Please send reviews I could always use helpful suggestions or comments.
Chapter 7
February to March 1875
The week went by quickly and the day came when Madeline and the children arrived. We heard the carriage arrive and went out to greet them. Mouse threw his small body at us; Sylvie came slower on her crutch but was just as enthusiastic at her greeting.
"Papa Erik, mama we missed you so didn't we Mouse." She said and Mouse nodded vigorously.
"We missed you too children. Why don't you go in and explore the house. I'm sure you'll know your rooms when you find them. We need to get our belongings into the house." Erik said.
"Madeline it's good to see you too. How were the children?" I asked as I hugged her.
"The children were just fine and don't try to tell me that you missed us." She said with a grin. "Come there's quite a bit to be unloaded." and with that we went to help Erik unload the carriage.
In the following weeks, we finally settled in and the children renewed their lessons. We began getting invitations from our few neighbors to drop in for tea. The children, Madeline and I would occasionally go and meet the neighbors and I would give Erik's excuses, he still was not comfortable meeting people.
One day an invitation to a masked ball came and for once Erik agreed to attend. Since it was a masked ball, he felt he would not be out of place. He thought that I would enjoy it; I had never been to anything so grand as a ball before. He went to work designing our masks and costumes. Madeline declined to go preferring to stay behind with the children.
A few days later, while Erik was giving the children their music lessons, Madeline and I were in the conservatory tending to the plants when she casually turned to me.
"When are you going to tell him?" She asked. "You can't keep it a secret much longer, he's very observant you know." I nearly dropped the watering can.
"How did you know?" I asked in dismay.
"I also am very observant and more knowledgeable than him concerning this." She said smugly.
"I just don't know how he is going to take it. He started to ask me once if Mouse and Sylvie weren't enough but he never finished his train of thought. However I have decided to tell him after the ball. Let us enjoy the night before I tell him."
The night of the ball arrived and our costumes were exquisite. My gown was of deep blue velvet, with a sweetheart neckline, the sleeves tight at the top and then flowing from my elbow down. My mask was a stylized butterfly in light blue trimmed with dark blue embroidery and chips of sapphire and held on with a dark blue velvet ribbon. I wore a dark blue velvet cape with a hood to wear over my gown. Erik was wearing a dark blue velvet suit with a black satin waistcoat and a matching cape, his mask was also like a butterfly, but more masculine and in dark blue trimmed with chips of ebony and tied with a black ribbon. The wings of his mask came down farther on his face than mine to hide what was underneath. He looked so handsome and elegant.
"Papa, Mama you're so beautiful." Sylvie said. Mouse nodded his agreement enthusiastically. Erik turned to me, smiling and took my hand.
"My angel you are indeed the most beautiful of butterflies." he said as he leaned over and kissed me. "Shall we go?" He said and we went hand in hand to the carriage and he helped me up. Antoine was driving the carriage tonight and we sat in the back, Erik's arm around me.
When we arrived, I introduced my husband to our hosts, Monsieur and Madame Devereux, and we went inside. Everything was beautiful and exciting. Seeing all the costumes and trying to decide which was best. Erik and I danced almost every dance together. It was wonderful. Then in one moment, it all came crashing down. Monsieur Devereux approached us, another couple following behind.
"Monsieur, Madame des Ombres I would like you to meet..." and as he said their names I felt my world crash. Erik's hand tightened convulsively on mine and I looked at his face, which had gone white. Our host was dragged away by another guest while Erik mumbled his greetings. She looked at him and her eyes widened in recognition. Her husband looked puzzled, as if he should know Erik but could not quite place him. She looked at me uncertainly then turned to her husband.
"Darling could you get me something to drink please?" She asked and when he left she turned to me. "Madame des Ombres? That is his name? You are his wife? Do you know…?" she asked as if she could not believe it.
