Chapter 6 A favor

It had been a week since Erik had begun playing for Meg's classes, and it was turning out to be an absolute success. All the girls seemed to love him, and he also liked them very much, never having had the opportunity of interacting with children before. The first class had been a Wednesday, and when Meg introduced him as her friend, all the girls knew exactly that he was the man who Meg had told them about. If the little girls had been intrigued and fascinated by the mysterious and charming man, when he began to play for them, they adored him instantly. In their spare time between lessons, the girls would surround Meg and Erik demanding stories of their old lives at the Populaire.

Erik would delight them telling stories about the tricks he played on La Carlotta, and Meg would admit with embarrassment that she and the ballerinas would sometimes pull highjinks on the diva. But when the class continued, the girls would obey immediately, amazing Erik with their discipline.

Meg and Erik worked perfectly together, within a day they had gained the admiration and love from their students. Gisella and Fabrizio had admitted that they had been the best persons they had ever hired, constantly giving them an approving look or a nod. Also they had become closer to Meg and Erik, finding there the friendship they needed.

It was Saturday morning, Meg had gone with Gisella and Arabelle to collect fresh fruits at the garden downhill from the villa. Erik was in his room, taking out the case he had brought from Paris. This would be the first time he had opened it, not even Meg had seen it, and despite her lovely attempt of persuading him, he had not showed her yet. Lifting his violin with trembling hands, he looked amazed at the colors shining over its wooden surface, it's golden highlights. Since he was a boy, the only thing that had brought him happiness and comfort had been music. Music had been there for him when no one else had; it had been his way of comfort and happiness in his solitude. Every time he needed to express what he felt, he would turn to music, playing an instrument or composing, singing or writing. He had learned to play the piano and violin, but if he had to choose one of them, the violin would be his favorite.

Somehow, Antoinette had managed to acquire a piano, talking exhaustively with Monsieur Reyer and begging him to let her buy the piano they were going to throw away. Later that year she had bought a violin for him as a Christmas present, beeing the first gift anyone had given him. From that day, he devoted himself to learning how to play both instruments as a way of showing his appreciation for Antoinette's actions. And it seemed she hadn't forgotten the violin was his favorite, for she had hidden one in the room of her house. This would be the first time Erik would play outside of his lair, out in the fresh air.

With one hand, he raised the delicate bow, and taking one deep breath, he caressed the strings of the violin. His ears were instantly filled with the glorious sound a violin provided to him. His heart began to pound loudly as he let the music infiltrate his soul and reach his core, closing his eyes, he took a few steps around the room, getting closer to the window as a soft breeze hit him in the face. With every note, his fears and tremors began to disappear, leaving space for only music and the joy it brought to him

He had never felt the bliss of playing with the sun hitting his face, only darkness surrounding him. The music he played was much lighter and joyful compared to the sonatas filled with despair he used to play months ago. No, this was a different kind of music, music related more to the light he felt on the inside and outside. Suddenly, the image of Meg dancing appeared in his mind, dancing to every note he played with graceful moves, matching the music he played. Never before had he created that kind of music, not the music a pure soul like Meg's would dance to.

"Hello? Signore Erik?"

The trembling voice of a boy awoke Erik from his daydream, bringing him back to reality quickly. He laid down his violin and walked to the door of his room, suddenly stopping as he realized something: he hadn't had the bandages on. He had talked with Meg early in the morning and both had decided that as they weren't going to go out of the villa until late afternoon, there was no need of bothering his face with those bandages. But he hadn't thought of the possibility of someone coming to their home.

Should he go out? Or just let the boy believe that there wasn't anyone in the villa? Raising a hand to brush his hair in frustration, he thought of the possibilities of the boy getting scared with the sight of his bare face. He had been wearing bandages, a thin layer that left almost all his face uncovered, but still he wore it. The girls had not showed any sign of fear towards him, each of them always smiling at him since the first day, and he hadn't forgotten how little Clara had given him a kiss on his ruined cheek. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and walked down the staircase.

In the door stood Lorenzo, the Palazzi's son. He had dark-hair, and as he heard Erik's footsteps he turned around, looking at him with the biggest blue eyes Erik had ever seen. The boy wore a simple brown shirt similar to the one he was wearing, except that his was a white dress shirt with the sleeves tailored with a slightly ruffled cuff. He would put on his cravat and jacket later when he went out with Meg. His heart skipped a beat the moment the dark-haired boy looked at him straight in the eye, and he waited for a gasp or a shriek. But none of that happened. Lorenzo gave him a big dazzling smile which brightened his whole face and Erik couldn't help but to smile in return.

