Chapter 105 Mixed Blessings

"Mother, truly, do you give us your blessing?" Madame Giry surveyed Raoul and Meg's pleading faces. She could no sooner deny them her permission than they could deny the growing love between them. Deep in her heart of hearts, she knew that one day the pain of the full truth would surface, or surely it would tear her daughter apart. The only hope for Meg was for her to be parted from Christine, until such time that her very existence became a distant dream, a ghost, a memory of a past life. "Mother?"

Madame Giry smiled, embracing her daughter, and then Raoul. "Meg…Raoul," she took turns looking between them, "there is much to overcome in your lives. So very much has happened these last months, more I dare say than most young couples could bear. I have no doubt that your feelings are genuine, that you both seek peace and happiness. I only ask of you, right here and now, that you agree on two things…if you can agree to these, I give you my unequivocal blessing."

She reached out and took one of each of their hands in hers. A chill coursed through her hands as she felt the completion of a circle in that small room…no beginning…no end…no separation. Raoul looked at her with pleading eyes, Meg with both excitement and trepidation. "You must agree….in advance, what you shall do if Christine is ever found….agree without any outside influence, what that would mean for the two of you." She squeezed Meg's hand. Meg swallowed hard as she looked at Raoul. His face had not changed, he looked resolute as he shook his head in assent.

"Second, and I feel the greater of the two promises, is that no matter what happens in your lives in the coming years, that the two of you agree in advance…to forgive each other if ever either of you should falter…for love without forgiveness is not love at all…it becomes a withering being, incapable of healing or existing."

She looked back and forth until she was certain that neither of them had misunderstood, or had reservations about this great promise. Raoul looked at Meg, leaning over he kissed her on the right cheek. "I cannot imagine a time when I would not be able to forgive Meg anything that might require it…so yes….I so swear."

Meg was nearly in tears, Raoul had not proposed, nor was he likely to do so soon, but he was willing to try to love her without reservation. Meg could not speak but simply nodded her head toward her mother. "Good, then I shall offer you my blessing. Discover your love for each other, explore it, and in the end, if you find that it is love enough for a lifetime, I shall grant you my final blessing."

Raoul pulled both Madame Giry and Meg into a warm embrace. The three stood in the intimate little room of memories, basking in the glow of the promise of a future life. Just then the closet door flew open. There stood Raoul's father, confused look on his face, "there you…..are…what is going on here?" Raoul's father was not a daft man, quickly assessing the situation. Tears with smiling faces never meant sadness, surely…..Raoul would not have so quickly…..

He turned and walked away, back down to the parlor. He grabbed his glass of sherry, and quite ineloquently tipped it until the last dribbles from the bottom trickled down his throat. He stood shaking his head. How could he be so foolish….to love one chorus rat…an accident….but a second…yes she had a sweet disposition….but she was the daughter of the ballet mistress, the daughter of his own employee…what fodder for gossip…ah yes…..he could hear it now…

He spun on his heels as he realized that someone had come up behind him in the room now, pulling the doors closed. Without looking he knew it was Raoul. He began, "how could you son….how could you be so foolish? No, do not answer. She is a lovely young woman Raoul. Do you not think that she will always wonder that you think about Christine, even when you are holding her in your arms? Son, do not so quickly rush into a relationship, give it time…allow yourself to grieve…to be certain that there is not another you could love…"

Raoul walked up alongside his father, and then in front of him. "Father, one cannot choose what one's heart does. I have always been fond of Meg, and by her own admission, she of me. It was not until her last few visits to Paris that we found ourselves thinking of one another as more than friends…it only makes sense…we share a memory of a dear friend….we share so many things. Only she can truly understand the loss that I feel, for surely she feels it also."

Raoul's father shook his head. "Son, there is so much more to marriage than all of this. It is much more complicated, it is…" Raoul closed his eyes, going back to the first moments that he and his father reconciled in the very kitchen that was not but several rooms away.

"Father, I recall your confessions of your love for my mother, the love of your life. I recall you telling me you wanted me to be happy, to find love again." Now Raoul was fighting back tears. "This woman is a dear creature and she is willing to love me, to share a memory with me, to share a future with me…is it not better for me to be happy for what little time we have on this earth, or would you prefer that I find a shallow woman from a family with a good name and family fortune, and be but a shell of myself just for the sheer facade?"

