Nicole and her mother made their way down the stairs and to the back of the Inn. The doctor stood rather abruptly, as if he were a guard found sleeping on his watch, straightening his waistcoat. As he saw them approach, he felt an odd sort of twinge in his stomach; these women would become his quasi family while he was in Chauesser for the first half of his obligatory year at least, and something about that thought was entirely pleasing. The City itself had never felt like home, and somehow he imagined that being of some great use on a personal level to a tight-knit family, would ease his loneliness.
He began gathering his books, filing the loose pages into bound volumes of more complete works. Seemingly not the most organized method, but it was one piece of advice his grandfather had given him; put together a library based on what you need to know, and continue adding to it. All texts and published works from journals on any particular subject or malady, all put together in one place. It would be the way he was certain to practice, for he could see the logic in it. It was yet another time that same day that he thought his grandfather would be smiling at him.
"Thank you…" Nicole said as she approached the doctor, her mother close in tow.
"How are we feeling?" he inquired as the woman passed him, smiling awkwardly up into his concerned glance.
"There have been better days doctor, but I shall enjoy this one for what it is. I am most certain they do not grow longer nor better from here forward." She glanced down, and except that she bit the corner of her lip, obviously distraught though fighting it, one would never know what shadow had befallen her.
Her words were wise, and matter-of-fact. He rather imagined that was just her way, brutally honest. The doctor could make no argument with them, though he'd have preferred a bit more optimism. Perhaps it was the woman's very tenacity that gave her such courage; he could only hope that it would serve her well.
Though he'd not read far enough today in his texts to the discussion of outcomes, he knew it by heart… "eventual collapse of the respiratory system, decreased heart activity, eventual coma followed days after by death." He pressed his eyes closed as he held the door open for the women. Now he was chastising himself for dwelling on the negative.
Once outside he helped first her mother, and then Nicole into the sleigh, climbing in behind them. If it had been him alone, he'd likely have traveled on foot, but he could not have asked these women to do so. It would have been a difficult task physically for the woman that was certain, but it wasn't his primary concern just now. He could only imagine the excruciatingly pitiful irony of trudging through the snow, to the undertaker would be now….especially after what they had already endured. The mind was an important part of the health of the body, and he'd no want to cause either further injury.
The ride to the undertaker was made in silence. There was nothing to discuss, and frivolous, idle chatter seemed entirely superfluous just now. Everyone knew where they were going, and what needed to be done. None could have imagined exactly how very little there was left to do, or who had already come forward to make arrangements.
The doctor glanced across the seat at Nicole. She held her mother in her arms, head resting against her shoulder, eyes closed. There was something sad about it. Not where they were traveling, but that the woman was finally coming to accept that her own body was wearing out; her long denied symptoms and suspicions had been confirmed. She was accepting them, and it looked a bit like it had already defeated her, the doctor thought to himself. He turned staring out the window. The sun reflecting off of the snow was nearly blinding.
The sleigh came to a stop in front of the singular building on that part of the street. It was large, sectioned into two parts. The rear, which was their destination, was designed to be rather unobtrusive really. White clapboard, several smallish windows, and a formal though short walk from the circle where carriages or sleighs could turn around. The largest part of the structure was one where family gathered for reviews. It's slender white spires made it look rather like a church, pierced the sky. It was seemingly even taller since it was situated on a bit of a hill, the back part was nearly invisible from the front, which is just the way everyone liked it.
Without so much as a word, the doctor dismounted the sleigh, reaching out to take Nicole's hand to help her disembark. They both turned, taking a hand of Nicole's mother helping her descend. She nearly buckled as her foot first hit the ground. Her weakness alone could be attributed to a variety of things. What troubled her now was the thought that several days ago she sat chatting with her mother by the fire, and now…she was preparing to have her buried…it was overwhelming.
Nicole reached out instinctively to catch her mother, but before she'd even had time to catch her, the doctor had scooped the woman up into his arms and was carrying her toward the door. "It is a bit slippery on this walk, and we've no need for you to break a bone dear lady. Besides," he said smiling down at her rather disapproving and embarrassed face, "you shan't mind a ride shall you?"
