CHAPTER 40

Erik instructed Gangle to make his way to the smaller side gate of the manor instead of pulling up to the front drive. He didn't want to push the buzzer or knock on the door and give Lisa the opportunity to avoid them. He wanted to find her like he had those other times, like a wraith in the shadows of the large house, waiting to be discovered.

When they pulled up to the gate it was immediately obvious things had changed. The moon shone brightly on what was now a lawn free of excess vegetation. The jungle that had added such character and mystery to the property had been cut away and fresh sod had been laid in its place. Manicured topiary's and artful sculptures were visible through the iron bars.

Erik and Gustave stared for many seconds. Erik had expected they would have to climb the wall to gain entrance, but when the boy tried the latch it was unlocked. The circumstances were making them both more nervous than they already were, but Erik's spirit was committed to seeing this games end finally played out.

They both made no sound as they entered and approached the building. It was apparent that Gustave had also inherited Erik's penchant for stealth, a thought that made him smile inside. The grounds were silent except for the constant gurgling of the stone fountain only a few yards away.

With the path cleared it was now easy to view the entirety of the structure as they came nearer, and they both saw that a lone window shone with the light of a lamp. It was the same window they both knew was Lisa's. Without having to discuss it they understood that room was their destination.

The side door was locked, but Erik's skill at home invasion made short work in getting it open and soon they were walking down the hall towards the stairs. So far everything inside was just as they remembered it. They passed the music room and library, whose doors were ajar, revealing the familiar décor inside.

When the stairs came into view all other thoughts and concerned disappeared from their minds, and they were so focused that they nearly missed the dark figure that emerged from the opposite side of the foyer to intercept them.

Kara had heard the sound of the carriage wheels moving along the street and been alerted when they'd stopped. She instinctively knew who it had to be, and when there'd been no sound from the buzzer or knocker she knew how they would be coming so she'd waited for them to appear.

When they finally saw her, both stopped midstride and just looked at her like she was a ghost. Kara welcomed the warmth she felt as she looked at the young boy, but she was unprepared for the relief she felt in seeing the masked man. After a tense moment, she moved forward and opened her arms to offer Gustave her embrace. The boy didn't waste a moment in accepting it. He quickly took the few steps separating them and was enfolded in her arms.

"Welcome back." She said softly, and Gustave chuckled lightly at her words. After a few more seconds they released each other and Kara looked to Erik. "It's about time. We've been back a week already. I was beginning to think I'd have to sneak a letter to alert you of our return." Erik shifted uneasily on his feet.

"She could have sent for us." He stated flatly, trying to keep any emotion from his voice.

"Now you know that woman is as stubborn as they come. When undecided her whole world comes to a standstill, but when she gets an idea in her head there's no stopping her, as you've discovered." She ended. Kara stepped back and made a grand gesture with her hand for them to ascend the stairs.

Gustave didn't hesitate to start his climb, leaving Erik and Kara alone for a moment at the bottom. Neither spoke, but there was an exchange as they regarded each other that both accepted as a peace offering.

Erik turned to follow Gustave, who had stopped at the landing to wait for him. He wanted to include his father in what he pictured to be a grand and loving reunion; it had not occurred to him that the situation was more complicated than he was able to understand.

They approached the door to Lisa's suite slowly and found the doors to be open. It was uncharacteristic of her, they both knew. Gustave looked inside without breaching the threshold. It was the first time he'd seen Lisa's room.

The space was nearly double the size of the guest room he'd previously occupied. It had a much larger bed dominating the right side, flanked by 2 nightstands with lamps. To Gustave's left was a large fireplace whose small fire was dwindling. The far wall had 3 of the manor's characteristic windows framed with deeply violet curtains, and before each window stood an easel, a writing desk, and a daybed.

Owing to its proximity to the ballroom, Erik figured it was originally meant to be a lounge, but had been converted for use as a bedroom. It was comfortable and inviting like the rest of the house, but it was also empty.

Gustave was the first to hear the subtle vibration of someone humming. The sound led his eyes to look back down to the hall they had passed. With Erik in tow, Gustave moved to turn at the corner. Another door stood ajar to the room that neighbored Lisa's quarters, and a light shone from inside.

