Chapter 181 At Long Last
Christine's eyes lit with the refulgence of a shooting star, glittering its last on the way to earth. Erik's expression paralleled hers. They'd both looked forward to this very moment with fervent anticipation. It had been far too long since the lot of them had seen one another…far too long.
Meg could not wait for the boat to travel its last few meters. Eagerness drove her into the knee-deep frigid water before the vessel even reached dry ground. "Christine!" She was gasping, a great sob rising in her chest threatening to overtake her already labored breathing.
Christine met her at the waters edge, arms open, trembling, and ready to embrace her. Meg nearly leapt into Christine's arms as she finally reached her. The two held one another as if they could never again be parted. The embrace altered only by the several times they parted just long enough to look into one another's eyes. So great a torrent of tears began to flow, that it would have been difficult to tell to whom the soaking saline belonged.
"Oh how I've missed you my dear sister…I've so very much to tell you." Christine said as she helped Meg to the shore.
"And I you." Meg whispered in her ear, harking back to their behavior as young chorus girls in the dormitories with secrets to tell.
Christine looked up as Madame Giry was properly escorted from the boat by Erik. He embraced his friend, much to her wonderment, without reservation. At first it was odd, for he'd never been that forth right with his affections toward her; in fact no one other than Christine. It took but a minute only, for the gesture to feel entirely innate. They were family now, and he a changed…utterly changed man. As such, he was quite capable of displaying all manner of appropriate conduct suiting a gentleman. The contact of hearts beating within inches of one another as they embraced, provided Erik with opportunity to appreciate what all humankind already knew; love must have an outlet. Erik had lacked the gentle, nurturing touch normally bestowed upon one by their mother. But he was learning. It is never too late to discover how to express your love to those with whom you keep company.
"Erik." Madame Giry said as she leaned fully into his embrace. "Dear friend, we have missed you." She turned her head slightly while still in his arms, glancing in the directions of the Meg and Christine. It filled her with such joy to see the two of them together once more.
Erik too looked in that direction, a great smile crossing his face as his eyes caught Meg's. Madame Giry began releasing him…it was time he was reacquainted with what would now be his sister, if not by blood, most certainly by heart.
Meg's face went blank. The tears ceased, and she'd now begun the slow blinking stare that Christine recognized in an instant. It was what Meg had always done when she'd seen a strikingly handsome man. Christine blushed, for she knew what Meg would be thinking, and how utterly embarrassed she would be when finally she came out of her stupor.
Meg watched as Erik closed the distance between where her mother remained, and where she herself now stood in Christine's arms. Slowly Christine had released her, knowing full well that Meg was now looking upon Erik without the imperfections that had frightened her so before. Christine had nearly forgotten what she'd already become accustomed to…his changed flesh. For Meg, it would be very different, for she would be seeing Erik with her eyes; Christine had always seen him with her heart.
Meg's breath caught in her chest as Erik moved toward her. Her pulse racing. If ever there had been a time she'd doubted the suspicions that she and Nadir had about his parentage, they would finally be laid to rest in her mind. Erik looked unerringly like the man in the picture, Raoul at his feet playing in the sand. There was simply no denying it. As her eyes beheld his ever more defining features, she thought to herself, that it was entirely like gazing upon a man who'd walked right out of the photograph. In the grips of her astonishment, Meg had need to remind herself to breathe.
Meg began to feel light headed, her inhalations coming in staggers, as he moved within arms length, extending them towards her in genuine invitation. She blinked, and before she knew it, she was in his embrace. Her eyes closed…at least from that perspective he was entirely normal to her. Instantly fighting the urge to gape at him. Regaining her composure, she could think of nothing more than eagerly wanting a moment alone with Nadir.
As she rested in Erik's arms, relishing the reunion, another, equally shocking thought washed over her. She'd never had opportunity to find the pages that had slipped from her pocket as she'd climbed the trellis at Raoul's before the storm had obscured the ground, and everything on it, with a blanket of wintry white. Her eyes opened, growing wide. It would be the first thing she would see to when she returned home. Home…the word had rolled through her mind with such ease it frightened her. She shook her head, trying to be rational. Most likely the water from the melting snow would have all but made the ink smear into an unreadable blur, but she'd not be taking any chances.
