I sadly don't own the Phantom or any other characters created by G. Leroux, S. Kay and A. L. Webber, but they always have a place in my heart.
A BIG thanks to my wonderful beta LUTHIEN SARALONDE, who came this long way with me, and was doing a great job finding any misspelled words or bad phrasings! I would not have come this far without her input and help! THANK YOU, Chris, and may Loki not make too much mischief in you life!
THE END (ALMOST)
The couple slept soundly until around midday, when Nadir woke the both of them, informing them that the doctor had just arrived downstairs, and that he himself was heading home to make up for some well-deserved sleep. He promised to come back in the evening though, should they be in need of him. Erik only grunted in response, while Joséphine thanked her husband's friend wholeheartedly for his efforts in her recovery.
The doctor examined Joséphine thoroughly, while Erik stood impatiently aside, waiting for him to leave so he could be alone with his wife again.
Once he was finished, the physician pulled out a small brown vial and put it on the table next to the bed.
"You have to ingest this three times a day, for at least a week, Madame," the doctor explained.
"What is it?" Erik asked the man, suspicious.
"Powdered willow bark, mixed with herbs that favour your recovery. It is best to dissolve and drink it with a blend of water and vinegar," the doctor replied, ignoring Joséphine's grimace at the prospect of such a combination. "Your ailment should pass in a few days. If you have any further questions, just call me."
The man bowed before Joséphine and Erik, then left quietly.
"You did not tell him that I have been poisoned," Joséphine observed, once the doctor had shut the door behind him.
"Neither did you," Erik replied. "Besides, I do not think much of his skills. Mathilde hinted at you being poisoned last night, and he did not mention it today. He does not seem to know what he is doing. He is more charlatan than a real doctor."
"Erik, surely you are exaggerating, I..."
"No, I don't, my love," Erik interrupted her, his tone brooking no argument. "Nadir knows more about the human body than he does, and I would prefer if he looked at this powder that 'doctor' prescribed to you before you consider taking it."
Seeing the look on her face, his gaze softened. He crossed the room from where he had stood during the examination and sat down on the bed, taking Joséphine's hand. "Please, indulge me. I almost lost you, Joséphine. I just want to be sure that you are safe, be it from Clara, a quack salver or anyone else."
"I won't say anything further on this subject," Joséphine said, yawning, "for now, but only because I am too exhausted to argue with you. Do you think we could go back to sleep, Erik?"
Her husband was only to happy to oblige.
They opted to stay in his room all day, and informed Mathilde and the staff that any visitors were kindly asked to call on them again tomorrow, for Joséphine needed some time to get better before receiving well-wishers.
They did well in doing so, for no sooner than the doctor had left, the Comtesse de Faubournet de Montferrand appeared on the doorstep, wanting to hear everything that had happened after the incident at the ball so she could spread the gossip on the latest scandal of the Parisian high society before anyone else. She was a bit put out that she was asked to come again tomorrow, but, learning later in the day that none of the callers had been received, she was appeased.
The first visitor in the next morning though turned out to be Raoul de Chagny.
Joséphine and Erik had made themselves comfortable in the salon, having only finished breakfast. Erik stood when Raoul entered, approaching the young man to shake his hand. Raoul resisted the urge to recoil when the former Phantom advanced on him purposefully, but remembered in the last minute that he had nothing to fear from him. It seemed that Erik had sensed his trepidation though, because he had trouble hiding his smirk.
Acknowledging a lost cause, Raoul spoke up, "This will take some time getting used to, I believe." Erik only nodded, then motioned for their guest to come forward.
Raoul bowed deeply before Joséphine, and she lifted her hand for the obligatory kiss. "It is good to see you well again, Madame Perrault," Raoul commented. He was truly glad to see that she was faring better. Already some colour had returned to her cheeks, though she was still paler than fashion these days demanded, and she still seemed to be of short breath, but otherwise she was recovering exceptionally well.
"Thank you Vicomte. I do feel much better since yesterday," Joséphine replied.
Raoul seated himself across from the couple in a chair, and thankfully accepted the cup of the tea a maid had brought in.
Once they were alone again, he got straight to the point. "I have news from the Maison Dubois," he stated simply. Erik leaned forward, immediately interested.
"Once you had left yesterday morning, I waited for the police to arrive, intent on getting the Marquise arrested for attempted murder."
Joséphine gasped. How was she going to avoid a scandal now, since it seemed too late already?
