Raoul's father had gone to the Opera House. Details of the opening gala were taking fine shape, now he'd have to meet with his managers to determine the plan for re-staffing. Though he was a stubborn, and obnoxious man, Mr. Firmin, and Mr. Adre were thankful that he was the Patron for they knew of few other men who could have saved the Opera House from the ashes in the way that he had. Today would be a busy one for them all.
XXXXX
Raoul and Meg were in the garden. Easels and fine chairs positioned along side the reflecting pool that overlooked the rose gardens that were just beginning to show signs of life. The mid-morning sun was at their backs, and dainty easels set out in front of them. A pot of warm tea and honey sat on a table between them, along with two teacups,….from his mother's collection. He'd never shared tea in them with anyone except his mother….until today.
Raoul had made several passing strokes on his paper. A muted landscape had begun taking shape. Meg had concentrated first on the rose bushes, imagining them in the full bloom of summer. Raoul laughed as the pair sat back critiquing the other's work.
He said, "if you'd put them together you'd have a rather beautiful beginning to a work of art!" Meg laughed, and the pair fell silent. The metaphor striking a chord in both of their minds.
Meg leaned back in her chair, resting her head against the thick blanket that was behind her. "The sky is so lovely this time of year. Spring is such an intriguing season. All things are waking up…..all things seem possible." Meg was staring dreamily into the pale sky. A few wispy clouds floated above them. Raoul smiled. Meg was something of an optimist. That was a quality he had come to appreciate in her over the last months.
He replied "yes, it is a wonderful time of year." They turned and smiled at one another before gazing back into the vast blueness that was the sky.
XXXXX
"I'd say it was a crime of vengeance, if my word means anything." The officer said to the chief. "It all seems to make sense to me really. His father was Joseph Crawling! I'd not made the connection early when he'd applied for his license to operate, after all there are so many Crawlings in this City!" The chief did not look amused.
"With a last name like that, a brand new carriage….good man….what were you thinking!" His comment being more of a demeaning statement than a question.
"We will have to handle this situation delicately I'm afraid. The authorities of that little village would be most unhappy if we were to tell them of this." "Hmmm, you're quite right." The chief rose, pouring himself his third cup of coffee for the morning.
"Are there any living relatives?" he inquired. His officer replied, "no sir, none that we are aware of. I'd not have known of the association between Joseph and Ronaldo, save for a passing conversation I overheard between two maids at the Starboard this morning."
"Comment, what comment?" The chief looked rather irritated. He did not appreciate being kept in the dark on such matters.
"I dined alone this morning, and overheard a conversation between two of the maids at the Starboard. The one said to the other that young Ronaldo had left on an assignment for one of the innkeepers, and hadn't been heard from since, having neglected to pay his bill. They seemed quite irritated."
The chief looked at him "and that led you to the conclusion that he was related to Joseph?"
"No sir, the one lady said that it would be a shame if something had happened to him, since he'd just lost his father a couple of months ago at the hands of one of his passengers. They went on to talk of what a despicable man Joseph had been."
"I see." The chief said, now rubbing his chin. "We shall have to see to the bill immediately, De Chagny will take care of it. Then, we shall have to figure out a way to dispose of his body, respectfully of course, since there is no family to make those arrangements."
He was standing now, putting on his cloak. "I'll have to talk to De Chagny myself this morning." "Yes sir," the officer said. The chief walked to the door turning around just before departing, "and his carriage? Did anyone mention what became of his carriage?" The officer shook his head. "We will have to find out if it is being boarded somewhere, and see to getting that taken care of." The officer stood, saluting his chief. "Aye sir."
XXX
The doctor had been the first to leave. He had one other obligation to tend to. His sister was expecting twins, and had entered her confinement just the day before. No doubt she would be needing him soon.
