Sweet Seduction
Chapter Twenty-Three: I'll Tell All
A/N: There's a reference to the stage show POTO in this chap, and a Titanic tagline. See if you can find either of them, or both, and let me know in the reviews!
Christine sat in the living room reading, but her thoughts constantly kept wandering away from the story. She looked down at the waistline of her skirt for at least the sixth time that morning and gently ran her hand over it. A baby she thought excitedly. She was actually responsible for another human life, growing inside her. She was going to be a mother. There were just no words that could possibly describe the emotions she was feeling. She would have a child, a real living child that she would love with all her heart, regardless of what he or she looked like or what his or her talents were. She couldn't wait to become a mother. Mme. Giry had bee a great help, advising her and answering her questions, almost like Christine's own mother would if she was still among the living. Christine wanted so badly to be the perfect parent and do everything she should, but she didn't know who or what to listen to. She'd received all sorts of advice from lots of people, but sometimes she was very confused. Mme. McGlen, one of the wig makers , had told her to make sure she ate plenty of fish, to help ensure her baby had lots of protein (and Mme. McGlen should know, having birthed three healthy, beautiful children), but Mme Goche, one of the chefs at the Opera House, had told her never to eat any kind of fish or seafood while she was pregnant (and she should know too, being a chef and a mother of two petite rats in the ballet corps). It was all so confusing and Christine didn't know what sort of advice to follow.
At that moment, the doorbell rang and Christine knew it was Meg. Christine hadn't seen her best friend since last week when she fainted and was dying to share the news with her. Meg and Jacques were basically the only two people who didn't know Christine was expecting yet, and she knew how Meg hated to be the last to know. She also knew Meg would be angry she couldn't spread the latest news, since practically everyone at the Opera and probably the world knew already, this time thanks to Erik (And Erik had apologized to her countless times for that, but honestly, he was going to be a father! He was so proud of her, and he hadn't told all that many people. Well maybe he had, but could you blame him?) But Meg hadn't been here at all this week. Two days after Christine fainted, Meg had reluctantly had to go to England with Jacques and a few other dancers. The opera house had selected Meg to dance the coveted role of the Lilac Fairy in the French ballet Sleeping Beauty, and Meg couldn't pass the opportunity up. She had just returned home late last night and she was anxious to see Christine.
Christine opened up the front door and Meg came in, throwing her arms around her best friend
"Oh Christine, I've missed you so!"
"Meg, I'm so glad your home! So, how was it?"
"Well, the English are so strange, but the ballet was just wonderful, Christine, it was perfect. And the traveling was a bit...inconvenient, to say the least, but Her Majesty's Theatre, it's almost grand enough to rival our Opera House! And some of the ballet girls there are just...oh, I've never seen ladies so flexible and tall in my life! It was a wonderful performance"
"I'm glad you had fun"
"That isn't the best news, Christine!"
"Well here, come sit down and tell all"
They moved into the parlor, sitting down on the couch. Christine looked at Meg
"So, what is the good news? Because, Meg, I have to tell you some big news too"
"Well, the touring company asked if Jacques and I would like to remain members of their ballet... Permanently"
Christine looked up suddenly at that. Meg was leaving? For good? And Jacques too?
Meg smiled "But, we turned them down. I just couldn't leave the Opera House like that! It's my home. And all that traveling...ugh, I wouldn't be very fond of that. Neither would Jacques, and he really likes the Opera House. And you'll never guess what-"
"-Well, Meg, I need to tell you something-"
"-It's the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me!"
"Meg-"
"Christine-"
" Meg, I'm going to have a baby!"
"Jacques and I are engaged!"
Both women finally fell silent, starring at each other before they both started laughing. Christine clapped her hands in delight
"Oh, it's taken you two long enough, that is certain! When did he propose?"
"Before the performance. I knew something was going on when he gave me a new pair of ballet slippers before the performance, and then there was this beautiful ring stuffed down in the toe" Meg said proudly, showing Christine her ring, shimmering brilliantly under the soft parlor lamps
Christine smiled "Meg, that is beautiful. And that was such an...unusual way to propose. But Jacques is so sweet that way. You two were just meant for each other!" she exclaimed
"Yes, enough about that already! You're embarrassing me, Christine! Now, what is this I hear? You're going to have a baby?"
Christine nodded "Yes, I'm expecting! That's the reason I fainted last week at the Opera. I went to the doctor's and it's certain. The baby will probably be born around late November and I'm just so excited!"
