By the time that Christine started feeling better, she'd realized that she was in the vicomte's home. Not with Erik. Her children were here as well. This was something that confused her and worried her in equal measures.
She knew she had been sick, but surely she hadn't been that bad? She'd felt like death warmed over, but she hadn't thought it was beyond Erik's capabilities. He was always so talented at everything that he did.
Perhaps it had been beyond his control just this once. But at the same time, she would've thought that he would've demanded their return once she was better.
Erik wouldn't just leave her stranded with her husband, especially when she made it clear that she no longer wanted him. Would he? She didn't like to think so.
Not unless he decided that he no longer wanted her. The idea was painful to consider but it was possible. After all, it was likely her body would take forever to go back to normal after having two babies.
Christine didn't have too much time to dwell on it. The door swinging open had snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see the usual maid carrying her twins in. She couldn't help the slight smile that formed on her face.
"I do believe that they'd like to spend some time with their mama now that she's aware." The maid informed, returning her smile.
She was always so pleasant. It was very much welcome. Especially compared to the rest of the staff.
"Of course! I could never turn down spending time with my little sweethearts." Christine cooed, taking them from the maid.
She immediately kissed both their foreheads. Adélaïde had been first and then Gustave.
Despite her concerns and fears, holding her children had automatically made her feel a little better.
Erik had not moved from the bedroom since sending Christine and the children away. He couldn't bring himself to do anything productive. There was no point in his opinion.
What good would haunting the opera house bring when he didn't have anyone to haunt it for? He didn't need all that money to himself.
Music was also out of the question. Music was impossible to make without Christine at this point. Perhaps it had been his music for awhile, but ultimately it was hers now.
Sending Christine away had been for her own good. It really had. But at the same time, he had never regretted agreeing to an idea more than he did that one.
Giry had good intentions but she had thoroughly ruined him with that one. He curled up further, clutching one of Christine's dresses for his body.
It barely smelled of her anymore but he could always move on to the next dress. It would bring him comfort as he willed himself to waste away.
It probably wouldn't take too much longer at the rate he was going, but he didn't care. At least he'd be out of his misery.
Christine would learn how to be happy with the vicomte again. It would probably be incredibly difficult for her given the other woman he slept with.
But picturing her unhappy hurt too much. He needed on of them to be happy with the situation in some way. Even if it was out of the desperation to seem alright for the children.
He couldn't bear to think of Adélaïde and Gustave either. The idea that they'd grow up referring to another man as papa was something that killed him. They probably wouldn't even hear stories of him.
Erik knew for a fact that Raoul would probably insist that she purged him from her memory after all. He wouldn't like the idea of having a wife that couldn't let go of her fling.
He rolled out of the bed and ventured out to find something to drink. He needed something strong. So at least he'd be numb to everything for awhile.
Raoul sat in the bar, clutching the mug tightly. He hated that thing that Christine seemed so fond of.
The first few days that she'd been in his home, she had asked for no one but him. Even at her most delirious she couldn't even try to ask for her husband.
Perhaps that was his fault. He had been too easy on her. She should've known that leaving in the first place simply wasn't an option.
If he had been more firm with her, he would've been nearby while she was in labor. But he definitely wouldn't have been with her, either.
He wouldn't be surprised if the freak had left on purpose. After all, birthing was a woman's job. Not a man's job.
Raoul downed the rest of his alcohol and slammed the mug down, gesturing for more. Once it was refilled he took a long drink.
The first thing he needed to do was find a way back into her good graces. He most definitely couldn't go around making demands and orders if she still hated him.
Christine would be even more prone to disobeying him if he tried that. She wasn't outwardly bold, but she had a streak of it a mile wide.
That would have to be taken care of to at some point, but only after he laid down the ground rules. He couldn't afford to get ahead of himself in the slightest.
Perhaps he should start by taking her out for dinner. It wasn't as if it would be anything out of the ordinary and he could always have the maid look after the twins.
He couldn't be bothered to go for a proper nanny. Christine had always complained that she didn't want one so he wouldn't get one for her. He could respect that one wish.
But if he intended for her to agree, he couldn't seem drunk. He'd have to make it seem like he was finally turning his act around.
With this in mind, he pushed the drink off to the side. He paid his bill and left the bar, intent upon getting Christine dressed and in the carriage. Surely she was well enough by this point.