Chapter 183 Unfinished Business

Christine and Meg lay on their backs smiling and laughing, and crying, as Meg shared all that had happened since she'd come to live with Raoul. There had been so very much to tell.

Christine let out a staggered half-breath, as the tears from fits of laughter began to wane. She turned once again up on her side, a sudden air of heart-felt wonder settling upon her. "Meg, can you imagine yourself…living there with him…forever?" Christine turned her head looking at Meg.

Meg swallowed, she'd pondered that question herself, a hundred times, "yes." She replied, a degree of hesitant certainty in her voice.

Christine smiled at her, reaching out to grasp her hand. "Then it shall be as you and I always imagined when we were but wistful adolescent. Both marrying kings in distant lands. We shall pray for each other by day. And by night, when we are looking up into the evening sky, we shall wish upon the stars in the heavens for our very happiness."

Christine blinked as her eyes locked with Meg's. "The one alteration we shall make to our fantasy my dear sister, shall be that we will find a way, at least once each year, some excuse, to find our way into one another's company. With Nadir near to us, such arrangements should quite easily be possible, shan't they?"

Meg's eyes were red, her cheeks dotted with red blotches here and there as she smiled bravely and nodded at Christine. "My dear sister…yes we shall. Though to be parted that long, from snowfall to snowfall shall be most difficult."

Christine and Meg's heads both turned, as they heard laughter, hearty laughter coming from the outer room. The pair sat up. It was Erik and Nadir, but they'd have no idea what it was that would have caused them such humor. They rose from the bed, quickly scurrying toward the entrance. Peeking out squinting and blinking to readjust their eyes to the light, they saw Nadir and Erik, lifting Madame Giry to a standing position, she looking a bit dazed and tired, apologizing profusely.

"My dearest Antoinette, there is no need for apology, you've had a most strenuous day. I laugh only to have found a quite proper lady curled into a little ball laying as a child caught napping on the shore!"

From Madame Giry's stern glare, Meg and Christine could tell she'd found no humor in being discovered unaware. They smiled as they walked out to join the trio.

Erik smiled compassionately as he walked over taking Christine by the hand, placing a tender kiss in the palm. "My dear, and what have the two of you talked about for so very long?"

Christine sighed, her bright eyes searching Erik's face before she replied, "all that sisters parted as we've been would!" She leaned forward kissing Erik's cheek playfully.

Meg walked passed the two, making her way to Nadir and her mother. She turned looking at Christine. "I dare say we've been rather remiss," she was shaking her head, "I shan't recall any discussion of names…names for your children, have you chosen?"

Erik responded before Christine could even collect her thoughts. "We've a few, though we are not yet certain. Though we have decided to wait until their birth, to see if the names befit them before we set upon them." Erik looked at Christine for agreement, she was nodding her head. "Names are most important do you not think?"

Meg was smiling, "so you are not going to tell us?" she said chidingly.

Christine smiled up at Erik, their fingers intertwining as she spoke. "When we've decided dear sister, I shall see to making you aware of it."

Madame Giry was finally starting to awaken from the deep sleep-induced stupor. "Dear Christine, how have you felt, is all well?" She asked with great compassion in her voice as she walked toward her.

Erik released Christine's hand as Madame Giry came along side her, reaching out to touch her cheek. Erik turned to leave, certainly they would prefer to be alone as this was the discussions of one mother to another, and though he were a parent, an equal share in it, he could not here be included. Though it pained him, for he wanted to be with her for every excruciating, exhilarating, euphoric, moment of the journey.

Madame Giry reached out grabbing his hand, looking up at him with a serious tone. "No Erik…you are family now…do not run away from your destiny Erik. These children are a blessing to you both, and Christine will require you to be with her every step on the path."

Nadir watched the budding family with a faint degree of jealousy. He'd no children to love as this woman loved, no family, except the one he now gazed upon, and even they were not truly his. He was suddenly feeling out of place as Christine, Madame Giry, and Erik came to rest on the collection of trunks in the outer room. He glanced at them, the small group of people he so loved, yet felt as an outsider looking in. He'd thought about returning to the room he and Erik had visited in, when he felt a gentle hand slip into his. Turning to look, there stood Meg, staring up at him.

She glanced at her mother, who gave her a singular nod. "You Nadir, you must join us, for you are no less family than any of us now."