"Meg, it is most wonderful to see you. Christine has so longed to be with you for a visit. I dare say she is not the same without you at her side." He smiled. "I think the two of you have a great deal about which to converse." He shot a knowing glance over his shoulder at Christine. He doubted not, that their very joy would be one of the first things that Christine shared with her.
Meg could only stammer. "It is wholly wonderful to see you Erik…" she paused. "To see you awake and feeling well." She glanced up at Erik, and suddenly it hit her. Her hand instinctively rising to her cheek; she stared at his. For a brief moment their eyes locked. Erik knew what thoughts consumed her without a single utterance.
"It pleases me to see that you are healing well. The doctor will be most delighted to learn that his patient has been obedient in applying the salves that he provided."
Meg could only nod. For the first time, though in an exceedingly infinitesimal way, she could begin to appreciate the torture that Erik had most certainly felt. An injury or deformity, even when healed, still found way to continue its existence in the recesses of one's mind. She looked at Erik's cheek. "And you…you've healed well also."
Erik smiled at her, his handsomeness making her flush with embarrassment. Now she understood what caused Christine to blush whenever she spoke intimately of him. Erik glanced at Christine, releasing Meg with a soft kiss to her forehead. "I suppose I shall now, with your permission, call you sister?"
Meg was nodding as she stared at Christine who'd come to join them.
Christine slipped her arms around Erik's waist as he glided his arms around her shoulders pulling her into the protective expanse of his chest. The tingling of the moments before the group's arrival, returning once more as he looked down into the large glistening spheres that were Christine's eyes. She'd woken something in him that he knew he'd wrestle with for the hours before they'd find themselves once more alone. No one stirred him as Christine did…no one.
Christine slid her arms from Erik's waist as Madame Giry approached her. "Mother!" She exclaimed as Madame Giry extended her arms to Christine, quickly taking her into them. "It does my heart such good to see you!"
"And mine as well." Madame Giry said as she closed her eyes, welcoming Christine into an embrace. She whispered into her ear, so faintly that Christine barely heard her, "are you feeling well?"
Christine smiled, and shook her head. She'd not give any indication of her condition until she'd had opportunity to tell Meg directly, for she was fairly certain that the secret had yet to be revealed to her.
Nadir had finally found his way to shore. Pulling the boat, with some difficulty, onto the craggy shore. Walking toward the cluster, he extended his hand to Erik. "My friend, all goes well with you?" Nadir's eyes were trying to assess Erik's condition. For indeed if anyone knew the plethora of Erik's expressions, it was Nadir, though his altered face made it much more difficult. His burning fears that he would find Erik a tortured man, allayed somewhat by what he beheld. Erik seemed relaxed, content, and utterly in love.
Erik maneuvered his way around Nadir's hand, reaching out instead to embrace him as he had the others. "My good friend indeed…you are like a brother to me!" Erik announced, giving Nadir a much more forceful embrace, for Nadir certainly was neither frail nor feminine, and could endure a bit of Erik's strength.
Nadir flinched. The surprise of this gesture from Erik, coupled with his careful choice of words, "brother", caught him off guard. He forced himself to respond. Glancing about the cave he said, "Erik…so this is where you'd hidden away all those years since we were in…"
Nadir's tongue caught by his sensibilities; the words thankfully dying before they'd escaped him. He glanced first at Christine. Her eyes had suddenly grown wide with question. His gaze flashed to Erik; his frame had grown rigid, his eyes dark. A secret of a former life, one that neither any longer had use for, had quite nearly been revealed. The bitter truth would have been most difficult to retract and far more than difficult to explain. It was a part of their lives they'd both tried hard to put behind them.
Erik cleared his throat, his arms dropping from Nadir's shoulders as he turned. "Come, let us rest." Erik motioned toward the small area where he'd gathered some odds and ends for them to sit on. Meg and Madame Giry being offered the only two proper chairs.
As Nadir walked passed Christine, he reached out placing a delicate touch on her forearm. "It is good to see you my dear."
Christine smiled, leaning forward to place a delicate kiss on his cheek. "It is wonderful to see you as well." She felt herself being pulled away, Erik's strong arm now encircling her middle. "Erik!" she began to laugh as he spun her around, pulling her up into his arms, carrying her to the one rather large crate that he'd overturned.
As he sat down, perching Christine in his lap, she leaned back whispering in his ear, "we must be careful. You do, after all, recall what happened the last time we found ourselves on a crate!" She said, playfully placing a delicate kiss upon his cheek.
