Erik's P.O.V~
(Same day 5:25pm)
The hours ticked by and I couldn't help to feel a bit nervous about this encounter. I was wandering the halls through the shadows waiting for the carriage to arrive. I had everything I needed to take (which were the leaves and the flowers). It was agonizing torture but all I could do was endure it. I was near the entrance when I hear and saw the carriage pull up. I quickly and discreetly exited the Opera House; this was the first time I had ever been out of the Opera House and I felt very vulnerable, yet for some odd reason I would do this and much more for Elena and Rebecca. It was odd that two people who had come unexpectedly in my life had made me care so much for them. I pondered on that thought as I approached the carriage.
"Good evening Erik, it's nice of you to join us," Madame Giry said in a motherly but warm tone as I got into the carriage. I smiled at her which made little Meg go in shock.
"Go-oo-od evening E-e-rrik," Meg stuttered a bit still afraid me.
"Good evening Miss Giry and Madame Giry. I must say you both look stunning, more so than usual," I said with a small smile. Madame Giry rolled her eyes at me and Meg fell even deeper in shock. The ride itself was rather short perhaps a good ten minutes but it seemed rather long to me. Each house we passed made me wonder where in all of Paris was my Elena living. As we came to a stop I got out first and paid the driver and then helped Madame Giry and Meg out of the carriage. While I helped Meg out I couldn't help but admire the small garden this house had. It was the corner house of that street and was relatively bigger than any of the other houses on the block. Madame Giry and Meg walked up the few steps the house had and knocked on the door.
"I cannot believe Mathew bought this house for just the three of them," Meg commented as we waited for the door to open.
"Mathew… you mean that fop, Rebecca and Elena are living together! Is Mathew attending this dinner?!" I whispered harshly while trying my best not to hurt the items I was holding.
Before Meg could answer the door opened and there stood the fop looking perfect and had a goofy over excited smile on his face. It was disgustingly attractive and answered my question.
"Meg it's lovely to see you… and you too Madame Giry," the fop said as he looked from Meg to her mother but then his eyes laid on me.
"What is he doing here?" he asked with a protective tone.
"I hope you don't mind that I have invited him… I thought it might clear a few misunderstandings by bringing him here," Meg answered as she gently grabbed Mathew's arm and gave him a smile only a lover can give. The fop at seeing this smile relaxed and bid all of us to enter. He was a great host whether I liked it or not. He had the ladies' coats and hats placed in the closet as well as my cape and showed us to the sitting room.
"Elena will be down in a bit. In the mean time can I offer anyone a beverage?"
"I would very much enjoy one," I answered politely.
The boy nodded and then looked at Meg who accepted and Madame Giry who accepted as well. He disappeared for a few moments leaving us to observe the surroundings of the sitting room. The boy obviously had good taste and from what I can see was very in style. I set the items in a small table that was near me and walked around the room looking at the décor the fop had. Then I noticed that there was a beautiful white piano forte and on top of it was a picture. I then observed the picture. There was young girl holding the hand of a young boy and a couple behind those children. The girl looked oddly familiar. I held the picture and examined it closely, while Meg and Madame animatedly chatted about the décor of the house. I then noticed the woman behind the boy in the picture and instantly recognized her. It was Anna Cristina, my Elena's mother.
"Beautiful picture isn't it sir? That was taken when I was barely six years old. Era solo un chamaco!" (Translation: I was only a little kid. Note chamaco is slang/ improper term for little kid who is a male. Chamaca is the girl version) I was startled both by Mathew catching me observing the picture and him speaking in Spanish.
"You are a Spaniard?" I asked as he handed me a glass with what I suspect was brandy.
"Yes I am. I was born and raised in Granada, but I learned English and French during my studies," he stated as he handed the other drinks. I then preceded my attempt at a decent conversation with this boy.
"So this is a rather old picture, it is beautiful… who is the woman behind you?" I asked as I observed the picture again and noted that the girl that held Mathew's hand was Elena.
