Come into the Light

Epilogue

10 Months Later

My hands were shaking as they were passing the page of the novel I was reading by candlelight in my bedroom. I was in my nightgown and our mansion was pretty quiet, all of the servants fast asleep. But I could not sleep. I would not sleep until Erik arrived and I could give him the news. I do not exactly know how he will take it. The last time we spoke of the subject, he seemed quite adamant about it but... when we did, it was not a reality, now it is.

I heard the doorknob rattle quietly as Erik tried to enter the room without making a sound.

"Oh, Meg, I thought you would be asleep." He said as he closed the door and noticed I was still awake.

"No, I could not sleep, I was waiting up for you." I answered, putting my book aside as Erik started to undress. "How was rehearsal?" I asked.

Benedict and Erik had prepared another Recital for our students. Thankfully, new students were joining more each month; the Academy certainly has taken on a new prestige. It has begun to make a name for itself. I decided I would not perform in this recital but help my smaller students appear in the beginning of it. My rehearsals, being with children, were of course not so long.

"It went pretty well. But I still have to work on some of the music. It is not quite how I would like it yet." Erik answered, taking off his hat, revealing his rebuilt face. It was touched up with a lot of theatre makeup of course. Erik wanted it to look as normal as possible. I know he is still a bit afraid of people's reactions. After a lifetime of rejection, he seems to find it difficult not to feel that way. But people always tend to think it is an old wound of war and Erik simply does not correct them. At first, it was quite strange seeing Erik now with a complete face, it almost seemed like he was a different person. But I have found myself getting used to it. Erik was able to have a semblance of normalcy, which is what he wanted. But to me, he will always be that man in a white mask that I met so many years ago playing an organ.

"I know that phrase. That means you will be shutting yourself into your study to write tonight." I said and he simply grinned at me, knowing that I was right.

"You know that I cannot stop once I have the melody in my head." Erik answered, changing into black trousers and a white shirt.

"But before you go... May I speak to you about something?" I asked nervously. Erik must have sensed the tone in my voice because he froze from putting on his white shirt.

"What is it, Meg? Are you all right?" He quickly asked.

"Yes, I am fine, I am more than fine actually. I... I am ecstatic." I smiled, knowing it to be true.

"What has you so excited?" He asked. I stood up on my knees on the bed and got closer to him until we were inches from each other.

"My darling, you are scaring me. I have not seen you this nervous since our wedding night." He whispered to me, taking some of my blonde hair and putting it behind my ear. I smiled, knowing it was true. I was shaking.

"Erik, you know how I fainted the other day at a rehearsal?" I began to say, trying to get the words out of my mouth.

"I do not like thinking much about it but yes." He said with his familiar protective tone.

"Well, I went to the doctor today because I was starting to feel lightheaded quite constantly. And ... he told me... that I was with child." I said that final statement as quickly as I could, wanting the words out already.

A long silence ensued and my heart began beating erratically. The last time Erik and I spoke of having children Erik was quite against it. Even though Philippe had no health issues, he was afraid that the condition of his deformity could be hereditary. I assured him that it could not be but we ended up having our first, big discussion since we got married. But now... we were not speaking hypothetically.