Keep Me Close

You've Become Soft

"One, a one, two, three" I heard as we entered the theater. We were greeted with the music from rehearsals. Meg was on stage dancing along, with Madame Giry watching from the side. Nothing has changed. I glanced at Noel, she seemed infatuated with the girls dancing. They finished up the routine, and went scattering since rehearsal had ended,
"Erik, lets not creep in the shadows dear" Madame Giry said. She wasn't even looking in my direction... she had always told me she had eyes in the back of her head. Maybe it was true. I wasn't even in the dark on purpose, yet she knew me and my habits too well.
"Go look around" I said to the children as they ran towards the stage. I approached Madame Giry, who had a shocked expression on her face,
"Adopting stray children now are we?" She asked
"No, that's your thing Madame" I said with a smile, out of the corner of my eye I saw her smirk too.
"No, Lily's friends. They asked to see the theater" I said.
"I cant believe they couldn't understand that transition Mother" i heard a distressed Meg Giry approach,
"Oh Erik, i didn't see you. Have you been here all along?" She asked with hope.
"No, I just arrived with the children, however I saw the final number. It's coming along nicely" I complimented. Meg's face seemed to light up. I hadn't spent much time with her, however Lily had. They had become quite close. On weekends when I had work to do, Meg would take her to breakfast and shopping. It was good for them both. Meg needed some sort of closure after Christine's death and Lily needed some sort of maternal figure in her life. We continued small talk until Madame Giry hushed us both, she had been looking on the stage. Noel stood in the center, slowly going over a routine. Madame Giry looked at her with interest.
"She's quite good" Meg muttered. Madame Giry then approached her,
"First position" she said in a stern voice. Noel looked at her confused coming out of her trance.
"Let me repeat myself, first position" Noel quickly stepped into a stance. She had no idea who she was dealing with.
"Spread your feet more, and pivot them out" Madame Giry said. Noel did as she was instructed.
"How long have you been dancing?" Madame asked.
"Five years, Madame" she answered.
"You are quite good. A bit sloppy but good," Madame half complimented. Meg then joined her mother on stage, observing Noel. I watched in amusement. Remembering the way she used to critique Meg and Christine when they were young.
"Father, we're hungry" I heard Lily say. I tuned to face her and Ramin.
"Well then, we must go get supper" I said. I approached the girls on stage in the middle of instructing Noel. "I hate to interrupt, however i have some hungry children to feed. Why dont the both of you join us?" I asked Madame and Meg.
"I would love to, however I have plans Erik" Madame said,
"I'd love to" Meg replied.
"Noel, if you wish to continue your instruction I'm always here on weekdays when you have finished with school" Madame Giry offered.
"Yes Madame, I'd love to" Noel said beaming. Madame Giry cracked a smile and left the stage.
"All right, lets be off" I said as the four followed me.

The children wanted Italian food, so we ended up at a restaurant on the board walk. The children got a separate table from us across the way. Meg and I sat conversing about work and other things. I also watched my daughter with her friends, they were making each other roar with laughter, Ramin being the main reason it seemed. He would always be making faces at the girls making them giggle, I smirked watching them.
"Oh Erik... she's made you soft," Meg said snapping me out of my trance,
"What could you possibly mean by that?" I asked defensively furrowing my eye brows.
"Your so different now" she said smiling warmly.
"Different? Explain woman" I said impatiently
"You are gentle now... gentle and warm. She's got you wrapped around her finger... I couldn't be happier for you" she said. She was correct. Lily had changed me for the better. I still had my temper but it appeared less. I no longer wanted to hide alone in the shadows constantly.
"Well thank you... I think." she grabbed my wrist, but i didn't flinch. She noticed this as well. The waitress then approached my daughters table,  and they ordered their meals,
"I'll have the chicken alfredo" my daughter said.
"Ehem" I cleared my throat,
"Please" she added hearing my signal, turning to give me a smirk. The waitress wrote it down and moved on to us.
"Is she your daughter Mr Y?" The young woman asked.
"Indeed" she grinned at me,
"She's adorable, and very polite. You should be very proud" she said
"I am, thank you madame" i said accepting the compliment. I was indeed very proud of the young lady she was becoming.
"Now, what can i get you both to eat?" She stated. I gestured for Meg to begin,
"Garden salad please" Meg said handing her the menu.
"And for you sir?" She asked
"The salmon and a glass of your house red wine. Please and thank you" I said. Meg looked at me with a shocked expression as the waitress walked away,
"What?" I said confused at her look.
"The skeleton man is now eating?" She asked with a laugh,
"Oh is that what your mother and you are calling me now?" I asked with a sarcastic tone.
"Well, it isn't far off." she said
"You'd be surprised at the appetite you work up chasing after children" i answered.
"I suppose your right" she said taking a sip of her water.
"And for your information, I've gained five pounds" I muttered under my breath. Meg tried not to spit out her water after at my comment.
"And now you seem to have a sense of humor" she said swallowing.
"Always have, but the things I used to find funny weren't always the most appropriate" I said taking a sip of my wine. Meg and I caught up and reminisced over our meal, it was good having somebody like her to talk to. She was very caring and humorous. No wonder she and Christine were so close.
After we had all finished our meal and said our good byes, the children and I made our way to the beach to watch the firework show. It was a excellent show. Noel's father met us later on at the theater and took her home.
"It was a delight meeting you Noel. Please don't be a stranger" I said extending my hand to kiss hers again but she did something to catch me off guard. She ran at me and wrapped her arms around me. I was shocked by her actions. Just a few hours ago she was terrified by me. Now that had seemed to change,
"Thank you, Mr Destler. It was a wonderful day" she said, I wrapped my arm around her,
"Your welcome my dear." she released me with and ran to her father. He thanked me and took his daughter home. Ramin and Lily waved as their friend rode off with her Father.
"Ramin I suppose we must get you home" i said
"Yes sir" he said. He and Lily walked ahead of me chatting away about the fireworks. It warmed my heart to see the sight in front of me. Meg was right, I had become rather soft as she said.