We are into the nitty gritty now, folks. This will get bumpy but you all need to trust me and hold onto the railing.
I own nothing….
Nadir reviewed the documents and shook his head. "I don't understand. Your husband…"
"Soon to be ex-husband, please." Christine reminded him.
He nodded. "He isn't the boy's father. He has no claim to him. You don't want anything from the marriage, which is good, as it doesn't appear you would be entitled to anything considering, Gustave's paternity. Yet for the past 10 years, he did raise Gustave thinking he was his. Is this about his family not wanting the scandal or is the issue solely your reputation?"
Christine rolled her eyes. "That's what Erik's soul issue is. I could care less but he thinks it will damage me professionally if the details of well… Everything got out. As far as Raoul's family is concerned…I don't know. They weren't very close to Gustave, but he is thought to be Raoul's heir."
Nadir scratched his head. "Well, I suppose we should find out how much the family hates you. The Vicomte will more than likely follow their lead. As far as your reputation goes, and forgive me for saying this, as I mean no disrespect but, does it matter to sing at Phantasma?"
She smiled. "Erik is referring to life outside Phantasma. He wants me to be the singer he says I always should have been."
"If not for him?"
She nodded. "His words, not mine."
"So why don't you tell him that?"
"I have, believe me. I signed the papers, Nadir. We are just waiting to hear what Raoul does with it. He just wants to be prepared, you know how Erik is."
"Indeed, I do. However, you both need to decide as to whether you want to salvage a reputation or move on with your lives and marry. After all, you need to think of your family. The de Changy's may not bother. My point is, don't waste a single second of your time together."
Christine touched her stomach. "I couldn't agree more, and I am thrilled you said what you said. Finally, someone else agrees with me." She laughed.
"What does your lawyer say?"
"It's his silence that worries me. That's another reason I know Erik is happy to have you here. He said you don't like to waste time."
Nadir made a face. "If the Vicomte doesn't plan on cooperating, he should have at least contacted the press by now. Having to wait and see if he does sign the…." He stopped his train of thought.
"What?"
"There's an idea. Why not announce your plans before he does? Catch him off guard!"
"I'm not following you."
"If you are concerned that Raoul will make trouble, once the news is already spread, he can't do much more. In fact, it may even force him to hurry and sign the papers out of humiliation."
"Nadir, that's genius!"
"Perhaps. It could also provoke his family but I don't see any other way. Let's hope Erik will like it."
"He'll have to. After all, it's my reputation and Gustave is still too young for this to impact him in any way negatively. You are right, we need to start living and stop worrying about things that may not even happen. I want to plan my wedding and think of this no more."
Nadir's stomach started to rumble. "I'm so sorry."
"Oh heavens! You must be starving. We never actually ate anything of substance! I am so sorry, Nadir. I'll just…. Wait a minute." She looked at the clock. "It's after 9 o'clock. What is keeping Erik and Gustave?"
Knock, Knock
"Speak of the devil." Nadir grinned.
Christine rushed to the door. "It's about time you two…. Ms. Fleck? What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry, Ma'am but I think you better come to the office right away."
"What's wrong?" She suddenly turned white.
"It's the Master. He…. He is not right."
"Is he hurt?"
"No but you best come, Ma'am. I don't think anyone can help him but you."
"Nadir!"
"I'm right behind you, Christine. Ms. Fleck, is it? Lead the way."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Gangle greeted them in front of Erik's office.
"It's alright now. He is calmer. I think he just needed a moment to…. let go."
Christine went up to Gangle. "What happened?"
"I think you better talk to him first. We will wait here." He looked at Nadir specifically. "The matter concerns them."
Nadir wasn't too happy but stayed back. "Go to him, Christine. We will all wait here."
She went to the door. "Erik? It's me. I'm coming in." She opened the door and was shocked when she saw the office in such a state.
The couch was turned upset down, papers were scattered everywhere, and Erik was without his jacket and mask.
"Angel?"
He slowly turned around. "I'm fine now. I just needed a moment. Gangle must have gotten worried when he heard the noise in here."
"What happened? Where is Gustave? What's wrong?"
"Oh Christine. I didn't want you to worry. I was going to fix everything but Gangle feared for the worst and so he got Ms. Fleck to come and get you. I'm fine. I just got a little crazy. It was better doing this to the office than to de Chagny. I had to suppress my rage. I needed to think clearly. I kept telling myself to think of what you would do or say."
"Raoul? Why would you…...Where is Gustave?" Her heart started pounding.
"Gustave is missing." He hated the words as soon as they came out of his mouth.
"What? "No, he's just lost track of the time. He…."
"I've searched the entire park, Christine. He is not here. No one has seen him. It must be Raoul. He took Gustave but I'm going to get him back tonight and I plan on doing it the right way. But if that maggot has harmed so much as one hair on our child's head, all bets are off. You won't need a divorce any longer. There is no shame in being a widow." He started to move around the office looking for his jacket and mask.
"Erik, wait. Are you sure? You can't just…."
He looked at her pointedly. "He never left New York, Christine. He is staying in a hotel not far from the club."
"Oh My God! My poor Gustave. Erik, if Raoul took him, he may take him back to France to hurt us. We have to stop him!"
He put his hands on her shoulders. "There are no ships leaving tonight, I double checked. So, we still have time. I am heading over there now."
"You're not going without me."
"Christine…."
"I'm coming with you. Erik don't think I can just go home and wait. I'll go out of my mind."
"Angel, what about the baby…."
"I'm thinking of the baby. Both of our babies. Seeing Gustave and knowing we have him back safe and sound will calm me and this little one." She looked down at her stomach. "Erik, you can't stop me. So, you can either take me along willingly or I will follow you."
He closed his eyes in defeat. "I was only thinking…. I didn't want to exclude you… I just…. Do you hate me?"
"Hate you? Why would you think that?"
"If I hadn't offered Gustave a job here, he wouldn't have been out and…."
"Oh, Erik." She touched his visible cheek with her hands. "If I hadn't decided that tonight was the night I would give him more freedom then he would have been home hours ago. Do you blame me?"
"Of course not!"
She nodded. "Then don't be ridiculous. Let's just go and get our son."
They started to walk to the door.
"Christine, do you hate me for having murderous thoughts?"
She shook her head. "No. Do you hate me for saying that?"
"Never."
Gangle and Nadir waited for them outside in the coach.
She grasped his hand tightly. "It won't come down to that. Raoul is just confused. We'll go there, and he will realize he made a terrible mistake." Christine wasn't sure if she said that to convince Erik or herself.
