Chapter 101 A household emerges

The ride into Chauesser was quite uneventful. The carriage was entirely full, including all the seats above by the coachman. Save the few brief conversations that they had about how warm it was, and what items needed to be purchased, the ride was quiet.

Christine sat next to Erik, his arm draped protectively around her shoulder as her head leaned into him. Erphan sat directly across from him, preferring the inside of the carriage, to the coachman's seat today, for he'd never taken the journey inside the carriage and was quite interested to see how it felt.

Erik chuckled to himself several times as he noticed Erphan looking at him, trying to imitate his posture, and squaring of his jaw. The others looked at Erphan oddly as if he were a foreigner in their midst. Through his nearly-shut eyes, Erik observed them all. They were silent now, thinking he and Christine to be asleep, but nothing was further from the truth.

Erik thought about the evening of mixed social classes that had transpired several nights ago, when all were pushed unwillingly into a set of circumstances that were out of their control. It had been an odd situation, nothing conventional, as they all shared time and space as equals that night.

As Erik watched Erphan, he had an epiphany. No doubt these would be the very people that would be in his household for several years, if not much longer. They all looked a bit rough around the edges, and he dared think, a bit under-educated. True, they knew much about their crafts, that is why Nadir had selected them, but what did they know of the finer things, social graces, good literature, sciences, and the like? Probably little if at all. These were going to be the people who his child would be exposed to, cared for by, and sharing a home with.

Erik's brow furrowed. Perhaps it was time to be a bit unconventional, a bit daring. He'd have to discuss it with Christine first, but he had no doubt that she would approve, for truly, it would benefit one and all.

Erik sat up, Christine doing the same as the sound of the carriage wheels meeting with the cobblestone streets of the outskirts of Chauesser resounded in the carriage. Only Erik and Christine were straightening their garments, the remainder of them simply sat still, waiting to be let out. Yes, Erik thought to himself….it would benefit them all.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Mercantile. The coachman quickly opening the door, allowing the staff to topple out, and then extending his hand to Christine. Erik followed, stopping briefly to put the first of his ideas into motion.

Taking the coachman aside, he discretely said, "good sir, from now on, I should like it very much if you'd extend the same courtesy to anyone exiting the carriage, whether it is my wife, or the maid. See to it sir?" Said as a question to be polite, though in truth it was an order. The coachman nodded, somewhat bewildered by the change in social structure, but agreed none-the-less.

The group now stood on the plank-lined porch in front of the Mercantile. Erik could see the shopkeeper coming to the door, keys in hand. Quietly he opened the door, allowing them entrance, and then locking the door behind them. Erik nodded to the coachman through the window. He'd take the carriage around to the back, where it would be loaded with all the things that they'd purchase.

Erik extended his hand to the merchant, thanking him most graciously for allowing them to conduct business on a Sunday. "No Sir, we shall not be conducting business today." The man said to Erik. Erik looked at him somewhat puzzled. "Then whyever did you permit us entrance if you were not…" The merchant was shaking his head.

"On occasion, members of our village have needs that simply cannot wait until Monday. It has always been our arrangement that I shall help them on the Lord's day, but no money will be exchanged. You can come into Chauesser on the morrow to settle your account."

Erik smiled, "that is most generous, and trusting of you sir, how do you know that I shan't simply run off and not pay my bill?" Erik had met few in his life that were that trusting.

"Sir, it is the Lord's day. It is but a blessing that my wife and I are able to have this shop, in this wonderful little village. If He sees fit to allow us to prosper, then I see fit to provide acts of kindness in return. If you and your family are in need, then it is my duty to help you." Erik looked at him in amazement. What an excellent answer indeed!

The merchant added one final comment, "that aside sir, I must tell you, I do know where you keep your house. We are most pleased to see that you'll be occupying it, if however briefly. We've need for good blood in this village, and for fine families to make their permanent homes here. Perhaps this kindness will encourage you to think of it." Erik smiled, "perhaps."

Christine stood off to the side as the men conversed. The staff were milling about like tiny mice wandering in a cheese shop. The day was light, and the merchant had not lit so much as one lamp in the store, lest the group be discovered. All the other shops on the street were dark, and no one had reason to believe that the Mercantile was open.