Nadir felt a great sob rising in his chest as he looked down into Meg's sincere eyes. "Come Nadir, come home with me." He could not refuse her. She led him over to join the others.

There in that circle the group shared in the joy of the impending arrival of the yet unnamed children. They spoke of what plans they would make to see to ensuring visits to Courtland Manor. They spoke of times at Courtland Manor when they'd joined in such fun, though Erik felt left out in some. They spoke of the night that Erik had awoken, when all manner of people had paraded in and out of his room, raising his ire enough for him to shout at the lot of them. Erik's cheek had begun to twitch as they mocked with what great distain he'd addressed them. Before long, the conversation naturally drifted to Sara.

"She was buried this afternoon." Erik said matter-of-factly.

Madame Giry, Meg, and Christine all turned to look at Erik. They'd expected Nadir to know of Sara's final disposition, not Erik.

He continued. "Do not worry, she is in a peaceful place, at the crest of a hill overlooking Paris. Aside from resting next to her husband, it would have been a place she would have chosen."

"But how did you know?" Christine looked at Erik quizzically.

All radiance disappearing from Erik's face as he spoke. He knew his subsequent words would be received with a bit of horror. "Last night, I'd paid a call to LeMortem Street," he flashed a stern look demanding agreement from Christine, "that was why I'd left Christine alone for several hours as she slept." His eyes fixed and serious. Christine simply nodded in agreement. "It was then that I discovered that she'd yet to be buried." Erik glanced down, yet another confession. "There was one lot…..," Erik paused, his breathing staggered now…it would have been his. He swallowed. "Perdue saw to her being buried there. On the morrow, before our return to the winter house, Christine and I shall pay a visit, our last respects to a woman to whom I owe my very life."

Meg's eyes were wide with revulsion. First that Erik had traveled LeMortem Street at night, though she doubted it would have frightened him. And second that he'd had access to a plot in the cemetery.

Madame Giry broke the awkward silence. "If we were to go, all to go, after midnight when the City sleeps, we could pay our respects together." She'd not felt this boldness before, but somehow, she knew the very act would have meant a great deal to the woman who had given them so very much. For without her kind generosity, and ultimate sacrifice, they would not be sitting in that very room on that night in one another's company. It was as it should be because of Sara.

Erik looked at Nadir. Nadir looked at Meg, whose mouth was gaping. Christine's face lacked expression.

"It is decided then. We shall leave after midnight." Erik said with an authoritative tone. "We do know with what risk we shall come to do this do we not?" Everyone around the circle nodded. "Perhaps it is best that we not travel in a group, it would only further the attention that we would attract moving about a cemetery after twilight."

Christine's head had begun to pound; she reached up rubbing feverishly at her temples. "No, no…" she whispered, her breathing coming shallow and labored. A hush fell over the huddled cluster. She returned their glances, though it appeared she looked beyond them at something that tortured her, an indisputably grave concern in her eyes.

She blinked, her present focus returning. "No," she said austerely, "we shall not travel there before the sun rises on the morrow….we must not travel there in the shadows. When the sun has risen, and all manner of commoners travel too and fro, businesses begin bustling….there shall be no question of a group traveling in a cemetery to pay their last respects to a fresh grave of a newly buried, dearly departed friend."

She blinked heavily trying to hold back the earnestness in her voice. What she knew, and they did not, was it had nothing to do with propriety nor the fear of being discovered. It was a feeling far deeper, far darker than any she'd ever known and it frightened her beyond reason. She looked at them each seriously. "If we were to travel to the cemetery in the black of night, would we not look as if we were trying to avoid prying eyes…all the more reason to question?" She had a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was wrong, desperately wrong with traveling there that night, she could feel it.

Erik took her trembling hand into his. "Christine do not worry yourself." He looked at the others. Turning back to face Christine, "if it troubles you so to travel there this night, we shall wait until the morrow." He leaned in kissing her delicately at the temples of her now dampened forehead.

Christine nodded her head, inhaling sharply. She couldn't say what feeling had overcome her, but it had sent a chill up her spine such as she'd not felt before. "Thank you Erik." She leaned into his expansive chest, he enveloping her in his protective grasp. Christine instantly felt warmth returning to her. It was as if a frigid presence had passed by so closely, it had chilled her skin to the depth of her bone.