His father's face had softened a bit. Perhaps it was his third glass of sherry, or it was the reality that his son had what he did not, a compassionate and honest heart, capable of the love that he had denied himself since the day his wife, Raoul's mother died?

"Raoul, you are a grown man now. I cannot presume to tell you what to do, or whom you should marry…I only hope that you can think this through clearly before making a proposal that you one day wake from and regret. Be certain of your feelings before you…."

"Father, I have thought of this. I shall not want to rush into marriage, as much for Meg's sake as anyone's. Now, being entirely truthful, I must tell you that I am suiting Meg, and will make it known quietly so as not to raise suspicion as to her staying here in my guest room to recuperate. Certainly you can see the sense in that?" His father nodded, it would make it much more acceptable in the eyes of society.

"Now father, I must ask that you treat Meg with the same warmth and affection that you treated my sister's husband when they entered their engagement. Can I have your assurances?" His father nodded. "Very well, then let us raise our glasses…" His father did so hesitantly, "here's to the women in our life that brought us comfort, joy, and love…"

His father's mind flashed back to his mother, and then flying years back, he saw a glimpse of Claire…..the night they said their goodbyes…the tears…the embrace…that was the last time he had held her…held her against him as their child grew within her…if only he had stayed with her, maybe it would not have turned out so… He gasped, his eyes flying open. "Raoul, suddenly I do not feel much like dinner, please offer my apologies to our guests, I must retire." He stood and abruptly removed himself from the room, mounting the staircase to the upper chambers.

Entering his room he flung himself on his bed and gave into the emotions that welled within him. He was revolted by his own weakness, repulsed that he could be so moved to tears, but something in those moments filled with sobs, and knuckle-whitening grabs at his pillow in desperation, gave way to a release….a release of pent-up angst, pent-up sorrow, pent-up longing. How he missed the two gentle women who'd had the courage to love him. They had both given themselves to him willingly….loving him without doubt that they were loved in return. How he wished he could have saved Raoul's mother. But all the money in the world would not have stopped the disease that ravaged her body until she could no longer fight it. And Claire…whatever became of her…she had been such a beautiful soul. He could only hope that she had found love. He closed his eyes, perhaps a good night's rest would allow him to think more clearly. His callous exterior was merely a shroud for the breaking heart that lay beneath the surface.

XXX

Meg, Raoul, and Madame Giry sat rather quietly through dinner. The fourth place setting had been quickly removed by Madeline so as not to make the evening meal awkward. "Perhaps a good night's sleep will be a benefit for all of us." Madame Giry said, breaking the few minutes of uncomfortable silence that had settled upon them. "Perhaps," Raoul said reflectively. Their momentary joy had been tempered by his father's reaction.

The final dinner plates had been cleared. The trio had opted to pass on having dessert, taking their tea instead to the study. Madame Giry quickly excusing herself under the auspices of needing a bath from the trip into the city that day, thus allowing Meg and Raoul some much needed privacy.

Raoul watched as Madame Giry left the study, closing the door behind her. He turned, looking seriously, yet compassionately at Meg. Taking her hand in his, he began in a soft and reassuring tone, "Meg, do not worry for my father. He is a rather moody man, and his reaction is nothing but typical for him. If he has not made the decision for me, he requires a bit of time to adjust."

Meg was rubbing her stitched cheek; it had begun to itch. "Perhaps he is concerned about the scarring, or the fact that my family is not wealthy or any one of a hundred different things Raoul. Truly, he never accepted Christine, and she was nearly perfect, her voice, her stature, her father was at least a famous and respected violinist…."

Raoul was at once on his knees looking up into Meg's down-turned face. His jaw was squared as he looked into Meg's eyes. She looked longing at Raoul, his eyes twinkling in the reflection of the fire. He stood, lifting her into his arms.

"Megdaline Sarafina Giry, listen to me." He lifted her chin to look her directly in the eye. "I implore you, never speak so censoriously of yourself again. You are a graceful, sweet, gentle, loving young woman. It would be me that you would marry, not my father."

Meg tried to turn away for the shame of what she was hearing. Raoul put his hands gently but firmly on Meg's shoulders. "Meg I do not wish to marry based on any shallow thing that the flesh holds. It is what I feel in my heart when I close my eyes that matters most, and Meg….I love you."

