Me: *whispers to Erik* Are you sure you want to do this? *sees Erik nod* Okay then take it away maestro!
Erik: *excited*Greetings respectable readers it is Nightstar and Erik here to present to you the new and exciting chapter of Guiding Light! *clears throat* As you may know dear readers, there are only 5 chapter left until the final act of this story. We really appreciate you're support and we send a shout out to infinitydanutless, the most recent guest who commented, SelasVictoria, NextNewAge (though I know you pranked Nightstar I still give you props for that), Transformers' BABY, and AnnjaleeMay (by the way Nightstar and I love "The Phantom and his Voice are Always There":D) for the comments it was much appreciated! *turns to me* How did I do?
Me: *gives him two thumbs up* You were fantastic! Anyways thanks for the support you guys and this chapter is finally the party! So I cordially invite you to Rebecca Maria Vega's fourth birthday party! I also would like to invite you to check out the new blog I made for this story the link is in my profile for this site!
Erik: Alright on with the story it's party time! *excited and having party streamers and horns*
Me: *smiles and laughs* So without further ado I present to you this new chapter of Guiding Light. Please don't forget to comment and review! :D
Mathew's P.O.V~
(day of the party 10 a.m)
As I entered our home, I placed the box I had with me in the drawing room and then I headed towards the kitchen to have a proper breakfast. Even though I had delicious coffee and pastries, I had to have proper nourishment. I headed towards the kitchen but along the way I was stopped by a mass of curly hair coming at me at full speed. My niece, who ran up to me, hugged me and I being the favorite uncle spun her around and returned the hug!
"Feliz Cumpleaños sobrina mía! (Happy Birthday, niece of mine!)" I said as I hugged her as warmly as possible. Ah the privileges of being an uncle, you get to spoil you're nieces or nephews and prepare for your own!
"Tío Mathew, where have you been all mourning mommy has been looking for you!" Rebecca explained as I placed her back on the ground.
"Well, my dear I was out making sure your cake was ready and you're present as well!" As soon as I said those words Rebecca's eyes lit up and she looks behind my back to see if I have it with me. I chuckle at her attempt, "you won't receive it until later."
"You shouldn't have told her then that you got her a present then hermanito (little brother) now she'll become restless trying to find it," Elena appeared already ready for the festivities. I then noticed my little niece and she still had her nightgown on, "Rebecca, mi vida (my life), let's go and get you ready for your party! Okay?" I accompanied both of them to the stairs then my sister turned to me as she ushered Rebecca up.
"Debes pensar que soy un idiota para creer eso, hermano (You must think I'm an idiot to believe that, brother). Tell me did you go to the opera house?" Elena said that as a statement rather than a question.
"Elena I actually went to the-"
"Mathew Emiliano Vega! I know you're lying! You went to the Opera house and told him didn't you!"
"Elena I am innocent! Look," I exclaimed while giving my sister the bakery's note. My sister examined it for a while then sighed as she handed the note back but narrowed her eyes at me.
"You are not clear of my suspicion, hermanito (little brother)... and don't try to be cute by saying 'hello suspicious, my name is Mathew Emiliano Vega'!" Elena said as she went up the stairs but still narrowing her eyes at me.
"Don't worry hermana mía (sister mine) we already been introduced!" I called out to my sister. I then went to the kitchen and had my proper breakfast. Although I had coffee with the Phantom I was famished from walking around Paris and the catacombs. As I walked into the kitchen a single thought went through my head: I could not wait for the party.
Elena's P.O.V~
(Day of the party 3:30 P.M)
"Disculpe, perdóneme (Excuse me, pardon me) coming through. Hello there!" I said as I walked through the crowd carrying a platter of or devours and greeting the guest which the majority of the masked guests were children from the block and some were the children of the members, workers, and actors/dancers etc. of the opera house. Everyone there was luckily enjoying themselves and those who did not particularly liked me were not there. Rebecca had made her party a masquerade so Erik could not feel out of place. As I and the girl we hired served the or devours I kept looking for a particular person.
"Don't worry dear. Erik likes to make a dramatic entrance; he'll be here," Madame Giry's voice stated as she helped herself to an or devour and startled me in the process. I then blushed at the moment and tried to come up with a reply.
"I worry for Rebecca, she is anxious to see him. I don't want to see her disappointed Madame," I answered to Madame Giry who looked at me with worry and unconvinced.
"Elena, you and I both know that using a daughter as an excuse is the last resort. I know you love Erik," at that moment I looked at Madame Giry with shock, "just like he loves you, my dear."
"Madame I think you misunderstand, Erik does not love me," I said while navigating through the crowd of faces and children and Madame Giry followed. She then with a stern tone told me something that made me stop in my tracks.
