From Present to Past (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 42

(Sarah's POV)

I cracked several eggs into the pan and proceeded to work on frying them for breakfast for Mother and I.

Mother walked into the kitchen and smiled. "Good morning."

"Good morning." I said as I turned to her and smiled. "Sleep well?"

She nodded. "Yes. Did you?"

"Like a log except for a bout of morning sickness a few hours ago." I said as I flipped over the eggs.

"It will be over soon." She promised.

"I hope so." I said. "I hate it. I hate being sick."

"As did I." She said and sat down. "Sarah, what do you know of Erik's past?"

I frowned. "I know a good deal about it." I said as I removed the eggs from the stove and put them on two plates.

"Please tell me what happened after he left home." She whispered.

I set the plate down in front of her and I sat down opposite her. "Two weeks after running away from your house he was found by a caravan of Gypsies and they decided he would make a great attraction for their freak show." I said as coldly as I could. "They put him in a cage for display."

She gasped and covered her lips with her hand. "How dare they?!"

"They kept him for several years, beating him whenever he refused to reveal his face for the crowds." I said, keeping my voice as calm as I possibly could despite my anger towards his master.

"Then, what happened?" She asked softly as she felt tears come to her eyes.

"Erik's master tried to do something horrible to him and Erik killed the man and got away. He moved around a little, here and there, working magic tricks and showing his face as necessary to stay alive." I said as I balled up my fists and ground my teeth.

She began crying. "W-When did he meet you?"

"He was on his way to Persia from Russia. The Shah wanted him to build a palace for him." I sighed.

She nodded and tried to calm down. "So many things have happened to him."

"So many..." I whispered as I stared into space.

"He's happy now." She smiled. "He has a wife and a baby on the way."

I scoffed. "He has the wife. The baby is a thorn in his side." I said as I covered my stomach with my hand.

"He must have gotten over it by now." Mother said.

"I don't think so." I said. "I don't think he ever will. I can tell he hates the baby I'm carrying. I'll be a single married mother." I said with a frown.

She frowned as well. "That isn't right."

"I know. But, Erik is a stubborn man. I can only pray he might change his mind once he sees his son." I said.

"Are you certain it's a boy?" She asked.

I nodded firmly. "I just know it is. I even picked out a name for him." I said as I smiled happily.

"What is it?" She asked with a smile.

"Erik Michael Braun Teubner. He's named after his father and my father." I said. "I always wanted to name a son after my father."

"It's a good strong name." Mother smiled.

"That's what I think." I said proudly. She smiled and finished my breakfast.