Chapter 104 Coming Home
Raoul greeted his father and welcomed Madame Giry into the house. "Meg and I have been in the library reading this afternoon." He said, making conversation that he knew Meg could overhear. His eyes scanning Madame Giry's face. She nodded, speaking very quietly she leaned over to Raoul. "Yes, we've taken care of every detail, and it was lovely to meet your sister!" Raoul blushed slightly, his secret hadn't been entirely kept.
His father had already found his way to the parlor instructing Madeline to pour , the sherry.
"It is quite a shame that Nadir had to leave, I'd rather looked forward to visiting with him again this evening….but it is understandable that he'd have to take care of that poor woman's last details." His father was saying as Raoul led Madame Giry into the parlor.
"Yes, it is, he hopes to be gone but a few days at best. He's much to do to sell her Inn, find her children.." Raoul said, nodding to his father as he extended a glass of sherry to he and Madame Giry. Raoul looked over his shoulder. He thought that Meg perhaps would have joined them of her own volition, but she had not. So he seized the opportunity. He led Madame Giry over to the window, a distance from the door, but still in full view of it lest Meg walk in.
"Do tell me, did you find everything that she might require?" Madame Giry was politely sipping her sherry. "Yes, we've found the necessities, they've been delivered I understand, however the bed…" Raoul nodded, glancing toward the door, and then back at Madame Giry. "Yes, Madeline told me of it. We've made arrangements for Meg to join you in your room this evening." Madame Giry tilted her head inquisitively. Raoul squinted, a bit uncomfortable.
"Meg believes that the room was not suitable for her to sleep in because a large puddle of wax had been spilled, rendering her room unsuitable for occupation presently. She couldn't very well occupy a room without something to sleep on!" Madame Giry smiled at him nodding, "how resourceful."
Raoul glanced over at his father who was entirely distracted as he dug through the cigar box and inquiring about the dinner menu with Madeline, trying to select a suitable wine.
Raoul tried to swallow but his mouth was as dry as a desert. He took a sip of his sherry, and began. "Madame Giry," he glanced down at the ground, and then up at her with sincere eyes. "We were interrupted by Meg when last I broached this subject, and I feel entirely compelled to ask again so that my intentions are not misunderstood. I've no need to rush you or Meg to a premature decision, but I shan't go any further unless I am certain that you do not disapprove, for that would be entirely cruel to Meg, and I dare say that I'm not prepared for the repercussions of…." Madame Giry reached out and touched Raoul's hand compassionately.
"Raoul, I must tell you something, as much as a friend, someone perhaps nearly the age of your own mother..." Raoul flinched at the mention of it. "You are a most kind young man Raoul. I have watched as you have cared for Meg these last days." Madame Giry paused, looking at him with heart felt feeling. "Raoul, I observed you holding her while she slept." Raoul's cheeks were now a deep crimson. It felt like the words had leaped from her lips as liquid fire burning into his skin. "Raoul, do not misunderstand, I know your intentions were merely for Meg's comfort, do not worry." Raoul still blushed heavily, though her soothing words reassured him. "You must know that Meg has enjoyed the times she has visited with you in Paris. I see now how she looks at you, and you at her Raoul." He smiled at her a bit coyly.
His father provided a temporary distraction as his irritation grew over the wine selection, and at one point he felt compelled to follow Madeline down to the cellar. Raoul breathed a sigh of relief, as did Madame Giry. He turned to look at her again.
"Raoul, I do not know if either you or Meg are yet ready to have a relationship, at least one so serious. I do know however, that whenever the two of you are together, there is a simple happiness, an easy demeanor, an obvious comfort." Raoul smiled at her slightly, for he knew she spoke the truth. "Raoul, if I am to acknowledge your request, I must do so with condition." Raoul's smile turned, his face now serious, but forthright. "Whatever you ask of me," he replied.
