Chapter Twenty-Seven
Angels Hear my Prayer
"I am going to be taking Christine back with me to my manor," Erik said. Anthony shut the book he had been reading to look at his sisters husband, illuminated by the sun shining through the windows. Anthony's thoughts had not been on the book in his hands rather the young Italian woman now staying at his manor.
"When she decides-"
"She has," Erik interrupted. He would not allow Christine to be separated from him now that he had made love to her. She was his now in every sense of the word. When he had woken early that morning Christine had been sleeping soundly, her body curled against his. He knew she was exhausted because he had woken her up numerous times during the night to make love to her in as many ways as he knew were possible. Now it was almost noon and Christine had yet to wake.
"Well, when she comes to me and says she wishes to leave then perhaps I will consider it," Anthony said. Erik felt his hands clench into tight fists.
"I have decided, Anthony," Christine said, startling them both as she came into the room. Erik felt his body stir at the sight of her and a small smirk came to his mouth. She was wearing only one large evening robe and she had her arms wrapped around her stomach. Her curls were down, framing her face. Erik noticed the dark purplish mark on her neck and remembered that that was where he had bitten her when he had first made love to her. She came to him with a small smile on her face. Erik wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her quite intimately. Anthony could not help but stare. What had caused this sudden change of feelings between the two of them?
"I would like to talk to you," she whispered to him. He nodded and turned to Anthony. They young man sighed and got up. He went to Christine and kissed her cheek and she gave him a small smile.
"I will leave the two of you alone," he said. When he had left the couple remained silent for a long time. Erik knew what it was she wanted to talk about and he really wanted to postpone such a discussion as long as he was able. Knowing of only one way he grabbed her and dragged her to him, pressing his mouth hungrily against her own. She moaned softly and kissed him back. Her whole body was so sore from the night before that Christine was surprised she could even move. She had learned a lot that night, and one lesson had been how she could not seem to get enough of her husband and their newfound passion. She had been extremely embarrassed to find out that she had slept until noon. But with the kidnapping on top of Erik's insatiable needs she had been exhausted.
Christine did not want to start an argument with him but there was much she wished to know and she knew he might not be as willing to tell her. She had a right to know. Not only had she been kidnapped by a family member she had never known before but he knew Erik and her husband had never told her that she had family she did not know.
"Is Leroy my uncle, Erik?" Christine asked, deciding that was a very good way to start the questions. Erik pulled away from her and went to the window, looking out at the beautiful city that was Rome.
"Yes," he answered so softly she almost did not hear him.
"Why did you never tell me?" she asked. There were so many things that she did not know. What if everything she had believed about her mother had been a lie? A brilliant lie to hide a past she did not wish to reveal? What did her father know about all this? Was he aware of all of this? Was Anthony?
"He has no right to call himself a member of your family, Christine, and that is why I have never acknowledged him," Erik said, keeping his back to her. She needed answers. Walking up behind him she laid a hand on his broad back and felt him stiffen beneath her fingertips.
"Tell me what my mother has to do with all of this, Erik, please. I was very close to my mother and yet I knew nothing about you or any of this," Christine pleaded softly. She knew there was a hint of desperation in her voice and she could do nothing to hide it. She was desperate, for answers.
"Your mother's beauty is what cursed her, that and her voice," Erik said, finally turning to her. Christine frowned.
"What?"
"It is the same beauty that you carry now," he answered. His eyes roamed over her face, as if he was looking at Emma instead of her daughter.
"Tell me everything, Erik, please," she whispered. Erik sat her down in one of the soft chairs and took a seat across from her. She was stunned, he was obviously going to tell her the things she had wished to know for so long!
"I will not tell you everything, Christine, but I will tell you the story of when I had first met your mother," he said. She nodded, she would have to be able to handle that until he was willing to tell her more.
"Alright, tell me whatever you wish..."
xXx
Paris
1859
26 years prior
Erik ran down the dark streets of Paris as fast as he little legs would carry him. His breathing was labored, his lungs burned and sweat glistened on his brow. His prize was clutched in his tiny hands and as soon as he was somewhere safe he would be able to reap the benefits. But at the moment the chase was still on and he could hear the men who were after him yelling and shouting for him to stop. He could not stop. If he stopped they would kill him for what he was; a thief. He had learned from a very young age that the only way to survive was to steal and be sure your legs could run in the likelihood that you were caught. But his body was exhausted from both lack of sleep and food. Days...weeks it felt like since he had had a morsel of food in his starving mouth.