The woman was truly aghast. She wasn't certain if she was more embarrassed at her obvious emotions, or the fact that she was being carried into an undertaker. Something about the last thought was morbidly funny, as it spread through her consciousness, she began to laugh. It startled her, and the doctor. Nicole rushed to her side, snapping out of her own stupor at what had just happened, thinking her mother to be overcome with grief and fits of tears. When she reached her side, she found her laughing. A look somewhere between distraught and confused crossed Nicole's face. "Mother?" she said with a curious look on her brow, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
The woman was still laughing as the doctor put his first footstep on the walk that led to the undertaker's door. He'd seen this reaction before; grief often has very strange ways of manifesting itself.
"You have to admit…" her voice was broken by the laughter… "there is nothing like planning ahead, though I do think I've a few months really, and I don't think that the undertaker will take kindly to my perching myself at his back door awaiting service." Her laughter overtook her.
Nicole's brow furrowed, her lips and face went cold. There was nothing of any humor in her mother's statement, but the woman's laughter was infectious, and by the time they reached the door, Nicole holding it open for the doctor who chivalrously carried her mother inside, was laughing herself.
The undertaker was moving away from his lunch as he heard the bell over the door signal that they had company. His office had seen a steady stream of business so far that day. In addition to Andre, and Misty, there had been a number of other citizens that had come forward offering to help with the arrangements for the woman. It was no secret in a hamlet this size, how very poor the woman's family was. Though he could easily have benefited from the influx, he knew he'd be found out, and even more loathed than before. Not that the citizens of Chauesser had any real choice, he being the only undertaker in the City, but he did, after all, have to live amongst them.
"May I help…" the man's voice dropping off as he saw the doctor putting the woman to her feet, Nicole standing next to her.
"I'm here for the arrangements about my mother." She said flatly, her humor now gone.
"I see…" the undertaker was assessing the situation, not being certain who might be taking the lead, but watched with understanding eyes as the doctor and Nicole took seats on the opposite end of the room. "Do come this way dear lady, we can talk in private."
Nicole looked down at her hands as she began to fumble with the folds of her skirt. Her mother had been very specific before they'd ever left the inn. She wanted to do this alone, though Nicole couldn't imagine why.
The doctor looked over at Nicole, feeling a bit flushed as he sat there with her in silence. She had a perfect profile, porcelain skin, and lips that were a fair pink and slightly puffy and rounded. It was almost distracting sitting that close to her.
They could hear the muffled conversation on the other side of the wall, and then the chairs scuffing on the floor, a door opening and closing, and then there was nothing. They both knew what the woman would have requested…she wanted to see her mother, no matter how unpleasant it would be. In several minutes more they could hear a very muffled sound of someone crying.
Nicole's lip began to quiver, a sudden rush of tears spilling out onto her cheeks. Without a thought, the doctor reached out and slipped his hands around Nicole's, caressing it tenderly. Nicole's eyes flashed at him, a temporary distraction from the throws of her own grief.
"Do not worry Nicole. Life by its very nature is painful from beginning to end. We struggle to be born, we in fact come out of our own mother's womb crying from the horror of the experience, being thrust unwillingly into a new world. Then, there is the pain of growing, becoming accustomed to a body that changes with every sunrise. Then, there is the eventual process of aging and degeneration, followed by the natural outcome of a deteriorating life form, we die."
He patted her hand, looking into her eyes, somehow knowing this rudimentary explanation provided little if any real comfort to her.
"What I meant to convey Nicole, is that though this is difficult, it is a process that everyone must go through. Every circumstance is not the same, some more unfortunate than others," he glanced toward the doorway that her mother had passed through. "Grief is meant to be a means of physical release for the mind. Yes, you will and should have want to comfort your mother, but do not pity her, it will do nothing if not intensify her own guilt for burdening you with her troubles. Be there for her. Though you may sit in silence holding her hand, and feel as if you are doing little for her, you will in truth be giving her precisely what she needs." He glanced back at Nicole. Her eyes were still brimming but she nodded in acknowledgement. The doctor reached out putting his hand alongside Nicole's cheek, guiding her head to his shoulder.