"You must know your own heart…allow Meg to know her own heart….and that may take some time." Raoul nodded in agreement. "You must know that fortune means very little to me, or to Meg." Raoul nodded again, he knew of her opinions of such things. "Raoul," she paused. His breath caught in his throat. "You, and Meg, both individually, and together, must talk of what would happen if…."
Raoul looked fiercely toward the ground as though drawn to something on it…he knew what she asked next was the most difficult. "I've thought about this myself Madame Giry, a thousand times, I've asked myself what if….."
She looked at him with sympathy, but firmness. "It is a question you must be able to answer. It must be faced so that you can both say with great assurance that this would have no bearing on your relationship." She paused, looking once again at Raoul until he caught her eye. "In order to be happy, truly happy, you must know what you would do."
Raoul looked at her with pleading eyes. "May I show you something?" Madame Giry returned his gaze with question in her eye. What could he show her that would have any bearing on their current conversation? She simply stared at Raoul. He extended his hand and led Madame Giry out of the parlor and down the hall. "This room is very special to me," he said turning up the lamp fully once the door was closed securely behind them.
Madame Giry's eyes were roaming the walls. Scattered all around, in decorative frames of every shape and size, were pictures of his family. A number of his mother, his sister, his grandparents. Raoul watched as Madame Giry looked around the room in amazement. "These are among my happiest memories." Raoul said with fond affection in his voice.
Her eyes finally came to rest on a picture covered by a long lace doily. Her head cocked, as she turned to Raoul. "And what of this one Raoul?" she asked. He nodded to her. She turned back to the picture, reaching up she slid the covering from it. She gasped as she brought her hand to her lips. It was the most beautiful painting of Christine that she had ever laid eyes on.
Raoul's voice sounded so far away, reflective. "It was to have been our engagement picture." He said as her eyes took in every inch of it. "It was completed not a month ago, and hung in the outer hall." Madame Giry's brow furrowed in question. "This room contains all of my memories, both good and otherwise." He stood with Madame Giry looking up at the picture. "Perhaps when you visit Elizabeth and Stephan, you could make a gift of it to them for me?"
Madame Giry froze…the deception registering to the very corners of her conscience. "If only he knew," she thought to herself.
"Madame Giry, this is part of my past. A wonderful part of my past. Though I shall forever wonder what became of our dearest Christine, that does not mean I cannot love Meg. We both miss her terribly, and in a way, I am certain that she would have wanted both of us to be happy too." Madame Giry could feel tears welling up in her eyes.
Raoul turned Madame Giry slightly by the shoulder. "I've thought about this a great deal these last days." Raoul paused, he knew what he was about to say he had to do so not only for Madame Giry's benefit, but for his own, having never uttered the words outloud. "Madame Giry, if Christine is never found, Meg and I will carry with us a sadness for the loss of her…." He paused, "if one day….she returns to us…." His voice began to crack. "Meg and I will welcome her with open arms…..together."
Madame Giry looked at Raoul's tear streaked face. She'd not known him as a little boy, but somehow he looked rather like he did in the pictures from when he was young. She glanced over his shoulder at the picture of Raoul in his mother's lap, and to the left of him, the picture of Christine, then finally back at Raoul. His lips quivered.
"These are the memories of my past Madame Giry….I am obliged to move on to my future….for that is where my heart now lies." A large teardrop made its way over Raoul's lower lid, and quickly down his chin.
He raised his hand to wipe it away. "Raoul DeChagny," Madame Giry said with a gentle firmness, resting both hands on his shoulders. "If you love Meg, as I believe she does you, I should like nothing more than to see the two of you find happiness in each others company."
Raoul smiled widely reaching out to embrace her. "May I…" Raoul began. Madame Giry smiled as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "You may," she paused as a smile crossed her face, "I have always wanted a son." Raoul squeezed her tightly….she had understood him. "Thank you…..mother."