"Very well then, let us say that after the noon meal on the morrow, we shall meet there, at the cemetery gates. After we've paid our respects, Christine and I shall be returning once more to Chauesser." He glanced at the others for agreement.

"Erik that shall be most advantageous as I've business at sunrise with the magistrate, and I should think that he would most like to work until the meal hour." In truth, Nadir was thankful for the additional reason to convince Meg and Madame Giry to tarry in Paris for the evening.

Meg's pulse began to race. "It will be most difficult Nadir, to explain yet another trip into the City from whence we've just come?"

Nadir turned, realizing Meg's concern. Madame Giry gave him a knowing glance, she'd already surmised his intentions. Nadir reached out his hand taking Meg's into his. "My dearest Meg, do not worry, we shall stay here, in your mother's quarters this evening, and return to Raoul's on the morrow after we've visited Sara's grave."

Meg's eyes grew wide, "but Nadir, if he should wake and find that I've utterly abandoned him….his entire house is celebrating his acts of heroism and I will not be there to join them in his support?" Meg had almost forgotten that Erik and Christine were in the room.

Erik closed his eyes tightly, exhaling. Christine squeezed his hand. Nadir shot him a concerned glance. The mere mention of the name caused him pain.

"Meg, I assure you, the medicines that the doctor has seen to giving Raoul are meant for his own good. They make him sleep so that he might heal properly from his fall."

Christine's eyes now wide with question. "Fall?"

Erik held her more closely to support her. Meg turned to her and began to explain the story.

Erik listened patiently as Meg recanted the well-crafted story to Christine. His focus remained on her and her only. He could quite easily tell that Christine leant Meg concern for Raoul only as it affected Meg. The joy in that knowledge was all that provided relief to him as he heard the story of Raoul's bravery and heroism. Little truth did they know…and it was better that way.

"That is why Christine, Nadir, that I've want to return to his side…he held my hand, comforted me through my darkest hours." Meg was looking down at the ground mournfully resigned to the fact she could do precious little to alter the plans that were now laid.

Christine came forward soothing Meg. "I know of what troubles you dear sister…I too waited long months for Erik to open his eyes once more."

Meg flashed Christine an apologetic glance. In her own trepidations, she'd nearly forgotten the struggles that the pair had endured. She suddenly felt ashamed for her haste.

"Meg, if the doctor has told you that he should rest, and if he has been given medicine that is aide in that end, then do not worry for Raoul. You could do nothing for him if you were there. The doctor is seeing to his care…you shan't worry." Christine patted Meg's hand that she'd unconsciously seized.

Meg nodded. "Your words carry much weight in my heart Christine, for if anyone would understand, it would be you." She closed her eyes, fighting back the urge to beg for their immediate return to Raoul's. "Very well."

Erik sighed. The visit had been long, productive, yet trying for all of them. "The three of you best see to your return to the floors above. No doubt the dinner hour has come and gone. If you were not to resurface this night, concern as to your whereabouts will no doubt spread rumor through the staff, making its way back to DeChagny. It is best that you retire to Madame Giry's quarters as was planned. Christine and I shall return to the seamstress, having a proper visit as was planned."

"Seamstress?" Madame Giry and Meg both turned their attention to Erik.

Erik exhaled. Nadir swooped in to rescue him from a fresh discourse. "I shall explain it all to you over dinner dear ladies, though was shall have to do so quite privately." He glanced at Erik who looked relieved. He turned back to them. "If you've more questions about her, do remember we shall see one another again tomorrow."

Madame Giry and Meg nodded in ascent.

Nadir was nodding at Erik now too. "Yes, yes, it is most prudent that we follow through. No doubt someone will be looking for us with a late supper. The sleigh driver would likely have been instruction to see to its delivery to her quarters since we'd not come to the diningroom proper."

A silence fell upon them now. The group no more wanted to be parted than they were hungry, but they knew they must, it was best. They exchanged embraces and kind words, as they parted ways. Nadir drew the boat from its perch, escorting Madame Giry, and then Meg into the craft, at last climbing in himself.

"Until the morrow dear friends. Rest well." Nadir said as he pushed the boat from shore.

Erik and Christine stood looking out at the trio who were now moving further and further away.

