Erik woke, stretching fully. He could tell without even opening his eyes that Christine was not at his side. He smiled to himself. Something about being in that room...under a blanket...clothes discarded and hanging by the fire to dry...it was unconventional...and yet it seemed so natural. The fire had been stoked so that the room was warm. He could tell by the way the logs were stacked in the fireplace, that it had indeed been Christine who'd done it. He shook his head. Perhaps she would learn to listen in time. She'd been a much more obedient pupil. Now as his wife, she took a few more liberties to rebel. He smiled.
He'd no doubt that his staff had been busy now clearing the snow, at least making a path to the house from the barn. He stood, wrapping the blanket around him. Regretting, no...wishing he hadn't left his robe in his room upstairs. But then again he hadn't planned to find himself in his present circumstances with clothes drying by the hearth. He smiled again. He was growing rather accustomed to surprises. Christine's surprises…he was particularily fond of. He knew he shan't ever grow weary of them.
He walked over to the window pushing the curtain aside. He'd no doubt that the storm raged on; he could hear the winds battering against the side of the house even before. He saw Erphan helping a man down by the gate. He'd come by dog sled, and looked rather frantic as Erphan led him on snow-shoe up to the house. The gardener had cleared a path so that they'd at least been able to get inside. Erik couldn't go out to greet him and his clothes were far too soggy to even consider putting them back on. Erik went to the door of the library and pressed his ear against it straining to hear the conversation.
"My good sir, I am dreadfully sorry to disturb your household on such a day as this, terrible storm and all, but I've just come from Chauesser. The young woman and her mother thought I should perhaps check here with you, to see if you've seen her...that she hasn't been to disturb your family sir."
Erphan quickly correcting the man's statement. "I'm not the master of the house good sir, I'd say he's resting just now, but I can assure you we've taken in no company this day sir, save yourself of course!"
Erik heard the maid come into the hall. "Hot cup of tea sir, you look frozen to the bone." The man thanked her, but refused the comfort of the parlor, he needed to be heading back. "We thought we'd make certain that she'd not managed to venture this far, and I dare say a woman of her considerable years, without a sled or snow shoes would never have been able to even make it out of the city. But I promised I'd check for them."
The man was sipping his tea. Erphan offered a warm lunch for his trip back to Chauesser, or something for his dogs, all of which he declined. "Thank you sir, I best be on my way back. The snow is getting deeper, and the winds are picking up again. The
drifts...I've not seen drifts this size in the entirety of my life!"
Erik heard the man set down the cup, thanking Erphan again. He was reaffixing his cloak. "You understand she's a bit off sir, but the town does love her. She'd never been trouble to any of us. I don't know why she'd have ventured out on a day like this, but whatever the reason I pray she's alright. It's pitiful, her granddaughter had been up all night working at the tavern, and when she came home she was gone, and her mother too. She found her mother, but they've had no luck finding her."
Erik leaned heavily against the door. He listened as Erphan bid him goodbye and wished him success, and a safe trip back to the village. Erik could hardly breathe. It had to be
her...who else could they have been talking about? If they lost her now...if she died now...he would never know...they would never know. His heart was pounding...his mind swirling. She had to be found, simply had to be found. But how many souls would put themselves in harms way to find a woman they thought to be a nuisance? Erik watched as the man went on his snow shoes back to the dog sled. Without thinking of the present consequence, Erik knew what must be done.
He opened the library doors just slightly, startling Erphan so much he nearly toppled over the hall bench. "Erphan, bid the man wait, I shall accompany him." Erphan looked at him wide eyed. "Sir?"
Erik was irritated, time was of the essence. "Do as I say young man, I'll not ask you again!" Erik bellowed, opening the doors fully and marching out into the hallway wrapped half-way up to his chest. Several maids who'd come to the hall to see what the fuss was about quickly scampered back to their posts. Seeing their master dressed, or more correctly, not dressed fully was a bit unsettling for them.
Erik took the flight of stairs two at a time as Erphan went to the door calling out to the man. He turned around coming back to the house.
