22. Ghosts from the Past

Madame Giry and I had been at sea for what felt an eternity, with each passing day my anxiety grew greater. Had fate been as cruel to my daughter as it had been to me? Did she inherit my deformity? Antoinette reassured me that that was the least of my problems. Claudine was bound to let me have it when she saw me. She even told me that Claudine might have moved on from me. Obviously she wasn't a positive force, she was still upset at the fact I didn't take my fatherly responsibility more seriously.

"You shouldn't have left them in the first place." That was her favorite phrase during the duration of our journey.

"Last I checked it was your niece who left me." She scoffed at my retort.

"It's not like you left her with much to work with, you're a very difficult man. What she saw in you before, I have no idea." My eyebrow twitched.

"Besides I had other things going on in my life Antoinette, I had an opera house to run." I hated being stuck in this cramped room with her.

"You mean people to boss around, murder and frighten. Oh and let's not forget the fact that you basically flaunted your love for Christine in front of Claudine." She crossed her thin arms and scowled at me.

"I did not flaunt anything in front of Claudine." My voice slightly raised.

"Obviously you did otherwise she wouldn't have been pregnant." She looked away from me and I could feel the blood rushing to my face.

"ANTOINETTE!"

Claudine's P.O.V

It was a rainy day in Clarina, nothing new about that but it was almost like the rain had an ominous under tone to it.

"Strange weather." Thomas spoke up from his corner, a rare occurrence.

"Something is coming no doubt." Clara dried her hands with her apron and looked out at the rain.

"But it's not a heavy rain like usual, in fact I would imagine taking a walk right now would be the most refreshing thing right now." I smiled and looked at Clara who smiled and waved me off.

"I have some letters that need to go to the post, I'll watch after Roselynn she's about due for nap now anyways." I got up and grabbed the letters from the basket by the door.

"I'll be back before she wakes up." I took my mother's shawl and the umbrella by the door and walked out of the house. The post office was about a thirty-minute walk there and back, most of the time it was too muddy to walk and Thomas would have to take the cart with him. The only downside of walking was that I'd more than likely have an encounter with Delphine. Her father was the owner of most of the building here and she usually hung around the post office. She loved to torment this poor boy named Samuel.

Truth be told I did miss Paris, I missed my Aunt and Meg. I didn't miss the drama and oppressiveness. Here I didn't have to be a lady of society, I could just be a humble bakery shop worker with my daughter. One thing was for sure, I wasn't going to be looking for love anytime soon. I needed to focus on Roselynn and give her the life she deserves, who knows maybe she'll develop my piano skills. Oh how my fingers ached to dance across the ivory keys, even if it was just once more in my lifetime. But such luxuries in a middle class family didn't exist. I was content with this life and I had no intention of abandoning it anytime soon.

"Good Afternoon Claude!" Samuels voice startled me as I looked up. I had reached the post office and it appeared Samuel was about to make his runs.

"Good Afternoon Sammy, how's your mother?" I smiled.

"Eh she's my mom, cross as ever." He smiled wide, he had a gap between his two top teeth. It always amused me, he had such a funny smile.

"Got some postage for me there Claude?" He held his hands out and I gave him the letters.

"Oh right, sorry about that my mind has been in the habit of drifting today." He chuckled and I looked sheepishly at the ground.

"What's new? Anyways I was wondering do you want to head to Quins pub with me tonight?" The blush was apparent on his face, there was no doubt in my mind that he had intentions to court me.

"Oh, Sammy… you know I can't I have to be home with Roselynn and I can't ask Clara and Thomas to watch her on such short notice like that. They've got little ones of their own." I looked down at my feet and shuffled them uncomfortably.

"That's alright Claude I get it. Your daughter comes first. But if you change your mind you know where to find me." He winked and began to walk in the opposite direction I had come from. Sammy was such a sweet man, but I couldn't allow myself to be hurt again.