Erik watched as Nadir used the pole to push the boat through the waters. Meg and Madame Giry sat staring silently back at Christine. They'd see one another in but a few hours. They'd gather again, at Sara's grave. It would be yet another brief, bittersweet reunion. It would no doubt be the last time they'd do so on her account…and they'd want to do it together.

Erik stood watching and listening until the last hint of light from the lantern disappeared, no hint of sound of the water being disturbed. He wanted to be certain, utterly certain before he could even turn to look at her, for he was not certain he'd be able to control his urges.

He sighed, preparing to turn around…feeling a warm hand on his shoulder. He closed his eyes as it traveled up his shoulder to the back of his neck, slipping just beneath the edge of his shirt where it met his neck. Her fingers quickly making work of it so that the warmth of her palm now rested on his flesh. She was humming a tune he knew well. He slowly turned to look down into her alluring eyes. His own chest rising with seeming difficulty as he tried to regulate his breathing. "Christine…"

She stood as tall as her body would allow, kissing just under his jaw where its base met the neck. "My Angel….my brought his hands to rest on either side of Christine's face, looking down deeply into her eyes. "My love, oh how I've waited for you."

She breathed into his ear, then began placing light kisses on his neck. "Oh how I too longed for you."

Erik looked down at Christine, knowing full well that she was serious. Slowly he lifted her into his arms. She running hers around his neck as he carried her slowly to the swan, gazing at her all the while. It was like the slow pleasure of rolling a fresh berry on one's tongue, trying to enjoy every flavor that it held before finally consuming it. She whispered into his ear, her warm breath making Erik's skin tingle. "Sing to me Phantom….take me to where you imagined we would be. She kissed his ear, running her hand down his neck, coming to rest on his chest.

Erik looked down as he carried her into the room, standing there swaying as he began to sing…."Night time sharpens heightens each sensation, darkness stirs and wakes imagination, silently the senses abandon their defenses." He kissed her as he put her feet gently to the floor. His hands began to roam her back, her shoulders. His eyes never leaving hers.

"Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor, grasp it sense it tremulous and tender, turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light and listen to the music of the night."

He began circling her, his voice growing more intense, "close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams, purge your thoughts of the life you knew before, close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before."

Christine shuddered as Erik's hands slowly began to reach behind her, releasing each of the satin ribbons that so delicately bound her dress to her frame. "Softly, deftly music shall caress you, hear it, feel it, secretly possess you, open up your mind let your fantasies unwind in this darkness that you know you cannot fight, the darkness of the music of the night."

His hands began to bunch the fabric of the dress in his hands pulling it up from the length passed her waist, drawing it ever upward. He looked at her; such intensity in his eyes. Part of what overtook him now was Erik…Christine's husband, the tender, caring, lover. The other part…the deep yearning part…was yet deeper still, one longing for release from the long unrequited love. She'd addressed him as Phantom…awakening that deep need he'd had to possess her…it was his fantasy come true...there in the room he'd prepared for their union.

"Let your mind start to journey to a strange new world leave all thoughts of the life you knew before, let your soul take you where you long to be," he lifted the dress over her head, allowing it to drop from his hand behind her, "only then can you belong to me."

Christine reached her hand up to the front of his shirt, removing that which remained of his cravat. Erik's breath became staggered, his eyes searching and longing as she placed a delicate kiss on the center of his chest. He took her into his arms, grasping at that which remained on her flesh.

"Floating, folding, sweet intoxication," Erik took Christine's hand into his, placing it on his chest abandoning it there.

"Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation," Erik began to affectionately kiss each cheek, and then each side of her neck. Christine instinctively ran her other arm around his waist, tugging at what remained of his shirt, until it gave way, fluttering to the floor coming to rest on top of her dress.

She began to quiver as Erik lifted her once more into his arms, carrying her to the edge of the bed, slowly laying her down into the swan. She gasped.

"Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write."

Christine reached up, grasping both of Erik's shoulders, pulling his trembling flesh down with hers. Erik's voice now smooth and certain, "the power of the music of the night."

Christine breathed into his ear, whispering but once more… "this is what we both longed for…all those years…let us rewrite history…"

Erik could withhold his love for her no longer. "You alone can make my song take flight, help me make the music of the night."

Erik reached out, pulling at the long cord, releasing the black lace veil slowly around the swan.