Nicole didn't fight it. It was one human comforting another human, and she needed it desperately just now. There the pair sat, the doctor holding Nicole's hand, her head leaned on his shoulder…waiting. There was nothing more to do now than wait until her mother reappeared.
Nicole was grateful all over again. The two newest members to the City of Chauesser, had become the two greatest allies she had found since she'd arrived there some years before. How very odd the twists that fate takes…providing just what you need, at the precise moment it is needed.
XXXXX
Misty finally came to rest in a chair in the kitchen. She had poured herself a cup of tea, and was entirely thankful that the two cooks who had been there before had retired to their quarters for a late afternoon nap. She sat with her head in her hands, rubbing at her temples. She'd had the last few hours alone in the master suite, cleaning and primping it. She was quite pleased in having that finished. She'd taken a pot of floral leaves and spices up to the room, and built a small fire perching the pot over the flames. It would imbue the room with a wonderful fragrance, furthering the inviting ambiance of the room. Something about doing that for Stephan and Elizabeth brought her great pleasure…it was as if their happiness and pleasure in it was somehow an extension of her own happiness.
The day had been long, and the wait until sunset would be seemingly longer. If they did not arrive by nightfall, there was an excellent chance that they would not arrive until the morrow. She sighed. Stephan was certain to be irritated by the announcement of unexpected visitors. She'd rather hoped that they would return that day so she might have opportunity to tell him herself. The house was being readied, as she knew he would have instructed if he'd been there. She supposed for now that was all she could do until their return.
She glanced up as she heard a pair of feet coming down the hall. It was the young man that had accompanied her into Chauesser. She smiled blandly.
"Would you mind terribly if I joined you?" He said with a sheepish grin.
"Not at all," she said, "do have some tea won't you?"
The young man nodded and found his way to the stove and counter, preparing a cup for himself. "It's pleasant really…." He said glancing over his shoulder as he poured the hot water into his cup, "knowing that the mysterious Lady C is paying a visit on us."
Misty shot him a fiery glance, quickly retreating…there was no way for him to have known what she knew about the goings on in Chauesser, and their master's opinion of it.
"Pleasant yes, under most circumstances it would be an honor. But I dare say our Monsieur is a rather private man. Since he's not all that familiar with what Lady C means to this City, or impressed by her wealth," Misty's eyes were roaming the kitchen with every fine appointment his own winter house had, it paled in comparison to the fineries at Courtland Manor. "He is more likely to find this unexpected visit more of an irritation and inconvenience than he is to find it an honor."
The young man was joining Misty at the table. "Why do you think that is…that he has such a mysterious past…as if he came from nowhere." He said, blowing to cool his tea just slightly so as to take his first sip.
Misty had all manner of speculations about that very subject, all of which she would be keeping to herself just now, not knowing which if any would be true. "I don't know, but I do know he believes everyone must contribute whatever they are able, doing what deeds are within their ability for the greater good of all those around them." She took another sip of her tea.
"He is extremely well educated, does anyone know where he studied, where he came from before he made his home here?" The young man was just curious, indeed, no more curious than everyone else in the master's employ, but perhaps a bit more brazen, and brave enough to ask the question that everyone else was thinking, but not posing.
Misty shook her head no. She'd no idea. "I think it best we concentrate on what we do know about him. He's a man who guards his privacy, he has a very wonderful wife, he takes good care of all of us, and does not seem to like surprises." Misty looked down at her cup.
The young man was beginning to understand. "And you see Lady C's visit as a surprise….one he's not likely to enjoy?"
Misty looked at him with a most serious eye, "yes, that is exactly how I see it. I only hope that they return early enough for us to send a polite letter of declination before she makes the journey here. I doubt very much she would take well to being rebuffed at the outer gate to the winter house!"
The young man just nodded. There was so much he had to learn about the master of the house…and he was determined to be an asset to him, not a detriment.
XXXXX
The Opera House was busy on the level were the remodeled dormitories for the staff had just been opened for occupation that very afternoon. There was a bit of quibbling going on over several of the perceivably nicer rooms, but for the most part, the staff were simply grateful to be moving out of the storage areas that they had made make-shift communal rooms until their quarters were ready. The dinner was nearly ready, as everyone flitted here and there carrying their personal items to their respective rooms.
