The next few hours passed in a blur as the two riders spurred their horses onwards to the Dubois manor located just outside of Lyon. Neither one spoke, both intent on reaching their destination before the morning sun's rays touched the ground. The hooves of their horses thudded heavily against the gravel and dirt roads, blocking out all other sounds until Julianna's head pounded to the rhythm of the hoof beats.
Just as the sun's rays were beginning to wash over the land, casting everything in a pinkish dawn light, the two travellers and their weary horses could be seen from the Dubois mansion in the distance by some early rising servants. The dust kicked up by the horses began to settle as the riders slowed their pace and trotted onto the lane leading to the manor. The horse's hooves clicked to a stop on the brick path in front of the house, where both horses and riders were swarmed by the household servants. Dismounting quickly, Julianna gave orders for the horses to be tended to after their long and tiring journey while she began to pull Erik towards the front door. He was just able to glimpse the exterior of the house and admire its appearance before he was inside the grand foyer. A few maids bustled around him, removing his cloak and hat, none casting a second glance at his mask, much to his relief.
He observed his surroundings. The front of the house was misleading with its smaller windows and darker exterior. The inside of the house was spotless with two staircases on either side leading upstairs and a large windowed doors leading out to a patio, opposite the front door. A large gold and crystal chandelier dangled from the centre of the ceiling and for a moment, Erik wondered if Meg had made the right choice after all. Even with his accumulated wealth, he could never afford something like this. He shook his head in disbelief, feeling envy but also gratitude towards Dubois.
The overwhelmed and slightly jealous masked man returned his attention to Julianna, who at this point was conversing in a hushed tone with a maid. She waved her hand in his general direction and the maid gave a nod, before walking over to where he stood.
"The young mistress has asked me to lead you to a room, where you may freshen up before meeting the mistress of the house." She said, rather importantly for a lowly servant.
Regardless, he nodded and followed her through various hallways and up a winding staircase, his mind mapping out the layout of the house as he encountered it. At last they stopped outside a door, which the maid opened for him. She stepped aside, allowing him to enter alone.
"I will wait for you here." He nodded in agreement and she shut the door. Alone, Erik finally took a deep breath to relax himself. His muscles and bones ached to run away from here, fear and anxiety seeping into his core. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the negative thoughts and walked around the room. It was small and nearly empty apart from a crisp white bed, a bedside table, a vanity table and chair, plus a small sink and toilet, hidden behind a beige curtain. After splashing his face with water and relieving himself in he toilet, he put on a confident air and went to go meet the maid. She was still waiting when he opened the door. She gave him a small curtsy of respect before leading him through several more corridors.
They met Julianna in a hallway beside a large double door. She indicated to the maid to leave and then pushed open a door, letting Erik in. The room was in darkness, a sliver of light let in through a crack between heavy drapes on the wall. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting but the moment he did, he saw her, pale and weak, lying on massive bed, which made her tiny body look even smaller.
"Meg..?" His voice cracked, but she heard him, inclining her head in his direction.
"Erik?" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, "I was worried you wouldn't come.."
Julianna glanced at the two former lovers and silently slipped out of the room, closing the door behind herself.
Neither noticed the girl leave, both entranced by the other. They stayed, lost in the other for several moments, until Erik bravely took a few steps forward.
"You came.." Meg's voice trailed off as she reached her hand up to touch the masked man who haunted her dreams every night, as he approached her.
His heart started when her hand made contact with the skin on his unmasked cheek, it had been too long since they had been this close. He felt a blush grow on his unmarred cheek as she gently stroked it with her hand, which felt like ice burning his skin. Hesitantly, he raised his left hand to encase her hand with his own. Her hand was indeed cold, like ice in his own warm and sweaty hand.
Gently, he took her hand with his hands and placed them over her heart. "I never left," he murmured. "I never stopped loving you, and I never hated you for making the choice you did."
The tired and weary blond woman who lay in front of him didn't resemble the same youthful and happy girl he had once known. Even the sparkle of light in her eyes had died, making her blue eyes seem empty and sad.
"Thank you," she forced out, tears starting to come to her eyes. Despite what she had made him suffer, even after promising that she would always love him and never betray him like Christine, he had come back upon her request. "I never deserved you... I was worse than Christine. I -"
"No." His voice wobbled, "It was I who never deserved you. You, this beautiful angel of light, from heaven itself, sent to deliver me." his words seemed to have the opposite effect on Meg, as she began to cry freely, tears running down her pale cheeks. "Forgive me, Erik. I never wanted to hurt you. Forgive me for all the pain I caused you and for all the years you've spent alone."
"I resented you in the beginning if I am to be honest, but how could I resent you now? I've heard how you suffered in your loveless marriage, but how you were still the best mother to your daughter. And I cannot say how honoured I am that you chose to name her after me."
"Erik... There's something I should let you know, before I pass on.."
"No Meg!" The force in Erik's voice startled them both, "I can't let you leave me, not after all of these years. I don't want to be alone any longer. Please Meg, I've spent most of my life alone, without constant love." Tears were now running freely down the cheeks of both estranged lovers.
"You won't be alone, Erik. You will have Julianna and she will have you."
"But she's not you Meg. She is a charming girl, but at the end of the day, even though she embodies you, she is a reminder of Jacques, the barrier between our love. She is your daughter, made from the flesh of you and your husband..."