"Buon giorno signore Erik" greeted the little boy as he stretched his hand towards Erik.

He bent down and held his hand out clasping his hand with the little one of Lorenzo "Buon giorno…signore Lorenzo"

The look on the boy's face brightened "You know my name! Well, sure Mama told you…" Erik felt extremely happy at the reaction he had got from the little boy upon seeing his face. He had been the first person to look at him straight to the eye and not react with fear, as Meg had.

"I was playing with Leo when I heard you playing the violin… you play beautifully, Signore!" The boy was almost jumping from excitement as he ran to the great window which took to the patio of the villa "I play the piano, but I'm not as good as my Papa. I want to learn how to play the violin someday, can I see it?"

Erik watched surprised at the young boy who wished to be a musician "Alright, wait here"

Walking to his room, Erik took the violin gently and returned to Lorenzo. He motioned the boy to sit and laid it on his lap, stepping back to watch Lorenzo's reaction. His eyes were wide open as he studied with awe the instrument before him. With a trembling hand he caressed softly the strings, and then he looked up happily at Erik with excitement written upon his little face.

"It's more beautiful than I imagined" Lorenzo whispered excitedly "You'll see someday, Signore Erik, one day I'll play as good as you do"

Erik was amazed at the boy, finding him somehow similar to himself, except for the part that the boy's face was beautiful. But still, from the musical point of view, Lorenzo was eager to learn, just as Erik had been so many years ago.

"So you play the piano?" asked Erik with a smile as he took the violin Lorenzo was handing to him.

"I do, Signore" Lorenzo stepped up and looked up at him "But still I need a lot of practice, Papa says practice makes perfect"

Erik nodded and leaned down to Lorenzo "Wise words from your father…would you like to play with me?"

The boy looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with excitement "Really? Me?"

"Yes of course" Erik laughed as he laid a hand atop the boy's shoulder. He led him across the little covered loggia and into the comfortable living room where the piano was. Lorenzo ran to the bench and sat down, positioning his hands in front the large instrument.

Erik had never played with anyone before, being accustomed to playing alone, yet dreaming that someday he would play with a big orchestra. The boy looked at him and with a nod from Erik, he began to play. Erik placed the violin under his chin and instantly recognizing the music, he followed Lorenzo as he played.

The boy was astounding; he had never seen a boy of that age playing as he did. Somehow, it reminded him of himself during the years he had been learning to play. As he played, he continued to watch the little hands of Lorenzo, analyzing his movements, such as his technique, instantly beginning to think as a teacher and musician rather than just an observer. The boy had an almost perfect technique.

Suddenly, Lorenzo's hand froze and he looked down with frustration to his lap "I practice so hard but still I make the same mistakes! My hands are just too small to play how I want to" he looked up at Erik, a pained expression all over his face.

"I understand how you feel, Lorenzo" answered Erik, lowering the violin "but in time you will grow and your fingers will be able to reach many keys. You will play anything beautifully. Let's try again"

Erik walked to stand behind him and motioned him to put his hands in position again. After a few attempts to follow the fingering Erik was showing him, slowly Lorenzo's fingers began to be able to move a little faster, gaining the speed required for the piece. With a laugh, Lorenzo was able to play the part where he had gotten stuck and continued on from there. Quickly, Erik grabbed his violin and played along with him, looking proudly to the little boy.

When the song was over Lorenzo began to laugh happily, the same crystal sound he had heard so many times during their time on La Medicea. Erik patted him gently on his back and the boy stood up slowly. Erik knew almost unconsciously what he was about to ask, or he imagined that it would be related to it

"Signore Erik?" Lorenzo stayed silent for a moment as he looked down, but as if gaining confidence he looked up at Erik again "Why do you were those bandages? Are you hurt?"

Meg walked hurriedly with the basket full of fresh fruits Arabelle, Gisella and she had collected that morning. It had been quite a lovely activity, as it had been a long time since she had been alone with only women. She listened attentively to all the stories Arabelle told them about Florence, and also Giselle had told them what was new in the Florentine society. Meg didn't know a lot of people, but still she did know the parents of her students, which had been quite welcoming to Erik and her. That day, they were supposed to go to the city to explore some more, an activity which they hadn't enjoyed lately due to their new jobs.