Erik was in his room quickly dressing in as warm a garments as he could find. No doubt a lady's wardrobe was much more plentiful and diverse than a man's. Erik found himself wanting for the very things he was certain that weren't yet dry by the hearth. He dressed as best he could pulling on several pairs of socks and a set of boots he'd not worn in a very long time. He was dressed, and though not at all proper looking, he was fairly
certain he'd at least be warm and dry. He pulled on his coat. Covering the entire ensemble with a thick heavy black cloak.
When he turned to go to the door, he saw her. Christine standing there in her robe. Her skin damp and dewy from the bath, her hand on her chest, the other on her stomach, her cheeks wet with tears, her face pained and pleading.
Christine walked to Erik. "Erik? Where are you going?" Erik couldn't bare to look at Christine. His heart was breaking, but he needed to do it, he knew he needed to do it.
"Christine," Erik began, taking her hands into his. "The woman, the one that was at the tavern that night, the one who's granddaughter found us that night…"
Christine reached up touching Erik's cheek. "What is it Erik, what?"
He looked down into her eyes. "I know you will worry my dear, but I must go into Chauesser. The man who was at the front door…"
Christine's eyes turned frightened and wide. "What man?"
Erik was just now realizing why Christine seemed so frightened, she'd heard none of it. "The man who came looking for the little old woman. It seems she's gone missing and they feared she might have come here."
Christine's hand was up covering her mouth. "In this weather? Where could the woman have gone?" Christine abandoned Erik's hand, moving swiftly over to the window. There was a sled and a team of dogs lashed to it.
Erik joined her, looking down at the sled. "Christine, it's but a few miles, and those dogs have seen much worse I am very certain. A sled, snowshoes, warm clothing…we are quite prepared."
Christine turned wrapping her arms around Erik's waist. "Erik, must you, must you really go from here? What if something happens to you….after all we've been through Erik, would you risk our being parted….all of us being parted?" She ran her hand along her stomach.
Erik looked down with such compassion. He understood her fears. He leaned down placing a reassuring kiss on her cheek, and one tenderly on her lips, reiterating his love and passion for her. Taking her head into his hands he said, "my dearest Christine, if I did not think that a life might be spared for a bit of my own discomfort, I'd not go. No doubt there are very few men roaming about even now, and many who would not come out in this weather. If something should happen to the woman and I'd not tried to help her…" Erik was looking pleading at Christine.
"Erik, why now, after all this time…why now?" Erik wasn't sure what she meant. "You'd spent so many years removed from a life you longed for. And now, when it seems that you have nearly everything you'd wanted, why would you take such risks?"
Erik quickly realizing they might actually be on their way to their first real argument, tried to soften the blow. "My dearest Christine. In the years before you came to the Opera House, I'd made this journey countless times, but not just from this house to Chauesser, but from Paris to here, and I dare say in weather that was just as foul. The man you see outside has had much experience I am certain, traveling in this weather, for indeed one does not make that sort of investment in sled, and rails, and beasts, unless one is fairly certain of, and confident in its use."
He looked down at her, using his index finger to lift her chin so that he might look into her eyes. "Christine, I shan't go if I thought I'd not come back to you. I've been accused of a great many things my dear, but never of being a fool." He ran his hand lovingly across her abdomen. "I shan't want you worrying for their father my dear, I shall be fine. I will return to you as sure as the morning sun. If I am successful, I'll return before the sun goes down. If not, I'll spend the night at an Inn in Chauesser and return at first morning light." His tone, while still compassionate, took on a resigned tone, he'd not be talked out of it.
Christine wiped the tear from her cheek, sliding her arms around his waist and pulling him to her. She kissed his chest, as he wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss atop her head. "Erik, I shall worry for you…it is the very nature of women my dear, we worry for what we love."
Erik smiled, she'd given her consent, however reticent it might be. "Do be careful won't you." She said as she pulled away looking at him.
