Chapter 100 But a Dream
A humble author's thank you note! I wish I had cyber-cupcakes that I could pass out to all of the faithful readers who have encouraged me to come this far! Alas, I do not, so I've added the longest chapter thus far instead. I hope you will find it a fitting treat replacement!
It is hard to believe that we've made this journey together, and no one has yet to asked me to stop! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your reviews, your wonderful words of encouragement, and for staying with this story. Since I cannot be with you today, please know that I am raising a bit of tea to you at this moment in toast to a wonderful group of people who have given me a great gift…the gift of being heard. Here's to you! May you have someone in your life that brings you as much support and happiness, as you have brought me! God Bless!
And so the story continues
"Ah, there the two of you are," Raoul said to Madame Giry and Nadir as they were coming out of their respective doors. Raoul looked a bit sheepishly at Madame Giry. She gave no indication that she'd observed the two of them last night, to which he was much relieved.
"Madeline assures me that Meg is still sleeping. It is so very good that she rests, she's been through such an ordeal." Raoul was walking with them along the corridor towards the staircase. "I trust that you both slept well, yes?" Raoul had no idea that they'd both been up for hours, already had their breakfast. "I shall have Madeline prepare a breakfast for us…." Nadir patted Raoul on the shoulder, "no need my friend, she's taken rather good care of us this morning already!" Raoul winced inside, though he'd not show it.
"Very good, very good. I think you'll find that Madeline is by far one of the most attentive staff you'll ever find. We are rather fortunate to have her here with us." As they passed another small hallway leading away from the main corridor, Madeline peeked her head out from behind a closet door. She was blushing at the compliment. He was always a grateful young man she thought to herself. She went about her task a bit lighter on her feet.
Once returned to the comfort of the parlor, Raoul turned to Madame Giry. "If you'd like, I could call for the physician this morning, so that he might detail for you the extent of Meg's injuries, how long he anticipates it will take her to recuperate." Nadir smiled as another of his staff brought in a tray with strong coffee, offering it to them.
"Raoul, you are most gracious, but there is no need to call on this gentleman twice. Meg mentioned that he visits her each evening. I can certainly speak to him when he arrives tonight." She nodded at Raoul as she took the cup and saucer that he offered her. Madame Giry took note that it was not the same pattern that he shared privately with Meg, but rather the more formal pattern used in many fine households. Royal blue, gold rimmed, white center, elegant, simply elegant.
"Very well." Raoul took a long sip from the cup, he rather needed the coffee this morning. "Oh, I'd almost forgotten, my father asked me to inquire of the physician that treated Meg…the one from that nearby village?"
Nadir nearly spit his coffee out. Raoul passed him an odd glance. No doubt the poor man was suffering the effects of having partaken of too much brandy the evening before Raoul thought to himself.
"I'd have to do some checking myself, I don't believe I even caught his name." Nadir responded, trying to regain his composure. He immediately thought of the times Erik scolded him for telling so much as a slight lie. Yes he could hear his voice in his head, "oh what a tangled web we weave when first we venture to deceive."
Raoul replied, "that is entirely unfortunate. Perhaps you can look into it for me at some point Nadir. I'd like very much to send him a proper expression of my gratitude for the fine care he provided Meg."
"Ah yes, perhaps I shall." Nadir smiled to himself….the request of favors had already begun…perhaps he would find himself quite indispensable after all, and that suited his purposes….perfectly.
XXXXXX
The carriage came to an abrupt halt in front of the Opera Populaire. The streets surrounding it were nearly barren, save the few carriages that were passing it on the way to church. Andre and Firmin weren't in their office, and De Chagny settled into his, grateful for the quiet. How he wished that some of the staff could have already returned, he needed a hot pot of café ole this morning, and was quite unaccustomed to waiting for his needs to be attended to. He'd sent the coachman to a neighboring inn to retrieve one. It was the little conveniences that he missed the most.
He found himself chuckling aloud a number of times during the morning as he thought of the previous night. He'd had a rather enjoyable evening in the company of a man whose acquaintance he'd just made. Though they'd talked of things he'd long forgotten, he somehow felt comfortable that Nadir was truly a man of his word as he had said he was. He was someone who Madame Giry appeared to trust, and though he didn't know her well, he'd heard of her scrupulous caution, and excellent judge of character. If Madame Giry held him with such regard, he should think he might also.
He'd have to find out more about this man. Surely one so versed in the art of the hunt, so experienced in many similar ways to himself, had to come from a rather affluent family, just as he did. What surprised De Chagny, is that he'd made the slip of never asking the man's last name. Perhaps it was Raoul's familiarity with Nadir, or simply the shock of finding him standing in his son's library enjoying a cigar that had made him forget this simple social propriety. Whatever the case was, he'd rectify this misstep over dinner tonight. Yes, he'd need to find out more about this man with whom he'd be sharing a roof for at least several weeks.
His jovial manner quickly turning serious; he thought to himself, when one has let their guard down as he had the previous night, one must quickly even the playing field by finding something of equal value to use as a tool to keep what is private, private. The art of manipulation and control were areas where De Chagny had painted many a brilliant masterpieces, and this instance, he was certain, would be no exception.
XXXXX
Christine and Erik walked arm-in-arm back to the house. Their visit with the staff had taken much longer than either had anticipated. Both had eyes that were red, cheeks stained with tears that they'd shed with their employees when they shared of Meg's unfortunate encounter, and of Sara's death. Two of the women who were in the party felt entirely guilty for the disparaging things that they'd said about the poor woman that very morning. Really, to speak ill of the dead was despicable.