Meg looked up at Raoul's tear stained cheeks. "Oh Raoul, I am sorry, I shouldn't have…I'm…" Raoul slipped one hand behind Meg's back, gently drawing her to him. With his other hand he carefully lifted Meg's chin up to look into her eyes. "Do not let us deny ourselves happiness Meg…" He leaned forward, her pale blue eyes twinkling as his lips met hers.

She closed her eyes, he pulled her closer to him. She was overwhelmed with the sensation of his touch. Raoul was gentle with her, yet she could feel so much yearning in his embrace. She leaned into Raoul, sliding her hands around his neck. After a few minutes Raoul opened his eyes again, pausing to look down at Meg.

"Here, let me take you to your mother's room, you must be tired, it has been a long day." Meg was indeed tired. Last night had been rather long even though she'd slept into the later part of the morning.

She looked up at Raoul whose face now held a broad smile as he looked over every inch of her face. "Raoul I…" He leaned down placing another kiss on her lips. This one was a bit more intense than the last, and Meg trembled from the sheer force of it. Raoul slid one arm around Meg's waist, the other around her back, pulling her as close to him as she had ever been. All at once he reached down pulling Meg up into his arms, holding her in his arms as he had at the winter house the night he'd first held her.

He carried her over to the window. From there they could see the statute that she and her mother had admired outside of her bedroom window. Tonight it was illuminated not by torch, but the gentle bathing of the cool crisp light of a full moon. He kissed her forehead as he pushed back the sheer window covering with his elbow so that they could both gaze out at the night sky. Meg had never felt so safe, so comfortable.

"Meg, I've not shared this with anyone before." Her pulse quickened. In the last days he'd confided so many things to her that he'd never entrusted to another soul. With the passing of each special thought or memory that Raoul conveyed to her, she felt their connection growing deeper, for surely he trusted her to keep his confidences. He was revealing himself to her on a level that was so very personal, so intimate. She was letting go of the doubts, one by one; they were being replaced by hope. Hope that they could one day really love one another. The road would be long and difficult. Yet they traveled it not alone, but side by side, and the destination…..only they could decide.

"Meg, when I was a little boy, my mother and I sat by that statute out in the garden at my father's house. It was her favorite." He smiled down at her. "She would tell me stories about the creatures on it. She was truly gifted in conjuring up stories for me, her imagination was quite prolific!" Tears began welling in his eyes, a lump had grown in his throat as he gazed at the statute. He let out a little gasp.

"Raoul?" Meg reached up her hand stroking his cheek. He looked down at her, the tilting of his head causing his tears to drop down his chin and onto Meg's collarbone. "I am sorry," Raoul put Meg down on her feet looking around for something to offer her. Meg reached out and took Raoul's hands, leading him back to the window.

"It is alright Raoul," she reached up rubbing her hand along her collarbone, not to remove the tears, but to blend them into her skin. Raoul looked down at her, a bit of disbelief in his eyes. His hand involuntarily reaching out to her stroking her collarbone. It slid behind her neck as he found himself once again kissing her in the pale light that spilled in through the window. He pulled Meg into an embrace, turning her head so that it faced the window, resting against his shoulder. "Do go one Raoul," He smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"The last story that my mother ever told me…..the last time she was well enough to walk to the garden with me…it is something I've never told anyone, not even my sister. Truly, she was a bit jealous of the time my mother and I spent in the garden by that statute. She preferred to wander around behind my father when he was home. They had much in common, both were serious, and she loved to listen to his stories about work, about society, and the like." Raoul shook his head.

"My mother told me the last story on a evening very much like this one, although a bit earlier in the evening of course." He smiled down at Meg who'd turned her head up slightly to catch the look in his eye. "She told me of….the woman I would marry." Meg felt herself starting to tense. Raoul sensed it, rubbing her back gently, his hand wandering up to the tips of her honey-blonde hair. He began running his fingers through it. "See how the woman has long hair, pulled back by a ribbon?" Meg looked out at the statute, "yes," she replied.

