Chapter 118 Come Let Me Show You
Erik went to down to retrieve the pot of tea. The maid poured out the now tepid water, replacing it with hot, and a fresh tea-ball. Erik placed several slices of the cake on two plates. He was accustomed to serving himself, and tonight, he needed to do this for Christine. Though he was the master of his house and could do as he pleased, the maid wondered at his actions. There had been a great many things that they'd admired about the man, even before they really knew him. Now, he was changing all the rules that had been held sacred by staff of service for centuries.
In a few moments time, he found himself once again on his way up the stairs, silver tray in hand, the teacups clattering against their saucers as he went. As he passed the hall window, he glanced outside. The sky was full of fluffy white matter falling from the heavens like tiny feathers dropped from the wings of angels. It was no longer a mischievous snow…there would be a substantial blanket on the ground by dawn, Erik thought to himself. At least, it being the winter house, they'd have everything they needed should it come to pass. He wondered if the snow would travel as far as Courtland Manor. There was little there but a skeleton crew, just enough to care for the animals, and the other things that needed tending. He smiled to himself. They'd gotten along all these years without him, surely they could manage now.
He leveraged open the door with his knee. Christine was kneeling by the fireplace, carefully putting on a few more of the small logs that the maid had brought in.
"Christine, I shall do that for you, you should not be…" Christine turned, giving Erik a raised eyebrow and a knowing look. "Yes, I am quite afraid you are going to need to grow accustomed to being taken care of my dear." Erik said, sitting down the tray and coming to kneel next to her, taking the log out of her hand. He used the poker to push the smoldering wood about in the fireplace to ensure it would kindle properly.
Christine had tied the white robe loosely about her waist. As she sat there in front of the fireplace, watching Erik reposition the tinder, the robe shifted slightly exposing her collarbone and one shoulder. Erik smiled at her, reaching down and running his index finger along the length of the bone that ran from her shoulder to the center of her neck. Christine smiled at him, leaning over to place a kiss on his lips. Erik lovingly slipped the robe back up to cover her shoulder….he didn't want her getting a chill.
"Erik, there are things that I can still do myself. If you start now treating me as a lame ewe, I shan't know how to care for myself or our children. The time will come soon enough when I'll need you to put on my stockings, rub my back, and all manner of things that I shan't be able to do myself. Do not weary yourself of your labors just yet."
Erik smiled at her. Christine did not want to be coddled. He understood, perhaps better than anyone. "I know my dear, but please, do not deny me the chance to take care of my family." She smiled at him, knowing full well that her protestations would do little to discourage his dotting and fiercely protective behavior.
"Now come my dear, let us have our tea." Erik said reaching out and taking Christine by the hand. He led her over to the bed. "But Erik…" Christine quieted as Erik brought the tray to rest next to her on the bed, and then carefully climbed in. She'd never eaten in bed in her life, well, with the exception of tea and toast when she was very ill.
Erik poured a half-cup of tea for each of them, lest they spill. Christine smiled at him as he handed her a napkin, and dessert plate. "Thank you Erik. I fear that your son…" Christine smiled, she could no longer use those words, they'd agreed. Erik flashed her a knowing look, this time it was he that had the arched brow. She corrected herself, "I fear that your children have a sweet tooth…that is what I seem to want whenever I do find myself hungry."
Erik smiled at her, leaning over extending his fork to her. It was laden with a bite of cake. Christine smiled, accepting it. Then having put the first forkful of cake into his own mouth, he mumbled. "Then we shall have to…" he took a sip of his tea, "have to see to having fruit here for you." Erik smiled. Though he'd indulge Christine with whatever her heart desired, he would look after her health as well. For that is the only way he knew of to keep that which she feared the most from coming to pass.
They took turns feeding one another bits of cake, taking time to daintily wipe up any frosting that went astray, unintentionally or otherwise. They laughed as the last bite of cake disappeared but a few fragmented morsels. Erik reached down pressing his forefinger into a bit of frosting and then into the crumbs. He leaned over slipping it in between Christine's lips, following it with a tender kiss. "The last bit of sweets for my sweet," he said smiling at her. Christine, in turn did the same.