"Erik, Erik... If you would only let me explain." Meg smiled through her tears, "You were always one for dramatics, but I guess that's what happens when you grow up in an opera house."
"I don't understand. How can you smile at a moment like this?"
"Because I've missed you theatrics. I also want to tell you something important, something you deserved to know a long time ago. Julianna is my daughter yes, but her father isn't Jacques. You are her father by blood and in a way, by name."
To say he was shocked would have been an understatement. When the full weight of the words Meg had just spoken fell upon him, Erik stumbled and felt faint.
"S-s-she's...m-mine..? My daughter?"
"No, she our daughter. Our daughter who will need you to be a strong and stable father."
Erik sat down on the side of the bed, his strength suddenly gone.
"You aren't going to die Meg. Not while I have any say in the matter. I've finally been reunited with you, and gained a beautiful daughter along the way. I can't let this beautiful dream fade, not when we have the chance of a brighter future. We deserve this, so fight for it Meg. Please."
"I love you, Erik," was all that Meg said.
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o0o
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The sound of bells rang through the misty air, and echoed in the gloomy cemetery as a trail of figures dressed like shadows made their way to two newly dug graves. A young girl with golden hair and green eyes was among them, dressed in a satin black dress that rippled with her heart wrenching sobs. She stood alone as the first casket was lifted, then lowered into the muddy hole. Tears ran from her eyes as she watched her childhood companion disappear into the cold and dark earth, never to see or feel the light of day again. Her body and heart felt numb as the second casket followed in suit, slipping into the dirt, further away from her. She cried for the father she would never see again and for the emptiness that now engulfed her heart and her home.
Someone approached her lone figure that stood by the two graves, after most people had left. The girl didn't notice, lost in her memories and thoughts. She felt sadness that her father had lived such an unfair life, loving someone with his whole heart, but never being enough for her. She was felt so very empty inside, which is why the sudden gentle hand on her shoulder startled her, and for a brief moment she was able to escape her grief.
"How are you feeling...?" a masculine voice asked.
Julianna turned to see Erik standing behind her. She sniffed a little, "I can't believe that I'll never see them again."
Erik nodded sympathetically and curled his arm around her shoulder. "I can't promise that I will be like Jacques when it comes to being your father and I know that I will never replace him, but I hope that you will slowly come to see me as a fatherly figure. I want you to know that there's nothing that I wouldn't do for you to make you happy."
Julianna put on a smile. She knew it was hard but they were slowly trying to adapt to this new relationship growing between them. He was putting in a lot of effort to be a good fatherly figure and she appreciated it. He was right, he would never replace her father, the one who had raised her as his own from the moment she entered this world, but that didn't mean Erik couldn't be a father to her. She allowed him to lead her away from the graves of her younger brother and father, both of whom had died at sea when their ship encountered a storm on the way back to France. Julianna would always feel guilt about being responsible for their deaths, despite how her mother and Erik tried to comfort her.
Meg had significantly recovered since Erik's return into her life and there was a sparkle in her eye that Julianna hadn't seen before. Though both mother and daughter were grieving heavily for the loss of their loved ones, there was an unspoken gratitude for Erik's presence. Once the funeral was over and the financial matters were dealt with, the three of them had planned to sell the house and move to the countryside with a few servants. Julianna and her mother were eager to leave the Dubois manor. There were to many memories and the house was far to empty and silent. Even though Jacques and Antoin had spent a lot of time overseas in the more recent years, there was a different kind of silence when they were gone. Now it was heavy with sorrow and guilt.
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o0o
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Everyone had left. There was no more chatter or clinking of glasses, the smell of cigar smoke still hung heavily in the air, but they were alone. The servants had finished cleaning up after their guests and Julianna had left to change into her night cloths, so Meg was alone with Erik in the silent, empty grand foyer. Their hands were intertwined as Erik turned her to face him.
"I found a house that's a few hours ride from here. It's not as luxurious as you are undoubtedly accustomed to, but I hope you will like it there. It's a short ride to the nearest village, which I think you will find very quaint. Everything is ready and prepared, waiting for us, just say the word and we can go." There was a hint of a plea in his voice, as if he was afraid that she would turn him down.
Instead, Meg smiled at him, "Thank you, Erik."
He smiled back at her and drew her in to his body, "I can show you now..." he offered.
"Now?" Meg said, uncertainly. "Isn't it far?'
"Not too far. We can head out within the next hour and take Julianna to see the sunrise in our new home."
"Our new home..." Meg echoed. Her smile brightened, "Let's go!"
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o0o
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The house was empty, and though it was not nearly as grand as the Dubois mansion, Meg liked it immediately. Raised in the working class, she had never quite grown accustom to the wealth of the Dubois. The sun was still sleeping as the three travelers brought their horses to a halt and dismounted. Erik took care of the horses, untacking them and giving them water while Meg and Julianna went to explore the house. Erik found them a little while later in the library, skimming through some books.
"Follow me," he said, so they did. He led them through a few hallways and upstairs to the roof of the house. There he pulled out a blanket and laid it out for his love and his daughter to sit on. For a few moments they sat in comfortable silence until the sun began peaking over the horizon. Not long after, their faces were bathed in the soft golden light as the morning rays hit them. They sat there, together as a new family watching the sun rise. There was no need for any words to be spoken as they watched their future dawn before them.
A/N: And that concludes the story. I hope you enjoyed it... please leave me a review to tell me what you thought!