"My mother told me of the gentle, angelic, creature that I would one day marry. I remember it with near perfection…" he closed his eyes…he could hear her voice in his head as he began to repeat her words… "she shall have flowing blonde locks, eyes of sky blue, she shall be as dainty as a ballerina, she will love sipping tea with you in the garden, dabbling at watercolors, taking long carriage rides in the country, listening to you read, taking walks along the moor."

It hit Meg as though she'd been struck by a lightening bolt….that is what Raoul had been doing…. "Meg, my mother knew of you before I even did. She predicted you'd come into my life…how can I not believe that this was meant to be when the one person I loved and trusted most in this entire world, described you to me perfectly years before you were even born?"

Meg was smiling, though it made her cheek ache as it tugged at her stitches. She lifted her hand to it, trying to hold it in place. Raoul noticed her hand, and then a thought came to him. "Meg, I must show you something, though I fear that it may frighten you a bit, it is entirely eerie to me, though I think you must see it, lest you think I jest."

He took her hand and led her from the room. Slipping on her cloak from the closet, and his as well. He looked around. Though it was still quite early, the entire household had retired for the evening. They were the only two that still stirred. He quietly opened the door. Meg shivered as a rush of cool air circled her ankles. Raoul led her outside, quickly closing the door behind them. He led her over the sidewalks and down to the courtyard where the statute sat, surrounded by the shimmering crushed rocks. Soon they were in front of the statue. It was much larger up close, nearly eight feet tall, casting a shadow over their very presence.

"Up there, look at the face of this woman." Raoul said, turning Meg's head upward. She was surprised at how detailed the artist had been with the features of the hair, the chin, the ears, the gentle slope of the neck. "It is beautiful Raoul." She exclaimed in a breathy tenor.

"Meg, did you look carefully……look at her right cheek." Meg gasped. There on the cheek was a faint mark, a scraping away of the original stone sculpture, a mar in the surface, though only detectable if one searched for it.

Raoul stood with Meg in his arms, gently pulling her head to rest on his chest as they stared up at the figures. "Meg, that night as I held you by the window of that house…..I knew…..something in the depths of my heart…the depths of my soul….it cried out to me….you were the one that she had predicted." He smiled at her. "Meg it was destined to be…" He pulled her close. She was shivering.

Meg paused, looking back up at the figures as Raoul began leading her into the house. "You are cold my dear. Let us warm ourselves by the fire. Then I best get you to your mother's room. She'll begin to wonder why we've tarried so long."

Raoul looked over his shoulder. There was a carriage coming down the road leading to his house. "No doubt, that will be the doctor, coming to pay his nightly visit my dear." He leaned down kissing her atop her head and led her back into the house and into the study. Raoul walked back out to await the doctor's arrival.

Meg stood in that room, looking out the window at the approaching carriage. She ran her hand along the thread of the stitches, glancing over at the statute. "How very strange indeed." She said to herself. He had been thinking about her, about how she fit into his life, he'd been walking her through a carefully orchestrated set of events, and she'd passed the tests every step of the way, unknowingly. Something was strange, yet comforting about all of it. How could his mother have known? That was something, Meg decided, she would never understand, nor did she feel the need to. It was Raoul that had embraced it, and that is all that mattered.

Meg watched as Raoul walked down and shook the doctor's hand. He had reached out and put a reassuring arm on Raoul's shoulder as he accompanied him up the walk and into the house.

"I think you will find your patient quite well this evening." Raoul said as he led the doctor into the study. "I shall leave the two of you alone." He smiled at Meg as he pulled to door closed.

The doctor turned to Meg, "so young miss, how are you feeling this evening?" He smiled at her as he took off his cloak and came to rest in the chair across from her. "I see the color has returned to your cheeks….if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were glowing!"

Meg was indeed blushing, the doctor knew. She could tell by the look on his face. "I am feeling quite well this evening doctor….what did Raoul tell you that you smile so?"

The doctor laughed a little. "Do not worry Meg, I've been keeping Raoul's confidences for years." She smiled at him coyly as he began removing the first of her bandages. "He told me that I might offer you my congratulations…that your mother had given her consent." Meg nodded as he lifted her arm closer to his eyes.

