The doctor left the room, closing the door behind him. Christine and Madame Giry had waited, rather impatiently in the corridor outside, at Erik's request. As he walked toward them, the physician put his finger up to his lips and then pointed out into the sitting room. "I'll be needing to take a look at you Christine, just a few moments really and then I'll be on my way." Madame Giry and Christine followed him out into the sitting room, and down the stairs to the main floor. Hearing the doctor's words to Christine, Erik rested his eyes. The doctor had not had loose lips as Erik expected he might.
Erick felt a bit restless. He breathed a bit easier now from the mist that the doctor had insisted he inhale. It had given him a brief fit of coughing, though painful, had been good to open up his lungs. His recovery would be excruciatingly slower than Erik wanted, but he knew it was more important now that he heal well, than fast, for he wanted to be nothing less than perfect when his new child was brought into this world. The mere thought of it made him smile with such immensity that he felt as though his cheeks were going to buckle. He ran his hand across the fresh white bandage that the doctor had put around his mid-section. He'd forgotten to ask the doctor about his mask, and the texture of his skin felt somehow different, no doubt from the constant exposure to the air. Either way, the doctor never paid any more attention to his face than he did any other part of his body.
Erik wondered at the exercises that the doctor recommended to rebuild his strength. He felt it a burden that Christine would have to help him with some until he was strong enough to do those on his own. He felt reassured, and smiled again, as the doctor told him that Christine was progressing as planned, having been a good little patient, resting and eating as he had instructed her to. The room was quiet again, Erik's eyes grew heavy. His body longing sorely to sleep, his mind fighting it…afraid that he wouldn't wake…the turmoil was too much for him. He simply closed his eyes and let nature take its course.
XXXXX
The doctor, Christine, and Madame Giry sat down on the chairs on the porch at the front of the house. The maid dutifully brought out a fresh tray of lemonade and shortbreads, putting it on the small table before departing.
The doctor began "Nadir is correct in saying that he is a stubborn man," he smiled taking a sip from his glass. "He demanded to know everything all at once. The entry wound, the exit wound, what organs had been affected, if there was to be permanent damage, if any use of limbs would be limited…." He chuckled a bit, turning to smile at Christine. "He wanted to make sure that he would be able to carry you in his arms again, and give piggy-back rides to his children!"
Christine smiled "dear sweet Erik." Madame Giry reached out and patted her hand. "I told him what I knew, that his recovery should be full, but that he would have to slowly work up his strength, letting his muscles work back into things, that he shouldn't force them. His diet will remain bland until I'm certain that his intestines have healed completely. He agreed to the exercises, although I think you'll have to remind him that you are to help him with those at first."
He took another sip of his lemonade, resting back in his chair, looking down at his bag. "He never asked about the mask Christine. I'm surprised he hasn't noticed anything, but being immobile he hasn't glanced into a mirror, so it will likely only be if he runs his hand over it that he may begin to wonder. These things are difficult for the mind, and I don't know quite how he will handle this, as we never had a chance to discuss it with him first."
Christine's lip quivered slightly as she thought about the decision that they had made those two months ago. "I'll try to keep it from him as long as I can, but I won't lie to him if he should ask." Christine shook her head in agreement.
Christine bit her lip, worriedly she asked, "Now that he's awake…..how do we….can we still…." Christine stopped. "That will be up to Erik now….it his life that we alter, and he should be part of that decision now that he can be." The doctor stood, tipping the last of his glass, resting it back on the silver platter.
"And you young Madame, how are you feeling?" he smiled at Christine. "Quite well…exceptionally well today as a matter of fact!" she smiled back at him. "Now do be careful to see that you do not overdo yourself. You are healthy, everything looks to be proceeding wonderfully….let us keep it that way." Christine smiled nodding her head in agreement.
The doctor put on his hat and retrieved his bag. "I shall be back to see the two of you on Saturday, until then, keep in good care." The doctor walked down the porch to the waiting carriage, turning to tip his hat as he climbed into it and departed.
Christine and Madame Giry sat a minute before speaking. "Do you think he will be upset with us?" Christine said staring out into the barely blooming meadow.
"Erik is a strong man, a man of pride. It is difficult to know what he may think of this," she said looking over at Christine. She replied, "but it was in part necessary, and in part an act of kindness. Only a very skilled physician would have been able to lend such aid. Without it, it is hard to know how or if Erik would have healed." Christine said trying to comfort both herself and Madame Giry. She replied, "until he asks about it, we won't speak of it. We shall continue to help him convalesce before we even think about it. At some point he will be able to dress himself and get around on his own. Whatever we do, we must not let it be a surprise, that, I'm afraid would do the most harm." Madame Giry reached out and took Christine by the hand. "Come, we should go back in lest he becomes suspicious about our absence."