The reviews seem to be dwindling; I hope that is not a sign of discontent. Please let me know what you think, and thank you to those who have already done so.

Without further ado…

THE DAWN THROUGH THE NIGHT

Book VI: Wherever You Go…I Go

CHAPTER 27

Erik had finished buying the tickets by late morning, had bought a few clothing items for the trip, and was headed into the bank at 2:30 pm, when Charles caught up to him.

Erik stopped in front of the building when he heard his name and turned to see Charles walking toward him. He greeted him with a nod and waited to see why it was he needed to talk.

"Erik, I am so glad I was able to see you before you left." Charles stated.

Erik noted the desperation in Charles' voice and wondered what the cause was.

"What can I do for you Charles?"

"We had a potential client visit the site today; he is very interested in having you construct a summer family home for him and his new bride."

Erik allowed himself to seem interested, "Where does this home need to be built?"

Charles cast an anxious smile at Erik, "On about forty acres he just purchased in Marseille, his wife apparently fell in love with the area."

Erik groaned inwardly, Marseille was so far away. He would have to discuss this with Christine before he accepted the commission.

"Who was this potential client?" Erik asked.

"He said he knew you and hoped you wouldn't allow the past to influence your decision to accept his offer."

Erik cocked his head sideways and frowned, "I know very few people on a personal basis, especially from my past."

"He was a nobleman…" Charles was struggling for a name, "…de Chagny, I think he said."

Erik's head shot up and his eyes turned deadly. So Raoul had come to him for help…Erik would definitely have to see what Christine thought about this before he accepted.

"He wants to talk to you," Charles said, interrupting Erik's thoughts, "he's waiting at your office."

Erik sighed, "I suppose I can talk to him, but this will require a great deal of thought on my part…I need to talk to Christine before any finalities are made."

Charles shook his head in agreement and they rode together to where the large museum that Erik had designed was nearing completion.

Erik walked toward his office and immediately saw Raoul turn to face him with a genuine smile on his face.

Every nerve in Erik's body went on alert and muscles tensed; he did not trust this man and was not going to pretend that he did.

"De Chagny." Erik greeted with a nod of his head.

"Destler." Raoul replied.

Erik sat down at the large desk in his office and offered Raoul the seat across from him. They sat there, sizing each other up for about two minutes before Raoul spoke.

"You've made quite a name for yourself as an architect…Madam Giry told me you were a brilliant designer and architect, but I had to see it for myself." He offered in a complimentary tone.

Erik did not speak, but instead nodded, letting Raoul know that he had heard and accepted the words he spoke.

Raoul didn't say anything more for a few minutes. There was an awkward silence, which loomed between them for what seemed an eternity.

"Look, I know we have had our differences in the past…I judged you before knowing all the facts…but you must admit, you didn't make it easy for people to think good of you."

Erik scowled at the man who had been a thorn in his side all those years ago…it seemed like an eternity had passed.

"It was never my intention to make people think good of me...I didn't want them thinking of me at all." Erik admitted.

Raoul smirked; in that annoyingly handsome way that made Erik just want to slam his fist into his face.

"I would like for us to forget our past…acquaintance…and move forward." Raoul stated, "I would like to have you design and oversee the building of my summer home in Marseille."

Erik looked away, pulled back from his desk, stood, and walked over the window. He watched his men out working, and was thankful to have such a great work crew.

"Marseille is quite a long trip from Paris." Erik stated, "I will have to discuss a temporary move with my wife before making any decisions."

Raoul allowed a slight smile to cross his features, "How is Christine?"

Erik could only surmise that Raoul had read the papers, so he did not give the younger man the satisfaction of acting surprised, "She is wonderful; I'll tell her you asked about her."

By the time Raoul had finished giving Erik the details about his new summer home, it was 5:30 in the afternoon. He glanced at his pocket watch one final time, before Raoul finally concluded his instructions.

"I'll pay you whatever you ask…I have heard that you are more than worth every franc I will pay you." Raoul stated.

"I don't need the money de Chagny, I do this because I love to it." Erik spat, "Don't think you can coerce me into doing anything by bribing me."

