"Ch-Christine.." The name was gasped and barely audible, yet Erik jerked back like he had just been burned by a white hot iron.
The older woman collected herself and went to retrieve her cane, eying him somewhat hesitantly.
He couldn't find the words to apologize. He couldn't focus on anything but the churning in his guts. Nevetheless Giry seemed to understand.
It would be surprising if she didn't, given how long they'd known each other. That did nothing to lessen the guilt though.
She was right. if he had killed her, he'd be the man that Chrisitne feared again. Perhaps she hadn't said that much, but she'd definitely implied it.
He rushed over to the lake when the churning became too intense and emptied his stomach. He didn't stop at doing so once. He continued until there was nothing left to bring up. Until he was absolutely weak at the knees.
Giry had apparently made her way over to him during this because she rested a frail hand on his back, rubbing it lightly.
It was oddly comforting despite the fact he could feel her trembling slightly. Which was to be expected. Even if she understood, there was no way that she hadn't been terrified in the moment. Any logical person would've been.
Erik finally finished and raised himself up with a harsh, stuttered gasp. He wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his suit jacket, peering at the older woman almost thankfully.
"Now that we've had a break through.. I think it's time for you to get yourself together and reclaim what belongs to you." Giry informed before walking away.
He let her, too busy rolling her words through his head. For the first time in her life, Giry was absolutely correct. Not that he'd ever tell her that.
He needed to get Christine and the children back. Surely, she was at peak health by this point. He was fairly certain that being without her for too much longer would actually kill him. He wasn't stupid enough to think that she meant it the way he took her advice, though.
Giry had always been against the situation. She wouldn't change her mind that quickly just because he was so clearly falling apart. No, she was referring to the opera house. His home.
But none of that meant anything to him without them. Without his angel and their children. Getting them back was the only way that they could both win in this situation.
With that in mind, Erik immediately headed off to wash himself up and ensure he no longer smelled of stale alcohol. He wore his best suit and pulled on an even better cloak.
Once everything seemed to be in order with his appearance and odor, he made his way to the surface. His anxiety spiked when it came time to exit the opera house fully - but he wouldn't let anything stop him in this quest.
It wasn't hard to find the vicomte's home. It wasn't hard at all. The hard part was getting in. But he had his ways and he'd managed to do so without being detected.
Once inside, he recieved almost devastating news. Apparently the happily married couple had gone out to dinner.
But he refused to believe that it was Christine's idea. No. It couldn't be. Not after everything that had happened, including the vicomte's affair. Surely she wouldn't forget something like that.
He snuck his way upstairs and slipped inside the nursery when he had the chance. He slowly and quietly approached the twins, the aching in his heart intensity.
Gustave and Adélaïde were more perfect than he remembered. He wasn't sure how long he just stood there and watched them. It could've been hours and it could've been mere moments. Time had ceased to exist all together.
But the one thing he did know was that he couldn't leave. Not without them. He hadn't just come for Christine after all. He'd come for his whole family.
He couldn't get to her tonight - but this would surely lure her back to him. If she was well enough to go out , she was well enough to put two and two together.
Erik scooped them up and cradled then safely as he began his escape.
Soon. Soon he'd be complete again.
Dinner had been absolutely awful and Christine had never felt more uncomfortable in her life. Everything had felt wrong and she knew why.
Raoul simply wasn't Erik. Perhaps there was a time when that was a good thing, but that time no longer existed to her. He was and remained the love of her life.
The night would've lasted longer had she not claimed that she was beginning to feel woozy. She simply didn't want to be paraded amongst his peers as if she were some kind of prize that he claimed.
"Maybe next time that we do this, you won't ruin it. You've always been a better singer than actress." Raoul snapped, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Raoul.. can we not do this right now? I don't want to cause a scene." She found herself imploring, shifting awkwardly.
"You already caused one, but sure." Raoul uttered, shaking his head in what resembled disgust.
The carriage ride ended just in time and she got out without waiting. She just wanted to see her children. They were the only things that could salvage this night from hell.
She vaguely heard Raoul grumbling behind her but she didn't pay him any mind. He would've found something to complain about even if she had waited.
Christine took the stairs as quickly as she could without hurting herself or ruining the overly expensive dress. When she reached the nursery, she pushed the door open without a second thought.
Her heart dropped and she braced herself against the wall. She was legitimately woozy in that moment. Gustave and Adélaïde were gone. The world felt like it was closing in on her.
"Raoul! Come quick!" Christine called, forcing more strength into her voice.
The breathlessness probably ruined her attempt but she didn't care. The thundering footsteps made it clear it had worked as she intended anyway.
"What is it?" Raoul demanded harshly when he finally appeared at the top of the stairs.
He was still irritated and this probably wasn't helping him calm down. But she didn't care. She had more important things on her mind than her 'husband's less than stellar attitude.
"They're gone. My children are gone." Christine explained shortly, silently demanding that he do something.
Raoul didn't even seem concerned. He took off, checking every other room.
At first she tried to convince herself that he was making sure. Double checking before he raised a false alarm. It would be embarrassing if that was the case, but she'd take that over her children being taken by someone.
He returned, looking absolutely confused. She searched for concern but she couldn't find any. Not even a little bit. It hurt her as much as it angered her.
It just went to show that everything he'd said before was a lie. He wasn't capable of loving the children. She almost wondered if he'd be able to love his own, had fate been kinder.
"Nothing about this makes sense, little Lotte. It doesn't appear that anyone broke in and nothing else was taken. Who in the hell would just take a couple of infants? Not anyone in their right mind." Raoul ranted to her.
His words caused something to click in her mind and she hoped to God her assumption was correct.
Raoul reached out to wrap his hands around one of her arms, but she backed out of the way. She turned around and hiked up her skirts, practically flying down the stairs.
"Where the hell are you going?" Raoul shouted after her, but she ignored him.
Christine couldn't stop to explain. She just couldn't. The children had to be with Erik. They just had to be. It was the only thing that made sense to her.
The closer she got to the opera house, the more emotion that flooded her.