Bravissimo

Young Destler

January, 1881

Erik-

With Annabel at my side we walk up the stairs to the prop level and begin to grab what we need for next week's performance and rehearsals. I chuckle as I hear Christine laughing with Carlotta, obvious excitement radiating off of her. For in a few short months we'll have another child. I look over and see Annabel carefully unwrapping the thread of Carlotta's orange dress from around the mannequin. 

"You know I remember your mother breaking the news when she was pregnant with you." I say as Annabel pats off all the dust from the dress. "I'll bet she was as excited as she is now." she says looking it over for cuts and rips, as is routine for all costumes. I shake my head and put my finger to my lips. "No." I say with a smirk. 

"No?" she says and looks at me. "She was more. You were our first child, this you know." I say and she nods her head. "Did mother take a leave as Prima Donna then too?" she asks and I nod. "Yes, and for quite a while after you were born too." I explain and reach to the top shelf next to her for the matching shoes.

"Let's see, that day she told the Opera Populaire, she was on the stage and I up in the rafters. Her brown hair shinning, but no where as bright as her smile. She told all our friends she was with child, and that she was to take a break for the time being." I say and she nods putting the dress over her small shoulder. "You were up in the rafters-" she begins, silently looking over the railing for any listeners. 

"Because you made an appearance that day?" she asks and I shake my head. "Not exactly, but a letter. See whenever I gave, and sometimes still give out a formal letter, it was given to Antoinette by me, and from her to the Opera." "I knew that. And what did mother do when said letter was reviewed?" she asked, checking over the railing one more time. I grin at the thought of that day and say, "She acted devastated, and everyone that hadn't known the truth, believed it." Annabel nods and I lift the dress from her shoulder. 

"This attire will most definitely look better for our setting. Carlotta may not like it but then again who's Opera is it?" I say lending her my hand to go down the steps. When we reach the stage Carlotta greets us with, "Well there's Annabel! Quiet as a mouse per usual aren't you?" she says and Christine and I exchange glances. 

"Hello Carlotta." Annabel says as Carlotta embraces her in a hug. "You're to be a big sister in a couple months aren't you?" she asks. And Annabel nods with a smile. "A big ten year old sister, to be exact I hear Andre say from the back." I look to Christine and she walks over to me putting her hand in mine and she leans on me. I see Annabel handing Carlotta's dress to her and I feel Christine giggle against me as Annabel puts her hands up defensively as she explains to Carlotta that the dress is not ready and she has no reason to fret. 

"Go try it on, and then tell the seamstress where you need it altered. I promise it will be finished before your performance." Annabel says. "I am trusting you young Destler." Carlotta says with a flick of her fan and walks away. "Annabel!" We hear Antoinette say. "You're here! Very well."

"Yes, but what for Grandmother?" Annabel asks and Antoinette smiles. "You're going to be dancing with the other girls from now on. I trust you can ignore the imperfections?" she asks and Annabel grins. "Of course." she says and walks away to go get ready.

"Quite the dancer already isn't she?" Christine asks. "Yes, and quite the singer." I say and feel her breath hitch. "She's ten now, and the stalling is getting on my nerves." I say and look around. "I can feel the tension with Annabel as well, as respectful as she tries to play it." I say and Christine removes her hand from mine. 

"I am not ready." she says. "Will you truly ever be?" I ask with a bit of anger. "Y-yes." "I gave you ten years, meanwhile stealing ten from her. How much more time do you need?" I ask and as much as it pains me to make her cry she needed to hear it. Annabel comes back out ready for her lessons without a word and begins her stretch routine. Maestro smiles at her and lifts his violin and she nods, he begins to play and Annabel begins to dance. Annabel turns, kicks, and spins, following Maestro's notes and a great smile begins to form on her face. Annabel slowly brings her dancing to a close as the other young dancers begin to gather in. Her smile quickly leaving her face as does mine as we see Charles Durand walk in with his niece. Annabel's face not of anger, more of annoyance toward the young girl, mine with definitive rage against her uncle. Annabel looks to Antoinette and asks, "He's teaching today?" and Antoinette looks to me, knowing that if so I will be staying until he leaves.