The group had made plans to travel into Chauesser that afternoon when the carriage returned. Thankful yet again for having a generous employer who'd purchased oversized and luxurious carriages. They'd have no trouble all making the trip together, though they may have to make several return trips to bring back all they needed. Then, one would have to return to Courtland Manor to tell the remaining staff of the new plans, and to relay the message to the good doctor. No doubt he'd want to visit in a few days to check on his patients.
Granting Christine's request was not an easy task, it required so much to be done, but Erik was pleased to do it for her, and the staff, who'd come to admire Christine and appreciate her kindly demeanor, were happy to do it for her as well. She was a sweet creature, and all who knew her loved her. Those that knew her best, adored her.
Erik took Christine into the parlor as the rest of the staff brought in the provisions that they'd brought with them. They quickly assessed the condition of the house divvying up the chores that needed to be done. Their proper functions were paid no mind, the gardener could sweep, the stable hand could mop, and the maids could tend to fixing a lunch and opening the kitchen. Everyone would do their best for their employer.
"I think it would look very nice along this wall, next to your portrait." Erik said, pushing the clock along the floor. The gardener had come to offer assistance, but Erik had waved him off, this is something he wanted to do for Christine himself. "I'm not certain," Christine said.
In truth, she was not entirely comfortable. Though Erik was asking about the placement of the clock, it was the portrait of herself hanging on the wall that distracted her. She was not comfortable with such an ostentatious display. To be that full of oneself was not something she found palatable. "No, perhaps over there, by the window."
Erik looked at Christine. "We've moved the clock against every wall in this room my dear, surely one of them would be suitable. Would you prefer another room?" Erik was not irritated with Christine, he simply wanted to please her, and would have been content to move the clock a hundred times more if that is what she needed. It was the look on her face that troubled him.
He stopped in his struggling and walked over to her, pulling her close. "What is it my dear. The look on your face, I'm quite certain, has nothing to do with the clock.."
Christine smiled, biting her lip slightly, she didn't really wonder that he'd noticed, for he indeed knew her expressions better than anyone. "It's simply that…well…" "Yes Christine, what is it?" Erik said, rubbing her back gently. "It's that picture, not that it matters how you'd had it painted in such detail, its lovely, flattering actually, it simply….it makes me rather uncomfortable."
Erik laughed a little, pulling her closer. "That picture my dear? It is something that I painted of you." That made Christine feel all the more guilt that she wanted to ask that it be removed.
"Does it bother you Christine? I could have it moved if you'd like." Christine hugged him closely. "Erik, I love you, I'd not want you to think me ungrateful in any way. It is quite flattering to know that you'd done that for me. It is very lovely. It is just that, well…I've often thought that portraits of oneself hung out on display, smacks of snobbery. Having some affluence gives no one an excuse for such vanity. That is not who I am…..I am Christine Daae…." Her words catching in her throat. She and Erik both looked at the floor. It was the first time in months that she'd used her maiden name. Christine felt guilty for having said it, Erik felt guilty for not having yet given her a proper name.
"Erik, I am sorry…I did not mean….." her voice trailing off pitifully as she watched Erik turn away. She went to him, "will we ever know what to call me? How will we give our son a proper name?"
Erik turned to look her in the eye. He understood her concern, for indeed he shared in it. "Thankfully my dear, we've months to tend to that." He said as he ran his hand along Christine's stomach. Christine smiled at him, nestling her head into his chest. "I trust that what you say is true. And thank you." "For moving the picture and clock?" Erik said inquisitively.
"Yes, and…" she paused smiling at him, "and my dear, for not trying to correct my vocabulary, our son appreciates being acknowledged!" Erik laughed heartily, scooping Christine up into his arms, kissing her cheek playfully. He swiftly carried her up the stairs. Yes, he was a bit more winded than he liked, but he was thankful that his body was responding on command though it tired him more than it had months before.
Erik pushed open the door to the master bedroom, bringing Christine to rest on the edge of the large four-post bed that lay in the center of it. "Now my little dove, you shall need a nap before we lunch and head into Chauesser. It will be a long afternoon, and perhaps we shall even tarry long enough to have supper there. I've another place to take you. I dare say it is a bit less private than where we dined last night, but at least we can do so…..quite alone!"
Christine caught the sarcasm in his tone. Though he had been gracious enough to include Erphan in their little outing the evening before, he was not likely to repeat it. Christine kissed Erik sweetly as he lifted her feet tucking them beneath the sheet, and assisted her to recline on the bed, pulling the silken covers up over her.
"Wait," she called after him as he was turning to leave. "Erik, it is Sunday! The shops shan't be open on Sunday." Erik came back and leaned down placing a kiss on Christine's cheek.
"You are most correct, normally they are not. But just for today, there are several that I've arranged for. Though I'd not anticipated stocking the winter house today, I had arranged for the mercantile to be open so that you could select a few things to send back to Paris for Meg. No doubt you'd like to do that wouldn't you?"
Christine smiled up at him. How did he anticipate her every need, even before she had thought of it herself? "Thank you." She said. "Are you entirely certain that you'd not want to join us for a nap?" Christine was blushing as she reached out for Erik's hand. He smiled at her, giving her a knowing look. He leaned back down for another kiss, this one a bit more affectionate. He reached out pushing the tendrils away from her face, gliding his hand along her jaw.
"You should rest my dear." Christine smiled at him and dutifully closed her eyes. As Erik left the room, secretly his heart wanted to weep for the joy of being wanted. He felt more like a man today, more like a father today, simply more human, and that was indeed a wonderful thing.
Once back downstairs, he went straightaway to the parlor. Reaching up, he took down the portrait of Christine. He thought back to when he'd completed and hung it there. Then he'd thought the picture was as close as he'd ever hoped to come to having her there….it was merely the essence of her in that house that made it feel anything like a home then. He smiled down at it in his hands, running a finger along the gilded frame. He closed his eyes. It was no longer needed. For now the house was fully occupied…..by the woman of his dreams.
