The carriage ride was long but the crisp spring air was refreshing. Gustave sat slouched in his seat trying to stay awake. He had been up late writing new scores in the music room without our knowing. Erik sat erect he was clearly nervous and on edge. I held his hand in mine tracing patterns on the back of his hand with my thumb. He turned to look at me, smiling at the gentle sensation on his skin. Going to church had been the only time I knew Raoul would never show up when Gustave and I were together. It was the only time I was free to breathe without worrying about offending him. Gustave was able to be himself. It was also the only place I had been free to sing and Gustave to play the piano.
Going to church had been our time together. And now I was thrilled to think that Erik would be there with us. It would be weird to have him there beside me in the pew. I usually found myself searching for his silhouette in the shadows and corners of the building. I knew he was never there but it didn't stop me from yearning he was. When the carriage stopped at its destination I felt Erik tense once more. Gustave jolted upward from him sleep. The carriage door opened and Erik got out. Once out he held his hand out to me to help me down. I took it graciously and stepped out into the bright sun. Gustave quickly followed.
The people we passed couldn't help but stare at the strange masked man. But I held my head high and squeezed Erik's hand urging him to enter the church. It was strange Erik had never been to a real church. He had never really wanted to be around humanity but he especially refused to go near churches. He had always believed himself to be a monster, spawn of Satin himself, a creature of darkness, and a demon from Hell.
Gustave ran ahead of us scoping out the perfect pew. He was disappointed when he saw the lack of piano in the huge cathedral. Erik chuckled knowing quite well what Gustave had been looking for. He tapped him on the shoulder and pointed back behind us. Gustave and I turned to a large pipe organ on a balcony above the churches entrance. Gustavé's mouth fell open and I could see his eyes fill with jealousy as the pianist found his spot on the organ's bench. He cracked his fingers and let them fall on to the keys. They were slow and clumsy hitting wrong note every few moments. Erik cringed at the man's lack of genius. Everyone around us seemed to sway to the bright music filling the room. But Gustave and I both looked at each other with a look of distaste.
"May I?" Before I could answer Erik nodded his head and Gustave was running off towards the staircase at the back of the room.
"You cannot let him do things like that, Erik."
"Things like what, allowing our son to display good music to the world?"
"No things like allowing him believe his better than others."
"But he is."
"I just do not want him to turn cocky."
"Well that is understandable, darling. I am sorry." Suddenly everyone around us gasped. The room was suddenly filled with unearthly music. The pipes bellowed the most angelic music the world had ever known. I turned to see Erik smiling. "That's my boy. " I glared back at him mockingly and he turned away from me. "So, shall we sit?" I followed his gaze to the pew beside us. I slid in and he followed suit. I cuddled as close to him as possible. Being in public and a church made public displays of affection near impossible. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. "So I assume it is just you and I for this morning's service."
The minister entered the room and everyone rose to their feet. His voice was quiet but powerful at the same time. After a while worship began and we sang through parts of the hymn book. Erik glanced done and smiled at me. He was lost in my voice as much as I was in his. His voice was a deep, rich honey that sent thrills through me. We were too enveloped in each other to see the other people turning to hear us. After the singing was over Gustave returned to my side and cuddled into my side. The minister preached on adultery. The topic set my stomach in knots. Was this considered cheating? I was technically still married to Raoul. I knew that Erik could sense my rising anxiety. Nothing about this felt wrong. I was with my fiancée, the love of my life, and our child in church. But it was. I could write a list of all of the sins I had committed in the past month, adultery just being one. Erik's fingers traced down my arms leaving the dark thoughts to float from my mind.
Once service let out we made our way out of the church. Gustave ran ahead leaving Erik to chase after him. A hand grabbed my arm, raising the hair on the back of my neck. I turned to see an old woman staring up at me. I sighed in relief. Why was I suddenly so jumpy? Was I truly afraid of a silly old note? I was engaged to the apparition that had haunted the Opera Populaire for years. No human could ever harm me.
"It was so nice to see such young love. You ought to be very proud of such a talented young man you have. But of course he must have received it from you and your husband." Definitely not from my husband. I smiled back at the woman who held tightly to my arm.
"Yes, his father is quite the musical genius. I am very lucky to have such men in my life."
"I hate to ask, but why does your husband where that mask. He seems to be quite the handsome young man."
"He is indeed. But he is also an artist and a genius. Now if you don't mind I would like to get back to them."
"Certainly. But if you don't mind me asking, what is your name? We would love to have you back here again." I smiled at her but something was just off about this woman. Something was screaming at me not to tell her who I was.
"Meg. Meg Giry." My answer did not seem to satisfy her. She quickly released my arm and walked away muttering things to herself. I turned and hurried back to Erik's protective embrace. I found him helping Gustave into the carriage. I ran into his arms and let his humming hush away my fears.