Meg had joined her mother and Sara in the dining room. She found herself standing with a steaming cup of coffee and milk near the window basking in the warm glow of the morning sun. Sara looked up, sitting her cup down on the counter. "Good morning sir, can I help you and your wife?" Sara said watching as Stephan and Elizabeth descended the stairs, their actions slow and deliberate. Stephan simply waving her off.
Madame Giry nodded at Meg who immediately went to assist them. Christine was coming down first, feigning to help her husband. Meg took her by the hand, holding her forearm guiding her to a chair at the table. Madame Giry had moved in to help Erik the rest of the way to the table.
Sara disappeared into the kitchen to take the rolls from the oven. Madame Giry followed her. "No, no, I insist, you sit with your family. There's not much to be done, I'll see to it, go…go sit please." Madame Giry smiled at her and returned to the table.
"Did you have a good rest uncle?" Meg inquired. "Yes, but I am looking forward to being home again, I am a creature of habit my dear." Meg reached out patting his glove clad hand. Erik tried to keep most of his extremities covered, so that they would not give away his true age.
Christine sat rather hunched, quietly looking at the coffee cup in front of her. "Would you like some coffee aunt Elizabeth?" Meg said, already moving in the direction of the kitchen. "Yes, quite, I'm feeling rather chilled." Meg smiled at Christine…she didn't even see the slightest glimpse of the friend she knew. Christine looked old, the tones of her voice were old, and for all the world knew, she was old.
Sara placed the first platter of food on the table, smiling at her guests. She returned, platter, after platter of food appearing at the table. Soon everything was set. When everyone was seated at the table, Erik bowed his head to offer a prayer. "Thank you for this kind company, wonderful feast, and for our journeys to come. May you bless all who join us at this table, showing mercy and compassion to us one and all. Amen."
Madame Giry glanced at Sara, who was seated at the table with them. For once she had nearly wished that Sara insist that she shouldn't join them, but she had been asked several times by her and Meg to join them, so it seemed that she should for this their final meal together.
They began passing platters around the table, Meg and Madame Giry holding the platters that would be too heavy for an aged person to manage. Everyone acting on cue, playing their parts as if rehearsed in an elaborate stage production.
Sara was again laughing at something Stephan had said, Meg and Madame Giry fussing over Elizabeth. The meal times had provided so much joy for them this past week. None had been around a family table for a long, long while. Erik had never been.
The dormitories had provided a different type of dining, definitely not personal. Sara had dined alone so long that it almost seemed foreign to her now. Aside from the brief time in the cave, and a past that he desperately endeavored to purge from his memory, Erik had dined alone in the darkness of the caverns below the Opera House. They all enjoyed it, forming a special bond as they enjoyed good food, and even better company. They tarried at the table, long after the last cup of coffee had been drunk, and the food all cold. None could bring themselves to leave the table, or the moments in which they found a sense of family.
XXX
Raoul woke, the side of his cheek feeling as if it were on fire. He struggled to open his eyes in the blinding light of the sun that shown fiercely through his bedroom window. He rose walking over to the window thinking of drawing the curtains, but could not. He stood at the open window and marveled at how the sunlight danced off the new coating of snow that lay just outside. It was pristine, untouched, unmarred…and beautiful.
He stretched high, realizing for the first time in days he had slept through the night, and actually felt somewhat rested. The heaviness in his heart was still there…no doubt it would take months for it to release its tenuous grasp on him.
Outside of paying his planned visit to Madame Giry and Meg, he didn't really know what to do today. The search parties would be making final report this afternoon when he and his father visited the police office. Until then, there was little to be done. Every square inch of the city had been covered, and yet no revelations. "Must have slipped out before we began….those precious first hours….had the men not wanted to rest….we may have found them" Raoul thought to himself. He was in an odd spot now, out of sorts. The searching was nearly over. There was little to be done but accept that she may not be found. How does one move forward from there? How do you pick up the pieces and go on?" he thought to himself.
After the death of his mother, Raoul's father had thrown himself into his work, never looking back. Raoul did not have that complete luxury, he was to produce an heir, that was to have been his focus for the next several years before joining his father at the family business. Perhaps he would have to wait on that issue, turning his attentions to rebuilding the Opera Populaire, and on growing a new heart.
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Meg had just finished helping Sara dry the last of the breakfast dishes. The room was warm and steamy, both of their foreheads damp with sweat. Sara sat down on a stool, Meg on one next to her.
"Sara, I shall miss our time together. Perhaps one day we can visit again soon." Meg reached over, giving Sara a little hug. "I shall miss the company" Sara said looking down at the ground. "It has been a true joy having voices in my home…I rather find it comforting…and will miss it when it is gone. Quiet is only good for sleeping babies I'm afraid, not old widows!" Sara said smiling up at Meg.
Sara looked around the inn, the aging walls that had been witness to so many things, if only they could talk and keep her company. "Perhaps one day your uncle will need a cook or housekeeper," Sara half-jokingly said. Then she stood, straightening her dress, caressing her new broach.
"That's a lovely piece of jewelry" Meg said, "a gift from your husband?" "This, why no, it's new, arrived this morning in fact!" Meg smiled at Sara coyly "a suitor Sara?" she smiled again. "Why no, it is a gift from the Vicomte De Chagny, a thank you note was attached. He rather enjoyed our visit yesterday, and was thanking me for having you and your mother stay with me."
Meg turned a bit pale. She wasn't sure, but something about even the mention of his name made her a bit edgy. "Are you alright dear?" Sara said reaching out to Meg's cheek.
"Oh, my yes" she stammered "it must be the heat from the dishwater." Meg brushed the wisps of hair from her brow. "It is lovely….how thoughtful of him." Meg said staring at the broach. She stood moving toward the window looking out.
"I suppose I should go to help my mother, there is still much packing and sorting to be done. We've left what we could behind at the Opera House for when we return." Meg knew it was a lie, but she had to do as instructed for the good of all. Sara nodded. "Best we all get to our work then. I've got things to keep me busy this afternoon."
The two parted ways. "Don't forget" Sara called up after Meg, "the Vicomte will be visiting this afternoon before you leave…he'd like very much to meet your uncle." Meg just scampered up the stairs. In her light headedness from the day before, she'd forgotten that he was coming back for a visit. She felt nervous and giddy all at the same time. She couldn't say why it excited her that he was coming back to visit, but it did. Now she must warn the others that he was coming. Perhaps they could arrange to be away when he arrived…
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Christine was busy packing the remaining items in her traveling bags. Erik, ever efficient, ever prepared, had his packed before Christine woke in the morning. Erik rested in the chair listening to her talking to herself, practicing her best elderly tones. A smile crossed his face. He was much more relaxed about their exit than he thought he would have been, considering the proximity of the police, of Raoul. Maybe it was the way Christine loved him. Maybe it was knowing Meg and Madame Giry would be with them. Maybe it was because for the first time he felt like he belonged. Maybe it was the groundwork that had been laid regarding their departure. Whatever it was, he had a deep sense that things were going to be o.k. He parted his eyes just briefly to see Christine at her tasks. He loved her. He mused at how she looked hair all grayed, face ashen. It was like looking into the future…he'd love her still…even when she was old, gray and wrinkled.