CHAPTER 14

Meg was fidgeting with her small bag of belongings as the carriage made its way down the street. She was bracing herself for her mother's words. She knew it was coming at any moment now.

"Really, Megan. Your behavior with le Vicomte can be quite unsettling," Madame Giry sighed.

Meg knew it was going be a long ride home. Her mother only used her full name when she was upset with her. She tried to reason with her mother. "Maman, he's nice. He helped me!"

"Oui. I'm glad for your sake child, but I am not sure I approve of these new circumstances. Megan, he is a Vicomte and you are just a ballerina. You and I do not fit in with their 'society,' child. I fear there will only be heartache for you. Do not forget that it has not been long since he parted from Christine." Madame Giry lovingly placed her arm around her daughter, as Meg settled her head on her mother's shoulder and sighed heavily.

"I know. I've not forgotten, but I enjoy his company. I consider him a friend now, Maman."

"You also find him attractive, Megan. That could cause problems," Madame Giry pointed out.

Meg colored at her mother's truthful words. "I do find him handsome, but that can't be helped, can it? It's the truth."

"Non. He is not unattractive, but child, be aware of all I have told you. I only tell you these things because I love you." She placed a kiss on top of her daughter's head.

Feeling that the storm had calmed somewhat, Meg looked up at her mother and said, "He asked me to dine with him tonight, Maman. Please, may I go?" She braced herself waiting for the answer.

Madame Giry took a deep breath and exhaled. "I still do not approve of this whole thing Meg, but you are a young woman now and I must allow you to decide on your own."

"Merci, Maman! I won't disappoint you. I won't be out late. I promise!" Meg kissed her mother's cheek and hugged her.

At her daughter's enthusiasm, Madame Giry prayed that everything would be all right.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Giry residence. Francois opened the door to the carriage and once again offered his hand. "Watch your step, Madame."

"Merci, Francois," Madame Giry said.

"Careful, Mademoiselle," Francois held onto Meg's tiny hand. "Let me help you with your bag." Francois gestured at the small bag Meg was carrying.

"Mes merci, Monsieur." Meg curtsied.

As they entered the small flat, Madame Giry offered Francois some tea, but he had refused. He placed the small bag onto a table in the corner where Meg had pointed. He bowed to the Giry women and made to leave, but was caught on the arm by Meg.

"S'il vous plaît, Monsieur. Could you send word to le Vicomte for me?"

"But of course, Mademoiselle!" Francois smiled at her.

"Do let him know that I will be able to dine with him this evening after all," Meg beamed.

"Tres bon, Mademoiselle Giry! Will that be all?" Francois asked bowing to her.

"Oui, Monsieur," Meg replied.

Francois took her hand, kissed it and headed for the door.

Meg walked him to the door and waved to him as he drove off. She closed the door and leaned against it. "Mon dieu, what will I wear tonight?" she thought. As quickly as she could, heeding the doctor's words, she made her way down the hall to her bedroom.

Moments later, Madame Giry knocked on her daughter's door, "Meg? Are you sleeping, chéri?"

"Come in, Maman." Meg called to her mother.

Madame Giry entered the room and sat in a small chair by the window, as she watched her daughter going through her dresses. "The purple one," Madame Giry said simply.

"You think so? I was thinking of the red," Meg pondered.

Madame Giry took in a breath and sighed. Of all the colors, purple was always the best color on her daughter. The color against her eyes changed them from blue, to many different shades of beautiful colors, depending on her surroundings.

"I know so, chéri," Madame Giry smiled.

It was enough for Meg to decide on the purple dress for the evening.

"Come talk to me a moment, Meg." Madame Giry motioned for Meg to sit in the chair next to hers.

Meg sat down and placed her left hand on her mother's lap. "What is it Maman? Is something wrong?"

Madame Giry patted her daughter's hand. "Non. I just wished for you to tell me the rest of the details from you adventures in Erik's home."

Meg looked at her mother in confusion. "Erik? Is that the name of le fantôme?"

"Oui, chéri. He is but a man, not a ghost." Madame Giry laughed slightly at her daughter's look.

Meg always had a healthy appetite for gossip, revolving around the Opera Ghost. She wondered what tales her daughter would tell now, knowing that he was not some spooky apparition after all.

"Well, what did you want to know, Maman? Meg questioned.

"Start from when you first arrived down there. That should be sufficient." Madame Giry tucked a stray golden lock behind her daughter's ear.

Meg leaned against the chair and proceeded to tell her mother what she requested to know.

"I got there before the mob, but just barely. I looked around hoping to find Christine and any sign of the gho- umm Erik. I came to a room that had a beautiful bed shaped in a swan. By the floor, there was a tiny monkey sitting on a box. That's when I saw the mask. I picked it up and still had it in my hands when I came across Christine. She was desperate to find Erik. I tried to ask her where Raoul was, but she was in such a panic to find Erik. She told me she would explain, once she was settled."

I do hope she is fine, Maman." Meg had a somber look on her face as she thought of her dear friend Christine.

"She is fine, Meg. Do not worry yourself. Now, please, continue." Madame Giry assured her daughter.

Hopeful at the thought of her mother's words, Meg continued.

"I told Christine all I found was le fantôme's mask, and she almost broke down in complete despair. Sparkling light caught my eye, as I noticed all the shattered glass from the mirrors. One of the mirrors was different from the rest. It looked to have a passage. I told Christine that maybe he was in there. So, she ran in. I made sure to cover the passage with a heavy drape, just before the angry mob came."

"I tried to tell them the Opera Ghost was no more, but there was so much yelling, I could not be heard. I was pushed aside and that's how I cut my head, on the organ. My vision became blurred slightly, but then I felt gentle arms around me. I don't know where Raoul came from, but thankfully he was there. I begged for him to do something about all these angry people. I was afraid for Christine, if they would find her with Erik. Raoul was fearful for my safety and Christine's, but not for Erik's…obviously. He said he had an idea, and fired his pistol to get the mobs attention. He told them all to go. He said he shot the Phantom in the head and kicked his body into the lake. The angry mob wanted proof, naturally. That's when Raoul threw the mask I had found at them. His hands were soaked with my blood, so he made sure to cover the mask with it. Someone asked about Christine, and Raoul said he sent her above ground, so she would not have to witness le fantôme's execution. Then they all left."

"They believed him, Maman. His words saved us all, even Erik, as much as he won't admit it." Meg stood up and walked over to her bed to stretch.

Madame Giry couldn't believe it. The Vicomte had acted so heroically. She never would have thought of an outcome such as this, especially from Raoul. "I guess I underestimated him," Madame Giry thought in amazement. She stood up and walked over to Meg, whose eyes were slowly drifting. "Get some rest." She kissed the top of her forehead and continued, "You'll need it for tonight." She walked to the door and took one more look at her sleeping child. She blew a kiss across the room and whispered, "Welcome home, mon chéri…"