The pair startled as the door to the small room creaked open. There in the doorway stood Meg, a very confused look on her face as she saw her mother and Raoul's tear stained smiling faces, holding one another. "Mother….Raoul?" Her mother smiled at her. Raoul reached out and took her hand leading her into the room. Madame Giry went to the entry way, looking both ways to make certain no one was in the hall, then she turned to the smiling pair, closing the door, she returned to them with a smile. Outside the closed door could be heard a few soft giggles as they enjoyed this most precious moment in the privacy of the room that held Raoul's most precious memories.
Though the small room they now stood in had been a silver closet in the home of a man of considerable wealth, it now held something far more precious than silver. It held the very breath of life itself It held the love of a family, a family like one that none of them had ever known. No earthly treasure was worth more than this.
Raoul's father was back in the parlor, triumphantly announcing the perfect selection of wine for dinner, only to find the room entirely empty. He walked out into the hallway, no one to be seen. Scratching at his head he returned to the parlor, sitting down to sip his sherry before the fire. Perhaps he'd missed something, and it appeared to him, he'd no alternative but to wait for them to return.
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Nadir was relieved to finally be out of the carriage. He was at once surprised by the greetings he received, it seemed as though he'd been brought to the wrong house as there were so many faces from Courtland Manor there.
"What is this?" He said, as his cloak was removed from his shoulders by the maid as he entered the house. "Good evening sir, would you like a cup of tea, or a bit of sherry perhaps?" Nadir was looking around with wide eyes. All the coverings had been removed. The floor was cleaned and dusted, though it was in need of a fresh coat of wax. A warming fire crackled in the fireplace. A decanter of sherry sat welcomingly on the table beside the piano. It looked very much like a happily occupied family home, instead of the site of heinous murders, oh if the walls could talk.
"Where is Monsieur Courtland?" Nadir said as he went into the parlor to stretch out in front of the fire. He was entirely eager to talk to Erik. He knew of Erik's perceptiveness…he had to appear weary from the journey, eager only for friendly banter, and a nice glass of sherry. Any hint of excitement or anxiety would immediately put Erik on alert that Nadir was searching for something.
It was quite an artful game that he and Erik played with one another. One being as skilled at it as the other, it was hard to fool. Though in most cases Nadir never kept anything from Erik, this time it was different. He loved Erik through and through, and the weight of the knowledge bore heavily on Nadir's heart. If he were wrong, they would be running forever…if he and Meg were right….if they were right….. Nadir shook his head. He could not look contemplative when Erik saw him. Relax, relax, relax. He kept chanting over and over again in his mind.
The maid reappeared with a pot of tea, and a few small sandwiches. "I'm quite afraid that Monsieur and his wife have gone into Chauesser for dinner this evening." She said setting the plate down next to the pot of tea on the table in front of Nadir. "We've not yet set up a proper kitchen, or I'd offer you a bit heavier supper." Nadir thanked her. "Your kindness is appreciated." He lifted one of the sandwiches taking a small bite. The maid smiled and went on her way.
Nadir set the sandwich back on the plate. In truth, he was far too nervous to be putting anything into his stomach. He glanced over at the decanter of sherry, and then back at the pot of tea. "Well, except for a bit of sherry." He said to himself, rising to retrieve a glass.
Taking his first sip he leaned back into the comfort of the divan. He would relax, while he waited for them to return. He could hear Erik's staff busily bringing in his trunk, discussing which room to put him in. He glanced out the window, it was quite nearly night outside, surely they would be home soon. Nadir's eyes closed for a brief moment and then flew back open, realization of the current activity sounding an alarm in his mind. If the staff were preparing the house on the main floor….they'd not yet set up a proper kitchen…..were they planning to stay? Nadir was on his feet. He knew how thorough the staff were…if they were staying….the house would receive a proper once-over to ready it for use. He had to get to that picture….and quickly…before Erik came home.
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Erik and Christine were nestled inside the carriage. Little had they realized that they would be the last to arrive home. There was something pleasant about spending the entire evening in town, and returning home to a welcoming house…together. They'd spent the ride laughing about the crate, falling on the ground…. Now nearing home the pair sat quietly, a happy contented quiet.