Erik laughed, placing a tender kiss just in front of her ear. "Do not worry my dear, this one is quite sturdy, I assure you. I'll not be spilling you on the floor this night!" The pair laughed, as Meg, Madame Giry and Nadir looked on, all coming to rest in their places.
There was a moment of awkward silence as the group studied one another. There was so very much to say, and they'd no idea where first to begin.
Erik glanced at Meg, then at Christine. "My love…" he nodded toward her. She smiled. "Is there something you wish to share with your sister?"
Meg's brow furrowed, a smile crossing her face. "Christine?"
Christine was blushing. She'd thought to wait, but it seemed that the father to her children was far more eager to share the news than what she'd first surmised. There was some sense in it, announcing it in a grand manner, because if not by such method, it was certain to slip out in conversation. At least in this way, the news would be given its proper due.
"Meg," she glanced at her, then up at Erik. He leaned in placing a reassuring kiss on her jaw.
"Go on my dear, she awaits." Erik began to run his warm hand along the flesh of her back.
Christine pressed her head into Erik's cheek, placing a delicate kiss on his temple before she'd uttered the words she been so longing to tell Meg. "Meg, this November…we've been blessed you see, and it seems that the fates have…the few weeks really that Erik and I spent since our wedding, but before the accident…we've…its come to us really…" Christine could feel a deep crimson blush rising within. Perhaps it was saying something so very personal, making such a confession in front of everyone. Perhaps it was the mode. Normally when she'd had something most private to share with Meg, it had been done under the cloak of darkness. Tonight, the cavern was fully illuminated by the large candles and candelabras that seemed to light nearly every corner. "Meg, we can hold no longer on the very fact that I…I am with child!"
Meg flew to her feet and into Christine's arms with the swiftness of a gazelle, nearly toppling the three of them to the ground. "Oh dear sister…how very wonderful!" She felt like screaming with joy, but knew how caverns could echo. Meg leaned back, instantly looking down at Christine's abdomen, then back up at her flushed face. "Are you feeling well?" She turned smiling at Erik who was quite simply beaming, his face turned down slightly in discretion. She turned back to Christine. Meg placed a hand on Erik's shoulder. She'd not miss that he too was parent to the children Christine now carried, and not to be neglected.
"Yes, quite, though I do get rather strange cravings, and am tired from time to time, though I dare say that grows better each day." Christine was smiling at Meg.
Meg began to turn as she realized she was the only one that had risen to their feet to express their joy.
Madame Giry's eyes widened just slightly as she knew instinctively what her daughter would be thinking. She stood, going to Erik to embrace him. "How very wonderful Erik, children…may they be a blessing to your life…" she glanced at Christine, "to both of your lives."
Meg was smiling, a bit of her confusion relieved. Perhaps it had been the shock of the news that had made her mother hesitate in her congratulations. Now she could see that she too was quite obviously pleased and happy for them.
Nadir blinked. He rose to his feet chastising himself for being rather daft. He'd at first been confused by Madame Giry's reaction to it, but then quickly reminded himself that Meg had not known, and it would have crushed her to think that both he and her mother had known but never shared such news with her. He walked forward, shaking Erik's hand, patting him firmly on the shoulder.
He went to Christine, embracing her. "Dear lady, it is most wonderful news indeed."
The five of them sat once more. Christine was blushing, Erik having perched her once more on his lap, now running his hand affectionately along her stomach. "My dear, do you not think we should share, hmmm?"
Christine immediately smiled looking down and up again. "My love," she nestled her head on Erik's shoulder, placing a delicate kiss on his jaw. She'd shared the first news. She'd leave it up to him to share the next.
Erik cleared his throat. He'd never been one to be uncomfortable with statements, but then again he'd never been able to share of something so personal before. He nearly felt as if he were betraying private moments between them to speak of such things. Christine kissed his jaw again, this time lingering there to exhale, her warm breath sending a shudder down his spine.
Meg, Madame Giry, and Nadir sat looking at him expectantly. He smiled, clearing his throat once more. "It seems, and the doctor assures us there is room for error, though he thinks not…" he paused, feeling the crimson blush rising up his neck. "It seems that this November, we shall be fully blessed." He looked at the trio of questioning eyes. They were eager to hear whatever it was he had to say. Christine kissed his jaw once more to encourage him. "It seems that fate has smiled on us, and that we may very well be welcoming not one, but three children into this world."