XXXXX
Meg woke up, stretching her arms far above her head. She opened her eyes, taking particular note that she could see out of the right one this morning. She blinked several times. The last she remembered, she was lying on the divan next to Raoul, and yet now she found herself quite alone, and very much in her bed. Had the entire night been one elaborate dream?
She climbed out of bed, tugging at her long nightgown. Oh how she longed for a proper bath. That made her both smile and frown almost simultaneously as she thought of the kindness that Sara had extended to her and her mother back at the inn. What a treat that had been indeed.
Meg wandered into the water closet and was greeted immediately by the scent of lilac and lavender. She peered carefully as she opened the pocket doors to a small adjacent room, previously obscured by the door. There inside, was a claw-foot tub filled with shimmering warm water. A large fluffy bathrobe and toweling was lying on a rack next to it. Meg smiled, slipping off her nightgown, quickly submersing herself in it. She had been worried about how late it was before, but now she was not going to let such a treat go to waste. If the hot bath had been drawn, certainly whomever ordered it had intended for her to enjoy it!
She let the soothing comfort of it overwhelm her. Her bandages on her arms and legs, easily slipping off. She'd have felt guilty for it if she hadn't known the doctor intended to replace them tonight. She'd be diligent about applying the salve, and keeping the areas dry and clean until they were re-bandaged. Meg had carefully pulled her hair up into a bun, so that the washing and dressing that Madeline had done the previous evening wouldn't be disturbed by the oils.
Quietly she enjoyed the bath until she heard a soft knocking at the door. "Meg?" She heard a familiar voice. "Mother, I'm in here!" she called out to her. Madame Giry walked into the water closet, allowing Meg time to retrieve herself from the bath. The robe was soft and wonderful against the warm damp of her skin.
"Mother, I'm sorry I've slept so late, I do hope that no one's taken insult to my absence from the dinner and breakfast tables." Meg said as she padded out into the room to greet her mother.
"Do not worry for that Meg, I'm wondering how you are feeling today." Madame Giry had decided not to bring up the issue of finding her and Raoul in a most comfortable position the evening previous.
"I'd rather thought you'd join me last night mother." Meg said inquisitively. Madame Giry replied, "I'd intended to visit after the doctor left, but I fell asleep reading a good book that Er..Stephan had loaned me." Madame Giry was fully aware she wasn't telling her daughter the truth, but had decided that bringing up such a delicate thing at a time like this was the greater error.
"Do not worry, none of us rose particularly early today, except Raoul's father, I dare say the man must have left at dawn! Raoul himself has been up a half-hour only. Now, Raoul has invited us all to have lunch with him in the garden, if you are feeling up to it."
Meg wasn't at all hungry, but thought the idea of their company was worth going for. She'd rather mastered the art of pushing food around on one's plate, giving the illusion to your dinner companions that you are actually consuming something. "I'd like that very much." Meg grew quiet. "What is it my dear, what is it that troubles you?" Madame Giry asked, reaching out to Meg. She was looking down.
"Mother, I worry, about aunt Elizabeth, uncle Stephan, if they will be alright without us, without Nadir." Madame Giry knew what Meg was really trying to say, but could not. "The more I think of it, the more desperate the feeling becomes."
"Then it might be of some comfort to you to know that Nadir plans to pay several return visits in the coming weeks. He's made a promise to Stephan to see to taking care of the details of Sara's final arrangements himself, which may require that he retrieve her from Chauesser before the day is out."
Meg looked at her mother hopefully. "He has not yet returned has he?" "No, he'll be on his way just after we've taken our lunch in the garden." Madame Giry said, a bit of wonder in her voice.
"If it is not too much trouble, and you'd not mind at all, would you be so kind as to fetch him before lunch? I'd like to talk to him, for a brief moment…..extend my gratitude for helping me…" That was only partially true, Meg had desperately wanted to talk to Nadir about the picture. Discover if he'd yet learned anything. Though she doubted he could have just having arrived last evening. Her mother smiled at her. "I think that can be arranged."
She motioned for her to stand, "now, let me help you get dressed, and I'll see to retrieving him for you. I think he's in the library poking around in a few books." Meg smiled. That was a very good sign.
Madame Giry walked to the large closet, opening it she gasped, though she tried not to allow Meg to see it. She could only wonder at the assortment of finery that it contained. Taking a very business like manner, she set about selecting a dress and garments for Meg, as if she neither cared nor knew whom they had all been purchased for. No doubt being in that very room was distressing for Meg, and she would not add insult to injury by making mention of it.
She quickly helped Meg into a periwinkle dress, with a dainty lace overlay. It made the color in her eyes seem all the more blue. Madame Giry braided Meg's hair into a lovely crown atop her head, something smacking of her Swedish heritage. It wasn't long before she was ready, and seated properly in the window seat of her room looking out at the garden.
"Now my dear, do have a cup of tea, while I fetch Nadir for you." She nodded to her mother as she closed the door. Meg walked over to the teapot that sat on the table by the fireplace. It was not hot, which made her wonder just how long it had been there. It was once again Raoul's mother's china, two cups with saucers, the honey that Raoul loved so much in a small pitcher, which is the way Raoul preferred that it was served for him.
She sat down on the divan. It had not been a dream. Madeline would have brought in this tray with these particulars for her and Raoul. Meg blushed. Madeline would have known that Raoul had stayed in the room with her….but how in the world had she woken in her bed? Meg shook her head., she simply did not know, and perhaps not knowing made it easier. She was about to pour a cup when Madeline knocked and appeared in the room.
