Between Mirrors and Roses (A Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction) ✓

37: Aria

Christine

After so long spent in anticipation, I hardly knew what to do with the child Erik and I had just brought into existence.

Nestled in my arms, she made soft burbling noises, her face scrunched up as if already displeased by the world.

I touched her little fist with a finger. "Would you like to hold her?" I asked Erik.

His voice was thick. "Not just yet."

I was secretly glad; I wanted Aria to stay in my embrace until I was assured that no harm could come to her. Common sense soon prevailed, however, and I relinquished the girl to Mme Giry so I could take some food and have a few moments to relax.

The room's many occupants crowded around the new baby, all trying to memorize her image with the same ferocity that I had been only moments before.

Erik squeezed my hand, and I accepted his strength gratefully.

We had a baby.

Events after that were a blur; the only solid image I could remember was the face of little Aria, back in my arms. The doctor and midwife were paid and took their leave. Nadir left, promising to come back soon. Meg had to return to the opera house, but her mother arranged to stay with us for a short while to assist with the baby.

Aria slept soundly after a bout of desolate tears.

In the next few days, Mme Giry showed us how to swaddle Aria tight in a blanket, clean her messes, and hold her properly. "Give her a little bounce," she said. "Babies are used to their mothers' movement, so bouncing and rocking soothe them."

Her advice was welcome. My only experiences with taking care of infants were babysitting jobs years ago.

Too soon, Giry had to leave us to our own devices. "You can always call for me if you need anything," she said as we saw her to the door on her last day. "But I have a job to do, and who knows what trouble everyone will be getting into without me there."

Erik held the door open for her, and I caught a glimpse of Nadir walking up the front steps just as she was starting down them.

He tipped his hat to her and paused. "Good day to you, Madame. I was just on my way to visit. I hope you are not leaving."

"I must return to the opera house," she replied. "I have been away for too long already. I trust that you will keep these young ones from getting into any mischief."

Nadir bowed low to her. "You have my word, Madame."

They continued their separate ways, but I saw Mme Giry touch her hair nervously as if to assure it was still in place. Huh.

We welcomed Nadir inside and led him up to Aria's cradle.

She was bundled up snugly, but her large, intelligent eyes wandered around the room. She breathed in tiny, adorable puffs.

Nadir let out a sigh as he leaned over the cradle, and he babbled at her in a foreign language.

Erik and I stood off to the side. Seeing his expression, I deduced that he understood his friend's words. "What is he saying?" I whispered.

"He is speaking Farsi, and not very eloquently I'm afraid. Something along the lines of 'baby, small baby...' All right, that isn't even language anymore; he's just making sounds."

I stifled a giggle.

Nadir asked my permission to hold Aria, so I told him to sit in a chair and gently handed her to him. He gazed at her adoringly and rocked her. "I must come over even more often, now," he chuckled.