Author's Note

I have titled Raoul's parents as the Marquis and Marquise de Chagny, as well as given them first names. They are going to be key characters throughout the rest of this story, so, should there be any discrepancies on my part, hopefully it will not take away from the story at all.

CHAPTER 43

It was just past noon when Raoul drove up to the gates of his parent's estate. Raoul waved at the guards and they opened the gate to the young Vicomte. He brought the carriage to the front and was greeted by Hugues, the butler.

"Do not take the carriage to the stables, I shant be long. There is an urgent matter I need to discuss with my parents and then I will need to head to the church. Please send a message to Father Mallery and tell him there is a private family matter I wish to discuss," Raoul ordered.

The Marquis and Marquise de Chagny were in the sitting room as Raoul announced himself.

His mother immediately ran to him. "My son! It has been too long," his mother said as she kissed his cheeks and continued. "What manner of injury is this, my darling Raoul?"

"I was thrown from my horse the other day as my pistol misfired," Raoul said obscurely. He hated lying to his mother, but in this instance he had no choice.

"Do not coddle him so, Anaïs!" His father said sternly.

"I shall treat him as I wish, Jérôme. He will always be my baby," Anaïs smiled at Raoul.

"Come, Raoul. Sit with your mother and tell me how you have been," Anaïs suggested.

"Father, Mother, I am not hear for pleasantries. I bear grave news," Raoul said in a serious tone.

"Well, come out with it boy. Your mother and I have not got all day!" Jérôme said uninterested, as he continued to read the morning paper.

"There is no easy way to say this. It's Philippe. He's dead," Raoul said lowering his head.

Raoul's mother gasped, "It is not true!" She fell back into the settee and looked at her son with disbelief.

Raoul sat beside her and took her hand. "I'm sorry, mother," Raoul said trying to comfort her.

The Marquis de Chagny stood and walked over to his son. Pulling him up by the arm, he looked at him with malcontent, and then slapped him across the face.

"Jérôme!" Anaïs yelled.

"Mother, please. I'm alright," Raoul assured.

"Explain, boy!" The Marquis demanded.

"He was in La Rochelle for the 'entertainment,' father. He had too much to drink and fell over the banister of the stairs, breaking his neck," Raoul answered.

Anaïs wept as Raoul recalled Philippe's death. She had always favored Raoul, but Philippe was her child also. She was saddened by his death, but also ashamed of the circumstances in which he died.

"So, you went to that place to collect your brother?" The Marquis asked then continued. "What have you done with his body?"

"It is in the carriage, wrapped in a white sheet. I have asked Hugues to send word to Father Mallery and I will leave immediately so that Philippe's body can be prepared for burial at the Cimetière du Père Lachaise, in the de Chagny family mausoleum. Due to the circumstances in which he died, I knew that you and mother would not want the details of his death to be public knowledge," Raoul detailed.

"Indeed," The Marquis frowned. "I will handle the details in this matter," he finalized.

"I shall wait for you and mother outside the gates of the cemetery," Raoul said as he turned on his heel and left his parents to their grieving.

Raoul wrote a quick note to Madame Giry, informing her of her daughter's well-being, before leaving his parent's estate. He handed the note to Hugues and told him to have a messenger deliver it right away.

As Raoul climbed into the driver's seat of the carriage, he couldn't help but think of his parents, most of all, his father. The Marquis de Chagny always handled things in a businesslike manner, especially family affairs. Raoul had always known his father's disposition to be austere. It was a wonder how someone as kind and caring as his mother was, ended up with a man like Jérôme de Chagny.

Father Mallery greeted Raoul as he ascended the steps of the church. As they went inside, Raoul asked the priest if he would hear his confession. Father Mallery nodded and led him to the confessional.

Raoul told the priest everything that had happened, the truth. He did not wish to have this kind of burden weighing heavy on his conscience. He asked the priest for forgiveness of his sins and hoped that his confession would remain in the father's confidence.

"Of course, my son. What is said in the confessional is no one else's business but mine and the Almighty's. Whatever troubles you, my son, shall pass with time and prayer," Father Mallery said with compassion.

Raoul and Father Mallery met with his parents in front of the Cimetière du Père Lachaise and brought Philippe's casket to the de Chagny family mausoleum. As they gathered inside they said a few words in honor of Philippe and then Father Mallery read the final prayer.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Father Mallery concluded with the sign of the cross, as Anaïs wept openly. He then blessed the de Chagny family and offered his sympathy, leaving them to grieve.

The Marquis walked up to his son and addressed him. "Raoul, leave your mother. I would like to have a word with you."

Raoul followed his father to a stone bench that rested under the leafy branches of a large tree. The Marquis asked his son to take a seat with him.