"Young Miss, sleep well?" she said coming in to exchange the teapot, and deliver a plate of warm toast, spiced with a bit of cinnamon and sugar. "Yes thank you Madeline." The woman smiled coyly and turned to leave. Meg called out to her, "Madeline, if you'd not mind at all, may I ask you…" "Yes young miss, he was here, he stay by your side, keep you safe, not worry, not mention anyone." Madeline smiled back at Meg as she left the room.
Meg breathed a sigh of relief. It had not been a dream, and Madeline was keeping it in her confidence. That would make the morning much easier to face. She returned to the window seat, hoping that Nadir would be along very soon.
XXXX
Madame Giry found Nadir, as she suspected, in the library. Raoul had busied himself with his staff. They were scurrying about to and fro, some leaving in their cloaks on horses, and she'd seen a carriage leave as she'd come down the stairs.
"Nadir, do tell me what is it you find so fascinating in this library?" She said as she came in to find Nadir with a half-dozen books open on the large drawing table.
Nadir glanced up. He was doing research, but could harldy admit to it. He casually walked toward her as she came into the room. "Madame Giry, how is our Meg feeling this morning?"
"Quite well I'd say. The swelling on her cheek has come down considerably, though the bruising is becoming most evident." She walked in a few more steps. Nadir hoped that she neither took note of the portrait that hung above the fireplace, nor some of the family albums Nadir had open on the table.
"She would like to talk to you if you have a few minutes before we join Raoul for lunch in the garden. She'd like you to convey her regards to Stephan and Elizabeth when you return to Chauesser if they have not yet returned to Courtland Manor."
"Ah yes, I see." Nadir had to remind himself to stop in his room and collect the papers he'd found of Meg's at the winter house before he paid her a visit. Madame Giry was peering over Nadir's shoulder, much to his chagrin.
"What is all of that Nadir? I dare say you're making yourself quite at home here!" She said as she started to walk toward the table. Nadir was about to say something to derail her advances when Raoul appeared from around the corner.
"Madame Giry," he nodded to Nadir "I understand you've been in to see Meg this morning, do tell, how is she feeling?" Madame Giry turned to face him. She smiled, "she is feeling quite well actually, she's dressed for our lunch, and had just asked to speak with our dear Nadir before he departs to Chauesser."
Raoul flashed Nadir a confused look. "Sir, I'd rather thought you'd be here for awhile now, before heading back? Father will be most disappointed that he'd not be able to join you for dinner again tonight. No doubt he's a few stories he's not shared with you yet!" That made both Nadir and Raoul laugh.
"Yes, well, it is his stories that had me looking at all of these old albums this morning." Nadir nervously walked over closing the covers and returning them to the bookshelves. "Your father truly was quite the sportsman!" Nadir was thankful for the segue.
"Yes, I dare say he was." Raoul hoped this would not lead to further conversation of the events. Hearing them first-hand was enough, hearing them recanted was nauseating.
"Now yes, I do have to return to the small village by the winter house. I've need to retrieve Sara's remains and bring them back to Paris for proper burial at her husband's side. I'll have the clerk look into finding her husband's burial plot and arrange to have her interned there on Monday. Notifying her next of kin will take more time, and though I'd wish they could be there for her burial, I know that it is not practical to wait."
Raoul nodded his head. "I see, then I shall arrange for your carriage to be readied and brought round after we've finished our lunch." Raoul turned to Madame Giry. "While Nadir visits with Meg, I've something to discuss with you regarding this afternoon." He glanced back at Nadir as he took Madame Giry by the arm, leading her from the library. "Nadir, you can find your way to Meg's room without an escort, yes?" Nadir nodded.
As Raoul and Madame Giry departed, Nadir let out a sigh of relief. Several family pictures were strewn about on the table beneath the pile of books. He quickly scooped everything up into a small bundle and put them in a drawer. He'd return for them later. He left the room, pulling the pocket doors closed, his last glimpse into the library shown fully the portrait that hung over the mantel. It would only be a matter of time, Nadir thought to himself, before Madame Giry saw it and made the connection. Perhaps it was time to take her in to the confidences, or find some way to have the picture removed.
XXXXXX
He made his way quickly up to Meg's room where she'd sat waiting patiently for his arrival. He knocked twice, in sharp, short, strokes. "Come in," Meg called out. Nadir entered and quickly closed the door behind him. "Meg, are we alone?" Nadir said looking about the room. Meg nodded. "Now dear Meg, whenever you hear a knock such as this, know that it is me. Do not call out to me unless you do not want me to enter. This will allow us to visit when we need to with as little attention as possible. You may do the same at the door to my room if you have need to." Meg nodded again.
"Come, do sit with me, tell me have you found anything at all?" Nadir smiled at her. "Fortune has smiled on us dear Meg, here, let us sit, I shall tell you of our conversation last night, it was most interesting." Meg and Nadir sat on the window seat as he began to tell her of it.
XXXXXXX
Downstairs, Raoul was busy explaining his plan to Madame Giry. "If you object at all to this, please do tell me now, as I shan't do any of it if you do not approve."
Madame Giry was smiling at Raoul. "Raoul, I do not object. I am honored that you would go to such lengths for my Meg. Do know that I've not talked to Meg of the question that you posed yesterday. Until I do, I shan't give my final consent. Do you wish to proceed with your plan with that knowledge?"
Raoul smiled, that response sounded most promising. "Madame Giry, the ghosts needed removal, and this has given me the opportunity to do so…it would be doing both of us a favor." She smiled at him. "Good, it is settled then. I'll have a carriage ready for you just after lunch. The shopkeepers will be ready to receive you when you arrive. The privacy of it being Sunday should make this a much easier task." Raoul looked down. He knew Madame Giry was a proud woman, and would not take more than she felt she and her daughter were due them. "Please, Madame Giry, do not hesitate to select whatever you think she might have use for. All that I have means little to me unless those around me can be happy."
