Erik watched the door close in silence, until he heard Christine start to cry. He turned around and placed his hands on her shoulders and began rubbing them gently.
"It's going to be alright. He's a strong, young man, thanks to you."
"That was much harder than I dreamed it would be. I never thought he would have that sort of reaction." She reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out his handkerchief.
"He just needs some time to think. He left here knowing we both love him. That's what is important. I think he accepts me."
"Oh angel, of course he accepts you." She wiped her eyes and gripped his hand, while walking them towards the couch. She sat down with him beside her. "At least it's all over now. No more lies. We can begin again."
Erik's focus right now was only on her. "How are you feeling?" He looked at her keenly.
She shrugged. "I feel so many things. Relief, anguish, hope, worry. I suppose I feel like a mother." She smiled reluctantly.
"He is going to be fine. When he comes back, we can start with new ground rules."
"What do you mean?"
"You said it yourself, no more secrets. No more lies. We tell each other everything."
"Does that mean telling him that Raoul is going to fight for custody?" She was trying not to imagine the worst.
Erik scoffed. "Let that boy try to take away what isn't is. If he wants a fight, he'll have one."
"Erik, I can't lose Gustave." She then caressed his face. "Or you."
"You, Gustave and I will be one united front. He isn't his son, Christine. He will lose this fight. Together, we can handle the Vicomte."
"And we'll do whatever it takes to keep our family together." She looked into his eyes making sure he understood her meaning.
He grasped her hand tighter, as he stared right back at her. "Nothing and no one is going to keep us apart again. This fight will be very different, angel. I am no longer the man I was and this time, I will not be giving up."
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Gustave didn't exactly know where to really look for Meg. It was too early to meet her by the water, so he took a chance to see if he could find out which room was hers. After a few inquiries, he was able to find her room and knocked.
"Go away. I don't want to be disturbed."
"Please Ms. Giry. It's me, Gustave. I have to see you."
A few seconds later, the door opened.
"Gustave? What are you doing here?"
"I came by to tell you that I can't keep secrets from my mother and …..Mr.Y."
Meg sighed. "Kid, it's a surprise. We aren't setting the place on fire."
"Secrets are bad. I want to learn to swim but not if I have to lie to them."
She sighed. "Come inside." She looked around before closing the door. "Gustave, if you don't want to keep your lessons a secret, then don't but I have to tell you….. They won't let you take the lessons from me."
"Why not? You said you and my mother were best friends."
"Yeah, but that was before. She doesn't like me very much now."
"Why not?"
"Gustave, I shouldn't tell you this…."
"I don't believe in any secrets. Not between anyone. So if you can't tell me, we can't be friends." He turned to leave and Meg grabbed him by the arm.
"Well, your mother doesn't like me because of my friendship with Mr. Y. She thinks I want to hurt him but I could never hurt him. I only want him happy. I want them both happy. I know how hard they struggled without each other."
Gustave started to smile. "Well, that solves everything!"
"What do you mean?"
"Mother and Mr. Y are getting married."
"What?!" Meg quickly let go of his arm as if he were poison.
"They told me just now, so if Mother knew how happy you were for them, then the problems would all be solved."
"Married…. Are you sure?" Why does Christine always get everything handed to her?
"Of course I am. They can finally be together. No one loves my mother as much as Mr. Y does."
Meg forced herself not to gag. "Well then that's why your swimming is all the more important, Gustave. It will be our wedding present to them. Come on. They will be so happy to see you swimming and then your mother will see how I just want to be a part of her life again."
"I know why you feel that way, but Ms. Giry….. The reason I can't keep any secrets from them is because they finally told me the truth. It wouldn't be fair.
"Truth about what?"
"I'm their son."
