Chapter 18
Christine woke the following morning, Erik still asleep; his arms wrapped around her waist. She had actually slept that night, unlike the many sleepless nights that she had experienced since Raoul's homecoming. His letter had worried her; she knew that something in him had snapped the night she had refused him, and that frightened her. Who knew what he was capable of... But she forced those thoughts from her mind as best she could; all she wanted to do was enjoy the feel of Erik holding her again.
Erik awoke a few moments after she. He was struck with mild surprise to have Christine in his arms, but very pleased, of course. "Good morning, dearest," he whispered.
"Good morning," she replied, smiling at him. He fell silent, simply enjoying having her in his arms. It felt so right, so natural...
"What do you want to do today, cherie?" he asked finally.
"It's a lovely day... Perhaps we could take Brigitte into the city."
"Christine... You should know that I do not willingly go out in public, like normal people would... I am rather conspicuous." He had never imagined that they would ever do such things, like an average family... He'd always seen himself holding them back. "You two can go, if you like," he added, realizing that he might seem a bit selfish just to keep them home because he could not join them.
"Erik... You need to get out of this house. It wouldn't kill you to go out in public... The streets will be so busy today, anyway," she said reassuringly.
"I do not have good experiences with most other people... Please."
"It's just me and Brigitte... It will be fun."
"How can you know this?" he asked guardedly.
"Just trust me," she said with a smile.
He considered a moment. "Alright," he agreed finally. "We will go... What will we do while we are there?" he asked, slight suspicion in his tone.
"We'll have lunch and go to the market."
Erik could tell that Christine really wanted to do this; he could deny her nothing. He nodded again. "It sounds lovely... I suppose Brigitte will be waking soon."
Christine's face lit up at the mention of their daughter. "Oh, I bet she's grown so much!" She felt horrible that she had not been there for the past few months to be there for her daughter, but she knew that Erik had taken good care of her.
He smiled at her excitement. "Yes, indeed she has.''
"Has she spoken yet?"
"No, not quite yet, darling."
"Has she been sleeping through the night for you?" Christine had so many questions; she couldn't seem to get them all out fast enough... She had missed her daughter and Erik so much... and she often wondered if Brigitte was alright without her there; if she had hurt her by leaving...
"Yes, dearest. She has been very well behaved."
"I'll stop interrogating you now... My apologies."
"It's quite alright," he said with a smile. Slowly, he pulled apart from her and rose from the bed. "I suppose we'd better get dressed."
Christine nodded, and she too rose from the bed. She began rummaging through her trunk for something to wear. When she came across the torn chemise and nightgown from the night that she left Raoul, she nearly burst into tears. How could it be that even now, after she had broken off all contact from him and left, he still haunted her?
Erik changed swiftly into a black suit and placed the mask on his face. When he turned, he found Christine sorting through the many articles of clothing in her trunk, with some difficulty. I suppose that I shall have to purchase a wardrobe for her, he thought, trying to conjure a reason for them to even go to the market. "What is wrong, darling?"
"He bought me these things... To try to get me to sleep with him," she said; she hadn't realized that before. She had thought he was just trying to be a good husband, but she saw it now.
"I am sorry... We can purchase you new gowns, if you wish..." She shook her head.
"It's alright... Really... They're just things..."
He nodded solemnly. "Yes, you are right. I shall go check on Brigitte, then," he said, taking his leave.
Brigitte had been up for quite sometime; was sitting in her crib. When Erik entered the room, she smiled at him, reaching her arms up for him to hold her. Erik picked up his baby girl and kissed her head.
"Good morning, my little angel. Your mama came last night, isn't that exciting? Come, let us go see how she is doing."
Christine had dressed, and was now sitting on the bed, brushing her hair, trying to push the thoughts of Raoul out of her mind and believe that she was truly free of him.
Erik held Brigitte to his side as he opened the door to the bedroom. "Here she is," he announced.
Christine looked up and smiled widely as Erik entered the room with Brigitte in his arms. She shot up from the bed, crossing the room quickly. "Brigitte!" she exclaimed, holding her arms out to take the baby.
After handing Christine the babe, he smiled as the mother and daughter reunited. She held her daughter close to her chest, planting kisses all over her face; tears stinging Christine's eyes. The little girl giggled, holding on to the fabric of her mother's dress.
x
Raoul woke with a terrible pain in his head. Most likely due to you excessive drinking, he thought. He dressed as well as he could, deciding that he needed to take a walk. To clear his head, perhaps.
x
Later that afternoon, Christine held Brigitte to her hip with one arm, and Erik's hand in the other as they walked along the busy Paris streets. It was a beautiful June day, and Christine felt nothing could break her high spirits.
"Darling, where shall we luncheon? Do you know of any nice cafes?" She smiled up at him.
"There's one right down the road." The family made their way to the cafe and took a seat on the patio.
x
The vicomte strode down the street, past some boutiques and a market, thinking of Christine. Would he ever see her again? As he passed a small cafe, he glanced at a family sitting around a small table, conversing and laughing quietly. I will never have that, he thought sulkily. To make matters worse, the woman at the table looked just like Christine.
Hold on, thought Raoul confusedly, That is Christine! And she's with that bastard, too! He cursed himself for not noticing the mask sooner. And, most upsetting of all, a baby was perched on Christine's leg. Concealing himself safely in the large crowd, he drew closer to the group. Erik's hand enclosed Christine's; he held it on her thigh as she gazed into his eyes lovingly; he must have said something clever, as she began to laugh. The vicomte flew into a jealous rage. That filthy bastard! he thought. She was his, no one else's. His alone.
x
Christine was so happy; everything was perfect in her life right now. She smiled at Erik as she leaned in and kissed him, squeezing his hand gently.
x
Raoul's rage reached its peak as the monster's mouth touched the lips of his perfect, beautiful Christine. What's more, she had initiated the embrace! He must be controlling her mind again, thought Raoul, trying to be rational. It took every ounce of his willpower not to reveal himself, fly at the couple, strike the bastard dead, and take Christine. No, he thought, Not now. Follow them to his home. Strike later, when you've everything planned.
x
"I love you," she said once the kiss had broken.
x
Raoul froze. No, no she does not. She loves me. His power must be very strong indeed, to overcome our love, he thought with a hollow laugh. Even with his reasoning, a lust for blood had been cultivated in him. A lust for blood to flow from another's veins because of him. A lust for Erik's blood.