Madame Giry understood the meaning in his words, and nodded in consent. "Very well, now, let us go to the garden, I believe they are just preparing the table now. I'll send Madeline to retrieve Meg and Nadir." He escorted Madame Giry out to the beautiful terrace overlooking the gardens. Though not everything was in bloom, the view was none-the-less spectacular, as it overlooked a large wooded area with tall pines, and handsome oak.
XXXX
Meg sat with her hands in her lap, her gaze wide staring out the window. "So it could be true Nadir…he could really be?" Nadir was nodding his head at Meg. "That would make them……" Nadir finished her sentence, "brothers." Meg was numb. Her pulse quickened at the excitement and the sheer terror of the reality of it.
"If they are……then they must know of it….we must…..but how?" Nadir reached out and put his hand over Meg's. "My dear, until I can confirm it, we shall say nothing. Then, we must choose carefully whom and when we shall tell. I dare say we must start with Erik, and if we receive no objection, then we will move on. There is much to look into before this assumption can be proven, for if we were to be wrong…..if it were a distant relative…..or a mere coincidence….then we would have exposed both Erik and Christine for naught."
Meg hadn't really thought about it in that way. She was so certain of the fact that she'd not thought that there might be other explanations. "Nadir, you are a most wise man, and I am but the daughter of a ballet mistress."
Nadir's head snapped back as he turned to look at Meg. "Do not speak so disparaging of yourself, or your mother! You are both fine women, and most worthy of being honored." Nadir's abrupt reaction to Meg's statement both shocked and pleased her. It confirmed in her mind what she'd been suspecting for a long while.
"Meg, do not smile at me that way." Nadir said, feeling a bit embarrassed by his sudden outburst. "Nadir, you've been a dear friend to me, and to my mother. Spending time together these last months under one roof, behaving as one large family in most ways, it would have surprised me if you weren't…..a bit fond of my mother….." Meg paused, feeling a bit like a meddling matchmaker, "as I am certain that she is fond of you."
Meg grinned at Nadir as the realization of her remark rung in his ears. Nadir looked down, feeling somewhat shy and out-of-sorts. "I dare say Meg, that your innocent appearance speaks nothing of your direct manner. Your mother would be most surprised to hear you speak of…"
Meg responded, "quite actually, you might be interested to know that she responded much like you have this very moment." Nadir smiled at her coyly. "What I find terribly of interest is that neither of the two of you denied it, but simply appeared embarrassed that I'd discovered it!"
Nadir didn't know quite what to do. He had been so focused on the other issues of Erik, Raoul, and the elder De Chagny, that he'd simply been caught off guard. "My dear Meg, when you get to be the age that your mother and I are…."
Meg looked at him, her head cocked to one side, a somewhat teacher-like scowl on her face, "my mother is a bit younger than you yes, but neither of you are too old……too old to fall in love."
Nadir stood, fidgeting with his waistcoat. "Meg, I'll inform them that you are ready for lunch, and your mother can come to collect you. I'll see to taking care of the things we've discussed, and…." There was a knock at the door.
"Miss Meg, Sir, lunch ready, you join Vicomte, Madame Giry?" "Yes Madeline, we shall be right along!" Meg smiled at Nadir who was standing sheepishly by the fireplace. She walked over to him and slipped her arm under his. "Now good sir, would you kindly escort me to lunch, we've a pair of happy souls waiting for our arrival."
Nadir looked at Meg, a smirking glance, as a little boy gives when he's been caught with his hand in the candy jar. "Yes, your innocent appearance indeed!" As they strolled out of her room she said to him, "you know they do say that it is best not to judge a book by its cover!" Nadir laughed "indeed……yes….indeed."
XXXX
"Christine…Christine….." She heard a voice softly calling her. "Over here Christine…" Christine felt like she was floating on a cloud. The earth beneath her feet did not feel real. The air held no breezes yet she felt something swishing about her… sparkling beams of glowing light. Christine walked toward the voice at the edge of the clouds. She peered through them looking down at what appeared to be the top of a mountain. There was an odd field of grass that grew there, it looked like a flowering meadow.
As Christine walked alongside this gentle voice, she could feel the presence of something, though she could see nothing. She peered down through the opening over the meadow, and could see children playing. She wasn't exactly certain how many there were as they appeared no more than two at a time, but she sensed there were more. Then she stopped, she heard it.
Off in a distance, she heard it. It grew louder. The song that Erik had sung to her as a child….but it was not his voice….it was the sound of a violin playing the music….it was definitely Erik's music. She watched as through the mist a figure began to appear. It was her father! She wanted to rush to him, but she could not…it was too far. Then she looked down, and on his shoulder was a small child, clinging to him, happily running its arms around his neck. Christine reached out her hand, calling out to him….
Suddenly she could feel herself sailing through the air at the speed of light. "Christine, Christine, CHRISTINE!" Erik found himself shaking her gently by the shoulders. "You've had a dream my dear," he was now holding her as she woke, her brow covered in sweat, her arms aching, her chest heaving.
"Oh Erik!" She clung to him as she began to cry. "I've had a…" "I know my dear, I know." He was caressing her hair as she lay against his chest.
"I do not understand why I've been…." "Christine, do not worry. Do not let them worry you. We shall find a way to talk to Nadir, for he knows much about such things. For now, try to put them from your mind. If they cause you no terror, they might simply be dreams, for you've been sleeping a long while, and I dare say you've had very little to eat today save the bit of scone and a cup of tea." Erik was stroking her hair, trying to soothe her.