As Christine withdrew her finger from his lips, Erik, took the plate from her lap, and laid it on the table where he'd already deposited his own, without ever breaking their gaze. He slid closer to Christine, taking her up into his arms. He began gently placing kisses on her cheek, her forehead, her jaw. "Christine…..Christine….Christine…"
She laughed nearly breathlessly, "my dearest Erik," she took his face into her hands, looking him passionately in the eye, "I love you." He returned her stare with equal intensity. He replied as he kissed her tenderly, "I know that you do…" It was the first time that he'd admitted out loud that he knew beyond all else, that she loved him. She was nearly ready to weep for the sheer beauty of his words, when he scooped her up into his arms. Before she could take a breath Erik was out of the bed, Christine in his strong arms. The room was warming just slightly now. She'd no idea where he was going, or what he was doing, but she had little care in the world, as long as she was in his arms, everything was as it should be.
Erik moved over to the window, pushing the curtain aside with his elbow. He stood with Christine in his arms looking out at the falling snow. The lanterns from the front of the house, and the distant ones from the stables behind, gave the falling snow a hint of light, just enough that the flakes from this vantage point, looked more like diamonds as they fell to earth to join the others who'd already formed a soft glistening white blanket for them to rest upon.
"It does rather look like our wedding night, doesn't it?" Christine said, placing a soft kiss on Erik's neck. He smiled turning his head down just slightly to return her affections. "Yes, it does. Perhaps snow will always remind us of that night."
Christine smiled, running her hand up around the curve of his jaw. "Then I should say winter shall always be a most happy season for us…a constant reminder of…." She was far too embarrassed to say it, though Erik knew instinctively what she meant.
"I believe it shall." There were so many times that Erik had been thankful for her. So many times that he marveled at her beauty, her kindness, her goodness. But in the moments when they were alone, as they were now, she filled his soul.
Erik let the curtain drop from his hand. As he turned back toward the inner part of the room, he began to hum. Christine closed her eyes, resting her cheek against his chest, she could feel the vibration within his body. She'd discovered this simple pleasure on their wedding night when he carried her back through the caverns to what would be their marriage bed. In this moment he was never more masculine, more attractive to her. She quickly let her eyes open again. The room was aglow in the soft light of the fire, she would be making a new memory. She no longer had to emblazon his voice in her mind, for fear she shan't hear it again. It…along with the man…would be at her side. Christine smiled, reaching up again to touch Erik's cheek. "I do so love it when you sing."
Erik caught Christine's not so subtle pleading. He smiled as he began to sing softly to her, "I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge, in your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses completely succumbed to me, now you are here with me, no second thoughts, you've decided, decided." Erik leaned down kissing Christine on the forehead. She sighed. How the meaning of that song had changed over time.
"That song, that night…" Christine uttered, as Erik began to dance slowly, methodically, with her in his arms. "Your music moved me Erik, the power…the beauty…you knew what our love could be…even before it was."
Erik felt a painful smile cross his face. It was hard to describe…to put into words…the feeling…when something you've longed for…wanted…needed…was finally yours. The word JOY even seemed to be lacking to describe it. He'd written that song, a final act of desperation to tell her how he loved her, that he knew they belonged together…that there were warm and unspoken secrets that were yet to be shared between them. Even though he held her in his arms now, the thought of the alternative made his heart ache. In that fateful moment, Christine quite literally held his heart in her hands.
"It was your strength in those moments that allowed all that has followed to come to pass my dear." Erik said, kissing her on her temple. "If you'd not had the courage to believe…" Erik's voice caught in his throat.
Christine slid her hand from where it had been on the center of his chest, up behind his neck. She gently turned his face down so that he looked into her eyes. "Erik, even before we were one….we were as one. My strength was a mirror image of your strength. I could not have been brave in those moments, strong in those moments without the years of devoted love that you'd given me." She glanced away, and then back at him. "That is why you shouldn't wonder how I came to love you, for truly, it is you who loved me…. until I could see it for myself. Without you, there is no me. You were my split-apart, the other half that made me whole. There was no denying that two parts had sailed through time and space to find one another. Only the hand of God could keep us apart. Your strength gave birth to my strength. Your love, to my love." She smiled running her hand along her stomach. "And now, I can return that love to you, our love…" Christine put her hand along side his cheek rubbing it lovingly…longingly.
