A New Beginning

Chapter 38

About two weeks later, Gustave's leg healed. He had started going out more and his self-confidence improved. One day he announced he was going out, so Erik decided to spend some time with Lotte. "What would you like to do today, my little princess? It can be anything you want," he grinned.

Lotte thought for a moment. "Can we cook, papa?" she smiled up at him. Erik picked her up and carried her on his hip to the kitchen. They decided they wanted to make cookies. As they waited for them to be done, Erik sat her on the counter and told her stories and made her laugh. Once they were done, Lotte climbed down and went to get them. "Papa, they're done!" she cheered.

Erik grinned and turned around to get the oven mittens. When he turned back around he noticed Lotte was reaching for the tray, and he immediately dropped them to the floor. "Lotte, no!" he yelled and rushed over to her but it was too late. Poor Lotte had burnt her tiny hands and was now crying. Erik frowned and took her to the bathroom. "Princess, I'm sorry, I should've told you it was hot," he frowned as he washed her hands with cold water and then took out some medicine from the cabinet under the sink. He rubbed it on her hands and kissed every finger. "Better?" he asked, receiving the tiniest of nods in response. He bandaged her hands and then carried her to the parlour, where he sat with her to read, and she soon fell asleep. As Erik carried her to her bed, Gustave sneaked in, drying a couple tears from his cheeks, and he quickly hid in his room. He sobbed into his pillow for what felt like hours, and he fell asleep.

As if on cue, Lotte woke up the minute Gustave fell asleep. Then she went to her mother and asked, "Is Gustave back yet?"

Christine looked at the clock and then told her he should be back. "I'll go look in his room," she offered and did so. Gustave was sound asleep in his bed, tear stains still in his unmasked cheek. Christine frowned and went to remove his mask, but Gustave stirred awake. "Angel, I didn't mean to wake you," she whispered, "you can go back to sleep."

Gustave sat up and shook his head. "It's alright... is there anything you need, mommy?" he asked.

Christine wiped his tear stains with her thumb. "What happened?" sha asked softly.

Gustave pulled out a torn rose from the inside pocket of his jacket and frowned. "She didn't want it," his eyes filled with tears again and he began to cry once more.

Christine took the delicate flower in her hands and held her son close. "Come here," she told him. "There will be more girls, I promise you. Don't be sad," she begged and rocked him back and forth. "What was her name?"

Gustave wiped his tears. "Marie," he whispered.

Christine sang to him softly until she thought he was sleeping, she laid him down and tucked him in after changing him into his nightgown, she kissed his forehead and left the room.

Lotte soon came in. "Gustave?" she called in a whisper and climbed on the bed next to him. "Gustave," she called again.

Gustave sat up. "Hi Lotte," he grinned and yawned.

"I missed you today, what all did you do?"

Gustave half-reluctantly told her his story and waited for her advice. "You have to talk to her again! Ask why she rejected you," Lotte offered. "Then at least you'll know if you did something wrong and you won't do it again."

Gustave smiled. "Your idea is perfect," he told her.

"That's what James did when he-" Lotte stopped mid sentence.

"James, huh?" Gustave smirked. "You'll have to tell me all about him in the morning, right now I just have to know what happened to your hands..."

Lotte told him the story and then Gustave kissed her hands. "Goodnight Lotte," he smiled before turning off the lamp that lit the bedroom.