Several floors below, there was also a flurry of activity. The man had only had company but once, and that was the very woman he was now planning to entertain again the day after tomorrow.
He'd always kept rather tidy quarters, but that had been for his own benefit. There had been nothing in his room that was not functional, and he had to admit it was rather drab. He'd gone about borrowing a few items from the props department. A bright daffodil tablecloth, a number of crystal candlesticks of varying shapes and sizes, a trio of mirrors, and pair of more comfortable chairs. He'd furthermore taken several potted ivy from the hall near the back entrance. He'd have them returned before sunrise on Monday when Firmin and Andre would arrive. The room was looking rather cheery he thought, a bit of color and light reflecting from the mirrors. Now all he had to see to was a decent menu. He'd have to travel to the market…and perhaps the barber. He wanted to make this experience as pleasant as possible for her…so she'd not dread the others. He sighed. At least he would have pleasant conversation for four of the nights that he'd be in this place.
XXXX
She was finally resting in her normal perch, staring out the window at the City. She'd tired herself, playing for hours as the staff had labored in silence preparing all of the things that was requested of them. She'd refused lunch when it came. The bowl of vegetable broth and honeyed bread lay cold and untouched until just an hour ago, when the staff had retrieved it.
She'd played everything from the favorites in her repertoire, all from memory, as pleasant scenes from her life passed through her mind. There was just something about music that made everything feel real….alive. And it could draw her back to a place and time more swiftly than anything else she knew.
She'd thought of her grandfather, in the dark of his study banging in frustration on the keys of the piano, followed precipitously by a round of muffled tears, and then something a bit more light hearted. It was almost a daily ritual with him, even when he had company. She'd guessed it to be something of a drug for him, perhaps a bit like morphine to ease his pains. She sighed.
She'd always looked forward to her visits with him with a bit of intrigue and despair. He was brilliant, and moody, but yet loving and compassionate with her. The study was always dark when he'd permit her to join him, his voice was kind and gentle. She never minded sitting in his lap as he told her great stories of castles and kings, dragons and princesses, damsels in distress and knights with shining armor. He was a gifted story teller, and no two were alike, nor like anything she'd ever heard before, or after. The darkness of the visits didn't really bother her, in fact she was quite old by the time she'd first questioned it. It had been made clearly known to her that it was just not she that was not permitted to see him in the full light of day, but all others. The only exceptions were his wife and son - her father.
He had been a wonderful man, and she wondered what it had been that had made him so unhappy that he'd locked himself away for so many years in darkness. There had only been one hint…one suspicion she'd had from one visit in particular.
She was six and a half, almost seven. It was the fall of the year, and the leaves were crisp and colorful, creating a carpet of crimson, orange, and chartreuse in the woods behind her grandfather's house. She'd come for a visit, and admittedly she was a bit early, and a bit more than anxious to see him. He'd started a story that he'd not finished on their last visit, and she simply could not wait to hear how it ended. She'd shot out of the carriage that had delivered her to the house, her governess her only supervisor that day. She'd gone straight away to the only room she'd ever found him in, flinging open the doors without so much as a knock.
She saw his figure, staring out the large wall of windows overlooking the back lawn that blended rather closely to the forest just beyond the house. She'd heard a gasp, and a growl, and for a brief second, she saw a face, it looked distraught and as though it had been burned by a great fire. She couldn't be sure that her youthful eyes weren't playing tricks on her.
He'd run from the room, slamming the door to the hallway at the back. She'd heard him yelling at someone. There was a trio of maids that had flurried into the room through the doors she'd left carelessly open behind her. They quickly ran to the windows dropping the heavy drapery across them. Her governess came rushing in, chastising her for her impertinence.
She'd been immediately remorseful, tears quickly bursting forth as she realized she'd hurt her grandfather's feelings, and broken the one and only one rule he had given her. Soon everything was set in place, her eyes dried, her dress straightened and he had reentered the room.
"Dearest do not be afraid, I am not angry with you. Come, come, let us set about finishing that story shall we?"