For a boy of six summers he was extremely emaciated and had to weigh thirty pounds less then what a healthy boy his age should. But he had never been healthy. He could not remember what it felt like to have a full stomach and a warm bed where he did not have to worry about anyone hurting him. His mother had not wanted him, no one ever had. He had been left on one of the many streets in Paris when he was but four to defend for himself. He never knew why his mother did not want him but he no longer cared. He did not need anyone to look after him, he could do just fine on his own. He had lived on the streets of Paris for two years on his own and he knew he could do the same for the rest of his life!
His body was giving out on him. Erik was just to tired to continue. His mind was warring with his tired limbs, screaming at him to run or it would be his life. He did not want to die, even with his life the way it was. He knew there had to be something more to this world then what he had been given. Had to be. His eyes looked frantically around for some place that he might be able to hide, to rest, just for a few moments until the men had gone. Up ahead, illuminated by the glowing of a candle, a man and a woman were walking side by side, talking quietly to one another as they enjoyed their walk. Erik swallowed. He had never been good around people, but perhaps they would help him? Erik cursed his stupidity, no one had ever helped him before, why should now be any different? It wouldn't be. Erik continued running, until he was beside and then ahead of the couple.
"Boy! Stop!" the woman called. Erik turned his head to look at her as he continued running and he stumbled on his feet, effectively knocking him to the ground. The woman gasped and ran to him, the man not far behind her. Erik was trying to struggle to his feet but he realized it would be useless, he had snapped his ankle. He muttered several curses that a boy of six should not know and as the woman reached him and kneeled at his side, she frowned at such language. Erik took a moment to look at the woman who was suddenly at his side and for a moment he truly believed that he was staring at one of God's angels.
Chocolate curls framed her pale face and brilliantly blue eyes. Her features were delicate and feminine. She had finely arched brows and full lips that smiled down at him. He had never seen a woman more beautiful in his short life. Surely she had to be one of God's angels? Her dress was a startlingly green and obviously of the best quality. She had to be of a noble family. The man with her had dark skin and was obviously not French. Erik pulled away from her cool hand when she touched his ankle, causing him to wince.
"Oh, I am sorry! Does it hurt very bad?" she asked, her voice calm and soothing. Erik nodded.
"Emma, do you really think it is a good idea to talk to him?" the man said. The woman, Emma, glanced up at him with a disapproving look.
"Really, Nadir, look at him! He has to be only six years old and it looks like he is starving to death!" Emma said. Erik could not contain his whimper when he heard the shouts of the men coming closer. Emma's brow furrowed as she heard the men's shouts and she glanced at Erik.
"They are after you?" she asked gently. He nodded. Emma could not help it when her heart reached out for this young boy. His hair was matted and dirty and his clothes were closer to rags then anything she had ever seen. His skin was stretched tight across bone and she knew he must not have eaten in a very long time. The men finally reached them and Emma was appalled to see that they were carrying pistols. She stood up and faced them, a determined look on her pretty face.
"Give us the boy, Mademoiselle," one of the demanded. He was a rather fat man with sweat rolling off of him in streams. Emma stood her ground and Erik could only watch on in amazement.
"How can you draw your weapons against such a small child?" she demanded.
"He is not a child! He is the spawn of Satan! He has been terrorizing these streets for a couple of years now!" the man spat. Emma did not waver.
"Does he have something that belongs to you?" she demanded.
"Yes! He stole from me!" he growled. Emma went to Erik and once more crouched down beside him. Erik was nearly trembling. All of his sins were catching up to him, this nice lady was going to give him to this man and he was going to die.
"Open your hand, little one," Emma whispered. Erik stared at her for a moment. Her look was gentle and reassuring. Something about the way she looked at him told him not to worry. He opened his hand slowly to reveal the small apple he had been holding onto for dear life. She took it from him, even when he whimpered a protest.
"You would kill him for taking an apple? He is starving!" Emma cried. The man, Nadir, came to stand beside Emma, knowing that if they were to get into trouble he would give his life to make sure Emma was safe. Emma tossed the apple at the men.
"You no longer have to worry about him," Emma said. They looked ready to argue but Nadir interrupted.
"Monsieurs, I ask you kindly to be on your way," he said. They glanced at each other, really not wanting to start a fight and end up getting hurt just for a little brat. They muttered several curses and turned and left. Emma sighed in relief and turned back to him, a small smile on her face. She went and sat down beside him, silently giving him the apple back. Erik took it hesitantly, wondering why this angel had decided to help him.
"Would you like to get something to eat?" she asked. Erik said nothing, very cautious around anyone, especially someone who had helped him for no apparent reason. Emma could not help but smile when he said nothing.