"But then I thought about the scandal it would cause, not only for me and my wife, but also for your family, if the poisoning was found out to not be the works of some jealous servant girls, but of a member of high society itself. An act of servants will soon be forgotten, for our class is not known to give the lower ones much thought. But, a crime committed by an upper-class woman, an aristocrat no less, is sure to be the talk of town for weeks, if not months. All our lives will be scrutinised, and there is risk of somebody finding out about our...common past."
"Did the police talk to Clara?" Joséphine finally inquired, her voice barely above a whisper.
Raoul nodded. "They did, but what she said was barely comprehensible. She repeated over and over again that your ghost was haunting her, and that she did not know how to make it go away. When the police found out that you are very much alive though, they dismissed her confession as the ramblings of a mad woman, especially after I informed them that the culprits had already been found and arrested, and that the Marquise seemed to be suffering from severe hallucinations."
"The doctor who was present before I left, he did not object?" Erik enquired.
"No, though he told the police that he had no idea what could be the cause of her hallucinations. He stated that if she continued hearing voices, he would have to refer her to the Salpêtrière for further examinations."
He looked at the couple in front of him, his body tense. He was not sure if he had made the right choice obscuring Clara's involvement in the crime, but as he had said to Nadir the night before, he would show no scruples to protect his wife. Now he only had to wait for Joséphine and Erik's reaction, and would do all in his power to persuade them that this was the best option for all of them.
Joséphine was the first to respond to his revelations. "She is still at the Maison Dubois though?"
Raoul nodded, taking out a folded sheet of paper from his left pocket. "I asked to deliver this personally to you. It is the doctor's attest informing you that the Marquise will be transferred to the Salpêtrière in two days, should you not prefer finding private accommodations for her continued treatment." He handed the note over to Erik, but Joséphine snatched it away, reading through it with trembling hands.
"Erik, we cannot let her get admitted to an asylum. I know what she did was evil, but I do not want everyone to know about it. Please, we have to take her some place else," she pleaded with him.
Before Erik could answer, Raoul intercepted him. "If you permit, I offer you our house at the coast to accommodate your mother during her illness. I can make arrangements for her transfer this afternoon, if you wish."
"This is most gracious of you, Vicomte," Joséphine replied immediately, getting up to take his hand. "I do not know how to thank you for you offer."
Raoul eyed Erik expectantly, waiting for his answer. He saw the man's jaw clench when Joséphine thanked him so warmly, but he did not know what to do. He was surprised when Erik got up as well to shake hands with him.
"I am in your debt, Vic...Raoul," Erik said, "Given our complicated past," at this understatement, Raoul almost snorted, "I did not expect that you would come to my aid, nor that you would forgive me for my past misdeeds. I will eternally be grateful for everything you have done for me and Joséphine in these last days."
Raoul squirmed, clearly uncomfortable with the display of emotion and gratitude. "I...I had my own interests in mind, Erik, do not forget that. I don't want my family any more in the centre of attention than it already is due to my marrying a commoner."
Once the couple had sat down again, he continued. "Speaking of my wife...she first insisted on coming with me today." He saw Joséphine tense up immediately, and knew that he had made the right choice in coming alone. "But I persuaded her that it was in her best interest to stay away from the both of you for the time being," he hastened to explain.
"I know that this is a delicate situation, but I feel more comfortable straightening things out between us before we meet at the next social event."
Joséphine sprung up from the fauteuil and started pacing the room. "You did well telling her to stay away, not only from my husband, but also from me, for I cannot guarantee my reaction should she try ambushing Erik again!"
'The nerve of the girl!' Joséphine thought agitatedly. 'Poor Vicomte, he seems a decent man.' When she crossed in front of the fauteuil, Erik halted her by grabbing her hand. "Joséphine, calm down. Please."
"Calm down? She..." Erik stood up and pressed his lips on hers, silencing her effectively. When he let her go, Joséphine chanced a glance a Raoul who had averted his head in respect, and had turned a brighter shade of red upon witnessing this open display of affection.
"Vicomte, I apologise for my outburst. You must understand that this whole affair is rather disturbing for me. I look forward to seeing you on any further social events, and I will do my best to get to know your wife, but we clearly had a bad start," she conceded.
Raoul nodded, thinking the matter closed for the moment. He did not intent to reveal to them that Christine's wish to come here with him had resulted in a heated argument between him and his wife.