The merchant led Christine and Erik to a small round table with two chairs. It was where Erik had noticed a few couples sharing pots of tea last evening. His wife appeared out of nowhere with a small pot of tea. "Thought you might like this while you wait." She said, sitting it on the table in front of Christine. "Thank you." Christine said sweetly as the woman nodded and departed behind the side door. The merchant had gone to assist the gardener with a rather large rake.

"Christine, I've been thinking…" She smiled at Erik as she poured them each a proper cup of tea. "Yes?" "Our staff, I don't know of their education, their background. Nadir selected them for me, and since it was unlikely that I'd occupy the houses at any length, it mattered little to me as long as they knew their functions, and were politely mannered." Erik smiled at Christine as she handed him his cup.

"What is it that you have in mind my dear?" Christine said as she lifted her cup to her lips. "Perhaps we should think about providing some sort of education, refinement, occasion for use of manners, discussion of proper sorts." Christine merely listened. Erik turned his eyes to her and spoke in a low tone. "These are the very people that our child shall be surrounded by. Does it not make sense that they should be a bit refined?"

Christine shook her head. Erik the father, was already worrying about the influences of others on their yet unborn child. "Erik, I am inclined to agree to whatever you believe we should do….whatever your heart tells you to do. I've no doubt that they shan't object to whatever you might ask of them."

Erik cocked his head. "It's not so much what I shall ask of them, as what I shall like to do for them." Erik was uncomfortable thinking aloud, but with Christine, it seemed natural, as he shared everything about his present and future with her now. "I should like them to be able to hold their heads high when they are in public. To present themselves with poise and grace. I think we should conduct a dinner, let us say the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, where we can join together round a proper dinner table for a good meal. We can educate them in manners, and the like. Play games as we did several evenings past, and share in good discussion."

Erik's eyes grew wide. "I shall loan them books from the library, requiring them to read and report." A large smile crossed Erik's face. "Perhaps we shall see to some formal garments for each of them, something they could wear into the village and not be spotted as a servant, but as gentlemen and ladies."

Christine smiled at Erik, she could understand perfectly. Though he likely didn't recognize it himself, his purpose was less pointed, and more kindred than he'd actually be wiling to admit.

First, yes, he'd want them to be a good influence on his children, that almost went without saying. Second, he'd want them to be less grating on his nerves when in social settings, but the deeper truth, lay in the less obvious third purpose.

Erik himself had been released from the bondage of a social stigma. He knew the pain, the disgrace, the glances and judgment that came with not belonging to a particular level of society. If one was not well-bred, or in a position of power, you were no one at all, and of only peripheral value. Your life could pass before the world with little notice. Under appreciated, under valued, under utilized, and undiscovered. He'd been freed, and in turn, to truly embrace the appreciation of this gift, he had to give it to someone else, to help be their freedom….and if anyone could artfully succeed at this social coop, it would be Erik. In this tiny hamlet of Chauesser, he had no past, no expectations attached to him or his household. They were free to make of it what they liked, and that suited Erik's purposes.

Christine smiled at him, extending her hand. "You are not only handsome, talented, and brave, but you are brilliant as well…..I think it to be a perfectly wonderful idea my dear, simply wonderful." Erik returned her smile, happy that she so readily agreed.

Erphan was the first to present, pronouncing himself finished with his assignment. He looked like an eager schoolboy awaiting his reward.

Erik simply nodded, "ask the merchant to write down what you have, and then see to getting it packed in the carriage will you?" Erphan's face downed just slightly, but he nodded and complied.

Christine looked at Erik a bit of disappointment in her glance. "Now my dear, do not think me harsh. If I were to pay particular attention to Erphan, do you not think it would be noticed?" Christine scowled politely. "I've no intentions of creating pets in our household my dear. Everyone will be treated with equal respect, and equal responsibility." Erik took a sip of his tea. "For if I did not, would I not simply perpetuate more of the same attitudes, one being better or preferable to the other? Favoritism is no one's friend my dear."

Christine at once felt guilty for questioning Erik's actions. Having lived a wider and longer life than she, he no doubt was much wiser. Christine simply nodded in agreement. Erik was taking control of their household; being the man that he was born to be.