"I shall my dear." Erik glanced once more out the window. The dogs were beginning to howl, they knew the storm was stirring again, gaining its second wind, and it was time to press ahead. Erik turned around looking once more at Christine. He walked over to the table by the bed, lifting a heavy volume he walked back to her, placing the book in her hands and a kiss on her cheek. "While I am gone, perhaps this will keep you company."
Christine looked down, "Great Expectations…" She smiled, looking back up at Erik, "I am quite afraid this will be of no comfort at all, it shall make me miss you all the more!"
He leaned down giving her one last kiss, and then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Christine started to cry silently. She would worry, and nothing anyone could say or do would comfort her until he walked back through those doors. She knew he needed to do it, and she too would have felt terrible if something had happened and they'd done nothing.
That was one thing she and Erik had talked about so many times. Society had become so strange. The notion of only helping others if it didn't inconvenience oneself, had become rather the fashion, much to the displeasure of the compassionate. If Erik had not gone, he would have forever tortured himself, and Christine knew it. Yes, she had to let him go, he needed to go, it was what needed to be done. Something in her told her that she shan't see him again until the morrow, so she settled in her mind to find some distraction.
She watched as Erik climbed the back of the sled, behind the man. Erphan having brought out warm plates for the dogs, quickly collected them before the man raised his whip. They were off.
Erik glanced once more up at Christine. He shan't forget the glow of her pink dewy face as she stared out at him. She pressed her palm to the glass, mouthing the words "I love you." Erik's heart warmed, she was truly a wonderful woman…a wonder filled woman. He leaned in behind the man as the sled turned around in the yard and headed off towards Chauesser. The day was still young, but the woman had been gone for hours. There might be little hope, but he had to find her, and somehow he knew that he would…he could just feel it in his bones.
Christine watched until the sled was no longer visible. She let the curtain drop from her hand. She rubbed her hand along her stomach, and found herself humming the song that Erik had sung for her last night. She was blushing though she didn't need to. She had become a wife, a mother, and in the twinkling of an eye she'd changed from young chorus girl to woman…the woman she'd always hoped to become all along…..her angel's wife.
XXXX
Meg went to her mother who was now fully dressed, but needed assistance with her corset. Meg could tell just by the position of her mother's back, straight and stiff, that she'd no intentions of discussing what had happened between she and Nadir. Meg knew it.
Instead, Meg decided to talk about something less in need of intense discussion. She pulled on the first laces of the corset as Madame Giry held onto the bed post. "Mother, I'd rather fancied wearing the daffodil dress today, as you suggested, but it being so cold outside, perhaps you could help me select something a bit warmer, and a bit less, I don't know…a bit less formal."
Madame Giry smiled, there was much for Meg to learn. "My dear, you shall quickly learn, ladies of society do not wear plain clothing, even in the leisure of their own home. They've no house work to do, nor anything tedious of that nature. You must grow accustomed to wearing dainty things as everyday garments, though I know it will seem entirely strange to you for a long while."
Meg's eyebrows raised, she hadn't really thought about it…no manual labor? "It sounds entirely exhausting Mother, truly, no labor? Where does satisfaction for a job well done come from if you've no job to do?"
Madame Giry laughed. "My dearest Meg, that is a mystery that I shan't be able to help you with. Perhaps Raoul's sister could be of more use to you in that regard."
Meg smiled as she finished tying her mother's corset, and the ribbons on the back of her dress. "Perhaps I should spend some time with her. I've need to thank her for helping you with all the things in my room. My room…." Meg's voice trailed off.
Madame Giry turned around putting both hands on Meg's shoulders, "my dear, one thing follows another. Raoul prepared this room in hopes you'd have want to stay. His intentions are very plain. This would be a far different life than the one you've led up to this point my dear. It will take time for you to make this alteration, if that is your desire. Do not feel you must let your mind do all the work, let your heart lead you, for there you will find happiness."
Madame Giry stopped, blinking hard, and she turned away from Meg. The irony of her words falling heavily on her own soul. "Follow your heart…" she thought to herself…for she knew where her heart led her right now, and that was to the man in the very next room. Though she felt guilty for it. She couldn't be thinking of herself now.