Erik was looking down at Christine in his arms. She was radiating as she gazed out the window rubbing her hand subconsciously over her stomach. "Christine, are you alright my dear…you weren't hurt when we landed on the ground?" Christine quickly turned her attentions to Erik. Smiling up at him she said, "no, being the ever dutiful husband, I should be asking you if I hurt you when I landed squarely on your mid section! I should have known the crate would not hold the both of us….I simply wanted to be in your arms." She looked down at the floor of the carriage.
Somewhat shyly she began. "I am a young bride Erik. I hope you do not find my advances too improper. There is something about you….something that I cannot explain or fully describe…something that moves me when I am with you, something that makes me desire to be closer to you….even when I am with you."
Erik drew her further into his arms. "I love to hear you speak of it Christine, it is like a beautiful symphony of words floating through the air, a drink for a soul parched to within an inch of its life."
Christine slid her arms around his middle. "How eloquent are your words Erik…even in a moment when I am vulnerable for critique, you words find a way to assure me that I am accepted and loved for who I am."
Erik looked down at her with such wonder. "My dearest Christine, do you not understand that I am the blessed one, the fortunate one? To have you…the love of my life…and this…" he said, sliding his warm hand along her abdomen, "this joy, no man could feel more blessed, more grateful than I do. You are my reason for breathing, for wanting to live, for desiring to rise each morning…." He leaned over placing an affectionate kiss on her temple, "for wanting to retire each night rather than roam the halls in the dark as I have most of my life."
Christine nestled under his cloak. "Erik, my dear sweet Erik….I have loved you all of my life…perhaps not you exactly…but part of you….the promise of you. As time went on and you turned from angel to protector to tutor to guardian to guide….to manifestation as a living breathing man…I've learned to love you in layers…so when I say I love you, it means that I love you deeply, all of you….even that which remains hidden from me…" she turned to him, taking his chin into her hand. "Erik, I am the truly blessed one, for you have given me everything that matters most to me in the world…you've given me you…."
She slid her hand intermingled with his over her stomach. "You've given me our son….a woman….a no sooner ask for any more than she could ask to possess heaven on earth itself."
Erik slid Christine around until she faced him. Pulling her up into his lap he kissed her tenderly. No matter how many times she said she loved him, appreciated him, felt blessed to be with him, he would always know the truth. She had been…had always been, his angel of rescue, of mercy, of acceptance, of love…and he would be forever indebted to this magnificent woman, this angelic creature, the mother to his child….his wife.
Erik held her closely as the lights of the winter house came into view. His eyes squinted, was that a second carriage? "Christine, I think we have company….perhaps, yes, yes I believe, it must be Nadir." Erik quickly recognizing the wheels on the carriage that was just being brought into the stable behind the house. His house, Christine's house…they really needed to find another more proper name for it. Winter house just didn't seem fitting for it presently, as it might be occupied for much more than that….it was already Spring….and here they were very much at home…THEIR house. Oh how he loved the thought of it.
Author's notes:
Hybrid Knightress: Welcome to the family! Our little Phantomfamily has really grown, and I hope that your stay with us is a long and enjoyable one! Thank you for the compliment. I just could not end that serious scenario without a touch of a little humor and happiness! Now it has become tradition in our little family to try to figure out the tag names of each of our new members. Hmmmm…I am wondering if you are a fan of Heath Ledger….perhaps you watched 'A Knight's Tale'? Otherwise, perhaps you delve into the world of lords and ladies, preferring that period of history….Elizabethan romance… I may be way off the mark, so please, if you feel comfortable, do tell our little family how you arrived at your name!
Hoplesslyobsessed: You are correct…that moment when Dracula changes from his former shell of himself into…well….hmmmm mere words cannot describe what he becomes… Yes, I think I replayed that a hundred times…you could just feel him drawing her to him couldn't you? Somehow being given two very large puncture wounds in the jugular suddenly didn't seem too bad! Yikes… I have no idea how many times I've watched that movie…its something about that man in a cape or coat. I must say it is a little bloody, and parts of it really bothered me, but I watched it solely for the "Gerry factor." ;- The last scene where he was hanging there, I have to say is what made the movie a bit easier for me, it was like he finally asked to be forgiven for what he did, and so he was allowed to die in peace…if that makes sense to you. Otherwise it really kind of bugged me that he was doing all this anti-God stuff during the movie. Before watching that movie I guess I'd never really thought about what Judas Iscariot would have thought before he hung himself…it was a little eerie.