Erik's eyes overflowed, watching the honesty with which Christine spoke in those moments as he held her in his arms. "Our love will give birth to your children that I now am privileged to carry. They will be a living testament to what pure love and devotion can be if nurtured."
Erik drew her further into his arms, putting her face against his neck. Oh how he loved this woman, she was all he had ever needed. No riches, no matter how vast on the face of the earth, could have filled the void in his soul the way that Christine had. He spun her around in the room, as she began to laugh, two souls delighting in one another's presence.
"Come," Erik said, alighting Christine to her feet, "I've something to show you." Christine smiled, taking his hand. She would follow him anywhere.
XXXX
Raoul was the first to hear the back door open and close. "Perhaps the staff have decided to retreat from the cold." Raoul said as he leaned over looking down the hallway. Then he stood. "Nadir?"
Nadir was coming down the hall shaking his cloak. Raoul went down to greet him. "Why ever are you coming in that entrance, we'd have received you…" his voice grew quiet as he looked at Nadir's cloak. "Is that snow?"
Nadir quickly acknowledging him, "why yes it is, there is a mighty storm brewing out there Raoul. I don't recall seeing such a spring storm as the one that now rakes its havoc outside these walls."
Madame Giry hadn't realized it, but she'd been tucking her hair behind her ears, reaching out to make certain there were no strays. Straightening her dress, running her finger under each eye. Meg watched out of the corner of her eyes, she'd say nothing.
Raoul took Nadir's cloak, revealing the carefully wrapped boxes he carried in his arm. Nadir walked into the parlor, going to Meg, "this is for you my dear…from your aunt and uncle. They wished me to convey their regrets, that they'd not be up to visiting you, but they wished you well." Nadir smiled, nodding slightly as Meg took the gift from his hands.
Her skin tingled with anticipation at the thought that she was touching something that Christine had laid her hands on…oh how she missed her, truly, truly missed her! Her eyes began to well. Without warning, she began to cry.
Raoul rushed to her side, "whatever is it Meg?" he was holding her hand trying to lift her chin with his other. Normally Meg would have welcomed his affections, but she felt herself pulling away. Deep inside Raoul felt a twinge of inadequacy. This was the first time she'd not leaned on him since he'd come to her rescue at the winter house.
Meg looked pleadingly at her mother. Madame Giry quickly made her way over to her daughter. "Gentlemen, if you'd kindly excuse us," she said sitting down next to Meg, taking her hand in hers. Meg turned to her mother and leaned into her shoulder as she began to sob.
Raoul's face was blank. Madame Giry could see the pain in his eyes. Nadir glanced at Madame Giry, they'd not even had a chance to greet one another, and though he longed to be with her, he knew what she needed most now, was a few moments alone with Meg.
Nadir looked at Raoul and nodded his head toward the door. Raoul hesitated, half hoping Meg would call out for him, but when he saw how heavily she leaned on her mother, he knew he would not be needed. He swallowed hard, tears welling in his own eyes. He looked at Nadir as they made there way to the door, closing it behind them.
Madame Giry waited until she could hear their footsteps travel down the hall to the other end. She looked down at Meg who'd buried her head in the folds of her dress. "Meg, whatever is it my dear, we are quite alone, and I am certain that if we speak in low tones, we can speak frankly."
Meg raised her head. Even if she could unburden herself, she could only do so in part, as there was so much her mother could not yet know. Her thoughts wandered to the two little bottles that lay tucked in the recesses of the chair on the other side of the room. Perhaps a long conversation with her mother, and one little gray tablet would calm her. Though she knew deep inside, guilt could never be gotten rid of without confession….it would sit in her mind like a jagged splinter in a festering wound. Yes, she could visit it and tend to it, but truly until it was removed, it would never heal.
"Mother," she said in a strained voice through the sobs she was just starting to stifle. "How can I accept all of this," she tried to speak lower, her tongue swollen from crying making it difficult. "How can I accept this from Raoul…with the deception…this very package…" Meg pointed to the boxes that lay at her side unopened. "This package was no doubt wrapped by the woman he was engaged to…he believes her to be dead….or he would never….he would never…." She began to cry again, leaning back into her mother's arms.
Madame Giry understood, though she could offer her daughter little comfort. She'd not resolved it in her own mind, so however would she be able to help her daughter find peace? They sat just holding each other. The day had been full of such joy. So many wonderful things had been done for them by the DeChagny family, as of late. There was no real choice in the matter any more.