Christine tried to reassure Erik that she was alright. While outwardly she'd agreed with him that they might have been simple dreams, inside she knew better. For each one had been preceded by a sense of warmth, and a flash of light of the brightest white she'd ever seen. No, they were decidedly different than a mere dream.
Erik held her closely. "Erik, may I ask you…." "Yes Christine, what is it, anything." "If you should come upon me in the midst of a dream, please do not wake me, I should like to see it through…perhaps then I can learn to understand them….not fear them." Erik shook his head. She was already one step ahead of him. She was ready to face this thing that had cast its shadow upon her. She was undaunted.
Erik looked at her compassionately, and hesitantly agreed, on one condition. "If it appears you are being hurt, or are in pain, I shall wake you….I do not want you to be harmed…..and a sudden fright might not be well for either of you." He reached out and put his hand on her stomach. Christine put both her hands over his, grasping his fingers.
"Erik, I saw my father…there were children, playing in a meadow on the top of a mountain….one clung to him…and then I woke." Christine's face showed the strain of recalling the dream, her gaze fixed yet distant. "I've not seen my father, even in my dreams, in so many years…he looked so peaceful…..so happy….his violin in his arms…playing your music…"
"Christine, perhaps it was the arrival of the clock, remembering your father…perhaps it stirred within you a memory." "Perhaps." Christine pulled herself until she sat next to Erik, head leaning into him. "My love, I've burdened you with things that have tugged at the very strings of your heart….your inner most being. I would be little wonder if they did not stir within you a deep longing to be with your father again." Erik kissed her forehead as he gathered her fully into his arms, embracing her protectively. Christine sighed, she felt safe, always safe in his warm and loving arms.
They sat for a long while, Erik running his hand affectionately up and down the length of Christine's back, soothing her with each stroke of his gentle hand. It had nearly lulled her back into a state of catatonic stupor. "What time is it?" Christine yawned. Erik laughed a bit. She was rather like a small kitten in his lap, relaxing in the lazy sun of a wonderful spring mid-day.
"It is early afternoon my dear, time for you to have some lunch before we head into Chauesser." "But we've no carriage to take us there." Christine politely objected. Erik stood, leaning down to help Christine do the same. "It arrived from Paris not long ago. I dare say they made rather good time."
"Did they bring anyone with them?" Christine knew the answer before she'd even asked the question. "Come, let us go down for lunch. I've no idea what the staff have been able to put together with what they brought, but I'm certain it will do for now." Erik took Christine by the hand as he led her out of the room, and down to the dining room.
XXX
"Thank you Madeline," Raoul said as she cleared away the last of the dishes. "I bring coffee and sweets?" Raoul nodded and she disappeared back into the house.
"Raoul, Meg said, "whatever are your staff doing?" The group glanced over at the staff who'd been coming and going from the house all the while they'd been eating. Raoul had rather hoped they could have been more discreet, but there was really no other way to get to the carriage house. "They're making arrangements for accommodating the additional guests, that is all." How he secretly hoped that none of the drop cloths would fall from the items that they carried out.
Meg shook her head slightly, "oh, I see." It seemed like a considerable amount of work to go through to for one additional person in the carriage house, but who was she to determine what was proper, for she'd never had a carriage house, or staff for that matter. Madame Giry glanced over at Raoul, and he shook his head.
Madeline reappeared with a tray of white cookies, gentle little lumps in the middle. Meg's eyes began to well up with tears. "Raoul…." Meg gasped. Madeline smiled at her sweetly as she began pouring her a cup of coffee. She continued and filled one for each of them before departing.
Madame Giry was dabbing at the corners of her eyes. Nadir did not know what the three of them shared that he did not, but could sense it was a most tender memory. "How did you ever find out…" Meg's voice cracked and then trailed off.
"After my visit with you at Sara's inn, she'd sent me off with a package of them. They were entirely wonderful, so I'd had my kitchen tinkering with a recipe until it was just right." He picked up the plate extending it to them. They each selected one warm cookie holding it in their hand with the same reverence one does a communion wafer.
Raoul lifted his coffee cup, the others followed suit. "To Sara, a true friend, a trusted companion. May her memory live on through the simple pleasures in our lives, and may we honor her with these," Raoul lifted his cookie to his lips, taking his first bite. Meg, Madame Giry, and Nadir did the same.
There was silence as the group finished their cookies, each reflecting on their own private memories of the woman who'd touched their lives in different ways. "The world is a bit darker place without her." Raoul said as they finished their last morsels. They all nodded in agreement.
The silent moment was broken as they saw the horses being led out of the stable and affixed to the harnesses of the carriages. It would be time for them to depart.
Meg looked over at Raoul, "two carriages? Are you going into Paris?" Secretly she was a bit disappointed, she'd rather looked forward to spending the afternoon with him in the garden, after all it was Sunday.
"No, I'm…." Madame Giry quickly interrupted his response. "Meg, I'm going into Paris to see the new repairs being made to the Opera Populaire. It will be much quieter there on a Sunday, affording Raoul's father and I time to speak openly without any changes that need to be made without the prying ears of the workmen. They should like my opinion on several final touches in my living quarters, and I should like to tour the dormitories." Meg looked at her mother and was about to ask when she continued, "you should stay and get some rest. I shall be back for a late supper with Raoul's father."
Meg was a bit disappointed, but having seen the progress being made on the Opera House on her numerous previous visits with Raoul to the Opera Populaire, she knew her mother would be pleased. She was obviously anxious to see them, though she wasn't certain why, she wasn't even certain they'd be returning there. "I see, and will Raoul be accompanying you?"
"No, I'll be meeting his father there, as he has already been there most of the day." Raoul interjected "my father requested that he be involved in this part of the process intimately, as he'd like to see to your mother's needs himself."