Erik, once again, arose from his chair and headed toward the door, "Now, if you will excuse me…I am taking my wife on a long overdue honeymoon."

Raoul inclined his head and walked out the open door. He turned, one last time, and nodded at Erik.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

When he finally opened the front door and walked in, one would have thought he had been gone for days.

Christine had been uneasy since coming home and finding him still gone. She had been sitting in the parlor with Brigitte and Madeline, just passing the time, as she grew more and more anxious.

She rushed into his arms as he moved into the house, took off his cape, and hung his hat. He welcomed her embrace and wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him.

"Erik, I didn't know where you were…I was growing worried." Christine sighed, loving how it felt to be back in his arms.

Erik smiled down at her as he placed a kiss atop her head, "Do I take this to mean that you missed me?" he jested.

Christine swatted him playfully on the arm, "Of course I missed you, you brute…where have you been?"

Erik glanced up to see his mother and Brigitte staring at them with discerning eyes; suddenly, he was very shy about what he and Christine had done last night.

He reached down, took Christine's hand, and led her into the parlor. As he passed his mother and Brigitte, he indicated for them to follow.

"Come love, there is something we need to discuss." Erik murmured, patting the spot next to him on the divan.

Christine wasn't sure she liked the sound of that, but the look in Erik's eyes calmed her down.

"First things first," He said, playing with a few rebellious strands of hair as they crept into her face, "how was your shopping trip?"

For the next half hour, he listened to Christine, Brigitte, and Madeline describe the dresses and all the accessories. He adored how her face just lit up when talking about the fun she had.

"It sounds like a very productive trip." Erik commented, with a smile.

"It was…and I spent all your money… every last Franc." Christine boasted.

Erik chuckled and shook his head, "It's our money, and you can spend as much as you like."

Christine moved closer to him and gave him a warm hug, "I love you."

"I love you more." He replied as he dropped his head.

Erik lifted her chin and moved his lips over hers, teasing them, ever so lightly, with his tongue; as he pulled away, he nudged her gently with his nose and brushed her lips with his. He was tempted to do more, but remembered that his mother and Brigitte were looking on.

He cleared his throat and sat straight up, "I would have been home earlier, but I ran into an old acquaintance of ours."

Christine furrowed her brow, unable to think of anyone that Erik would term as an acquaintance.

"Who?" she finally asked.

"Raoul." He replied.

Christine felt the panic rise her chest. What did this mean? Why had Raoul come here after all these years?

"He wants me to design and oversee the building of his summer home in Marseilles." Erik offered. "He has heard of my work and came to the site today to find me."

Christine did not say anything, but just listened to the lulling sound of Erik's voice. Erik saw the fear in her eyes and pulled her close to him to calm her.

"I told him I had to talk it over with my wife, because it would mean a move…whether temporary or permanent." Erik said. He raised her chin, once more, to look into her eyes. "He knew you were my wife, Christine…I can only assume he read the paper."

Erik felt her tremble in his arms and caressed the small over her back as he held her, "He won't take Jean Luc, Christine…I won't let him."

He moved off the couch and called Sam and Nancy into the Parlor. When they were in, he went to sit by Christine again.

"From this day forward, Jean Luc is the product of one night of passion that Christine had shortly after her marriage to Raoul broke up…understood?" Erik asked.

"A night of passion with whom, my I ask?" Brigitte inquired.

Christine didn't even blink before saying, "Erik."

"Me?" He asked, giving her an shocked glance.

She smiled at him and caressed his marred cheek, "Yes…you."

An impish grin suddenly rested on his gorgeous mouth, "Really…and how did this 'night of passion' come to be?"

"I was desperate to know what it really felt like to be loved… she purred, "…so I sought you out and seduced you…we've been together, on and off, ever since."

Erik liked the sound of that and grinned seductively, "Really?" he asked, "I wish I could have been there!"

Christine laughed, as did everyone else. This served to lighten the mood, making the subject easier to discuss.

After that was cleared up, Erik only had one more thing to ask, "Mother…Brigitte…would you be willing to stay here at the estate while Christine and I are gone…to keep an eye on Grace and Jean Luc?"

The older women smiled and nodded, as Brigitte said, "We thought you would never ask."

TBC