She was near the back entrance of the patio to their villa when she heard it. The beautiful and pacific sound of Erik's violin floating across the garden and invading every corner, but it wasn't just the violin, she heard the piano too. It had only been the past week that she had discovered that what lay inside the black case was a violin. Her mother had hidden it in the guest room of their house, waiting for someone, especially him, to find it. He hadn't played it yet, well, not until that day; it made Meg feel happy that finally he had found some peace to play the beautiful instrument at last; she knew it was something he needed.

She gently opened the back door of the kitchen and tiptoed silently across the big room until she reached the little staircase that lead to the living room, sitting on the first step so she would be unnoticed. She listened intently to the wonderful music emanating from the opposite room, and silently leaned further to catch a glimpse of who was there with Erik. Her heart trembled with emotion when she realized it was Lorenzo who was sitting on the bench. It was good for him everything that was happening in their lives. The contact he was having now with the world had made him gain more confidence in himself, and Meg would have never suspected that he was exceptionally good with kids.

He treated the girls as if they were already woman of her own age, and the girls seemed to love and appreciate that Signore Erik treated them as Signorinas. Meg watched cautiously as Erik tried to comfort Lorenzo and encouraged him to try it again. He would be a great teacher…well he already was, considering the great job he had done with Christine and how he seemed to encourage Lorenzo to try it again. She smiled silently as they both finished playing and the little boy began laughing proudly. But then, something changed, Meg could sense it, it was a child's natural instinct beeing curious.

"Why do you wear those bandages? Are you hurt?" Shocked, Meg watched Erik's emotionless expression. Should she go out and rescue him? Or should she give Erik the opportunity to face his insecurities? No, she needed to help him…he was still hurt, she still sensed the pain once in a while. Meg stood up silently and when she was about to enter the room, he spoke.

"No, I didn't hurt myself, Lorenzo, I was born with this…" Erik stopped and took a breath trying to organize his thoughts "It's not normal to people, so I try to hide it so I can be unnoticed"

Lorenzo looked inquisitively at him "You don't have to hide it! You should be really proud of having your face!"

Erik was stunned momentarily by his demand "Why do I need to be proud?"

"Because it means your soul is so beautiful that God needed to mark you somehow, so when he looks down here, he recognizes you and knows that you have a beautiful and big soul!"

Lorenzo was grinning after giving his explanation, but Erik had no words. Even if he wanted to speak, words wouldn't come out through the lump that had formed in his throat. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, but somehow he managed to give Lorenzo a warm smile.

"And your face is not strange, I believe you are a great man, Signore" continued Lorenzo as he took a step towards Erik and gripped his arm.

How come this boy accepted him so easily and also found him a great man if he had just met him? Something stirred in his heart, he had never thought of his deformity that way…like a blessing. He always thought it was a curse, the curse of the Devil's child. But Lorenzo had embraced it so normally and with respect! Almost a little bit jealous of beeing chosen by God…

"And…may I ask where Signorina Meg is?" something changed in Lorenzo's look, he blushed fiercely as he looked down again.

Erik realized the kind of reaction the boy was having upon just naming his petite friend "Meg? You want to see her?"

"Well, I just…" he moved his leg back and forth repetitively "She's really nice, and really pretty too…I would like to be you so I can have fun with her, but I'm still too small for her, don't you think she's pretty?"

Erik observed the little boy's love confession about Meg with a smile upon his lips. He liked Meg? Well, almost everyone liked Meg, and surely she had put a spell on Lorenzo. Just imagining the reactions that Meg's smiles and hugs had on Lorenzo made him remember that sometimes it happened the same to him.

Before he could answer the question Lorenzo had asked, the sound of familiar footsteps came behind him.

"Did I hear someone mention my name?" Meg said warmly, as she approached them. She stopped beside him, smiling brightly at Lorenzo, then looked up at Erik. When he found her gaze, his breath caught at the sight of her slightly colored cheeks and her bright eyes, shining with tears she had shed. She had been listening. Meg put her hand over his arm and he put his own over hers, squeezing it gently.

Lorenzo got nervous as Meg came closer, twisting his little fingers uncontrollably "Hi Signorina, I just…we…Signore Erik was teaching me how to play a song properly"

As Meg laughed and continued to ask simple questions to Lorenzo, Erik stroked her back gently and walked to the kitchen, grabbed one of the daisies Meg had bought earlier and hid it behind his back, walking once again to the living room to rescue the poor Lorenzo. He passed Meg and stood behind Lorenzo.

"Well, I must be going" said Lorenzo with a sad look "I told Papa I wouldn't be long and Mama must be already at home"

He took a step back, colliding awkwardly with Erik. As fast a he could and with an amused grin, Erik gave him the flower and motioned him to turn around. Catching on Erik's plan, Lorenzo took a step towards Meg and handed her the daisy, blushing fiercely and looking down to his feet.