In order to live one life, they'd have to abandon the other… How would one choose? For if they did not, the torment would drive Meg insane. Christine…Erik…they would have to be dead to her…or she would never find peace…never be able to go on with Raoul.
Madame Giry rubbed Meg's back. "I do not know my dear…I know only that no matter what we choose, we need to be sure…certain we could live in this world without the other."
Meg's shoulders shook. The weeping made the stitches in her cheek ache. No doubt the flesh was engorged from tears and emotions that were being forced through her. She held her hand up to her cheek. "Mother, Raoul…he loves me…in spite of this flaw…he loves me. He has done so much for me…and yet…even now, I withhold from him, that which his soul must still wrestle with, though he doesn't speak of it anymore." She looked pleadingly at her mother.
"My dear, I shan't know what to tell you…let us sleep on it. We can do nothing of it tonight." She lifted Meg's chin. "Now, you should open your gift."
Meg looked at it both longingly and with distain. It only perpetuated the lie, and drove deeper her guilt, but inside, she longed for whatever Christine had sent for her. The turmoil, she knew, would one day be her undoing.
Madame Giry handed Meg the package. She smiled as she untied the beautiful ribbon, carefully folding it. She'd find somewhere special in her room….her room….to put it, for it was far too beautiful to be discarded. The paper came off easily, an envelope dropped to the ground. Madame Giry leaned over to retrieve it for her. Meg sat the packages down, pulling the envelope open she read the note that Christine had tucked in for her.
My dearest Meg,
I was greatly grieved to learn of your tragedy. Surely it is a sad thing that someone would do such a horrid thing to another human being. I rest in the assurance of Nadir that you are receiving the finest of care. He believes you will make a full and speedy recovery. Nadir also shares that your mother's quarters are nearing completion at the Opera House. While we shall miss you and your mother greatly, we are deeply aware that this is where your future lies. Nadir will be traveling between our two cities a number of times in the coming months. Perhaps we can stay in touch through him if he will agree to be our courier. Though Stephan is growing stronger each day, I fear he is no longer himself. He will never be the man he once was, though I think his demeanor has improved. As I near the end of my illness, I shall want to call for you Meg, for truly I do not think I could get through it without you. I've no want to separate you from your new life, but at the end I will need you.
I sincerely think of you by day, pray for you by night, and find my fondest company in the thoughts of your affection. Do take care of yourself, and your mother my dearest Meg. Until we meet again.
Love, Elizabeth.
Tears welled in her eyes. "Until we meet again…" Meg said under her breath. That is what she and Christine always said to one another whenever they were parted, or when they went to sleep at night. They'd pretend to be long lost friends who'd let each other go as their knights swept them off to kingdoms distant from one another. How odd Meg thought…that what they played at as children…could now be coming true.
Meg turned to her mother. "What does she mean, nearing the end of her illness, she is well isn't she?" Madame Giry had nearly hoped that Christine would have shared her joyous news somehow in the content of her letter, for now, she'd no alternative than to lie to Meg. "I am not entirely certain my dear…perhaps she is trying to find a way, make a way for you to visit, that will raise little question."
The answer satisfied her. Madame Giry felt guilty. Of course Christine would need her friend, need HER, when she neared the end of her pregnancy. Though Madame Giry was entirely certain that Erik would take good care of her in their absence.
Meg smiled, the note had indeed made her feel better. Perhaps she could write a more detailed, less cryptic letter to Christine for the when next Nadir would return. She'd so much to tell her, though some of it would be very hard.
Madame Giry smiled, handing Meg the first box. A pale daffodil silk scarf, with a small hand written note "To go with your beautiful blonde hair." Meg smiled, laying it in her lap, and then thinking better of it, she slid it up around her hair affixing it with a bow on the top. The second box, a delectable quad of chocolate truffles, with yet another note. "To keep you sweet." The third box, Meg smiled, she could tell by the weight of it what it might be. She parted the tissue paper exposing a bundled set of sheet of the finest parchment. This note said "Let your words not die within your mind. Let them take flight and find their home with me." Meg smiled. How clever Christine had been.
