Chapter 16 - Coming Home

Life at the opera house was beginning to take its toll on Michael. Jonathon was not getting any better, in fact his condition was worse. Michael had finally convinced his friend to tell his daughter about his illness, and against her doctors orders she would be arriving in Paris in just under two hours. She would be accompanied by Jason, Meghan was at home with her grandparents, Jason's presence with her could only spell trouble if Erik were to find out.

On the "Phantom" front, Erik had become increasingly irritating, especially towards Carlotta. It's true that she was well past her prime, but she still sold seats. Erik wanted Christine to star and had written many letters regarding this to Michael, all of which he responded with the same, 'Not yet, it's not her time. Wait.'

Erik was trying to drive Carlotta away with accident after accident and it was getting on Michael's nerves. He had talked with Jonathon about selling the opera house, knowing full well that Kimberlee would not want to run it when he was gone, he agreed that it was best. Monsieur's Andre and Firmin would be arriving in the next couple of days.

Currently Michael sat in his office sealing a letter to Erik before going to the airport. He went up to box five and placed the note on the chair for Erik to find. Once the door was closed behind him, Erik stepped out of the shadows and picked up the note, it read,

'Erik,

I know you have heard about Jonathon's health and it is true he is dying. He had told Kimberlee and I am on my way to the airport to pick her up. Things around here have been getting considerably worse in recent months...you know what I mean. I only ask that you respect this request I make of you, stay away for now.

I hope you will be anxious to see Kimberlee but she has become a different person, she has grown up considerably as have you, but please allow her to come to you if that is what she wishes. There is something very important you will find out and I would rather it came from her and not anyone else.

With regards to Christine, I believe her time is soon now when she will perform as lead actress and not in the chorus, but please let this happen in its own time, do not interfere.

Respectfully yours,

Michael Lefavre'

Erik re read the note to be sure he had read it right...Kimberlee was returning to Paris. He felt a joy in him that he hadn't felt for so many months now but also a sadness. Michael had asked him to stay away, to let her come to him; but what if she didn't want to. He had heard the rumours among the ballet rats, Kimberlee had someone new in her life and he was going to be a doctor. They already lived together in Los Angeles, his heart had shattered when he heard this.

He had never thought Kimberlee capable of doing something so foolish, to fall into a new relationship so quickly after they parted, but then he was one to talk. He focussed all his attention on Christine, teaching her and ready to give into his desire for her. He got up and went to his home to prepare for Christine's arrival in three nights time.

Kimberlee sucked in her breath and clutched onto Jason's hand even tighter than she already was. He winced in pain and cried out, people around them began to stare. Jason laughed as her grip loosened.

"If a little turbulence gives her this reaction, I'm not so sure I want to be in the delivery room with her" he joked. Many men around him nodded in agreement.

"Very funny Jay, I'm beginning to see why everyone was so against my travelling."

"Well you are only three weeks from your due date, it's a huge risk. Imagine if you went into labour here on the plane, what would we do?"

"Well we'd find out just what they are teaching you kids in medical school now wouldn't we. If only he had told me sooner that he was so sick, I could have been here already."

"Your dad probably didn't want you dropping out of school to come home, you already have a good excuse for dropping out don't you" he said rubbing her stomach.

"Suppose so...now how long until this contraption lands?"

"Should be anytime now, the fasten seat belts light just came on again."

"Good because I've seriously got to go to the washroom for the umpteenth thousandth time."

"The lavatory is right there" Jason said pointing.

"Yeah, but those things scare me."

"Well if you like I could go with you" he whispered into her ear wagging his eyebrows.

"I'm not exactly in the condition to join the mile high club mister, even if I wanted to" she whispered back smiling and placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

Kimberlee turned her attention toward the front of the plane while Jason continued to glance her way. Their playful banter had become more flirtatious in the last couple of months but she still only saw him as a friend, while he saw her as much more and was just waiting for the opportunity to tell her so. The feel of her breath on his skin, her lips brushing his cheek so innocently had caused his body to become aroused. He shifted in his seat slightly to accommodate the now tight fitting jeans he wore and leaned his head back and closed his eyes counting backwards from twenty. When he opened his eyes, the plane was descending and he was under control.