Oh yes, the other movie I had forgotten I had in my library of "Gerard DVDs" was Tomb Raider, thus bringing my total up to eight!
O.K., on to the story. I think you will find in the next few days you will know more about what is going on upstairs in Raoul's house. You may already have a gut instinct about what it is, but if not, I don't want to spoil the surprise! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Crayann: Yes, I had begun to wonder/worry about your absence, but I know how busy all of our lives can get sometimes! In truth I am a little worried for all of our students who will be going back to school in a few short weeks…I don't want to take up their precious study time….I may have to rethink how often I update for their sake… Anyway, I hope you had a nice vacation. It is sometimes good for us to have a break from our normal routine…it helps us to decide if the routine is good or not, and if it what makes us happy or not.
You are most welcome for the updates….I am most happy that you enjoyed them. I sometimes sit and wonder about where all of our little family is from…if we are making people smile a little bit all over the world! It gives me a sense of happiness myself if I know I've made someone smile! Hope you liked this chapter….it of course…only raises more questions!
PhantomLover2005: Welcome to the family! Yes, it was touch and go there for a couple of minutes! Just when Erik had started to let his guard down, to relax into the relationship with Christine, all his old fears and insecurities came flying back to the surface, which of course begs the question….is he really letting go of his dark suspicious side, or is he merely stuffing it away, only to recall it when he wakes from all of this to find that it was only a dream….I think sometimes he has to be thinking that it is don't you? He'd never expected to live a life like a normal man, and now….here he is with Christine at his side…. So now…on to you. I must ask, as a new part of our little Phantomfamily, for you to explain your chosen tag name. It does make sense that you are a Phantom Lover, for that is how you found our little family in the first place….but….how did you decide on the 2005…was it because of the year…or because every number from 1 through 2004 was already taken by people as crazy as us!
Diveprincess: Hope you are feeling a little better every day, and that those broken bones are healing well! It seems silly to say it in this way, but it is far better to have broken bones than a broken spirit…I am glad that you aren't going to let this little detour stop you from pursuing your dream! I also hope James spent the entire weekend with you watching movies and getting you popcorn and soda, AND, letting you have control over the remote! (You can probably tell I am a big believer in friends sticky by each other through thick and thin!) O.K., I'm going to add Gulliver's to my list for the next time I'm in Chicago…which probably won't be for a year or so. I always like going to places that are recommended because usually the locals know where the best food really is, and often it isn't the big places that advertise in all the hotels!
Thank you for the compliment on the chapter. I am getting very excited about the developing relationships. Erik and Christine have grown into this loving, exciting, committed couple, I simply cannot get enough of them!
Captain Oblivious: We will miss you during your absence, but everyone deserves a vacation…and then….it's off to school for you! Yes, the band-aid thing….well, I don't know that I can quickly jump from where we are now to that…but I can assure you, it will be worth the wait…. By the time you are reading this, you will find additional chapters that will bring more information….hope you had a wonderful time!
PhantomFan13: Yes, I am happy that our family is growing too! I sometimes wonder how many are out there that we've not heard from that might be part of our family and we just don't know it! I am so happy that we've been able to stick together as Erik and the rest have gone on their wild ride!