She had pleaded with him to let her see her former tutor again, and all his insistence that Erik Perrault was not the Phantom did not deter her. He tried to make her understand that her childish behaviour was appalling and disgraceful for a Vicomtesse. In return she had only complained that Raoul's sisters and most of the staff did not treat her as such, so why should she behave as one?
When she had dared to threaten to call the police, telling them that Erik was the long-sought Phantom of the Opera, he had had enough of her antics and spoken very harshly to her. He made it clear that first, Erik Perrault was not the Phantom, because if he were, Raoul would already have made sure he was arrested, and second, if she so wanted to see her Phantom, she could leave and go looking for him, but wasn't welcomed back.
Christine had broken into tears, and looked at him with her doe eyes, clearly surprised by his vehemence. Seeing that it was of no use to argue further, she had run into her room to wallow in pity.
"Raoul?" Erik calling his name brought him back into the present.
"I apologise, my thoughts drifted off for a moment," Raoul admitted. "You were saying?"
"I asked if you would accompany us to the hospital this afternoon to make arrangements for Clara's transfer," Erik said.
He had noticed how the younger man's face had saddened when they had broached the matter of Christine, and since their happiness together was in his best interests, he was willing to help Raoul as best as he could with all he knew about Christine. Still it was best they discussed this afar from Joséphine, lest she might get jealous by his continued interest in his former pupil.
"Of course, just tell me when, and I will be there," Raoul answered, getting up.
"I will send you a note," Erik informed him, then, reminiscing about having done so frequently in what he considered now his former life, added, "neither sealed with a red skull nor signed O.G."
Both smirked at that, while Joséphine looked at them, bewildered. She stood, bidding the Vicomte good-bye. "Please accept my sincerest thanks for everything you have done for us Vicomte. I hope you will come visit us in the future."
Raoul bowed deeply, and, after giving Erik one last nod, left.
While Erik was out at the hospital with Raoul, Joséphine had to resist the combined efforts of the Comtesse de Faubournet de Montferrand and her daughter to squeeze every last bit of information out of her. Thankfully, Florence had come to join her for lunch, and assisted her as best as she could to feed the two gossip mongers just as much of the truth as necessary. They informed them about Clara's ailment, and her subsequent need for isolation, and how the Vicomte and his wife had insisted on helping, feeling overcome with guilt for the workings of their servants. When mother and daughter left, Florence and Joséphine were sure that it would take them less than a day to spread the story throughout the city and maybe even further.
Once they were alone, Florence enquired what had happened to the two servants that had been arrested. Joséphine answered that Raoul had persuaded the police to release them in his care, and had then told them they were free to go, but to never set foot into Paris or any town nearby again. He had given them money so they could fare for themselves for a while, bribing them to keep their mouths shut about the whole affair. He informed them that should they talk about the matter to anyone, he would talk to the police and have them arrested again.
Florence admitted that she had not thought that the innocent looking Vicomte had it in him to act like this, but that his handling of this delicate affair was rather impressive. Joséphine could only nod and acquiesce.
After his dealings with Raoul at the Maison Dubois, Erik came home exhausted, glad to be with his wife again, only to find her in the company of not only Florence, but also her brother, Gilles Becault. Erik's mood deteriorated almost immediately.
Florence, sensing the sudden tension in the room, made haste to make her and her brother leave, but Gilles, oblivious to the lie Joséphine had told his sister, ignored her winks.
Erik had trouble not openly showing his dislike for the man, but managed to remain calm, and, explaining that Joséphine needed to rest after a long day such as this, succeeded in making them leave.
Once they were gone, he turned to his wife. "I do not like him. I don't want to see him again in this house, do you understand?" He glared at her, his tone murderous.
Joséphine looked at him, realisation only slowly dawning on her. She had not told Erik what reason she had given Florence to explain their argument, but she now saw that she had hit home with alluding to Erik's jealousy.
With a smile on her lips, she stood on her toes and captured his mouth with hers. Erik reacted immediately, deepening the kiss, drawing her closer to him. When they broke apart, he looked at her bewildered, for he had been sure that she was going to argue with him, not kiss him senseless.
"What was that for?"
"You do not need to worry about Gilles, Erik," she told him, smiling. "I love you, only you."
"Still, I..."
"Hush, say no more. I will indulge you by not meeting him. For now. But you don't get to decide where I go and who I meet, do you understand? I had enough to put up with because of my stepmother trying to control my life, I don't need this behaviour from my husband."
