A Song In The Dark

A Child Alone

"Who is this?" Ada asked Erik as he lead Mary to her room. "Mary, this is my wife Ada." Erik told her, "she will be staying with us." Ada didn't need to ask why she knew it was because of her voice.

Erik gave her a small room that was next to his and Ada's. "Your doing way too much for me sir." Mary said in shock at the room. "Nonsense you have a gift and I want to do all I can to make it as best as I can make it."
The girl looked down, "I was with my papa when Christine sang Think of Me that's why I sang it. I want to sing like her." The child said looking about the room.

"Your voice is far more perfect than hers, if you need anything don't hesitate to come I'm right next door." And with that he left.

"Do you mind telling me what's going on?" Ada laughed when Erik entered their bedroom. "She's been on her own for years, no one wants her."
"But this has nothing to do with her voice." Ada joked wrapping her arms around his waist pulling him as close as possible with her growing belly. "No not at all." He replied with a grin.

"And you're not going to pay her for voice lessons." Ada laughed knowing Erik full well was going to. "I'm calling it a student bonus."
"Who knew my opera ghost was such a softy?" Ada laughed. "It's just... I was alone all my life and so was she I want her to have the chance I never got."

"Mr. Y, I love you."

-------------

Erik woke up to the sound of rain tinkling on the roof it made him want to curl back up and go back to bed. After a few more minutes of laying in bed he got up pulling in his trousers not bothering with a shirt. Groggily he grabbed his mask and hairpiece, he had become lazy wanting to just relax in the mornings sense he got married and go to bed at nights instead of sitting awake for hours like he use to.

He rummaged through the opera house kitchen finding something to make breakfast that wouldn't upset Ada's stomach but satisfy her strange cravings.
"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Y." A girl said causing him to jump. He turned around to see Mary standing in the doorway her face blushed.
Erik was embarrassed his scarred chest and back completely visible to the child. "No need to be sorry." He assured her his voice shaking slightly, "I'm not use to others around."

"You're making that bread wrong!" The girl gasped taking the bowl from him, "drys first! And then you add the wet ingredients."
Erik couldn't help but chuckle at Mary as she took breakfast upon herself. "Papa use to put cheese in the biscuits." She told him her face glowing then growing sad. "I miss him." She cried sitting down at the table burying her head in her hands. Erik was frozen he didn't know what to do with a crying girl. Slowly he turned a chair to face her. Thinking of what to say.

"Nobody wanted me we left after the opera house fire. They kept taking me out of each orphan home and work house for three years." Erik's felt a pit grow in his stomach. "Finally they cast me on the street. What's wrong with me? Why does nobody want me?" She cried again falling into his arms. Erik tensed up but quickly composed himself gathering the little girl up in his lap. He hadn't noticed how thin she was she had survived two years on the street being cast out by the world. It has taken a toll on the little 10 year old girl.

"I wasn't wanted either." He told her pulling her blonde hair from her face. "My mother left me on the street in the cold." Mary looked up her blue eyes red and full of tears. "Really?" Erik nodded, "like you I was alone for years and I was sad like you. But I met people who wanted to help me." He told her thinking of Ada and Denis.
"I wish I had someone to come alongside of me and help me not be sad." She said wiping away her tears.
"I want to help you if you would accept me." Erik told her with a small smile. The child's tear filled eyes sparkled. "Thank you Mr. Y."

The little girl got up with a newfound life and energy, "you go get dressed and I will make you and mrs. Y breakfast!" Erik chuckled as he turned to leave. Ada was in the doorway glowing she had herd the whole conversation. "You did so well." Ada told him pulling him aside. "You are going to be an amazing father."

Erik changed silently once they got to the bedroom he couldn't get this girl off of his mind she seemed to not judge him knowing full well if who he was and what he has done.
"What are you thinking?" Ada asked noticing that Erik was frozen staring into the mirror not getting to his shaving. "Erik?"

Erik jumped noticing Ada reflection behind him in the mirror. He sighed "nothing important."
"Yeah sure, it has nothing to do with a little orphan child in our opera house who you have taken a shine to."
Erik shrugged starting to shave again. A knock sounded in the door, Ada left Erik to answer it, "breakfast is ready." Erik heard Mary say her voice bubbling with joy. Before the sound of little footsteps ran down the hall and stairs.

"What do you think?" Erik asked leaning against the doorway. Ada looked at him confused. "What do I think of what?"

Erik shifted looking to where the child stood moments before. "Never mind." He sighed. "Shall we go eat?"