Meg nodded, it was obvious that she and Raoul would be left to their own devices this afternoon, as everyone else scattered about. The group rose as the coachmen approached. "We are all ready sir." Raoul nodded to them. The carriage returning to Chausser would have a long ride ahead of them, being lucky to arrive by nightfall.
"And what of the carriage that you and I brought to Paris Raoul?" "It left well before the sun had even risen. With any luck at all, it will have arrived safely at your aunt and uncle's by now."
Meg smiled as she saw the how the carriages gleamed, and how the horses had been groomed. Someday, if what she and Nadir suspected, was indeed true, one brother would be thanking the other for the kind gesture. She shook her head, she needed to heed Nadir's warning, perhaps it was not as it appeared.
Meg rose embracing Nadir, as Madeline appeared from the house handing his bag and a basket to the coachman. She handed Madame Giry her cloak as well. The group walked toward the carriages. Madame Giry hugged Nadir goodbye, bidding him well, asking him to give her aunt and uncle her fondest regards, and to let them know she was thinking of them. Nadir agreed he would. Madame Giry was about to let go when Nadir reached out and gave her one last embrace, a bit longer than the first, before he helped her into her carriage. The pair blushed. "I will be seeing you soon dear lady." Madame Giry's carriage started off towards Paris.
Nadir stood with Raoul and Meg at his side. "Raoul, do you mind at all if I speak with Nadir privately?" Raoul nodded. This provided him the opportunity he needed to retrieve something that he'd seen his staff take into the carriage house. There had been one item, and one item only, that he'd not wanted removed…that had to go back in lest it be ruined.
Nadir shook Raoul's hand, reaching out he gave the Raoul a brief embrace thanking him for his most generous hospitality. "Do tell your father I look forward to challenging him to that game of chess we discussed." Raoul nodded and walked off toward the carriage house.
Meg looked around and then said, "Nadir, do tell them I'm thinking of them, praying for them. Do be careful yourself. Crawlings is still out there somewhere, one can never be too careful." Nadir nodded.
"Meg, I'd almost forgotten," he reached into his jacket pocket retrieving an envelope giving it to her. She quickly tucked it into the folds of her dress. "It is not the…" Meg's heart pounded to think that he'd have given her back the picture, how would she explain having it in her possession if she was found with it!
"No, Meg, I should be needing to keep that for now. These are pages I found strewn about on the floor in the sunroom in the winter house. I recognized your handwriting…" Meg's face paled. "Do not worry my dear, I did not read them, I simply noted the writing and thought you'd like to have them."
Meg's heart was pounding, she'd entirely forgotten that the pages were there. An unsettled ease washed over her. "Thank you Nadir….I cannot thank you enough. When do you plan to return here?"
Nadir scratched at his beard. "I should think it take no more than a day or so. I'll see to Sara's internment myself. I've been instructed to see that she is buried along side her husband…he was adamant about that detail." Meg nodded, she could see Erik in her mind issuing orders. "My dear, do not worry, I will be back soon, and get to the bottom of the details that you and I are most eager to learn of. You think about getting well, and do not worry…it shall all work out as it should." Nadir gave her a soft peck on the left cheek and mounted the carriage.
He leaned his head out of the window, one last detail, he'd almost forgotten. He whispered, "Meg do find some way of convincing Raoul to take down that picture of his father in the parlor. It is some surprise that your mother has not yet taken notice of it. For if she does, well….let us hope she does not." Meg blanched. She knew exactly which portrait Nadir was referring to, and she instantly agreed. "I shall see to it…some how…" Nadir nodded to her. "Good day Miss Meg."
As the carriage clattered away, Meg fumbled with the envelope she had in the folds of her dress. She needed to get rid of the evidence, and quickly, before Raoul returned. She'd not noticed he'd walked behind her and into the house minutes before. She turned and walked rather quickly back towards the house. Madeline appeared, standing in the way of the only entrance.
"Miss Meg, I pour you more coffee?" She turned Meg around and led her back to the benches where they'd been sitting before. "I really must go in, I've something in my room…" Madeline reached out and touched Meg's arm. "Your room cleaned now, I get for you?" Madeline had been instructed by Raoul to keep Meg occupied until he returned.
XXX
"That is excellent," Raoul smiled, it was completely unharmed. He smiled as he ran his hand over the edge of the mirror. He closed his eyes. He could see his mother dressing in front of it, admiring the colors of the crushed stone as the candlelight danced off of it. It had been her most treasured possession in the house. It was an engagement present from his father. This piece needed to stay….yes it was right where it belonged. Raoul walked out closing the door, his footsteps echoing in the empty room. The ghost of one had been removed. The hope of another would soon be on its way.
XXX
Christine accompanied Erik down stairs to partake of lunch. It was rather interesting indeed, a full kitchen not yet at their disposal that the staff had resources to prepare any sort of a meal.
Christine felt strange. There were two place settings sitting on the long gleaming dining room table. Fine china of cobalt blue. Crystal water goblets, fine silver. As Erik pulled out the chair for her to be seated, one of the maids brought in piping hot coffee in a silver server, pouring a cup for each of them. That was quickly followed by shallow bowls of beef broth with vegetables.
Christine smiled shyly. Sitting across the table from Erik, in what was now their house, was very pleasant, something neither of them could ever have hoped for just a season ago.
"Christine, perhaps you'd like to have time to write Meg a note after lunch? I've some fine stationary in the library you could make use of. Of course, details would have to be very…" "Careful, yes I know." Christine finished his sentence. "I'd like that very much."
She looked down, dipping her spoon once more into her soup, bringing it daintily to her lips. Erik loved watching her consume her food, she made it look so elegant, so refined.