"Mother?" Madame Giry put a smile on her face and turned around to face her daughter. "Come, let us go to that closet of yours and see what we can find that will be both warm and suitable for you. I'm certain that there will be something that we can agree upon." She took Meg by the hand and led her out into the hallway and down toward her room.
XXXX
Raoul had dressed. He'd looked out the window several times observing his staff scurrying about trying to keep the snow and wind from filling in the path they'd managed to make from the barn to the house. The horses and cattle had been out for a brief time, stamping down the snow by the barn. He'd heard the scraping on the roof and watched as sheets of snow had rained down to the ground below with a thundering crash. He looked up into the skys, it seemed that the snow was getting heavier again, and he could hear the rattle of the windows in the wind.
He turned back looking into his room. Something about it seemed different to him. It looked empty…too empty without someone else in it.
Suddenly in his heart he felt a strange pang, a tremendous urge…an urge to have this room filled with that which he wanted most, a family. He shook his head. Never in all of his life had he had such a feeling overcome him out of the blue. Yes, he'd wanted to have what he knew was required, but he'd not felt such an urge come over him before.
He closed his eyes. It was as if he could see he and Meg sitting in the bed, a swarm of young children climbing about as they played together as a family on a long winter's day. He smiled. It was a wonder to him, how his mind was shifting. He wanted a family. Perhaps subconsciously it was the guilt he'd felt for acquiescing to Meg's request to remove the picture, thereby insulting his father…it all had to do with keeping the name DeChagny alive he supposed. But for the first time, he imagined himself as a father. Whatever had caused it, he couldn't take the smile from his face. He walked toward the door to his room, glancing back toward the bed. "Perhaps someday…someday not far from now." He said to himself as he closed the door.
He walked down the hall toward the stairs, passing Nadir's door, and just as he did Nadir was coming out himself.
"Good morning to you Raoul!" Nadir said, joining him in descending the stairs.
"It is an odd one indeed my friend. I dare say we'll have much time together, as not a creature will be stirring outside today!" Raoul said.
Nadir smiled at him. He wasn't certain if Raoul was thinking about the fact that Sara was still in his stable, or if he was talking about the buildings being buried under feet of snow. Either way, Raoul's statement was correct, they'd be going no where today. Nadir glanced over at Raoul, bending his brow just slightly…was that a glimmer in Raoul's eye, a bit of a grin on his face? "Raoul, what is it that pleases you so this morning?"
Raoul looked at Nadir with a bit of shock on his face. "Whatever do you mean?"
Nadir smiled at him. Yes…it was most decidedly a twinkle in his eye. "You young man," Nadir said in a half chiding tone, "look like a man in love, with a great deal on his mind!"
Raoul's half smile now fully crossed his face, he couldn't deny it. "I must admit, though the snow is deep, and I should be thinking about other things, my mind does rest on a certain someone today."
Nadir patted Raoul on his shoulder. "I know just what you mean sir, I know just what you mean." The men smiled at each other as they came to the parlor. Madeline had placed a silver tray with rolls and a pot of tea on the table between the two divans. The fire in the hearth was inviting, and they could see the steam rising from the pot. This would be a pleasant morning indeed.
XXXX
DeChagny rolled over in his bed. The skies were still full of snow, the room was still warm and he, well, he was still tired. He'd toyed, briefly, with the notion of getting out of bed and getting dressed. Though it was not in his typical nature to laze about, there was little that could be done today, and his body bid him rest. No doubt someone would come to fetch him if he were needed.
He rolled back over, pulling the cover up over his shoulder. His mind wandered from one thing to the next not really tarrying on anything in particular, until it fell upon a spring day…the first he'd arrived in Chauesser, the first time he'd laid eyes on Claire. He smiled as he slipped off to sleep. Perhaps, if he were fortunate, he would find her in his dreams.
XXXX
Nicole and her mother had been inside for just a few minutes. Nicole's first set of clothing now dry, she quickly slipped into them, hanging the second set in their place. She'd no doubt that she would be exchanging them again. They'd attempted to eat some of the breakfast that she'd brought back, for they knew when they went out again they'd be gone a fair while, and with nothing in their stomachs, it would be dangerous. They'd be no good to anyone if they'd end up frozen or stranded themselves.