"It's for me?" Meg asked sweetly. Lorenzo nodded and Meg took the flower from his tiny hands. Leaning down she grabbed his porcelain face and kissed him on the cheek. The boy looked up surprised, then smiled brightly and ran out of their villa laughing excitedly.

Meg watched as Lorenzo ran away, laughing softly at the boy's reaction. She then looked up to Erik, who had approached to stand in front of her. The corner of his mouth was turned up in a silent smile.

"I believe you have an admirer" he chuckled as Meg's cheeks began to gain a slightly pale pink. Something changed in his eyes "Why didn't you come to say hello when you arrived?"

Suddenly getting nervous, Meg looked down and walked in the direction of the covered loggia "I don't like to intrude when I'm not required"

Erik followed close by "Ah…but to sit in the stairs is better, isn't it?"

Meg stopped with a start and turned around quickly, an expression of shock and surprise in her face "How did you know…I didn't-"

Erik chuckled "I'm not deaf, ma Cherie, and you are not wearing your ballet slippers"

With a sigh she looked down at her feet "All right, I was there…but when I heard what he was saying…I just…"

She didn't wanted to cry, but the explanation Lorenzo had given Erik was so beautiful, and to think it came from only a little boy made her heart ache with compassion. Not even she had been able to give Erik a good answer for having his face. And suddenly Lorenzo had given them both the best answer anyone could've asked for. She felt one of Erik's strong fingers raise her chin up, forcing her to look directly at him.

She was surprised when she saw big tears rolling down from his cheeks "A monster doesn't deserves an angel's tears"

Suddenly angry at the way he thought about himself, she took a step back and walked to the edge of the loggia, needing to put space between her and his hypnotizing gaze. She knew that if he kept looking at her that way her knees would begin to falter. He moved silently towards her, she could sense him. Somehow there was something about him that made her feel protected. The scent of roses and that masculine scent which was uniquely his intensified. He was standing behind her, she just knew.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hugging herself "I don't like knowing that you believe you are a monster, when you certainly are not"

"Forgive me, Meg" he said gently, fighting the urge of placing his hand over her shoulder and embrace her "After years of being called that way…I think I ended up believing it myself"

She turned around quickly, her face beaming woth emotion "What do you need me to do to prove you are not a monster?"

"I want you to be happy, Meg…to have the life you always dreamt of" he said with a sad smile.

She tilted her head, holding his gaze "I'm living in Florence with my friend, what else could I ask for?"

He shrugged and smiled innocently "Maybe some pancakes?"

She stood still, confused. But then, as she realized what he meant, she laughed and hit him on his chest playfully, surprised when she realized his shirt revealed partially his bare chest. She looked up again and found him staring at her, his gaze telling her that he had noticed. He lifted his brows in challenge, the corner of his mouth up, struggling to fight a smile back. She laughed again as if nothing had happened, walking past him and in the direction of the kitchen. Erik stood in the loggia for a moment, smiling to himself as he watched some birds flying off the nearest tree.

Meg took out the fruits she had brought and the flour "With caramel syrup?" she asked loudly so that Erik could hear her. Although she already knew the answer.

"Loads!" Erik's loud excited answer came from the loggia. She laughed heartely at his childish reaction towards the caramel. Apparently he had never tasted it before, and now it could be said that it was his number one obsession.

"You play the violin beautifully, Erik" she said casually, raising her voice over the sound of the frying pan. She was then rewarded with the sound of his deep laugh and the violin playing Mozart while she finished Erik's pancakes, with loads of caramel.

They walked briskly through the crowds of the Florentine streets, enjoying that the day was warmer than others had been. Following the instructions of Arabelle, they were on their way to the post office.

"I have left Mama's letter longer than I should have. She will be worried about us" Meg walked quickly, managing to pass swiftly through the large crowd. Erik followed close behind, holding her hand to not lose her. He had said everything to calm her down, but apparently she was far too stubborn to listen.

"The letter will be there, Meg" he assured her tiredly, letting himself be dragged by the little ballerina.

The main post office of Florence was far from La Medicea, so it had been a long walk, which had allowed Meg time to organize her thoughts. And also Erik. The little chat he had had with Lorenzo had left both of them speechless, Meg knew Erik had begun accepting his face, as he was now walking with his bare face. Somewhere along the long way, he had lost the stiffness and relaxed, facing the fact that no one would run away. Did he know how far he had already come? To the point of having an almost normal life? Also he had begun playing music again, something she feared he wouldn't do again. Glancing back to steal a glance at him, she smiled when she realized that Erik still was surprised by the architecture of Florence.