In his mind's eye he could imagine Christine teaching their daughter how to sit up straight, bring the spoon to her-not her to the spoon…… His imagination getting the best of him, he glanced around the table, seeing it full, children sitting properly as their family enjoyed an elegant Christmas dinner. The mantle adorned with holly and pine, the fire crackling in the hearth, a glittering tree full of carefully selected ornaments lay off in the corner, and the promise of a splendid Christmas morning…he could very nearly smell the mulled cider…..
"Erik?" Christine was smiling at him. "And just where were you off to my dear?" She said, smirking at his obvious return from his daydream. Erik smiled, blushing slightly, clearing his throat, rearranging his seating position.
"I was just….imagining…." Erik trailed off. How could he tell her what he'd been dreaming of? All of his life he'd only seen Christmas celebrations in story books. Even the years he'd spent in Persia, he'd decline the celebration, for there was neither cause nor room for celebration in that place. He and Nadir had been recluses, stealing away to a dark room with a bottle of brandy on more than one of such holidays. Now, there was the promise of something that came right off the pages of what he thought that Dickens would have written.
Christine smiled at him a reassuring smile, "I think of it too, our house, filled with family for the holidays…" she reached down, dipping her spoon yet again into her soup.
Erik flinched, did his ears deceive him? What had she just said? His heart began to beat faster, surely one curse was enough, pray do tell she did not have yet another cross to bear.
Christine simply smiled at him across the table. "Erik, do not worry, I cannot read your mind…." Erik flinched again, the nerve in his right cheek was pulsating. "What is this you speak of Christine?" She put her spoon down on the plate beneath her bowl.
"Last night, you were dreaming…" Erik cocked his head slightly to one side, her words confounded him. She glanced down, and then up at him again. "Did you not know you speak while you slumber?" Erik shook his head no, almost in disbelief, who would ever have told him if he had?
"You were talking about presents under a tree, of eggnog, of pine bough….and you were instructing children, yes in the plural form, as to where they should sit while their presents were given them." She laughed a little, raising her eyebrows, "you were quite animated my dear!"
Erik smiled, he'd not remembered a single thing from the dream. "I just assumed, perhaps naively, that you were lost but again in that dream as you drifted off over your soup." She smiled at him lovingly. Something about her expression told him….she'd been dreaming of it too!
Erik chuckled. "My dear, you are a multi-faceted, very complex creature….I shall enjoy having a lifetime to discover each part of your wonderful being!" The pair laughed as they finished their soup. They'd no idea what the staff would bring in next, but there was something they overheard about lox and fingerling potatoes that intrigued them.
Author's Notes:
Diveprincess: My word, you have a promising future my dear! I know someone very well that loves, loves, loves, dolphins…but alas, she hasn't the scholastic aptitude, nor location, to participate in Marine Biology! Now, on to those broken bones! We always have to ask ourselves why things happen, and who knows why this did, but we have to trust that there was a reason. Right before your senior year no less! I'll say a couple extra prayers for a swift healing Both legs? Sometime, when you're feeling up to it, perhaps you'll share with your little "Phantomfamily" what on earth you were doing that sent you off a cliff…
I hope that this very long chapter has brought you comfort…and oh, by the way….you'd be getting two cyber cupcakes!
Liriel: First, I must tell you, I never consider conversation rambling…I am very verbose myself (I guess that's fairly obvious) so do not fear that you ramble! Second, thank you for your most kind words. I do love these characters, almost as if they were real to me…alas, they do exist in the depths of my mind! It has been such a wonderful thing for me to be able to do this, and I am more than pleased that others are enjoying it with me! I hope you liked this very long chapter! PS. I'll be checking out those Cunningham novels, if I can find them!
DarkMoonLightBright: Oh finally, I had some little-bitty insight into a chosen name! I too like the parallel of the light of day, and the dark of night. I love contrast…hmmmm. I've said to others I'm sort of a bat-bird, I stay up with the bats, and get up with the birds…I simply cannot miss out on either extreme! I'm glad you're liking the little side-trips about the statues and the other things too. To me, they add a very realistic quality to a story. Those things obviously add length to the story, but certainly depth. The gender of the baby…well…Christine and Erik are still fighting over that one! LOL! Yes Raoul does seem to be falling fast for Meg, but that often happened in those days…perhaps because their life span was so much shorter than ours…they had to seize the opportunity when it presented itself or it vanished before them! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Poetzproblem: My, my, you are a deep thinker…I like it! Yes, the numbers are always representative of something….but I can say no more…. I'm glad you're liking the fluff with Meg and Raoul. I know some of the E/C lovers may be getting a little tired of it, but I hope that they can trust me…I had to lay the ground work for something special! I hope you enjoyed this very long chapter. The 100th one had to be something special!
Phantomluvr: I'm glad to see you found my little surprise! We all need a little encouragement from time to time! Thank you for the compliment…I think. Some people would find that a story that manages to cover so little ground in so many words to be tedious, but something about this story makes me move in slow motion…almost like I'm afraid I'll miss the mood, a feeling, a fleeting glance, if I go too fast. It is my style yes, but it is more so the story itself that begs me to tarry….. I hope you enjoyed the last, very, very, long chapter!
Hopelesslyobsessed: Welcome to the family! Yes, I do think I can fully appreciate your name right away…I often feel that exact same way when I think of the Phantom of the Opera…I've been accused of insanity because my favorite thing to do is secretly steal away to the darkness of my library with candles lit, the Phantom CD playing and writing…..I guess that fits the obsession! I hope you stay with us on this journey, and enjoy being part of our Phantomfamily! Thank you for the compliment. It is always nice to hear that someone is waiting for me!