"Elena, I am no fool my dear and I have seen the look in your eyes and his eyes many times. It is the same look that both your brother and daughter have when they are in each other's presence. It was the same look I gave to Meg's father many times before he passed away. It's the look of love, Elena. I see it every time you talk to Erik or are near his presence, or when I mention him or you think about him. He does the same you know... You two are perfect for each other," Madame Giry stated.
"That is enough Madame Giry, " I said in my equally stern tone, "it seems both you and Mathew have got this idea that Erik "loves" me, it is clear that we have a friendship and only a friendship. Erik sees me as only a friend and I- I..." I couldn't finish my sentence.
Madame Giry smiled and then placed her hand on my shoulder, "My dear, you may fool the world about your feelings but you can not fool your yourself. The heart is a curious thing, Elena, it recognizes love, and yours is no different. I suggest you start listening more to it and acting upon it. You don't have to be alone all your life, you deserve love."
As soon as she said this Madame Giry left me be and began to mingle among the crowd. As soon as she left I began to think about my heart and as bizzare as it seems, they were right about my feelings for Erik. I had been in love with him since that night of Don Juan Triumphant's first and last performance, I had been hoping that he would notice me among the crowd that day, and when the Opera House went into flames I prayed that he was alright and that one day I could meet him. I never thought my prayer was heard until I came to the Opera House, but by then I had to enclose my heart with a barrier that only a few could enter into its chambers. Las puertas de mi corazon se abrieron para Erik sin ningun problema cuando lo conoci formalmente (The doors of my heart opened without a problem for Erik when I met him formally). El corazon sabe lo que quiere y el mio lo quizo a el (the hearts knows what it wants, and mine wanted him).I walked towards the garden and placed the platter near the small stand, I was realizing everything that Mathew and Madame Giry was true. In a distance I was brought back to the present time by Rebecca laughing and having the most fun I have ever seen her have fun. I smiled and remembered that I could no longer think of myself, I had to think about my child and her well being first. I can not be foolish and act with my heart because of the effect my actions will have on my daughter, she is also my heart and one of my reasons I live. I quickly moved towards my daughter, who was playing a game of "tag" with the opera house children and some of the neighborhood children as well.
"Gustavo you run too slow! I am four and I run faster than you, a five year old, and you're not even wearing a dress!" Rebecca exclaimed while running away from a little boy with blonde hair in a black officer's uniform with gold details all around. He looked oddly familiar... his eyes...
"It's Gustave not Gustavo, and I'm not slow! I am only letting you be faster out of kindness," the little boy exclaimed as he huffed air in and out of his mouth. I wanted to observe him more but his mask was covering very well his face, only his eyes and mouth were seen.
"Don't be so kind with me then- Mommy!" Rebecca spotted me and ran up to me. I laughed a bit and knelled down so she could give me a "proper" hug. She then squeezed me so tightly and I reciprocated the favor.
"Mi amor, te gusta tu fiesta? (Do you like your party, my love?)"
"Si mama! Pero... no ha llegado el Señor Erik (yes mommy! But... Monsieur Erik has not arrived yet)," Rebecca stated a bit crest fallen.
"Don't worry he'll come, he promised you and Erik always keeps his promises," I said with a smile making my little one come to life with a new hope, "so I walked into the kitchen and guess what I saw?"
She looked so excited not and started to jump a bit in her place, "What did you see?"
"I saw the biggest... most delicious... and beautiful cake I have ever seen in my life! I wonder whose cake it is?" I said acting as if I didn't know. Rebecca's eyes went wide and started to jump in place again her curly hair was bouncing freely and erratically, "So, the question is do you want to cut the cake now, later, a week from now or until your next birthday?" I joked.
"Mommy it will be spoiled before next week!" Rebecca giggled "I want to cut it now, but can we wait a few minutes? I want to wait until Monsieur Erik gets here."
I was a bit surprised but then I understood Rebecca, she too loved Erik and wanted him to be there. I nodded and then told her to keep playing with the children. She ran back and the children welcomed her back with great enthusiasm. Back in Spain, I remembered when the children would shun her and literary push her away, the children here are a lot nicer. I then got up and headed to the kitchen to make sure the cake was alright. Along the way I greeted some guests and played the part of a hostess, so far this party was going extremely well. When I walked into the kitchen I began to place more lemonade into a tray, I was a rather hot day so I couldn't keep our guests dehydrated. I had my back turned and I was so concentrated on the task at hand that I was startled when a pair of hands covered my eyes.
"Guess who," A sweet melodious voice whispered into my ear. I felt myself blushing.
"Erik! You startled me!" I exclaimed as he removed his hands from my eyes and turned around to face him. His expression showed that he enjoyed my reaction a bit.