"You should be! Oh Christine, that's so wonderful! Oh, why did you let me prattle on about my little engagement when you have such big news? You're going to be a mother." she exclaimed happily
Christine smiled "I know. And, well, I don't wish to complain, but I just don't know whatever to expect next! I mean, the morning sickness, the cramps, late courses, it's just overwhelming and it's all so strange and new to me. Of course, your mother's been so helpful but it just...it isn't the same, you know? It's just like... I don't wish to offend, but I just wish my own mother was here for a moment, just so I could tell her what I' going through, and maybe ask her some things I so want to know about my own birth"
Meg nodded "Of course, Christine, it isn't at all offensive, you goose! You have every right to want to know everyhing you should. Unfortunately, I know even less than you do about it, so I shan't be any help right now, but I'm always here if you need me"
Christine smiled warmly, embracing her best friend "Thank you Meg"
"Any time Christine. We're best friends. Nothing will ever come between us. Not even babies or my new fiance" she said, sighing longingly as they broke apart. She looked over at Christine
"Oh, by the way, how did Erik take the news?"
She laughed "Erik asked more questions than I did, and I suspect he's even more nervous about this baby than I am! It's all so new to both of us, we just want to make sure we're doing everything right-"
At that moment, Mme. Giry came in, with Erik stragglig along inside behind her. She was scolding him about something or other and Erik was making childish faces at her behind her back when she wasn't looking and stopping when she was. Christine forced herself not to laugh, but Meg couldn't help it and laughed out loud. Mme. Giry turned around and caught Erik in the act, tugging his ear. He groaned
"You'll want to know these things one day Erik and then you'll be sorry you didn't listen"
"Trust me Marie, that day won't come for a long time" he said, kissing Christine as she came over. He started to kiss her again when Mme. Giry cleared her throat and he sighed
"I think we're old enough not to need a chaperone, Marie"
"Erik, you will never be old enough not to need a chaperone" she said, kissing Meg's cheek lightly. Erik nodded to Meg "So, how was your trip mademoiselle? Or should I say Madame?"
Her mouth fell open in a wide little O of surprise. Erik laughed
"Your mother already told me about it, dear"
Christine looked at Mme. Giry for a moment. She had more questions, but she could't ask them in mixed company, and Meg was probably sick of hearing about it already. She needed to speak to Mme. Giry alone. Amazingly, Erik got the message. He gestured to Meg
"Come on, Meg, why don't you tell me all about the English ballet, huh? I'd love to hear how their operas are shaping up"
She brightened and immediately began chattering away as Erik escorted her upstairs to his study, rolling his eyes at Christine. She flashed him a grateful smile while Erik fought the urge to cover his ears against Meg's restless chatterings. This would be a long afternoon.
Mme. Giry sat down on the sofa, patting a place for Christine to sit next to her. She settled down on the couch
"So, my dear, are you feeling well? Have there been any problems?"
Christine shook her head " Thank goodness, none so far, but I did have a few questions, if you have the time"
"Oh, I'm sure I won't. Meg won't run out of things to inform your husband of about the ballet for at least another hour. He's in for a treat." Christine smiled. Meg could be quite a chatterbox when it came to ballet
"So, Christine, what do you wish to know? Do you need another physician's appointment?"
"No, actually, Mme. Giry, I needed another woman's advice. I have no idea what sort of things I hould be eating, to help the baby! What would you reccomend?"
Mme. Giry laughed, patting Christine's knee " Oh goodness, dear, a few months from now you won't believe you even said that!"
"Why?"
"Well, my dear, it is wonderful you are anticipating such things already, but food doesn't really matter. Just keep eating as you normally would and just make sure you have larger amounts to help nurture the baby's body and yours, and stay away from that devil wine. But dear, once you start having cravings, you won't care what you're eating, as long as you stop the blasted things. You could be gourging on things you despise or trying foods you've never heard of before, at any hour of the day. But that's later on in your pregnancy. The doctors won't tell you about those woman's matters you wish to know, dear, they'll only tell you the bare, basic facts. The things you really need to know, you have to ask another woman" she said
Christine nodded, trying her best to absord every word like a sponge "Okay. Well, thank you so much for that, Mme. Giry."
She was silent for a few moments. Mme. Giry raised her eyebrow
"Surely that's not all you wish to know, is it Christine?"
Christine sighed and gave a small smile "No, not all"
"Well then what are you shying away from? Go right ahead, dear and ask, I've been through this all before"
So Christine launched into her tirade of questions and prepared to dive into the strange and mysterious world of motherhood.
Erik sat at his desk later that night, looking over some papers. He was relieved when Christine softly knocked at the dor. He was sick of work and just wanted to enjoy spending some time with his wife. He shut the wooden cover to his desk and looked over at her
"Come in, darling. I'm finished for tonight"
She came in, gently sitting down on his lap. He grinned
"How's work Erik? Everything running fine?"
"Yes, for the most part. Although I honestly have no idea what Georges is expecting me to do with this accounting, but we're getting there. It just may take some time"
"That's good. So, how was the opera today? Did they choose the show to open the Spring season yet?"
