My Angel of Music

Bad News

As Erik and I sat in the library, reading quietly, the next day, the stable boy returned from Paris.  We heard an urgent knock on the door and I rose to get it.  Erik had dozed off in the armchair, Tale of Two Cities lying, open, in his lap.  I smiled to myself before reaching the door and opening it with a finger to my lips.  The boy was about to say something but saw my signal for silence and closed his mouth.  I stepped outside and smiled at him.  "Have you returned already?  I trust you had a safe trip."  I greeted.  He nodded.  "Madame,  I was told my a Meg Giry to give you this reply in person."  He handed me a small envelope with my name written in perfect, girlish handwriting across it.  "Thank you so much.  How did she look?"  I asked.  He shrugged.  "A little pale, and maybe her hair was a little tousled but otherwise she looked fine."  He replied awkwardly.  I smiled at his distress.  "My husband will see to you being rewarded.  Again, thank you."  With that I turned and hurried into the library, anxious to read the letter.

I decided to let Erik have his rest and read the note myself.  I sat on the divan and hurriedly opened the envelope.

Dearest Alexandra,

I am so very happy to hear that you are happily married to Erik!  Mother knew all along that you had willingly went with him, but I had my doubts.  I am sorry to say, I was so worried about you that I rounded up men to go looking for you.  They weren't gentlemen, and some of them were drunk, but it was the best that I could do, I was so worried that I didn't care!

I stopped and gasped.  Meg had sent the mob to Erik's lair?  The same men that had,,,,,,raped me?  But of course she didn't know that they would do that.  Heck, they were so drunk they had forgotten that they were looking for me, and had instead abused me.  But I would not hold that against her.  She didn't know.  It wasn't her fault.

But they never found you.  I was so upset.  I cried for weeks in fear that he had hurt you.  But that does not matter now because I know that you love him and he loves you.  I am so happy for you!  I wish that I could be there with you, to talk about married life.  It is as good as we dreamt it when we were children?  So long ago it seems, that we sat up all night, talking about the princes that would sweep us away.  Now we were forced to grow up.  Now our innocence is gone.

I have bad news.  News that has left me heartbroken.  Mother is dead.  

I let out a cry and dropped the letter to the floor and stood up abrubtly.  A shaky hand covered my mouth and hot tears began to spill over my eyelids.  Erik woke and saw me standing, and shaking uncontrollably.  His eyes widened and he stood, but before he could walk over to me, I ran to him and collapsed into his chest.  My arms were around his neck and my wet face was buried in his chest.  He clutched my shoulders gently.

"What's wrong, ma cherie?  what's wrong?"  He whispered urgently.  I tried to breathe in so I could tell him, but sobs kept escaping my chest.  Finally after forcing myself to breathe in and out over and over, I shakily spoke.  "Madame Giry....Mother.....she is.....dead."  I sobbed.  He stiffened and pulled me away to look at him.  "Christine, what are you talking about?  Did you have a dream?"  He almost didn't believe me because Madame Giry was such a strong woman, no one ever imagined her to be able to die.  I shook my head.  "Meg wrote back."  I turned my head towards the paper on the floor.  

I let go of Erik and slowly began to walk to the letter.  I sat back down on the divan with the letter in hand.  Erik sat beside me and put a hand on my shoulder. I started to read out loud.

Mother is dead.  She died about two weeks after the Opera House burned down.  The doctor's said she had inhaled alot of smoke, but I know that's not what really killed her.  After you and Erik left, she layed in bed and never talked.  Her eyes were sort of dead-like and she just lost the will to live.  I think it was the loss of the opera house and you both that really weighed on her.  Of course the smoke didn't help but.....What's done is done.  Now I am working at a local resteraunt in Paris.  My house payment is due, but I have no money.  I am going to get kicked out by the end of the month.  I don't know what I'm going to do.  So please right back quickly.  I don't know how much longer I have until I'll be living somewhere else.

With love,

Meg

Tears streamed down my face as I spoke the rest of the letter.  I turned to face Erik.  He was crying silently.  HIs hands shook and his eyes were closed.  I crawled over to him and began stroking his hair.  I took of his mask so it wouldn't get wet with tears and began kissing his tear stained cheeks.  He didn't react to any of my actions so I simply laid my head down on his lap and cried.  Madame Giry was like a mother to me.  She was the first mother figure that I had known.  She was strict but kind, and she loved me.  She loved Erik too.  She had saved the man I loved, cared for him when no one else did.  Loved him when the world hated him.  This made me cry harder.

Finally Erik moved.  He gently lifted me off of him and stood up.  I didn't pay much attention to him until he scooped me into his arms and carried me out of the library.  "What are you, doing?"  I whispered.  He didn't answer.  We reached the bedroom and he walked inside, still carrying me, and laid both of us down on the bed.  I snuggled into his warm embrace and let the tears come once  again.  We held eachother while we grieved and comforted eachother's cries.  

Madame Giry was the first mother figure I had known, but the first friend that Erik had ever known, so I knew he was probably much more upset than me.    I composed myself to an extent and looked into Erik's tearful eyes.  He sadly stared back at me.  "I am sorry, Erik.  I loved her, but I cannot imagine what you are feeling right now."  I whsipered.  He looked away.  "She was my only friend for years.  She saved me, she comforted me, and loved me.  She....brought me to you."  He replied with a hoarse voice.  I sniveled and put a hand to his face.  "And we are forever greatful to her for that.."  I said, giving him a small smile.  

"Meg must come stay with us."  He said, wiping away his tears.  I nodded in agreement.  "Yes, she doesn't have anywhere to go.  She's my best friend, and it's the least we can do for Madame Giry."  I agreed.  He looked at me, now slightly more composed.  "Go.  Write to Meg and explain that if she wants to come stay with us to prepare her things and come with the messanger.  If she doesn't, than just send word back."  He ordered.  I nodded and sat up and got out of bed.

***

Dear Meg,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss.  She will be dearly missed.  But I have a proposition to make.  If you wish, Erik has proposed that you come stay with us.  I know it is sudden , but really what have you to do?  Just please come to see me.  You don't have to stay forever (even though you are welcome to).  If you say yes, than prepare your things and allow our stable boy to stay at your house the night and rest.  Than in the morning you will make your journey to us.  It is not far, do not worry.  But, if you do not want to come, just send word back to us.  But please, come to me.

Love,

Alexandra

***

Erik ordered a different stable boy to send the message to Meg and told him to hurry, for it was urgent.  I sent a prayer to God, asking him to let my dear friend return with the boy.  I knew she would, though.