"You do not have to worry, my name is Emma, by the way, what is yours?" she asked, holding out her hand to him. Erik stared at it for a long time before he hesitantly took it and shook.
"Erik."
"Well, Erik, it is very nice to meet you."
xXx
Several hours later...
Emma giggled down at Erik who stood in front of a large mirror. The evening coat he was wearing was several sizes to large but it was the smallest she had been able to find. He looked a lot better than he had a few hours prior and Emma wondered how such a handsome young boy could be left alone to fend for himself. He had thick black hair and amazing gray green eyes. But it worried her how skinny he was. She had sat down with him and Nadir to eat and Erik had nearly eaten himself sick. Nadir had left after supper and Emma had called for a bath and had left Erik to bathe.
"Emma?" Erik whispered. Emma looked at him in surprise. That was the first time he had said anything since telling her his name.
"Yes?"
"Thank you," he said softly. Emma smiled.
"You are very welcome, Erik," she said.
"Emma!"
Erik watched Emma cringe at the man's rough voice. Swallowing she put on another smile, this one obviously forced.
"I am sure you would like to get some sleep?" Emma asked. Erik did not say anything because it was obvious that she was frightened of this strange man.
"Emma!" the man yelled again. Emma ushered Erik out of the room and into the hallway. He followed her as best as she could because she was nearly running down the hall. Before they had reached the room Erik was to stay in a man appeared in front of them. Erik hid behind Emma, pressing into her skirts. The man looked very much like Emma except he was having trouble staying upright and his eyes were blood shot.
"Did you not hear me call you?" the man demanded. Emma nodded.
"Yes, Isaac," Emma whispered. He hit her and the action was so unexpected that Erik gasped when Emma softly cried out..
"Who is that?" Isaac demanded, pointing at Erik. Emma pushed him behind her.
"He is staying with us," Emma said. Isaac frowned and was about to say something when one of the maids walked by. Isaac noticed her and a very malicious grin spread across his face and he grabbed the young girls wrist. The girl looked extremely frightened but Emma knew she could do nothing about it. She took Erik's hand and quickly lead him away when Isaac pulled the girl into the nearest room.
Emma glanced at Erik and gave him a reassuring smile as she led him into his new bedroom. She helped him change and lifted him up and into the large bed. Erik was shocked to feel how luxurious the bed was when he was so used to sleeping on the hard ground. What had he done to deserve such good fortune. Emma smiled down at him and brushed his hair away from his face.
"You can stay here, Erik, would you like that?" Emma whispered. Erik nodded, praying that he was not going to wake up and realize this was a dream.
"Why are you being so kind to me?" Erik whispered, his small voice trembling. Emma smiled that smile Erik was beginning to love.
"We all need someone to be there for us, Erik..."
xXx
Christine' hand gently squeezed Erik's as he finished his tale. They had moved to the sofa and Christine was pressed close to her husband. So her mother had truly been like Erik's older sister. What would have happened if she had never found that little orphan in the streets that night?
"Who was Isaac?" Christine asked softly. Erik sighed and looked away from her, presenting her his mask.
"Her brother, your uncle," he said. Christine's eyes held many questions.
"How many brother's did she have?" Christine asked.
"Two, Leroy and Isaac," he answered. Her mother had lived a whole other life before she had married Christine's father. It hurt her that her mother had never confided in her about the things that had happened in her past.
"Isaac beat her?" Christine asked. Erik nodded and took a long shuddering breath. Christine opened her mouth to ask another question but Erik pressed a finger to her lips.
"No more today, Christine," he said. Christine wanted to argue but could tell that it was hurting him to talk about such things.
"Alright," she whispered. Erik smiled and kissed her, pushing her back onto the sofa and opening her robe to reveal her body beneath...
Caged Bird Timeline
March 29, 1839Gustave Daae was born
October 16, 1843Emma Delauney was born
April 10, 1853Erik Desslar was born
September 1859Erik and Emma meetErik is six and Emma is sixteen
January 1863Delauney Family goes to Persia
December 18, 1863Emma meets Gustave Daae
February 04, 1865Christine Daae was born
Present
August 22, 1885Erik and Christine marry...
A/N: I decided that instead of Erik simply telling Christine about the past it would be better and much more fun, to do flashbacks. I am sure there are now many more questions instead of answers, but I like to keep you all guessing! This timeline chronicles some of the important events about the Daae and Delauney history. I hope all of the dates match up, I was having trouble with it and will not be surprised if there is some error, I hope not though! Everything, except for Gustave, Emma, and Erik's births, will be written about, so by the end of this story many of your questions will be answered! Thanks for sticking in there and please review! Don Juan