She took note that the last package was wrapped in slightly different paper, but had been tucked inside the box with the others. Carefully Meg removed the wrapper. It was a book, 'Iliad'. Meg wondered at it. She'd always loved Homer's work, but this was a most unusual selection for Christine she thought. It was a beautiful leather bound volume.
Madame Giry was busily folding the wrapping paper that Meg had removed. Meg thumbed through the book. There in the center, was a small parchment envelope. Scrawled on it was a note. "For Meg alone." She scowled. That was odd she thought, but she quickly closed the book. That was not Christine's handwriting.
Madame Giry took the book from her hand looking at the cover. Meg's heart pounded. "'The 'Iliad'," she laughed. No doubt someone else selected this for you my dear!" She reached out tapping Meg on the nose lightly. "Now, what say you that we collect your things and take them up to your room. You'll be needing a chance to get a closer look at all the things in there. I dare say Raoul's sister was quite busy. There are items in there that I don't even recall!"
Madame Giry offered to carry the gifts for her as they left the parlor. Meg was willing to let her carry everything…except the book.. She'd have to find a reason to send her mother away, if but for a few brief minutes, so that she could read the note…no doubt Erik had something to tell her that he'd not wanted anyone else to know. She also needed the opportunity to retrieve that which she'd tucked in next to her corset. It would find its way into the fireplace that very night. She'd not hide it again…it was far too risky, and she was far too weary to keep track of it.
XXXX
Nadir and Raoul sat in the library sipping on a brandy. Nadir had used his sage wisdom to allay Raoul's fears. "Women simply cannot be fully understood." Nadir said rubbing his chin. "They are a mystery to most of us…perhaps that is why we love them as we do!" Nadir laughed. Raoul agreed, though none-the-less he'd felt separated from Meg. Just when he thought she'd begun to need him the most.
The door to the library opened, "ah, yes it is you my friend!" Nadir rose to shake DeChagny's hand. "I'd expected you at the Opera House mid-afternoon." He said walking over to pour himself a nightcap.
"You look rather comfortable father." Raoul interjected. He was surveying his father's thick and formal robe and his crested slippers. "I've just had my bath son, did you expect that I'd return to full dress before bed?" Raoul just smirked at him. "And did anyone notice it is snowing outside?" Raoul and Nadir just nodded their heads. "And really, this time of year? Just when I thought Spring had finally come for good."
DeChagny settled himself into one of the dark leather chairs beside the fireplace. . They were just like the ones he had in his own study. He'd given them to Raoul as a gift, and in truth, he'd probably made more use of them on his visits than Raoul ever had! He'd had half a mind to retrieve that special bottle of brandy he'd brought with him from Paris, but Raoul and Nadir already had a glass in hand, and he'd not insult his son's offering by bringing out a better bottle. It could be saved for another time, when they had more of it to spend together.
"Now, do tell us Nadir, did you take care of all that you needed to? That poor woman delivered to the undertaker?" He and Raoul both looked at Nadir.
Nadir swallowed hard. "In truth, I'd been delayed in retrieving her, and then, on the road, we'd been delayed a number of times, hansoms and other carriage drivers stopping to inquire what they'd each seen, and to relay the most current information on that Crawlings character."
DeChagny's head snapped sideways to look at Nadir. "Did you saw Crawlings?" Nadir nodded. He wondered at the expression on his face. "Surely you'd heard of it?"
DeChagny replied sardonically, "I can assure you good sir, if I had, I would not now find myself in a position of needing to inquire." Nadir looked at Raoul. It seemed as though all of Paris knew, how could this have escaped his father's attention?
Nadir felt compelled to explain. "Three innkeepers were shot, two dead already, the third likely shan't make it through the night. They say it was the Crawlings boy. He'd come to retrieve the carriage he'd been hiding. When met with some resistance, he decided the only way out was through the men. Exactly what happened no one really knows. They are hoping that the third man regains consciousness so that they might ask him."
DeChagny felt sick to the core. If he'd only been more insistent with the officer, sent a contingent out looking for him...done anything different, perhaps those innkeepers would still be alive this very night. He pressed his eyes tightly shut, swallowed hard, and blinked. It was but another thing in his life that he'd have to surpress or it would eat him alive.