Erik's P.O.V

Antoinette and I finally arrived to port, after our arrival we took a carriage to the town Clarina where Claude was supposedly staying. On our way there I saw a woman with a black umbrella walking towards town. I didn't really get a good look at her face but she seemed oddly familiar. We arrived to the inn where she was staying, as soon as we walked in we were greeted by six faces.

"MOM! YOU HAVE A CUSTOMER!" The smallest boy shouted up stairs. His mother obviously heard him as she rushed down the stairs.

"How many times have I told you children not to shout while I put the baby down!" She scolded her little boy as he ran from her grasp.

"I'm sorry sir, children will be children. What can I help you with?" She smiled and smoother her apron.

"I received a letter from one of your occupants here, her name is Claudine she's my niece. Is she here?" Antoinette pushed past me and looked the woman in the eyes.

"Why yes she's working here and boarding here, but she's out running errands for me right now. Would you like a room at all? You'd better hurry our spring festival is up and coming and people from neighboring villages like to take part in it." This woman could talk, but something about her was so calming.

"Yes we would like two rooms please." I started take out my money so I could pay her but she shook her head.

"Any family of Claude's are family of ours. Pick whatever room you'd like." She walked off towards the bakery part of the building.

"Let's go get settled Erik, there's no point in waiting here." Antoinette started to walk up the stairs, I started to follow after her but I paused and looked at the door.

"Erik, if you're not up here by the time I'm to my room I'll drag you by the ear!" Antoinette had that look in her eyes, but I could help but roll my own.

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Claude's P.O.V

I walked up towards the front of the house, but before I could get to the doorway Clara's children stopped me.

"CLAUDE! WE HAVE GUESTS!" They all shouted at the same time.

"We do? Already?" The inn wasn't expected to have visitors until midday tomorrow.

"Yes! It's a lady with a long braid and a scary looing man dressed in black." That made my blood run cold.

"Clarence, did this man have a white mask on?" He nodded his head.

"I think so, I couldn't get a good look at him though." I ran into the house and towards the bakery.

"Clara!" She turned her head towards me and gasped.

"Good heavens child, what's the matter you look as if you've seen a ghost!"

"I might as well have! Who does he think he is? Just to walk in on our lives like this? After he wanted nothing to do with us!" I paced the floor as Clara watched me with a confused look on her face.

"Who dear?" I whipped around and faced her.

"Er- it's not important right now. Was a woman with him?" She nodded.

"Yes she claimed to be your Aunt." I stopped and smiled.

"What room is she in?"

"I believe she's in room 38." She smiled and I thanked her before leaving. I ran towards the stairs and I flew past all of the doors until I came to room 38. I softly knocked on the door and I heard some shuffling.

"Claudine?" My aunt flew the door open and smiled at me.

"Aunt Giry!" I flew at her and hugged her close to me.

"My dear Claudine! Look at you!" She held me at arm's length and gazed at me.

"Aunt, is he here?" I lowered my voice and looked into her room.

"Yes, he wouldn't take no for an answer. He's in room 40, the last room down the hall." Hugging my Aunt one last time I walked out of her room and down the hallway. I couldn't bring myself to knock on his door. Just as I was about to walk away his door swung open and I was left paralyzed with the realization that we were alone in the hallway.

"Claude?" His voice still sounded like velvet and it sent shivers down my spine. I turned around slowly and stared him down. My hands were shaking and my knees felt as though they would give out at any minute.

"Hello Erik."

Alright Guys! There you go! So I have some news I have recently just started another account on fictionpress where I will start to publish some more original work. However, I dont think I will have anything in the works until this story has come to it's conclusion. That being said I want you guys to know how much I appreciate the reviews and feedback. Seriously without you guys I wouldn't be motivated to write another chapter. You guys have made this such an amazing experience for me and I can't ever ask for greater fans. So in regards to the story things are about to heat up and get juicy. Because really, should you expect any less from this drama filled romance? As usual review and leave whatever feedback you'd like. Feel free to message me as well! Love you guys!

-Kara