One by one, the staff presented themselves to Erik and Christine, some needing to ask questions before making final selections. It was quite nearly three in the afternoon when the last finished. The carriage was fully loaded, and with the exception of the drivers bench on the top, there was room for only one passenger inside the carriage.

Erik approached as the group of them stood quietly squabbling about who should journey back to the winter house, and who would be left in the village. Erik made haste to remedy this question.

"I shall ask a question, and the first who knows the answer should raise their hand. That person is the one that shall have the first ride in the carriage.

Everyone was eager to return, for they'd given a treat of choice, and a book to read. There would be no formal dinner tonight, each would fend for themselves.

The group circled around Erik as if he were a great storyteller, eagerly anticipating the first question. "What was the first novel Charles Dickens ever wrote?" Erik thinking this might be an easy question, as Dickens was a most popular author. There was silence. He would try again. "Who wrote 'Lady Byron Vindicated'?" Still no response. Erik thought again. "Who was Nicole-Reine Lepaute, and what did she discover?" He was confident he would have a taker…after all she was French, and her husband had been the royal clock-maker. Still nothing. The group began to look despondent.

"Perhaps something a bit different then. Name one member of the Raphaelite Brotherhood, a hint perhaps, there were seven of them." Erik was hopeful, this was a current movement in the world of art! He waited, still nothing. "Who wrote 'Charge of the Light Brigade'?" Surely everyone must know this one, Erik thought to himself. The women were nearly in tears, the men's faces had gone ashen.

Erik was feeling a bit frustrated, he tried again. "What was Sir Isaac Newton's greatest contribution to the world of science?" Certainly any buffoon would know the answer. He heard Erphan whimpering.

Erik tugged at his cravat. Perhaps this idea of settling the dilemma of who was to ride first, was ill-conceived, but now he'd no choice but to continue. "Who wrote 'Paradise Lost'?" Still the group was silent. He sighed. He would make it easier, nearly giving the answer to them. "In what year did Johann Gutenberg print the first Bible?" Erik looked around expectantly, surely one of these poor souls knew even that. Erik was becoming exasperated. The printing press was the greatest inventions of all time, how one could simply not know that answer, was, well, beyond his comprehension.

He'd pick a most current subject, one that all the enlightened hamlets surely talked about. "What is the name of the first book concerning transcendentalism that Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote?" Now THAT would surely be a simple question. He was certain all hands would be raised. The book was in many of the shops in Paris, in fact, he'd seen one in the mercantile that very afternoon!

The group stood looking at the ground. Erik paced. His idea of educating his staff was no longer a question, but a must. No child of his was….. he stopped himself as he could feel Christine's eyes boring through him.

Erik smiled mischievously; he would try once more. "My dear, do turn away for me would you?" Christine complied. Erik huffed. "Who can tell me the color of Christine's eyes?" Immediately all hands went into the air, they were all murmuring, "brown, they are brown, a little green perhaps, but yes most definitely brown."

Erik broke out into a fit of laughter. His frustration manifesting itself in the twitch of his cheek. He'd much to teach them. He pulled a coin from his pocket and tossed it to Erphan for use in the process of an elimination coin toss. He walked over to join Christine who was taking humor in the situation as well as he. Quite frankly, she'd had every intention of joining her staff in their lessons, for even she did not know all of the answers to the questions he posed!

"My dear, at least a blank slate is a teachable slate!" Christine sighed. "You are right my dear." They watched on in amusement as the group struggled with the coin until one finally stood alone. The gardener was beaming from ear to ear as he triumphantly climbed into the carriage. Erphan brought the coin back to Erik dutifully.

"Sir, what would you like us to do for the next several hours until the carriage returns?" Erik reached in, selecting several bills and handed them to Erphan. "Do see to everyone finding supper. Christine and I shall take care of ourselves." Erik withdrew his pocket watch. Erphan did the same, happy to have one, though it was not as detailed or polished as Erik's. "Let us meet here again at half past five. Then we shall all return together, if possible." Erphan nodded as he returned to the group with the news. They smiled, the woman curtsied. They'd make their way through town, finding something to nibble on.

Erik turned to Christine. "Now my little dove, I've a treat for you." He extended his arm as he led her from the mercantile. He nodded to the shopkeeper, he'd be back on the morrow to settle his account.