"Raoul, with Philippe gone, you will have more responsibility in this family. You will need to oversee everything that was entrusted to him. Do you know what this means son?"

"Father?" Raoul questioned.

"You are now the Comte de Chagny. When you marry and your wife gives you an heir, he shall become Vicomte." The Marquis stated.

Raoul had not even thought about his succession upon Philippe's death, nor did he think about the new responsibilities he would be undertaking.

"I loved your brother dearly. I had hoped for better things, but his private affairs were less than desirable. You are all I have left, Raoul. When I am gone, the de Chagny legacy will be yours to oversee in its entirety. Do not disappoint me," The Marquis toned firmly. He got up to leave his only son to his thoughts, but not before adding, "Meet me at my estate one week from today. We shall go over what needs to be done."

Madame Giry received Raoul's message and was relieved beyond words. She made sure to send word to Nicolas and Victor to return to The House of Roses. She would wait for the two servants to return, and then she would make arrangements to journey to her daughter in La Rochelle. She also made sure to send word to her assistant, Manon. It would be a few more days until she could return to oversee the ballet lessons.
While Nadir was at the hospital, Meg took a moment to write her mother and let her know where she was staying. She knew her mother would be on her way as soon as Raoul told her she was out of danger. She went downstairs and left the note with the little old lady at the front desk. "Can you make sure this letter goes out today, Madame?" Meg asked sweetly.

"Oui, Mademoiselle. My messenger has yet to stop by and collect the rest of these," the old woman said pointing at the bundle of letters on the counter.

Meg thanked her for her trouble and then exited the inn.

Browsing through various shop windows, Meg came across a bistro and decided to go inside to look at their menu. She was delighted to see what was being offered and she thought Nadir might find it appealing as well. She told the owner she would be back later for dinner, then she went across the street to purchase a few dresses for herself. "I will have to burn this dreadful thing!" Meg thought looking down at her tattered dress in dismay.

On the way back to the inn she came across Nadir as he casually walked down the street, returning from the hospital.

"Allow me to help you with your parcels, Mademoiselle," Nadir said as he relieved her of her purchases.

"Merci," she smiled.

She asked how Erik and Christine were faring and told him about the little bistro she had inspected.

Nadir suggested they get dressed and head to the bistro for dinner, where he would tell her of Erik and Christine's status and the tale Raoul had masterfully woven on their behalf.

Madame Giry received her letter from Meg, detailing the inn she was currently at. She couldn't wait to be reunited with her daughter.

Victor had escorted Madame Giry to the train station and made sure she was taken care of before he went back to the estate.

She seated herself and as the train began to move, she sighed, closing her eyes and thanking God that everyone was safe. She wondered what became of the Comte, but she knew she would be told everything once she arrived in La Rochelle.

Erik woke in the middle of the night to the sound of Christine mumbling in her sleep. He held her hand as she spoke of her father and the Angel of Music, but what interested him most of all was hearing her speak of Raoul. It didn't anger him, to his surprise. Christine seemed to be recalling a time they spent on the beach in their youth, building sand castles and sharing tales of a knight rescuing his damsel in distress.

Erik closed his eyes and pictured the image of the chubby girl in the photo he came across in Raoul's study. Then he remembered Raoul's words he had read, as they came flooding back to him.

Raoul loved Christine as much as Erik did, he couldn't fault him for that. Christine was special. There was no one else in the world like her. Everything Raoul had done since the first day he'd come back into her life had been done out of love. Both men served the same purpose when it came to Christine's welfare.

Erik spent most of the night with his thoughts regarding Raoul and his wife. He concluded that Raoul was indeed every bit the honorable man Christine had known him to be and there was no denying that. He himself had seen these acts first hand.

Raoul washer knight in shining armor, but Erik was the man that she would spend her lifetime with, her love. Erik was her Angel of Music, the one she had held her love for since childhood.

"Well, Vicomte, it seems that I have finally come to terms with how I feel about you and your relationship with Christine. I still do not like you, but I understand the reasons behind all that you've done for her. I respect the things you have done in order to keep her safe." Erik closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep, feeling at peace with himself and the world around him.

Author's Note x2
I've adapted the succession of titles for this story, so again, I hope not to confuse anyone. In the movie, he was a Comte in the later years, so this made sense for my little fic. I hope nobody hates me for messing around with the nobility titles.

Please continue to enjoy the story. -Phantom Hugs-

Thanks everyone for welcoming me back and welcome aboard INCOGNITOFAN!

Disclaimer
I am not affiliated with the Père Lachaise Cemetery and Psalm 23 was taken from the King James version of the Bible. (I know, it's silly to add disclaimers for this, but I always credit all my sources.) -smiles-