"Yes, my wife, my angel of light." He said, as he clutched me to him not gently. She couldn't take her eyes from his face and Erik's grip on my arm would leave bruises. The look on her face spoke volumes. I felt as if a great boulder had settled in the pit of my stomach. "Perhaps this conversation would be best carried out some other time." He said.
"Yes perhaps so." she breathed and again glanced at me. Her husband returned with her drink.
"It was nice meeting you." I heard myself say as we parted company. Erik watched in silence as they walked away and then glancing around, turned to me.
"Come. I think we should leave now." Erik said when they were gone.
"Yes. I agree." The night was shattered, even the sky seemed to cry as a heavy rain started coming down. Antoine brought our carriage around and we got in in silence. The trip home was in a strained silence. Erik's face seemed set in marble while I tried to choke back my tears. As we arrived home, I leaped from the carriage before it came to a full stop, running to the house sobbing.
"Jenny, wait!" Erik shouted, but I kept running. I knew that he had loved her but I had thought that over when he had asked me to marry him. Madeline heard me as I ran upstairs and came out of her room as I ran past it.
"You're awfully early aren't you..." she started to say. "Mon Dieu what happened?" She asked as she followed me into the bedroom.
"She was there." I cried out. Just then, Erik ran into the room, stopping short when he saw Madeline.
"Madeline, leave us. I need to talk to my wife." He said quietly. I turned my back to him as she left the room, consternation written across her face.
"What is there to say? It is obvious that you still love each other. You should have seen your faces. It's a wonder her husband didn't see it." I spat out.
"What you saw on my face was fear. Fear for you and the children. For our lives together, if he had recognized me, I could be in prison now, or dead. I am not willing to give up my life just as it truly begins. I won't lie, I was shocked when I saw her and yes a part of me will always love her, but my love for her was destructive and led to madness." I could feel him standing behind me, could hear him pleading for understanding. "You have led me from that Jenny. You share my soul. The love I feel for you is so much deeper than what I felt for her. She made her choice and I have made mine. I will always choose you. You are the angel of my heart." He breathed as he lightly held my shoulders and turned me to him. I stood looking at my feet and he put his fingers under my chin and raised it. His eyes, always so expressive, were brimming in tears begging me to believe.
"Oh Erik." I said and glanced away. He pulled my face back.
"Please believe me angel. Can you?" I studied his face silently and for an answer, I reached up, kissing him gently and then wiped his tears.
"Your eyes tell me all I need to know." and I smiled tremulously. He wiped my tears from my cheek and then smiled.
"I do love you so little angel." Desperately his mouth took possession of mine. Hungrily his tongue plundered my mouth. Feverishly we discarded our clothing and fell to the bed. Our lovemaking wild and frantic until at last, spent we lay within each other's arms.
"I love you angel, only you." He whispered. "I'll never leave you." He tenderly caressed my body.
"I believe you. I love you so much." I whispered. For a while, his hand gently caressed the slight bulge in my stomach.
"You're finally putting on a little weight eh." He said teasingly.
"Uh Erik there's something I have to tell you." I said hesitantly. He looked at me with growing understanding. Different expressions crossing his face as different thoughts crossed through his mind. First wonder and joy followed closely by fear and horror. He sat up abruptly.
"What if it's born like me?" he whispered. I sat up and pulled his face to my breast.
"Then we will love him or her just as we would any child. Our child will grow up knowing that he is loved just as we love Mouse and Sylvie, just as I love you." He looked at me and then gently put his hand on my stomach again.
"How long?" he asked.
"Sometime in the fall." I told him. He gathered me to him and kissed me but the worry never left his eyes.
The next morning we were slow to rise. Erik held me as if he was afraid to let go, his hand straying to my belly to caress what lay within.
"A child, I never thought it possible. I just assumed that what had made me like I am had also made it impossible for me to sire a child." He whispered. "I just pray its born normal." He entwined his fingers in my honey gold curls and kissed me lingeringly.
"So that's what you meant that day. HE will be fine. I'm sure he's a boy." I said smiling as I caressed his chest. "The first of many." I grinned. His eyes opened wide in alarm at the prospect. "And don't get any ideas about becoming celibate."
