A Song In The Dark

Old Friends

"So... What should we do now?" Erik asked wrapping his arms around his wife's waist. "Should we see what the city has in store for us?"

"That's Exactly what I was thinking." Ada giggled as he kissed her neck.

Ada wiggled from his arms and grabbed her shawl and Erik got his hat. Arm and arm they left the small apartment, "are you hungry?" Erik asked as they passed a bakery. "Yes but nothing sounds good." Erik walked into the bakery, "fruit sounds ok." Ada chimed picking up an apple but her face went pale looking at it.

"You never turn down baked goods." Erik told her as they left the bakery. Ads shrugged she wasn't going to tell him she was feeling sick to her stomach would only cause him to worry.

They strolled the streets, looking through the shop windows.
"Erik! Look over there!" Ada gasped pointing to a large building. Erik's eyes widened at the sight of an opera house for sale in perfect condition it was simple but with the right person it could become beautiful. "It's perfect!" Erik gasped looking at the for sale sign.

He knocked on the front door before taking a step back. A woman opened the door a face he knew well her jet black hair in a braid and a stern look that softened at the sight of him. "Erik? Is that you?" The woman gasped clasping her hands over her mouth in disbelief.
"Erik who is this?" Ada asked getting jealous. "Madam Giry, this is my wife Ada. Ada this is Madam Giry she was the ballet instructor at the Paris opera house." Erik explained. Ada nodded but still looked confused.

"Well come in you two and make yourself at home." Madam Giry instructed.

"Are you selling the theater?" Erik asked over tea.
"No I'm just caretaking. The old owner died leaving it to his son who is selling it to pay off his gambling debt." Erik nodded he didn't like paying a man for a debt that he owed but this building was his dream. "Erik! You would be a great owner!" She acclaimed.
Erik nodded, "that is what I came for actually."

"If you don't mind me asking," Ada said her curiosity getting the better of her, "how do you know each other?"
Erik sat back in his chair recalling many years back his eyes were distant telling Ada it was not a time he enjoyed thinking much less discussing, "I was living with the gypsies and she helped me escape and hid me in the cellars of the opera house." Erik explained seeing no need to go into painful details.

"Mother!" A girl shouted running into the room.
"Meg! Mind your manners." Madam Giry snapped standing up. "
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know anyone was here. I..." Meg froze her big blue eyes fixed on the mask. "It's you!"

Erik's face grew red and hot as he chewed his lip, Ada looked down at her hands laughing to herself at Erik's awkwardness.
"It's you!" Meg repeated "you...you..."

"For goodness sakes Meg pull yourself together Mr. Y is a guest and a potential buyer please maintain control." Madam Giry spit slamming her signature cane on the floor causing both Erik and Meg to jump out of habit.

"I'm sorry Monsieur it's just I didn't expect you to look so..." Meg paused thinking of the words to say, "your not how Joseph Buquet described you."

Erik snickered, "thank you Meg." He chuckled blushing slightly.

Ada's face went white as she crumpled slightly clutching her stomach. "Ada, are you sure you're ok?" Erik asked grasping her hand. "Yes, I'll be fine it will pass soon."

"You've had a long day, we should go. Thank you Meg, Madam We can talk more at a later time."

"Erik, we didn't have to leave trust me I am fine." Ada sighed as they walked down the opera house steps.
"You are going to the doctor tomorrow." Erik commanded sternly, the best one Manhattan has to offer. "I don't think that's necessary." Ada sighed rolling her eyes.
"I'll decide what is necessary. Many people get sick in the ship and I won't have you be one of them."