When they departed from the plane Kimberlee made a beeline for the nearest washroom leaving Jason alone to find Michael, a man he had never met before and only seen in photographs. Finally he was a man glancing at the crowd rather anxiously and deciding that he fit the description of Uncle Michael walked toward him to find out.

"Excuse me, Monsieur Lefavre?"

"Yes...you must be Jason" he said shaking his hand, "Where's Kimberlee?"

"Washroom, the curse of pregnancy. The baby sits on the bladder most of the time."

"I heard that somewhere, must have been from her."

"Uncle Michael...It's so good to see you" she called out excitedly as she hugged him. "I just wish it were under better circumstances."

"Me too my dear, come let's get your luggage and we can head home."

"It seems strange to call Paris home now, but it still does feel like home."

As the three of them made Their way to the luggage claim Kimberlee brought up the one topic Jason had known was coming, and the one he dreaded.

"How is Erik?"

"He's as well as can be expected."

"What do you mean, is he ill? What is it Uncle Michael?"

"No nothing like that. He's probably ticked off at me right now because I wrote him and asked him to stay away for now."

"Why would you do that, the opera house is his home?"

"I didn't know if he knew about the baby yet...and if he sees Jason I fear he will think the worst. He has changed, become increasingly upsetting for Carlotta as of late."

"And Christine, what of her?"

"You were right, he has feelings for her, but I don't believe for an instant that they compare to what you two had. He was remorseful for hurting you and only wants you to be happy."

"Oh"

"Jason, what I am saying doesn't mean that I think you are any less good for my niece, you understand right? Kimberlee has told me wonderful things about you and how you have helped her with her situation, her father and I are both grateful to you."

"I understand and it's okay for Kim to remember Erik. He was her first love, I'll never forget my first love, I see her face every day when I am with my daughter."

The three of them exited the airport and went to Michael's car. He tried to prepare Kimberlee now for what she would see at her father's apartment, but he knew that nothing could fully prepare her.

Back at the opera house Mme Giry was preparing the girls for rehearsals of Hannibal and Monsieur Reyer was preparing his orchestra and the company. Carlotta was throwing one of her famous tantrums in her dressing room and Erik was preparing notes to give to the new managers when they arrived. When he was finished sealing the notes there was nothing left to do until his lesson with Christine that evening. He had promised her months ago that they would soon meet but he had put it off, she still thought of him as her "angel of music" sent by her dead father. Then hadn't been the time but he knew now that the time was right, after the gala opening of Hannibal in two nights time he would finally reveal himself to her.

He felt a stirring in his heart, something he hadn't felt for a long time, not even with Christine, and looked upward. He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. He knew that Kimberlee was back in Paris, his connection to her so strong, and knew that she would soon be here at the Opera Populaire once more.

Michael was right, nothing could have prepared Kimberlee for the sight before her. Jonathon lay in his bed with various tubes and machines attached to him. She knew his condition was terminal and that he didn't have much time left. Jason stood by her side holding her hand, when she went to the bed to sit beside her father he remained in the doorway. His eyes were closed and his breathing shallow when she sat down.

"Daddy" she said taking his hand in hers.

"Kimberlee, you're here" Jonathon said very quietly as he opened his eyes.

"Yes daddy I am, I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."

"I didn't want you to see me like this, I was supposed to be better. I hoped to see my grandchild but I don't know if I can hold on much longer."

"Don't talk like that, of course you'll get to meet him."

"Him...you know it's a boy?"

"Jason saw the baby's sex on the last ultrasound and when we left I made him tell me" she said signalling for Jason to come over.

"Daddy, this is my friend Jason Lee."

"Jason it's good to meet you. Thank you for being there for my daughter when I couldn't be."

"It's been a pleasure sir and both myself and my daughter think she is going to make an incredible mother."

"Daddy, you need your rest now and we have to unpack. I'll be in to see you again soon."

"Alright, I love you Kimberlee."

"I love you too daddy," she said leaning over to kiss his forehead.

When they all left the bedroom and the door was closed Kimberlee lost it. She crumpled into Jason's arms sobbing and clutching onto him for dear life. He helped her over to the couch and sat with her while she let all the pain out. He had glanced at Jonathon's chart and from what he read he knew they had made it in time. Jonathon Shaw would probably not make it through the week.