They went in Piazza Puccini, quickly recognizing the building of the post office, Meg hurried her steps and reached the entrance quickly.

"Do you want to come in? Or wait here?" she asked turning to Erik. As if waking form the trance Florentine architecture had put him on, he blinked several times.

"I'll wait" answered softly with a smile. Meg nodded and entered the impressive building. After a few minutes, she was already coming out of the post office, in her hand clutched tightly the letter from her mother. Turning around and stretching her neck to find Erik, she spotted him watching a group of street musicians and clowns. Smiling for herself, she walked towards him, putting a hand over his broad back. He turned around and smiled.

"Was it there?" asked Erik raising a brow.

She raised her hand in defeat showing him the letter, feeling guilty for ignoring him all the way to the post office. They slowly made their way out of the little crowd that had formed around the clowns and walked towards the fountain in the middle of the plaza.

"Would you mind if I read it now?" Meg asked quietly as she sat down on the edge of the enormous fountain.

"Not at all" he said standing at her side "You know, a girl in the studio asked if we have tried gelato already…I think it's the perfect time to try it" he chuckled pointing to a store of bright colors which read Gelateria in bright pink letters.

She giggled "The long walk here made me quite hungry"

"So then gelato is perfect" he smiled and bowed his head, turning to walk towards the Gelateria.

Meg observed Erik as he walked past the crowd swiftly, amazed and proud of the new confidence that he was beginning to show. With a smile still on her lips, she tugged the envelope open, recognizing her mother's letter instantly.

My dearest Marguerite and Erik:

You do not know how much joy your letter has brought to me. To know you both are safe and sound, far away from this horrid place brings me the peace I have needed since the moment I arrived home and saw that your dresses were missing. It is my happiness to know that now you both are having a wonderful time there, but once more I must say that things here are not over. All the staff of the Populaire has been questioned by authorities, and as you, Meg formed part of the ballerinas, they asked to talk to you. I informed them that you have long since departed from here to go and stay with a family friend to get away from all of this madness, but apparently the ballet rats still don't learn when to keep silence. Rumors began spreading about you running away with a mysterious man, as apparently, someone saw you leaving on a horse with that supposed man. The authorities began to suspect and be unsure of my statement, so they have required your presence in Paris no later than the end of this January.

So now I have a request for you, Erik, knowing the good heart you have and how you have protected us both during these years. I ask you to make Meg your wife. You are the only man whom I trust with the future of my angel, I trust that in time, both of you will find joy and happiness within each other. Meg trusts you and I believe you trust her as well, for without trust neither of you would have gone on this journey. I hope that one day both of you will forgive my interference, but you must understand that if Meg presents in Paris with another last name and a husband, the suspicion of her running away with the Phantom will at last be over. If you decide to honor my wishes, I'll be sad to miss your beautiful wedding, but the happiness to know that Meg is safe will be a greater reward. I pray for both of you every night, and will continue until I see you again. My deepest love to both of you.

Antoinette.

Meg's hands were shaking after finishing her mother's letter. Her heart pounding loudly in her chest. Suddenly, she realized it was taking her a great effort to breath, feeling trapped under her dress and corset. She needed to get out; she needed to return to their home. Glancing up to see where Erik was, she realized he was walking back, a big cone of gelato in his hand. When he realized something was wrong, anguish shown clearly in his expression. His lips parted to call at her as he walked faster to her, soon reaching her side. Her eyes flooded with tears, feeling a mixture of betrayal and shame.

Erik saw as Meg struggled with something; her face had grown considerably pale and she was breathing harder. He reached her side soon, a million of horrible scenarios of what that letter contained forming in his mind. He threw the gelato away and kneeled in front of her, holding her hands, which were incredibly cold.

"Meg, what happened?" he asked worriedly as he tried to make her look at him.

"I just…I need to go" she tried to stand up, but her legs faltered and he quickly caught her. Slipping a long muscled arm around her tiny waist, he kept hold of her as they walked out of Piazza Puccini. Erik knew she couldn't walk to La Medicea, so quickly he found a carriage. He helped Meg up and after giving instructions to the driver, he went up too. He sat close to Meg, holding her tiny hand between his as he rubbed small circles to calm her down, or probably to calm himself down. She was shaking and pale, scaring Erik. He looked to her other hand, in which she firmly gripped the letter from her mother. What had been written there to make Meg react the way she was?