"Incredible. It is healing so very well. No sign of infection." "I am very happy sir. I worry only now about his father's reaction, I fear he did not receive the news well….in fact he discovered the three of us in…"

The doctor interrupted her. "Yes, Raoul told me of it. I dare say that his father needs to be a bit more discreet, not nosing about his son's house as though it were his own." Meg nodded in agreement. "This one is also healing well Meg. I am most certain that you shan't even have a scar here." He wrapped it once again. "Now, let's have a look at that cheek shall we?" He brought the lamp closer to Meg, leaning in closely. "Yes, the stitches are still tight, it seems to be coming along nicely as well. Are you still putting on the salve as instructed?" Meg nodded. "It looks very good my dear, very good indeed."

He returned the lamp to its place, and himself to the chair across from hers. "And how are you feeling? Are you sleeping well?" For the first time that evening she found her mind wandering back to that hideous dream. The look on her face told the physician what he needed to know. "Did you make use of the pills I gave you?"

Meg nodded, "yes, just one." He reached out and touched her knee. "Meg, do not worry, that is why I gave them to you. They will help you get through these first weeks." He looked at Meg whose face had gone ashen. "Was it a difficult dream?"

Meg nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Frightening." She said looking back up at him. "Meg, they will diminish with time. As you relax, become more familiar with the safety and comfort of your surroundings, the frequency and intensity of the dreams will fade." He paused and then continued.

"You are quite safe here Meg, and you must know now that Raoul will do everything in his power to help you through this." Meg nodded. "Now then, you should get some rest. I've need to talk to Raoul for a few minutes."

The doctor rose, Meg following him to the door. "Thank you…for what you did last evening for Raoul." The doctor spun around looking at Meg, surely Raoul would not have told her of his injection. "He slept most comfortably I understand. Perhaps your visit with him gave him some reassurances." The doctor smiled, "yes, perhaps it did. Good evening to you miss Meg, I shall see you on the morrow."

Meg watched out the window as Raoul escorted the doctor back to his carriage, pausing to talk for a few minutes in the middle of the walk. Soon he was on his way back into the house, and the doctor was on his way as well. Raoul deposited his cloak on the hook by the door, returning to the study where Meg waited for him. He came in and embraced her.

"I understand you are healing well, that is wonderful." He smiled at her as his hand slid down into hers. "Now, I've instructions to see you off to bed. The doctor insisted that we both needed our rest."

They traveled up the stairs, Raoul leading Meg down to her mother's room. At the door Meg stood facing him. He leaned down kissing her on the cheek. "Goodnight my dear, sleep well."

Meg was turning to enter the room when she stopped. She'd not taken her pill that evening, and didn't want to repeat the horrors of the previous evening. She looked hesitantly at Raoul, deciding she'd wait until he retired before she retrieved them. "Goodnight, I shall see you in the morning…perhaps on the morrow we will…" Raoul finished her sentence, "take a ride in the countryside." He smiled at her. She nodded and ducked into her room.

Raoul sighed as he headed to his own quarters. He stopped briefly to peek out the hall window. He was happy to see that the guards were posted as instructed. He'd sleep better tonight. The day had been eventful, but for once, in a great many days, he was happy with the results. As the sun set on this day, it had been a memorable one….for the right reasons.

XXXXX

Christine had slipped her arm through Erik's as they walked up the path that led to the house. Their carriage rattling off toward the carriage house. The house looked inviting from the outside. Peering through the window Christine could see that all of the canvases had been removed, revealing Erik's exquisite selection of elegant décor.

"Christine, if you do not mind, I would very much like to visit with Nadir…we need to take care of Sara's arrangements." Christine said, "but of course Erik, take as much time as you need. I should like very much to take a bath. I hope that the staff have been able to prepare for this request. I know it seems a bit much all things considered, but I have need to soak a bit I think."

Erik smiled at her. This would give he and Nadir time for a long visit. Though Sara would be among the topics they discussed, it would not be the first item of business. He needed Nadir's help sorting out the events of the evening. No one but Nadir understood him, thought like him, or could help him the way Nadir did.

As they walked into the house Nadir stood and came to the entrance of the parlor. Sitting down his glass of sherry. "Christine," he reached out, kissing both of her cheeks. "How are we feeling?" Christine blushed, covering her stomach, replied "we are feeling quite well thank you."

Turning next to Erik, who was returning from hanging up their cloaks, "Erik my friend, I've looked forward to seeing you tonight, we've much to discuss about…" "Yes, I know. Christine has most graciously agreed to allow us a long while to sort things out." Christine nodded as she moved toward the stairs.