"That woman is the most beautiful and most good hearted person the world had ever seen. I only wish that all of you could have met her."
Just as I was inquire more I was stopped by the sight of two angels descending from the stairs. Rebecca was wearing a cream colored dress with gold trimming but still looked somewhat sick and frail. Her curly hair was pulled back into a low pony tail and looked so much like an angel. Rebecca was not waking down the steps but was carried by Elena. Elena looked astonishingly more beautiful than usual. Even though she was sleep deprived she had the same motherly and kind expression, her eyes sparkled brightly as diamonds, her hair was styled in the shape of a rose with a few silver pins that made her look like she had the stars stuck in her hair, and the lavender dress she was wearing fit her body perfectly. She took my breath away and I felt as if the world consisted of only Elena and I.
"Ah there they are!" Mathew said rather amused as he approached Elena and Rebecca and made me come back to my senses.
"I hope we didn't take too long but alguien quiso ayudarme con mi maquillaje," (Translation: someone wanted to help me do my makeup) Elena said while still not looking around the room. However little Rebecca saw me and smiled.
"Monsieur Erik, you were invited for dinner?" she asked with a little too excitement that caused her to cough and then Elena then looked at her surrounding and spotted me immediately. She looked absolutely panicked and was white as paper.
"Yes, I was invited by Miss Giry little angel… I hope it's not an inconvenience," I said while looking and walking to Elena (who thankfully was already at the base of the stairs.)
"It is not," Elena stated as she readjusted her hold on Rebecca who seized her coughing fit and sounding a bit frazzled. Rebecca then noticed the rest of the people there and immediately hid herself in her mother's neck. Elena and the rest of us chuckled a bit; I then unconsciously grabbed Rebecca from Elena and carried her in my arms. Rebecca looked at me and smiled but hid her head in my neck and clutched my shoulders, and then we walked towards Meg and Madame Giry. Elena was in shock again but she then strode to my side to make sure Rebecca was fine as well as greet Madame Giry and Meg properly. They exchanged a few pleasantries and then introduced Rebecca to Madame Giry.
"Madame Giry this is my daughter, Rebecca Maria Vega. Rebecca this is Madame Antoinette Giry, she is in charge of the corps de ballet and is also Meg's mother," Elena said as she held Rebecca's free hand. Rebecca slowly moved her head towards the direction of Madame Giry and then squeaked out her hello.
"Hello Madame Giry it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Hello Rebecca it is a pleasure to meet you too! I must say Elena you have a well mannered and beautiful daughter! How old are you Rebecca?" Madame asked with a smiled and genuine kindness. A mother's trait no doubt.
"I'm going to be four, three days from now," she answered a bit more confident and less shy. Madame looked impressed and then looked at Elena. She gave her an "I'm proud of you" look and I couldn't help but feel a bit of pride of being near Elena. As soon as Madame smiled at Elena, Mathew stepped in and interrupted the scene.
"I think we all should go to the dinning room shall we?" the boy said as he held out his arms to Meg and Madame. Meg quickly interlaced her arm while her mother calmly placed her arm. They strode off to the dinning room and Elena looked at me alarmed and at that moment Rebecca chose to jump out of my arms and walk off on her own. Elena and I were standing there surrounded with silence and discomfort. I then remembered the flowers and went off to get them. Elena was staring at the floor avoiding me until I cleared my throat. She looked up and at that moment I concluded her eyes were the brightest of all the colors.
"These are for you, Mademoiselle Vega," I said as I handed her the flowers. She gingerly held the flowers and smelled them. She wasn't saying anything and that itself drove me mad. I wanted her to actually have a conversation with me, to speak to me or even yell at me; anything but I just wanted to hear her.
"Thank you… So I am not Elena to you anymore Erik," she said a bit hurt at my choice of words.
"Elena I didn't mean to upset y-"
"We better join the others," Elena stated as she looked down again, "this way follow me."
Before she could leave I linked my arm into Elena's and exited then room with her by my side. This evening would be rather interesting if I do say so myself.