Author's Notes:

First, lest I be hunted down and flogged, let me present you with the answers to the questions that Erik asked of his humble services staff:

1. What was the first novel ever written by Dickens? 'The Pickwick Papers' 2. Who wrote 'Lady Byron Vindicated'? Harriet Beecher Stowe. 3. Who was Nicole-Reine Lepaute, and what did she discover? solar eclipse. Lepaute also made predictions for the return of Halley's Comet in 1759. 4. Name one member of the Raphaelite Brotherhood? The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood began in 1848. The members: Thomas Woolner, William Holman Hunt, James Collinson, John Everett Millais, Michael Rossetti, Frederic George Stephens, Dante Gabriel Rossetti. They did not want to conform to the current style of art, rather preferring a more natural style. They held the artist Raphael with the highest regard, thus adopting the name "Pre-Raphaelites." 5. Who wrote 'Charge of the Light Brigade'? Alfred Lord Tennyson 6. What was Sir Isaac Newton's greatest contribution to the world of science? Newton's contributions to science include: the universal law of gravitation, the development of a new field in mathematics called calculus, and his famous three laws of motion. 7. Who wrote 'Paradise Lost'?" John Milton. 8. In what year did Johann Gutenberg print the first Bible? 1455 9. What was the name of first book concerning transcendentalism that Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote? 'Nature'

Side note – why all the crazy questions? I'd chosen these questions in particular because they were either of current interest in the years that this story covers, or, they were things that would have been readily known by noble society at the time. In order for Erik's character to be able to do some of the things that he did, or know what he knew, these would have easily been part of his knowledge base. The literary references are connected to the depth of music that he wrote, and his general feelings during his years under the Opera House. The reference to transcendentalism is a bit more complex. It was a current new movement in enclaves around the world at the time, and only "enlightened" thinkers were embracing the idea. It plays into what Erik was currently thinking about doing with his staff. Hopefully this explanation will make it easier to understand some of Erik's actions in the coming chapters. He has lived in the past, under an Opera House, but now, out in the real world, he must choose to wallow in his past, or embrace his future, and make the world a better place because he had the courage to live. Hmmmm… now perhaps you can see why the people who are closest to me think I'm a little crazy! I hope this little detour helps explain a few things for chapters to come!

Captain Oblivious: Hope you enjoyed your cupcake, and didn't get any on your Dracula DVD, or on Susie! Perhaps you zapped it with your Pauly Shore gun! Dreamy…yes…I feel the same way sometimes when I think of Erik and Christine! Yes, to be that much in love….it sounds entirely wonderful to be in the arms of someone who loved and admired you in the way Erik does his Christine. Someday…maybe we can all be that fortunate! You my dear, have much of life ahead of you, and there is a special someone out there…maybe stuck in a box, wearing a cape……well, somewhere out there anyway (even if it isn't a Gerry-in-a-box!) Hmmm…Harry Potter has been mentioned a number of times by reviewers, I may have to break down and borrow a book from my nephew…I have to say I thought I'd checked under your name and couldn't find anything before, but I shall try again!

Stellalorelia: Thank you for sharing my visions of their family! Yes, it would be entirely wonderful to be part of that family. I could just imagine it, as real as life, in my mind as I was typing. Erik in a thick black robe, Christine in a soft white one, four or five happy little children milling about, well spoken and mannered, dark brown curls, big blue or brown eyes, and a couple, even more in love than the day they became husband and wife! Ahhhh I've just lost myself again in a day-dream! I think sometimes people may question my sanity when I talk about them as though they were living-breathing people! Yes, there is so much to happen in all the relationships that are brewing…one just never knows what will happen next! In this story one is neither too young nor too old to fall in love!