She'd been relieved by his tone, and quick forgiveness, venturing eagerly over to nestle herself in his lap. Somewhere during the story her curious hand had wandered up to his chest, as it had hundreds of times before. She always leaned her cheek on her hand, and it against his chest. This day she'd done so out of burning curiosity. Slowly she'd raised her hand inch by inch until she was twirling the ends of his cravat with her fingers. He seemed not to take notice, though she was certain now he'd have found that entirely irritating.
In a second she regretted her actions yet again that day. Her curious hand dropping his silken cravat, flashed, though gently, up to the cheek she'd thought she'd seen in the light. He had suddenly grown stiff and his words stopped abruptly. There had been a moment of terrifying silence as her hand carefully wandered the flesh of his cheek. It was smooth, yet rough in places. She'd thought to venture further up the side of his cheek, but a firm hand collected hers into his, placing it back down in her lap. In her childish wonder she asked the most innocent question.
"Does it hurt grandfather?" She'd heard him sob just once. "I'm sorry grandfather…" she'd began to cry too, "I won't ever ask again. I love you."
Lady C sat staring blankly out the window. Even now, so very many years later, it saddened her. She and her grandfather never spoke of it again, and she learned a valuable lesson that day. Loving her grandfather meant that she'd not question his methods or motives, but instead appreciate the time he'd been willing to so lovingly extend to her. She sighed. He'd been a wonderful man, and she'd adored him more than she had her own father.
Her attentions quickly shifted. She'd heard the door at the back of the house hours before, and was certain she'd heard Andre's voice in the outer rooms. She wondered why he'd yet to present himself. She was eager to learn of the response to her visit, and if he'd been able to take care of all the things she'd requested of him. She reached over, and for the first time that day she lifted the silver bell ringing it.
The maid nearly toppled into the door, obviously she'd been stationed just outside for hours. "Madame?" she said smiling politely.
"I wish to speak to Andre, he has returned has he not?" She inquired.
"Yes my lady, he has," she paused, "would you like me to bring you a fresh pot of tea?" She looked hopeful that she could bring her something a bit more.
Lady C smiled at the young woman. "Yes the tea would be lovely, and a second cup for Andre. The other things will wait until after my visit with him."
The maid curtsied and disappeared down the hall.
Lady C turned back once more gazing out the window. The sun had given the most sumptuous rays of amber, copper, and crimson, imbued with a bit of a sapphire tinge as it set in the Western sky. It had been a beautiful day, and now it gave way to a beautiful night.
XXXXX
Erik and Christine had wandered through the parlor for nearly an hour. They'd finally reclined in the foyer, of all places, watching the sunset through the beveled glass windows. They'd rather enjoyed coming together under the colored tones that light filtered through glass stained with color provided. It was a feeling that came over them whenever they saw it, and they were drawn to it like moths to a flame.
They'd listened as they heard the woman whistling as she worked; something that was entirely familiar to Erik. When he had visited with the woman, interaction was not always required of the pair. They each truly did appreciate more fully than anyone else he'd ever known, the comfort of solitude. But it had made both very happy to know that just several rooms away was a living, breathing person, who they could visit with whenever they were so moved to. It had been part of their ritual whenever he was there.
Erik's glance turned as he heard what could only be Erphan coming down the hall.
"Monsieur, Madame, the sleigh is ready for your trip. I shall be outside when you are ready. The sun is nearly set." He nodded to them and turned and departed.
Erik kissed Christine's forehead. "That is our cue my dear. Are you ready?"
Christine turned herself around in the warmth of his embrace, running her arms around his middle, nestling her head in his chest. "I am ready, as long as these warm arms are there to hold me, I am ready for anything."
Erik smiled, rising to his feet, bringing Christine with him. Erphan had dutifully returned with their cloaks in his hand, extending them to Erik. Then he departed down the hall and out the door.
"Now, we must bundle you up warm. The sun provided warmth while it shone in the sky, but I've no doubt that there will be a damp chill in the air when we venture outside."
Christine nodded. Allowing Erik to pull her cloak around her, affixing it at her neck.
Erik leaned down, brushing a delicate kiss along her cheekbone. "Come my love, there are those who are most eager to see you." His eyes were twinkling.
Christine smiled at him once more, looking up into his eyes with such gratitude, she'd need say nothing further.