"Not yet, I'm afraid, they're still going over some options. But enough about work. I'm sick of work already" he gently kissed her on the lips "So, how was your day? Anything interesting happen?"
"Nothing much. I talked to Mme. Giry a bit and she answered some more questions"
"You must be quitethe curious woman then, for I know Meg talked my ear off for at least an hour and when I finally got her quiet and downstairs, you two were still talking and then Meg started telling me another story and another after that. I'm amazed you women can still sing if you keep constantly wearing your voices out like that"
Too late, Erik realized that sounded a lot like a spiteful insult, and with the extra moodiness Georges had warned him expecting women often went through, Christine would mostly likely be upset. But, to his relief, she brushed it off and smiled
"WellI suppose that's just a special skill women acquire, isn't it love?" She kissed him again and suddenly broke off sighing. She had come in here tonight to tell him and she was going to tell him, blast it, no matter what temptation stood in the way. She'd kept this dangerously secret for far too long.
He looked up at her oddly
"Is everything all right, dear?"
"Yes, it's just..." she broke off sighing again. There was no easy way to do this, but she had to
"Darling, you remember the performance last week? Before I fainted, and I had something to tell you?"
"Yes. What of it?"
"Well, I still need to tell you and it's not easy, but I didn't think I should keep it to myself any longer. I need help."
He looked at her worriedly "What's wrong?"
She sighed and began "Well, three months ago at the Masquerade, before you can down, I had to dance with some other men. Mme. Giry said it was polite and I had to mingle, so I did, and most of them were terribly dull or clumsy and I was bored and still waiting for you to come down and dance with me.
The last man I danced with, though, before you, was different. He was polite and funny and charming and seemed very familiar, but I couldn't place him.
Suddenly, he forced me into the corner, behind the staircase and started singing to me, our old song. I took his mask off, and it was Raoul"
Erik started to stand up, forgetting Christine was sitting on his lap, but she stood up anxiously as he did, wringing her hands
"Raoul! How in the hell- Christine, you're certain it was him?"
She nodded, tears starting to roll down her face "Certain. Erik, I saw his face very clearly. It was him!"
"But he's in an asylum! How could he-"
"-He must have escaped" she said softly
Erik looked at Christine witha fury in his eyes she had never seen before
"What did he say? Did he harm you at all?"
"Well, he twisted my arm a bit, but nothing serious. And he forced a few kisses on me, and took the flowers out of my hair, so that's why I looked such a mess when you found me. I didn't really trip or whatever I gave as an excuse. But, Erik, he threatened me"
"How? What did he say?"
"He just said that I was going to love him one day if he had to force me and I would be his one day and if I ever told anyone about this, he'd kill you" Christine said, sobbing by now
Erik gently hugged her, stroking her hair and she cried uncontrollably into his chest. He just stood there, calmly embracing his wife while she cried out all her fears and worries, until she had calmed down enough to speak again
"Did he say anything else?"
"No. Not anything that bears repeating" Christine said. Yes, it doesn't bear repeating because you nearly believe it she thought suddenly, shocking herself.
I do not she thought forcefully I know Erik loves me! He loves me! Raoul's insane, that's why he said such horrid things. Erik does love me. He does, doesn't he?
"Christine, why did you wait so long to tell me this? Did you really believe that fop was going to kill me?"
She nodded "Erik, hes' not as helpless as you think! He could have. Remember that disaster with Joseph Vernon, when Raoul paid him? And what about that accident with the statue that nearly killed Georges? What if Raoul paid someone to do that, or did it himself? What if it was meant for you?" she asked, sobbing again. Erik held her closely, rocking her gently back and forth while she cried. She was making sense. Raoul could have done all those things, but there was no way in hell he was going to threaten his or his wife's life!
He sat Christine down at his desk, kneeling and gentlywiping away the rest of her tears with his hankerchief
"Christine, Raoul can't do anything. You're just worrying for nothing. I'm going to be fine. Do not let anyone threaten you because of me, understand?"
She nodded
He hugged her again "Christine, you're perfectly safe. I would never let anything happen to you, or me, or anyone else we love. I just wish you hadn't kept this to yourself so long, You should have told me that night, darling. I would never had let it happen. Oh, never mind, I was too busy involved in my business affairs to look out for my own wife!" he snapped sarcastically, more angry at himself than anyone else. He sighed, looking into Christine's eyes
" I do promise you this, Christine: I will aways try to keep you safe, I swear it. You don't need to worry anymore. Everything will be fine now"
She nodded. He smiled at her gently
"Why don't we go up to bed now, okay? Here, I'll carry you"
She smiled, laughing with real delighht for the first time in months as he swept her up and carried her to the bedroom. She felt secure and happy in his strong arms, and knew that nothing could ever come between them, and she had no reason for ridiculous worries while he was around.
Or so both of the lovers thought...