Neither Madame Giry nor Nadir had to feign surprise at this news. The group found themselves all on their feet. Christine at the very center, as everyone began exchanging hugs and congratulations.
Meg broke through the group, taking Christine fully into her arms. Her heart feeling more torn now than ever, and a sense of urgency surged through her that she'd rather pushed to the back of her mind. She and Nadir simply had to find a way, and soon, to clear up the question of Erik's lineage. It was of more importance now than ever. If it were coincidence, though she thought most deeply in her heart that it was not, then she could dismiss it. But if it were true, if Erik was DeChagny's son…then all things would become quite different.
Now more than ever, they needed to know, for a family should never be kept apart…not during times, such sweet times as these. Meg glanced over Christine's shoulder, looking directly into Nadir's eyes. He nodded only once. He was of like mind. There was much to be done now, and he'd need to see to it. She smiled at him, knowing full well he was thinking the same.
It wasn't long before the tiny huddle had started to break into small groupings, Meg, Madame Giry, and Christine, leaving Nadir and Erik free to walk away giving the ladies a bit of privacy. Christine smiled at Erik as she lead Madame Giry and Meg into the room with the swan. Erik nodded, he'd not mind if she shared it with them just now…but his mind could not help but drift to just an hour before when they'd been alone there. He smiled at her. By the mischievous look in her eye, he'd no doubt she was thinking the same thing.
Erik listened as Meg exclaimed her surprise at the bedroom, looking at the hand carved bed, and all of the other things that had amazingly escaped the hands of the mob that had come to the cavern the night the Opera House burned. He smiled, turning to Nadir.
"Dear friend, come, take a walk with me. We shall allow the women some privacy, for I am certain there are things that were meant for their ears alone. And indeed, there are things we've to discuss, that we should prefer to keep most private." He looked at Nadir who was nodding. Indeed, there was much to discuss.
They wandered back to the solitary room where Erik had slept so many nights. He brought a candle with him there, placing it on the table that he'd righted just that afternoon. He watched as Nadir's eyes searched the shallow room, close walls and low ceilings. He knew what he was thinking as his eyes came to rest on the silver coffin that Erik now rested upon. "Dear friend, I had told you of it, why does it shock you so now to see it?"
Nadir looked most seriously at Erik, even in his worst imaginings he'd not thought it possible. "Certainly I'd thought you jested. You aren't a vampire!"
The comment made Erik laugh. "No, not quite, though I dare say that there was once a time when I'd caused as much fear as if I were blood thirsty and sharp fanged." Erik looked down at Nadir as he came to rest next to him. "So very much has changed since last I slept in this room. I could never have believed then that I would be sitting here, having this conversation in this room, with those three women sitting comfortably in my…my former home." Erik shook his head. "Whomever is impish enough to not believe it fate, is truly a fool." The comment making Nadir nod his head in agreement.
"There is much veracity in your words Erik." Nadir secretly hoping that one day he would be able to remind Erik of that very utterance…the day that he would reveal to him all that he would learn…of all that he and Meg suspected. It may be months from now, perhaps longer, but one day, he'd settled in his mind, he'd tell him of it. The picture buried deep within his breast pocket now felt like a burning ember. That face, that picture, was even more real…for he felt as if he was staring now into the face of DeChagny himself, as a much younger man.
"Nadir?" Erik's head now cocked slightly to one side, his forehead creased in concentration, "what is it that burdens you so?" Erik's voice filled with genuine compassion.
Nadir shook his head. "I'm just a bit tired…the hours we've been keeping have been a bit more strenuous than what a man of my years is accustomed to." He didn't even look up before he started. "He's taken credit," he needed to rephrase, "reluctant credit for it Erik."
Erik sat back, he could not breathe.
Nadir glanced at him. "It was no easy feat, let me assure you. He is a very stubborn man, much like yourself." Nadir was immediately panging with regret at his choice of words. Making reference to Erik and Raoul in the same sentence certainly fell on Erik's ears with great distain.
Erik grimaced, but would not interrupt.