"Elena, you should know by now that I do enjoy startling people," he joked and then looked at me with those golden eyes of his, "you look beautiful, as always."
"Thank you and you look handsome as usual," I said while observing his costume. That was odd, we were both wearing similar costumes! Oh lord! We look like a couple in courting!
Erik's P.O.V~
I got to the Vega's household a bit late, or at least late by my standards. I had to take in consideration what Mathew had confessed to me, so I wrote and rewrote a song I had for Rebecca. The song not only would be for the entertainment of the guest and Rebecca but would reveal or at least attempt to portray the feelings I had for Elena. Once I was done I realized I was an hour late, so I quickly grabbed a costume I had in the back of the closet. It was black solider coat with silver, gold and blue star designs ,the cape was black transitioning to dark and light shades of blue and had several more stars. The pants were black transitioning to dark blue to a sky blue as well.
"Guess who," I whispered into her ear attempting to be sweet.
"Erik! You startled me!" Elena exclaimed as I removed my hands from her eyes and she turned around to face me. My expression apparently showed that I enjoyed her reaction a bit.
"Elena, you should know by now that I do enjoy startling people," I joked and then looked at her chocolate brown eyes, "you look beautiful, as always."
"Thank you and you look handsome as usual," she said while observing my costume. That was odd, we were both wearing matching costumes! Why, I dare say, we look like a courting couple! It seemed Elena had also that same thought going through her mind for I saw her slightly covered face turn as red as a cherry. I was about to speak my observation out loud but then Rebecca, the little angel came excitedly.
"Mommy, had monsieur Erik app- Monsieur Erik! You came!" the little angel exclaimed as she recognized me from my mask. She ran up to me and gave me a warm hug. No doubt this was Elena's child, Rebecca's hugs are as warm and friendly as her mother's I thought returning the hug.
"Of course little one, I promised I would come didn't I? Well now I am here!" I stated as I looked Rebecca. Rebecca although happy appeared to be looking for something. I, confused inquired her behavior, "What are you searching for little one?"
"Monsieur Erik, I am looking for el sol y la luna (the sun and moon) on your costume... but I am also looking for my gift," Rebecca answered truthfully and pulled away to inspect me.
"Rebecca Maria Vega! No seas mal-educada! (Do not be rude!) Monsieur Erik has come here at a very risky state to celebrate your birth! It is very rude of you to inquire if Erik has brought you a gift. I taught you better manners than that," Elena sternly stated to Rebecca.
"Elena you are being too stern with her and it is perfectly natural for children to inquire that question. Besides there was no harm done and I did indeed bring her a gift," declared as I acted a bit uninterested with the mention of a gift. Then Rebecca broke the widest smile I have ever seen in my life and began inspecting me again.
Both Elena and I chuckled at her antics and soon I explained to her that she would receive many gifts from me when the time came. With that being said Rebecca latched to me and her mother. Leading us back to the party, more specifically her uncle. Along the way Elena greeted guests and excused herself politely, I did the same seeing that it would be the most natural. We then spotted Mathew and I could not believe my eyes.
Mathew the man, well a boy in my view, who dared venture off into my realm and face me. Demanding me to tell my intentions and feeling with his sister, that same man who in a few short talks became someone I would consider brave and perhaps my only male friend. That man was wearing soldier's uniform, a typical costume found here, a fuchsia coat and white pants the lapels on his coat were gold and he had a white rose over his heart. To my utter surprise Mgg Giry was wearing a similar costume except she had a white shirt instead of the pants that Mathew sported. They were both had been officially courting for a couple of days but the love in their eyes looked of that as if the two were with each their entire life.
He soon acknowledge my presence an excuse himself and Meg from the guest as and came hurriedly to where his sister and I resided.
"Erik, you made it! I was beginning to think that you were not going to attend! Por un momento me estabas asustando. (You were scaring for a moment)" Mathew stated.
"There was no need to worry Uncle Mathew, Monsieur Erik promised mommy that he would come and I can tell monsieur Erik always keeps his promises," Rebecca stated as she grabbed a hold of my hand and looked up at me. I was touched that Rebecca had become attached to me and I to her. I smiled at her and then I noticed Elena and her facial expression. She was happy and was not tense like she was usually in rehearsals. She was not acting out of the ordinary here, in her home she wasn't the Prima Donna or the Prima Ballerina who had the weight of the production on her shoulders. Here in the comfort of her home she was just Elena, a loving, caring, energetic mother and responsible and equally loving and caring older sister. I briefly glance at her and I caught her staring at me and almost blushing when she was caught. Mathew and Meg noticed our reactions and then a smug smiled formed on their faces. I smiled at them then smiled at Elena who also smiled back at me. She was looking even more beautiful tonight but I did not have the courage to say it to her.