Diveprincess: Oh my goodness Kiki…I am so glad you are alive too! The world would have been a little darker place without you in it! That sounds exciting to go hiking, but dangerous…I think I'll stick to walking on paved sidewalks and doing Pilates! It is fun to have a friend to do things with, now let's hope James is a true-blue friend and helps keep you occupied as you recuperate! In the meantime, I hope that you have many pleasant distractions that keep you from dwelling on your pain, though I doubt it is ever far from your mind. By the way, my friend's name is Terra, she does love the ocean….I'll remind her of your wise quote from Walt Disney. It might be even more meaningful since she marveled at his dream when she was in Disney World over Spring Break this past spring! Chicago! That is a wonderful city, I've been there a number of times, sometimes on business, sometimes for the pure pleasure of the city…they do have the best deep-dish pizza there. The pizzeria I visited when I was there last, I cannot recall the name, but it will stick in my mind forever…they gave us pens to write on the walls…it took us nearly an hour and a half to read everything in the area around us, and then finally to find a place to write a little something of our own. I also LOVE the 'million-dollar-mile'. I've walked that stretch of the road many times at night just marveling at the beauty of Chicago. There is something about that stretch of road, as it crosses the water, that reminds me of Paris….anyway, I love the your city!

I do hope that you have your choice of schools to go to when you are done with your senior year! They all sound like excellent choices! I'm sure you'll be sent just where you belong, and will have a happy future ahead of you! Now, concentrate on getting better…let me know if you need another cupcake!

Poetzproblem: Thank you for the compliment. A hundred chapters, it just doesn't seem possible does it! The last one was a bit long, but it had to be a little out of the ordinary! Yes, I do like over-thinkers…I affectionately call them "deep-thinkers" because I am one myself. In fact, you may relate to this… you're talking to someone about a subject…say a book…and you go into the depth of a character…or a movie….and you talk about the hidden plot….or a part of history….or anything else, and all the sudden you feel yourself getting excited about it only to look over at the person who you are talking to and they have a blank or frightened look on their face…and your realize you've totally lost them…. Yeh….I get that a lot. Anyway, keep using that brain of yours, we always lose what we don't exercise…

I'm happy that you are enjoying Raoul and Meg with me. I do tend to dwell a little on the intensity when a relationship is first blooming because without a good foundation, any further developments aren't very believable. My own opinion of course. So, there will be a bit more for them….before things get really interesting…. Wrote one? Do tell us more…

Hopelesslyobsessed: Tell your friends they'll have to get used to you in this frame of mind! I've been floating on this cloud for over five months now, and there is no sign of it letting up anytime soon! I think once you've been bitten (pardon the pun if you are a Dracula fan) you simply cannot become "unaddicted" it just doesn't happen. It becomes like a love affair that you may stray from, but you keep coming back for more! Well, on to your questions Nadir was referring to Raoul and Erik being brothers, not their fathers although that would have been an interesting twist….but you've beat me to it! The question about Raoul finding out about Erik and Christine….that I simply cannot answer for it would ruin the end of the story….alas….a writer has to have but a few secrets! Yes, I am happy for Raoul too. He deserves to be happy. Just because he wanted to deprive our beloved Phantom of Christine, that didn't make him a bad man. Even kings of great nations have gone to battle over a beautiful woman….that didn't make them bad after all. We all want what we want, even if someone else wants the same thing, we don't want it less…darn…now I've got myself all confused! So yes, Raoul is not, in my opinion, a man on the loose looking for a good time…he wants to be loved, just as Erik is now loved by Christine! Hope you enjoyed chapter 101!

Icherisherik: Welcome to the family! Ah, another name that I can understand perfectly….I rather cherish him myself…the cape…the mask….the mystique…oh my. He is a wonderful character. Dark, handsome, and in general, something every woman (who has a pulse) would want.

I am bowing humbly now at your most kind and generous review. I am always glad to hear if I've made someone smile, giddy is more than I could have hoped for! I too like Erik and Christine together, they are to me, the epitome of true love….and it only gets better with time. That is the beauty of writing, you can make the characters be whatever you want them to be, and I for one, choose love! I admire you, it is quite the undertaking to read this story over such a short period of time. I do, from time to time, go back and read a few of the chapters myself, whenever I'm feeling blue, I've a few that I really liked such as their wedding night, the night they were first reunited after Erik woke up, when she told him of her pregnancy, the night at the Candlelight Inn…..o.k., maybe a few more than a few. Anyway, at some point in the future, I intend to take a day off from my crazy life and sit down and read it from start to finish, if it can be done. Someday, we might have a time where everyone gets to tell what their favorite chapter is so far…just a thought. Now I've rambled on…I would just like to say welcome again, and I hope your stay with your new little Phantomfamily is a long, and in your case, giddy one!