The guest ranch sounds fun…but ohhh…a sunburn…those are never fun. If I could send you a large bottle of aloe vera or burn cream through cyber space for you I would, but alas, technology hasn't gone that far yet…just know that I am sympathizing with you right now…burns are such a "pain" LOL Yes, trail rides for those who ride English Style would seem like putting someone that rides a motorcycle on a tricycle with training wheels! Yikes…your dad works for Double-Day! I already have a nearly full library, literally shelves and shelves of books. If I had access to an unlimited supply of books…I'd need another house! I think I have at least one book of some sort or another in every room of my house! One in each of the lavatories, a half-dozen in each of the bedrooms, one in the living room, one in the kitchen, several in the dining room, one in the laundry room, a dozen or more in the pool room, several in the family room, dozens in my office, and then the mother-load in the library. Every year I donate some to the local library, but then I turn round and buy more….!
O.k., now, on to the more technical questions, I will answer if I can. Christine's father's name is Gustave. If you watch the movie, you can go to the part where she has just finished singing her first night at the Opera House, and she's down in the little room below where she lights a candle for her father before Meg comes down to find her. If you look closely at the picture below the candle, you will notice his name engraved on the plate….yes, I am that obsessed, and have watched the movie a hundred times so I've seen it! Now, on to the number three….I simply cannot tell you what that represents, not yet anyway, it would spoil the fun of everyone guessing what it might be! Now as far as the ending of the story….while I enjoy, very much enjoy having suspense in a story, and have been known to make use of a few "cliffies" I am a firm believer in resolution. I can assure you, nay, promise you, I will not end the story in such a way that begs for a sequel or would leave you wondering about any of the characters we've come to know and love. It will be an ending that will (I hope in my heart of hearts) make your entire time spent with our little Phantomfamily, entirely worth it!
Now, since it is time for true confessions, let me share with you….I love the movie Tomb Raider too….I've watched it a number of times, and I have to say that I loved our dear Gerry in it, especially how confident he was. I can fully appreciate your loving having the same name as the main character….o.k., now for my little secret…my first name is Kristine! So…you can see, at least, in part…why I love this story!
Icherisherik: Thank you…I rather liked that ending myself…couldn't you just see them laying on the ground laughing…such a stress reliever after an obviously intense few minutes! Yes, more specifics are coming in the next chapters…The crazy old lady does not exist in the story without a reason….and DeChagny….well….time will tell. Yes, I would rather prefer to have Erik as a teacher myself…although I think I'd intentionally flunk his classes so I could take them over and over again just to sit and stare at him! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
DarkMoonLightBright: Yes, I rather like that quote myself. If we were all the same sort of people, this world would be a pretty boring place! As for the people who tell you to shut up…you could try this. When next you see them, simply smile and whenever they say something to you, simply bring your hand to your chin and look at them and nod while saying reflectively "Hmmmmmmm" Believe me, it won't take long, and they will be wishing for the "old you" back. Even if they think you are driving them crazy, they have no idea what lies beneath the surface do they! O.k., on to Erik. Yes, I am enjoying how he is coming out of his shell. It is such a struggle to come out of ones shell especially if you've only known a lifetime of rejection and loneliness. He is handsome, powerful, charismatic, and all the other wonderful adjectives that we could use to describe him. But….he doesn't realize it, or believe it just yet. About the only things he is sure of is that he loves Christine, that she loves him, and that he is smarter than the average person….he doesn't even yet fully realize what he is capable of! But he will….oh yes…he will.
PhantomLover05: Welcome to the family! Our little Phantomfamily really grew over the weekend…and we are loving it! Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I hope that I can tuck in something for everyone…a little something to make everyone smile. I think that sometimes love stories can get a little too dark, or a little too, oh, I don't know…but I think love stories should be a little like real life…sometimes they are sad, sometimes they are happy, or just content. Sometimes funny things happen to the characters, and sometimes they are in intense pain. I think that is what I like best about the Phantom story, even though it is fiction, you can feel the passion and the pain as if the story were really, real. Now, we have a tradition in our Phantomfamily, whereby we try to discover the origins of their tag names, if our newest members are willing. Your's is fairly straightforward, although I am inclined to guess that you might be either a senior in high school, or in college based on the fact you've used the '05' designation at the end of your name. Typically only seniors use this in their vocabulary…. Either way, we hope your stay with us is a long and happy one!