They were soon bundled up, a small bottle, wrapped heavily in leather, and another of hot coffee, pressed against their middles as they layered on their clothing. It would provide a bit of warmth for them as they moved about, and if they should find her, they would be needing something to warm her. They'd decided to take along a long rope. They'd tie it around their waists so they couldn't become separated in the blinding white of the snow as it whipped around them. Neither had want to go back out into the storm, but they'd no choice. Wherever she was, she'd be depending on them to find her.
XXX
The old woman had climbed inside the top window. She felt badly that she'd had to break the pane of glass with her boot to gain entrance, but she'd had no other choice, the sill had been frozen shut. It had been years, no years upon years, since she'd been in that attic. In fact, had the Inn not had such a tall hill behind it that filled with snow from this storm, she'd not have gotten into it at all!
She had taken some items she'd found up there and covered the window as best she could though the cold wind was penetrating the sides of it. At least she was in out of the cold, and there were blankets and the like that she could cover up with. She'd been resting there since first morning light.
Somehow, being back inside that building, she felt at home. She'd spent the vast majority of her young adult life there as an innkeeper when her mother and father passed on. She'd not married until after she'd left Chausser the first time. Her family had thought her to be a governess until she'd married. They never knew of her former life there as an Innkeeper. And in a town that guarded its secrets well, she fit right in when she returned after her husband's untimely death. Truly, there was more to this woman than any of her family had ever known.
When at first she'd agreed to be a governess for the boy, she thought he would live but a few weeks. As he grew, she'd eventually had to give up the Inn her parents had left her for she couldn't abandon him. Truly neither she nor the man had ever envisioned it; for surely they thought the infant would die within weeks of his birth. She'd taking up living in the upper floors with the boy…until he'd gone missing.
In the years after that, she had moved away and started a new life in a distant town, raising a family there. But her heart belonged to Chauesser, and so to Chauesser she had returned to spend her final days…and with any good fortune, to somehow redeem herself for the sins of her youth.
In that attic were still remnants the new owners had never seen fit to dispose of. She tired of lying about under the blankets. She dug in her bag retrieving the journal she'd kept all those years. It was reading from that journal the night before when her daughter had fallen asleep, and Nicole had left, that made her want to journey there. That dreadful day when he went missing…it haunted her, and it had been a day not all that unlike the present one.
The journal she had in her hand contained but the second half of the story, up through his sixth year…and the day he'd gone missing. But, somewhere in that attic, if it hadn't been found and disposed of, was the first book. That is the one she needed to retrieve, she had to give it to him…so he would know. She began rummaging through several boxes, a trunk, several crates, and then she remembered. He'd found the book and had started reading it…she'd taken it away from him stowing it in a safe place. She could picture the very night in her mind. He'd learned to read just months before, and his appetite for all things penned had become insatiable. He'd had the book in his lap when she'd returned from fetching them some supper. She'd taken it away with a stiff scolding that he was a melding boy and shan't be poking about in things that did not belong to him. She'd given him his supper and locked him in his room.
Yes, she opened her eyes…she remembered just where she'd put it. She walked over to the eave, reaching up over the low board that hung just where the roof met with the wall. Her hand feeling about through a tangle of old cobwebs and layers of dust and other things. "Ah, there it is…" she smiled triumphantly. "Now I've the set together…he should have them both.
She looked around the attic. It had been their home for the years she'd cared for him. A very strange home no doubt, but the need for privacy had demanded something remote, and that was as remote as one could find.
She wandered back to the make-shift bed she'd made, nestling in under the blankets. She'd have a bit of a rest she thought, before she'd try going back home. She knew her family would be worried for her. With what little light that filtered in the attic from the partially covered window, she decided to have a peek.
She brushed off the dust from the cover of the book. Cracking the cover she gazed upon the first page. Her youthful handwriting was like looking at the scrawlings of a ghost from days long passed.