Erik was at once at her side, leaning over to brush a kiss affectionately on her cheek. She blushed. "Now you two do not stay up too late tonight." She gently instructed glancing toward Nadir and then Erik, "I shall miss him at my side." Erik looked down at the ground, a bit embarrassed. He knew full well that Nadir would chide him for her comment.

"Good night Christine, sleep well." Nadir called after her. She smiled back after him, and nodded to Erik as he watched her disappear around the corner of the banister.

"She does love you Erik, it oozes out of every pore of her really." Erik turned to smile at Nadir. "Yes, I am a truly fortunate man."

Nadir marveled at how Erik had become comfortable without his mask. He neither favored one side or the other, nor did he try to hide. Something had changed in the last two days, and Nadir felt the need to discover what it was.

Erik led Nadir back into the parlor, pulling the doors closed. "Nadir I've much to tell you. Some parts of this are likely my mind at work against my sanity, but parts are a bit unsettling now. I know you've come to discuss Sara, and I promise you we shall before we retire, but first, with your permission, may I unburden myself?"

Nadir nodded. His questions could wait if they needed to…there was always tomorrow, and Erik had never made such a polite request before…perhaps Christine had been a good influence on his demeanor as well Nadir mused to himself.

Erik motioned for Nadir to sit, bringing his glass of sherry to him. He'd not poured one for himself, and tonight he wouldn't he wanted to be entirely clear when he recanted what had happened. "Come do tell," Nadir said as he took a sip of his sherry. "Very well," Erik began.

It had seemed like minutes only, but Nadir distinctly heard the chimes of the grandfather clock that stood in the other room strike eleven times. "Is that Christine's clock?" Nadir inquired. Erik nodded his head. "Well," Nadir said standing and walking over to the fire. "This is indeed a development isn't it?" Erik was staring into the fire. "What do you intend to do Erik?"

"We shall stay here as long as Christine desires. As the weather warms, I have no doubt she will long for the cooling breezes from the sea, but I shall stay as long as she feels need to." Erik's look turned cold. "I shall try to avoid the woman if I am able." He looked at the flickering flames of the fire. "It disturbs Christine, and I shan't want to do that while she is in such a delicate condition." Both he and Nadir knew that his statement was true only in part, for it disturbed Erik if not more, than at the very least equally.

Nadir nodded. "How is she coping with the visions…the dreams? Does she sleep at night? Does she eat well? Is she afraid?" Nadir looked seriously at Erik, "Have they begun coming to her while she is awake?" Secretly Nadir hoped the answer to the last question was no.

Erik stood coming along side Nadir. "She has decided to face them…she wants to discover what they mean, not run from them. That is half the battle isn't it….accepting them instead of running from them."

Nadir nodded. "She is a strong young woman indeed Erik. I've known this to drive the beholder quite mad. If she can manage to face them, embrace them, she will be all the stronger for it." Erik nodded in agreement. He needed to change the conversation before he dwelled on the subject to the point of his own madness.

"Now Nadir, will you agree to seek out that woman for me? It will likely be difficult to find her alone, since her daughter and grand daughter will be quite vigilant about keeping her inside in light of her recent behavior."

Nadir nodded. Secretly he was marveling at the possibilities. Perhaps this woman had been from a neighboring village, had known De Chagny when he was younger, could perhaps shed some light on a path for Nadir to follow. He knew it was unlikely that it was more than a passing coincidence. It was far more likely that the woman had spent some time in Paris, or had read the name somewhere. Yes, he decided, that was far more likely.

"When I am in the village arranging for Sara's transport, I shall see what I can find." Erik exhaled. "Thank you Nadir, you are a true friend. I will rest a bit easier if I know the woman is but mad." Erik shook his head, it was unlike him to find comfort in the suffering of another. He said, "It is ironic how confirmation of her insanity, will restore mine!" Erik smiled at Nadir. "Now, let us get some rest. I am quite certain you must be weary from your travels." Nadir nodded as he and Erik walked side by side out of the parlor.

"Good night then Erik, I shall see you in the morning." "Goodnight my friend, sleep well." He paused, looking back at Nadir. "It is good to have you here again." Erik said smiling at Nadir. They were steps away from each other, each headed in opposite directions when Nadir turned around.