Madame Giry was at the door giving Christine one last reassuring hug. "My dear, do not worry. I'll be with Meg this very afternoon, and I'll share your greetings and prayers with her." Christine's eyes were filled with such apprehension. She'd not been away from Madame Giry for most of her life, and now she wasn't certain when she would see her again.
"My dear, I've need to be with her now, but do not think that I'd abandon you, not now." She held her close, "I've always thought of you as a daughter also my dear, I think you know that, and I shan't leave you forever. I want to see the smiling face, and kiss the tender toes of that little one," she whispered into Christine's ear. "I shall want to be here for you too, no doubt you will have many questions as time goes on, ones that only another woman can answer!" She took Christine's chin into her hands, "I'll be back to be with you before your time is near, do not worry." She kissed her cheek and turned to Nadir who was standing talking to Erik, just outside on the lawn.
"Nadir, you do remember all the things that I've told you. You'll look into Sara's family for me, about having her buried with her husband? You know where you need to look for certain things that you'll need during your stay." Erik referring to a sum of money he'd hidden in one of the libraries in the City. He felt somewhat like a squirrel that had buried nuts all over Paris, just in case he'd find himself there in need of funds. Nadir nodded.
"Erik, we've been over this, several times now. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were nervous for our departure!" Erik smiled slightly.
"Nadir, this new form of living is a wonder to me. I feel much like a foreign bird, having found myself in a new sanctuary. While it is not all displeasing, it is not yet my home."
Nadir smiled at Erik for he knew it was not the changes that drove him to such agitation, it was his lack of power over them that did so.
"Do be careful my friend." Erik reached out and squeezed Nadir's shoulder. "I do not know where that young man might be, but he is out there somewhere."
Nadir looked at him solemnly. "Are you certain that you'd not want to keep both of the coachmen here with you, with two of the horses?" Erik shook his head, "no, you should have the one man and I shall have the other. It will no doubt be only a day or so when the other carriage will return to retrieve us." Nadir nodded, and then turned to assist Madame Giry from the house.
Christine had joined Erik at his side, as they spoke their last words to Nadir and Madame Giry through the open door of the carriage. "Do travel safely, and send word of Meg's condition with the returning carriage."
"Are you not certain that you would like to have both carriages return, we could find…" Nadir stopped in his protestations. Erik's look said nearly all he needed to know.
"Nadir, what gentleman of your standing should find himself without a carriage? No, you should need it while you stay there to assist Madame Giry. I should think it would be a comfort to her also, to have this at her beck and call."
Both Madame Giry and Nadir smiled at Erik. He was thoughtful, yet again, of their needs. Erik nodded to the driver, who clicked his tongue and cracked his whip. The carriage lurched forward, off on its path to Paris. Christine and Erik stood holding hands, watching until they saw it disappear over the hill.
Erik strolled slowly with Christine back towards the house. They had the rest of the day for Erik to give her a tour, to become acquainted with where they would very likely be first be bringing their child into the world. By the time of her expected confinement, it would be fall, and nearing the time they'd normally be moving to the winter house. November was far too chilly a month to be near the sea.
The lone coachman that had stayed with them was standing at attention by the door, waiting for any orders. He'd already settled the three horses in the stable. Behind his back he held his index finger marking the place in the book that Erik had given him to read. He'd not figured on having time to consume the entire volume, but now, he had hopes that he might. Erik caught the glimmer in his eye.
"And which book did I give you sir?" The coachman produced it, with a grin, "I'm rather enjoying it Monsieur."
Erik smiled, "do not sound so surprised, I had no intentions of filling your mind with dribble. A good adventure is never a waste of time if one enjoys it. There is profit in distraction, if the circumstances permit it!" The coachman gave him a toothy smile nodding in agreement.
"Sir, is there anything that I might do for you and your wife? I've not had much training in the way of cooking, but I'd be happy to…"
"No, good sir, that shan't be necessary. There are plenty of things to nibble on here, and I could think of nothing more preferable, if I were you, than being able to finish a book that one is so obviously enamored with!"