"April 10, the boy, our first night at home. All of seven pounds. Coal black hair, and the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen in a baby. No doubt he'll not survive long, considering his special condition. I shall try to make his days as comfortable as possible until the cruelty this world bestowed upon him, takes him where he belongs. Grandfather is very adamant, no one's to know of his existence. He's left sufficient funds to care for him. It is sad that this situation has torn lives apart. I've no doubt that we shan't recover from it. It saddens me beyond mere words that the father will never know the truth of his son's birth…his features are so very much like him. Soon enough they will be gone from the village, and I've no doubt in several months time it will be over. Perhaps it is merciful, for the doctor assured me he'd never seen any child born like this, and I shan't expect him to survive for very long. Perhaps it is best. His cry is feeble, his lips tremble. Yes, I'll do my best to see that his last days are as comfortable as possible. He's a precious little soul, and I shall always wonder why he's been chosen to suffer so."
She closed the book, wiping the tears from her eyes. He had been a good boy…a good boy. She drifted off to sleep.
Author's Notes:
Dear Faithfuls: I am happy to hear that you approve of Madame Giry and Nadir being paired. Since we may be seeing a much more personal side of Madame Giry, I think it is time we give her a first name! No doubt Nadir will be the only one to use it, but it should be at his disposal don't you think? I've three suggestions (yes I seem to have a thing for the number three) and whichever one gets the most votes from you my faithfuls, will be the one given her. So, here's your chance to help! 1. Persephone 2. Adrianna 3. Julia. Please let me know what you think by next Monday, September 26th. Thank you for your help!
Hoplessly obsessed: Thank you for your kind words. I am always encouraged when I hear that I am bringing pleasure to someone else's life! Yes, publishing is something I am certainly considering…there are a couple of places that might be willing. My, my, re-reading the story? I have to admit that there are times when I go back and read a chapter or two, just to get the feeling for something else, but I cannot imagine how long it would take to re-read the entire thing! You are a dear soul! I hope you like this most recent chapter, though it does little to bring peace to their world!
MeowLeFae: Ah yes, consider the proverbial pot is sufficiently stirred! I realize a feline requires nine lives due to its rather curious nature. But indeed, cats, all cats, live for it crave it, need it….the very nature of intrigue gives them cause to live don't you think? For what would a cat do without something requiring further investigation? Hmmmm?
Phantomlover05: Wizard of Oz? That sounds entirely wonderful. I've not seen a production of that in a very long time. It is so whimsical, and yet something that tugs at your heart strings, helping us to realize that there is no "yellow brick road" that leads to perfection…that inside all of us exists the power to change our own world. It is not something mysterious, we simply need to have the courage to embrace it. We are all far more brave, more intelligent, and more compassionate than we let ourselves believe. So do enjoy it, even the difficult dance numbers!
I am glad you are pleased with the Madame Giry and Nadir pairing. It seems right to do, and one could easily see how it happened….all the time they spent together while Erik slept at Courtland Manor. They've come to rely on each other, trust each other, and it is really their commitment to the people in their lives that depend on them that keep them apart. We shall have to see how this all turns out for them!
Phantomsrogue: Yes, it does seem a bit eerie doesn't it…having much in common. But I think we all share an affinity for the story, so it makes a bit of sense.
Yes, if you don't have opportunity to see 'Batman Begins', at least the sound track would be good. There are several songs that won't make much sense to you unless you've seen the movie. That have the strangest way of eliciting thoughts of the movie as soon as you hear them, they are so powerful, so unique.
