations to the both of you." she said.
Then, as everyone gathered around the parents to be, talking of nursery plans and baby showers, Madame Giry took Christine gently by the wrist and took her to an unoccupied corner of the room.
"Christine dear, as happy as I am about this new announcement, I must ask you whether or not you and your family wish to return to the opera." asked Madame Giry, with a slightly concerned expression.
"We have decided to return. Raoul and I have talked to Marie and Arthur about it, and they agree. Ceasing to preform will not help the already difficult situation." said Christine seriously . Madame Giry smiled slightly at how wise Christine had grown over the years.
"I am glad of that my dear, but you know that you all must be careful. Erik's feelings for you and Marie have not diminshed, and he is a determined man."
"I know," said Christine shaking her curly head. "And I cannot say that I do not fear what will happen, and I especially worry about Raoul and Arthur. But as Raoul and Lucien conviced me today, I will not let fear control my life. Raoul and Arthur want Marie and I to continue to sing. I am so happy Madame Giry, and I refuse to lose that, not again. And I know that Erik too, will someday find his happiness, and I want that for him. But he will not find it until he ceases to haunt us." said Christine, her voice filled with determination.
And as Christine spoke, Madame Giry saw a sparkle in Christine's eyes that had been absent for those years of her childhood after her father's death. And she knew that it had been Raoul and the children that had brought it back, especially after the shattering truth that Erik was not in fact, her angel of music.
"I agree, but you must promise me that you shall be careful. But I will be sure to tell Andre and Firmin that you, Marie, and Arthur will continue singing and that Raoul will continue as patron. But I cannot help but worry about what Erik's reaction to Marie's pregnancy will be. And you can be sure that he will find out." said Madame Giry knowingly.
"I think we shall worry about that when it comes, " said Christine, "I once thought that Erik was my angel of music, and I hope that he will find it in his heart to leave us be. Now what do you say we go and celebrate with the other?" said Christine, a bright smile on her face.
Madame Giry couldn't help but smile at her surrogate daughter, though her heart was worried. They went over to the group, all of whom were chatting animatedly about the baby to come. Christine sat next to Raoul, her face glowing with happiness. He put his arm around her shoulders, and she smiled, leaning against him. Madame Giry sat next to her, and smiled at how happy everyone looked. Marie and Arthur were simply radiant, and she saw Arthur steal a quick kiss on Marie's lips. And for a few minutes, worry left the room, and bliss and excitement replaced it.
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A/N: Hello everyone, I hope that you like this! And many of your theories about what the news was were correct! Marie is pregnant, YAY! Many thanks to Asia1st, Samantha, I am the Angel of Music, and mrmistoflees for their continued support! The next chapter will be up soon, so please read and review. Thanks everyone, I luv ya!