"With you my love, that would be impossible." he chuckled. "I am afraid that with your first caress you have created a new kind of monster."
"That's my kind of monster." I teased and then I sighed. "I suppose we should get up. Madeline will be concerned after last night." His smile faded.
"Yes, and we may have a guest today. Are you sure you are up to it?" His hand again strayed to my belly.
"I'll be fine as long as I know you love me."
"Forever and always my angel, nothing will ever change that." and he kissed me yet again and then got up to dress. I followed suit.
When we went to the kitchen, the children had already had their breakfast and were outside playing. Madeline brought us our plates and sat down with us.
"So you worked out whatever it was between you last night. I am glad. Now what was it about her being there?"
"Madeline they were both there. He did not recognize me but she most certainly did. We may have a guest sometime today."
"I can't deny that I will be glad to see her, she was like a daughter to me. But for you it could be dangerous."
"I don't think she would harm him. She could have done that last night with just one word. Besides you didn't see the look on her face." I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat and looked down at my plate. "I think she still loves him." Erik reached for my hand.
"Remember, she made her choice and I have made mine. It doesn't matter how she feels or doesn't feel." Erik said and Madeline smiled.
"I always knew she was bad for you but you are a stubborn man and would never listen to me. I can see that you are truly happy now and I am glad."
"Yes truly happy. Madeline did she tell you, I am to be a father in truth." he smiled but there still was a hint of worry in his eyes.
"Darling, Madeline knew without me telling her." I laughed.
"Mama, what did Aunt Madeline know?" Sylvie's sweet voice asked. She and Mouse were standing at the door. They had over heard my last comment. We exchanged glances and Erik nodded his head.
"Children you are going to have a baby brother or sister sometime this fall." I said. Mouse and Sylvie exchanged glances uncertainly. "How we feel about you will never change. You are our children too and we love you both." I held my arms out to them. They looked at each other again and then smiled and came to get their hugs.
Later we were in the music room. The children were supposed to be practicing but instead were tossing names back and forth, as to what the new baby's name should be. Some of the names were outrageous and Erik was openly laughing. He had forgotten to wear his mask today as he was beginning to do more and more often in the privacy of our home. Erik was sitting at the piano and I was standing behind him. We were laughing loudly over Mouse's last choice in a name when Madeline walked in, an uncertain look on her face.
"Erik, Jenny we have a guest." And she followed Madeline into the room. Erik stood and reached for my hand.
"So, you have come to visit." He said. "Children come and meet my former pupil. These are our children Madame. This is Sylvie and Mouse our adopted children, and of course you met my wife, Jenny." He said proudly and smiled down at me.
"Your children?" She said uncertainly. She looked at them, glanced at me and then gazed at Erik with a somewhat lost expression on her face. Clearly, she hadn't expected there would be children, even adopted children.
"Come children. Your Mama and Papa have a guest. Why don't you go out and play." Madeline said as she ushered the children from the room.
"Yes my dear, our children. You know I did not know it then but when you left me, you did me a big favor. I found someone who truly loved me for myself, who never looked at me with fear and loathing." He pulled me to him and smiled down at me with all his love and tenderness in his eyes. Tears came to her eyes as she looked at us.
"Won't you sit down?" I asked. The three of us sat down. We sat there for a moment, uncomfortably each with our own thoughts.
"Was there some purpose to your visit or were you just curious as to what kind of woman would marry a man such as myself. A let's see how was it you described me. Ah yes a "pitiful creature of darkness" that's what you called me." Erik said bitterly. I gasped, how could she have said that! Erik glanced over at me apologetically. "As you can see I no longer live in darkness thanks to Jenny." He said softly, gazing at me he smiled and taking my hand kissed it.
"Erik it was you who saved me." I said gently.
"What do you mean, he saved you?" she asked.