"It took a bit of convincing on my part. Of course I'd had to tamper with his gun, removing several bullets to corroborate the subterfuge. However I think that the evidence combined with the story that is now swiftly making its way through his house, will assist Raoul in remembering what happened. He rather hit his head when he fell to the ground, so he was a bit more easy to manipulate, though I dare say he fought it." Nadir glanced only briefly over at Erik hoping to see some indication of his reaction to such news. Erik's face was stoic. He'd continue.
"He believes he saw you…saw you in the shadows." Nadir cleared his throat, certain that this would elicit some response from Erik.
Indeed it had. Erik's eyes now wide with apprehension. How could he be that foolish? They were inside the City again, in the Opera House no less, in the very lair where he'd nearly ended that boy's life. He was on his feet, feeling the immediate need to flee.
Nadir reached up, grabbing Erik's forearm. "Sit, Raoul is at home, quite under the influence of some drug that the doctor has administered him to relieve his pain. He will be sleeping a number of days in a quite groggy state. He's of no threat to you."
Erik sat down. Even so, he'd not be taking any chances with any of their lives. For even if Raoul himself could not come, it does not mean that he could not send someone in his stead. He paused a long while before he'd mustered the courage to ask. "Will he make full recovery?" He glanced at Nadir, a sickening look crossing his face.
"Yes, he's twenty-one stitches the length of his head. He should heal without issue." Nadir replied.
Erik paused, "and the boy?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Quite dead I'm afraid." Nadir replied. "Erik, how is it that you pursued him?" Quickly trying to redirect the conversation.
Erik's sighed. The young man could cause no further injury, and the vision that Christine had…it had no threat of ever coming to fruition. Nadir's question began to register.
"I'll tell you Nadir, if you promise me but one thing." He looked at Nadir. He knew Nadir loathed ever making a bargain. "All that I ask of you is that it never be mentioned, the way in which the boy died. We must keep to the story for all inclined must believe the one and only truth…that Raoul brought this life to an end,.,.., not I." Erik's words fell heavily; the gravity of the alternative would escape neither of them.
Nadir nodded in consent. He looked at Erik rather expectantly. The description of the events were certain to be detailed and long, for Erik, once he'd agreed to explain, would not miss a single detail. He settled back, a bit uneasy to be to reclining atop a coffin, but he'd pretend not to notice. To Erik is was no more than a piece of furniture that he'd made use of. To Nadir, it was the very epitome of the despondence of the life that Erik had lived beneath the Opera House. He'd been a monster in hiding. Today, he was a monster no more, though Nadir knew, his full conversion would be years in the making.
Erik looked at Nadir, a labored sigh rising from him. He'd already shared this with Christine, and he was a bit lighter with her on the more hideous parts. With Nadir, he'd not spare even one part of the event, for Nadir never liked to be uninformed.
XXXXXX
Meg and Christine had not released one another's hands since they'd sat on the bed. Madame Giry had risen several times, roaming about the room, wishing she'd have some other distraction that would call her away so as to provide them a bit of privacy. For she'd no doubt there were things that the girls could not discuss in her presence.
"Meg, Christine," they both turned to look at Madame Giry. "Would you mind terribly if I ventured out into the other rooms for a spell?" She looked at them and then glanced over her shoulder. "In truth, I've always been a bit curious about this very place. I'd always imagined, but I never knew….and I shan't imagine we will ever travel this way again."
Meg looked a bit suspiciously at her mother, but then thought…if it were a ruse, she too could find benefit in playing along. She smiled, "Mother I shan't mind."
Christine was nodding her head in agreement. "In truth I have a notion to do the same before I leave here." Christine's eyes began combing the room as if it were hollowed halls. "There are so many questions about Erik's time here…though I am entirely certain most will go necessarily unanswered." She gave Madame Giry a faint smile.
"Very well then. But do swear that if I should return in a rush, that you shan't act surprised if I am quickly followed by Erik or Nadir. I do not want to give Erik the impression that I was prodding further into his history than what I'd been invited to."
The girls both nodded. They shan't mind spending time alone. Not in the least.
Madame Giry walked out into the cavernous expanse of the room that gradually declined to meet the water's edge. She came to rest on an old trunk, quite of view of both the rooms that were occupied. She was content to wait. It was part of who she was. She was a conduit more often than a vessel. She put her head in her hands just staring down on the waters. The time would pass painfully quickly for those who were now conversing. For her, she would simply bask in the glow of knowing they were all receiving exactly what they needed at that precise moment.