Christine thanked Sara for the tray as she quietly closed the door behind her. She straightened herself and carried it over to the small table that sat between the two chairs. Christine inhaled deeply the rising aroma of the roasted beef and vegetable broth. Her eyes roamed the tray finding a mixture of breads, butter, cheeses, and several slices of steaming cherry pie, a small kettle with coffee, and several cups.
"Erik, we have a feast!" Christine said in a whisper. Erik smiled at her, helping her lower it to the table. As she sat down in her chair, she looked appreciatively at Erik. He reached over and they joined hands in a quiet prayer. There before the growing fire they shared their supper, savoring each warm and delicious bite.
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Meg slipped into the warm robe, pulling on the thick stockings stretching her toes to enjoy the comfort of them on her newly washed feet. She was thankful to have some of her clothes to put on tomorrow, a few things they had brought back with them that afternoon.
She opened the door carefully, not wanting to disturb her mother if she was not yet finished. As she walked to the staircase, she noticed a small sliver of light glowing from beneath the door of the room in the back hall. "How odd" she thought to herself as she padded down the stairs being drawn toward the wonderful scents of the supper that awaited her.
"Sara?" Meg called out. "Yes" Sara looked up at her as she was setting the tureen in the center of the table. "Will you be sleeping upstairs tonight?" Sara turned quickly back toward the kitchen. "Why no…why do you ask?" "It's just that I noticed a light in the bedroom upstairs that I hadn't before." "Oh, that, not to worry, I've just been tidying up a bit in there, must've forgotten to turn the lamp down." Sara said nervously. "Oh" Meg said, sitting herself down at the table. "Is there anything that I can do to help?" Meg asked. "No, but thank you, I'll wait to bring out the rest when your mum comes down."
Sara joined Meg at the table. "So, today….was it difficult for your mum…for you?" Meg looked down "yes, it was hard…I could see the disappointment in my mother's eyes…the loss…" Sara nodded. "It's been her life for a long while." Meg looked at Sara "it was as much as anything the loss of two dear souls…one my age, a daughter of sorts I guess you could say….the other….an old friend." Meg paused, being surprised at how her emotions ebbed and flowed. Sara reached out a hand and covered Meg's.
"It is difficult…for you…for your mum…but things will all work out…they always seem to have a way of working out." Meg nodded her head in agreement.
"What are you two talking about?" Madame Giry said as she descended the stairs. "Oh, the day a bit, just…well…the Opera House." Meg said, looking at her mother.
"I see" Madame Giry said walking toward the table, and taking her place in the seat on the opposite side of Meg's. "Yes, it was indeed a difficult day," she said looking firmly at Meg. "Now, let us change our conversation to something more pleasant…" Sara smiled at Madame Giry, getting up to fetch the remainder of their supper.
"Meg" her mother said in a whisper "let us be careful what we share with our new friend…we have not known her long." Meg, understanding her mother's instructions, nodded. She then got up to help Sara.
"Oh dear, you needn't help me, you are my guests.." Sara said trying to protest Meg's assistance. "Sara, I prefer to if you don't mind terribly." Sara smiled and nodded toward the plate of bread. "Alright, if you insist." They carried the remaining items to the table. Madame Giry looked at the pie, carefully sliced and put onto individual plates, and at the bread, sliced and arranged. It seemed odd to her that they had not come to the table whole. She quickly dismissed it as the three began a prayer, and then set about enjoying their wonderful dinner.
The candlelight danced in the window, as the chilly winter winds blew outside. This was a temporary haven from the horrors of the outside world. In it, the three took pleasure in each other's company, and the fine meal before them. In the rooms above, a pair was doing the same. The night had a life of its' own, a mysterious aura circled the house, for the night had other plans aside from slumber.
Author's Notes:
Once again, thank you for the encouraging reviews. I hope that you don't mind that I've changed the location of my replies. It seemed all too distracting to have them at the beginning of the chapters, even though I wanted to respond to you immediately. You've probably noticed I have trouble keeping the replies short, so it takes up quite a bit of space. Hope no one minds! Alas, what is a story without someone to read it….it would simply be words floating out into oblivion!
Captain Oblivious: "Captain my Captain…" sorry, I know that quote is from an unrelated story, I've just wanted to use it for you, and this seemed an appropriate time after your absence! Yes, I was beginning to worry that I'd bored you to the point of abandonment…thankfully, you proved me incorrect. Indeed, work is brutal, I myself have three jobs…one for financial stability, the other two for fun…I must keep myself busy to stay out of mischief!
Sorry for the side step….back to the story…yes, I thought it about time that Erik had as you say it "a steady stream of affection" when a soul has had to live in such torture at length, only the unconditional affections of a committed lover, and the physical contact of a compassionate spirit could begin to crack the walls around his hardened heart. That heart has to be softened before he can accept….(oh almost spoiled the story I did….) Ah…Yes, you're probably wondering about my mental health right about now, but sadly I am quite sane….just a sticky-sweet sap with a love for….love stories! (Notice I didn't say "happily ever afters!") Hmmmm….
Oh…what ambitious goals you have…to love the entire world! Better get started right away! And, yes, just a warning, Erik might not approve of being poked by a pair of foreign hands, best watch yourself…..even if you can "book it!" remember he has an unparalleled temper…I might be forced into putting you in the story so that Erik can deal with you! I hope you enjoy the next chapters, they made me smile just writing them!
Ethalas Tauth'an: Thank you for staying with the story! Yes, they are happy…which makes me happy! I have a soft spot in my heart for Raoul…yes he is a spoiled prat, but what aristocrat wasn't in those days? Perhaps someone will have to teach him a lesson! Madame Giry, yes…I feel sorry for her…but something tells me that before the sun comes up in the morning, her life will be a bit different….I hope you enjoy chapters 31 and 32…
Super Girlcom: Thank you for such a fine compliment! I'm rather enjoying penning the story, and reliable is something that I hope I can be, alas I am reliable to a fault something akin to a faithful dog! Yikes…I've never had my feet kissed before…of such devotion I am unworthy. I do hope you enjoy the next chapters!
Glitter Queen of the Ice Show: Yes, it seemed he needed some non "physical" skin contact…even if they are newlyweds! It was time for some compassion…good Lord knows he had some tension that needed working out! I hope this part helps to solidify the fact that Christine loves Erik the person….not just Erik the hunky husband she now has! Oh….la faint! Chapters 31 and 32 add a little different twist…I hope you like them!
AJNemo: Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Yes, more chapters are on their way…it is so hard not to post too many at a time…the story is growing by leaps and bounds!
Twinkle 22: Thank you for reviewing the chapters. I'll keep writing as long as I know someone out there is reading it! Oh, who am I kidding….I'd keep writing if no one was reading it….but I'm glad that you are!