Chapter 20: The Long Chess Game

Erik just sat and held Claire in a comforting embrace until the sun was setting on Phantasma; Claire gave a sad sniffle as she kept her head rested against Erik's chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heart beat,

"... It was a boy" Claire murmured after a very long moment of silence causing Erik to look down at her curiously,

"How do you know?" he asked her gently, brushing her hair in a caring manner,

"... A mother knows... I... I told myself that I was going to name him after you..." Claire murmured and closed her eyes as Erik pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before standing and helping her to do the same as he held her hand in his own,

"Come with me" he instructed gently before leading her through the greenhouse and proceeded to collect an empty plant pot which he began filling with fresh soil,

"What are you doing?" Claire asked confused before Erik brought her forward,

"I am not doing anything. You are. You are going to plant something in honor of little Erik's memory and any time you wish to allow the thought of him... You can come down here and remember as much as you wish" Erik told her gently before leaving her to browse through the seeds as he went to fill a watering can.

Claire ended up planting some rose seeds before accepting the watering can from Erik and watered the dry soil within the plant pot,

"I way not have been able to meet you but you're always in my heart little one" she whispered before pressing a kiss to the tips of her fingertips and then pressed her fingertips to the now damp soil... She turned towards Erik and hugged him gently,

"Thank you" she whispered as he returned her embrace,

"... I want you to stay here, Claire... I want you to stay and live here... But I want it to be something that you want too" Erik told her and felt her nod in confirmation that she indeed did want the same and that she would stay in Phantasma with him.

Erik had brought Claire to one of the many rooms within his concert hall,

"I can have it made grander for you but until then you need to rest" Erik encouraged gently; Claire offered a tired and sad smile,

"It's perfect" she assured him before lying down upon the four poster bed and Erik gently pulled the duvet over her before wishing her a pleasant sleep and left her to sleep.

Erik found himself glaring when he discovered Meg waiting for him outside of Claire's new room with a sad and concerned expression upon his face,

"Is Claire ok?... Erik, I really am truly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or Claire" she told him honestly but Erik's expression remained firm,

"You are to leave Claire alone" he growled in warning before storming off, leaving Meg to sigh sadly before heading off to find her mother whom was most likely going to yell at her some more. It was a very long game and Meg was still on square one.

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TheAuthor1996