"So Monsieur Erik when will I get my gift?" Rebecca asked breaking the silence between us.
"Well, I wrote you a song but I am afraid you might not hear it with all the noise here so maybe we'll have to wait until everyone is gone," I said with a smile and a bit of concern.
"Nonsense Erik! I'm sure Rebecca won't mind if you play it right now," Mathew looked at his niece and saw her nod," see I told you. Now about the noise," Mathew said as he marched into the room where the piano was situated.
"Mathew, I don't think you should," Elena finally spoke and looked at me apologetically. Her eyes had a shine to them and the mask emphasized them even more. However, not even his sister's warning and beautiful eyes could stop Mathew from marching on and continuing his mission. He got to the middle of the room.
"Excuse me, Excuse me. Ahem," Mathew cleared his throat and directed himself to the guests, " Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. We have a special performance for my little niece. Our family friend Erik... Destler, Erik Destler has compose a very special piece for the birthday girl. So will everybody give him a hand."
He soon ushered me to the piano and I bowed a bit, never truly experiencing a willing live audience. I sat down, took a deep breath, and began to play the song that would ultimately change not only my life but those around me as well.
Never thought I'd find the light again
Become lost in the dark and rain
And those skies, they soon would clear
In my life, now you're here
Why am I falling, falling in love with you tonight?
Why am I dreaming, dreaming that we could turn out right
I can't even resist, feel I only exist in your arms, in your arms
I saw into the audience and saw Elena and Rebecca fully enthralled and focus on the song. I caught a glimpse of Elena's eyes and I saw something I could quite decipher. The look in her eyes was warm and gentle it made me feel brave and it gave me the courage and confidence I needed to make the song meaningful and convey my feeling for her.
Close the door on what I used to be
Make it all a distant memory
Lost myself in the night
But those wrongs you made right
Why am I falling, falling in love with you tonight?
Why am I dreaming, dreaming that we could turn out right
I can't even resist, feel I only exist in your arms, in your arms
This was it the verse that would ultimately alter my connection with Elena. I just hoped that she understands it and feels the same way, I thought I took a deep breathe and sung out the following with all the passion and feeling I could muster. I was fueled by love and that was enough.
You put your faith into my name
Healing me to love again
Why am I falling, falling in love with you tonight?
Why am I dreaming, dreaming that we could turn out right
I can't even resist
Feel I only exist in your arms, in your arms
Why am I falling
I falling, falling in love with you tonight?
As the song ended Rebecca ran to me, and hugged me tightly and the guest were clapping. I smiled and reciprocated the favor to Rebecca and I looked up and saw Elena smiling and tearing up. Mathew had not lied to me about his sister's feelings after all.
"Monsieur Erik that was beautiful! I loved it!" Rebecca exclaimed as she continued to hug me.
"I'm glad you liked it my little angle but that's just one half of your gift," I stated while making her present appear out of my pocket. Rebecca's face lit up when she saw the wrapped medium size box and then looked at me with a sort of shock and amusement. Elena on the other hand looked at me with pure shock. Rebecca then delicately got the box and began to unwrap it; it didn't take her long to unwrap the package and she took the lid off the box. When I heard her little gasp and the guests' choir of "Aw" I knew right then and there I did well in my choice.
"I LOVE IT! He is so fluffy and adorable Monsieur Erik it is the best teddy bear I have ever had! Oh what is he holding?" Rebecca immediately saw the rectangular box the bear was holding. She opened the lid and took out a purple dress with silver embroidered flowers and designs on it. It fit a bit big on her but in three or four years she would be able to enjoy it to her heart's content. She then noticed again another smaller box in that box. She then examined the box and opened it with smile. Everyone gasped again as they noticed the gold pendant with a flower design. Inside was a photo of her mother and then on the other side a blurred photo of myself, you couldn't tell it was me but nonetheless it was still a thoughtful gift nonetheless.
"A pendant! I love it! Monsieur Erik you have made my birthday the BEST one I've had!" Rebecca replied with the biggest smile anyone can muster.I continued to hug her and just when I was about to speak someone appear that made my look harden. My new hate Miguel Iglesias.
Dear Readers,
Sorry for the hold up guys but I just recently started college and I needed to get used to the flow. Also a heads up I won't be able to update often but nonetheless I will make an attempt with this story since it is my first story. Thank you all for your support and the comments. You guys know the drill please continue to comment and review and let me know what you want to see in the next chapter. I literally only write for you guys and gals. And BTW I created a new website where you can see the characters and upcoming projects in mind. The link to it will be located in my bio and the site is mobile friendly. There you can be updated and will receive a faster message from me there. I encourage you to check it out! I eagerly await your response.
Your Obedient Writer,
Nightstar871