He was unusually quiet. "Father?" Raoul said. DeChagny went to the decanter and poured himself a second nightcap. He walked over to the window gazing outside toward the carriage house. The extra carriages and wagon had departed. Their tracks were now entirely obscured by an ever-thickening blanket of snow. His eyes traveled to the only other place in the carriage house, save the few in the bed chambers above, that contained light. There, on the far end he could see a group of people huddled around a carriage. He turned to Nadir, a sincere seriousness on his face, "she is in there….isn't she?"
Nadir felt awful, but admitting to it was all he could do. "Yes, I'm quite afraid she is."
Raoul's face went ashen. Though he'd no superstition himself, he knew it abounded among his staff, especially in the carriage house. DeChagny turned away from the window, letting the curtain drop from his hand. Nadir looked at Raoul who was a bit unsettled. "Do not worry, I shall see to it that she's taken there at first morning light. I'm quite afraid that Perdue did not answer his door when I paid a call this evening."
Both Raoul and his father bristled. "What did you say?" Raoul said to Nadir. Before Nadir had chance to respond, Raoul continued, "pray do tell me that you'd not went down LeMortom Street at this hour?" Raoul looked as though he'd be sick. "Not at night?"
Nadir knew of the many legends, the many stories, for truly London, Paris, and many of the other great cities of Europe, had a litany of tales attached. For Paris, LeMortum Street held great significance. A great many a murders had happened not far from there, bodies dragged and deposited behind the row of buildings. The street was not one anyone would visit but for one purpose…to put behind them the dead. Though for all the purported treachery, it paled in comparison to what he and Erik had been witness to…truly…THOSE were things that legends were made of.
Nadir nodded. "I'd not wanted to bring her here Raoul. I'd had no choice in the matter, I stopped there first."
Nadir looked down at the ground. The only thing worse than having a body in one's carriage house, was having one that had already visited LeMortum Street, been rejected, and traveled beyond it. It was like bringing back the dead…and none wanted any part of it. The men stood looking at one another. There was little to be done now except wait until the morrow to take Sara back into Paris. For tonight, she would be but another day away from being laid to rest along side her husband.
Raoul's head hurt. Not so much from the physical pains, but the mental strains of the day. It had contained so much happiness. So much fear. So much worry. Far too much of everything but the peace and quiet he'd hoped it would. He'd run the gambit of emotions, and now he simply felt at odds. He could sense that his father and Nadir would prefer to enjoy one another's company. He being old enough to know when his presence was not needed, and young enough to know he'd not likely be able to contribute much to their conversations.
"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me. I've a few things to check on." Raoul walked toward the door. Looking back at the two men who'd walked over to the decanter and were refilling their glasses. "As you wish son." His father said, not even turning to look at him.
Though he longed to talk to Nadir, at this moment, he'd decided, that he'd much prefer the company of Madame Giry and Meg, than to listen to his father further regale stories of hunting and the like. The women in his life could always get his mind off of that which he did not wish to dwell upon.
He went back to the parlor, only to find it abandoned. He glanced up the staircase. They must have grown curious and gone back up to Meg's room. Raoul smiled. At least there was one happy place in the house this night.
Raoul glanced out the beveled heavy pains of the front door. What pale light came from the moon, glimmered off the snow. It was an odd thing…Sara in his stables, the unexpected chill in the air, the spring storm. It had a sense of foreboding about it. He shook his head, and mounted the stairs.
Author's Notes:
Dear Faithfuls: Everyone might know someone who was touched directly or indirectly by Hurricane Katrina. Please take a few minutes today to think of them, and something you can do to help. There is an area radio station in my area that is doing a large relief dive collecting clean supplies and personal care items. If every one of us did only one thing, and then in turn helped someone else to do one thing, just think of the good that can be accomplished! No kind deed goes unrewarded, even if we never see the reward!
Captain Oblivious: Yes, one can never tell who will be next in the saga. Murderous families terrorized people often for decades if they had a vendetta against someone. Hopefully, in this case it won't take that long to rectify the situation!
So, is your RA named Chris, or is that your fish? Yes, fishy is probably looking around for his pals…poor little fishy. Yes, if it's a beta fish, they do go crazy and then go quiet. For fun, if you put a little mirror next to his bowl, he will feel like he has company. Again, if he's a beta, he'll try to figure out how to get to the "other" fish…laughing will ensue! Hope school is going well, and that you are getting all of your homework done!