"Erik?" Erik turned looking back at Nadir, "what is it?" Nadir swallowed. "What was it that made you choose this house…in this place?" Erik walked back toward him a few steps.

"Truly," he said reflectively running his hand along the wall, looking up at the ceiling, wainscoting, the hard-wood floors. "I passed it every time I paid you a visit. It had set empty for so many years, neglected. It was a diamond in the rough."

Erik's gaze became distant as though he were peering back through time to recapture his decision. "I needed to find a place far from Paris….from Persia that I could inhabit.
A place where I neither commanded respect nor instilled fear. A place where I could live in utter obscurity. There was something oddly familiar about Chauesser. I cannot put my finger on it exactly, it just seemed like home to me." Erik shook his head, furrowing his brow. "I am aware how ridiculous that sounds coming from me….home…." he huffed.

Nadir looked at him with empathy, Erik had never known what the word home truly meant…it had simply been beyond his frame of reference. "The park, especially at night…it called to me." Erik shook his head again as if to shake off the blanket of memories that flooded over him. "I'd hoped one day to make my home here…to one day bring Christine here…it was my wildest, though impossible dream." Erik huffed, a disgusted tone now taking over his voice, "if ever I decided to live in the land of the living again." Erik stared at Nadir. "Why do you ask?"

"It has always puzzled me, and I've never thought to ask before that is all. She truly is a beauty. I can see why Christine would want to stay here. She is likely starting to feel a bit like a nesting bird."

A broad smile crossed Erik's face, "indeed my friend….indeed. Good night." The pair parted ways. Nadir was smiling fiercely. He had to find that woman in the morning if he could, for she could hold the key…just the key he needed.

Author's Notes:

DarkMoonLightBright: Thank you for the compliments…I am blushing a bit! I dare say things have settled into a comfortable lull. We've all needed a reprieve from the stress these poor people have been under don't you think? Now, yes, 'The Music of the Night' is a beautiful, beautiful piece of music….and then to be sung by someone like Gerard, it makes it even more magnificent. The fact that this man is not a trained singer, makes the roughness of some of the parts even more wonderful because his voice…his talent is so raw. I admire him in so many ways….he was trained as a lawyer…never trained as an actor or musician…that is how you know the talent is real…if one can do that without any formal training….well…..I've seen plenty of actors who went to the finest schools who should probably get a refund on their tuition because they have no business in being in that profession! But our beloved Gerard…he is a natural talent, and at no point during the POTO did I ever question that he WAS the PHANTOM! Yes, I am in love with that song…I walk every day during my lunch hour, and I play that song over and over again. People must think I'm nuts when they drive by and see me smiling dreamily from ear to ear as I walk…oh well….it just reinforces my reputation I guess! Thank you for enjoying this story with me. I do not think I can improve on the movie…it was entirely wonderful…but truth be told…I simply could not live with that ending…Erik and Christine had to be together…that is why I started writing this story! I never dreamt it would be this long, but then again, I never imagined some of the twists and turns…they just come to me as we go along. Ah yes…Erik when the baby arrives…can you just imagine! He loves that little one so much now…I can only imagine what he will be like when he actually can get his hands on it! Have a great day!

PhantomFan13: Please, no bursting….I don't want to lose a phamily member! Yes, there are things brewing for everyone it seems just now, and no doubt when things start to let loose, it will look like a snow storm! It is good to hear you are doing volunteer work, that is what makes the world go round! It is wonderful that you can put in your hours with something that you obviously love so much…it makes it that much easier to be enthusiastic about it. I was laughing when I read the name your friend's family called her. Tinie? Well, no doubt she has outgrown that by now. Yes, some families really like to keep all of the children with the same letter of the alphabet. I have a friend who had five siblings and all of their names started with M. Then, I have another family that I knew that came to this country from Somalia, and they loved the name David so much that they named all eight of their sons…you guessed it….David! They each had a different middle name, and that is what they actually called them. Funny how that all works sometimes. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Try not to get too sore on those horses, and give the poor pony a break…he was probably just trying to get back at you for riding him!