The coachman smiled profusely at Erik. He'd have an entire day to do nothing more than relax with a good book, something he'd not done since he was a child. "Thank you sir. Please do let me know if I can be of some service to you." Erik nodded.
"When it is nearing the supper hour, what say you that the three of us head into this little town and find ourselves a proper supper?"
The coachman blinked, never having been invited by any employer to dine with them. "I'd be most honored sir, I shall see to it that the horses are ready then sir." With that he bowed slightly, nodding at Christine and departed to the stables. Though he was very thankful to have the day to himself, he preferred the stables to the comforts of the house, he simply felt more at home there.
Erik led Christine into the house. She promptly turned Erik about, kissing him on the lips. "This is the first we've been alone, truly alone in a long while. I shall enjoy having your company all to myself!"
Erik smiled down at Christine, reaching out and embracing her around the shoulders. "Let me tell you of this house Christine. It was the first one that I purchased. The first one that I furnished, so I dare say it holds a special place in my heart. I've quite a collection of literature as you can see…." Erik led her through every room in the house, stopping to tell her of the selection of art work, the furniture, the positioning of the windows, the gardens, etc.
"I'm rather fond of this room." Erik said as he opened the door to the master bedroom. Christine looked on the yet unmade bed, she smiled back at Erik. "Perhaps after our tour, we can take a nap?" Erik returned her smile, "if you are quite tired, we could finish this…" "No, no, not at all, but I do fancy a morning nap these last few weeks. I think your son might be the one who likes it best as I feel so much better when I wake!"
Erik knelt down in front of Christine, putting his ear next to her abdomen, pulling her hips to him. He began to hum a sweet familiar melody. One that he had sung to Christine when she first came to live at the Opera House. It wasn't one that he used to calm her, or to teach her, it was one simply of whimsy, to entertain her just for the sake of it.
Christine reached down and played with the curls on the top of Erik's head, running her fingers through the tangle of black locks that crowned him. "I do hope he has your lovely thick hair." Christine said, eliciting a fit of laughter from Erik.
"And I hope that she has your lovely smile my dear!" He stood, kissing her lightly on the lips, slipping his hand back into hers. "Now, I've not showed you one last room. It is one that I rather fancy, and it is most luxurious this time of the day. The sunroom, where I estimate you might spend many hours with our beautiful daughter." He flashed her a mischievous smile, having scored a point in the game of baby-tag they now played.
"I shall have a proper rocker brought in for you, nay, a pair of rockers so that we can rock together." Erik smiled. "Better still, I think I shall build one. One that we can both sit in and hold her in our arms together. Yes, a family rocker would do just fine."
Erik opened the door into the room that was filled with windows from nearly the floor to the ceiling. Indeed, he had been right, the room was awash in the golden sunlight of the morning. The daffodil color that the walls had been painted, made the sun even more radiant. Christine looked at the several lounges, and small tables.
Erik's eyes were fixed on the one that had been uncovered. He'd nearly blocked the incident from his mind in the moments leading up to this one, but now, thoughts of Meg flooded his mind.
Christine looked up at him, concern on her face as she saw that his smile had faded and been replaced with worry. "Erik, what is it that now occupies your thoughts?"
Erik replied sorrowfully, "Meg, my dear. She must have been in this room when she was here. The covering has been removed from that lounge. Yet there is no sign of a struggle, so she must not have encountered him up here."
Christine looked at the lounge and then back up at Erik. "Were you and the doctor not in this very room last night? Isn't it possible that…." Erik interrupted her "no, he chose to go back and sleep in the study on the main floor. He wanted us all to have our privacy."
Christine looked down, "I don't know if Meg will ever be up to telling us all that happened Erik, I just pray that she recovers fully." Erik sighed. He still blamed himself, likely would go on blaming himself for not having protected her, though when he was entirely rational, he knew he could have done nothing to prevent it.