Diveprincess: NO, no…Raoul is not dead, in danger apparently, but certainly not dead! Yikes…that scared even me! Stay tuned….the adventure is about to begin! Hope school is going well, and that your legs haven't slowed you down too much so far!
Poetzproblem: Thank you. I tried to imagine what the room actually looked like. Unless one is an interior decorator, it is hard to get too deep into finishes, textures, etc., so hopefully I didn't go too crazy on that part! Yes, Christine and Erik are continuing on their honeymoon, after all, they did get short changed a little don't you think? At least they are wise enough to realize it is never too late to recapture a feeling! LOL Oh, and yes, Meg is having a few blonde moments as you call them. Really they are stress induced idiosyncratic episodes, but who am I to mince words! She is under a considerable amount of stress, and doesn't have Christine's inner strength, so it is very hard for her. You are right, in trying to spare Meg the stress of knowing that Crawlings is out there somewhere, he is actually making it worse on her because she feels she is betraying him…if she knew what was going on, she might think twice which would make it easier on her in the end. Oh my…that was complicated! Anyway, hope you liked this chapter. It's a bit longer than some of the others, but I just didn't know when to quit!
ChristineluvErik: LOL, you liked the pie description? Well, I have to tell you I ended up hurting myself over that one…I have not been eating sugar for a very long while, but after that description for you, I had apple pie on the brain and finally had to break down and have a piece on Saturday night…and oh…it was worth every bite! I try to save my sugar for my chocolate fetish, but this weekend, the pie won out! Oh, and I apologize, the dessert thing is likely more clear to you know with chapter 118…and yes, I'd take that frosting anytime! LOL.
Phantomsrogue: Thank you for the compliments. The dying man is the third innkeeper that was shot when Crawlings went to steal his carriage. He is the one innkeeper that the doctor that was to be visiting Meg, was tending to and that is why he couldn't come to see her. O.K. I agree, more fluff would be good, and I dare say this chapter provided a little more of that wouldn't you say? With Halloween fast approaching as you said, I think it would be fun to go out dressed as Christine! I think if I go anywhere on Halloween, I'm going to have to put blinders on…if I see someone dressed like the Phantom, it could be really baddddd! OH MY. LOL
Now, I want you to know that my heart goes out to you and your family. It is my prayer that you have not been directly affected by any of the storms that have hit so many of the people in the southern US. We will keep you in our prayers, and hope to hear from you soon!
ChristinelovesPhantom: Yes, chocolate. I had an apple pie fling over the weekend that took the place of my chocolate fix…but it was a nice diversion! Sorry about the disappointing lunch. It's hard when you go back to see friends sometimes. Things just aren't the same. I guess that is why we have to live in the moment and enjoy everything that is going on in the present, because we just never know what sweet memory we are making! You are welcome for the updates…and thank you…for the reviews!
ElvieIII: Your heart turned to butterflies! Awwww…you made me get all weepy! Yes, I too wish I could have Christine's life…to be loved like that, and to love a man like that…well, let's just say I can hear the bells of heaven ringing! LOL Thank you, sincerely thank you….for the compliments regarding the story. I never know quite what to say when reviews are so very kind. I love hearing from all of you, it keeps me pumped to keep writing for our little Phamily! The answer to your question will they ever visit the Opera House…I would say….that isn't out of the question! (pardon the pun) You just never know where the story might lead!
Icherisherik: First, I want to say that you and your family are in our prayers. There are so many affected by all that is happening in that region, and it is simply devastating. I hope that this review finds you well and safe…and maybe provides a bit of a distraction for all that is going on around you. Yes, much is happening in this story, and a storm is brewing for them! Take care of yourself!
Phantomfan13: Interesting that you share the same opinion with some of our other Phamily members…no one wants to see Erik and Christine go through any more trauma right now…we've all become rather protective of our little newlyweds! In answer to your two guesses regarding the title of the chapter, both of them are true! LOL! Now you'll have to read on to see why!
I'm glad to hear that you are spreading your POTO addiction. If you haven't heard Kelly Clarkson's new song 'Addicted', you need to get it….it so describes what we are all going through with POTO right now!
Phantomlover05: The sick guy is the third innkeeper that was shot by Crawlings when he went to get his carriage. The other two died, and this is the one that Meg's doctor was trying to save. Don't worry, it will make sense in the end.