The pair stopped just before reaching the entrance, and in unison took a deep breath. As soon as they stepped forward she came into view. The area was vacant of any furnishing, and the walls were covered with new lavender wall paper. The room was being prepared for something, as was the rest of the manor based on the changes they'd seen so far.

It made Erik feel even more aloof. He didn't want to invest too much of himself in the hopes that she'd really come back to them and then be disappointed. After all, she'd been here for some time and not tried to contact them. Even the mysterious gifts had ceased.

Lisa sat in the center of the small space drawing furiously in a sketch book. She was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn't notice them right away. Gustave crept up and kneeled down next to her before she was aware of his presence.

The initial look on her face was shock, but it very quickly turned to elation. She rose up on her knees and pulled him roughly into a tight hug. Her eyes were squeezed shut, but tears still managed to escape down her cheeks. When Lisa opened her eyes she saw the man standing just inside the door like a phantom.

Erik felt comforting warmth spread through his body when their gaze connected. He was calm and still inside. The anxiety, trepidation and anger he'd been holding onto seemed to dissipate as he was being filled up inside. He didn't understand what it meant because he'd never experienced anything like it before, even with Christine.

Lisa watched Erik with unblinking eyes while holding on to Gustave. She knew the moment she let go of the boy she'd have to face what she'd done, face him, and whatever uncertain future waited. Lisa wasn't afraid. After all she'd withstood in her life, she knew that she'd be able to deal with and acceptance the consequences of her actions. Her only concern was how Erik and Gustave would react.

"I knew you'd come back. I knew you loved us too much to stay away for long." The two friends stood from the floor.

"Oh my goodness, you've grown!" she said, trying to avoid the impact his statement had made. The young man chuckled as she reached out to caress his cheek. Gustave now stood eye to eye with her and his face was starting to express the sharp angles of impending adulthood. Could so much have changed in just a few weeks?

"Yes, soon I'll be taller than father." At this the man stepped forward. In the past Lisa had always found it easy to get a read on what Erik was feeling, but she found herself at a loss. Her own emotions were just too raucous to be credible. Erik's expression was steely as he looked on her. It was a perfect mirror of the mask's cold demeanor.

"Hello Madam Faolan. It's a pleasure to see you again." Carefully, as if he were afraid to startle her, Erik collected her hand and kissed the knuckles.

"Thank you." She replied with a pained whisper, but then she turned sharply back to Gustave and breaking the free of the awkward moment. "I have a load of gifts for you, though I wasn't prepared to deliver them yet. Why don't we go to my room and we can discover them together."

"Wonderful! I kept all the presents you sent." Gustave immediately went into an excited outpouring of all that had gone on since Lisa's departure, both in the park and their personal lives.

She made special note about what was going on with the Giry's. Madam Giry had taken her option to open her own studio and with the generous number of references sent to Chicago society, she and her daughter were already inundated with students. The dance mistress seemed very well situated and pleased to be reunited with her daughter.

Meg was no longer dancing in the nightclubs of the city and had her own position at the studio teaching modern dance. Though it may not have been the happy ending they'd envisioned long ago, but it seemed the world had now turned in their favor.

Gustave went on and on as they sifted through the bags in Lisa's room and a small pile of treasures built. When they were done, the boy looked at her with questioning eyes.

"What about father is there anything to him?" Lisa looked up at the silent sentinel who'd been watching the, reflexively placing her hands over her abdomen.

"Yes, but we can get to that later." Gustave didn't look satisfied with Lisa's answer and was about to say so when Erik spoke up.

"I think it's very late and we should be getting home." He said. Lisa provided a satchel for Gustave to take his present's home and escorted them to the gate, where Gangle waited with Kara. They'd been talking animatedly and were both wearing rather awkward grins as the group approached.

Gustave gave out one last set of hugs before climbing into the carriage. Erik only nodded, once to Lisa than to Kara, before joining his son. As she watched the vehicle disappear down the road and turn a corner Lisa felt as if a light was put out.