Wanted

Chapter 33

{2 weeks later}

Two weeks had passed and Erik was slowly healing. His coughing was still really bad, and his fever would occasionally go up. But the doctor said he was almost certain that Erik would survive. That's what kept Christine going everyday. Even through the rough days she would think about that and gain faith.

When there was a knock on the door, Christine got up to answer it, Gustave right at her heels. Dr.Moreau stood there with his bag in hand. Christine moved out of the way to let him in.

"Madame Destler, it's good to see you. And hello to you too, Gustave!" Dr.Moreau said and Gustave smiled. "I'm assuming he's back in the room?"  Dr.Moreau asked and Christine nodded. Gustave followed what had become a normal routine and went to his room while Christine and the doctor went to tend to Erik.

Christine opened the door and walked over to her sleeping husband. She gently shook his shoulder in attempt to wake him. "Darling, Dr.Moreau is here." Christine cooed and Erik opened his eyes.

"Monsieur Destler, how have you been feeling?" The doctor asked and Erik propped himself up on the pillows.

"I have my good days and my bad ones." Erik said and the doctor nodded as he pulled out his stethoscope. Christine knew what this meant, so she came forward and unbuttoned Erik's shirt before sliding it off his shoulders.

Dr.Moreau placed the cold metal on Erik's bare chest causing him to shiver. He moved the stethoscope around some before taking it away. "Your heart rate is a little slow, but that's to be expected." Dr.Moreau assured them.

After the checkup, Dr.Moreau left the couple alone. Christine handed Erik his shirt back and he put it on. "We don't want you getting cold." Christine told him.

The door opened and Gustave stood in the doorway. "Is Papa all better yet?" Gustave asked and Christine laughed.

"Not quite, but he will be soon." Christine assured the small boy. Erik waved to Gustave who smiled and waved back. Christine was lucky considering that she got to at least sit by Erik and hold his hand. Gustave wasn't allowed to even fully enter the room.

Christine walked over to her son and scooped him up. "How about we go shopping?" Christine asked and Gustave nodded.

"Alright then, go get your shoes on. I'll be in there in a moment to help you." Christine said and kissed his head before he ran down the hall. "Be careful!" Christine called.

"Is there anything you need from the market?" Christine asked Erik and he shook his head. She waved at him before getting Gustave and leaving the opera house.

She walked down the streets of Paris holding Gustave's hand so he wouldn't run off. As they walked, Christine noticed Meg and Nadir walking down the street as well. Christine lifted Gustave up in her arms and made her way over to them.

Meg waved once she saw her and Christine smiled. It was so nice to see Meg and Nadir as a couple. Meg had seemed a little upset when she found out that Erik was married.

"Hello Christine!" Meg said as she approached them. "And how are you, Gustave?" Meg asked as she looked at Gustave. Gustave gave a thumbs up causing all of the adults to laugh.

"How is Erik doing?" Nadir asked and Christine sighed. It was a tough topic for her to talk about. She knew he wasn't healthy right now.

"He's alright. The doctor came this morning and said he's showing progress." Christine said and Meg and Nadir nodded. Gustave pulled on one of Christine's curls as she continued to talk to the other adults. "Well, I should be going, but it was nice seeing you." Christine said before waving and walking away.

Christine let her son down once they arrived at the market. She grabbed everything they needed before paying and making their way back home.

"Gustave, I'm going to make soup for lunch. Is that fine?" Christine asked and Gustave nodded as he played with his toys. Christine hummed a song as she prepared the meal.

Once the soup was finished, Christine set Gustave down at the table and handed him his bowl of soup. Christine saw him take a few bites, but something was obviously bothering him.

"Mama, when can I see Papa?" Gustave asked and Christine was about to respond when she heard footsteps. She looked up to see Erik walking into the kitchen.

"Right now, if you'd like." Erik rasped as he held onto the counter for support. The man had barely walked for a month. Christine was immediately up and at Erik's side.

"Erik, you need to go back to the bed. You shouldn't be up." Christine said, rubbing his back as he coughed. The coughing subsided and he smiled at his son who was eyeing him curiously.

"Am I not aloud to see my family?" Erik asked and Christine didn't know how to reply. But Gustave chose that moment to join the conversation.

"Papa, are you ok?" Gustave asked sweetly and Erik nodded.

"I'm alright. But I promise, in two weeks I'll be good as new." Erik said and he saw Gustave frown and tears brim the same yellow/brown eyes that Erik had. It broke Erik's heart to see his son cry. All he wanted to do was scoop him up and tell him that everything would be alright.

Christine noticed this and she raced to Gustave's side and comforted him. Erik sighed and made his way back to the room. Christine noticed he had gone back and followed him.

Upon entering, she noticed tears in his eyes. "Darling, what's the matter?" Christine asked and she sat beside him.

"I'm a terrible father. I can't even be in the same room as my own son." Erik said and Christine grabbed his hand.

"It's not your fault. Soon you'll be able to spend as much time with Gustave as you want." Christine told him and he nodded. He missed spending time with his family.

Cast:
Erik Destler ~ Ramin Karimloo
Christine Destler ~ Sierra Boggess
Dr.Moreau ~ Derek Klena
Gustave Destler ~ Hadley Karimloo
Meg Giry ~ Daisy Maywood
Nadir Kahn ~ Nadim Naaman