Chapter 18
Sasha took one final glance of the large, exciting city, then boarded the waiting train with her family. She took her seat, and watched out the window of her compartment. She took special notice of a dark figure slipping onto the train. A wave of relief washed over her, as she then drowned the world out with her thoughts of Erik
'He's actually coming home, to my home. I will be able to see him every day, I'll be able to talk with him, discuss things, maybe get into a debate! Erik is coming home.' she thought, as she dreamed of what life would be like with a real father. She hadn't even realized that she had been escorted off of the train, onto a ferry, then to a carriage. She was snapped back to reality when Kat yanked on the bottom of her hair.
"Sasha, It's time to get out." She hissed into her ear.
"Oh, right" Sasha got out of the carriage, and stood in front of the De Chagny's grand manor. It seemed to shrink in the few days they were gone, it looked less threating,and slightly more welcoming. She felt safer, more secure, Knowing she could always turn to her father if she was in need. She still had to live under Raoul's hand, but she didn't care. In her mind, she is free. She went right to her room, and quickly unpacked her small luggage. She changed into on of her best, most inviting dress. Once she tucked away her newest book, and stationary in her cloak pocket, she rushed to find James in the stable.
He was spreading new hay over the stall floors when she walked in. The moment his eyes caught a glimpse of her, he put down the pitchfork, and leaned up against the stable wall.
"Welcome back." He grinned playfully at her. "How was Paris?" She approaches him, and planted a short, tender kiss on his cheek. His newly grown facial hair tickled her soft skin, causing her to laugh.
"Do you like?" He ran his hand over the tiny hairs. She nodded, then kissed his cheek again.
"Paris was wonderful, with all those French boys." She joked, "But don't worry, they are nothing compared to you." His grin widened, as he pulled her into his arms, and pressed his lips to hers.
"Thats good to hear." He kissed her again, then released her so he could get back to work. She sat down on the ledge of the gate, and watched him longingly.
"Did you miss me?" She asked sweetly.
"Do you really have to ask, poppet?" He turned his face towards her. A devilish smile crept a crossed his face when he thought about how much he needs her. "It was rather boring without you, but some of my other girls came to visit." He teased. She scowled, and threw some hay at him in fun. He retaliated with a peck on the cheek.
"I brought back some writing supplies for you."
"So you're coming back down here tonight?"
"Who said I was going to leave?"
"Your outfit." He examined Sasha's body. "You never wear your light pastels for one thing, and you hair is pulled back, well... most of it." He lifted up the small section she always kept in front of her face. She slapped his hand away, and hide her face again. "Why do you hide your beautiful face with your hair?" He questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Beautiful? You are joking right? The giant birthmark around my eye might interfere with your concept of beauty." He shook is head, and lifted her hair up again and looked into her face. The reddish-brown heart shaped mark surrounded her left eye, starting at the very tip, and extending almost to her ear.
"I think your beautiful." She rolled her eyes.
"Love is blind." She said plainly. James shook his head, knowing he would never win one of there debates, His Sasha was to stubborn.
"Who are you meeting?" He returned to their prior conversation.
"I met someone in Paris, who came back with us." She could almost laugh at her James. He was always able to extract information from her, just one look into his bark brown eyes and she was hooked.
"Who?" His curiosity turned to concern. Sash got off of the gate, and joined his side.
"A man." She danced around his question, "No one for you to worry about."
"You still haven't answered my question." He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Your too stubborn." She jokes.
"I learned it all from you."
"His name is Erik."
"Erik?" His tone showed his discouragement to her attention to another man. Sasha looked around, to make sure there were no eavesdroppers.
"Can I tell you a secret? Something you won't tell a soul, especially Raoul." He gave her a queer look, then agreed to keep it.
"You can trust me, I would do anything for you."
"Erik is...well...Erik is... My father." She whispered out.
"What?" James looked completely shocked, he never expected something so scandalous in such a high end aristocratic family, especially from the countess. He always regarded her as the perfect women, kind hearted, caring mother, excepting wife. He never expected to hear her do such a thing.
"Have you seen Raoul? It's rather obvious I don't share his blood."
"So you just, ran into your father? Are you sure?" He was still trying to digest the information.
"well, we sort of were exploring, and somehow ended up at his home, it's a rather long story, When I get back I'll tell you it all." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something move in the shadows at the edge of the barn. Sasha watched it move, but James took no notice. "I should be leaving." She kissed him once again. "I'll be back soon."
"I'll be waiting." She walked out of the main door, and found Erik leaning up against the wall.
"Is that James?" He turned to her. She nodded, and took his hands into his.
"Yeah." She blushed, then lead him away from the barn. "I thought we could walk in the rose garden."
"Won't someone see?" He questioned, looking back at the house.
"The only other person who enjoys the garden is mother." As she lead him up. Christine walked out to them. She was dressed in what looked like a heaven white gown, that emphasised her beautiful figure. Sasha released Erik's hand, and pushed him towards her mother. Christine gave a startled look at Erik, she hadn't expected to meet him.
"Have fun." Sasha grinned, then left her two parents, and returned to her James.
