Erik again held the delivered letter in his hands. He noted that it was from the attorney, Monsieur Devin. The documents, at last! He tore open the envelope and read the pages carefully. Finding a pen, he filled in all of the necessary information and signed his name…the name by which he would soon be called. He had wanted to choose a name that was suitable for him…one that did not have an aristocratic air, but one with a meaning that was carefully chosen—a strong name. He penned the line at the bottom of the last page with a flair: Erik Durand. Satisfied, he tucked the contents into a new envelope and sealed it, addressing the front. He would have it sent out shortly when he arrived at the main house for dinner.
Erik quickly changed out of his work clothing and put on some clean trousers, a lawn shirt and waistcoat, complete with a cravat. He felt like a new man. A man who could finally call himself by a complete name…soon, at least…after everything was made legal. A new job, a new name…and a new heart. He was filled with gratitude and he whispered a short but sincere prayer as he donned his outdoor clothing, closing the door behind him.
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The atmosphere at the dinner table was entirely different this evening. There was laughter emanating from each person, including Erik and Christine, as they listened to Monsieur Laurent's humorous anecdotes about the places he had been and the people he had met in his many travels.
Amêlie watched Erik curiously as he stole glances at Christine. She could see that his attitude toward their beautiful houseguest had changed. She felt a twinge of jealousy at first, but shrugged it off, knowing that what she felt for him was simply admiration, not feelings of a romantic nature. She hoped that Erik would find someone and be happy. He is such a special man, she thought. Whomever he marries one day will be a blessed woman indeed. She caught his eye and smiled at him warmly. He smiled back, winking at her. "Perhaps after supper, the young songbird and the former prima donna would grace us with some music?" he asked, grinning. Amêlie had not seen Erik behave in such a joyful manner before. She laughed and glanced to Christine, who was watching Erik with a strange look in her eyes.
Erik turned his gaze to Christine, who was seated next to him, and spoke a bit more softly. "Mademoiselle, I enjoyed hearing you sing yesterday afternoon…you were…breathtaking." He cleared his throat and looked away, knowing that all eyes were upon him. He felt desire for Christine and anxiety in the same moment.
"Yes, she was marvelous, wasn't she?" Madame Suzette interjected, smiling. "Christine, I would love for you and my daughter sing a duet this evening! And…if you wouldn't mind, Monsieur Erik," she said sheepishly, watching him for his reaction, "might you consider accompanying them?"
"Of course," he nodded.
They finished their supper and everyone adjourned to the library. Erik seated himself at the piano, smiling at Christine and Amêlie. "What will you be singing this evening, ladies?"
Christine turned to Amêlie, who was seated in her usual spot. "Are you familiar with the Marriage of Figaro?" she whispered. Amêlie nodded. "Do you know Sull'aria from Act Three?" Christine asked her hopefully.
"I am familiar with it, Mademoiselle Daae…it is one of my favorites! Shall you sing the higher melody?"
"If you like," Christine said, smiling at her. They both nodded at Erik and he began to play.
The angelic voices of the two young women filled the room, and Erik closed his eyes, listening to the happy, lilting sound of the song. When it was over, the Laurents applauded and Christine curtsied, also turning and applauding for Amêlie and Erik. He nodded at her in acknowledgement, his eyes revealing to her his powerful emotions at that moment. He loves me. I can see it in his eyes. After all I have done, he loves me. He has given me so much…without him, I would never have known the pleasure of singing songs such as this one. She was beginning to realize that Erik was more a part of her than she had previously thought. What am I without him? she wondered, amazed that she had been too self-absorbed to contemplate the thought before.
"Well, it is growing late and Amêlie has her studies to tend to in the morning," Madame Laurent remarked wearily. "Perhaps we shall bid you both good night. Christine, will you be retiring for the evening or would you like to remain here to read for a short while?"
Christine feigned interest at the large shelves of books. "Perhaps a good book would help me to relax a bit. I think I shall stay here."
"Very well. Monsieur Erik, thank you for joining us again this evening. Guillaume will see you out."
"Yes, Madame," he smiled politely at her. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Monsieur Laurent gathered Amêlie into his arms and bid his guests goodnight. Amêlie smiled at Erik and Christine. "Thank you for allowing me to sing with you Mademoiselle Daae, Monsieur Erik."
"You have a lovely voice, young lady," Christine responded with a sweet smile.
"She does at that," Erik chimed in with a wink. "Goodnight, young songbird."