Erik closed his eyes, ashamed. He had not wanted to take control like that, and he understood why she made her position clear to him immediately. He knew she loved him, and she had always supported him, even when she thought she was going to lose him. Still, he had trouble trusting anyone completely, but he was more than willing to try.
"I am sorry," he conceded finally.
Joséphine smiled. "I know. Now, I am famished. What do you say we tell Cook to prepare for dinner?"
A week had passed since then, and the stream of visitors who came by to inquire after Joséphine's and Clara's health had yet to end.
Not soon after one well-wisher had left, the doorman announced the next one, and on the third day, both Joséphine and Erik could not stand any more repeating themselves over and over again, for every one seemed to ask the same questions.
Still, despite all odds, everything seemed to have worked out exceedingly well.
As sure as the sun comes after the rain, the society had already moved on to the next scandal. Coraline Simone, a famous actress of the Comédie Francaise, had committed suicide. She had been pregnant, and stated in her fare-well letter that the child had been born of an affair with the politician Jacques Carbert. Until now, Carbert had been known as a conservative, a faithful family man. Charlotte Carbert, hearing about her husband having taken on a mistress, had taken her five children and moved back to her family in Lyon.
Clara had been transferred to the Chagny mansion near the coast up north, and her maid Camille had followed her. Raoul had made sure to assign three more trustworthy servants from his employees, who would take care of her.
Joséphine had pondered if she wanted to see her stepmother one last time before she was sent off, but Erik convinced her that it was not a good idea. Clara's state of mind was quite fragile after the Phantom had paid her a visit at the Maison Dubois, and, to Erik and Raoul's bewilderment, had not stopped complaining about being haunted by Stanislas and Joséphine. Apparently, the whole episode had been too much for her to bear.
Nadir had referred Joséphine to a Persian physician, and the doctor had helped improve her health at great lengths in just a few days. The contents of the other doctor's vial proved to be helpful as well. Her headache had lessened and the swelling of her limbs was all but gone. All in all, she felt quite good again, after having been through so much.
One evening, when she sat with Erik in the winter garden after dinner, she felt that the time had come to tell Erik that she felt fully recovered. They had exchanged some heated kisses over the last few days, but Erik had always been wary over her state of health and had therefore held back. Not that she didn't mind him being so considerate, not at first, but the kisses and caresses they exchanged every day were driving her slowly but surely mad. She wanted more, wanted to finally know how it was to be with a man, to share her bed with her husband, Erik.
Being in a place as hot and humid as the winter garden gave her the perfect opportunity to make her intentions clear. So, after Erik had finished his drink, she lay her fan aside, stood up and moved over to where he sat.
"Erik?"
His eyes instantly focused on her. He wore the mask, so half his face was hidden from her, but she had learned to read his features quite well.
"This is no longer a marriage of convenience, is it?" she enquired hesitantly.
"Of course not, Joséphine!" Erik exclaimed quite brusquely, surprised by the question. "What makes you..."
"Then shouldn't we...you know..." she had thought everything through so carefully, but suddenly her own nervousness took over, and she was at a loss for words.
'Don't be shy,' she chided herself, 'why should it only be men asking for their marital rights?'
"What?" Erik asked, his voice hoarse. Did she propose what he thought she was proposing?
Instead of answering him, she closed the distance between them and kissed him. His arms went immediately around her, pulling her close.
When she broke the kiss, they were both panting. Joséphine gave him a small smile. "That was a promise of what is to come, should you decide to follow me up to our rooms."
That said, she moved towards the door, her hips swaying slightly, and Erik felt his pants tighten painfully in response. He looked at her, his mouth watering, her eyes glued to her rather enticing backside.
When Erik did not respond, she turned her head to see him glued to the spot, apparently frozen. "Erik, are you coming?" she asked, beckoning him to follow her.
Erik rose from his hormone-induced stupor and came after her.
A/N: Well, my dear readers, after nearly four years I am almost done with this story. I could leave it like that, but I am already working on a bonus chapter - an epilogue. Though, given the time between my updates, I guess this one will take a while too.
I am honoured about the amount of readers, followers and reviewers I have acquired as this story developed itself. I wish to express my big thanks to all of you who added my story to their favourites and became followers to updates. A special thanks to all those who chose to review! I got some real good input from some you, and it was a pleasure reading your thoughts and observations on my little fic!
THANK YOU ALL!