Chapter 11: December tears
Christine's POV
I stood in terrified shock as I watched Raoul's hand slip from my grasp, his soulful blue eyes falling closed. An uncontrollable, heartwrending, scream escaped my lips, and it took all of my will power to stop it. I bent down to check his pulse; there was one, but it was faint. I stood up quickly, preparing to go and wake up our butler Jacques, and our maids, Caroline and Sarah. But before I could, I found them at the top of the stairs, each with a bewildered expression on his or her face, and candle in his or her hand.
"Madame Christine what is going on?" asked Jacques as he set eyes on the two unconscious gypsies.
"These men attempted to rob us Jacques, and they.." I stopped as I felt salty tears stinging my eyes. "They shot Raoul."
The three ran quickly down the stairs to where I knelt next to Raoul. They cared dearly for Raoul, and had known him since he was a child.
"Oh my," said Jacques in a whisper. "I must go for the doctor! But Madame, I fear for your safety with these two ruffians in the house."
I looked at the two men who had just attempted to kill my husband merely for the sake of stealing his money, and I felt myself burning with anger. He had only been trying to protect me from them, and he had taken that bullet for me, and now I didn't know if he would survive the night. "They'll be out for hours. But please Jacques, hurry and get the doctor!"
"I'm on it Madame, just hold on until I get back!" he said as he squeezed my shoulder. He grabbed his coat, ordering Caroline to go for the police, and for Sarah to go the Phillipe's and Lucien's, as they lived near each other, and then to the opera house for the Girys.
I heard the door slam and the neighing of horses as the three set off; I would be forever grateful to them. I went into one of the downstairs closets and retrieved a load of towels. I lit a candle to illuminate the room, trying to get rid of the very creepy feeling that had entered the room. I placed Raoul's head gently in my lap as I opened his shirt and wrapped a towel around the would, trying to stem the flow of blood.
I let out a gasp as I saw the bullet wound, which couldn't have been more than an inch from his heart. I alternated cleaning the would with holding a towel against it, praying silently to God that my beloved would be all right. I had just achieved my happiness after my father's death and all that had happened at the opera, and it was Raoul who had brought it to me. Why was God playing games with me? Raoul didn't deserve to die, he was young and vibrant and full of life; but most importantly, he was loved by so many, and he was the sweetest man on earth.
I hadn't prayed this desperately since my papa had fallen ill, and I could only hope that this didn't turn out as that had. The minutes passed, but they felt like hours, with the the wind rattling the windows and doors. I stroked Raoul's sweaty forehead as I watched him take shallow breaths, wishing that I could do something more. I heard the grandfather clock strike twelve as I changed yet another towel; it was then that it occured to me that it was the first day of December. This seemed to bring even more tears to my eyes. Christmas would be coming soon, and I couldn't bear the thought of Raoul not being there to see it. I wiped these tears from my swollen, red rimmed eyes; I had to be strong for Raoul. Just then, the door came open and I was extremely relieved to see the doctor come in with Jacques at his heels. It was the very same doctor who had told me I was pregnant. Had that only been two days ago?
"Oh my goodness Vicomtess!" he exclaimed. "What has happened here? But never mind that, I need to take the Vicomte upstairs."
"Our room is just up the stairs, monsieur. Will you be able to do anything for him?" I asked desperately.
"I certainly hope so Madame," he responded gravely. "I promise that I shall do my best."
I reluctantly let go of Raoul as Jacques and the good doctor carried him up the stairs. Jacques then came back downstairs for a minute, insisting that he bandage the cut on my cheek. I thanked him gratefully as he did so, and then ushered him up the stairs to assist the doctor. There was then another knock at the door, and I opened it to find three policemen standing there.
"Good evening. Are you Madame de Chagny?" asked one politely.
"Yes," I answered. "I believe that we have two of the culprits that you have been looking for monsieurs." I invited them in and they made their way over to the two unconsious gypsies. They bound both men's wrists before examining them closely.
"Yes, these have to be them. This one has the symbol on his head." he said, gesturing to the tattoo of the snake wrapped around the lilly on the large one's head. "You and your husband are brave souls Vicomtess. No one else has managed to even come close to capturing any of these gypsies but you. How is your husband by the way?"
"The doctor is with him now.. " I said quietly. "I don't know what will happen."
The officer put a hand on my shoulder. "We all hope that everything will turn out for the best. But we are grateful for the both of you. And please tell the Vicomte we are thankful for his bravery; this capture may help lead us to the other gypsies. In the meantime, we will get these two out of your way. I shall be in contact with you in a few days, just to ask a few questions." said the good lieutenant.
The three picked up the gypsies and heaved them into the carriage unceremoniously. " These two will be in for an unpleasant surprise when they wake up in an hour or so." chuckled the officer. "Good luck Madame."
I thanked them and closed the door, turning to make my way up the stairs to see if the doctor would allow me to see Raoul yet. But before I could even get halfway up the stairs, the door flew open and Phillipe and Lucien came rushing in, still half in their night clothes.
"Christine!" they both exclaimed at the same time.
They ran to me and before I could even say a word, they enveloped me in a hug, and I could feel both of their tears on my nightgown. The seriousness of the situation hit me once again; it took a lot for Phillipe and Lucien to cry.
"Where are those fiends!" raged Phillipe. "I'll kill them for doing this to my little brother."
"Calm down Phillipe! Your shouting will do no good." said Lucien calmly, his eyes shining with tears.
I was a bit shocked, for I had expected their reactions to be switched; Phillipe was normally the calmer one, and Lucien was the one who had the short temper.
"Is he going to be all right Christine? How bad is it?" asked Lucien as he grasped my cold hands.
I looked up at Lucien, never having seen him so scared before. "It was a terrible wound Lucien, we can only pray that he'll be all right." My voice broke at these words, the tears uncontrollable now. Lucien embraced me once again, and Phillipe stared at the wall. Quiet fell as we listened to the wind howl and the clock tick. I wondered fleetingly how long it would be until the Girys arrived. Then after what seemed like days, the doctor summoned me upstairs. I turned to Lucien and Phillipe.
"Go to him Christine." said Phillipe solemnly as he squeezed my shoulder. "I know that your presence can do miracles for him, I have seen it before."
I gave them a small smile, asking them to let Madame and Meg in when they arrived. I made my way up the winding staircase, the banister freezing under my fingertips, and the shadows on the walls unfriendly. I reached the outside of our bedroom, where I found the doctor and Jacques standing there, looking exhausted.
"How is he?" I asked, trying to remain calm.
The doctor sighed. "I managed to get the bullet out, and the good news is that it didn't pierce his heart. But he is weak from loss of blood. I think he'll make it, but he's not out of the woods yet." he smiled at me reassuringly . "But I do know that you were the first person he asked for when he awoke. Go to him." he patted my shoulder and opened the door into the room. I saw Raoul lying there, his blue eyes smiling at me through the pain that I knew he was in.
"Christine..."
I smiled at him. I couldn't express how it made my heart soar to hear him speaking. It gave me hope.
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A/N: Well, here ya go, another chapter! I had to split the aftermath chapter into two chapters, because there is so much to put in. The Girys will arrive in the next chapter, and also be prepared for a lot of fluff! Please review! Thanks for all of the support!