23. Confrontations and First Meetings

"Claudine…" Erik looked at me, his piercing blue eyes that both he and Roselynn shared pierced through me. We stood there for several minutes, the only thing that could be heard was the small ticking of a clock and my slightly panicked breathing.

"We have a lot to talk about." I tried to steady my voice, even still his presence was still unnerving and intimidating. He stood there silently, his eyes never left mine except for the brief moment where he would look behind me.

"What are you doing here Erik?" He flinched slightly at the sudden raise in my voice.

"I'm here to see my daughter, whom you've kept to yourself." As soon as he said that my anger ran rampant. Perhaps it was because I had gone so long without confront him. Or maybe it was because I hadn't the chance to focus on my own emotions while taking care of Roselynn.

"Are you being serious right now? You're the one who didn't want me- didn't wat us. I gave you chance after chance to be with me Erik! But you would rather spend your affections on someone who would never love you. I was prepared to give myself to you! I was prepared to love you for who you were and what you were! I hadn't planned on falling in love with you! I wanted to be a pianist! That was the entire reason why I came to your Opera House in the first place! Had I known that I would have had to deal with an arrogant ass such as yourself I would have stayed in America! I would have stayed with my mother, I would have married and begun a life of a dreary housewife. Dealing with you and your mixed signals has made me realize that, that would have been a whole better life besides this one. I don't regret having Roselynn, she's the best thing out of meeting you. If it weren't for her I would have wished I'd never met you. I don't want anything to do with you! Let alone look at you right now!" Erik stood before me with a bewildered look on his face. My chest heaved heavily, shaking I took a deep breath.

"But, I am not the one who gets to decide whether or not Roselynn would want something to do with you. Should she decide that she would like you to be a part of her life once she reaches a certain age then I'll respect that. But let me tell you something, the moment she tells me that she no longer wants anything to do with you, then you are done. If you ever make her feel the way you made me feel, you are done. If you ever make her feel unloved, unwanted, irrelevant, or even the smallest amount of inferiority, You. Are. Done. Do I make myself clear?" Erik nodded. Smoothing my hair and my dress I looked at him and smiled sweetly.

"Glad we came to an understanding." With that being said I left without another word or glance.

Erik's P.O.V

After Claude left I just stood there, when had she changed so much? She had somehow transformed from this timid young girl to a full on confident woman. Had motherhood changed her so much? Had I hurt her that much? After about an hour or so after she talked(scolded) to me I heard a small wail. It was followed by a hurried sound of feet, eventually the wailing had ceased and I slowly got up. Walking towards the door I opened it and cringed as it squeaked.

After a few minutes of pausing I continued to walked down the hallway, following the soft sounds of whimpering and cooing. Coming to another door, I could clearly here what was happening in there.

"Claude, you've both been through so much. I know he did you wrong but can't you give him another chance?" Antoinette's voice sounded as if she were pleading with Claude.

"Aunt Giry, he not only deserted me but Roselynn. She nearly grew up without a father. I can't forgive him for that." Claude sounded exhausted.

"Are you sure it's just that? Look, I know he's not the easiest person to talk to."

"He more than that, he's stubborn, selfish, arrogant, and just plain moronic." I narrowed my eyes, she wasn't saying that nearly a year ago.

"Yes, that's true but admit it to yourself Claude there's a small part of you that still loves him." I leaned further in and listened. There was a long pause until eventually I heard a long sigh.

"Yes, but I mostly love him for the fact that he gave me Roselynn. I don't think I could love him the same way I once did. Besides there's a man in town who seems to have taken an interest in me." Once she mentioned this man her voice became more light. Jealousy coursed through my veins. Without a second thought I knocked on the door, again there was a long pause until I heard the shuffling of feet walk towards the door.

"Oh Erik, what a surprise." Antoinette glanced inside, then looked back at me.

"May I come in?" I looked at her. I'm sure my eyes were pleading with her as she looked back inside. Opening the door, she motioned me to come in after gaining Claude's approval. I wasn't prepared to see the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. In Claude's arms was a small bundle of blankets. The small child looked over at me, her eyes were the same shade as mine yet she looked so much like Claude.

"Would you like to hold her?" Claudine looked at me. Her own purple eyes were enough to make me shiver.

"Can I? I don't want to hurt her." Claude rolled her eyes and handed her to me.

"Just make sure you support her head with your arm and hold her steady." Doing as she instructed I looked down upon the tiny little creature in my arms.

"Hello there little one. I'm your papa." Immediately my heart softened and I smiled down upon her. She smiled back and made a few funny noises. Eventually her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep. Instinctively I started to gently rock her. Tears came to my eyes as I looked up at Claudine.

"She's so beautiful. I'm so sorry Claude…" I looked down at my little Rose and smiled.

"I love you Roselynn."

Alright guys! I decided to end this chapter on a sweet note after Claudine's verbal smackdown. Poor Erik! Anyways the next chapter will be full of drama, betrayals, jealousy, and misunderstandings. The good stuff that I know you guys crave! Leave a review on what you thought about Claudine's little confrontation. I know Erik seems kind of wimpy, but trust me he's going to get more, how the youth of today put's it, swole. For us older generations that means more macho. weird right? I hope you guy's enjoyed this chapter! Love you guys!

-Kara