"Just that he saved me from…"
"We need not go into that with her." Erik interrupted. "The fact is that because of you I was in the right place when Jenny came into my life and because of her I have found a happiness that I never knew could exist." he said squeezing my hand.
She sat there silently, her eyes wide, shining with unshed tears. I don't think that she could get over the fact that Erik had moved on and no longer loved her as he had. She kept staring at Erik and I finally realized that it was his unmasked face that held such fascination for her.
"You find something interesting Madam?" Erik asked coldly. His face like stone, his eyes dark. He also realized what held her attention so. She flinched at his tone.
"Forgive me Erik." she said softly and then turned to me. "You have no trouble seeing his face?" she asked. Erik's grip tightened on my hand, his mouth clamped tightly.
"Madam I don't know how you could ask that. He is Erik and I love him, all of him. I happen to think he is quite magnificent and its quite rude to talk about him as if he wasn't here." I said hotly.
"I didn't mean to be rude. You are a better person than I." she said. She was very flustered. She had seen his face twice before but now he wasn't trying to cover it and that took her by surprise. Especially when the children came back in, and Sylvie climbed in Erik's lap, putting her arms around his neck for a hug and Mouse cuddled in between us. Neither of them making any notice of his face.
"Madame, did you know Mouse and I are to have a baby brother or sister." Sylvie said excitedly. "We can't decide what name to give it."
"Ssssh Sylvie, we have plenty of time to find a name." I said blushing.
"A baby?" she said in disbelief. I think that until that moment she actually thought ours was a marriage in name only.
"My husband is a most pas…" I paused for a moment glancing at the children and changed what I had been going to say. "Loving husband and devoted father. We are looking forward to many children." I said looking over at Erik smiling. A slight stain flushed her face as she gazed from me to Erik. I felt that it was time to put all hostilities behind us.
"Children, why don't you play something for the vicomtesse?" I suggested. "Erik, you as well." I smiled at him. He looked at me uncertainly and then leaned over and dropped a kiss on my forehead.
"Your wish is my command angel of my heart." I saw her flinch slightly at the endearment and wondered why. She looked at me.
"He used to call me his "angel of music"; I see he has a new angel now. Don't mistake me I'm glad he has found someone he could be happy with."
"Thank you." I said smiling. We listened to the children for a while and then she said that she must get back. We said our goodbyes and she looked at Erik.
"I really am glad you are happy now." She said her eyes filled again. "I was so cruel to you. I hope you know how much I regret that."
"Thank you for that, but it was that cruelty that brought me my angel and I am indebted to you for that. I wish you and your husband well." we said our goodbyes and she left.
Erik sat back down at the piano and started playing a new song he had been working on. After playing for a while he stopped a moment.
"Come sit with me Jenny." he said. I came over and sat on the bench next to him. The score in front of him had been untitled but now it said "Love Story" and in the corner it said "for my wife Jenny with love."
"I wrote a special song for your birthday angel." He said as he began to sing in his melodic baritone.
Where do I begin
To tell the story of how great a love can be
The sweet love story that is older than the sea
The simple truth about the love she brings to me
Where do I start
With her first hello
She gave new meaning to this empty world of mine
There'd never be another love, another time
She came into my life and made the living fine
She fills my heart with very special things
With angels' songs, with wild imaginings
She fills my soul with so much love
That anywhere I go I'm never lonely
With her around, who could be lonely
I reach for her hand-it's always there
How long does it last
Can love be measured by the hours in a day
I have no answers now but this much I can say
I know I'll need her till the stars all burn away
And she'll be there
I opened my mouth in astonishment and went to him. The children were clapping when he finished.
"That was beautiful. How did you know? I don't think I ever told you when my birthday was." I asked. He smiled as he pulled me into his lap.
"I told you that you could never hide anything from me." He said as he nuzzled my neck.
Love Story is the theme from the movie of the same name. It was written by Henry Mancini and originally sung by Andy Williams. I just thought the words appropriate for Erik's feelings for Jenny.