Erik slipped on his own cloak, took Christine's arm and walked down the hall. They paused momentarily in front of the woman's sewing room. "We are off then dear lady," Erik called out not disturbing the curtain for he'd not want Christine to see what was going on inside.
"Have a wonderful evening dear. Do not worry for the hour of your return. We can have a nice visit on the morrow, I'm afraid I might be up all night, and you would only be a distraction!"
Erik laughed at the interjected humor in her words. "Very well then, on the morrow we shall have a proper visit." Inside he was relieved. He'd no sense of urgency to return now, they could take as long as they pleased at the Opera House.
The door opened, Erphan extending his hand to Elizabeth, "do watch your step, it is rather dark just here," he guided her down the steps.
Erik gave him a knowing glance, indeed, the boy was learning.
XXXX
Madame Giry and Meg had wandered the dormitories while they'd waited for Nadir to return to join them. Taking full advantage of the privacy that they had, Meg had been openly speculating about which rooms in the dorm would cause a fight, and who was likely to be rooming with whom, since each bedroom housed two girls.
They'd sat a long while with a pot of tea in the great room, looking out at the City of Paris as the sun had begun to set. Truly, it was the best vantage point for viewing the rising of the sun, but they were amazed at how beautiful it was to watch as the City lost the daylight, and the colored hues of the sun set bathed the buildings with a glowing pink, gold, and auburn. Madame Giry smiled to herself, knowing that Erik would be exceedingly pleased.
Now back in their private quarters, Madame Giry and Meg wandered out onto the veranda. Truly it was far too cool to be out-of-doors, but they'd bundled up, wanting now to appreciate that last of the colors on the Western horizon.
Meg smiled up at her mother. Something about the cloak of the darkening sky made her feel more brave. "I sensed a bit of tension when I returned to the parlor earlier today mother, is everything alright between you and Nadir?"
Madame Giry could feel her face flush. "Why ever would you have to ask, you know that we are on the most reasonable terms." She was going to avoid the issue as long as she could.
Meg smiled, she expected as much. "I was but a bit curious that is all."
"Ladies…" Nadir's familiar voice greeted them from within the suite. "It is time."
Madame Giry and Meg looked at each other, a great look of anticipation in their eyes. They embraced briefly before they turned to join Nadir. They'd be visiting with their friends in a short while, and they could only imagine the reunion they would have.
They joined Nadir, neither removing their outer garments. It would be cold where they would be going, and in truth they'd have to make it appear that they were leaving so as to protect their real interest in being at the Opera House. They were grateful for the distraction of the move taking place just floors below. Everyone would be duly distracted, making their travels much easier.
XXXX
Erik had Erphan drop he and Christine just a block from the Opera House, in front of a rather large restaurant. Then he was instructed to go one block to the East to a place where a meal for he, JP, and the woman would be waiting for him to retrieve. It was her favorite restaurant, thus providing proper excuse for the additional journey.
Erik waited until the sleigh disappeared from view before he guided Christine quickly to the back of the Opera House. He was thankful, Madame Giry had remembered to leave the door unlatched, as she had so many times before when she knew him to be arriving late. He and Christine slipped in without incident, and quickly made their way to the dressing room, and through the secret panel in the wall.
Christine's breath caught in her chest as Erik led her down this corridor, as he had so many months before, though this time it was in utter darkness, but she was not afraid. It was like visiting a ghost from a past life, it felt eerily familiar, yet comforting.
Erik, sensing Christine's hesitation, stopped and embraced her, kissing her tenderly, rubbing his hand along her back as he brought her head to his chest. "This must be difficult for you." A twinge of guilt in his voice for not having thought of it sooner.
"No, not difficult….just different. Both times I was going to be with my dream…" she paused, looking up at him in the darkness, "this time, and the last, and now I am yours, wholly, and completely yours. The hesitancy you feel my love, is not of trepidation, but merely my embracing the idea fully in my mind….that indeed, my heart-felt longings have finally come true."
Erik's eyes were damp as he kissed Christine in earnest, his lips grazing hers and then her cheekbone, and then her neck, her collarbone, and then coming to rest just below her ear at the corner of her jaw. Oh how he'd wished he knew how long they had before their company arrived…..