I confess, I faced a fear and went and rented 'Interview with a Vampire' this weekend. I set all the candles in my house aflame, brewed a pot of buttered rum coffee, and sat down at midnight on Friday to watch it. I was a bit hesitant, but in the end, it was not nearly as bad as I'd thought. It moved at such a slow pace that I think the gore factor was certainly kept to a minimum, with the exception of the rats, and a couple of other things. I did turn away a few times, something about seeing someone chew on a dead animal was a little more than I could tolerate. I agree, seeing the young girl trapped like that for a century, never having been able to enjoy the things a woman would, seemed entirely sad. Then to see where she found a 'parent replacement' in the woman so that she could let Louis go….that was sad too. The characters were good, well portrayed, and the surprise at the end when Lestat appears…that was rather interesting. I do have to say though I am not necessarily a big Tom Cruise fan, it was rather disturbing to see him dressed like that with that odd blonde hair…it did little to enhance his masculinity! And, I would have to say that Antonio wasn't half bad as a vampire either…though again, he's not my favorite. The entire experience of watching the movie, knowing it was set about the same time as POTO was a little strange. Why was everyone so afraid of the Phantom with vampires running around, terrorizing the cities! I'd certainly be more afraid of a vampire than a ghost! Yikes!
Now, on to 'Moulin Rouge', this is another I've not seen, though I think it shall be slated for this next weekend!
Ahh, Sebastian and Pyotr…they are an interesting pair. It just so happens that those two unsavory characters had been using Erik's winter house as a place to hide their "goods" since the house was left unoccupied for so long during the summer months it was a perfect cover for their "activities". I cannot say more, lest I spoil the fun!
Tex110: Oh my…yes…haunt us with their compositions…that would be entirely lovely. I too think about Christmas early in the year…it is my very favorite season. I don't decorate for any other holiday, but I more than make up for it during Christmas! I take three days in November and shut myself off from the outside world and decorate. I have a huge Dickens village of those charming little houses that take over my living room and my dining room, my kitchen, and several of my bathrooms. O.K., pretty much my whole main floor anyway. Then I put up my tree, stay up till all hours of the night blaring Christmas music (not the frivolous type like Jingle Bells, or Frosty) but some of the more haunting Christmas music, if that makes sense. It is one of the best three days I spend every year! Sorry, I've deviated a bit here…now I'm thinking about how Erik and Christine will spend their first Christmas….oh…..my…..! LOL
Phantomfan13: Yes, Meg finally got to read the note. Erik is thinking of her even now he didn't want to leave her stranded without a choice. He's rather protective of her, wanting to make sure she knows she has a choice, that she wouldn't have to stay with Raoul if she didn't want to. Sometimes people stay in situations they maybe don't REALLY want to be in simply because they feel they don't have a choice…Erik wanted to make sure she had one. He is probably the truest friend anyone could have, because though he may not say it, he's always thinking of you!
Madame Giry and Nadir are indeed a very shy couple. When you have as much at stake as these two do for the people in their lives, they don't really know how to react to t his opportunity. They've spent the majority of their lives thinking about the needs of others. When confronted with their own desires, it is very strange territory for them indeed!
The ending, I have it in my mind to, but I must tell you that it keeps changing…this is a living, breathing creature, and I don't think its ready to be finished yet! LOL
As for Raoul's father, his life is a sad one don't you think? It is hard to say what the author has up her sleeve for him…..hmmmmm.
My goodness, the Eldest, yes, I have a close friend who is also reading this book. She is really enjoying it. I'm on her list to borrow it when she's finished. We've paged through a few things together. I think this author is very interesting. I especially like how he doesn't use chapter numbers, he uses titles instead. It adds and interesting twist don't you think? The story is an interesting one. I understand he's now working on the third book in the trilogy. I didn't realize they were making it into a movie! As for Harry Potter, I've only seen the first two. I tend to watch those on video with my nephew who is a decided devotee. Now for my final confession…..I don't watch TV. Yes, its true. I will watch it if I'm at someone else's house, but I don't at home. I don't have cable, and truth be told, I don't miss it. I've been this way since I was a little girl, preferring to sit with my nose pressed in a book. My mother even bought me a dictionary one Christmas as a gift and you'd have thought she bought me a brand new toy! I was probably the only third grader who spent their holiday break reading a dictionary! I'm very odd, I realize. Maybe that's why I'm always in my own little word! LOL!
ChristineluvsErik: I agree, I am happy for them too! They are, as another reviewer so aptly put it, a shy couple, so their relationship, if there is to be one, may develop a bit slower than the rest, and certainly not without emotional entanglement!