And then they were alone. Where on earth is Guillaume? Erik wondered. He looked up at Christine, who had not moved from the spot where she had sung. She was only an arm's length away from him, gazing at him as if she were truly seeing him for the first time. Her eyes were full of tenderness, and it almost pained him to look at them.
"Erik," she began, stepping closer to him, "I…I want to thank you…for everything that you have done for me." She bowed her head. "I don't believe that I have ever thanked you for being my teacher…and my friend."
Erik was taken aback. "Christine…it…it was my pleasure." Why am I still sitting here? I should be leaving…I cannot stay here alone with her like this!
She took another step forward and laid her hands upon his shoulders. "I have been so selfish, Erik. You gave me more than I can ever repay…and then I…I just…"
"Christine, don't," he silenced her. "We have been through this. We have forgiven each other for those things in the past. We should move forward now." He smiled and rested his hands on hers, rubbing her soft skin gently.
"And what lies ahead, Erik…for us?" She gazed longingly into his eyes and he drew in a deep breath, praying for self-restraint.
"That depends on you, I'm afraid." He looked away, removing his hands from hers. "I…I cannot…. Christine, this is very difficult for me, you must understand."
"I do," she replied, lifting her hands from his shoulders and stepping away from him slightly. "I just…I can't help it. When I'm around you, I feel like I need to…touch you…to be closer to you." The longing in her eyes was evident, and he nearly succumbed to it.
"Christine," he groaned. "Why are you doing this to me?" He fiercely battled his desire to draw her into his arms and kiss her with reckless abandon.
Suddenly, Guillaume appeared at the door. "Monsieur Erik? I will escort you out now."
Erik stood. "Thank you." Any later, and this could have been a disaster. He turned his gaze to Christine. "Mademoiselle Daae, it was a pleasure. Goodnight to you."
"Goodnight, Monsieur," she replied formally, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.
Erik left the room and Christine dropped into the armchair, head in her hands, weeping softly to herself. How can I go on like this?
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The next day passed in a blur. Christine had received a message early in the morning that Raoul would be returning the following afternoon. He would arrive by carriage before the dinner hour. Part of her was excited to be able to see him again, but she realized that what she mainly felt was fear…and loss. She was afraid to tell her fiancé what she knew she must, and she was also sickened at heart to know that she would be leaving Erik shortly. What happens now? she thought. I don't even know what I should do after I speak to Raoul! Where am I to go? I cannot stay at the de Chagny estate! What a fool I have been…I have planned nothing for my future at all. She sighed and prayed fervently for God's direction and for the right words to say as she fell into bed that night, dreading the light of the coming day.
Erik had finished the wheelchair for Amêlie that day and had made sure there were no rough patches to splinter the girl's small hands. He was anticipating the next morning when he would take it to the main house to surprise her. He only hoped that her parents would not be angry with him. He had made it out of a desire to see the lovely young girl grow and become more independent, and he hoped that she would appreciate the gesture. He had also spent several hours sketching some more drafts for Monsieur Giroux at the architectural firm. He planned to send the drafts by messenger the following morning.
He lay in bed that night for a long time, praying and thinking…about Christine. He knew that tomorrow would be her last day at the Laurent estate, and in a way, he was relieved. He had been fighting his own carnal desires since the moment he laid eyes on her in her green dress at the dining room table nearly a week earlier. Even after all that has happened between us, I still love her. I love her beyond reason! He cursed and then felt slightly guilty about it. She seems to bring out both the best and the worst in me, Lord! Is this the way love is supposed to be? He sighed and rolled over onto his side, watching shadows dance across the walls until he fell asleep.
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A/N: Raoul will be returning soon, y'all! Dun, dun, DUUUNNN! LOL! Can you feel the tension in the air? Well, can you?
To Jania--Thanks. It's nice to know that you look forward to this little story here!
To Mlle. Fox—Are you reading my mind or something? LOL! Don't worry…you're getting ahead of me here! "Patience, Iago." Don't you give up on me now! Things will look strange for a while (just a word of warning for future chapters) but never fear. I've got it all planned out. –rubs hands together and cackles maniacally-
To Leanne—Thank you for reviewing again! I'm flattered that my Erik is your fave so far! Wow! I'm also glad you want to "huggle" Erik! That's how I feel…uh, then again, I want to huggle every version of Erik that I read…even Leroux-based ones. Am I sick or what? LOL! Oh, and thanks for the cookies. BTW, my favorite kind is chocolate chip, for future reference! –giggles-
To ForeverPhantoms—Thank you for sharing such a neat story with me! That is so awesome that God made His promises so real in your life. He is so good, isn't He? Congrats on all those kiddos!