Poettzproblem: I love your reviews. You always seem to cut to the chase! Yes, the love cup does overflow right now for Meg and Raoul, and you will no doubt have found chapter 104 to be no different. But alas, you are right, the gentle calm cannot last forever… Let me see, over thinkers in history…Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Einstein, Aristotle, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, Plato, Socrates, Madame Curie, Emerson, Walden…. The list could go on and on. Without these so called "over thinkers" this world would not be the same, so keep on "over thinking" who knows where it might take you!

PhantomLover05: Hmmmm, it makes sense to me now, it helps you to track things. Well, we all have our habits it seems. As for Madame Giry's and Raoul's secret plan…that will be revealed in the next few days…but right now there are a few other pressing issues to clear up first! Now, as for my age….well I can tell you that I am neither young….nor old…. I am still looking for the love of my life, therefore I am not old. To have read so much, experienced so much, to own a house, have three jobs, travel so much, I therefore could not be too young…. So, I am "ageless" for right now. The origins of my name…well…I have to say I've never been asked before, but I shall try. I wanted Phantom in the name, because it was after all the Phantom which brought me to the fanfiction web site. I wanted dreamer in my name, because, well….I've always been one. Angel is part of the name because I have a fond adoration and respect for the creatures, as you may be able to tell from the way they keep popping up in the story. So, putting them all together I came up with the name….and I think it suits me…I do dream one day of finding an angel to spend my life with…and alas if he could look like our beloved Phantom….I would be one, happy, happy, girl!

Diveprincess: Glad to hear you have your cast off…boy…that was quick! Don't worry about James. If he is a true friend, he will be over it in no time. He might be a bit edgy because guys sometimes feel responsible for things that they really have no control over. He might be feeling guilty that you got hurt when he was with you, and he's feeling like should have been able to protect you somehow. Sometimes that makes them mad, and they say hurtful things. I don't know why it happens that way, but I've seen it a number of times. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't take whatever he said too personally because he might actually be feeling really guilty and it just came out all wrong.

Yes, I'll add Gulliver's to my list. I love chandeliers, yet another one of my obsessions! I only have one in my house, and it is the original from when it was built in 1918. I just cannot bring myself to replace it…it is sort of like family now because in truth it has watched as all the families that have lived there were married, raised their children, it witnessed the aging and death of its owners, and then as other families did the same…yes, I am a sentimental schmuck! So, Gulliver's will be right up my alley…and of course, we all know I have a thing for statues…alas…there are several in our story!

You take care of yourself, and don't worry, things will be better soon…remember they can't keep a good (wo)man down!

Hopelesslyobsessed: You're already on your 7th time? I think so far I've watched Dracula three or four dozen times. It doesn't take me all that long because I have my favorite parts that I fast-forward to, so I've got it down to like a half hour to watch the parts I like best! But yes, our dear Gerry is talented. He can be entirely believable, and entirely so GERRY in every role he plays. All I can say is whoever snags him as a mate someday is going to be one VERY lucky lady! Now, don't go out and get the movie 'Timeline' or you will be very conflicted. There our dearest Gerry also wears a cape/coat and it is an entirely different type of movie, but alas, it still has the same GERRY factor!

O.K., the portrait of Raoul's father hung in the parlor at Raoul's house. There will be more to that part of the story in coming chapters. Yes, Meg and Raoul are a cute couple. They are so very different from Christine and Erik, which is interesting because if they are brothers……well, I don't want to spoil the story now do I? And yes, the old lady. I have plans for her. Remember, no one comes into the story without a purpose….And last of course, the warm fuzzy feeling…yes, I get it too. I wish everyone in the world could have a love and appreciation for someone like that…we'd all be sooooo much happier.

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Stellalorilai: Oh how your little phamily has missed you! We were going to send out an APB on you. Yes, I can understand, life can get really busy sometimes, and it demands our full attention. I sometimes feel that way when I don't get to write or respond to e-mails over the weekend, but work we must! I'm glad you've had a chance to get caught up on the chapters. Yes, I can hardly wait myself to see how Meg reacts….no doubt because it was a combined effort on Raoul and her mother's part, it will be very special to her, and no doubt, firm up in her mind that Raoul's intentions are sincere. Oh….I am excited now! Yes, Erik's past is starting to reveal itself, and it may affect him in more ways than anyone ever realized…..