Chapter 20: The Months that Followed…
My arrival to Ireland was surprisingly easier than my journey from America to France. I still had to cross a small portion of the Atlantic. Aside from the morning sickness and constant feeling of impending doom I rather enjoyed myself, having some time to think was long overdue. With the constant buzz of the opera house I wasn't really allowed to have a private moment to myself. I was either composing, gossiping with Meg, or I was with… No I had to stop thinking about him. He was the past and I had to move towards the future. But I knew deep down that I could never truly forget him. My child that resided within my belly was my constant reminder that I had let myself fall too far into the sea of passion.
Upon my arrival to Ireland it was absolutely pouring, seems as though that fair weather just wasn't in my cards whenever I travelled. I arrived to a small town by the name of Clarina, just off of the coast. Instantaneously when I smelled the salt sea I felt at ease, this was the smell of new beginnings. While walking to my cottage I could see that many of the people here had worn faces. But they were so friendly, I met an old man by the name of Thomas, he was no older than 65 I believe. Offered to carry my bags for me, I declined of coarse because he was just as thin as I was.
Once I finally reached my destination I could hear the familiar buzz of busy bodies. Dishes were being stacked and men were smoking and mumbling about how their wives constantly nagged them. The women talked in hushed tones about the latest gossip in town, covering their mouths and giggling like school girls.
"Who are you?" I felt a small tug at my dress, when I looked down I saw a little boy. He was probably around the age of seven.
"I'm Claudine, please to meet your acquaintance young man." I crouched down to his level and held my hand out to him.
"You look new here, and you have a funny accent." He stuck his little thumb in his mouth and looked me up and down.
"Brian leave our poor guest alone, go play with sheep or something." His mother came through the kitchen doors and stood before us. She was a tall woman with dark brown hair, I liked her right away she had a kind spirit.
"Nice to meet you ma'am, I'm Claudine." I stood and shook her hand. She took my hand and pulled me towards her.
"You don't have to be so formal dear, come sit with me and we'll chat." She led me to a table that was set up to a bay window. I would never get used to the amount of beauty that Ireland had to offer. It was absolutely breathtaking.
"Beautiful isn't it? The moor?" She smiled as I pulled my attention back to her.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be distracted." I smiled sheepishly.
"Oh don't even bother with it dear, when shes calls your attention you can't help but look." She smiled.
"So in regards to room and board I can pay my way as long as I find work." At the rate I was going I had to find work soon. I had to support my child and I.
"Pish Posh, you have a job here if you want it. I need help in the bakery anyways. Marlene just quit on me, the sour cow." She chuckled.
"Thank you so much! Honestly!" I smiled and took her hands in mine.
"Oh it's nothing dear, how could I turn a single mother away from my door stoop." My heart stopped in my chest.
"H-how did you know?" Her eyes trailed down to my stomach and she smiled.
"Dear, I have six children. I know all the signs. That and your belly is slightly showing already. Looks like a strong one there." She smiled.
"Oh."
"If you don't mind me asking dear, but where is the father?" I took my hands and put them in my lap and clenched the fabric of my dress.
"He- he's gone." I couldn't even bare to think about him. The way he looked at me in disgust.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry I don't know when to mind my own sometimes." She took her handkerchief out and handed it to me.
"That why you anyone and anything with a pulse!" He husband exclaimed from his little corner on the opposite side of the room.
"Just eat your porridge and worry about whether or not I'll feed you slop or not old man." They carried on with one another like for the duration of the morning. I went from crying to laughing within minutes. Maybe I could be happy here.
Erik's P.O.V
She was gone for so long now, I missed her antics and laugh. Most days I couldn't help but wonder how she was and how she was getting along with the pregnancy. The opera house had become such a cold and bleak place since she left me. I missed our friendship and her delicious vegetable soup. I missed the way her red hair curled and sprung out in wild directions and the dotted freckles across her face. But what I missed most was her eyes… how they could hold me in my place like she casted a spell on me. I just…missed her.
I couldn't write, I couldn't sleep and even when Christine would glance my way I… I didn't know what I felt anymore. Not like it mattered anymore, she was gone with no clue to where she had gone. Her difficult aunt refused to spill any of the details, I didn't even deserve to write to her. I have every right to though, I mean the woman is carrying my child for Christ's sake! My child… huh if anything I would have thought Christine would have borne my children, that or I would have never fathered.
Despite everything I had to focus on what I had in front of me. Claudine left me. Tonight I will make Christine mine, I'll prove my love to her with my latest opera. She will be mine.
Hey guys! Sooooooo... I know I've been MIA lately... again. I know I'm such a mean author! But good news I started school again and I found a full time job at my local zoo! Yay! The next chapter will go about maybe six months into the future. Be prepared for the drama and such! I love you guys so much! Your support and your reviews mean so much to me and I enjoy reading them. Private message me if you have any questions or if you just wanna say hi! Bye guys! The next chapter should be up by the 28th of January!
-Kara